A little lost havenworlder child runs up to Sensei Twii and flitters up to his shoulder to ask for help. They're scared and don't know where their parentals are. -- BKF
The fledgeling was able to lift off for short bursts. Almost typical for Avian Havenworlders. They lit from bench to benchtop to passing maintenance wagon before landing, panting, on Master Twii's shoulder. "Riri said... if I gotted lost," they managed, "I gotta find a Human. you look... human. Are you a Human please?"
'By technicality, yes," answered Twii. Ze had started off as Human. Various interventions and a lot of time had made hir status a matter of debate. Which was all too much to explain to a very young Havenworlder. "You need help?"
"Yup! I gotted lost. I can't find my Riri and Nama."
And the Avian adults had told this little one to look for the friendliest cogniscents in the Alliance. Smart move in Alliance space. "Very clever of Riri and Nama," acknowledged Twii. Before ze got the authorities involved... "What were you looking at before you noticed Riri and Nama had got away from you?"
"There were some very pretty cakes in all colours of the rainbow," chirped the child. "There was a bright red one anna blue one anna big green one with a frog on it (gasp) anna yellow one with a big-big sunflower on it, anna orange one with a shiny orange slice on it, anna purple one with a princess on it!"
Twii knew the bakery before the fledgeling had reached 'green'. There, anxiously looking around, were a pair of Havenworlder Avians trying desperately not to panic. One had lit on the back of a bench to scan the crowd at a higher vantage point. That one spotted Twii and hir temporary charge and visibly relaxed.
"Found," sand the elevated Avian.
"Nama!" The fledgeling leaped off Twii and glided to their parental.
Twii followed at a non-threatening pace. Choosing to stand like a dancer rather than standing like a weapon. "Glad to see a family re-united. You're visitors to the station?"
"Temporary residents waiting for a transit connection," clarified the one who had to be Riri.
"It's advisable to stop in at a security booth and get your little one some DR-tracer anklets[1]. To protect from assorted perils. They can be removed once you return to the surface of a planet." Twii pointed the way to a convenient booth, brightly visible in hues of purple and orange.
"Our thanks, cogniscent," said Nama. "How much do we owe you for your time?"
"A free service. I have plenty." Twii bowed. "Enjoy your stay."
[1] DR - Diminished Responsibility. The tracer bracelets and anklets exist to protect and secure minors and those with mental difficulties. In an environment where the wrong door can lead to injury or death, it's prudent to know where the kids are at all times.
[Photo by Yoonji kim on Unsplash]
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