The Trailing Arbutus was a ship so large that Pearl nearly fell backwards as she attempted to look up at it. A stark white exterior made it appear as if a star had fallen into the middle of the small station on Werlek 3.

“How fancy. It certainly doesn’t belong here,” Olaan commented, having to raise ceir voice to be heard over the raucous bustle of the station. It was cavernous, dimly lit and warm with high ceilings that allowed for every voice to be heard equally - causing a cacophony of sound. 

Pearl didn’t know what ‘backwater’ meant. Loud, she would guess.

She and Olaan were both wearing their best for the occasion and were laden with gifts, mostly for Olaan, which had been difficult to carry from the rented shuttle to the station’s platform.

Pearl was dressed in her usual all-black insulated bodysuit and boots - an outfit which covered every inch of her except for her eyes, nose, and parts of her semi-gloved hands.

Olaan meanwhile was wearing layers of bejeweled fabric cut to seem as if it were floating gently up around ceir body like steam, or waves crashing against the shore. 

“It does appear somewhat out of place,” Pearl agreed, unable to tear her eyes from the Arbutus. “Though we do as well.”

Neither Pearl nor Olaan moved to look around. Nonetheless, they were both keenly aware of the stares that they were garnering from every direction. Whether it was because they were standing in front of a U.U.C ship, because they were Novian, or some combination of the two they could only guess.

Though she was too preoccupied to notice, Olaan stepped closer to Pearl.

A few minutes after docking, a small commotion began as workers shouted to stand clear of the transport area and a slow, warm glow momentarily filled the small station. When it dissipated, two individuals in pastel U.U.C uniforms stood there, looking around somewhat frantically before seeing their two newest passengers and relaxing.

Bridgers was the first to speak; A young, blonde man whose hair was so perfectly preserved it gleamed under the dim lights. When he spread his arms in greeting, Olaan made a noise of discontent and Pearl took a step back.

“Welcome to Werlek 3! Not the best the universe has to offer but the closest to Opranov we could get without breaking any laws. How are you both?”

Though Bridgers paused with a large, expectant smile on his face, neither Pearl nor Olaan responded. Instead all three of them blinked at one another, slightly confused.

Laughing the moment off, Bridgers gestured towards the woman by his side. “This is my right hand, Imani Muchiri. She was laid up with a nasty flu when we got your message so she couldn’t-”

“You look like me,” Pearl interrupted.

She was staring at the woman with a single-minded awe, as if she’d seen a dream made flesh. Behind her, Olaan too seemed interested for the first time, the pair’s eyes widened in the same manner - as if to fully take in the sight.

Ken and Imani both looked startled. Then they passed a warm, knowing smile between them and Imani stepped forward while Bridgers gestured for their passenger’s bags to be beamed onto the ship, turning his attention towards overseeing the task.

“Is this your first time seeing a black Human?” Imani asked.

Pearl again paused as if waiting for something before replying, holding her hand hesitantly in the air. 

“...Black?” she squinted, trying to match the word to the woman. “Your eyes or your hair?”

Imani laughed. “No! It has to do with skin color, where we’re from.” 

Pearl glanced down at the woman’s skin. It wasn’t much like her own - it was brown but golden in a way hers had never been. She had the same aura as Bridgers, bright and cheerful where Pearl was pale and gloomy. The tips of her fingers were constantly shriveled from the water and she was always cold.

As if sensing the sudden downturn in her mood, Imani took Pearl’s hand and smiled. The contrast between their skin became even clearer. “I can tell you all about it- I’ll be the one showing you around since Ken’s always busy.”

Pearl looked into the other woman’s eyes. They were shining, reflecting the light.

She looked down at their hands again, remembering Olaan’s comment from days ago.

“There’s a resemblance, but none look like you.”

The woman in front of her had brown skin. She had said ‘where we’re from’ and smiled.

Yet even so, Pearl couldn’t help but feel completely ill-at-ease when speaking to her.

Bridgers groaned, throwing his hands mournfully into the air which made both Pearl and Olaan flinch. Imani sighed, mouthing the words ‘get ready’ to the other two though she didn’t seem concerned.

“Alas, the work of a captain’s never done! But I swear to you we’ve made several preparations to ensure you feel comfortable and please let us know if there’s anything more you need. The Arbutus and its crew are at your disposal and we have plenty to provide. In fact-” 

As he spoke Imani began herding the group towards the transports. At some point during Bridgers’ excited rambling she caught Pearl’s gaze and rolled her eyes, hiding a smile behind her hand. 

Pearl watched this intently, covering her already-hidden mouth with her own palm in an attempt to mimic the gesture. When she was rewarded with quiet laughter she turned to share this prize with Olaan only to find co hadn’t moved.

As Pearl, Imani, and Bridgers made their way toward the transports Olaan lingered, staring at the ship itself. Without ceir baggage co and the Arbutus looked exactly alike; two conspicuous, fancy silhouettes, completely out of place.

For a moment, utter panic shot through Pearl like ice water.

“Olaan!” she called, raising her voice.

The Novian turned, blinking once before hurrying to her side. Co ignored Imani and Bridgers’ apologies to focus on the one who’d call ceir over, extending a hand. “Are you hurt?”

Pearl took it. “No, I…” she paused, then shook her head, turning forward. “Go.”

Imani looked concerned but Bridgers, perhaps in an attempt to smooth the moment over, launched cheerfully back into a monologue about the Arbutus and its amenities. 

However as they continued walking all Pearl could think about was the view of Olaan alone, growing further and further away.

As they stepped onto the transporter and felt themselves melt into the light that would carry them upward, she squeezed ceir hand and co squeezed back - neither letting go.

