Memory transcription subject: Alvi, Venlil Citizen, unemployed.

Date [standardized human time]: August 28th, 2136. Late morning

I awoke in the Black. I could hear mumbled and muffled voices around me.

Am I dead?

Was this my passage to the Starry Night? I opened my eyes. Nothing. The Stars did not shine for me. I moved my tail and tried to crawl away, when a clearer voice spoke up, “I think she’s waking up Valek. It’s ok, Alvi, you’re alright. Let me put you down.”

I felt something grip around me, gentle but secure. I felt my body meet the ground, cool even through my wool. A different voice calmed me, “Alvi, I’m going to take off the veil, ok? It might be a little bright.”

Sunlight assaulted my senses as I got my bearings. I was in an orchard, I could see Greeol bushels hanging among the leaves. I saw a Venlil standing in front of me, showing worry. We were traveling together, this Venlil - Valek - and someone else. There was a predator ahead of us, and we three hid behind a tree. Maeve was crying- “Maeve! Where’s Maeve?!”

“She’s alright. She’s close, but didn’t want to spook you. Maeve!”

I watched the tree he pointed to, and saw a shade flutter from behind it. “I’m coming out now! My eyes are closed!” A great black beast stepped out from hiding, and my fur flared and tail curled in terror as I hugged the ground. Valek trotted to Maeve’s side- the beast was Maeve! I remembered! - my heart pounded in my chest from waning fear, while my muscles relaxed from the remembrance of a friend. Valek took Maeve’s hand and guided her to the side of the road with me. I pushed through my fear, closed my eyes, and barreled into Maeve’s chest as I hugged her.

She fell back with the force of my lunge. “OOF! Ok, It’s alright Alvi, we’re fine.”

Words coated in regret and frustration flew from my mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry! I don’t know what happened, I just-”

“You fainted, and it’s ok.” Valek cooed beside me, soothingly, “You’re not the first to have that reaction, and you won’t be the last. Maeve and I know it’s instinctual, right Maeve?”

Maeve’s arms moved behind her head, avoiding touching me; even now, she thought of my comfort, “Yeah… Alvi, I know you didn’t mean it, we’re fine.”

I stood there with my face buried in the folds of Maeve’s cloak, crying in shame and frustration, my tail wrapped around my legs. My breath hitched when I felt Valek’s paw on my shoulder. “Alvi, since you’re already hugging, would you be okay if Maeve hugged you back?.” -- “Valek, I don’t think that’s-” -- “It’s ok, Maeve, I think she’s ready for it. What do you think, Alvi?”

Still shuddering through my sobs, I thought for a moment, and flicked the ‘go ahead’ with my tail. “That’s a Yes, Maeve.” Valek translated. Slowly, gently, Maeve took my paws by the wrist away from her ribcage, crouched down to be on level with me, then wrapped my arms around her neck. Maeve rested her chin on my shoulder, and I on hers, as I felt her arms wrap around me. I could feel them constrict around my whole torso, and for a moment, just the briefest of moments, I was terrified that now she would pounce, and snap my spine in two, before her pressure halted and held. We held each other for a moment, I bawled in her ear while I could feel Maeve’s own tears on my shoulder. Another weight to my side, and I could feel Valek join us. It felt like several minutes before had I calmed down, and released my grip; I was the first to let go. Maeve kept her eyes high, still avoiding looking at me.

My ears rose with my spirits, “Thank you Maeve. I’m sorry I’m not ready to meet your eyes, but I look forward to trying again.” Maeve gave a toothless smile, and stood up.

“I know, Alvi. Thank you for saying what you did; it means a lot to me, it really does.” Maeve stooped down and picked up the improvised swaddle that was her veil. Putting it back on, she cleared her throat before starting, “We carried you while you slept until we were just out of sight of town. Hauling you in might not have looked good, so we stopped here until you woke up. Are you ready to head in?”

