The door slides shut behind Ray when he steps out, stretching his back to feel the pleasant sensation spreading from his back. “How’s your chest?” Ray’s ears flick at his side to find his feline companion springing up from the bench.

“I’m fine. Doc fixed the bruise.” He caresses the healed area, not a single blemish to be found. “So, where are you going afterwards? We got two weeks of vacation and a stack load of monetary compensation after the pirate raid.”

Lix shrugs. “I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll return to my cradle world, but I took this job so I can travel around different places. What about you?”

“Go back to Earth, hoping I don’t get an earful from my mother for choosing this job.” He scratches the side of his head. “Yeah, no, I’m getting lectured to hell. Fuck…”

“Is this the so-called momma’s boy?” She flashes him a fangy grin.

“Oh, you little!” Ray folds his middle finger under his thumb before flicking it at Lix’s forehead, but she deftly dodges it with a back step.

“You know I’m way quicker than you.” She maintains her smirk, Ray conceding with a groan. “Speaking of traveling, can I come with you?”

“Huh?” He pauses for a moment to consider his response. “Sure?”

“Sweet!” Lix chirps in excitement, her tail standing tall behind her.

----------------------------------------

“Attention valued passengers, this is the Captain speaking. We are now completing our post-FTL checks and are on final approach to our destination. Please fasten yourselves in the designated safety capsules provided in your lodging. The ship will begin docking maneuvers in a few minutes.” The PA system announces as the ship shudders back into sub-luminal motion. “Thank you for understanding and welcome to Sol.”

Outside the window, the previously blank void has been replaced by a glittering star scape dominated by the arcing horizon of a grayish planetoid speckled with clusters of city lights. Orbital traffic can be seen lazily drifting in long filaments between stations. Just as quickly, Luna slips silently away and moments later, a new planetary body snaps into view. The birthplace of humanity — Earth. Wrapped in a majestic blue aura, vast oceans cover its surface. Lush green forests, hot arid desert sands and arctic white ice beam vibrantly in the sunlight. Every biome on every continent teems with unique flora and fauna. But the testament of humanity makes its mark on the planet with sprawling megalopolises gleaming their beacons of artificial light into the night, from the smallest residential complex to the skyscrapers which pierce the clouds.

Puckered lips blow a sharp whistle at the scenery, pupils dilating on Lix’s green eyes. “Beautiful.” Both palms lay flat on the window, her face nearly fused with the transparent material, seeming to etch every detail into her memory. The ship maneuvers toward the largest station orbiting Earth, its foremost hub named after the mythical Norse world-tree, Yggdrasil. “This is the human birth world?"

Ray nods, leaning against the glass and tapping at the green marble through it with a fond smile. “The gem of the Solar System.” Ignoring the fact that hairless apes did some stupid things on it.

Once the ship docks to the station, the passengers are now allowed to disembark. Lix power walks herself past the crowd, with her tail twitching rapidly, and cheeks raised to accommodate her wide smile. Ray casually keeps his pace with two automated luggage following beside him while Lix gains further distance. Like bringing a puppy to the dog park for the first time, but in this case, it’s a cat. On two legs. He snickers, accompanied by a smirk, catching up to join her in line with everyone awaiting their turn at the customs checkpoint. Before long, the next available officer motions them to step up to the booth one at a time. Lix goes first, followed by Ray.

“Welcome to Earth!” greets a human man behind a glass partition. “Documentation please.” In a practiced motion, Ray swipes his wristband across the scanner, projecting his credentials on the glass. From his name, age, nationality, ‌etc, to his species — Human-Vaicil Hybrid/Homo Xenosapiens. He then lists off questions, which Ray answers concisely. “Any goods, items to declare?”

“W.A. class,” Ray states.

The officer hits a button and Ray feels a tingling sensation wash over him from his triangle ears to his fluffy appendage. He checks the scan, nods, and the exit gate retracts into the floor. “Welcome home, sir.”

“Thanks.” Ray’s luggage dutifully rolls after him before meeting up with the waiting feline whose own blue baggage is floating beside her.

“Where do we go next?” Lix bubbles, eyes darting around the station to observe the decorations, plants, and architecture of the station's interior, which introduce newcomers to the aesthetic of Earth.

Ray glances at the underside of his wrist, and a digital hologram of a clock appears from his wristband. “It’s noon, so we could get lunch before getting on a shuttle.”

