Acceptable diversity

by Lanevra

Encounters with human prejudices will show how much Da'an and Boone have in common. SLASH

"I don't understand why Da'an accepts him at all," Sandoval commented with his usual irritability.

Boone measured him out of the corner of his eye.

He knew very well why Da'an had agreed to meet with Reverend John. There was a simple and sincere interest in the problems of humanity and in solving these problems. Something Sandoval hadn't known to Zo'or for a long time during his service, so he was all the less willing to pass on Da'an's interest without resentment.

"It's Taelon. He certainly has his reasons for that, "he replied calmly and exactly according to what would be expected from an obedient Implant.

Sandoval gave him a sharp look in return, but said nothing more. Due to his imperative, which was enough to remind him that Da'an is a Taelon and did not allow him to continue his complaints. But mainly because Da'an finally turned away from the window and walked to his control chair, indicating that he was ready to accept the Reverend.

"Please, Agent Sandoval, bring our guest," Da'an instructed as he sat down in the chair with that strange, sometimes disturbing elegance. Not only did he not have bones and joints, he really didn't. He was just pure energy enclosed in a thin skin of skin. On the one hand, powerful even without all of Taelon's advanced equipment, but on the other hand, strangely fragile and vulnerable when it came to a robust human world. Perhaps that fragility was the reason why William's stomach shook warningly every time Da'an was to meet anyone else.

The first time he experienced this feeling, not unlike the care he had for Kate, it made him worry that his CVI had somehow reprogrammed back and the Imperative had been activated. But he quickly realized that this was not the case. All he had to do was meet Zo'or, who was as uncomfortable as he had on the first day, and had no desire to protect him beyond what he took for granted as a simple policeman; to protect the life and health of everyone, regardless of their gender, race, religion and, in this case, regardless of species.

No, it was just Da'an.

Perhaps as if Taelon had caught his current thoughts, he turned slightly to him, and his thin, colorless lips rose in a smile so small that if William hadn't known him for some time, he would hardly have noticed. They met with a look. For one brief moment, Da'an's phosphorescent blue eyes glowed with inner energy before he looked away from Boone and threw him over his shoulder.

Boone's improved hearing caught a pair of approaching footsteps that would be barely audible to the average person on the soft floor of the Taelon Embassy. He took it as a signal to move closer to the control chair, to Da'an's left, to be between the door and his Companion.

A moment later, Sandoval emerged from around the corner, followed by a tall, slender black man who resembled exactly what he could be; professional basketball player. If only he hadn't chosen a church instead of a sports career. Reverend John showed his devotion to the Church not only with a small wooden cross hanging under the collar of a tightly buttoned and carefully ironed light salmon shirt, but also with a touched little Bible, which he held in his hands along with a thick dark brown folder.

"Welcome, Reverend John Brown," Da'an greeted him with a small bow and a typical hand gesture that stroked the air. It just seemed part of a greeting, or something involuntary, but Boone knew there was more to it. He couldn't know for sure and didn't dare ask, but this little gesture always made him think that Da'an wanted to touch the tips of his fingers around each stranger he greeted.

"I am honored to meet you, Da'an," the Reverend said resoundingly.

And he stepped in front of the chair with a sweep that matched his appearance and nature (at least the part described in his file) with his hand outstretched to shake. He would probably climb a few steps to grab Da'an's hand, whether Taelon cooperated or not, but of course he didn't get that far.

Sandoval stood in his way and looked up at him so cold that the Reverend backed away, even though he was at least forty inches taller than the Defender.

"Companions don't shake hands. Keep your distance… please, "he seemingly asked, but rather Sandoval ordered, completely intimidated by the great man he was talking to. If Boone had been in his place, he would have acted with a little more respect, not least because he was a reverend or because he did not have the Imperative built into his CVI, which forced him to behave protectively towards the Taelon regardless of the situation.

"Sure, I didn't know. I'm sorry, "said the reverend, obviously a little taken aback by the way openly rude Sandoval had treated him.

"Please do not apologize, Reverend. No need, "Da'an said, diplomatic as always, and raised his hand amicably. "On the contrary, I must apologize for the excessive zeal of one of my Protectors." As he spoke, his hands moved slightly seemingly randomly, but Boone saw more of it again. It was as if Taelon was going through the nonexistent threads around the Reverend

and in a relaxed expression, he seemed satisfied with what he saw or perhaps felt. He showed how satisfied he was as soon as he got up and began to descend, while still continuing just as amicably and diplomatically:

"While he is telling the truth that it is not our habit to greet by touch, he did not take into account that I might want to touch a person who is walking one of the human paths to greater spiritual knowledge."

Da'an raised his hand in a somewhat clumsy imitation of the offer to shake, but the reverend didn't mind at all. On the contrary, with a wide smile, he took Tael's tiny hand in his large and gripped it.

"Thank you for these words of wisdom and helpfulness, my friend," replied the Reverend, making it clear that the word 'friend' did not mean in the sense of the Taelon Companions. He probably addressed everyone he met. This was confirmed to Boone when the Reverend immediately released Da'an's hand and continued, "I confess that I did not expect such much recognition from you for my faith."

Da'an tilted his head to the side.

"Why not?" he asked curiously.

"As far as I know, the Taeloni have not yet commented on any of our religions."

"Of course not," Da'an nodded. "The Synod has ruled that it is not in the interest of the people or the Taelons to pass judgment on human religions. We have examined them and, as a whole, have concluded that each of them has the potential to elevate the human mind to new levels, "he moved his hand slightly upwards," like any other attempt to immerse himself, "he put his hand on his chest," to understand him and improve him. "

"True true," the reverend agreed seriously, nodding his acknowledgment. "I, too, think that faith should elevate the human spirit and mind, and that each one of us should try to draw strength from it to change our behavior and thus perhaps to change the world around us. But, "he emphasized in his tone, as well as as he raised the Bible and the folder," we must not forget the power that God Himself gives us through faith, because it is He who will put us on our feet when we fall to the ground in the most difficult moments. "

"As Taeloni realizes the power of faith, especially if they believe human beings, we do not recognize the existence of an entity you call God, Reverend. However, "he said emphatically, raising his hand to hold back the inhaling Reverend," if I can speak for myself "and if I have correctly understood the definition of God as described in this book." to the Reverend, "I did not see a single piece of evidence on my travels through space that would make it impossible to exist. So, as a scientist, I am determined to remain open to all possibilities. "

The Reverend blinked, then a wide smile spread his lips, which quickly turned to amused laughter.

"Correctly a diplomatic answer," he evaluated Da'an's words.

Taelon smiled slightly in response and bowed his head in appreciation before looking at the Reverend again and tilting his head slightly.

"Now that you know where I stand in such an important question for you - what are you coming up with?"

"As you may know, for the money I receive as a gift from my parishioners, I rented a former yoga studio near our church and decided to rebuild it into such a small cultural and sports center for street children."

"I'm listening intently, Reverend. Please continue, "Da'an urged him as the Reverend's voice faded, probably in response to the Taelon ambassador half-turning and walking toward the room.

The Reverend also turned to watch the slow-moving Da'an. Boone watched him in the same way, and based on the inclination of his slender shoulders, he quickly came to the conclusion that he was really interested in the subject of the conversation, despite the fact that he now stood almost back to the reverend.

"Yes - so," the reverend began again, taking a step toward Da'an, but only earned another stern look from Sandoval, who held him almost literally in the middle of the step. "... our beginnings were difficult. We had to rebuild the whole place, and some merchants in the neighborhood didn't like to see my children snuggle around their shops, and a few times a night a brick flew through the glass or a spray-painted sign appeared on the gable. " As he spoke, he frowned, but only briefly. "My parishioners are generous, but there are not many of them, so we quickly ran out of money. I didn't want to give it up, so I took out a loan so I could… "

Da'an turned with a speed one would not expect from such a gently moving creature, and raised his hand in a silent gesture.

"I'll stop you here, Reverend," he said emphatically, but not hostilely. "Although I find your efforts noble and understand that sufficient resources are a problem for you, know that neither I nor any of my brothers own any funds. I can't help you with that. "

The Reverend shook his head sharply.

