Memory transcript subject: Liam Wahlburg, Ex Red-Cross Field Medic, Confused Business Owner

Date [Human standard time]: October 10th, 2136

Most of the customer facing work is done.

The large display cases have been built and put next to the windows letting passerby get a peek into my art arrangements. 3 rows of shelves are set up starting from the back wall and end at the center of the room, leaving space at the front door for customers to line up at the register on the bar counter. They’re empty for the time being but will hopefully be loaded up soon with a wide variety of craft supplies.

The shelves originally meant for holding bottles behind the bar are now being stocked with the more expensive model kits and all-in-one art projects. Most of what I have to offer will be cheap enough to accept some of it being stolen, but these would actually hurt to lose, so they’re staying safe behind me.

My 3D printer is staying back here too, but still on display. It should be fun for customers to watch and it makes it easier for me to work with it during the day.

Against the far wall opposite of the counter are a few tables and chairs along with stylish, colorful little boxes with basic craft supplies and tools. Anyone can walk in and start water paints, scribbling with colored pencils, molding clay, and so on.

Hopefully the chance to sit down with someone and get them started on small personal projects is enough to convince them to come back as a proper hobbyist.

I had gotten some of my old table top stuff shipped over as well! It felt weird seeing the sort of care that went into protecting my old miniatures and cheap landscapes during transit.

While it made the delivery cost a bit high it did help confirm how these aliens viewed my work. Sorting out all the minis holding any sort of medieval weapons, I put the rest up to the window displays along with some sections of landscapes.

More work would need to be done in order to actually fill the view. My little forest trails and shouty wizards seem pretty small when compared to all the shelf space I need to fill out. At least this is my job now, I’ll have plenty of time to work on that problem.

For now though, I had two very upset birdies to take care of. The delivery venlil thankfully carried both the cages inside for me along with the toys.

“Look, sorry about what happened out there. I didn’t realize that the escort would actually do something like that!”

“No worries man, you didn’t do anything wrong. As long as my little friends are fine then I’m not worried.”

These aliens’ wide vision is an odd thing, I could see one eye pointed at me and the other turn away towards the two birds chirping up a storm. It’s impressive seeing them focus on multiple things like that.

“Yeah, I’m glad they’re fine. I should be off soon though. Don’t want to give that guy an excuse to come inside looking for me.”

“Thanks for the help, have a nice rest of your day.”

He nods, rare for anyone not human. “Stars guide you.”

Seeing the delivery folks off I wander back in and start tending to the two chirpy little beans. In a few minutes the cages are back together and placed on the bar, water filled, and food pellets put out. Neither Toki or Dave care for those yet though.

They were both excited to be free of their tight confines and very very excited to see me again. The whole time I was taking care of chores, those two were flying around exploring their new home. They bounced from the perches all around the room that I had set up this morning, as well as all the tables, shelves, and my shoulders.

I was well aware of Toki’s love of stealing my food and Dave’s need for causing chaos when given the chance. My granola bar lunch was not going to survive if I wasn’t prepared.

Emerging from the meager bar kitchen I set up a small plate of shredded carrots on one of the crafts tables. I grab a small handful and stuff a few strands into my mouth. Toki barely missed snatching the food out of my hands and settled for tearing into what I had on the plate.

Dave, seeing a chance to act as the terror he is, grabbed the paper plate with his beak and started dragging it away. Toki, trying to protect ‘our’ meal, had to stop engorging himself to jump at his brother and run them off.

I gladly sat back, quietly munching on my own snack, watching the two birds chirp at each other like feuding siblings. Despite being on an alien world, these two brats make everything feel normal. Anywhere can be home when I have them with me to make some noise.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I only got halfway through my snack when the front door was suddenly kicked in, blowing a chill through the whole building. Toki and Dave screamed off to different ends of the room. Thankfully I had the sense to keep a reflective mask nearby. I slapped it on as fast as I could before turning around to face a small crowd forcing their way in.

