Chapter 3 - Inceptive of Family
After gathering all the supplies given to her for the host-program, she was escorted again to the docks. Seeing not much activity of spacecrafts going in and out of the ship, much of the crew were either doing tedious tasks or nothing at all. Being told to go to the transport vessel, she followed without question or deviation. Ignoring the stares from the Primusian crew, she boarded the small ship. Going to an available seat in the back of the ship, she saw other slaves there as well.
"Strap yourselves in slaves. No talking until we land," the guard escort stated firmly. Getting small head nods and stares, the man turned around and closed the door to the seating area.
"..." Aerialus spoke with sitting down near a window seat.
Putting her new supplies between her feet, she waited like the others in silence. Without a warning from the flight crew, the craft began to lift up a little. Levitating in place for a few minutes, it went forward quickly. Once they left out of the large space craft, all the Baklavaians on board went to the windows. Looking at where they left, they saw an alien world with much building structures, vast amounts of water, and a sea of moving objects between the buildings.
To her wonder, she had never seen so many buildings of all shapes and sizes. Some were very close together and toppling over one another. Others were vastly tall as if trying to reach the skies. Flying over the recognizable airport, the transporter proceeded over the civilization. To some, this was their first experience off the ship and on alien land. Despite the curiosity and potential excitement, almost all were silent on vocalizing their wonder.
The aircraft continued its flight path and entered into a varied, but uniform outskirt. All the houses looked relatively the same despite different shades of color and finishes. Roads connected all the houses to a main street which led to a larger one further down. Some moveable objects were roaming on some of the roads while others remained stationary next to the homes. Feeling the ship deaccelerate, it began to lower in altitude. The Baklavaians maneuvered to see which establishment they were dropping to. All pondered on who would be the first to get off.
Landing in the middle of the street, the ship was about the same size as a large box truck. Hearing the ship deactivate, the slaves moved quietly to where they were seating. Hearing movement in the next cabin, it sounded like the hatch was opening. A few pair of footsteps seemed to walk out first. Shortly after a pause, they seemed to move back inside. Opening the cabin door, there was only one guard that stepped inside.
"S-0923, Aerialus. Come forward," he called with a stone face expression.
"..." Aerialus responded with grabbing her supplies.
Standing up, she manueavuered herself to be at the front side of the passenger space. Seeing Primusian step aside, he jerked his thumb to go to the next cabin. Proceeding and stopping from seeing an escort, there was another. Wearing a different uniform, he seemed to be an official from the slave trader ship. Seeing that individual look up and not greet her, he began to exit the ship.
"Follow him. Don't falter," the other guard ordered.
Nudging her back with his hand, she moved forward. Getting out the ship, Aerialus stepped foot on solid ground. Hearing door hatches close behind her, it made her want to look around stop. Getting pushed from behind again, she was unable to take in any scenery or view everything on the foreign planet. Stumbling forward and recovering, she walked on the concrete pathway to the two story home.
Stopping at the front door, she pondered if she was supposed to do something. Watching the rep go towards a small button on the wall, he pressed it. Hearing an automated sound of dull bells chiming, the Baklavaian felt tension developing inside. Flinching a little, she heard footsteps coming from the inside and stop on the other side of the door. Feeling her heart beating faster, the door lock sounded of unlatching.
Feeling surrounded by the two males, the front door opened. Stepping into view was a human female. It made Aerialus blink in surprise on how closely similar MW-3 habitants were to her species over the Primusians. Seeing that she was a little cautious, she stood behind the door and had a neutral face. Her appearance gave the look of about of a middle age woman based on Earthling's standards of age.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Greetings miss. We are the escorts for the exchange participant of the host-family program," the representative began with a calm voice. Moving his hand and arm to the left, he gestured to the female alien.
"This is a Baklavaian that was chosen to participate."
"Oh my!" she stated with surprise. Looking at all three individuals, her cautiousness eased a little. However, they could tell she was a little wary still.
"You all look similar to us humans. How interesting. Do you have any documentations to prove what you said was true?"
"Yes," the slave trader rep answered. Pulling out a clipboard and opening its compartment, he pulled out government articles. Placing it on the clipboard and handing it to her, she got in front of the door and grabbed it. Looking at it and reading, a quiet atmosphere passed through. Seeing her look up, her expression relaxed a little more.
"Does the papers satisfy?"
"Yes. Thank you for showing proof. You can't be too careful these days with all the regulations and crime that has been going on. Please, won't you all come in for a bit?"