*

FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS OF THE CREW OF THE U.U.C SHIP ‘TRAILING ARBUTUS’ REGARDING THE ATTEMPTED INTEGRATION OF ‘PEARL’ AND FURTHER INTERACTIONS WITH THE NOVIAN ‘OLAAN’.

CREWMAN REILEY: The first thing I thought was that I was glad we were getting a cute girl. Not that I was ever planning on doing anything, you know? I’ve got a girlfriend on Earth, It’s just nice. 

Anyway, it was pretty obvious she wasn’t your average Human when you saw her. Not just because of the outfit but- uh, how she walked, how she moved. It was…weird. Still is, a little. You get used to it I guess.

Oh, and speaking of weird, that Olaan guy was always hanging around her. It was creepy. You don’t see him much anymore but they were always talking and clinging to each other. The Novian wouldn’t say a word to any of us though. 

Those near-humanoids sort of freak me out. It feels like at any moment they might…but I mean, sorry. That’s just the adrenaline you know? Instinct.

When I asked her about it, Pearl I mean, she said in that weir- uh, she said; ‘we have never been away from home before’ and I get that. I do. I was nervous my first time away from home too but whenever I tried to talk to Olaan he just looked at me like I was stupid for daring to speak to him and walked away. I haven’t really talked to either of them for a while. No need.

CREWMAN DOVER: I really love Olaan’s clothes. She’s always dressed like ‘wow is that a princess?’ You know? She didn’t really seem interested in talking to any of us in the lab but that was alright, it was fun just to watch her. I always love meeting new people.

It’s almost harder to talk with Pearl even though she seems more open to it. I don’t know…it’s just a little creepy. Like the uncanny valley or whatever - seeing a Human that’s not acting like a Human at all. Oh, sorry. That’s so rude! I just meant…you know. That’s just what I felt - I haven’t said anything like that to her, honest. 

When I heard she and Olaan were in different rooms I offered to talk to the captain about it but she said she wanted to learn how to behave ‘as a Human would’ and that, you know, Humans don’t usually sleep in the same bed unless they’re married or little kids. I felt kinda sad after thinking about that. So that’s why, you know, don’t tell her that I think she’s creepy or whatever. That was stupid. Stupid thing to say.

CREWMAN JONES: Pearl and that other one were always all over each other so I thought they were dating or something. You see a lot of that these days. Back when, you kept that sorta thing private, at least at work. Anyway I asked where they were - the…Olahn. I asked ‘where’s your boyfriend?’ or girlfriend or what have you and Pearl asked what I meant. 

It was a shitshow, I had to stand there and explain dating to her. Apparently Novians make little groups together and don’t marry or date or nothin’ like that. Which is fine but I’m worried I gave her the wrong idea. I’m an engineer, I married my er, ‘sweetheart’ from highschool - I. Hell, I was put on the spot. I don’t know how good my explanation was.

I warned her that certain people can get the wrong idea if you act too familiar. I felt bad, I didn’t want anyone to start giving her a tough time because they thought they were an item. I don’t think anyone here’d do that, mind you. Don’t twist anything. 

I don’t see her and her Olahn together much anymore. She seems like a good kid. I hope I didn’t scare her none. 

CREWMAN UEDA: I think they’re funny! Pearl asked me what a woman was and when I told her she was a woman she looked confused and said “I was under the impression I was girl.” After a few weeks of working on the translator it was much easier to talk to her. Now it’s a breeze! I’m really glad, it can get so boring flying from here to there. You listen to the same stories for the most part. Maybe I’m just impatient though. My mom says only boring people get bored and I hope that’s not true ‘cause I get bored alot. 

Um…oh, yeah, but Pearl’s a really curious person! I guess you’d have to be if you fought so hard to leave Opranov. She was always asking questions and wanting to stop at every little planet - it reminded me of when I first joined the U.U.C. It made everything feel shinier, it was really fun!

I noticed she started to seem more worn down a few months ago. She stopped asking any questions really. Started talking to people less and moving straighter. I told someone in the interpersonal department about it and they seemed pretty happy because it meant she was…being more Human. That’s the goal I guess. I don’t know. It seems pretty sad to have to throw everything away.

Oh, come to think of it, I haven’t talked to Olaan that much…but I’m not a scientist so we don’t really cross paths! I hear Olaan isn’t really that big of a talker anyway. Wait, is it even talking if you don’t have a mouth?

RIGHT HAND MUCHIRI: Pearl was enthusiastic and eager to learn and incorporate Human cultural practices from the very start. I was a bit worried at first but the crew seem to really enjoy having her around. Olaan is more what you’d expect from a Novian - withdrawn, secretive…I don’t get the feeling ce ever really wanted to be on the Arbutus. But that’s just my speculation of course. Ce hasn’t shown any aggression and Pearl's been very cooperative. We're learning more about Novians by the day!

The captain seems invigorated to have them aboard, like he’s living a dream. I’ve known him for a long time and once he gets that glint in his eyes…well, Pearl and Olaan are being treated very well, that’s what I’ll say.

Ken always has a slightly heavy hand, but only when it comes to pampering. I don’t have to tell any of you that he has a tendency to lay it on a bit thick but I think that’s what makes him so good in these sorts of situations. When you’re dealing with unknown aliens it’s better to be too kind than not kind enough.

CAPTAIN BRIDGERS: I’ve always been fascinated by Novians, ever since I heard tales as a little boy. Pearl and Olaan certainly don’t disappoint. That’s all I’ll say for now, I wouldn’t want to get a reputation for being verbose!