At the front of the pack was a gojid with darker toned fur. There was a patch of spines that were broken in half on their left arm, but had signs of healing. In tow, they had that duerten that was spying on me all day. The poor thing looked like they had thinning plumage, with a few small patches of bare skin. They also weren’t properly groomed so some feathers were unaligned or even broken. It’s honestly a miracle that they were even flying in the first place.

Two zurulians also strode in after them but one was much larger than the other. The tall one had a thicker, longer coat as well, which was well groomed. The smaller one had some scattered pale spots all over their face and shoulders that gave the impression of freckles.

I could swear I saw more movement after them but my attention was being robbed by the 5’ tall hedgehog that’s now stomped up to me, clearly lacking any respect for my personal space. They let go of the duerten and walked around to my left. With my somewhat limited field of vision I had to turn a bit to fully face them, leaving me blind to whoever was in front of or beside me.

“H-hey, I’m sorry but we’re not quite open y-”

“Not buying, predator. Sysill here needs a job. You’re hiring.”

What the hell kind of strong arming is this? Who hustles someone for a job? Why do they think that that's something you can extort anyways?

“Who the hell even are you people? Also, I don’t think you’re the one in charge, short-stack. Not sure how much I need staff right now, especially ones with such a shitty attitude.”

Sysill made a pitiful whimpering sound, gently clacking their long beak. They almost looked like they were being held hostage.

“They don’t need a boss full of speh either but we can’t all get what we want.”

“I can at least keep from getting insulted in my own shop you needly fuck.”

“Keep stepping out of line and the exterminators get an ‘anonymous’ tip about the bodies in your basement.”

Both of the zurulian's ears perk up. Poor Sysill whimpers out in the tiniest voice, “p-please Obour, y-you don't need to…”

If Obour heard him, there was no sign of it. That wild gojid was completely fixated on me at the moment.

“Try me, I don’t have anything down there.”

“Doesn’t have to be.”

“I’m willing to die for the principle of making sure you stay broke. After all, something’s made you desperate enough to try something like this.”

“I’m doing you a favor, blood-drinker.”

“Most favors don’t start with making threats. So what’s the catch aside from having to put up with an emotionally unstable pin-cushion?”

He pauses, snout almost making contact with my mask. I would be impressed that someone was willing to get this close if it weren’t for the fact that he was a massive dick. It takes me a moment to notice his left eye swiveling around, observing the rest of our guests.

A heavier, rolling voice speaks up. There is a natural weight to it that makes for a pleasant rumbling feeling as the sound hits my ears. Reminds me of the older, heavy set woman from back home who was always working late at the corner store. I remember me and my friends would always grab snacks from there for game nights because she'd let us take some extra chips or pastries that they were going to throw out.

“Now now you two, we don’t need to get aggressive right now. There’s a peaceful solution to all of this.”

Sysill really must not like that other figure because they scamper all the way around me to get away from them.

Obour and I have the same feelings about this intruder in our conversation. As pleasant as she sounds, I can't just let someone roll over me like this. It sets a poor standard, makes people think that it's the right way to treat me in the future. Simultaneously we each shouted at them without looking away from each other.

“Back off!” “Back off!”

“I’ve dealt with humans plenty. You gotta be rough with them or else they won't respect you.”

“Is it that hard to get people to like you?”

I swear Obour actually growled at me. The bigger zurulian made another plea for peace that was promptly brushed off. The squawking came back around as Toki and Dave swooped in and landed right on the freckled zurulian.

Toki landed on their head for a moment, but bailed as soon as their landing pad ducked away. He decided to sit on a nearby shelf instead to observe this strange new person. Dave however, was being a menace by landing on their shoulders, head, arms, wherever they could and nibble at their face and ears. That poor teddy bear didn't know what to do about either bird. Thankfully, they seem more annoyed at them rather than treating it as some sort of hostility.