I flicked assent, and we walked on. We were just around the bend from town, but thanks to the orchards on either side it was still 10 minutes walking straight-away. The last two trees of the orchard were Dark Everwood, renowned for its longevity, making an enormous natural archway over the road; native to the Twilight band, the nearly permanent sun of the Green stunted its growth. It was probably grown elsewhere and transplanted, when is anyone’s guess. Cobblestone roads filled the space between buildings, surrounding a fountain in the center, serving as both walking and driving paths. Most of the buildings were ancestral, fine gravelstone plaster over brick in the traditional leaf shape, in line with the wind. The odd modern style jutting out with its glass facades in stark contrast to the rustic buildings they were added to.

Only a pawful of Venlil were out right now; a few pups running around the fountain, their parents gossiping nearby, the odd elder hanging out a window. Most activity stopped when Maeve came into view, except the children. The pups paid her no mind, until their parents pulled them aside as we passed. Not a single Venlil welcomed us, neither by voice nor tail, though Valek and I gestured safety and calm as we walked.

“I don’t know about you Maeve, but I’m exhausted from all of this. I hope you don’t mind if we wait on the tour?” Maeve laid a hand on Valek’s shoulder in response, staying silent as we walked. Valek took the lead as we walked through the town, and out the back on a gravel road, a sign in venlil script to the side: ‘To The Old Berrypatch’. The road was longer than we were ready for, all of us ready to collapse as we crossed the front gate.

The Berrypatch home was an old burrow-style; I hadn’t ever seen one, being a city girl. A great grass and wildflower mound rose from the ground, with a leeward circular door in the center-left. A path in the homely hill curved inward before reaching another level, with another door recessed into it. Maeve stopped, facing the great hill, expressionless under her shroud. We waited a moment for her to catch up, and continued on. We were about 20 meters away when the door threw itself open, a cacophonous rattle and jangle ringing out of items hung upon it. A white-streaked Venlil stepped from the threshold. Oh brahk, he’s got a gun!

“Dad!” Valek yelled, stepping in front of Maeve and I.

“Step aside boy! I won’t let that thing-” With a ker-CUNK the man pumped his lever action for emphasis, followed by a high pitched whine from the weapon charging. “-into my house!”

The four of us stood frozen in silence, waiting for someone to make the first move. We were very thankful for a smaller Venlil stepping out of the burrow.

Speaking gently, the woman said, “Valek invited them, dear; you know that. He wouldn’t put us in danger.” She laid a paw on the rifle, just above the man’s, pushing the barrel down to the ground, “Let's go inside, I have some soup in the pot." The man's attention never left Maeve, but he allowed us inside, Valek ahead of the two of us.

The inside of the burrow was… Cozy. The walls were covered with old keepsakes, photos and family treasures; seating and surfaces abound, this appeared to be a room for entertaining. The far side of the open space was the kitchen, fully equipped with a large sink, simmering soup pot, Strayu Forge, and more than enough storage. Hung along the top of the walls was a long Vyalkit, nearly the full perimeter of the spacious den; so many meters of woven promises, a new pattern every half-meter or so.

-at is why, TRUTH SEEKERS, we must repel these horrid invaders! They will feast on your children an-

With a huff the woman stepped to the radio and silenced the vitriol with a hard click. From in front of us Valek groaned, “Dad… I asked you to stop listening to that feathered windbag, he’s rotting your brain.”

Stolen novel; please report.

“He’s the only one on this damned planet talking any sense! That Tarva–May her star go dark–Has got the Media and those scientists in her pocket! That first human’s got her trained, by some torture I reckon! You're lucky Elva’s keeping me civil, or that blighted BEAST…” The old man spat the words with venom, “wouldn't’ve made it through the front gate!” he bayed, but his knees shook and he collapsed in his dinner seat, his terror betrayed, while the woman, who must be Elva, took a seat next to him. Elva wasn't faring any better; she kept Maeve in her blindspot, and I’d never seen a Venlil so fluffed.

Maeve was clearly blind in the gloom, so I helped her to a too-small seat as far from the man as possible, while Valek poured us all soup from the pot. “Mom, Dad, this is Alvi,” My ears flicked a very timid hello, “and this is Maeve.” Maeve slowly nodded her head; she mentioned that showed deference? Do humans have an understanding of hospitality?

“Maeve, these are my parents. On the right is my mother, Elva, and on the left is my father, Leksi."

