Chapter 7 - Integration
After dinner and the family going to bed, Aerialus laid on her bed at night. Staring at the ceiling, a hailstorm of thoughts swelled in her head. The rollercoaster of emotions going to the slave ship and returning to the host family were still fresh in her mind. Though given permission by the captain to venture out of the hosts' dwelling, there was still a good amount of trepidation. Paranoia hooked itself close to her brain that made her believe it was a trap. Shaking her head and taking a deep breath in and out, she tried to clear her mind.
'I need to sleep,' she told herself internally. 'Getting some rest will help me recover.'
'Hopefully I will have enough bravery to go with one of the family members without crumbling to pieces...that will be-'
'Stop it,' the alien woman berated herself. 'Just go to sleep. I can worry about it when the time comes.'
Turning onto her side and adjusting her blanket and covers, she closed her eyes. Visioning a blank and stark mindscape, her racing brain began to slow down. Without thinking about time, she began to slowly drift into her subconsciousness.
Seeing nothing but darkness for what seemed like a minute or two, a noise was being produced. It was faint and not close to her location. About to contemplate it, her eyes opened to see an opaque window in front of her.
'...?' Aerialus reacted with confusion. Not able to see anything through the fog-colored glass, she tried to lean closer. Getting her face near the window, the clarity of it did not improve. Wondering if she was supposed to clean it, her right arm lethargically moved up. Putting her hand on the fixture, she retracted it back.
'It's freezing cold,' she said in her head. Looking at her palm, she noticed that there were small spots of frost on the skin. Curling her middle finger to touch it, it was not a solid. Pushing on it made it bend a little bit against her skin.
'...what...exactly is this?' she pondered curiously.
Looking up to see if the window was frosted over with the same material, she didn't move an inch. Shook up with apprehension, icy blue orbs were staring on the other side. If she concentrated on them long enough, they may have reminded her of who has them. However, her eyes wondered away from them. The window was the only thing separating her and the floating-colored spheres. Everything else was gone.
Focusing cautiously back on the piercing orbs, it never said anything to her. Just floating without swaying, it acted like being part of a statue she couldn't fully see. Without warning, a white blast occurred in her peripheral vision. Glancing to the left, she squinted from how bright it was. As if a cosmic explosion occurred, it was very far away. The darkness around her and the window was bathed in a shinning light that made things look like being in a fog. Turning her head back to the glass, she cupped her hands over the sides of her eyes.
'...!?' Aerialus jumped scared.
The sapphire pigmented eyes were still on the other side of the fixture; however, there was a massive silhouette around it. The sheer size of its shadow body made her take several slow steps backwards. Hearing something crack, she looked back at the window. Seeing a crack run the length of the glass, it slowly began to spread into web lie branches. Tripping on something while backing up, her body started to fall to the floor. By the time her back impacted the ground, something shattered far in front of her.
"...!?" the alien woman tensed up after waking up. Opening her eyes and staring at the plain ceiling, she breathed deeply. Moving a little, she was still in her bed. Rubbing her face with her hands a little, she focused on calming down.
'...it...was just a dream...' she concluded to herself. Putting her hands down, she turned onto her side. Seeing what time it was, she told herself to go back to sleep. Looking at the wall opposite of where her bed was, her eyes gravitated towards one of the corners.
"..." the Baklavaian said staring at the fixture. Seeing the window, her mind remembered how she would stare out of it towards the neighbor's house. The blinds for it were down, but the segmented horizontal pieces were not fully closed. Feeling her nerves rattle a little, there was what appeared to be frost on the window.
'That means there was...' the woman thought initially.
Not thinking or trying to find a reason, she got out of bed. Heading towards the window, she stood in front of it. Moving blinds pieces with anxiousness, she leaned forward. Seeing the fogged-up window closer, there was no ice nearby. Doing a sighing breath of relief, the dream was not foretelling of what was occurring near her. Extending her fingers to the glass and wiping a small area, the cloudiness began to clear. Seeing that it was still night outside, only the streetlamps provided illumination.
'I must be still out of it from visiting...' her pondering trailed off. She saw a faint color of a blue glow nearby. It seemed to come from below and towards the neighbor's house. Parting the blinds more and getting her face up against the hard see through material, she looked downward. Feeling her eyes widen a little, it faded deeper into the home from one of the side windows.