Obour and I were still maintaining our staring contest when Sysill jabbed their datapad into my side. I finally backed off of the engagement for a moment to look at them properly.

The poor kid was shaking and, despite my lackluster understanding of federation social signals, it was easy to tell that they were stressed out.

“J-just look at it and get this o-over with, p-please.”

Sighing, I take the datapad. I did genuinely feel bad for them despite all the excitement.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

The resume was almost completely empty. Some simple skills are included. They at least have a basic education, even if they got held back a lot. The ‘predator disease’ declaration surprises me though. It’s got some legal code attached at the bottom of the document. Not totally sure what it takes to be ‘predator diseased’ but I don’t get to police the aliens’ fucked up misconceptions of basic biology and psychology.

“Is this why it’s hard for you to fi-”

“Y-yes it is.”

Looking back at the pathetic resume, I mull this one over for a moment in my mind.

It explains just about everything with those two really. Not exactly sure what the gojid’s angle is in all of this but it at least looks like they wanted to help someone who was being expelled from the community. Not that it excuses any of their shitty behavior.

Before I could respond a smaller, chittering voice spoke up next to me. I was a bit taken aback with how close they were. In fact, I think this is physically the closest I've ever really been to aliens in a larger number, or at all. They're always so desperate to get away that I've always had plenty of distance between me and them. It's to the point that this is starting to feel a bit cramped, not that I dislike that feeling. Leaving earth has been a sort of isolating with all the xenophobia going on.

“Human! Surely if there is a place for someone like that clumsy avian then there must be an opportunity for a humble student of the arts as well!”

Letting out a sigh, I start to turn towards the new disturbance. At least this one seemed eager to see a human. Desperate college students also seem to be a standard across the galaxy, rather than just being a human centric issue.

“What school do y-”

On reflex air was sucked into my lungs, though my voice wanted to scream at the same time. What came out was a stuttering set of gasps.

Spiders, the biggest god damned spiders you've ever seen.

The only reason I wasn't standing on a table was that the shock made my legs trip over each other. Those things scared me so hard I felt my head spin. When I started stumbling backwards one of the creepy little bastards actually started rushing towards me!

I might have punted the damn thing if it weren't for that zurulbig. They got between us and grabbed my arms with a surprising firmness. It seemed like their size wasn't all fluff.

“It's ok, calm down Liiahm! It's ok.”

I tried to relax but I could still see them standing just over the zurulian's shoulder. My chest felt tight. I couldn't breathe. Every gasp took in a pitiful amount of air. I felt another nudge on my left shoulder causing me to flinch. A small water bottle was held out over my lap, right in the center of my vision.

I could hear that duerten next to me. They were saying something but words stopped making sense a second ago. Somehow the idea of drinking it entered my mind despite my dazed state. Half the bottle was drained in the first greedy gulp. It seemed to do the trick though. I was forced to reset my breathing, taking control of it again. The room felt freezing cold all of a sudden.

The zurulian pulled their hand back and muttered to themselves. “Gross, I didn't think humans did that kloshian thing with the slime.”

With my senses working again I could hear Obour howling with laughter in the background. Clearly he got a kick out of my near heart attack. The giant spider that ran at me was still staring too. Looking down at the floor helped, but didn't stop its voice from reaching my ears.

“Can you hear us?! I did not mean to startle you so severely!”

Still sucking in air, I gasped out, “N-not your f-fault… Arachnophobic…”

“What…?”

They were confused for a moment while their implant chugged out an explanation. It was a solid three seconds of awkward silence until the spider person stiffened up.

“Oh…oh!...oh…”

Realization, understanding the implications, then soul crushing disappointment. Their whole body slumped, even their antenna flopped down in front of their face.

“Don't worry. Leave me your resume, I'll look at it.”

My body was settling down. Toki and Dave weren't. I was sucking in air and my heart was trying to pound its way out of my chest, but I was able to regain control of all my faculties. Those two however, seemed to have taken a liking to freckles over there. I could hear them trying to mimic her alien words, much to their horror and confusion.