The parents made no reply. There was a heavy pause, before Leksi spoke up, "Why doesn't it speak for itself? Are we so far beneath it that it must speak through my son?!" Leksi shot accusingly at Valek.

"Do not speak to Valek like that."

Maeve's voice flowed through the den, and I shirked away from the chill of Night that followed it. She spoke softly, but with a finality that left room for neither interpretation nor argument. The man blanched and the poor woman shivered in the quiet gale.

"Valek is your son. He has earned my trust, respect, and friendship by his kindness and curiosity; traits I am saddened to see you so-"

Valek placed a paw on her arm, and Maeve quieted herself. Barely enough for me to hear, she whispered, "I’m sorry." Valek closed his eyes to her, motioning care with his ears and forgiveness with his tail.

“What did you make today, Mom?”

“I-I-I m-made Greeol soup, with S-Sweetg-grass and F-Firefruit.”

“It looks delicious, thank you. Do we have any fresh Starberries ready?”

“W-What? Oh! Yes, t-they're in the c-cooler, dear.”

Valek retrieved the berries, and the three of us started to eat, Maeve taking the berries beneath her Veil. The elders across the table simply watched us as their soup got cold, the silence oppressive as we waited for someone to make the first move. Hoping to diffuse the situation, I asked, “You have a lovely home, thank you fo-”

“Why is it wearing that? I hadn't planned on meeting the Night this waking, not if I have any say in it.” This farmer’s star had to be dim, always on the attack like this. Couldn’t Leksi see we were trying to make this easy?

“Thank you,” I continued, not letting the man derail our conversation again, “for inviting us, and sharing your food with us. If you must know, if I may speak for you Maeve, she wears this because the humans know how terrified we are of their appearance. She wears this for your comfort, and to avoid panic while we travel.” I flicked annoyance and admonishment, and continued my dinner.

It was several more seconds of agonizing silence before Elva spoke up, “W-What d-do humans l-look like?”

Leski waved dismissively, “Oh, come on Elva, you know what they look like! They’re predators! They got hunting eyes and gnashing teeth. Slimy furless bodies so they can slip out of our traps.”

Maeve simply waited for him to finish before, in a voice as kind as when she first spoke for me, answered. “Thank you for your kindness and hospitality Elva; I’m sorry I scared you. We walk upright on two legs, which support our torso, housing most of our vital organs. We have one arm on each side of our upper torso. These arms end in hands which are made to grip, and these hands end in fingers, which are made to manipulate. Our torso supports our neck and head, the latter of which houses most of our sensory organs, being our eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.”

Leksi’s ears were facing every direction but Maeve’s, but Elva was focused; attentive, even. I could see her fur level, and her breathing calm, trying so hard to understand.

“Humans have fur, we call it hair, on most of our bodies; though not nearly the quantity or density of a Venlil. Our skin is easily seen under our hair, and both appear in colors determined by Melanin, causing them to appear in a spectrum of browns, from very pale to nearly black. Our hair also appears in a similar spectrum, from a sun-light yellow, to also nearly black. Some people, like myself, have a rare mutation causing very pale skin, and hair that is more orange or red.”

Silence had returned, while Maeve allowed this to sink in, before Elva asked another, “Can… Can I see?”

Maeve paused before answering, “Yes.” Valek and I showed worry, no way were his parents ready for this; I could hear Elva’s chair rattling! “But I ask that you lift the Veil yourself; so you will be less shocked by what you see.”

Elva’s ears shot up in surprise, while her tail curled and kinked in worry, “Wh-What?”

“I know I’m scary - terrifying, even - which tells me just how incredibly brave you are for asking in the first place. And that is exactly why you need to control how and when you’re ready to see me.” Maeve held out her black-gloved hand in invitation.

“Elva, don’t you dare! It will snap you up the moment you’re close!” Leksi commanded, ears, tail, and scruff united in challenge to the cloaked figure.

“I did it.” My voice trembled across the table, “I had only met Maeve on the Ring. This whole time she has only thought of my comfort. I trust her, even if my body argues.”

Mauve gave a gentle nod. “Thank you, Alvi. I ask nothing of you, Elva; this is an invitation, nothing more.”