'Does that mean...the neighbor was at my window?' Aerialus wondered. Blinking and pulling herself back, she gently let go of the blinds.
'...that...doesn't make much sense.'
'The next door person...is a human,' the alien woman stated in her mind. Shaking her head, she turned around. Walking back to her bed, she got under the covers.
'Even if he was not...I do not know of any other species that can float in the air,' she continued to reason. Telling herself to not fret about the dream or the coincidence at the glass fixture, she eventually fell back to sleep.
A week or so went by since Aerialus returned back to the host family. Though she was still reserved in speaking or doing what she wanted, she still enjoyed herself. One day, she felt brave enough to break through her paranoia. Finding Sue in the family room, the alien took a deep breath in and out. Willing herself to not cower away and mentally stating that the captain gave her permission, she approached the human.
"E-Excuse me Sue."
"Oh, hi there dear," the wife stated with a smile. Putting down the object she was looking over on the coffee table, she turned to face her.
"You look like you have something to say."
"Y-Yes...I um...would like to try...going to one of the," Aerailus began. Moving her hands together, she was playing with her fingers. Despite holding a relatively calm face, her insides were tense.
"...cafes...you visit often...i-if I may go with you?"
"You want to go!?" Sue reacted with surprise. Smiling brightly, she grabbed her hands.
"Wonderful! Let's go right now and have fun!"
"...a-ah...y-yes..." the younger female responded with surprise.
Despite feeling a little relieved from being able to ask, she still felt pings of dread doing so. Watching the other woman let go of her hands, she went to grab her personal belongings. There was no one else at home as the other two were at their workplace and education establishment. Coming back to her, both got their shoes on. Going to the front door and opening it, the sight of seeing outside was a mixture of feelings.
Seeing the human walk out first, Aerialus bit her lip in uncertainty. Walking out as well and stopping on the porch, Sue turned around and locked the door. A combination of anxiety and excitement brewed inside the alien. Trying to reassure herself that she was permitted as long as she was escorted, it did not quell her worrisome state of mind. Following her down the steps, both headed to the driveway.
"I know that we showed you everything in the house...but have you ever been in a car before?" the older woman asked.
"I have not...I've only ever been in a spaceship," the younger female replied looking at her.
"Not to worry. I'm pretty safe driver...though my husband says I am like a grandma driving," Sue began. Walking to the passenger door, she heard following footsteps that stopped next to her. Looking back at her with an amused smile, she continued.
"I made sure to cook his least favorite meals for a week before he apologized."
"...I...see..." she commented unsure if there was supposed to be an underlining message to her short story. Blinking and pushing it aside, she was instructed how to get in. Opening the door and getting inside, she watched the human go around to the other side. Looking at the controls, there seemed to be a lot.
"This will be a memorial day for you," Sue stated getting in the cockpit of the car. Closing the door, she pushed a button that made the car begin to rumble relatively quiet. Feeling small vibrations, it seemed similar to the transporters on the slave ship. On the other hand being so closed to the hull of the vehicle made her wonder about her safety a bit.
"W-Will this...fall apart?" Aerialus asked nervous.
"Fall apart? Hahaha! No silly," the human reacted with humor. "Most people all over the world have cars to commute. You'll see loads of the out on the road in all shape and sizes."
"...okay..." the Baklavaian spoke softer while holding onto her seat. Seeing a belt strap that the older individual was putting on, she mimicked it. Feeling a little secured, she began to feel the automobile move backwards. Once getting out to the asphalt, the gears shifted in the car with mild mechanical sounds. Slowly and picking up speed, they went forward.
Sue drove through the series of roads and streets to get out of the suburbs and onto the main roadway. Once on there, she drove faster to match up to the speed of various cars. Watching her passenger with mild amusement, the alien looked both amazed and scared at the same time. Seeing her constantly looking around herself, the aspect that cars were going the opposite direction of the divider wall seemed to aid her apprehension.