“W-wait, really?! But you just said that you're terrified of me?”

“Yeah, but you guys have a phobia of forward facing eyes and all. I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't try to overcome my own fears.”

While I wasn't looking at them, I could hear how stunned they were as they fumbled over their words.

“Wha-I… T-thank you so much, you won't be disappointed!”

They scuttled towards me, sending chills down my spine.

“D-don’t! Sorry, no touching, not yet.”

“Right, sorry.”

The second bug thing spoke up.

“Yay! I'm so happy for you, Halsk!”

“GAAAHHHHH!!”

That first bug dove under the table and next to Sysill, who quickly passed them the water bottle too.

“Oh! Sorry for surprising you!”

After taking their own shaky sips, Halsk sputtered out, “Nahlin?! W-what are you doing here?”

“I… um.”

Very (not) casually, Nahlin, also a giant spider alien, looked around the room for an answer to the question.

“I was just super curious about the human hobby shop!”

Even I could hear that voice rise an octave.

“Yep, just checking the place out on my own and all… T-then I saw you walk in and I just … wanted to say hi?”

Was I also like this when I was in college? Were we all this bad and just didn't see it? Is all young love this clueless? I want to take it as a cute moment but, again, giant spider people.

I wanted an escape from the scene so I started looking around the room for any sort of distraction. It was good timing too because I saw Sysill had managed to sneak off somehow and was walking towards the door.

“Hey, Sysill. Don't forget this.”

I quickly typed out my contact information on a fresh document as they walked back over to me.

“Let me know what your availability is when you get a chance. We can talk about pay and schedules later.”

They froze up completely, claws gripped tightly around their pad as they’re taking it from my hand.

“B-but you just hired someone else. I thought…”

“I can have you two work alternating schedules. The store is gonna be open for 8 hours so I could use the help opening and closing.”

Everyone went quiet and started doing quick mental math before all coming to a collective, horrific conclusion. Halsk spoke up first.

“That includes closing and opening times, r-right?”

“No, we will need to stay a bit after and come in early to handle other tasks like stocking, cleaning, and so on. I’d guess the whole schedule would be about 9 and a half hours in total, less if closing is quick.”

The freckled zurulian chimes in as they bat away Dave, “Auxur shit. That's an insane schedule!”

Sysill, now most certainly wondering what they just got themselves into, looks to me with a renewed sense of fear.

They shakily ask, “H-how long do you expect us to work?”

“You're both young, Halsk is taking classes, so I was planning on having you both part time. 2 to 4 hour shifts depending on availability.”

Both of my new employees let out a breath of relief. Halsk whispers a thankful prayer to the stars.

I wasn't ignorant. I realized this on the Cradle, but even before that I started to get suspicious when we weren't supposed to talk about certain details of humanity like “persistence hunting”. While not talking about hunting overall made sense, they were being real particular about that bit.

After some long nights in the emergency tents the reason was clear: humans are well above most, if not, all of the federation in terms of endurance. The idea of a sapient hunting you down for food is scary enough, but to learn that they're effectively tireless must make us truly horrifying. Not that we’d do such a thing, but it’s important to think about these things from their perspective.

Despite the optics, our super-sapient longevity was something I was glad to take advantage of. Considering how difficult it is going to be for me to get customers as a human, longer opening hours makes it easier to get folks to check the place out. If everyone works 4 hours, a store that is open 8 should be able to see everyone, no matter how conflicting their schedules turn out to be, even if they work overtime.

At the moment however, I was still dealing with the most nightmarish form of jet-lag I've ever felt. On top of that, I haven't really stopped moving since yesterday. Even humans can eventually find our limits and mine was being attacked every way but physically by an angry mob of unemployed aliens. Speaking of which.

“Are all of you looking to apply or…?”