"Very well," the lead replied with a small nod. Seeing the human open up the door to enter the house, all three ventured inwards. Going as far as stopping in the living room, Aerialus remained quiet. However, her eyes started to wonder around. The thrill of being away from a prison was battling against the cautiousness of the still being under her masters' watch.
"Honey! Honey! Get in here, we have guests!" the woman called out loud. Hearing audible mumbling from another room. The aliens turn their attention to sounds of movement in which a human male came out.
"Guests? Who did you...uh..." the middle aged man said. Trailing off from seeing odd looking people, they weren't salesman or insurance agents. Clearing his throat and crossing his arms over his chest, he walked closer.
"Dear...who are they?"
"They are from the host-family program. The agent called us yesterday, remember?"
"Yeah. I remember," he answered. Stopping next to his wife, he held a blank expression.
"And before you ask Howard, I asked for proof and documentations. Seems legit."
"..." the man responded with a grunt and a blink. "You all look close to being human...but knowing what to look at, I know you all ain't our kind."
"Are we in agreement of the exchange?" the rep asked remaining indifferent to the comments made.
"...?" the couple spoke blinking in confusion.
'They are just going to leave after or is one going to stay and watch me?' Aerialus wondered feeling the butterflies in her stomach remain.
"...yes?" Howard answered with a raised eyebrow.
"Good," the lead stated and gave a nod.
Pulling out a couple of documents, he handed them to the couple. Without speaking or verbalizing a departure, the Primusians exited the house. The last one closed the door behind him. An awkward silence passed between the occupants of the home. Seeing movement, the Baklavaian saw the older gentleman scratch his head.
"That was a bit abrupt," he remarked. Walking up to the front door, he peered in a small viewing glass.
"They are already in their vehicle and moving away. They just come, drop off, and then peace out?" he stated out loud. Turning around, he still looked a bit surprised from the whole ordeal.
"Have you heard of them doing that to exchangers Sue?"
"I don't know. It did seem out of place to what they did," she agreed with a head nod. Turning to the newest person, she approached her and gently grabbed the alien's hands.
"Anyways. Welcome to our home! Oh, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. I'm Sue."
"A-Ah," the younger female responded. A bit startled by the human's forwardness; however, her bubbly atmosphere seemed to be inviting. Shaking her head internally, she reset herself to answer properly.
"...my name is Aerialus," she said with a small nod and bending of the knees to curtsey.
"Aerialus...such a pretty name!" Sue commented with a smile.
"..." the alien reacted with turning a little red. The human female held onto one of her hands were directing her attention the male in the room.
"This is my husband Howard."
"H-Hello sir," the Baklavaian addressed by nodding and curtseying again.
"Greetings."
"There is also our son, Robert. He looks close to your age my dear, but he isn't here. He is attending his classes at the University."
"...university?" Aerialus asked confused.
"Oh my...you must be new to Earth. Is this your first time here?"
"Y-yes ma'am."
"Looks like you'll be doing work at home for a while dear?" Howard remarked with a smirk. It caused his wife to roll her eyes.
"Ignore him. Anyways, come come. Let us so you our home to you," the human said towing the alien along.
Both humans showed the humanoid alien their two-story home. In each room, there were many objects that she did not now about or what function they did. Some of the equipment seemed similar to what was on the slave trader ship: screen monitor, land vehicle, cooler, and freezer. After seeing the downstairs layout, they went upstairs. With more rooms and a lavatory, it seemed to be the living quarters for all family members.
"And this room will be your room," Sue said and opened the door.
"...my...room?" Aerialus repeated. Seeing how spacious and furbished it was, it was luxurious compared to the main resting chambers for all slaves.
"Yes. Take a look around. Howard already put your stuff on the bed," she pointed out. Turning toward her newest member of the household, the woman gave her a smile.
"If you need us for anything, please don't hesitate to ask. Once you are done getting settled in your room, come downstairs. I am interested to learn more about you!"
"..." the alien woman replied bewildered. Too confused about the polar opposite conditions she was accustomed to, she could only muster a small head nod immediately. Opening and closing her mouth a couple of times, only air came out. Softly clearing her throat, she was able to get her vocal cords to work.
"O-Okay. T-Thank you miss-"
"Call me Sue, Aerialus. No need to be so formal," the older woman remarked with an amused face. "Take your time in your room. Come down when you are ready. Okay?"
"Y-Yes...I-I will come down soon," the Baklavaian responded. Seeing the human nod, she turned around and walk away.
