Azdrei’in found it strange that humans would show preference to the males of their species if there was nothing particularly special about them. Among his people, males were more often trained to be warriors because of their brawn, but even females who were athletic or quick on their feet could fight too. Almost every other role was filled evenly by both sexes. Gender wasn’t a factor in determining value or leadership skills, since it only had a bearing on an individual’s role in carrying on their family lines.

Because of how often miscarriages occurred, pregnant females were restricted in what they were permitted to do and had to undergo medical exams frequently to monitor the baby’s health. If they managed to keep the fetus for the full term, they would later feed and care for the infant until it was old enough to be weaned. Males contributed as much as they could during this time to carry some of the burden of childrearing, and once the baby was mature enough to care for itself, it would be moved to a room with other young Lunvalgans, and the mated couple would begin trying to conceive again.

Of course, he didn’t know enough words to describe that to Artemis though, so he remained quiet as she tested out the Lunvalgan word he’d said to her. Her pronunciation was surprisingly clear, and he nodded, impressed that she was so quick to mimic the way he spoke. She even repeated his language more accurately than he did hers. He found it much harder to form English words with his lips and tongue, struggling to precisely match the position on his palate that he needed to voice some of the syllables. If he taught her more, he wondered how quickly she would pick up the language his people spoke.

When she explained that she’d had an emotional response to seeing him change clothes, he stared at her, bemused. His people didn’t change in front of the opposite sex often either, but he’d assumed there was nothing wrong with it because they were of two different species. Apparently she didn’t feel the same way. “I will remember that,” he assured her. “I did not think you cared because I am not a human. Now I know better. Do you not change in front of your bunny too?” He added the last question after a brief pause, curious if Earthlings were bashful around all creatures.

At her comment about the temperature of his skin, Azdrei’in tilted his head slightly in thought. “I was sleeping not long ago, so I was not moving. I ate food too. My warmth could be here.” He placed a hand over his midriff. While he was digesting, it made sense that his blood would have collected around his stomach to aid in the process. Consequentially, the rest of his body would have grown colder. It was a normal function, so he wasn’t uncomfortable at all though.

Pausing in the doorway, he was perplexed by Artemis’s sudden assertion that she wouldn’t help his people unless he stayed with her. It seemed like she was more fearful than she’d let on, but he didn’t understand why she thought he was more trustworthy than any of the other Lunvalgans. He was curious about her species, but he was still loyal to his own kind. He had no intention of keeping her safe and comfortable on the mothership if he was asked to bring her on board. That wasn’t his job.

However, the rising sense of urgency in her voice made him reluctant to respond to her so callously. He looked at the video she showed to him, uncertain why she was telling him about human relationships. He grasped that she was telling him that her kind preferred to be with a partner that they cared about, but it didn’t seem relevant when there were no other humans around. [i]Is she afraid of being forced to mate with a Lunvalgan male?[/i] He wondered, glancing up at her again. It was the only explanation he could think of. “I don’t think you will have to be with a male,” he clarified, trying to put her mind at ease. “If my leaders want to use you, they will have you carry a baby for a female and a male who are together.”

As she went on to show him another video, he felt like he comprehended her fears a little better. She was worried about becoming a lab specimen. “I don’t think so,” he shook his head. “You will have a room, food, and specialist doctor to help you.” Finding himself without words again, he explained by showing her an image of a pregnant Lunvalgan female who had her own private space on the ship with any amenities she could need to be comfortable. Any females that became vessels for new life were treated with the utmost care and respect among his people. Their health was important, so they were given the best of everything in the hopes that they and their babies would thrive.

Her fixation on him was confusing though. It sounded like she only wanted to act as a surrogate if he was the father of the fetus. He sighed, “You will not help me. I don’t have a female, so my leaders will not use my family line. There are other males who have females who need help from you.” Sensing that Artemis had a very different perception of what it would look like to help his people, he tried to reassure her as he ushered her along to the common room, “But they could not need you to make babies. I am not sure. Zalla has not told me what will be done with you. You know many things, so my leaders may use you to learn more. I am sure there are more female humans here that can be used too.”