Obour turned his nose up at the idea, and Nahlin was still staring at Halsk like a love drunk puppy. The zurulbig and freckles both turn to me, but the one still holding my arm spoke first.

“Jaslung and I are not. We were just curious about this place and followed Jalsung and his roommate in. I guess we accidentally brought a crowd with us.”

A heavy sigh escapes my lungs. Of course these alien's ‘herd instincts’ would make them roll through here in some chaotic blob. So much for having an early night to bed. At least I can get a start on making some sales.

“Well, I wasn't technically supposed to be open yet, but there's no point in making y'all leave. Let me open up a few boxes so everyone can take a peek at what I've got.”

Suddenly the crowd shifted tones, looking a little uneasy. Thankfully it seemed to be more of an awkward thing instead of the usual ‘please don't eat me’ bit.

Jalsung points out, “I think you're mistaken, most of us aren't artists and don't have this sort of disposable income.”

“No worries, terran art supplies are cheap and this is a hobby shop. Being good at art isn't the point, it's about making something and having fun with it.”

Everyone was taken aback, but the closest spider thing, Halsk, seemed agitated. At least, that's what I assume the violent antenna shaking and flaring mandibles mean.

“How could you say something so crass?! Art is so critically important to our cultures, it's about our ability to explore and share who we are as people! You-”

“That's why it's important to make bad art.”

Yellow blush starts showing all across their head. I am surprised that this has managed to agitate them so quickly.

“Why would you ever want to commemorate mediocrity?!”

“The end goal of an art piece doesn’t always need to be about getting put into a museum. Sometimes the simple act of creative expression is all that matters. It’s so important to us in fact, that we begin playing with arts and crafts in early childhood even though they’ll always make really terrible stuff.”

“Y-you'd waste such valuable material on talentless children?!”

“It's never a waste. As a teacher or parent, art is a powerful communication tool. It bridges a gap between adolescents who haven't developed their vocabulary or struggle to understand their own emotions. Hap-hazard scribblings of a child can show us what they're thinking, who they care about, what they love, and what worries them. As we grow older, it helps us understand and share difficult and complicated feelings, experiences, ideas, or act as a tool to explore those things.

To bar anyone from being able to make art is outright criminal. Doing so mutes the person, leaves them ignorant of the world and others ignorant of them. Seeing how tense things are between us, free expression such as this is more important than ever.”

The color drained back out of Halsk. They stepped back and seemed to retreat into themselves to think. Despite having none of the typical facial expressions, these people are oddly expressive at times. Obour still seemed incredulous though, or at least his tone was. The gojid was willing to continue being a hassle.

“I find it hard to believe that predators actually care about that sort of thing. It doesn't serve a practical enough purpose for dumb killers like you to care about.”

“We care about it a lot! So much so that there are countless studies on how creating or observing art can affect our minds. The need to work with our hands is so ingrained into human psychology that certain activities are incorporated into therapy treatments. In fact, my own therapist recommended that I get back into painting miniatures for my own health.”

Everyone had a reaction to that, but Sysill and the unnamed zurulbig both leaned in closer than the others. Jalsung was the one who spoke up, even though she was still fighting a losing battle against Toki and Dave.

“That last part didn't translate properly. You said that you're being treated by some sort of ‘mind doctor’? Are you…do…oh speh there's no good way to ask this; are you predator diseased? Or uh, prey diseased?”

“I've heard of that before but humans have no concept of it. It doesn't even translate for me properly because the idea is so broad that it loses meaning. To be clear, I am not sick, but I have developed a condition known as post traumatic stress disorder. It's not technically a physical injury, but I had an experience recently that caused me enough distress that I now suffer long term effects stemming from it.”

For the first time ever, a room full of aliens actually looked on with a bit of genuine concern, even though it was mixed with a heavy dose of confusion. Sysill stopped staring at the floor and started boring a hole right through the side of my head with that beady little eye of his. The zurulbig's grip softens, their paw on my arm no longer meant to hold me in place, but to give me a sense of ease. Her heavy and gentle voice asks,

“What happened that could still be affecting you like that?”

