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 I fear I have been the progenitor of a misunderstanding.
 Misunderstanding mild! Runs had to recite his very favorite stanzas to keep himself under control.  If
you have violated Sama. .
 Wait a minute, everybody slow down! Chad considered the words of the Quozl and of his sister. They
involved a subject which the Quozl dealt with
much more openly than humans. It was something he d been reluctant to discuss with Mindy. After all,
she was his sister. Now he saw that he d been remiss.
All of which notwithstanding there was something peculiar about what had or had not happened.
Turns-theme-Over was an alien, for crissakes.
The Quozl tried to explain himself, but in Quozl fashion it took him an hour just to get past the requisite
preliminary apologies. Chad could sense his bewilderment. He had no idea what if anything he d done
wrong. When he had finally calmed down some, Chad took over for him.
 What exactly, he asked his sister,  did Turns-theme-Over do?
Now that the initial shock had faded, Mindy sounded uncertain.  Well, he touched me.
 Touched you where?
She bugged her eyes at him, then replied.  Here, and here.
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 What makes you so sure the contact was of a sexual nature? Chad was surprised at his own
openness. All those conversations with Runs-red-Talking had done some good. No therapist could have
achieved more with a gangly, shy teenager.  Turns-theme-Over is a specialist in human affairs. He might
simply have been trying to obtain information of a statistical nature.
 This may come as a surprise to you, little brother, but that s a line I ve heard before.
Turns-theme-Over was anxious to defend himself, grateful as he was for Chad s intercession.  Again let
me plead misunderstanding. He sounded honestly hurt and concerned.  I don t see what I did to cause
the human to react in such a fashion.
Runs allowed a touch of sternness to creep into his tone.  Are you not, after all your studies, familiar
with the strange human taboos in this area?
 Forgive me. Chad knew what it took for the senior scientist to request forgiveness of Runs, a Quozl
inferior in status to himself. Turns was truly apologetic.  I had grown so relaxed in their company I had
forgotten. That is why research into this matter is so important, so that we may come to fully understand
each other.
 That doesn t mean your studies can be carried out on a personal level, Chad admonished him.
Green-by-Shadow spoke up.  We have firsthand knowledge of male human anatomy. Chad was
familiar with the story of the unfortunate first encoun-ter between human and Quozl.  No similar
opportunity has henceforth pre-sented itself for examination of the other gender. Turns-theme-Over s
actions may be explained if not excused by his professional enthusiasm.
 He was enthusiastic, all right. Mindy stepped away from her brother, hands on hips.  I m not taking
my clothes off for him or anyone else.
It was growing more and more difficult for Chad to treat the situation seriously, now that it was clear that
his sister had not been injured.
 Why not? Don t tell me you re embarrassed to undress in front of a Quozl? He indicated
Turns-theme-Over.  He s interested in you as a speci-men, not a partner.
It was Chad s turn to be surprised.
 I must confess to more than mere objective curiosity. Turns-theme-Over kept his gaze averted from
Mindy.  We are both warm-blooded, fur-bearing species, though humans only marginally. Interest in this
subject among the Quozl extends to all relevant fauna. It is our nature.
 I m not one of your fauna, Mindy protested.  You can try jumping all the deer and elk and porcupines
you want, but keep away from me.
Cheese and crackers, Chad thought dazedly. Turns-theme-Overwassexu-ally interested in his sister.
What an absurd notion.
Wasn t it?
 It will be as you wish. Turns dipped both ears apologetically.  I will not transit your Sama again. He
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sounded so pitiful Mindy relented. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]