“Ooh, Earth food.” Lix’s eyes sparkle at the thought. “Yes! What do you suggest?”

Ray’s finger swipes over the nearby digital information board. “Let’s see. There’s a restaurant nearby that gets their ingredients planetside.”

The feline enthusiastically nods, and the two head there. They step inside the establishment to see it moderately packed with mostly alien tourists. The staff, mainly humans, are going about serving customers. The interior reminiscence of rustic designs from old cafes and restaurants that you can still find on Earth. “Welcome to Terra Mater’s Delight.” A man dressed in a black server vest over a brown long-sleeved polo shirt greets them in Universal Galactic Tongue.

“Terra Mater?” Lix questions.

“It’s Latin, ma’am, an ancient language for Mother Earth.” The server answers. “Please, let me take you to your seats.” After leading them to a booth, the server hands them two thin menus. Digitally displaying the list of food in mouth watering quality, captivating the Kherkad.

Lix’s eyes flicker constantly from one meal to another, her finger dragging across the screen quickly. “There’s so many. What should I even pick?”

A chuckle escapes Ray’s throat. “Take your time. You haven’t reached the dessert page.”

“Okay,” she flips the menu to face Ray, “you pick for me. You're the Earthling here.”

“All right, beef steak it is; can’t beat classic protein.” He shows the item to Lix, and she agrees. They submit their order, and the scent makes both twitch their nose when their plate of steaming, succulent prime beef arrives at their table.

Saliva slides her throat after it pools under her tongue, threatening to spill out the corner of her mouth. Extended claws inch slowly toward the meat, until Ray’s words snap her out. “For goodness' sake, please don’t lunge at it.”

She raises her hand, claws sheathed. “I-I won’t!” Lix mumbles something under her breath before picking up the utensil placed over a napkin. The knife glides through the meat, a piece now hanging off her fork before bringing it to her lips as her nose twitches at the aroma. She lets out a moaning hum, savoring the succulent flavor.

Ray, tearing into his own steak with seasoned efficiency, finishes a bite. “Taste great?”

“Sublime.” Her face radiating satisfaction before taking another bite.

“Thought so.”

The sound of slurping resounds in the booth, their appetites wiping their plates clean. In short order, they find themselves each enjoying the yellow sweetness of a mango shake. Lix gasps after drinking every drop. “I want to live here. The food here is great.”

“You haven’t even gone down the planet yet,” comments Ray while sending the payment for the check. “Speaking of, let’s get a shuttle.”

Half an hour later, their shuttle lands on the tarmac of Cape Canaveral Interplanetary Spaceport, and they board an airplane to his home city. While Ray is used to the monotonous moments when traveling, anything that passes his companion’s attention from the landscape to people easily intrigues her. Finally, they arrive, standing in front of the door to his house. He grips the door handle, and it beeps in acknowledgement of his biometrics, subsequently unlocking itself.

Suddenly, someone calls out in English after they enter. “My Love? You’re home early. Is something the matter?” A Vaicil middle-aged man walks out of the kitchen, stopping when he realizes who it is. “My Child! Welcome home!”

“Hi, Dad. How are you?” Ray greets back.

“I am doing well, My Child.” The lips of his fur covered face curls up, his tail slightly swaying side to side until he notices someone behind Ray. “Oh! And who might that be?”

“She’s my colleague.” He says in English before switching to Galactic tongue. “And this is my dad.”

“Hello, my name’s Amelix Catlow.” She reaches her hand out.

Ray’s father takes it and shakes it while bowing slightly. “Happy to meet you. I am Aelion Wildheart. Would you like to have dinner? I made stew.”

Her ears perk up. “Can I? Yes please!” Ray rolls his eyes, which Lix notices. “What?”

“Gluttonous cat.” Immediately, two fingers jab into Ray’s side, and he rubs the spot with his hand. “Ow!” Worth it.

“Behave, you younglings.” Aelion softly laughs. “You remind me of you and your sister. Regarding that,” after a deep breath, his voice booms. “Taloryn, get downstairs, now!” Poor Lix gets spooked, her hair standing on end from the unexpected shout as rapid footsteps rumble above them.

A girl came running down the stairs in her pajamas. “What! What did I do now?” Confusion paints her face, digital glasses resting on the bridge of her nose until she notices Ray laughing and the brow on her human face twitches.

“Your brother is home.” Aelion just smiles.

