Amalgam walked towards her favorite spot near the colony, feeling quite satisfied with herself. It was a tree, not a mushtree but a tree more similar to something you would have found on Earth. It was a gigantic palm tree, stretching almost as high as some skyscrapers back on Earth. Its leaves reached out providing shade for the surrounding area. Those leaves were a light purple as opposed to the green that she had seen in old movies. She preferred the purple, it felt more natural. Green plants were just a bit odd, despite being present in the movies and games Amalgam played. 

Reddish brown spherical husks lay broken and scattered around the tree’s base. Some had small reptilian creatures capable of flight eating the leftover fruit, drink and seeds the husks provided. Amalgam had argued these types of creatures to be called repirds due to their nature as reptile birds but the colony didn’t go for it. They instead went with pterosaurs because the long extinct Earth creatures were also flying reptiles. Amalgam thought it was foolish to name a new classification of animal after an extinct one so they would always be repirds in her core. 

She picked up one of the intact husks and walked around the tree looking for a nice view. Down the hill she spotted a pack of unisaurs. A scaly creature that looked like it was a cross between a unicorn and a raptor from one of the old Jurassic Park movies. Their scales were unusually  in patterns of pinks, reds, oranges, and browns. Occasionally you would see some with blue but that was one of the rarer traits. They also sported beautiful mains that danced in the wind as they ran about. Unisaurs were omnivores and would frequently venture to trees like the one Amalgam sat under, mesmerized by them. They would frequently eat the fruit in the husks or hunt the small creatures who also dined under the giant palm tree. 

Amalgam pulled out a knife and started to hack away at the husk in order to create a makeshift bowl. It wasn’t too difficult, she’d done it many times before. She’d even say she was good at it, creating a smooth edge as opposed to the splintered and jagged ones when she first attempted this. Once her lid was off she ate the fruit attached to the shell. It was moist and crisp. The fruit had a delightfully sweet flavor that flooded her taste sensors. Her mind wondered what this might be cooked into and resolved to take some back to the colony if she found a few more intact husks. 

Amalgam's head twitched just slightly as her audio process detected the gentle footsteps of someone's approach. These weren’t the footsteps of her brutish partner she’d ditched but the quiet kind of someone trying to be stealthy. She turned her head to spot a man approaching. He had a tall and lanky build and arms that appeared to be too long, he wore a black trenchcoat and had long hair reminiscent of a unisaur’s mane. His skin looked more like someone with a sunburn rather than any natural skin tone common for humans. Fortunately for him this man wan’s human, he just looked similar to one. In the way that Elves and Dwarves in fantasy stories are similar but not still distinct from humans.

“You’re getting better at spotting me, friend,” The alien said in a neutral tone.

“Or you're getting sloppy,” Amalgam teased. She was under no illusions. Otic was letting her spot him.

“I forget you're not one for complements. Can I join you?”

“Of course.”

Otic sat next to Amalgam and watched the pack of unisaurs in silence. He had no problem picking up one of the crack open husks and started to eat the leftover fruit.

Amalgam enjoyed the moment. Feeling the breeze on her silicone lower face. She tried her best to forget about the drone she ditched. They'd be fine. Worst case scenario a search party would be sent.

“So how's colony life?” Otic asked.

“Uggg, same soup just reheated,” Amalgam groaned. “It feels as if I'm just waiting for moments to leave when I'm not out here. And Captain Mikasa had the nerve to stick me with a babysitter! So I don't even get to wander alone anymore!”

“Is this babysitter in the room with us?” Otic asked, head turning in exaggerated panic. As if he wasn't aware they were alone.

Amalgam laughed. “No, they couldn't keep up with me.”

“Are you sure that's wise? Won't you be punished for that?”

“Worst case they ban me from joining expeditions. Not that I need their permission to sneak out of the colony. I've been doing that since day one.”

“So I've noticed,” Otic replied.

“Wait, you've been watching me since day one?” She asked.

“Not you specifically, the whole colony.”

“That's a bit creepy, I didn't somehow pick up an alien stalker did I,” she teased.

“Excuse me, I'm native to this planet. You're the alien in this situation.”

“Yeah, that's true. Who asked you to watch the colony? Or is this just a creepy hobby?”

Otic laughed.

“No, The Overseer wanted some of us to observe and learn about the newcomers,” he said.

“Overseers? Others? How come I haven't seen anyone else?” Amalgam demanded, standing up and stomping her foot.

Once again, Otic chuckled at the questions. He took a few moments to think before replying.

“We're not supposed to make contact, I only broke that protocol because I assumed you would spill the beans.”

“You think you know me.”

“It was a gamble, but it turned out well in the end. I need to learn about the colony somehow.”

“I could still run my mouth,” Amalgam pointed out.

“True, so I suppose I'll have to bribe you. How about I answer three questions about this world you have?” He offered.

“What makes you think I'll accept that as a bribe?”

“Because you're a curious little thing.” Otic said while wiggling his eyebrows.

“I'm not little!” she stomped while taking care not to drop her snack.

“Apologies tall one, it was me who was short all along. Now your questions?”

Amalgam thought about this for a moment. She wanted to know more about the people who inhabited this world but also understood their secretive nature. Direct questions about them wouldn’t work, but if she asked about specific aspects in their culture maybe she could learn something.

