My arms are already sore from using the wheelchair, but I finally arrived at my destination."So this is the entertainment district, huh?"

  Maybe aliens have a different opinion about 'entertainment' than humans do, but this pce is basically just a mall. A big one, though.

  There's a wide open space in the center, which offers lots of room for customers to enjoy drinks and snacks. There are also what I call 'lounge' areas, where many comfortable looking chairs are pced near huge potted pnts. Not sure if they are palm trees, but at least they seem to be real.

  I'm slowly making my way through the mall and now and then take a moment to admire the shops. There are bright screens everywhere, dispying ads and information in several nguages. A computer shop is dispying holograms of what I believe to be ptops, and most shops use many colored ambient lights to lure in potential customers.

  This pce is weird....really weird. It's like waking up in the far future, because none of this looks like anything we have on Earth. Everything looks so incredibly 'high-tech' if you know what I mean. There are vending machines everywhere, and most of those seem to be offering food and drinks.

  There's a 'medical shop' too, which is probably a drug store, but a 'drone' is standing there, waiting for people to enter. Maybe calling this pce 'unreal' is the best, since words simply don't do it justice. I'm far from home, let's keep it at that.

  I at least now recognize the Lantosian writings, and they are basically everywhere. There are a few weird glyphs here and there, so perhaps Lantosians aren't the only aliens visiting this weird and desote pce.

  Even though this mall is quite interesting to look at, with its many lights and such, I still don't quite see what is supposed to be so 'entertaining' about the pce. Sure, you can definitely spend some quality time with a good book here, or buy your groceries, but there isn't much 'real' entertainment to be found anywhere. Long story short, I'm new in town and have zero idea about what these aliens consider entertainment.

  Thankfully there's also natural light entering the pce, since most of the roof is made from a seemingly infinite amount of gss panels. Of course I also notice artificial lights hidden in the ceiling here and there, but they appear to have been concealed, so none of those are annoyingly bright.

  All in all it still looks like a rexing area to me, even without the ck of real entertainment. This pce will have to do for now, at least as long as my forced 'holiday' is supposed to st.

  So...here I am, a human who looks like an alien. How can I even begin to describe my feelings? Everything that happened to me? It's all so unreal. I can't go home, and probably won't become human again. What did I do to deserve this kind of fate? I don't have anywhere to go, nor anything to do. I think I'm minutes away from crashing now. Crying is probably the only sensible thing to do, because I can't take it anymore.

  And still, I'm not alone in this pce. Had I been...I would have been crying right now, I can tell.There are so many Lantosian people here, and the occasional humans are military staff. And to make matters worse, everyone seems to be in a hurry.

  I'm hungry, moody, desperately in need of a long hot shower and absolutely in need of some human companionship.

  "Okay, new pn. Eat first...and then......it's time to crash and burn. I don't care anymore." I said, while trying to stay strong.

  Suddenly I'm pulled out of my miserable thoughts when a child behind me begs for attention. Since the doc put me in a wheelchair, I can't see what's going on behind me, no matter how much I try.

  "Mommy, mommy! Look! May I sit in that chair with wheels too?"

  "Shhh, no honey, that's not a toy. Don't bother the girl, she can't walk. Lisalia!" Her mother tried to reason with her, but her efforts were futile.

  Little Lisalia, who seems to be no more than four years old, simply stops in front of me with a big smile on her face. Both she and her mother have a lighter shade of brown furry ears, but a patch of darker fur can be seen on their left ears...meaning that those two are definitely reted. It's such a strange thing to see, but to be honest....it looks really cute on them.

  Lisalia is making grabbing gestures, probably hoping that I will get the hint and leave the wheelchair so she can take the next ride.

  "I'm so sorry, miss." Her mother apologized to me while bowing.

  "No need for that, she probably thought that this wheelchair was for entertainment purposes. This is the entertainment district after all."

  "Well, be that as it may, she should show some restraint. She's always looking out for new things to try and won't listen to her mother." Mother and daughter exchange gnces, until the little one realizes that she has once more been a burden to her mom.

  "Well, I'd love to let her ride this thing, but as...my legs don't work. But if she really wants, she could sit on my p for a while? I have all the time in the world."

  "Really? She's heavier than she looks and I don't want to burden you."

  "It's okay. It's your decision, ma'am."

  "Alright, Liselia, it seems you are in luck today. Be nice, okay?"

  "Yes, mommy!"

  Her mother carefully puts her little one on my p and waits for a moment to see if I'm truly not burdened by the child's weight.