A long pause, Elva breathing shaky breaths, before she stood from her seat, and walked to our end of the table; every step an effort as she fought through terror. Leksi behind her was livid, whispering through his teeth to get back to her seat. Valek stepped up from his chair and moved it out of the way. Maeve flinched at the noise, startling Elva. “Valek, what’s happening?” -- “Mom’s almost here.” -- “Really?! Where is she? I can’t see!” -- “She’s here on your right. It’s ok, Mom, you can trust us.” Maeve stepped from her chair, and knelt on the ground, turning right to face perpendicular to the length of the table. I left my seat as well, moving around to be beside Valek as he coaxed Elva through her last steps.

Elva stepped in front of Maeve, and hesitated; the three of us waited and allowed Elva to move at her own pace. She took the hem of Maeve's veil in paw, and holding her breath, lifted the veil to Maeve's chin. But no further.

Valek stepped next to his Mother, "It's ok, Mom, you can do this." And with a supportive paw, helped Elva slowly lift the veil up above Maeve's face. Elva’s body was a cacophony of expressions, every moment shifting from panic to curiosity to awe to fear to confusion and back again, “W-W-Where are your eyes?”

Valek whispered beside her, “They're here, Mom. She's keeping them closed for now. Alvi is doing a lot to try to get over her fear,” My ears nearly covered my eyes in my embarrassment, knowing what was coming next, “but she still fainted when she saw Maeve’s eyes.” he finished with a kind chuckle.

“How… How did you get over it, Valek? How could you stay in the same room with… This, for paws at a time?” Elva’s breathing was normalizing, we were making progress!

Valek beamed with pride, though his tail decried his mischief. He took Elva’s paw in his, and, his other paw on Maeve’s shoulder, placed Elva’s on Maeve’s cheek. Elva started showing panic again, but it passed as quickly as it came, as Maeve leaned into Elva’s paw.

“Because mom, they’re just like us. In so many ways! In all the ways that matter!” Maeve’s cheeks shuddered and blushed at that.

“Leksi… sweetie, you should come see this.” Elva called out behind her, joy starting to tinge her voice.

“I AIN’T GETTIN ONE STEP CLOSER TO THAT BEAST!!” We all jumped and started from the man bellowing at the other end of the table, even Maeve flinched and ducked her head.

“LEKSI! There’s no need to—!”

“Nono, mom, it’s ok. We shouldn’t’ve pressed it. Everything’s fine,” Valek stepped between his father and the rest of us, “We’re gonna go, gonna get some rest, let’s all sleep on it, ok?”

“AIN’T NO WAY NO SUN-SCORCHED PREDATOR,” Valek moved to gather Maeve and I “C’mon, we need to go” -- “GONNA SLEEP IN MY HOUSE!! I SWEAR BOY, YOU TAKE ONE MORE STEP, I SWEAR ON MY MOTHER’S STAR-”

We were already up the stairs and through the door, the heavy wood only slightly muffling his tirade, another door to a bedroom bringing it to a low rumble.

“I’m really sorry about him, guys. I didn’t think it would be this bad, or I would have rethought inviting you, Maeve. And I’m so sorry to bring you into this, Alvi.”

“Honestly Valek,” I started, my ears forward and tail swaying, “this has been one of my best wakings in a while! I’m really glad I stayed in the cabin with you.”

We all giggled at our situation, before Maeve spoke up. “I would very much like to sleep, if that’s alright.”

Valek chuckled at her apparent exhaustion, “Yeah that’s a good plan. C’mon Alvi, I’ll show you to the guest room.” Valek opened the door and I made to follow him, before another surge in Leksi’s tirade stopped me still.

"Um… A-Actually, I wouldn't mind staying here?" Valek locked on me, confusion across his features. Even Maeve stared at me with clear confusion and surprise.

“I’m alright with it, if you are Valek?” who signaled a cautious affirmative, “But you should know Alvi, I won’t be wearing this while I’m in here. And…” Maeve looked to Valek, whose ears drooped shyly, “we… Valek and I tend to sleep… together. Like what you saw on the train. If that’s a problem-?”

Another wave of Leksi’s tirade rumbled up from below, cementing my decision. “Yes, I would like to stay here, please.”

“Alright. Valek, help me get this off, I’m exhausted.” And Valek closed the door.