“Do you have ways to turn these fruits into baked goods?” She asked.

Otic looked out into the distance as if focusing on something far away. He let out a hum as he thought.

“I am aware of some recipes,” he replied. “Although I'm not skilled at cooking, you'll have to do some experiments in order to get it right.”

Amalgam took out her data pad and wrote down the instructions Otic gave her. Most of them involved turning the alien coconut into a paste or cream and using it as a filling. Mixed of course with several other plants from the local area. Some were different types of mushrooms and others were grasses and leaves that would be chopped or ground up. Otic gave her a description of the plants she would need. He also recommended experimenting with their own crops and spices to see what could be done.

“Perhaps something new could be created that you can share with me,” he said.

“Are you trying to poach my food?” Amalgam asked?

“Is that really what you're using your second question on?”

Panic exploded onto Amalgam's face. Why on Robigus was he using genie rules! That's completely unfair! Her panic was quickly replaced with annoyance.

“You’re not doing a good job of bribing me with your genie rules,” Amalgam grumbled.

“I don't know what a genie is but I'm glad my joke made you pout,” he laughed. “Now what's your second question?”

Amalgam looked at him suspiciously. Perhaps he gave her a bunch of phoney recipes. She wasn’t sure what Otic would gain from lying. Cooking wasn't something worth lying about. She figured she should pay more attention to his body language to see if he was lying. Her next question was a little more serious than cooking.

“How do you tame a unisaur?” She finally asked.

Otic raised an eyebrow in immediate response.

“Why do you want to know?” Otic asked in reply. His voice was full of curiosity.

“I want to ride one,” Amalgam replied honestly.

Otic's face relaxed as he responded, “I honestly have no idea.”

“Seriously! I want a refund!” She shouted.

“Sorry we have a strict no refund policy,” he replied. “Besides, my people have no need to ride them so we wouldn't know. Although I have heard the way to a person's heart is food. So maybe try that?”

“You're a font of wisdom.”

“I do my best! Now question number three?”

This was the big question Amalgam wanted to know. If she could get a clear answer for this then she wouldn't need a babysitter. Not that she needed a babysitter. She was way too good at the adventure thing for that.

“How do your people survive the rampages?” She asked.

His brow furrowed in confusion and he tilted his head.

“What do you mean?”

“Like, we have a big wall and lots of soldiers with guns and they still get into the colony. So do you have a way to deter the rampages or something?”

“Ahh, I see what you mean now. We aren't attacked by animals that have been whipped up into a frenzy.” Otic said casually. “So it's not a problem we have to resolve.”

“Wait, what? Then why do we have that problem?” Amalgam asked in confusion.

“I have no idea,” Otic said while standing up. He tilted his head as if he was listening to something. “Either way I need to go.”

Amalgam heard nothing and scanned the surrounding area for anyone who might be approaching. She didn’t see anything other than some pterosaurs and the unisaur pack.

“Wait why so suddenly…” Amalgam trailed off realizing Otic had already left. She let out a long groan in frustration. It looked like she would be stuck with the hanger on for a while longer.

Sitting down, Amalgam bitterly continued to eat her husked fruit. Before she knew it she had finished it and saw a unisaur approaching the tree.

“What was it Otic said, the way to someone's heart is through food?” She said aloud and grabbed a chunk of alien coconut off the ground.

She layed out a trail of fruit leading closer to her. The unisaur at one end of the trail investigated the strangely placed food before eating it up.

Its scales were a dull pink with the occasional stripe of blue. Its head was lowered as it sniffed the ground searching for more, its long orange mane falling to the side of its face. The creature tensed up as soon as it spotted Amalgam who herself was low to the ground making herself small. She held some fruit in one hand and the trail lay between the two.

They both remained unmoving and Amalgam tried not to stare. She didn't want to make the unisaur uncomfortable. Eventually it moved its way along the trail, eating as it went. More time passed between the chunks that were consumed. Amalgam's core hummed with excitement but she did her best to move slowly as she held out her hand holding the husk. 

The unisaur noticed this moment of course and tensed up, staring at the potential threat before eventually resuming eating. Slowly Amalgam inched forward doing her best not to startle the creature. After what felt like an eternity the distance between the two closed. They were standing within arms reach of each other. She kept her arm outstretched offering the meal. The unisaur started with supison in its eyes. Amalgam still didn't make eye contact, not wanting to spook the thing. Her display screen had sweat droplets start dripping down her face. Her core thrummed with nervousness and excitement.

As the animal decided to dine on the offered meal a grin exploded onto Amalgam's face. Still she was careful not to move. She didn’t want her new friend to run off. 

All seemed to be going better than she could have hoped until the pair heard loud stomps through foliage. Both their heads spun in that direction as if on a swivel. Her visual sensors met those of the angry brute of a drone she ditched. Those eyes went from furious to surprise after processing the scene before her. Amalgam saw her drawing her rifle and knew she had to act.

She dropped the fruit standing to her full height, which was about four and a half feet and attempted to protect the unisaur with her body. The unisaur panicked at the sudden movement letting out a roar as it rose up on its hind legs. Its front legs struck out at the thing in front of it, Amalgam. Before she knew it she was flying forward and all she received for her trouble was a mouthful of dirt.