"I didn't come to ask you for a gift," he said firmly. "Even though we have little money and sometimes we are late with the repayment, we would somehow be able to repay the loan if it stayed with the bank. But the bank sold it to the Church of Companionss, and now they want to raise interest or I should hand over my center to them. I don't want to do that, "he said emphatically. "The Churchev Companions have a lot of money and they did a lot of good things, but I just don't agree with everything my sheep teach. I want to lead my children in a different way - a way when yes, I acknowledge all the good things you have done for humanity since your arrival, but with all due respect to you - I do not consider you messengers of God, "he added with crackling sincerity, but not unkindly.

This was an approach that Da'an visibly appreciated, even with a small smile.

"I like your sincerity and I understand that the mindset of the Church of Companions may not suit you, but I still don't understand why you're here."

"I was hoping that if you supported my little project, the Church of Companions would be willing to reach a compromise."

"I'm afraid you overestimate my influence or the influence of any Taelon on the Church. We have no contact with them. As I said, the Synod has decided that issues of religion will not be the subject of discussion between the Taelons and the people. "

"I want nothing more than to come to us. I hope that alone can convince the leaders of the Church of the Companions that I think I am doing a good job. "

"It certainly could," Da'an agreed, opening his arms. "However, I don't know if you're really doing a good job."

Reverend John, evidently encouraged by Da'an's willingness, stepped forward enthusiastically and picked up the thick file. He placed a hand on her with a proud smile.

"Here's everything - my plans for the future, photos of my children, articles that have been written about us - go through it and see that you would support a good cause."

There was pure enthusiasm in the Reverend's voice, as well as pride reflected in the wide smile, which did not disappear even when Sandoval stood in his way again, not only to take the file from him, but also to keep him from approaching Da'an again.

"Allright then. I will look at your materials and let you know how I decided. "

"I will look forward to your answer."

Da'an bowed his head in farewell, then looked up at Boone and motioned for him to approach them.

"Commander Boone will escort you."

Boone descended from a small podium under the control chair and joined the Reverend's side. A quick farewell exchange followed, and a moment later Reverend John led from Da'an's office into the hallway, where he was to be picked up by volunteer security. But before handing it to them, he considered it necessary to boost his hopes a little, so he stood in his way and smiled encouragingly.

"He liked you, Reverend. I'm pretty sure he'll visit your community center. "

"Do you think?" the reverend asked in return, now a little more uncertain than before. "It cost me a lot to get here at all, but I had no choice. I'm afraid Da'an is my only hope, even if only a little. I know he probably has more things to do than a few street children… still… I will still hope, "he added with a new hope with a full smile.

"I don't think you're in vain. If he hadn't liked your project before you came here, he wouldn't have accepted you at all, "he said confidently, because it was he who was looking for information about the Reverend and his community center when his name was first mentioned. He presented Da'an with everything not only about the center itself, but also about Reverend John and his past. So they knew in advance about the problems with finances, as well as with the Church of the Companions, and even about the strange machinations that took place in the background of the sale of the loan that the reverend had with the bank. So if Da'an decided that this little charity was not of interest to him, he really wouldn't simply accept Reverend John. Not that William expected anything like that from him. He had long noticed that his Taelon had a weak spot for children, and if anyone, literally anyone, had anything to do with the children and had just mentioned it to Da'an, he immediately had his full attention.

Therefore, he was not at all surprised that Da'an decided to devote himself to something as small as a small community center with a few dozen children and teenagers.

"I'll take your word for it, Commander Boone," the Reverend said warmly, stretching out his hand in greeting. "Nice to meet you."

"I hope to see you again soon."

He squeezed his hand quickly in return, then watched as the Reverend was taken over by the Volunteers and led down the hall. As soon as he was out of sight, he turned and returned to Da'an's reception room, where he found Taelon looking at photographs and articles in the file.

All the materials the reverend had brought them had already been copied by Sandoval, so they floated on the holographic screen, and Da'an flipped through his hand in smooth movements.

He didn't want to disturb his interest, so he moved quietly by his side and looked at the pictures himself.

These were newspaper articles, often just Internet ones, in which only a mention of the Reverend Community Center was needed, and surprisingly, the mention was not always only positive. Then essays on various school topics were copied. Children's beauties full of colors right next to a successful charcoal of the city, followed by an oil painting of the park and finally a phosphorescent spray glowing image on the interior of the center itself. This was immediately followed by photographs of the center just mentioned, inside and out. Careful documentation, however, of the centers, as rather his resident who were captured in each photograph in various activities. From painting, through dancing and playing musical instruments, to teaching martial arts and boxing. Just all sorts of things that made the kids be safe in the center, rather than somewhere on the street.

"If I may be so bold as to mention that there will be nothing in the document that Reverend Brown brought us that Boon and I would not present to you in our report," Sandoval said.

Da'an gave him an indulgent look.

"I am not looking for an objective truth. I am sure that you have approached that as close as possible in your report. What I'm looking for, "he turned away from Sandoval and moved on to the next picture, where Reverend John and all his children were standing together at the entrance to the center," is a reflection of the Reverend's intentions, because as I have learned over the years on Earth, how people will present themselves in the end in brighter colors than if they hadn't hidden anything from the beginning. "

He couldn't help but agree, so he kept quiet and looked closely at each face in the joint photo that still hung on the holoscreen. His CVI allowed him to project to each face the memories of the documentation he had received for each child when he was writing his report for Da'an. It was also very sensitive data, such as criminal records of minors or social security records. As he discussed this private data, he began to realize not only what the reverend was trying, but also why he had so many problems with his center when it came to neighbors.

That awareness drew his features into a disapproving frown.

"Did something interest you, Commander?" Da'an asked curiously, for of course he couldn't miss his expression.

He glanced briefly at Taelon and met his wide eyes glowing with a sincere desire to know more about Boone's thoughts.

"I think I've finally figured out why Reverend John has so many problems with his center."

"Please share what you have come up with," Da'an urged, not only with words, but mainly with a gesture of his hand.

Boone descended the stairs below so that he could face Taelon. He knew that Da'an preferred to see literally every feature of his face, to be able to study every single expression carefully and assign it to the sentences and meanings of words, because that was how he could better understand what Boone was trying to teach him about humanity. If he could contribute to this understanding with a simple trifle, such as being followed by a penetrating Taelon gaze beyond the limit of inconvenience, he was happy to do so.

"Reverend's protégés are mainly African-American children from almost purely black neighborhoods, while the community center is located in a neighborhood where there are shops where the Caucasian middle class goes. It's a racial and class problem, "he said bluntly, long aware that it was counterproductive to try to explain to Da'an something with the hypocritical subtlety that people often dealt with.

People were not willing to say out loud that there are still different social classes and that when a person is born into one, it is difficult to get out of it. They preferred to pretend that they were all equal, even if they resented someone who was different or simply closed their eyes to the fact that social differences can prevent individuals from achieving what they want.

The Taeloni did not think so. Their society was divided into castes, where each of them chose according to his own will and discretion to which caste he wanted to belong, and therefore he was never ashamed to sign up to his caste or talk about the differences between the castes. At first glance, this might seem even more restrictive than the partially blurred human social classes, until one realized that the choice of a caste is completely free and none of the castes is considered more valuable by the Community than the others. And also that the Community would never allow any of the individuals united to feel dissatisfied with their lives. This would bring unacceptable disharmony to the Community.

At first it was difficult for him to accept that this was true, not just Da'an's pious wishes or perhaps Taelon propaganda. But when he finally tried, a lot of things began to make more sense to him, and most importantly, as now, he could better explain to his Companion how human culture differed from that of Taelon.

"I understand what you're talking about, even though I still don't quite understand," Da'an replied after a moment of staring at Boone in silence. "It remains confusing to me why the human race infers so much from some small differences between groups of individuals, while others are irrelevant to them. And they insist on their beliefs, even though we have provided them with clear evidence that the DNA variations that determine the color of human skin are as insignificant as those that determine the color of irises or hair. It is nothing more than a small mutation that has proven to be beneficial in the conditions of some of the Earth's climate zones. A natural and completely logical part of evolution. "

Boone smiled softly. The pragmatic nature with which not only Da'an viewed the world sometimes seemed naively optimistic.

"Few people see it like Taeloni."

"I noticed, I still don't understand." Da'an sighed almost humanly and looked at the photo again with that thoughtfully worried expression.

