Two weeks later

  The Archival Library

  "What exactly do you want to know?" Teresa inquires, her fingers hovering over the red-rimmed electronic pad in front of her. "Like I told you before...I'm no historian. Everything I know, I learned in school, reading books, or from attending lectures. It might not be entirely accurate. Oomans tend to be very biased one way or the other. But I'll help you all I can."

  Halyiis grins his usual sly grin and nods with understanding. The enormous hybrid gestures down at the device situated in front of Teresa on the table.

  "I only ask that you tell me what you can remember. What you think would be important to include in our archives. I can cross reference your added information to the information already present in our files. The most likely outcome will be included in our archives."

  "Oh. Is that what this thing does?" Teresa draws the strange electronic pad closer and examines it. "So, If I say that World War Two ended in nineteen-forty-five...And the previous person claimed the war ended in nineteen-forty-two...You'll choose a value in-between? Say, nineteen-forty-three or forty-four? Not very accurate. I know for a fact that World War Two ended on September second, nineteen-forty-five. Not forty-three. Not forty-four. Nineteen-forty-five. You need a better system, Halyiis."

  Halyiis smile grows wider. He places a hand on Teresa's left shoulder and shakes his head solemnly.

  "I agree. That is one reason you are here. There is a list of questions. I have translated them into ooman speak. If you will go through the list and answer them truthfully...It may help to make our information more concise and accurate."

  "Okay. Sure. Lay it on me," Teresa says jokingly.

  Halyiis' grin disappears and he shoots Teresa a quizzical look.

  "Lay what on you?"

  Teresa shakes her head emphatically and waves a hand in the air.

  "Nevermind. Forget I said that. It was an ooman joke. Bad choice."

  A sheepish expression creeps onto Halyiis' usually calm features. He glances at Teresa from the side of his eye.

  "I am glad to hear that. At first, I believed you were referring to the act of n'fiis. I would not recommend such an act. Not if I hope to continue on as archiver in this settlement. I would quickly join the exiled ones should Elder Scar ever find out."

  Teresa drops her leg from its propped up position on the edge of her chair.

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  "Oh, Halyiis. No. I mean...There's nothing wrong with you. I'm sure you would make a wonderful vil'par. It's just that...I would never put you in such a position. I really do need to be more careful with my words. But what's this about Scar exiling you? What do you mean?"

  Halyiis' visage darkens further and he shifts his eyes away from Teresa, pretending to look out of the library's large side window. Halyiis' tusks move across each other as he twists his mouth in agitation.

  "Everyone knows the elder has an eye for you. It was known from the very day you arrived. You remind him of his dead vil'par. I knew her...Lex. She was a brave and honorable ooman. Elder Scar was not quite the same after she died. He erected the shrine in order to keep her with him always. The day your craft came to our planet, he wandered into the archival library. He believed I was preoccupied. I saw him going through the files. I'm not sure what he found. Whatever it was...It made him very happy. He left soon after. I have seen him following you. Even when you did not notice. Your son...I think he wishes he were the father. I see how he treats Vor'taalnis. No different than how he treated Vildif when he was a little one. I would not think to destroy our leader's happiness. He has helped us in so many ways. Happiness is the least Elder Scar deserves."

  Teresa averts her gaze and returns her attention to the lighted pad on the wooden table. She licks her lips in an attempt to keep from showing the depth of her emotion.

  "We should get back to work. I have many assignments to complete with Yau-tala later."

  "Of course," Halyiis says, grateful for the subject to be changed. "I will program the device to accept your answers in the language of your kind."

  Halyiis leans forward and Teresa places a hand on his forearm. He gazes at her questioningly.

  "You are quite an attractive male, Halyiis. I hope I didn't insult you."

  Halyiis is unsure how to take the sudden compliment. He tilts his head to one side and grins.

  "Thank you."

  "Now...How do I get you to actually teach me how to speak and write yautja? I'm tired of Elder Scar having all of the fun. I'm in need of a tutor. I'll help you archive. You teach me how to speak your language. Sound fair?"

  "Very fair. We can start whenever you are ready."

  "I'm ready now. We can begin with these translated questions. I want to see them in both ooman speak and yautja. Can you do that?"

  "That is a silly question," Halyiis says with a jokester grin.

  The archiver presses a triangular button on the top of the pad. Red symbols and human words appear side by side. Teresa stares at the screen with amusement and a growing excitement. Halyiis' hand covering hers draws Dr. Boyd's attention to his face. The hybrid offers her a friendly smile.

  "I appreciate the kind words you have spoken of me. We are isolated and alone, here on V'Daha. The choices of a vil'par are slim. Many of us here are related by close blood. Inbreeding would lead to untold disease and defects. We must be very selective in regards to whomever we choose to mate with. We had hoped that the other females would stay. To increase our population and offer a chance for those who wish it to find a vil'par. The death of the ooman female...And the expulsion of the others...Is a great blow to our settlement. You were the first arrivals in a very long time."

  Teresa leans forward and kisses Halyiis on his cheek. He watches her with weary eyes.

  "Mating is not always for the vil'par," Teresa says nonchalantly. "Or so, Elder Scar tells me. You should visit Yau-tala and inquire about L'so Elixir. It might do wonders for your love life."

  Halyiis considers what Teresa has said with a genuinely perplexed expression. Truly, he has never thought of this as a viable option. N'fiis without a vil'par? Is that what the ooman scientist and Elder Scar have chosen? Another interesting fact for the archives.