After a while, Aerialus was slowly adapting to seeing how the ground moved very quickly while being so close to it. However, the scenery surrounding her had captivated her completely. The city looked so much more expansive compared to being on the ship. Being confined to a slave trader vessel for as long as she could remember, the concept of being out and about with so many new things going on was a rollercoaster novelty.
"Why not roll down the window and put your hand out Aerialus?" Sue suggested as they were going down a short freeway.
"...my...hand...?" the alien repeated. Looking at the driver confused, she saw her roll down her window. Sticking her left hand out a little, it reacted as if it was getting pushed back by an invisible force.
"It is just the wind. Try it."
"...um...o-okay," the younger female responded.
Looking at the controls on the passenger door, she pressed the auto button. Watching the glass roll down, the air friction sounded immediately. The more open the window came, the louder the noise became. Blinking from feeling wind rushing into her space, it didn't hurt her. Gingerly, she reached her right hand out. Getting her fingers out, they were hit by fast moving air.
"...!" Aerialus reacted with retracting her hand quickly.
Looking at her fingers, they were fine. Looking at the open window, she regained her composure and extended her hand again. The hard wind pushed her limb back once it made contact. However instead of going with the invisible force direction, she resisted it. With a blade like hand going forward, there was not much resistance. When the palm was open, it acted like a wall.
'...huh...' she thought. Pulling hand back end, she stared at her hand. Feeling it cooler than the rest of her body, the sensation she received still lingered. Closing her fingers and opening them, there was a mild tingling as if blood was trying to warm her digits up.
'I've only gone so far as being in transit to where Sue is going...and have experienced things never felt or done on the ship,' the alien summarized. Hearing the window being rolled up, she looked up then left. The wife was operating both on her door side.
"I take it you never had done that dear."
"...no...never...I've never left the captain's ship to experience what is outside of it before."
"Well that just means you need to explore all you want and have fun!" she explained with an upbeat tone. Seeing and hearing her say that made the extraterrestrial's lips quiver with a warm emotion.
"Y-Yes."
'As long as I am with one of the family members...and stay with this establishment's borderlines...I can continue experiencing what else is in this human world,' Aerialus stated in her head.
Feeling a growth of excitement and wonder, she kept her ears and eyes open for anything that caught her interest. After several minutes of driving and going through traffic lights, they entered the downtown area. Seeing numerous amounts of buildings in all shapes and sizes, it seemed everything was more compact together. Remembering seeing the city from above, being at ground zero was a night and day experience. Staring around them while slowly traveling deeper into the metropolis, she leaned a bit back in her seat.
"Welcome to downtown. It's a little busy this morning, but it is the weekend."
'...a little busy...?' the younger female repeated in her mind.
Seeing masses of vehicles on the road, there were people walking the sidewalks in droves. The sheer amount made her feel small and out of place. Instead of being with her kind or Primusians, all sorts of races were present. Humans with different skin tones, hair color, eye color, heights, and sizes walked amongst each other. Also, aliens of various kind of species were also moving along with the native beings to the planet MW-3.
"H-How do all of you...live amongst one another?" she asked out loud looking at Sue.
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"Aren't there restrictions regarding...your race and others from beyond your planet?"
"Oh...to what I remember, it was pretty awkward initially. But as time went on, we all got along and worked with each other to find a middle ground," the wife explained while turning into another street.
"...!?" Aerialus reacted with shock.
'The masters...said the opposite during the host-family selections...' she spoke in her head with a mixture of feelings. Brooding to herself, her spatial awareness dulled. Too lost in her mind of thoughts, she felt the car slow to a stop.
"Alright. We are here!" Sue stated.
"...!?" the alien reacted with a blink. Looking up and around, they had stopped in front of a building. Seeing the human turn off the engine to the car, she pushed the drive lever to a notch with a "P" on it. Unbuckling and opening her door, Aerialus copied her movements. Getting out and feeling a temperature difference from being in the vehicle, it didn't seem to affect her as much as it did Sue.
"I've lived here for most of my life and I still can't get use to the cold weather we have here," the older woman stated. Zipping up her jacket and crossing her arms over her chest, she walked to where the younger individual was. Despite not as heavily dressed as her, the younger person seemed not bothered by the temperature.
"You're not too cold dear?"
"I-I'm okay for now...what place is this?"