Boone hesitated a little, because he was thinking how to react properly.

"I think the clash between whites and African Americans has its roots in the days when our two races first met," he said, catching Da'an's attention, with Taelon tilting his head curiously to the side, silently urging Boone to continue. the whites came to the African continent, the locals were at a lower level of technical development, and this gave the whites the impression that they were superior to them. " '

"The level of technical development is not the only determining factor for the maturity of civilization," Da'an replied, gesturing with a hand a deep faith in what he was saying. "Advancing the evolutionary ladder can be achieved in several ways, and many of them are purely spiritual, but on the contrary completely reject technologies."

"I totally agree," he said bluntly, then openly added, "Unfortunately, there are few as enlightened minds as yours, so I could cite at least one other example where low technical level is confused with lack of potential."

While he received a recognized bow from Da'an, he caught a sharp, almost hostile look from Sandoval's direction. All three understood that they were talking about the Taelons themselves and their approach to the human race, where at best people were mere immature children, at worst they were so primitive that they could be used without remorse. Like Zo'or did. That is, a state of affairs that most people on the planet would not tolerate if they knew about it and if they did not have a CVI that allowed them to see the Taelons other than as advanced and wise beings.

On all that, it was paradoxical that Boone himself knew more about the Taelons than almost anyone else on the planet, and he knew what they were trying to cover up, and yet he felt more respectful of Da'an than just that.

"I understand your hint, Commander," Da'an said as he rose from his chair, "and she helped me decide. I want to support the Reverend's efforts. "

"Wouldn't leaving the community center in the hands of the Church of Companions be more effective?" Sandoval said politely. "They have more resources, more public support and respect for the Companions, which they spread."

"They would certainly be more effective," Da'an agreed, but it was clear that there was still some 'but', "however, sometimes efficiency cannot balance zeal and good intentions."

"Sure, Da'ane. Of course, you are right about that, "Sandoval agreed without hesitation and with his head bowed in agreement and respect, although it was clear that he did not quite agree. Unlike Boone, she did not have the opportunity to express her disagreement.

"I want you to make room for me on the calendar for tomorrow," Da'an ordered them both, then descended to their level and stood directly in front of Boone, to whom he looked up. "It's time for me to rest. I don't want to be disturbed for another two hours. "

"Sure, Da'ane," Boone replied, then just looked away the slender figure of the alien Companion.

°° O °°

Because the Reverend's community center was located in the city center, the only way to land the module was a heliport at a nearby office building. And then the road through the building and briefly down the street between people and cars.

It caused Sandoval literally and figuratively deep wrinkles on his forehead, and had it not been for Da'an's disapproval, instead of five armed Volunteers, he would have taken at least fifteen of them, completely evacuated the building, and eventually diverted all traffic. Maybe he'd add a few snipers. Only then would his motivational imperative be satisfied enough.

On the contrary, Boone was of the opinion that excessive measures attracted unnecessarily much attention. Da'an changed his plans literally at the last minute, with five people at the entire embassy knowing about the change in advance, two of whom were Boone and Sandoval himself. No one, not even the Resistance, would have enough time to create a plan and organize an event, despite the fact that any attack in such a busy place would be risky. Although he didn't like it himself, he had to admit that civilians all around formed a fairly effective shield.

Da'an agreed with his assessment, so now only three of them were slowly descending the roof; Da'an, Boone and Sandoval. The rest of the men were sent ahead to secure the entrance hall and elevator.

"I have a question for you, Commander," Da'an said into the quiet music that sounded like an elevator.

He turned to him and looked into the bright blue eyes that rose toward him with a distinctly curious light, which might as well have been the illusion of fluorescents on the cabin ceiling as a reflection of Taelon's energetic nature.

Boone's stomach made a small lump, as he felt from time to time as Da'an turned his full attention on him. There was no discomfort in that, only it was a bit like the feeling a person has on a roller coaster just after he starts.

"Ask," he said as he pushed the feeling far into his mind.

"I was thinking about our conversation yesterday, and one question remained unanswered in my mind; Do you think Reverend Brown knew what social difficulties he would have to face when he opened his community center right here? "

"I asked myself the same question, and I'm pretty sure he did it on purpose." Da'an tilted his head to the side in challenging him to continue and so he did: "I think he wanted to pull the children out of their own neighborhood in the first place. The influence of a bad environment is often what similar children get into trouble from an early age and once they get involved with gangs or laws - it's just hard to get out of such an environment, "he said knowingly because he had been with the police long enough to do his own thing. his eyes saw the parents' bad habits spread to their children. The neighborhood where the children in the center come from is just three underground stations away. It doesn't take a person fifteen minutes to get there, and yet it's a completely different world, and the people who work around here are not only unaware of it, they don't even want to know it. "

"I'd like to meet him."

"I fundamentally do not recommend it, Da'an," Sandoval interjected in a firm but politely protest. "I couldn't protect you in a place like that."

Da'an turned slowly to Sandoval.

"And yet I would like to see it one day in the future," he said in a tone that the Implant with a fully functional Motivational Imperative could not resist. "The desire of the Synod is to help humanity unite into a united race so that we can work together as equals. The sooner it happens, the better, and I intend to do everything possible to make it happen as quickly as possible. To do this, I need to know the views of both parties and, I hope, reveal the roots of the conflict. "

Sandoval didn't get a chance to answer. The elevator door opened immediately after Da'an's speech, which Boone well knew was more about what Da'an himself wanted than what the Synod wanted. Still, it sounded promising, and when it came to Boone's opinion, Da'an was probably the only Taelon who would not only be willing to embark on such a bold vision, but could even succeed. At least in something.

The first to leave the elevator was Sandoval, and Boone immediately followed, while Da'an remained relatively safe inside until they checked the work done by the Volunteers.

He glanced quickly down the hall to find that the Volunteers had forced the doorman to leave, and together with a group of staff who were probably returning from lunch, they pushed him against one of the walls, clearing the space between the elevator and the glass door. One pair of Volunteers then took a seat outside on the street.

Everything seemed fine, so he motioned for Da'an to get out of the elevator. As soon as he did, the usual surprised, astonished and excited whisper echoed through the hall. Although people have seen Taelons almost daily on television screens for nearly four years, few have come as close to any of them as they are now. So it was no surprise that they pointed at Da'an and commented in a loud whisper on his appearance or wondered why he was here.

A few of the Companions' representatives already knew Boone, so he knew that Da'an was the most accommodating of them, which also earned him the most popularity. He didn't disappoint the audience even now, as he nodded politely to the crowd as he walked past him to the door.

Outside on the street it was more or less the same.

Five Volunteers formed a cordon around them, in the middle of which they walked among people who at least looked back but mostly stopped, tried to peer through the Volunteers, and many also pulled out communicators and cameras to take a picture or record a video. He saw several of the snoops, in addition to taking pictures, they were probably also calling to tell the hard-working paparazzi that one of the Taelons had decided to show himself outside and where. On the way back, they had to count on journalists in addition to another, probably larger crowd. Da'an was simply a celebrity of the first category.

However, despite the crowd they had to go through, they quickly made it to the door of the community center, where Reverend John was already waiting for them with a wide smile on his face.

"Welcome, Da'ane! Welcome!" he exclaimed as soon as they reached him. "I'm glad you're here - of course I'm glad to see you, Commander Boone - and Agent Sandoval," he added a greeting. One warm to Boon and the other, more polite to Sandoval.

"I'm also glad to see you again, and know that it was a pleasure to accept your invitation, Reverend." In return, Da'an greeted him not only with a nod, but also with all the well-known Taelon greetings.

The Reverend, as most people did, awkwardly mimicked the move. It was simply not a natural way for people to welcome it, not only here in America, but probably in most countries of the world, and therefore the simple raising of one hand and folding the other to the body, could lead to a real fit of embarrassment.

"I'm really glad you're here. So glad you can't even imagine it, "the reverend repeated as soon as he greeted the greeting, to the relief on his face, and was finally able to step aside and invite Da'an in a sweeping gesture, certainly characteristic of him. "Now come inside - just come. The children are looking forward to seeing you all morning. "

Confirmation of the Reverend's words were children's faces, which were printed on glass cases in places where there were no leaflets with information about the community center, various charities h events, events for children from far and wide, and thus quotations from the Bible, which were to remind passers-by especially the importance of cohesion, family and God's love. At that moment, however, the children who looked at them curiously were far more inspiring than anything that had been pasted on the shop window.

