<Fireworks>
Outside my window there was a muffled explosion, looking up at the sky I leaned back on my haunches. Humans really did like explosions, but then it was Unification day for their planet I supposed some merriment was in order.
Already dark outside I glanced at the time piece, even after having been on Earth for ten orbits around its primary I hadn’t gotten used to the shorter days. About two-thirds the length of those on Yernik. It was just enough to throw off my sleep patterns, and I was adjusted. The newest batch of delegates and their broods were still adapting.
Marching out of my office the Human receptionist Clara looked up from her computer terminal, “You done for the day Ternin?”
I nodded, or used my approximation of it for her benefit. My head being fixed in place all I could do was bend at the human equivalent of the waist.
“I am.”
“You going out to celebrate?”
“I might take the brood, although I loath to give the youngsters any more of the sugar your culture favors during these events. They did not sleep for nearly four days last time!”
“Aww, but they were so cute.”
“You do not have to deal with them as they grow!”
She laughed, “maybe not, still cute though.”
I spun my photoreceptor, opening the skin around the circumference of my head letting in the light all around me for a moment. Humans had eyes fixed in front of them, which with the ability to move both their eyes and necks was no hindrance, but mine were fixed in a ring around my head and brain. Small flaps of skin in place to protect them and allow me to concentrate when needed.
Still despite my eyesight being far worse than a humans I could see Clara hesitating. It had taken me a long time to pick up on human body language, it was very subtle but analyzing it was useful during negotiations.
“Do you need something Clara?” I asked.
“The reports aren’t done yet and I’m only half way through them. Can I turn them in tomorrow I have a date!” Her voice pitched up and quickened at the end of her sentence and it took me a moment to decipher it.
“You did not request this night off?”
She shook her head, her skin turning red now a sign of embarrassment rather than mirth in humans. “I wasn’t planning on having a date. My friends set me up.”
I stomped my hoof into the floor, an equivalent to a human chuckle.
“Yes, but I need them by tomorrow night before transmission time. Go and woo your mate!”
Her blush deepened, “Thanks Ternin! Make sure you feed those youngsters some sugar!”
She grabbed her bag and dismissed moved down the corridor at a speed that was for a human rather rushed.
I stomped my foot again and leaving the official wing of the embassy and walking outside I approached the small abode that was my broods nest, or house as the Humans would call them.
The Embassy was old enough that when it had first been built the space it took up on the outskirts of the city had not been an issue, now though the sprawling compound was in the heart of the city. Some didn’t like it, but I enjoyed the energy it gave everything.
Humanity had been an ally for over three hundred cycles by this point, and were the only other sentient race we had encountered. Despite both our fleets having investigated over five hundred systems.
We were most likely long lost genetic cousins, considering the proximity of our two worlds in the heavens and the similarities in form. Whose planet had originated life was still a debate amongst the scientists but for the major populace it hardly mattered.
Both my species and Humanity had been overjoyed to find kin amongst the stars.
The Youngsters burst forth from the nest before I could open the door, my mate behind them already ready to leave the compound judging by the modified Human attire she was sporting. I was due a change of garments as well, the traditional robes I was wearing would be to hot and cumbersome amongst the crowds in the streets.
“Everyone ready to go?” I asked.
Intin stamped both of his feet, and his photoreceptor narrowed.
“I want cottoned candy!”
“Cotton candy, and maybe if you behave and have only one,” I said.
Intin looked disgruntled for a moment but waved side to side a moment latter, an affirmation.
I looked at GInrin, “Anything you want?” I asked her.
“I want to fire off an explosive!” she said.
I frowned, I had thought the proclivity for using explosives as forms of entertainment had been exclusive to humanity.
“You want to set off an explosive?” I asked.
“A firework!” insisted Glnrin.
I looked up at my mate.
“She’s been begging to all day,” said Denrin with a sigh.
I looked down at the youngster, “I’ll consider it.”
My offspring wanted to play with explosives, and I was seriously considering letting her do so.
I had been on Earth far too long.
I would have to test a firework first, make sure it was safe before she could do one.