"It's one of the cafes I visit from time to time. Come on," she began. Looping her right arm to Aerialus's left arm, she walked forward.
"Let's head inside where it is warmer and cozier."
"O-Okay."
Walking alongside the human, both went into the eater. Upon entering, there were several people inside. Most customers were sitting down and either conversing with another or engaging with one electronic equipment with a monitor attached to it. A few others were reading books of various sizes and names. The setting reminded the alien of the mess hall on the slave ship. However, there was not many luxuries that the slaves could use or sit in.
The decor had only faint resemblances of the Primusian officers' chambers on the spacecraft. All the furniture had dark wood surface with a charcoal metal framing. The wall color was a two tone of a soft gray and white. Instead of spotlights on the ship, there were hanging small lamps from the ceiling. Music was also playing in the background which she never heard before. Perking her ears up to listen a little, she couldn't identify at all what was being played.
Seeing them get in line to what appeared to be a counter, it looked to be where individuals would pick up their food. Opposite to the mess hall on the ship, there was a display glass case that showed a variety of foods. All of it appeared to look in pristine condition as if it were more display than edible. Passed the counter, there were various equipment large and small. Seeing all the chrome made her wonder what was really being served here.
"Are cafes just...places for eating?" the alien asked as they were waiting in line.
"Basically. However, there are many more characteristics to each one. It is the environment that the cafe sets that sets the tone. There are ones that are trendy and are noisier than others. Some have a more lounge and relax aura which makes them more appealing for quiet people. Anyone can say for as long as they want to read, have conversations with friends, or some do their work here," Sue explained. Moving with the people in front of them, she motioned with her hand. Following, she was pointing to the boards that were floating from the wall with harnesses.
"Most people will come in for a drink and a snack of some kind. Though that sounds ordinary, it's the different types of drinks you can get. You can pick from the selection they have on the menu or have one tailored to your tastes."
"..." the younger individual reacted with surprise. Getting closer to read the boards, there were numerous names for drinks. All of which were foreign to her.
"...there is so many...the individuals behind the counter can make any of those?"
"Yes."
"...are they slaves...to the establishment?" Aerialus asked cautiously looking at her escort.
"Slaves?" the human repeated then giggled softly. "No, they aren't dear. They are paid to work here from being hired by the owner. Let's not worry about that. Sound fair?"
"Y-Yes Sue," she replied with a nervous nod. Feeling a small nudge, the older woman still arm locked with her.
"Now here is a big question for you...which one will you try?"
"...u-uh...I don't know..." the alien answered looking back at the menus. "...they are all foreign to me."
"Well then, we should get the same one then! My favorite one here is their Cappuccino with a drizzle of chocolate syrup and whipped cream. So good."
"...?" Aerialus looked at her baffled. "How do you know such a long name for a drink that sounds more like a phrase?"
"..." Sue blinked then began to giggle again. Putting a hand over her mouth, she lightly laughed. Once she calmed down and looked back at her ward, she saw her head tilted to the right a little. It was accompanied with an expression of both confusion and mild embarrassment.
"I'm sorry dear...you are right. It does sound like a very long-winded name for a drink. The drink itself is just a Cappuccino. The extra stuff is what I like added into it though it isn't part of the title."
"...okay...I think I understand now."
Seeing the line move again, they were next in line. Ordering the drinks and giving payment for them, both headed toward a booth near a window. While walking, Aerialus noticed that a couple of people in the sitting area were turning their heads in their direction. A couple looked at Sue while the rest glanced at her. Not seeing any negative expressions on their faces made her begin to worry if she wasn't welcomed. Sitting down across from one another, the alien focused on not making herself attract too much attention.
"Is there something wrong dear? You look tense," the human asked noticing her body language.
"..." the Baklavaian responded with nervously glancing back at the staring eyes.
Though all gazers were human, they blinked and looked away as if they were caught. There was even an alien party of three sitting in the lounge area. She never seen that type of species before having slender, green skinned bodies. None of the humans gave them a look of contempt or anger for being there. Nervously moving a couple of strains of hair over her left ear, she addressed the senior female.
"S-Sorry...I am...a bit uncomfortable from getting stared at. We were taught that if you attract attention, you were in the wrong."