Seeing her go down the steps and out of sight, she turned to her assigned room. Approaching inside slowly, she viewed what was in the chamber from the doorway. Still not believing of surroundings, she entered and began searching everything inside. Not turning things inside out, it was more of visually checking all that was in the room. Finding a sliding door that was a closet, there was another door. Upon opening it, she found a small bathroom inside with all amenities of the one seen on the 1st floor albeit smaller in scale.
'This...is like the stories that my elders told me,' Aerialus pondered slowly touching everything. Seeing if the plumbing works, all operated as they should. The aspect that the water got hot and cold quickly seemed marvel.
'We had all of this...before becoming enslaved?'
Exiting the bathroom, the large size bed was something she rarely experienced. Only the captain on the slave trader's ship had a bed just as large. Others had smaller sized ones though were given to only officers. Knowing others of her kind got to experience a bed instead of a ratty bunk, it was for doing "favors" for certain Primusians officials. Some were from selling other slaves out while others subjected themselves to whoredom.
'This seems...too good to be true,' the alien thought. Approaching the bed and laying down on it, it was very comfortable just being on top of the sheets.
'Am I being rewarded?' she wondered staring at the ceiling fan. 'I haven't done anything spectacular than the other slaves. I haven't done any favors. The masters haven't treated me any differently than others. Participating in this...host-family program seems opposite of being a slave. What is really going on?'
Feeling uncomfortable with the luxury setting when there was a lot of unknown reasons, she got off the bed. Shaking her head to rid of her worrying thoughts, she put away what was her given luggage. Feeling she had finished with her assigned task of getting acquainted with her room, she left her room. Walking downstairs to the living room, there were sounds coming from another room. Sounding like utensils and stuff being moved around, she proceeded toward her hosts with anxiety gripping her from uncertainty.
"Is that you Aerialus?" Sue called from the kitchen. Seeing the Baklavaian come into the doorway, she nodded her head a little.
"How was the room?"
"It...is very large compared to my last one. B-But, it is very luxurious and comfortable."
"I'm glad," the wife said with a smile. "Could you help me in the kitchen for a little bit?"
Nodding and walking to the human, there was a small array of food laying on the table island. Taking a couple of seconds to view the room, it was clean and spacious. Wooden cabinets under marble countertops and compartments on the wall gave an upper-class look. Seeing more plumbing fixtures, refrigeration equipment, and glassware made her wonder if this was an elite family. Images of the mess hall and the industrial beat-up look came to mind giving a stark contrast.
"Could you put those things in the refrigerator dear?" the female asked. She pointed at the covered bowls that were on the table island.
"Y-Yes ma'am...I-I mean, Miss Sue...ah, sorry," the Baklavaian responded startled and embarrassed. She quickly proceeded with the task ignoring the amused smile from the wife. Closing the cooler door, she turned around and waited for further instructions. Watching Sue, she cleaned her hands on a towel then turned around.
"Now that is done, let's have a little chat!" she stated sounding a little excited.
"...o-okay."
"Are you comfortable going somewhere outside to talk or would you like to stay home?"
"..." the alien answered with a very confused face. "I-I'm sorry...you said...o-outside?"
"Yes. There are many places to go have a drink and chat that have a different setting than at home. I would imagine being on a ship and traveling through space, you get tired of seeing the same old things day in and day out!"
"..." Aerialus responded with her eyes widening a little. The human's seemingly harmless statement threw her off-guard. She was not sure how she could respond back.
'Does this host family know...I'm a slave? Such freedom would severely be punished by the masters...' she thought feeling nervous and paranoid.
'Is this program a test? Is it to see if I have a weak will?'
'But the program is about learning the human's culture and experience everyday life of what people do here,' she continued in her mind. Pressing her lips together slightly, she fidgeted a little.
'There are too many unknowns here! What do I do!?' the alien spoke loudly in her head. Anxiety began to infect her nerves to which she felt heightened apprehension instantly. Trying to maintain self-control, a pair of footsteps were coming from an adjacent room. The husband stood in the doorway with hands on his hips. He still had the copy documents that were handed to him by the escorts.
"Honey," Howard started with a slow blink. Lifting the hand holding the papers, he waved it at her a little.
"You do realize that she is a slave race...right?"
"Slave?" Sue responded with surprise. "What do you mean?"
"..." the husband reacted with a sigh. "I guess we need to talk about this first. Both of you sit down at the table."