He smiled at them and raised his hand in a quick wave that had a single and utterly predictable effect; their faces immediately disappeared when the children found out they were exposed, and it didn't matter if they were ten or sixteen.

Boone smiled even more and glanced involuntarily at Da'an, who was also watching the children until they disappeared.

Another small sway stirred his stomach as he saw Taelon's face softened by a smile and illuminated by barely visible streams of blue and pinkish energy that shone through his pearly white skin only in moments of great mental uplift. He looked gentle, vulnerable, almost feminine at the moment.

She's not a woman. He's not even a man. It's Taelon. he repeated to himself, and it wasn't the first time he had to do it. He has found himself several times lately that he thinks of Da'an as a woman, which was simply absurd. All the Taelons spoke of each other in English in the masculine gender, and although he knew that their language lacked gender (in fact, it also lacked timing and, after all, a fixed sentence structure), he had no reason to question their decision to speak of themselves as men. They all looked equally neutral, only Da'an… sometimes just… was… different.

Boone couldn't even formulate what he wanted to say in his own thoughts, let alone ever say it out loud or even in Da'an's eyes, even though he knew he couldn't offend him with anything he said.

As always, Da'an noticed that he was staring and sent another, different, and slightly deeper smile to him, raising his hand a little in Boone's direction and moving his fingers as if stroking the air. Then he simply turned away and entered the center door, leaving Boone embarrassed.

He shook them off, and before Da'an followed, they met Sandoval, who was staring at him.

His gaze passed unreacted and he walked through the glass door.

With the help of his CVI, he used the photographs he had in mind to create a three-dimensional image and compare it to the room in which he found himself. Almost everything was exactly as he imagined, except for a series of canvas racks that partially and quickly covered them, boxes that ejected various things, such as bats, paintbrush sets, and other clutter, including clothes or kettles, for example. Just the usual bunch of things that weren't worth exposing before such a distinguished visit as the Companions of North America representative.

Nothing dangerous, as Boone immediately found, so he looked around the rest of the room calmly.

It wasn't big at all, but two of its walls were made of mirror tiles, so it looked a little bigger. In one corner was a sofa, several large seating balls, and pillows strewn across the thick carpet. Such a small social corner separated from the room by a library full of classical literature and shelves full of board games.

In the next part was a microphone and several different musical instruments, including drums, which at first glance looked like new, but in reality were only lovingly cleaned and repainted.

Thick mats leaned against one of the walls, followed by four padded pillars joined together by thick rubbers; a quickly decomposable boxing ring, which was supplemented by one standing bag, several sets of gloves thrown in a basket and several large padded bats. Well thought out if the kids don't agree. They could kill each other without hurting or destroying anything, and when there was no need to put them in the ring, they could compete in table football, which had its place in front of the mats.

The Reverend tried to think of everything and also fit it all into a small space. With limited finances and the opportunity, he did a good job, not only on the equipment of the center, but mainly on the children.

Despite the fact that they came from conditions where children often had too much freedom, which only brought them into trouble, they had respect for the reverend. All he had to do was call them closer with his hand and form a free semicircle around him. Altogether there were sixteen of them between the ages of twelve and seventeen. Nine boys and seven girls, one of whom, unlike the others, disobeyed Reverend John and stood aside.

She was one of the older children, so she was about seventeen. She seemed pretty thin, but probably because of her height. Neon clothes, big white headphones, and peroxide-blonde braids contrasted with her dark skin.

It was hard not to notice her, and the Reverend glanced at her, but he said nothing, just frowned briefly before turning to the other children and smiling broadly at them.

"We finally had a visit, which we have been looking forward to all day. Welcome Da'an, Taelon's representative for our beautiful United States, "he exclaimed, and was the first to applaud. Children come to him while.

Da'an bowed his head and raised his hand to silence them. When the applause disappeared, he looked up at the children and his lips curled into a gentle smile.

"I am very happy to be here with you and look forward to learning what to learn about each other today," he said in a soft voice that was even more loving about the sound of his lingering smile and the tenderness of Da'an. it surfaced every time he had the opportunity to meet a child.

Boone suddenly couldn't take his eyes off those thin, pearly-dusted lips, which now remained slightly open, while Da'an examined each child's face with full interest.

"Believe that the children have a lot of questions for you," the reverend assured him.

Da'an turned to him, bowed his head slightly again, and raised his hand palm up.

"And I can assure them that I will answer them all, just as I can. But first I would like to see this little piece of your world, "he said, pointing around in a sweeping gesture.

It was clear that the Reverend John would be no happier than the power Da'an could build, and Taelon was equally willing to examine every single detail carefully and listen to every story told to him, whether or not spoke to the Reverend or some of the children. And because Sandoval had voluntarily decided to stand at the door, along with two of the five Volunteers, Boone had the opportunity to accompany Da'an at all times and observe how openly he approached the children.

He did not keep his usual distance from them, on the contrary, he easily slipped into their ranks and quickly relieved them of shyness with well-aimed questions, and then, with his head bowed, listened to everything they told him. And it didn't matter if it was the smaller children who were eager to talk about video games and cartoons and invited him to play Dragon's Lair with them. Or those older people who were more interested in showing him their guitar playing, writing up their own work or showing a hand-drawn portrait of the Madonna.

He treated everyone almost equally, although the moment he was taken to the paintings, he showed a little more interest. Not big enough to be noticed by someone who didn't know him, but Boone noticed. His interest was easily discerned in that he raised his hands above his waist and his long fingers, as if the cobwebs wrapped around each of the exhibited works began to crawl.

"I'm afraid that's all we can show you," Reverend John concluded as Da'an turned away from the last painting, an abstract pencil painting of many interlocking squares (exactly ninety-seven, he found out thanks to his CVI).

"Does that mean we can ask?" a girl, about twelve, called Lulu.

"Sure. Unless Da'an bothers. "

"I'm very happy to answer any questions," Taelon promised, bowing to Lulu in a way that was certainly not entirely human. His back bent into an arch that looked a bit like a rod from an old willow tree that grew by the ponds on Boone's grandparents' property. CVI showed them their faces in a short flash of barely two seconds.

He blinked and quickly focused back on Da'an and Lulu.

"What is your coverall made of?" she asked, staring curiously at the black-and-purple sleeve encircling the forearm of the hand Da'an had raised toward her. "It's very reminiscent of an eraser - or an old preumatic - but it doesn't smell like plastic," she added after she sniffed audibly.

Recognition appeared in Da'an's expression.

"You have a good perception. My nanoorganic exoskeleton… as my jumpsuit is rightly called… has a really porous structure, "he agreed, before continuing with a raised finger," but it is not one of the kinds of human rubber materials. These are made either from waste products from oil refining or from the sap of a tree called a rubber tree. My jumpsuit is made up of microorganisms grouped in a colony and forming a light, breathable, but also solid porous mass. "

"Like you mean your rags are alive ?!" cried Penny, one of the older girls.

"Yes, you can say that," Da'an agreed with a nod. "These microorganisms are best compared to your lower fungi."

"Lower mushrooms? Like mold? " asked Benny, a small boy with large, thick glasses, who was less than thirteen but behaved like someone much older. He used his CVI to look at all the information he had found out about him for Da'an and was not at all surprised that the boy had excellent results at school and was achieving genius levels in IQ tests.

"Yes and yet no. The origin of these microorganisms is extraterrestrial, so the comparison to anything terrestrial is only gross. "

Benny nodded thoughtfully and straightened his glasses.

"Can I touch it?" he asked with a passion typical of a child, but also with a small undertone he heard from Algur.

Da'an didn't answer, just nodded slightly and reached out so Benny could touch the coveralls on his forearm. The boy hesitated briefly, but then raised his hand with a determined expression and ran his fingers over Da'an's sleeve. The eyes behind the round glasses immediately widened in astonishment.

Boone smiled as he remembered very clearly and in detail what it was like when he first touched Taelon's coveralls. Its surface was incomparable to anything on Earth that it had a chance to touch. It's really a bit like the inside of a mushroom, but the mushroom didn't shrink before you touched, and it didn't come out right away to 'touch' you. The coveralls were as lively and theoretically and practically mobile as most Taelon technology, but unlike buildings that remained calm and virtually unresponsive to touch, coveralls were more interested in the world around them.