  "She's not heavy at all, are you, little one?" I said, trying to sound as welcoming as I could.

  "Nuh-uh! Can we go?!!"

  "Ha ha ha...sure, but my arms hurt a bit, so I can't go that fast."

  "May I push your chair then?" Her mother offered.

  "Yes, please. Just push me wherever you are going. I'm new around here and am basically sightseeing."

  Her mother gently pushes us forward while I make sure that the little one can't fall off my p. "In that case, we were going to visit the hair salon. Tomorrow is her birthday, and her daddy will be there as well."

  "Yaaaaaay, daddy!"

  Her mother ughed when I snickered at hearing the child's enthusiasm. "Her father has been training with humans for weeks now, but starting tomorrow our family will be complete once more."

  "Sounds like a loving family you have. I'm Kaya, by the way."

  "Nice to meet you, Kaya. I'm Frilia. May I ask a personal question?"

  "Sure, I'm happy to talk. I have nothing else to do."

  "Will you be able to walk again, or is this permanent for you?"

  Wow...most humans wouldn't even dare to ask that, but then again, she's not human."Yes, my legs will be fine in a few days. I had a little accident recently and the medical nanites are helping me or something. It's a bit difficult to understand to be honest, but the doctor said that I will be fine soon."

  "Ha ha ha, the doctor? You mean the Healer?"

  "Ah, of course, sorry. I don't know why, but I always mix up those words." I'm trying to simply py along, trying to sound like a normal Lantosian woman would.

  "Don't worry, I too frequently mess up words with human words. They sure are nice people."

  "Em, yeah. But this pce is pretty confusing to me. Anyway, humans can be nice if they want."

  "Right? It's just their need to shake hands that's so utterly disgusting."

  "Mmmm........ it's weird alright. Truly alien." It's probably why Nalea didn't want to shake hands with me either. Maybe it reminds them of something bad?

  "Gd I'm not the only one who thinks that."

  I nod a few times. "Did you know that there are other regions on Earth where people don't shake hands but bow to each other?"

  "You mean like we do? Really?"

  "Of course. But it's a regional thing. I think most like to shake hands though."

  "You seem pretty knowledgeable about human customs. Did you study them?"

  "You could say that, yes. My parents were human enthusiasts." Man, making things up as I go might bite me at some point. "I guess they desperately wanted me to get along with humans. It's why I know lots about Earth....but less about our own customs. I guess you have already noticed, haven't you?"

  "Well....yes, to be honest. When we introduce ourselves, we nod or bow, but since you are sitting in that chair, I assumed that you were injured. But now that you mention it, it expins a few things. Nothing serious though. You are very polite."

  "Em...thank you."

  "So...what do you usually do around here? I mean, when you are not confined to that chair? I myself am a teacher for the new arrivals."

  "Ah, a teacher, huh? Well, for now I'm only supposed to rex and wait for my legs to heal. No other jobs pnned for now."

  "I see. Already had the Earth introduction session?"

  "No, I only arrived in this city a few days ago."

  "Ahhhh...well, that's perfect! We're seriously understaffed. It's a calling to be on Earth and I can certainly understand that your parents encouraged you to serve here. Lots of people apply at first, but when they learn that they can't explore the rest of this world, they reconsider. Soo.... maybe you could join me?"

  Wow, Nalea was serious...I got a job offer already?"Em....I dunno. I mean, I have nothing else to do and I'd love to help, but what did you have in mind?"

  "You could talk about Earth, of course! You definitely act...let's say in a human way, and I mean that as a compliment. As a teacher I, of course, pick up on those little things which other people wouldn't even notice.

  I'm sure you'd make an excellent teacher. But the most important thing new arrivals need is motivation. We're already understaffed and we don't want them to return home with the next transport."

  "Ha ha ha...yeah, I can see how that would be a problem."

  "So, would you like to help? It's natural to feel reserved but I think you'll be fine."

  "Okay, I think that could be fun. How can I find you? This pce is huge!" I'll be stuck here for who knows how long, so this might be an interesting distraction, just not today.

  "Yes, human buildings tend to be a bit confusing. Wait...didn't they provide you with a Comm Unit?" She taps her watch to show what she meant.

  "A...Comm Unit? Is that what they are called?" The thing really looks like a smart watch, but with a few physical buttons on each side.