"I see. Well listen here Aerialus. There is a harmless reason for their staring," Sue began. Holding her hands out to her with open palms, the alien wasn't sure if she was supposed to grasp them or she was making a gesture while talking.
"You are a pretty young woman," she explained with a warm smile.
"...!?" Aerialus reacted with redness to her face. Opening her mouth to say something, her voice was stuck in her throat. Clearing it a couple of times, she shook her head a couple of times.
"S-Stop teasing me."
"Hee hee...I'm not teasing. Even I can acknowledge something to which is true. Call it woman's intuition. Nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about," the woman explained. Retracting her hands back to her side, her smile widen a little seeing the junior female blink and looked stuck. Wondering if she was going to dismiss what she said, she saw her bow her head a little.
"Thank you...Sue...I do not...get those types...of comments."
"..." the human reacted with staring.
'It is so frustrating that she and her people are treated this way,' Sue thought to herself tensing up a little. 'Why is our government allowing aliens to commit to slavery while they are here?'
"Sue! I have two Cappuccinos ready for you!" one of the workers called.
"Oh! That's ours," she stated getting Aerialus's attention. Getting up, she went and retrieved the drinks from the counter. Coming back and sitting down in her seat, she placed one of the drinks in front of her ward.
"One for you. And one for me."
"..." the alien commented with blinking. Staring at the drink and tilting her head, she opened her mouth.
"Interesting variety of colors."
"Yeah. Some people order the really fancy drinks which have even more layers, toppings, and stuff," the older woman explained. Taking a tip of her drink, she looked pleased.
"Mmm-mmm...so good!"
"..." Aerialus reacted with hesitation. Looking at the beverage again, she grasped it with both hands. Feeling the heat through the container the liquid was in, to felt comforting. Lifting it up and to her mouth, the smell was also pleasant. Deciding to take a drink, she took a small sip.
"...!?"
'W-What is this?' she thought surprised. 'This...is a drink? Why is something so rich tasting in a liquid form?'
"What do you think dear?" Sue asked amused from the other's facial expressions. "Tastes that good?"
"...its...very rich tasting..." the younger female began. Looking at her senior with astonishment, she continued.
"Humans must all be wealthy to have such things available."
"Hee hee. Well, it isn't that expensive to buy once in a while. Some buy these types of drink daily, but that would be more a lavisher lifestyle."
"None of my people on the slave ship get such luxuries...the food is menial and has nowhere the taste and flavor of this...drink...or your cooking," Aerialus stated after taking another sip.
"...I...I am sorry honey," the wife stated with a small look of guilt. Reaching out her hand to softly hold the alien's hand, it grabbed her attention.
"W-why are you apologizing?" the younger female asked a little shocked from the other's words and actions.
"I feel sad that you had to go through the hard life you have had. I know...that you are just part of a host family program...but...I want to able to do something to help you forget that harsh upbringing. To show you what was around and allow you to explore what you wanted to do," Sue explained then gave a sorrow look with a smile.
"Harold...has told me before that I have a tendency to be a bit emotional about a lot of things. Things that are out of my control...things I can't do much about...I guess my mother tendencies come out," she continued and squeezed her hand a little. "To make all the pain go away...give a feeling of warmth and safety...to all my friends and family."
"..." Aerialus reacted with staring wild eye at her. Feeling sensations build inside of her, the initial feeling was to cry from feeling wanted and cared for. Willing herself to be mature and dignified, the aspect of being surrounded by strangers made her not want to make a scene. Biting her tongue to inflict pain to focus, she tried to emotionally reset herself. Getting a sense of being ready, the alien smiled warmly and gave a squeeze back with her hand.
"...thank you Sue...despite knowing that I will have to eventually go back...I will cheerish my time here...with you, Harold, and Robert. So please...let's enjoy our trip."
"..." the human smiled and looked a bit relieved from hearing her statement.
After the outing, both went to another place in the city to shop. Exploring and spending more time together, Aerialus began to see how much of a mixed society the establishment was. The density of alien races were much greater in the central areas of the metropolis and shopping malls. Seeing a variety of different species to which none of the humans seem to have a problem was a bit of a wonder. Reaching the afternoon, both decided to head back home.