That became clear when Benny touched her. Almost immediately, the sleeve curled.

"God!" cried the boy, all scientific enthusiasm and overly adult behavior gone in an instant, replaced by childish enthusiasm.

"Can I touch it too?" asked another of the boys, a little older Ezreal.

Da'an's other smiling nod had the expected effect. Not only Ezreal, but everyone else, too, approached Taelon, more accurately surrounding him, so that he was almost lost among them, with his small and very slender build. And each of the children began to touch different parts of their coveralls with amazement, enthusiasm, and sometimes distrust bordering on resistance.

He found it funny, as did Da'an, but Sandoval saw a potential threat because he took a brisk step away from the door. As soon as Boone caught his movement, he raised his hand to indicate that he had everything under control, and to reassure him even more, he stepped closer to Da'an and the group of children. If, by chance, there was a danger he didn't anticipate at all, or if Taelon needed to free himself from the grip of curious children, he could step in. But he didn't expect that either.

Da'a smiled softly all the time, moving his head from side to side and tracing the fingers of his free hand in the air, lying eight. His whole body was relaxed, and even for the sharpened senses of the Implant, the barely perceptible aura shimmering over his exposed skin intensified slightly.

Looking at the slight, flickering glow, an idea flashed through his head, also to touch, but not his overalls, but Da'an's hand, or perhaps the small piece of long-necked skin that protruded above the high collar. How would it feel? He didn't really know. He never got a chance to touch his bare skin, even in something as ordinary and human as a handshake, even though he had spent at least sixteen hours a day by Da'an's side, seven days a week for the past almost a year.

He frowned and pursed his lips in a sudden sense of injustice that he knew was childishly absurd. It was foolish to envy the Reverend John or even these children for being able to touch Da'an, while he was never allowed to do so. Being Taelon's Protector didn't give him any privileges in this, quite the opposite. Implant or not, and regardless of the functionality of the Motivational Imperative, was the protection of Da'an's work and nothing else.

Again, as if catching up with his thoughts, Taelon turned his head over his shoulder toward him until it was almost unnatural and a question appeared in his bright blue eyes. Even if he knew how to answer the unspoken question, he didn't get a chance, because their mutual eye contact interrupted Lulu with her question:

"Why don't you wear the same clothes as us?"

Da'an turned back.

"As you know, Taeloni is more than ninety percent pure energy, and even though our skin is material, it is not completely impermeable," he explained, raising his free hand to face level and then moving his fingers slightly, letting small sparks of light escape from their ends. blue energy resembling fireflies. It was only a short and small demonstration, which left all the children in silent amazement, which quickly turned into a cheerfully surprised hum.

Taelon turned his hand palm up and slowly dropped it to her side.

"It was just a small demonstration of the energy that can be spontaneously released from our bodies. And although it is not dangerous, "he emphasized his words with a raised finger," it can cause their pad disintegration when exposed to inanimate materials for a long time. Our coveralls, as living organisms, can absorb this energy and use it effectively for their survival and regeneration. "

"Does that mean you grow those overalls right on your body?" Benny asked in amazement.

"At first, the colony is in a tank with a nutrient solution, but yes, once it reaches a size large enough, it is handed over to its future owner, who lets it grow on its body to a shape that suits it."

"My mother and grandmother and I saw a live broadcast of how your embassy grew. And it was something, "said Ezreal appreciatively.

Da'an's only response was another nod, this time gratefully acknowledged.

"What furniture do you have? Do you let it grow like houses too? " Benny wondered.

"Sure. Everything …the furniture is part of the building and grew up just like her. "

"And what is it like lying on a living bed?" Lulu wondered.

"I don't really know," Da'an admitted with a small smile. "We Taeloni don't rest like humans, so I never had the opportunity or the need to lie down on a bed. However, my protector, Commander Boone, "he said, lifting up hand in a gesture of invitation, "he has a place to rest in his office. Perhaps he could tell you how it feels… "he sounded lost and looked at Boone curiously.

At Da'an's call, he stepped a little closer, to a crowd of children who eagerly watched him and waited for his answer. He didn't have to think long.

"It's like sleeping on a huge dishwashing sponge."

Laughter ran across the children's crowd, and even Da'an smiled amusedly and raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Really? An interesting analogy… "he said with a somewhat exaggerated tone in his voice as Boone considered it a bit of a joke on his part. Yes, the bed that protruded from one of the living walls in his office was really like a dish sponge to the touch, and it could still be squeezed, but it could certainly be compared to something else.

"It's not exactly like-"

"Show us your true form," a resounding voice interrupted from behind the crowd, which, unlike the others, sounded neither respectful nor enthusiastic. When Boone looked in the direction from which he was coming, and as soon as the crowd of children parted a little, he found that the question came from a girl with peroxide braids. He didn't even know her name, because she stayed by the wall throughout the tour, wearing headphones and ostentatiously showing that she didn't care. Until now.

"A little courtesy, Tina!" the reverend admonished her sternly.

Tina pursed her lips in typical pubertal defiance and repeated her request with feigned courtesy:

"Show us your true form… please."

"It wasn't polite either," the reverend said as sternly as before. "First ask Ambassador Da'ane if he does not mind showing us his second form, and then you can ask him to. He didn't come here to entertain you. There is no clown. "

"It's alright." Da'an raised a conciliatory hand. "It makes me uncomfortable to show my natural form."

In one small, smooth movement of his head, he made his almost human form transparent, a bit like melting butter, and revealed his true face.

Several times he had the opportunity to see the Taelons, even Da'am himself, without the skin of human skin, but even so, it was always unbelievable. They looked like blown-glass sculptures filled with light-energy, which traveled along dozens of strong paths, hundreds of thinner, and countless veins so thin that they looked like silk threads. All Taelon had energy in shades of blue, purple, and red, but each had its own spectrum.

Da'an's color was calmly blue, with only hints of purple shining through his coveralls, and light blue in the head area, so that the swirling energy sometimes looked almost white. He looked unreal. And all the more Boone wanted to raise his hand and touch him. He could feel the muscles in his arm tense as the part of his brain, the instinctive, wanted to move his hand, while the rational wanted to stop him.

He gritted his teeth.

This was getting absurd. Why, in the last days of the weeks, perhaps, his thoughts had wandered more and more often to want to know Da'an on the physical level as well. Touch him. Until now, he had never thought about it that often. Yes, from time to time he wondered if the energy flowing in his body could be felt or if his human facade was more like a silicone mask than a face. But in general, he was more interested in Taelon culture, in how their society differed from people, in their technology, and from the moment he learned to read, he also tried to read some of their lighter novels. Not their… physically.

The astonished silence that ensued, allowing Boone's thoughts to flow, was suddenly interrupted by stunned cries:

"Great…! Well, it's divine! ... It looks like a night light… Cool! "

"If you really look like this, why do you show up as a human being?" asked Tina a rude question to the general enthusiasm for Da'an's true form.

"I'd say it's something like Padma before and after makeup," Reverend joked, according to Boone's revelation, mainly to divert attention from the tone of Tina's question.

"Hey!" shouted into the general cheerful laughter of one of the girls, really strongly painted with large false eyelashes.

"The Reverend is not so far from the truth," Da'a said, and with another graceful movement of his head he re-embodied seemingly human skin. to introduce an appearance to people that would not unnecessarily upset you. "

"So you're a liar like everyone else," Tina accused him coldly and uncompromisingly.

"Tino! That would be enough! " revered John reprimanded her, really angry this time.

"What? I can't say what I think anymore ?! " she snapped defiantly and folded her arms across her chest. "Where the bullshit is about how we're all equal here and that everyone's opinion is important."

"You know very well that I'm interested in your opinion and I'm happy to hear it, but your behavior is unbearable. Da'an is our esteemed guest and I want you to be polite to him! Or leave! " He pointed toward the back wall, where the only other door was. According to the plans, they led to the background, ie to the warehouse, toilets and a small kitchen.

