Nora watched the live feed anxiously as the extraterrestrial envoy's ship broke through Earth's atmosphere. Per the negotiated terms, the aliens had agreed to exchange diplomatic delegations in a show of trust and transparency after initial communications proved productive.

While the extraterrestrials possessed technology to easily infiltrate without detection, they honored the covenant by arriving openly and unarmed. Humanity responded in kind, sending envoys on the first manned vessel through the wormhole bridge the aliens provided near Jupiter.

Now as the sleek alien ship landed gracefully in the cleared field before the United Nations, Nora felt hopeful but nervous. Even after months of talks, direct face-to-face interaction was unprecedented.

The ramp lowered and the first extraterrestrial envoy emerged slowly, flanked by UN greeters. It resembled a large slug, with a flat triangular head and smooth skin that rippled colors subtly as it moved. Nora was reminded of cephalopods in the deep ocean, only with four limb-like appendages.

In the synthesized speech they used to translate, the envoy expressed joy at being on Earth. Its tone was warm and dignified. The UN Secretary-General welcomed it sincerely, guiding it inside the main diplomatic hall.

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Over subsequent days, Nora met with several extraterrestrial diplomats. She found their mental acuity and curiosity refreshing, though their lack of faces made reading reactions challenging. Their unique biology provided philosophical insights humanity had never pondered.

But not all shared Nora's optimism. Protests erupted outside UN headquarters, with demonstrators chanting that these aliens should not be trusted or allowed to spread influence on Earth freely. Nora understood the skepticism, but saw it rooted in old fears.

Inside, the productive talks continued. The extraterrestrials displayed profound intelligence but also patience with human uncertainties. Their own civilization was apparently built on principles of consensus and restraint regarding less developed species.

"We mean only to spare others the trials we endured," an elder envoy transmitted to Nora. "Now we walk together, teacher and student to each other." Its color patterns conveyed gentle empathy.

Nora remained cautiously hopeful. But she knew much work lay ahead to integrate the two civilizations as fully equal partners. As long as both species faced the challenge in a spirit of mutual growth and wisdom, she believed the chasm could narrow in time. Contact was never instant, but step by step.

As the alien ship lifted off weeks later in a roar of light, Nora was sad to bid the envoys farewell. But she took comfort knowing each learned from the other, even in small ways. And when the vessel cleared the sky, the stars somehow felt closer than before.