It was the end of another beautiful day in the agridome and the humans were already starting to gather. Hundreds of them filled the dome. They would sit and talk for hours on the pathways and benches, carefully tending to plants that had been missed by the worker drones. Wroth of clan Jerr watched as a female carefully adjusted a trellis, whispering to the vines as she worked. Lovingly she inspected a bloom before continuing on. It could have been his imagination but the plant somehow seemed happier, stronger.
It was no secret that agridomes that allowed the humans to visit after hours enjoyed higher yields and superior quality crops. Sure, the humans might nibble a leaf or fruit here or there but it was worth it. He looked up from his reverie to see another one of the females watching him.
“Greetings human.” Wroth bowed his shaggy head in greeting. “My clan blesses your people as they bless our dome.” He looked up. Wroth had never felt completely at ease around these small slim omnivores. Part of his genetic code remembered when predators had followed his ancestor’s herds looking to pick off the sick, the weak and the unwary.
“Thank you, overseer Wroth.” The human bowed back, carefully protecting her belly as if guarding an injury. She righted herself and held onto a rail for support.
“Are you alright?” Wroth asked, not sure if this was typical behavior for a human or cause for alarm.
The human laughed, the music of her voice echoing across the dome. “I’m perfectly fine, just pregnant.” When she saw the confusion on his face she elaborated. “I am expecting to deliver a child soon. Our species stays active until almost the end of pregnancy. I find walking helps.”
This was not something he knew how to reply to. Reproduction was not something his culture talked about and pregnant females were secluded. He shook his head to clear it. These plant loving creatures truly were strange. They guarded their children above all else yet let their pregnant females wander unprotected. This was not proper.
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“Should I escort you back to your home?” He asked, before tactfully adding “In case you require any assistance.”
“My family is here with me. Don’t worry, I know our ways confuse you but this isn’t my first time.” She looked him over, noting the curve of his horns and the golden emblems braided into his hair. “You’re of clan Jerr? I once knew an overseer Kemm of clan Jerr.”
Wroth looked back in surprise at the small creature that was inspecting him so intently. “You must be mistaken. My grandfather died fighting the scourge when my father was still a calf. Perhaps you mean Overseer Lemm of the south colony?”
“Perhaps.” The human looked back over the garden. “Kemm was kind to us when we came to settle here, most weren’t. I’m sad to hear he passed away.” She called out to one of the males and gestured for him to come over. “Come introduce yourself to the overseer. He’s Kemm’s grandson.”
The male smiled and moved to embrace Wroth before thinking better of it. “Sorry, it’s a human gesture of affection that doesn’t really translate.” He bowed. “I’m Ebrum, Kemm was very kind to us when we came here.”
“That would be impossible.” Wroth assured him. “As I said before, my grandfather died long ago.”
The two humans shared a look of understanding. “Our kind lives longer than most.” The pregnant female explained. “It can cause some confusion when talking to other races. Add in our nomadic nature and sometimes we might return to a planet only to find that all of our friends are long gone. We’ve learned to live with it.”
Wroth didn’t know what to say to that so he stayed silent. What could he say? If these humans were telling the truth they must have been ancient. He decided to fall back on social niceties. “It was a pleasure to meet both of you.” He turned to Ebrum. “Congratulations on your child and blessings on your new family.”
The two humans looked at one another and broke out in laughter. Wroth wasn’t sure how but he seemed to have made some grave error. Was the female not pregnant? Or was this not her mate?
Wroth apologized “I’m sorry, you said you were here with your family so I assumed this to be your husband.”
This elicited yet another burst of laughter. “Oh no, you misunderstand.” The female explained. “Ebrum is my grandson and yes, I’m here with my family. We’re all family.” She waved her hand over the balcony gesturing towards the humans busily tending the plants below. “I’m Matriarch Oz, and these are my children and grandchildren. Or at least my children and their partners.”
The overseer gawked. All of these were hers? How old was she? How many children did she have?
“I told you this wasn’t my first time.” Matriarch Oz said, patting her belly.