Taloryn huffs angrily. “Damn it, Dad! I’m — was working on something. You called me just to greet this goof? And did he finally get engaged or something!” She points at her still cackling sibling and the confused feline. “And stop laughing or I’ll smack you,”

He breathes in before letting out a last chortle. “Don’t blame me that our father is this cheeky.”

With a frown, Lix whispers, “What the heck was that?”

Ray shrugs. “My family being a little dysfunctional.”

“A little is not an adjective you should’ve picked.” Lix rebukes before answering Taloryn’s question. “Nice to meet you. I’m Amelix, Ray’s coworker.”

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

“Ah, likewise. Just call me Loryn.” She waves her hand, returning upstairs. But a few steps later, Aelion brings everyone into the dining room. “Dad, can I please go back upstairs just for a moment? I need to finish my work.”

“Is it that important for you to skip a few minutes at the table?” Aelion says while placing a steaming bowl of stew on the table, which made Lix’s nose twitch at the aromatic herbs and meat.

Loryn’s eyes shift down, ears flat, and her nails scratching at her neck. “Maybe not. Okay, let’s dig in.” Expectedly, the gourmet cat is enjoying her soup and accompanying dishes. Everyone is enjoying the meal when a human woman walks into the kitchen wearing a dark green and black uniform, with the rank insignia of a colonel in the marines.

“How was your day, my love?” Aelion pecks the cheeks of the woman before retaking his seat at the table.

“As usual, my dear.” Ray and Loryn then greet their mother as well. “Good to see you’re safe and sound, Ray.”

Obviously, she knows. The edge in her voice makes Ray straighten his back, and that doesn’t go unnoticed by his sister.

Their mother looks at Lix next, who snaps to attention. “You must be Amelix. Thank you for looking after my son.”

“You are welcome, ma’am.” Lix stiffly replies in return.

Her face eases into a gentle smile. “Please, you’re in my home, not in the barracks. Relax and call me Jodie.”

“Y-Yes, Jodie.” Lix's shoulders slowly loosen.

Loryn smirks. “What did he do this time?”

Jodie bluntly states, “He got shot.”

The smirk from her Loryn’s face morphs into worry when she looks at his brother. “Oh, sh—” she glances at her mother, “crap. How bad was it?”

“I’m alright. Armor caught it.” Ray pats his chest. “The bruise was gone after a visit from a doc.”

She gulps down a spoonful before pointing it at him. “How’d that even happen?”

“Pirates boarded the ship we were on,” Lix explains.

An eyebrow perks up from Loryn’s face. “Was the ship named Solar Lady?” Lix nods. “Well, damn, you’re the on board security in the news.” So Loryn grills her brother for details while their parents listen in. Thankfully, Lix adds to the conversation before she is satisfied. “So, why’d you come to Earth, Amelix?”

Her ears perk up and the tip of her tail snakes around excitedly. “I like to explore. So I asked Ray if I could join him.”

“Want me to show you around?”

“I would like to!”

Lix and Loryn are hitting it off and are chatting with each other in the living room while Ray is vacuuming the guest room. The loud whir of the handheld vacuum peters out when it’s switched off, right after Aelion brings in fresh comforters and pillows. “Thanks.” Ray says while his father helps set the bed.

“How long have you two known each other?” Aelion asks as he pats the sheets off with wrinkles.

“Since basic.” Ray retracts the vacuum extension before pulling Lix’s hovering luggage into the room and setting it on the floor.

“Are you two courting each other?”

That question immediately flusters Ray. “Huh, what, um, no, we’re not.”

“But, as Earthlings would say, would you date her?” He winks with a wide grin.

“I don’t know!” Ray walks out of the room, palming his face. “I’ll tell her the room is ready.” Mischievous bastard.

----------------------------------------

Since Lix arrived on Earth, she’s been going out with the Wildheart siblings. Taking her time exploring and mostly eating her heart out with the local delicacies.

“Jesus… She’s one hell of a foodie.” Loryn gulps down her last piece of waffle, smearing a slight cream on her lips. “Excuse me.” She covers her mouth to belch. “That’s my last bite for today. And I thought I was the big eater.” She glances aside at Ray, who is leaning back into the seat with a hand resting on his abdomen. “You okay?”

“I’m not sure if feeling bloated like a ballast is okay.” Ray groans. “I just learned she loves eating when we arrived at Yggdrasil.”

“Ugh, tell me about it. What do you two usually eat at work?”