"..." the wife responded with going to their dining room. Pulling out a chair near one end of the furniture, the man picked the chair opposite of his partner. Leaving the end of the table space to her, Aerialus went to that seat. Sitting down and straight in her chair, she and the female human looked at the male. Seeing him put on glasses, he lifted one of the documents in his hands.
"So based on what these papers indicate," he began then looked at the alien. "You are a...Baklavaian...yes?"
"Yes sir."
"Bak-lavaian?" Sue repeated sounding puzzled. "Isn't that a dessert of some kind?"
"What?" he asked looking at her with his own bemused expression. Glancing over at the alien, her face was in a horrified state. Unable to maintain his composure, he began to snicker.
'W-What are these humans? They eat our kind for dessert!?' Aerialus thought scared and beginning to shake.
"What's so funny Howard?" she asked still perplexed. After he calmed down and cleared his throat, he spoke.
"First...show Aerialus what you were thinking. It should clear things up."
'S-SHOW ME!?' the female space foreigner reacted with terror.
The imagery of the house filled with bones and leftover corpses filled her mind. Watching the woman carefully, she pulled out a small rectangular object from her light jacket. Seeing a small screen light up, she pressed a few buttons. Not sure if the device was dangerous or not, the human seemed to find what she was looking for. Seeing her turn it around, there was an image on the screen.
"..." the alien reacted with a fidget. Tens and tens of thoughts were racing through her mind of what the photo was.
Extending her hands to the mobile device, she cautiously took the phone in her hands. Looking at the picture, it was not one of horror that she was imagining. Instead, it looked like a multi-layered concoction. The number of levels it had on top of each other was numerous. Blinking and trying to figure out what it was, she heard the chuckling older man quiet down.
"That is what a Baklava is dear," Sue informed then looked at her husband. "What crude joke were you thinking Howard?"
"I wasn't thinking of a joke. It was Aerialus thinking we eat her kind for dessert," he replied with a smirk.
"W-What!? This is absurd!" she reacted a little disgusted. "We don't do any cannibalism here!"
"Heh heh heh," the husband chuckled again. Despite seeing his partner look irritated at him, he glanced at the exchange citizen. The younger looking female seemed rather relieved from the back and forth. Calming down and clearing his throat, he got both of their attention.
"Continuing on after that little amusing tangent, let's clarify something...if that is alright with you Aerialus."
"...clarify?"
"From the documentation, your race has been forced to be slaves to the...Primusians. Yes?"
"That's correct sir," she nodded as a matter of fact. The sour look on Sue seemed more to the aspect of being a slave than her personally.
"If you are comfortable with the subject, could you tell us what happened? How did your race become slaves?"
"...?" the alien reacted with ambivalence.
A part of her felt that this place and humans were a safe haven for her. It made her want to express herself. At the same time, the fear that she was being monitored and that the two were just affiliates to the slave trader race crept in her mind. Deciding that she will be cautious first, she will hyper analyze the two earthlings. Even though she didn't want to distrust them, she could not rule it out given the unorthodox scenario of the host-program.
"I don't mind explaining," Aerialus began with a calm voice. "I can only recite from what my elders have told me since I was born after our species became slaves."
"Many many moons ago, we were at war with another race. Similar to humans though with different attributes, both the Baklavaians and the Primusians were at war. After hundreds of cycles of battles, destructions, and massacres, our race was defeated."
"Given that the enemy was into slave trade with their kind and other alien breeds, all surviving Baklavaians were captured and enslaved. We all have masters and we have to obey them. Those that don't are made examples and more often than not, killed publicly," she explained. Looking up from staring at the table, their expressions were different from what she was expecting.
"How horrible!" Sue expressed with distraught. She was covering her mouth with one hand while the other held her chest.
"They haven't hurt you, have they?" Howard asked with concern.
'...why...are they looking at me like that?' Aerialus thought shocked.
"N-n-no...they haven't hurt...n-not too much," she said having a hard time formulating words. The sympathy both humans were showing was greater than anyone on the slave trader ship she had met. Despite Baklavaians being together, all were detached to different degrees. Given the limited freedom that the masters give them, it further alienated themselves.
"You must be a strong willed girl to have kept up with that living condition and environment for so long," the wife commented. Reaching across the table, she gently held the extraterrestrial's hands.
"Now that you are living with us, you will be a free person with a will of your own. Me and Howard will make sure of it."