"You want us with us to be nice to him just because otherwise the white shot will take everything from you. Let me tell you something, "she looked at Da'an badly, so badly that Sandoval went to them to stop the screams," if you think he'll help you, you're pretty stupid. He won't do anything. What to expect from someone who disguises himself as a white man to make it easier in life, "she turned with these last words and literally stomped away.

Although the immediate danger was gone and the audience remained embarrassedly silent, Sandoval still stretched between Da'an and the children, as if perhaps posed a danger to Taelon, and looked coldly at the Reverend. Although, of course, he did not forgive the disapproving gaze cast on Boone.

"As you can see, you don't have those pubescents under control, Reverend, and that's an unacceptable risk to Da'an."

"The output of one adolescent girl is hardly a security risk," he did not forgive.

Sandoval peeled his eye at him.

"You should tighten the criteria for determining risk for Da'an."

"I assure you, Tina will be punished for her behavior. It was really inexcusable… "

"Apologies are pointless. Da'an is leaving. "

"As far as I know, Agent Sandoval, the only two actors who decide where I will be are the Synod and myself," Da'an said in a calm voice, perhaps with only a slight rebuke that triggered Sandoval's Motivational Imperative and forced lower his gaze humbly.

"Of course you're right, Da'an, yet I dare suggest—"

"However, I must agree with Agent Sandoval that the young lady's anger has great destructive potential. Especially for her, "Taelon turned to the Reverend, who sighed with a sigh under his gaze.

"I apologize for her once again. Her behavior was unforgivable, but it's true… and it's not just an excuse! " he raised his hand emphatically. "... that he is going through a difficult time now. Her brother died. "

"Oh, then I understand the immense sadness I feel under her anger, but…" he paused, raising his hands in front of him and running his fingers gently through the air in front of Tina still, even closing his eyes for a few brief moments. When he opened them, not only did he look up at the Reverend with a sparkling blue intensity, he also stood in front of him, and although he was actually a good two heads smaller, he didn't look small at all in front of the tall man. Not this time.

"It simply came to our notice then. Along with anger and sadness, I feel something else - a feeling - of guilt or betrayal. "

The Reverend didn't answer right away, but he looked at the group of children who had come closer to him. It was clear that there was no permission to speak, and according to the views exchanged, especially by the older ones, it was clear that they were negotiating with each other non-verbally.

"Her brother killed himself," Ezreal said at last.

With those words, a wave of mauve energy swept over Da'an's face, a sign of deep shock and surprise. Boone was not affected by the statement either, but the truth was that he had been a policeman in this town long enough to see things as horrible as children that ended their lives with their own hands. The sight, or just the mention, never stopped touching him, and he was angry at their parents, at the system, at anything, but he had learned not to show it. Keep distance. That's why he remained stoic this time, unlike Taelon, who seemed literally shocked.

With a deep, audible breath, quite atypical for a breathless creature, he placed his palm on his chest, as if feeling real pain in his chest.

Even though he knew that Taeloni did not feel pain, like humans, or at least not suddenly and without an external cause, a wave of fear so strong rose in him that he moved forward and reached out to gently grasp Da'anu's elbow. And that assured him if he accidentally fell.

Taelon turned his head toward him, acknowledging his touch, but tore himself away. On the contrary, Boone could feel Da'an bracing himself in his hand and his body leaning slightly toward him before looking up at the Reverend again.

"What event led such a young person to decide of his own free will to enter the next level of being?" Da'an asked.

"He was made to do so by a world that doesn't like it when someone is very different," and I'm afraid it was partly my fault, "he added, his shoulders slumped and his gaze fixed on in the distance, not only behind Da'an, but also gave.

"It wasn't your fault, Reverend," Ezreal said, "his stupid fucker and his Companions were to blame."

"Still, if I hadn't allowed him to leave that night - if I hadn't pushed him -" the Reverend let his words go to waste again.

"Please explain it to me," Da'an challenged, his hand raised up, as if he could grasp the Reverend's word to better understand their meaning. See behind them everything that remained silent.

"All right, all right, I'll tell you," the reverend agreed, but only after looking at his charges for further reassurance. With a sigh, he continued, "I have to start over. It's been about a year and a half since Tina and Timy started coming here. They were such an inseparable couple that were still full. Just twins. " He smiled at the memories he had of them, but the smile quickly faded and the Reverend frowned. "In one group Timy's management indicated that he prefers boys to girls. I took him aside then, talked to him and admitted that it was true. " - In response, Da'an tilted his head in a gesture that seemed half a question and half a misunderstanding. The Reverend didn't even notice how he was absorbed in his memories.

"He was afraid of it, but I told him that we are all children of God and that God created us exactly as we are, for a purpose. And that he shouldn't be ashamed of himself. Timy had a hard time believing this because his parents me say they are strong in the old ways of believing. Still, in the end, Tim confessed to us that he was gay, and I thought he could take the next step with our support and tell his parents. " The Reverend frowned. "It was a mistake. His mother, God bless that woman, would accept him. I was there when he told them - but his father, if the man could even be called a father, was furious. He took nine of us and drove us out of the house. "

"How unfortunate and hardly believable for me. What motives can lead parents to give up their offspring and deny him their favor, support and love? "

"Fanaticism. Homophobia. Own ego. Blindness. Damn, I don't know! " the Reverend exhaled angrily, clutching the Bible he had carried with him throughout the visit, so tightly that her felt binding creaked. "All I know is that it crushed Tim. Although the man was never a good father and did not go far for a blow, he was still his father. And he blamed me for forcing him to confess and depriving him of his father. "

"Secrets kept secret from loved ones will sooner or later become a poison that consumes the mind and soul."

"I believe in that, too, and I hoped that Tim — that he too would understand. One day when he left, I waited all night to return, but he didn't return." He looked sadly at Da'an. "No one knows exactly what happened, he just told the police that someone beat him. It is rumored on the street that it was his own father. Timy couldn't stand it and hung himself in a tree right in front of his parents' house. "

He could imagine the horror when his family found him there the next morning, and the grave silence, as heavy as a sack of bricks, only intensified the idea. Even Sandoval, the cold and austere Sandoval, bowed his gaze to the ground and his rigor had lost its edge.

The only one who did not remain frozen by the Reverend's story was Da'an. A shiver ran through his body, which Boone felt all the more so as he still held his hand on his forearm. Flashes of bluish energy rolled under Taelon's skin again. His fingers twitched as if he had received a faint electric shock, but he still did not withdraw his hand, but remained motionless as the armor ran down his arm.

And suddenly it was gone.

It disappeared at the same time that Da'an turned and walked slowly, deliberately, as was typical of the Taelons, toward the back door.

"Da'ane…!" Sandoval began.

But Boone raised his hand and shook his head.

"Let him. He just wants to talk to Tina. "

It was clear that Sandoval didn't like it, but since it was clear that Da'an really intended to talk to the girl, he had no choice but to remain silent and, like Boone and the others, watch what happened.

Da'an approached the door and then tapped his knuckles on it.

"It's me, Da'an. Please come out, Tina, I want to show you something. "

Thanks to the CVI, even from this distance, he heard squeaking footsteps from behind the door, after which the door opened to reveal a still grumpy girl.

"What?" she asked with such a well-known contempt for adults, which only a teenager could express.

Da'an did not allow himself to be intimidated by this, on the contrary, he calmly led his hand palm up to her.

"Give me your hand, please."

There was hesitation on Tina's face, but also curiosity that could overcome even all her anger at the world. After all, who had the opportunity to take the hand of a real alien? Few and Tina were aware of this, despite their dark state of mind, and that was good.

She put her hand in Da'an, who in turn gripped her and then closed his eyes. Thus, with his eyes closed and completely motionless, it took him almost twenty seconds to open his eyes again, and one corner of him rose in the smile he had when he understood something small from human culture that still eluded him.

He quickly hid his smile from Tina by turning and, without releasing her hand, walking to the corner with musical instruments without hesitation. There he released Tina, approached the tools lying there, and began circling his hands over them. Slowly, systematically, he advanced from one instrument to another, his fingers rippling like a surf. He stroked the air around the instruments until he stopped at one of the guitars.

He picked it up.

In her slender, pale bluish hands, the guitar looked incredibly massive because it was in dark lacquer and covered with stickers. Boone recognized some of the logos. It belonged to groups from his youth, others, those that looked newer, told him absolutely nothing, but he assumed that it would also be groups or singers.