“We ate the same slop from the nutrient printer when I was on the ship. Doesn’t taste bad, just gets really, really bland quickly. Or MREs, which are surprisingly good.” His eyes glance at Lix, walking back with another helping of munchies on her tray. “Heads up, another shipment has arrived.” His sister just sighs.

“Hey guys!” The enthusiastic Kherkad places her prized sustenance on the table. “You want some more?” Her ‘more’ sounds like a meow, hammering in the fact she’s purring like a cat.

“We’re good.” Loryn politely declines.

Lix sits across the table before stuffing an unholy amount of calories in her mouth. She replies after gulping down a bite of her burger. “Suit yourself.”

“So… how come you like eating that much?”

She gulps down the last of her burger before grabbing a drumstick. “Because of my species' biology and culture. We’re omnivores, but we preferred hunting for meat until we learned to farm.”

“Then your species transitioned into an agrarian society?” Loryn asks, now quite intrigued by the subject. Ray, still recovering from the forced gorging, perks his ears at the conversation.

Lix nods, nibbling on a fry before continuing. “Yes, we have increased food production because of farming, but what we usually grow isn't fit for consumption. It’s mainly to feed our livestocks, even to this day.”

Ray grins. “Then what caused you to be a glutton?” Which got him a prompt kick to the knee by Lix and a sharp poke to the side by Loryn. His face plants on the table while gritting his teeth and painfully grunting. “My bad,” he says, wheezing out the last word.

“Shut it, dumbass.” His sister scolds him. “And nice assist.”

Lix giggles. “You too. I learned how to deal with his shenanigans.” Now finally out of solid food, she slurps the straw of her carbonated drink. “To answer why I can eat this amount is that my people have a faster metabolic rate than humans.”

“I kinda guessed that,” Ray says before nervously putting his palms up in defense when he notices the two women are again ready to strike. “And whoa, I’m not teasing this time, so please don’t!”

Loryn retracts her two fingers that were poised to nail his waist. “He has a point.”

Lix shrugs. “Our culture has a major influence as well. Famines were prevalent in our history because of various events like environmental factors, conflicts, and such. So we developed gorging habits to increase the likelihood of survival.” With the last sip of her drink, she smacks her lips in satisfaction. “I’m full. Now, where to next!”

The siblings stare at each other, thinking, somewhere with less food. They try to think of something when they notice the sun dropping below the horizon, which leads them to a building with a crowd waiting in line. The faint sound of electronic music creeps out of the neon-adorned entrance, mixing over the excited chatter of people.

“Ever been clubbing?” Ray asks after checking the time, joining the line.

Lix is bobbing her head over the subdued beat. “Not on Earth! I can’t wait!!”

The line inches forward as people’s identification is checked by the bouncer with a handheld scanner, allowing those eligible into the lobby of the club and turning away the ineligible with a look of stern disapproval. The trio, after paying, are quickly ushered into the festive atmosphere, and they feel the bass vibrating through their bodies as they walk through the doors. They immediately grab some complementary earplugs from a bowl and shove them into their ears before proceeding to a large hall of dancing clubbers. Beams of colorful light, holograms, and other visual effects overload anyone’s eyes, following the rapid tempo of the music.

Regardless of how overwhelming it is to every sense of the body, excitement gleams in Lix’s eyes. “What’s the first thing I should do?” she asks, shouting over the loudness.

Loryn leans near Lix’s ears. “Anything, I guess! Dance, drink, or however you want to have fun.” Next, she looks at Ray. “How about you? It’s been a while since we’ve done this.”

“I’ll get a drink.” Ray points at a bar with humans and even aliens idling around. “Find me there later.” He waves his hand, slinking through the crowd before snatching an empty stool. “Whiskey on the rocks, please.” He says before swiping his wristband to pay for his drink. A crystal clear round ice floats above a dark brown liquid, clinking on the glass when it is placed on a coaster. After a quick “thanks” to the bartender, he feels the liquid warm his throat and cheeks as he takes a sip. That’s the stuff.

A few glasses later, Ray stops when he feels his balance is slightly off. Just in time for his sister and work partner to arrive. Loryn immediately orders a cocktail when she reaches the bar counter, beads of moisture trailing down her neck from her frivolous dancing. Lix looks to be in the exact state, smiling widely. “Want a drink?” Offers Loryn.

“A glass of mead.” Lix raises one finger to the bartender.

Ray raises one of his brow. “Again?”

“Again.” She nods, letting out a satisfied sigh after she gulps her alcoholic honey drink.