  She frowns for a moment, probably surprised to learn that I don't know its proper name. For all I know, everyone in their homeworld has one."Exactly. It's one of the little things people need to get used to when arriving on Earth. Even civilians need to use them, so that means you'll get one too. Most people simply call them Comms. And humans call them....do you know?"

  "Watches?"

  "Exactly! See, you are perfect for the job!"

  "Heh heh heh....."

  "Let me handle the application. You'll get one really soon. May I scan your ID tag?" She points at her neck.

  "Sure, be my guest."

  "And that's another human thing to say!" She said with a smile while holding her watch near my neck.

  "There, all done. So how about helping me out in a few days? I now have your ID so I know where to find you, and I can even push your chair to the training room if you'd like. Attending for an hour or so would be perfect."

  "No problem, I'm looking forward to it." She seems nice, and I need all the help I can get in this pce. Besides, it does sound interesting to hear them talking about human customs, like we're the aliens.

  "Very well. If you like the job, we can discuss more hours and such, but let's take our time."

  "Thank you, I really appreciate that."

  I suddenly heard a 'click' sound behind my wheelchair, right after we came to a complete halt.

  "This is our destination. What do you say to her, Lisalia?"

  "Thank you, miss!" The little one then carefully turns around to look at me and rubs my cheek.

  Of course I have to return the gesture, or her mother might think that I'm only pretending to be kind. "Awww.....you're so cute."

  "Yes, she can be. But you should see her when it's bedtime!"

  "Mommy!!!!"

  "Ha ha ha....alright...see you soon, Frilia and maybe you too, you little cutie. Have a great birthday."

  "Eheheheh...thank youuuuu." The kid liked the attention. And truth be told, she was cute...for an alien kid.

  "Bright day, Kaya." She winked and then left me alone to visit the hair salon, while holding hands with her daughter.

  "Well, that was an interesting conversation." At least I'm feeling somewhat better now.

  I was so preoccupied with the conversation that I had completely forgotten to take a good look around. The hair salon isn't difficult to recognize as such, and next to it I surprisingly see a restaurant, but it's too crowded for me. But still, I need to eat. Hopefully I can find a more quiet restaurant where I can also take the time to study their menu and learn about their weird food names.

  Now imagine my surprise that Frilia parked me right next to another restaurant, so I don't even need to look further!

  And that's when I learned that I was quite literally parked here. The sound I heard a moment ago was probably Frilia accidentally hitting the wheelchair's parking brake. The horizontal metallic handle behind me is of course out of my reach so I can't release the damn thing! And even more frustrating....there's no one around to help me! Sure, there's a single diner sitting inside, but I don't feel comfortable bothering them during breakfast.

  After very carefully reaching for the brake.....almost able to touch it.....I lost my bance and found myself admiring the floor in front of said restaurant.

  "Ouch.....that hurt." And of course, my legs refused to work at all, not even a tiny bit.

  Luckily the kind soul inside saw it happen and rushed over to me."By Esada's eye, are you alright?" A kind female voice right next to me said. She's Lantosian, in her fifties, I think, and she immediately helped me to sit upright. Her furry ears are unsurprisingly brown, but they are a darker shade this time.

  "Yes, I'm fine, thank you very much. I'm sorry to cause a scene here. Someone accidentally activated the brake on this chair, and I couldn't reach it."

  "Ahh...so that's what happened." She puts her arms around my belly and wants to help me stand....only to quickly realize that my legs aren't going to be of much use.

  "Sorry...I can't use my legs, miss."

  She's quick to understand the situation and helps me sit in the chair again."Ah, I see. There we go. Are you okay, or do I need to call for a Healer?"

  "No, I'm fine, really. Could you please release the brake for me?" I pointed at the handle behind the chair.

  "Click."

  "Yes, that's it, thanks!"

  "Don't mention it. Em....say, why don't you come in and have a drink? Just to be sure that you are fine?"

  "Em.....yes, please. But I don't want to burden you."

  "Burden me? Ha ha ha... trust me, you are my second guest today and I even invited you in. Business is bad. Ah, now I'm putting a burden on you, ha ha ha. I'm Anisa, the proud owner of this fine establishment." She opened her arms wide, probably to welcome me. But she sounded a bit sarcastic when she referred to her shop.

  "Nice to meet you, Anisa. I'm Kaya. Do you also serve breakfast?"

  "Of course I do! You're new here, aren't you?"

  I grimaced. "That obvious?"

  "Afraid so. But I know a kind soul when I see one. Do you want me to push you inside?"

  "The chair, yes. Not me."

