Ktak's brood-home was a giant circular building in the outskirs of central. One among many in the area. They walked together through a big archway into the inner courtyard where Ktak's brood-mother was rooted. Ames stoped at a respectful distance and allowed Ktak to approach alone. He could see the decay. She was worn looking and faded, instead of the bright purples and light blues of a young brood mother he had seen in pictures. But she could also see she must have been magnificent once by how tall and shapely her branches were.

As Ktak leaned her head on her trunk Ames could hear whispers start in her branches as wind was moving them and eventually a worn voice formed from the whispers.

"Brood-daughter, you are home. We have missed you."

"Mother, I have missed you as well." Ktak whispered. Ames could see tears in her eyes.

"The human in you is watering my tired soul, child. It is appreciated, but not needed. Lets be happy in meetings we still have. They say you have brought home a human of your own?"

Ktak beckoned Ames to approach. When he was standing next to her, she took his hand and placed it on her trunk.

"This is Ames, Mother." she said,"I love him."

"Ah, love is finally returned. I hoped for this, when I had you. A human once loved me in his lonelyness, being ripped from his world. It is fair that his daughter returns the love that I could not feel to a human."

"Love is felt and shown in many ways," Ames felt the need to say,"Bringing Ktak into the world insteald of selling his gift is for a human a loving thing to do."

"Daughter, you have found yourself a precious thing. Hold on to him..." she whispered, voice fading.

Ames really was not ready for the passionate kiss that Ktak bestowed on him moments later and would have surely fallen sharply of his stilts if she had not grabbed her.

This was thus the position that Ktak-s older brood-brother found them. Not exactly that dignified. He coughed nasally to alert Ktak of his presence.

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"Sod of, Ktam, cant you see I'm busy" was Ktak's reaction.

Ames snorted and struggled get upright to see Ktam.

When Ktak put him back on his stilts he could see a rather bulkily built and hairy Tamare. Since Ktak was clearly not bothering with proper introductions Ktam introduced himself.

"Builder General Ktam," he said and performed a semiformal greeting.

"Consort to be Ames," Ames responded in kind with approriate response greeting.

Ktam was clearly surprised that he knew the etiquete but used the opprotunity to poke fun at his sister.

"Hey, brood-sister, your boytoy knows Tamare protocol better than you!" he hollered.

"Ktam, be glad I'm wearing my formal robes right now and puting you in dirt would get them dirty." she responded grinning.

Ames nodded. Siblings. Not that different at all.

"I came to tell you to go visit Kran in the gardens quickly. I will show Ames around the place. Don't worry, you will get him back uncrumpled at lunch hall." Ktam told her.

"I better," she said, nodded to Ames and left.

Ames followed Ktam for the tour. The house was roomy, but mostly abandoned now. He could immagine droves of little hybrids running and playing and getting direction from their older siblings. He felt a degree of envy even for Ktak's childhood with her brood siblings.

Another Tamare approached and at first glance Ames thought Ktak had returned, but ... something was slightly off. In fact, everything was slightly off. It took Ames only a moment to realize who this person was. He performed a respectul greeting and introduced himself.

Ktak's body double laughed and responded in kind "Seedling-tender Ktag" she said.

Ktak entered the room a moment later and stood next to her looking for some reason concerned.

Ames looked at her wondering what was bothering her. "Love, why didnt you tell me your brood-sister is your twin?"

Ktak was a bit stumped. "What is a twin?"

"A twin is basically a genetic copy. It happens in humans naturally," Ames explained. "I had twin friends growing up and they could never confuse me about who is who."

Ktak's worry that he would not tell them appart like Tamare often did not, vanished and her frown with it.

Ktag used the opportunity to tease Ktak of course. "Your human is so clever, now I cant even steal him for myself prending to be you..."

Ames came to like Ktak's brood over the course of the day. As their layover was going to be several months long He hoped to get to know them quite well.

In the evening in their bed howvever Ames had to ask "Did you really think I would not be able to tell the difference between you and your brood sister?"

Ktak shighed. "Tamare usually dont."

Ames knew what was bothering her. "You are much more than what you look like and I love you. She is not you. I would know the difference everywhere."

Ktak felt happy and fell asleep. It was going to be a nice stay.