"It belonged to your brother," Da'an said softly, turning the guitar in his hands with a sacred reverence she would not have received from anyone else.

Surprise ran across Tina's face, but she quickly disappeared under a smirk.

Oh, it belonged. Who told you that? " she asked, assuming someone had to tell Taelon. He would have thought the same thing if it weren't for witnessing that not a word was said about Timi's penchant for music or guitar ownership.

"There was no need for anyone to tell me anything," Da'an replied, walking over to Tina, the guitar in front of him on the palms of his hands, like a rare gift he had given her. "You and your brother have shared a place on Earth since the first time your life force appeared here. Your connection has been and remains strong. Your life energy has led me to this instrument, which still carries your brother's life energy. "

"It sounds nice, but my brother is dead and nothing you say will bring him back," Tina snapped.

"Nothing in this universe can disappear completely, and the two entities that touch once will forever remain connected through all dimensions. Please put your hand on the instrument and you will see for yourself, "he challenged her, balancing the guitar on one hand while gesturing with the other in an invitation to its smooth surface.

Tina's further hesitation was quickly swept away by the skepticism clearly written on her face. With an expression on the part of the unbelievers approaching the fairground witches, he placed his palm on his guitar. As soon as she touched her briefly, she made a face and wanted to withdraw her hand, but Da'an covered it with his own.

A tiny blue blush ran back and forth over Tealon's hand, and Tina's face filled with surprise at the same moment, but it gradually turned into the expression of someone who sees her beloved face after years, and then, suddenly, like a string bursting, rolled out of Tina's eyes. stream of tears.

With a loud sob, she staggered back, pulling her hand out from under Da'an's palm. As she backed away from him, her legs didn't hold back, she fell on her ass, and at the same moment a sadly howling sound came out of her throat and she covered her face with both hands.

They were all in motion at once, led by the Reverend, of course. And as Boone and Sandoval headed for the surprised Da'an, the Reverend knelt beside the crying girl and hugged her tightly. Several of the children, especially Padma, slumped to the ground beside Tina, trying to comfort her with a little clumsy touches and attempts at stroking.

"It will be good, girl. It will be OK. Just cry, "Reverend whispered into Tina's hair.

"It was not my intention to upset her," Da'an said confidently. "I was hoping to comfort her when I showed her that the connection with her twin remained constant, no matter what level of being her brother was at now."

"Tears don't have to hurt," Boone replied to the unspoken confusion, which Da'an commented with a questioningly tilted head and a fixed gaze. "The point is - when people suffocate in emotions - it consumes them. Crying is a way to get them out. "

"Commander Boone is right," Reverend agreed from the floor, carefully handing the still sobbing Tina into the care of Padma, who immediately hugged her. "Take care of her," he asked the other girl, who just nodded. Then the Reverend rose to face Da'an. "Thank you for your brother's cry for the first time and that's fine. Perhaps it will help her get rid of her anger, and then we will pray for his soul together. "

"I see," Taelon nodded, understanding in his voice, "and I am glad that I have perhaps shown her the way to the healing of the mind and soul, though I am deeply moved by the sight of her suffering. When she is relieved, please tell her that I sympathize with her loss. " He handed the reverend a guitar. "I think it's time for us to leave. Pain sharing is only for loved ones, not strangers like us. "

"You don't have to leave yet, Da'ane," the Reverend tried to stop him.

Da'an silenced him with an uncompromisingly raised hand.

"I understand that you are afraid to let me leave so hastily, but I assure you that your worries are out of place. You have built a safe haven for lost souls here, which I really like, so I will make sure that the local center remains this haven. "

"Thank you! Thank you so much, Da'ane! God will repay you all! Believe it! " said the Reverend warmly, squeezing Taelon's hand.

He squeezed him back briefly before freeing his hand from his and turning to Boon and Sandoval to motion for them to leave.

°° O °°

"... the atmosphere I had the opportunity to taste was extremely friendly and very intense. I would be saddened if this place disappeared, "Da'an finished his speech to Reverend Murray.

"I understand, Da'ane," Murray replied without blinking, and of course startling. "You can count on me to arrange for Reverend John's Center to remain exactly as it is."

"And the reverend will remain in his leadership," Da'an added.

"Of course," Murray agreed again without hesitation.

"I am very grateful for your willingness, Reverend Murray. And I hope to see you again soon. "

In one sentence he thanked the head of the Church of Companions and in the other he sent him away with nonchalance. It was ironically sad for Boon that Murray seemed clearly excited to be able to please Da'an, even if it was against the interests of his own church. Monetary and even ideological. Not that Boone had anything against keeping the community of the Church of the Companions as small as possible, one could almost say the opposite. The Church of Companions carried a fanatic admiration for the Taelons bordering on their deification. And bigotry was always dangerous, whether it was Companions lovers or their staunch opponents like the Doors.

"And I'm grateful to be able to help you. I look forward to our next meeting. Da'ane. " He raised his hands in Taelon's greeting first to Da'an, and when he answered him in the same way, he turned to Boon. "Commander Boone."

As always, he returned the greeting uncertainly and perhaps reluctantly.

"Reverend Murray"

The leader of the Church of the Companions left the room quickly, a light step as if he were really pleased with the task Da'an had given him. Not for the first time did Boon wonder if Reverend Murray also had a CVI, because his behavior was remarkably similar to Sandoval's. He wouldn't be surprised if the Taeloni did, because they would insure their influence in the church one hundred percent.

And in the worst case, he didn't have it and he was really just a fanatic.

Boone turned away from the east, where he instinctively watched the Reverend and looked for Da'an, who, silently, just as the Taeloni could, moved to the Holosk and peered through it at sunset over Washington. As the red-gold sun bent to the horizon, its glow surrounded Da'an, adding to its ethereality, which was underlined by the fact that it almost seemed as if the rays were partially passing through him. It gave the impression of a fragile glass statue of a fairy. Something that should only be taken with great care.

In recent weeks, the all-too-familiar feeling of swaying in his stomach had forced Boon to swallow violently through a tight throat.

One part of him could not fail to think of Da'an, at least at times, and the other seemed absurd, even dangerous. He was beginning to get more and more afraid of those confusing feelings, despite the fact that Dr. Belman had repeatedly told him that his CVI was working as it should and that the Motivational Imperative was no longer functional. It was from this that his fear stemmed, because if his CVI worked as Belman reprogrammed him, those feelings were his own, and that was confusing.

"You may go, Commander Boone. My today's itinerary is already empty, "Da'an interrupted his balance sheet.

"If you wish, I'll stay," he said, realizing what he was saying and taking two steps forward. He could have stayed, he had nothing planned for today than to read one or two books from the 'classics' department, which he had never had the time or mood to read before, or - and he would not admit it to his best friend - tried to read them, but without CVI he did not understand them.

Da'an partially turned his head toward him and shot a vague look over his shoulder.

"Stay only if you want to."

It was a strange request for an ordinary Implant. Their primary and only concern was the well-being of their Companions and the success of their mission on Earth, whatever it was. However, for several months now, he and Da'an have remained with the unspoken truth that if his Motivational Imperative is not functional at all, then at least it does not meet the standard parameters.

The fact that Da'an sensed and said nothing openly was one of the things that made him trust Taelon more every day, and just as another sign of trust, he stepped to his side and also looked out the window.

The room was again filled with silence, interrupted only by the gentle hum of energy in the walls and Boon's breath. Magic to Da'an's gaze. Taelon was as small against him, almost as small as Katy. He couldn't be more than an inch taller. Strange. This was the second time in the last twenty-four hours that Da'ana had likened him to his wife.

"When we arrived on Earth," Da'an suddenly broke the silence, "the greatest controversy in your history has been for resources. The soil was dehydrated, water sources poisoned by chemicals, the air was filled with suffocating smog from inefficient internal combustion engines… "

"I know what it was like here during the Sino-Indian War. I was in it, "Da'ana interrupted.

As another Taelon would certainly react irritably, especially one particular one, Da'an, on the other hand, sent a smile to Boon.

