Challenge #02039-E215: Ambassador Oozagoodoggieden
Sees human: avoids eye contact, walks away
Sees dog: coos and tried to get its attention -- TheDragonsFlame
Dog is Ambassador to Human.
Throx considered the daily quote and figured it had been a mistranslation of some truly wise words. Things didn't always meld that well with GalStand Simple and the message was lost in the translation.
"Good morning," said an automated voice. "Welcome to Way Out Station. Your sleeper pod has been transferred to the Decon Zone. Please wait and a technician will see you shortly."
Way Out Station. In the Edge Territories. On one hand, Throx's outer survey job would pay so very well, but on the other... Here there be Deathworlders. Throx reminded hirself of all the rules when working with Deathworlders. No aggressive moves. If one knows the species, look up the aggressive moves before interaction. Do not, under any circumstances, act like prey. Don't maintain eye contact for longer than thirty seconds. Don't be loud. Don't get within grappling distance. Tune your bio-alert system to Local Station Security and Emergency Response Team frequencies.
All this, and a Medik check-up to be sure Throx didn't upset the local biota nor vice-versa. And then Throx was free. For limited definitions of free. Eyescreen tuned to the map. Emergency contact details tuned to the station. Offensensitivity screens on. And Deathworlder alerts on.
It was difficult to walk in confidence without being threatening whilst also not making eye contact or seeming like a prey being. Throx thought ze had it handled, all the same. Hir alerts warned her of an approaching Human. One of the many Deathworlders that inhabited this area. Throx kept to hir planned path and prepared a Neutral Greeting. Aiming to show an empty hand in a lazy salute. Not making eye contact. Not being aggressive. Not interacting in any other way.
The Human was walking their dog.
Throx's plans went out the nearest airlock. "Oh, issa cute li'l doggy," ze cooed. "Hewwo widdle doggy. Is you a cutie, essoois, essoois..."
The Human on the other end of the leash laughed. "Yes, of course you can pat my dog." They hunkered down and joined in lavishing attention on the canine. "Her name is Pebbles, and she's three years old."
Throx looked the Human in the eye. Showed hir teeth. Did all the things one wasn't supposed to do with a Deathworlder and the Deathworlder didn't mind. "She is beautiful."
It was only later, when Throx was almost at hir designated destination, that ze realised.
Dog is Ambassador to Human.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / spetenfia]
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