“What do you mean again?” Loryn asks after knocking back her cocktail.

“I got her to try out some alcohol after we finished bootcamp.” Ray explains. “It was her first time trying Earth drinks, so I recommended a few.” He chuckles. “She passed out after the seventh one. A featherweight class in drinking”

“Keep your fucking mouth shut!” Lix sharply gazes at Ray, but he just smirks, seeing that she’s already chatty. “I had a shitty… yes, hangover’s the word.”

“I know, I know. I had to deal with you retching your gut afterwards. Thank modern science for developing sobering pills.”

“You humans are nuts for having the most potent alcohol ever.” Empty glass at hand, she points it at Ray. “But damn, your species knows its stuff.”

“The Crugra had us beat in that regard,” Loryn interjects. “The alcoholic content in their drinks is straight toxic after a few shots. And they drink it in mugs, not to mention some of it is indigestible for us.”

While they chat about some random topics, four humans walk up to the bar. Ray ignores them even though someone nudges him, thinking it might just be an accident until one opens their mouth. “Freaks, what has this place turned into?” He glances at the group and notices that a few of them were scowling in his direction. “What? Got a problem, Freak?”

A groan escapes Ray, palming his forehead. “Yes, you, so fuck off.”

The bartender intervenes. “Come on, man, just leave them the fuck alone.”

“Keep your mouth closed! I can get you fired if you don’t,” barks the speciesist.

The bartender rests his hand on his waist, exasperated. “Get the fuck out.” He points at the glowing exit sign. “You’re causing too much shit.”

“Well, you’re an alien-kissing slut, so I don’t gotta listen to you,” the rowdy human continues, wheeling around again towards the group, “And you fuckers, get out.”

“No!” Lix suddenly shouts, surprising everyone, even Ray and Loryn. “I haven’t got my second serving of mead!” The siblings burst into laughter.

“W-What?” The bastard is boggled for a moment until he regains his composure. “Okay fleabags! Get the fuck out or I’ll take you out myself.” He lifts his shirt to reveal a handgun tucked in his belt.

The siblings end their laughter when they notice the piece, which earned them a devious smile from the group. Ray nudges his glass of whiskey to the left of the bar counter, and his right glides under the front of his shirt, gripping his holstered service pistol. “Of all days, it has to be my day off.” Loryn glares at them, adjusting her glasses as streams of info are projecting into the lens. Then she stands and takes a wallet out of her pocket. The gang pales when it reveals the badge of the Department of Federal Investigation under a rainbow of colors flashing from the dance floor. “You’re under arrest for violating the Anti-Discrimination of Sapient Xenos and Civilian Firearm Regulation Act. And if you ever pull that gun out, my two highly trained friends here can make the maximum sentence the least of your problems. So… Do you feel lucky, punk?”

All of his buddies decide to flee, having suddenly grown a brain, leaving him to deal with his predicament alone. People are already filming or even streaming the situation online to ravenous internet audiences. “Shit!” He grits his teeth, clenching his fist in a tense moment before he reveals his palm to raise his hands. Ray takes the pistol away before unloading its magazine and the chambered bullet while Loryn reads his Miranda Rights and slaps cuffs on his wrists. Local police soon arrive to take the perp away, the weapon, and get the description of his former entourage.

As thanks, the bartender offers them drinks on the house, much to the delight of Lix, who gets a free glass of mead. “That’s my sister! You got us free drinks!” Ray sarcastically claps his hands, chuckling. “And did you just quote a movie from how long ago?”

“I’ll arrest you, too, if you don’t shut the fuck up.” Loryn huffs in annoyance, downing her cocktail and gets one last glass. “I have to go to the station later to make a fucking report.”

“I hate paperwork as well!” Lix, the chatty drunk, exclaims.

Loryn chuckles. “I like her even more.” She leans into Ray’s ears. “How about you make that kitten yours?”

Warmth spread into Ray’s cheeks. “Fuck off to your station!”

“Later, Ray!” After consuming every drop, she leaves, laughing.

Not her, too. Ray glances at Lix to find her getting her third drink. “That’s the last one, then we’re leaving”

She just grins and says, “Sure!” Completely unbothered by what has just transpired.

The next day, the two siblings were firmly lectured by their mother dearest. Here’s the verbal beat down I’ve expected from Mom. At least I’m not the only one. Both keeping their heads down as they endure the barks of their mother that could give a drill sergeant a run for their money.