"Sure. I haven't forgotten that, Commander, "Taelon assured him kindly, and turned away again. "What I wanted to say was that one look was enough for me to see hope. It was enough from our resources to give everyone on Earth what he was willing to lay down his life for and thus end this senseless bloodshed. We have purified the water, "he waved," fertilized the soil again, "he waved his other hand," provided you with sources of energy that would not destroy this beautiful planet, and cured the diseases you had cast on yourself.

"Yes, the Taeloni have done a lot for us and we owe it to them."

"Although we appreciate your gratitude, especially me," he said to Boone, "so what we did was only necessary to help you unite into a united nation. They led you to healing. And it wasn't that hard when we knew what to do. When the causes of disputes and wars were so clear; food, water, clean air, and a safe place to sleep, "he paused, and with a sigh he glanced briefly outside, where the sun had virtually disappeared and its glow began to replace the lights of the big city. He looked up at Boone again. "But I don't know how to resolve disputes, which stems from deep-rooted and often irrational prejudices. "

"Nobody knows," he replied without much hesitation, for he had thought about it many times and had never and nowhere found the answer.

"Then will something as private as different ways of love forever be a reason to fight for those who are not at all?" That's something I find absurd. "

He couldn't hide his surprise for a moment. Tim's fate was what bothered Da'an so much? He honestly did not expect this, because he did not have the impression that any Taelon, even Da'an, was interested in homosexual minorities and their discrimination. Like religion, the subject seemed forbidden by the Synod or was simply too far removed from the Taelons because it was not male or female. And the way they reproduced was probably very different from that of humans, given that they were almost entirely of pure energy.

"A lot of people would say that there is nothing absurd about caring for the privacy of others, because it can affect them," he explained, even though it was not his own opinion.

"So that's your opinion, Commander?" Da'an asked with a slight sharpness in his voice.

Boone hesitated.

"I have to admit, I've never thought much about it all. It didn't concern me personally and only partially my work. " He frowned and thought, forming any opinion. In essence, he inadvertently used his CVI, which in a few seconds served him everything remotely related to the gay community. Everything from newspaper articles, to police reports and patrol plans during the Rainbow Parade, to hundreds of short images of his memory where people of the same sex were kissing or holding hands and treating each other like lovers.

It was part of the memories that evoked in him a vague sense of invasion of their privacy, so he preferred to turn back to reality and to Da'an.

"My work view is that all people should have the same rights but also responsibilities and that I have nothing in their privacy until I have to intervene because they break the law or endanger Companions," he said, more like a handbook. but at the same time he was able to partially identify with his words. "My private opinion is that love has many forms and is not limited by anything, the form of one's body all the less."

A small smile adorned Da'an's face, softening her into almost feminine features again.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you, William Boone," Da'an said, turning away again to look out the window.

Boone stared at him in silence for a moment when a question suddenly came to his lips that he couldn't hold back before it was spoken aloud:

"Are there similar problems among the Taelons?"

Da'an looked up at him, his head tilted questioningly to the side.

"I mean… do you have couples? Marriage? Partnership?" he listed, given Da'an's still questioning gaze, until he came to the last, most pressing question, which, however, simply had to be said once: "Do you have any men and women - or any other… gender - like us humans?"

"Are you asking me if I'm a man or a woman?" Taelon answered with a question, a distinctive smile on his face and a familiar gleam in his eyes that marked amusement, though the nuance of his expression was barely perceptible to those who hadn't spent as much time with him as Boone.

"I want to, but if it's too personal a question, I'm sorry."

"I'm not even that," he raised one hand, "nor that," he raised the other hand, "and yet I'm both and none of it," he finished as he joined his hands and then let them fall freely to their hips. "Is that enough for you?"

"I admit I don't understand. Does that mean you are… hermaphrodites? "

"Yes and no," Da'an replied again mysteriously and with growing amusement, which was both irritating and reassuring on the other, because it meant he didn't mind his omnivorous and rude questions. "Each of us can at some point be a giver of part of our life energy, and at another one can be a recipient and creator of a new life. The choice is entirely up to us. "

The idea Da'an created in his own words was very… abstract to him, and even his CVI could not give him anything to give him a clearer idea. He received only pieces of information, a few words and mentions, or overheard conversations about people's gender identity. He couldn't remember anything because he was never interested. Maybe he should start now. On the other hand; how useful would it be to know what people would learn about Taelon?

"I think, or rather I hope, that I am beginning to understand. I will try to summarize… because you are more than ninety percent mere energy and your physical form just holds this energy together, you have no… physical attributes of gender. "

"Yes." Da'an nodded.

"Nevertheless, two Taelons are needed for a new little Taelon to emerge, and that little Taelon must remain in the adult Taelon's physical box for some time."

"Very right."

"Each of you can be the father of the donor or the mother who will carry the Taelon child."

"Yes, but only if," he raised a finger, "we will limit ourselves to human words."

"Okay," he nodded thoughtfully, then frowned a little. "Your physical mailboxes are all the same No, but what about your… mind, soul, heart. Your thinking. How you think about yourself… "

"How do we think about ourselves?" Da'an asked incomprehensibly.

"Yes. I mean, do you feel like a man or a woman? " he reformulated the question, but it didn't help either, because he only got a continuing confused look in his blue eyes. So he tried to get closer to what he knew. "We humans are not only divided into men and women by how we look and how we talk about ourselves, but also by… thoughts. Inner feeling. It's not just the body that defines us, we define ourselves in our minds as well. "

There was a look of understanding on Taelon's face.

"Oh yes. I understand what you're talking about. During my study of humanity, I came across many definitions of myself as male or female, and it seemed that in addition to purely cultural influences, there was a certain innate part of self-definition, "he summed up more clinically than Boone, than raising his hand palm up. Boon, and a smile on his face. "It's an interesting view of oneself, but it's been unknown to the Taelons for millions of years. Once each of us defined ourselves this way, but today it's just ME. Nothing more and nothing less. "

Now that Da'an had clarified how Taeloni was perceived, everything suddenly made much better sense. The absence of pronouns in the Taelon language and the fact that all the representatives of the Companions called themselves masculine pronouns. Human society was becoming more or less patriarchal, and the Companions could only instill more confidence if they identified themselves as men, even though they were not.

And it was all the more absurd that he sometimes perceived Da'an more as a woman than a man. Now he had made it clear that he was not one, which led Boon to think that he might inadvertently offend Taelon if he did not think of him as he had chosen. It sounded ridiculous, but he still felt the need to apologize.

"Sometimes I think of you as a woman," he admitted with the sincerity that was, as always, the best, making Da'an raise an eyebrow in surprise.

"Really? And what leads you to that, may I ask? " it sounded curious from Taelon.

"Actually, I'm not sure," he replied hesitantly, embarrassed that he had to answer at all. "I think your appearance is to blame. The overall impression of fragility you wake up. Maybe your… affection for children. "

"Interesting…" Da'an sounded thoughtfully lost, his eyes wandering into the city lights shining behind the hologlass.

"If it offends you in any way, then…"

"Offensive?" Da'an interrupted, turning quickly to him. "Why should it offend me? Respectively, why should it be more insulting to be invited by a woman than to be invited by a man when I am not one of them? "

"Because you didn't choose it."

"You people have chosen a male gender for us. When we understood that men are the ones who inspire more trust and respect in your world, we accepted manhood as our own, "Da'an confirmed his theory.

Then he slowly raised his hand to waist level in a well-known invitation that was given to Boone for the first time today. So he looked hesitantly at his hand before raising his own and slowly placing his much wider palm on the tiny, very slender Taelon. The touch was indescribable.

He felt the texture of fine skin resembling a thin leaf rather than human skin. He sensed armor not unlike a gently piercing electric current that spread from his palm to his finger. He could also feel… amusement and interest… that was not his.

He looked up at Da'an in surprise, who was now staring at him, without a smile, without curiosity, almost expressionless. At first he thought something was wrong, but then CVI brought him memories of ever seeing that particular expression, and it was always when Da'an tried not to show concern. Boone didn't know exactly what he was worried about this time, but he knew how to dispel the fear.

He smiled and wrapped his fingers around his tiny palm in a careful grip.

So little was enough for Da'an to relax again, even to squeeze with great ease, and one corner rose in a smile as he spoke again:

"You can invite me with a pronoun you like - but only in private. We have to make a proper impression in public, "he added with a raised finger.

Boone laughed lightly.

END