  "What? Ha ha ha ha! I think that our humor is quite compatible!"

  She pushes me into the restaurant and finds me a nice spot at a table near the counter. The wide wooden counter very much resembles those used in Earth's bars. The pce really looks like a bar, except for the ambience, or rather ck thereof.

  The lights are way too bright and the ambient sound is very....eerily quiet for a bar or restaurant. Well, who am I to judge?

  "There we go, the best spot for my only guest. What can I get you for breakfast?"

  "Um... please surprise me. As long as it's healthy." Don't bme me for not remembering the food names! "Um...and some tea would be nice?"

  "A human drink? Are you sure?" She frowns.

  "Oh, em...thanks for reminding me. Sorry, I have problems remembering names." Again I made another excuse, hoping she'd buy it. "It was a warm drink...like human tea. It sounded like....um... Suka?"

  She grinned "Sukufa?"

  "Yes, that's it!"

  She nods and walks to the counter where she immediately pours the drink, which seems to be readily avaible.

  She puts a cup on the table near my right hand but there's no saucer, only a cup. She poured herself some of that stuff as well and then disappeared in the back for a few minutes.

  When she returned with a pte filled with mystery foods, I swallowed. Without knowing how it was called, or how it would taste, it already smelled delicious!

  "Thank you. Um...the healer said it's free of charge, right?"

  "Of course it is." She stared at me for a moment, then took a seat next to me. "Do you mind if I join you?"

  It's a bit te to ask, don't you think?"Not at all, Anisa."

  She has quite the serious expression when she suddenly asks me something unexpected. "You are polite, Kaya. Too polite. Now tell me, why did you stop here?"

  "Wow...did I do something to offend you?" Eating and talking at the same time doesn't work very well, but I have to answer her question. Besides, the blue vegetable-like things are super hot, so I desperately need to cool down my tongue.

  "Offend? No, not at all. I'm only curious. As a business owner you tend to develop a keen eye for people and people who are...different. You, my dear, are very different."

  "Well, duh, of course I am. I'm stuck in a wheelchair, need counseling and I'm not even supposed to be here. Of course I would be different." Sorry, but she asked for it.

  "Tell me about it." For some reason she looks genuinely interested in hearing my story.

  "Seriously? Do you really have the time? Because I have absolutely nothing to do....for a really long time."

  "Look around and tell me if I'm busy." She nodded into the direction behind her.

  I take a look around and don't see any other diners."Yeah.......not really....sorry. But it's still early, right?"

  "Ouch. Painfully honest, aren't we?"

  "Well, you asked!"

  "Ha ha ha, don't be afraid, I won't bite. It's refreshing to talk to someone for a change. Most people come here for a drink and maybe for a quick chat...put up a polite smile but rarely more. And my job is the 'more' part. So it's perfectly fine to speak the truth. I'm not the best business owner around here. Now tell me about you, and maybe we can help each other on this alien pnet."

  "Em...okay. This alien pnet, as you called it....is my home. My parents are human enthusiasts." I should really try to stick to the same story. "They told me all about Earth....but neglected to teach me much about my people. You know? People like you?"

  I already finished eating my now sufficiently cooled breakfast, as I was starving. Not so great manners, but I can't eat slowly when I'm starving. There's still some tea remaining in my mug, and it tasted even better than the one I had st time.

  "Awww..... such a poor girl. Now tell me the truth, or you'll have to finish your Sukufa alone." She crosses her arms and looks disappointed.

  "Excuse me?!" I blinked a few times. Did she just insult me?

  "Don't get me wrong, I know that you are a nice person, but you are not telling me the full story. I consider myself a good person and a great listener, so you can trust me. I know what to say and what to keep secret, or I would have been on a transport ship back home months ago. And from where I'm sitting...you need help. You're all alone, aren't you? And don't even know that that stuff is called Sukufa." She points at my cup.

  I swallow twice, afraid that she might actually be a psychic. I can't prevent a tear from slowly making its way down my left cheek. Her surprised expression slowly changes into one of pity, which causes my tears to really start flowing.

  Okay..this is it....I'm crashing right here, right now. I don't know how, I don't know why...but I managed to stay calm up to this point. And now....I can't take it anymore.

  She reaches for a human made tissue box and puts it closer to me. Anisa doesn't say a word....nor even pats my back. She simply waits for me to stop crying. And after a few minutes I finally felt calmer. Oh, and blowing my alien nose actually felt....alien, since it sounded like a whistle.