They were small, thin, wiry, bespeckled and lanky. They spent most their time reading, or quietly relaxing, listening to music. But there was a reason this human wore the red, yellow, and black of Pax Humanis. And a reason those that became their friends knew that they would never be alone, or left to face a frightening world by themselves. -- Anon Guest
Most of them have a cabin in the woods where the hunting is good and they are far away from others. Some prefer their pack. At least one has a library and comfortable chairs with good light. There are other entertainments, but this member of Pax Humanis always goes back to the tactile rewards of a physical book.
Unlike most members of Pax Humanis, this one prefers cats. Unlike very many members of Pax Humanis, Human Xun was trusted to socialise with the more 'normal' members of this sanctuary.
Quiet. Unassuming. Almost passive. They are the last kind of person one might expect from Pax Humanis, but ze has a secret strength.
Once upon a time, as a child of eight, ze was furious when a band of Vorax attacked hir family's cruiser. The alarming part was when ze put hir fist straight through a Vorax carapace and proceeded to literally tear the invaders apart.
Human Xun is a berserker. You won't like hir when ze's angry.
There are many things in Alliance society that could make a quiet person scream in fury. Dereggers and Knomiras for the most part. There are other annoyances, like a desynchronised transit system when one is in a hurry[1]. Or a restaurant running out of one's favourite foodstuff. Things that, like gentle snowflakes, can mount up to an avalanche in the wrong circumstances.
It's better to not have a berserker avalanche in a crowded environment.
Xun has a DR Bracelet[2] as a warning to others. There's also a very precise monitor of hir stress indicators, and a fluffy felinoid Augment Companion as combination therapist and stress relief.
Such precautions keep things running smoothly during Xun's trips for groceries or to the book store.
Well. As smooth as they can get when hell is other people.
[1] The more of a hurry you are in, the more the means of getting to your destination mess you up.
[2] DR - Diminished Responsibility. Those who do not have the complete set of skills for responsible behaviour in normal society wear at least one of these bracelets or anklets. Children are expected to graduate out of wearing them. Criminals and Knomiras have to have remedial education and therapy to get theirs removed.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / cookelma]
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