"...!?" the female Baklavaian spoke with widen eyes. The ambivalence festered even more. The humans' words were like a breath of fresh air. Weight on her shoulders seemed to ease off from how promising and liberating it seemed to be. However, her uncertainty still remained. The thought of betraying her masters rattled her mind even more. A headache began to brew which she reacted physically by wincing.
"Are you alright?" the husband spoke worried. He saw the alien breath heavier and her expression show strain.
"Y-yes...I am...just s-surprised."
"Okay. We do have medicine if you need it for something...though not sure if our medicine will work or harm you. Anyways, what my wife is leading to is that this "host-family" program contradicts your slave status. It seems to give you freedom while in some form, you are still under the command of the Primusians."
"I...I am doubtful of this program as well," Aeralius agreed feeling at ease that the human male seemed to understand. "I-I am still obligated to my masters regardless of what I do."
"Is that true Howard?" the wife wondered still holding onto the alien's hands.
"...well...unfortunately yes," he answered. Putting his reading glasses back on, he put one of the documented papers in front of him on the table.
"She still has to report to her slave owners in periodic visits to their space craft."
"Hmm...I guess that isn't too bad to just be reporting. But since she is with us for now, she isn't a slave," Sue mentioned. Turning to Aerialus, she gave her a kind smile.
"You'll be one of the family."
"..." the younger female said lost for words.
She wanted to believe absolutely in the two humans' words. To be relieved of being a slave. To be removed from the slave ship and the hate brewed inside. To never have to see or be near her capturers again. But, she felt obligated to not give in to these thoughts or feelings. She remembered all the warnings and threats that the Captain gave her upon doing this host-family program.
'...maybe...maybe I can be free to do things over time,' Aerialus thought after collecting herself. 'I will take the risk of venturing with these humans...named Sue and Howard.'
"T-Thank you," the alien spoke and bowed her head. "That is very kind of you to say. P-Please allow me time to adjust to your ways of living. I feel that...I will be more comfortable in trying new things over time."
"Of course!" the female human said with a cheery voice. "When you are ready, we'll have some fun together. It will be a blast! Right Howard?"
"I agree," he said with a smile and a nod. "I can understand it will be a big adjustment. Don't be afraid to ask for anything while with us. Of course, when you feel ready."
"..." the Baklavaian responded with lifting her head up. Giving a small nod, she gave a smile.
"Awe. You look so pretty when you smile. Don't you think so dear?"
"She is quite a looker," he agreed.
"Don't get any ideas Howard," Sue countered with a playful look and narrowing her eyes.
"I'm not some old dirty bastard...IF that was where you were going with this," he remarked with a half-frown. "Hopefully you don't look at the youngins in the same light."
"I'm only a cougar to you sweetie," she commented with a smile and stuck her tongue at him. The human male gave a snort and smirked.
'...?' Aerialus responded. Looking back and forth between them, their conversation and teasing of each other was very different from what she witnesses in the past. It made her wonder if the two had differences and found humor in bantering each other regarding those differences. Suddenly, the doorbell rang which made her flinch.
"I'll get it," Howard spoke. Getting up, he headed towards the front door.
'...did...did they forget something?' the alien wondered feeling her stomach tighten up quickly. The sight of the escorts brought dread to her mind. Watching the door open, there was only a single male human outside.
"Hi dad," the young man stated.
"Hey Rob. A bit early to be home," he asked. Moving out of the way and looking at his watch.
"Your class ended sooner than normal?" he continued. When his offspring entered, he closed the door.
"Yeah. It was just a short lecture for today," the son answered getting his shoes off.
"Oh, by the way. We have a guest here."
"A guest?" Robert repeated. Taking off his backpack, he looked at where his father was pointing. Seeing two individuals moving towards him, it was his mom and someone he never saw before.
"Hi sonny," Sue called with a smile. Getting in front of him and hugging him, he gave a light hug back.
"How was school?"
"Eh...it was school," the young man stated with a shoulder shrug.
"The same one liner. Anyways, we have something exciting!" she mentioned. Going to her son's right side, she gestured to the lone female that was standing some feet away.
"This is our exchange guest. Go ahead and introduce yourselves."
"Ah. Y-yes," Aerialus spoke. Doing a curtesy, she gave a small smile to the three humans.
"Hello. My name is Aerialus. I will be staying with you and your family for a period of time. I-I hope we can get along."
'She's an exchange student?' Robert thought blinking in surprise. Focusing on her a little harder, he felt a small jab in his ribs by his father.
"O-Oh. Hi. I'm Robert," he stated and bowed his head a little. "I hope we can get along as well."