“Honestly, it's … it’s still something I find difficult to get into. Just, for now I'll say that someone slashed my eye when I was working with the Red Cross.”

Her claws tensed, barely poking through the sleeve of my shirt. While most of the room drooped their ears or equivalents, her and Obour stiffened up instead. The gojid looked at me with the most intense side eye they could muster. He was fuming but kept whatever else he had to himself.

Nahlin spoke with an impossibly small and soft voice, “Can you still even continue your practice with that sort of injury?”

Halsk looked back up at me. I try to tell myself it was out of concern, but my monkey brain just does not appreciate a giant spider looking at me dead on like this.

“I'm only half-blind. I'll just hold everything a bit more to the left.”

Both the spiders made an odd chittering sound that my implant thankfully translated as dry laughter. Shaking their head, Halsk says,

“I suppose it’s true what the herd says about you humans. You’re incredibly resilient and determined people. I am excited to learn under you, despite how crude you may be.”

“I uh, thanks? I’m just happy to have a chance to share my passions with people. As a matter of fact, how about you all come back tomorrow afternoon? I have a few kits that I can open up and let yall try your hands at painting minis.”

The zurulbig gently shakes my shoulder, speaking with so much warmth,

“You don’t need to do something like that for us Liiaahm! Certainly not while your store still isn’t even open yet. I would hate to see this place close down because you gave all your product away so freely.”

With how much I’m up charging everything, my margin of error is much bigger than I’d be willing to tell any of these people.

“It’s not a problem at all. I still need to fill out more of the display so those kits are going to be opened up anyways. Might as well make an event out of it and get everyone to try it out.”

Sysill worriedly asks, “What if we ruin all of your miniatures?”

“Like I said, it’s a hobby shop. There is no such thing as a wasted art project. Worst case scenario, we clean up and paint over them. Honestly though, I think seeing a few messy pieces could actually help some folks find the confidence to try it out for themselves.”

The zurulbig stands and pulls me up with surprising ease. She pats me a few times on the shoulder as she speaks,

“Well if you’re insisting then I’ll be here for it. Can’t promise that there’s going to be anything worth displaying but I still think it will be fun!”

And with that, everyone got the idea that this little raid party of theirs was over. The conversation turned to small talk and farewells. Toki and Dave took this as their final chance to bother everyone for more affection in their own ways. Toki managed to get by just because he was a fairly large bird and hard to ignore. Dave was impossible to forget simply because he wouldn’t let you. Everyone was getting ready to head for the door when Obour suddenly perked up and asked the zurulians,

“Hey, I just realized something, how do you know that me and Sysill were living together? I never met you before and Sysill doesn't talk to anyone but those exterminators.”

That question reminded me of earlier, when the zurulbig was first calming me down.

“That's a good point, I never said my name either. How'd you figure that one out?”

Both of the zurulians froze up, eyes going wide. They both muttered something under their breaths though I couldn't hear it. Within a second both were out the door. Dave let out a dejected squawk at their new buddy bailing out on him.

“...how many stalkers do I have?...”

Sysill tenses up too, “w-what do you mean by that?”

“Well, you were watching me all morning.”

They were out even faster than the mini bears. Obour let out a quiet curse before bounding out after Sysill. This left me totally alone with the spider people. I did my best to focus my attention on the big, gray, feathered baby next to me who was begging for more treats. Chunky bastard.

Nahlin barely worked up the courage to speak, “S-so, are you going to be here tomorrow?”

“I, um, yeah. New job and all. I want to make a good impression…”

“Oh yeah! Congratulations by the way!”

“Haha yeah, thank you!”

“...”

“...”

“Anyway bye its been fun see you later!”

“You too good times stay safe!”

With my store finally empty I was able to take a deep, steadying breath. It was only after a moment of peace that I realized,

I never got that one zurulian’s name.