The first day went by speedily. Akari's supplies were delivered, and in the midst of it all, Urkit had called her three times, just to make sure she was unpacking okay. Many creatures had stopped by to take a look at the new visitor, but not one was a Hork-Bajir.
Akari was never bored. She was usually working, but when she had free time she would spend it cataloging the species she found or talking with Urkit. She was less nervous around him now, seeing him in an entirely new light.
<My prince.> She bowed low and straitened, now looking him in the eye when she spoke to him. <The daily report you requested.> She offered him the data pad.
<Good, good,> He replied as he ascended the ramp to her home to take the pad. <Though, it is still the first day. This wasn’t necessary. Still, it’s wonderful to see you making a start! I look forward to reading it.> He dropped the pad to his side and seemed to glance around the surroundings of her scoop. <How are you feeling? Settled yet?>
She nodded her stalk eyes. <It’s such a strange planet. The grass tastes okay I guess.> Her scoop was mostly tidy, but she had set up a table strewn with supplies and plant life. <How are you finding the planet?>
<Agreeable,> He uttered lightly. <I have been here before, so I am quite knowledgable. Oh,> He laughs. <I forgot the very reason I came to see you this time...> Urkit reached into a bag that was hoisted over his shoulder. From it, he revealed a glowing, blue cube. The Escafil Device.
Her eyes locked onto it immediately. <An Escafil device? Is it malfunctioning? I could probably repair it.> It was illegal for unauthorized Andalites to use the device.
He smiled. <This will be our little secret. While you're here, I want you to experience it all. I want you to have this power. I assume you know the rules?>
A sudden surge of excitement hit her like a driftball. <What? You’re offering this to me? But... I ...>
She took his arm, pulling him under the cloth into her scoop. They were standing much closer than she would have normally dared. <You could get into major trouble if anyone knew you had even offered it to me.>
<Oh, come now,> He chuckled. <You think I don't understand that? If you get caught, we'll say that it was useful to your studies. Nobody will think twice. Please, accept this gift.>
<You’re so sure of everything you do. How do you do it?> Her fingers were shaking as she reached for it. Her hand stopped just above the cube. <I’ve always wanted to fly...>
<With this power, you can.> He lifted the cube up, doing the final movement for her. The cube seemed to emmit a great power. She could feel it tingling up her arm.
Her eyes fluttered closed and she had to lean against him for balance. After a moment the feeling left and her eyes opened. <Now what?>
<You acquire DNA, of course!> Urkit replied. <I'm sure you'll be able to get Human DNA eventually. Their ability to taste is otherworldly!>
<This is all a bit overwhelming! You should put that away.> She peered around with paranoia. <Someone could see us!> Huddled under an awning made it hard for anyone to see anything, but still…
<Nonsense,> He dismissed. <Nobody will be prowling around here. We're scientists. Why prowl?> Nevertheless, he placed the cube back into his bag. <Is there anything else I can help you with?>
<Well.... actually I haven’t seen any Hork Bajir. I thought they were curious. I mean to venture out in search. They can’t be that hard to find.>
<You will find them.> He assured. With that, he began to leave again. <Get a good night's sleep. The days will be busy!>
<Alright. I’ll wait until tomorrow to search. Goodnight Urkit.>
She shut the curtains behind him. This planet could get cold... She needed a heater to stay warm at night, and she had to get very cosy for any warmth to remain.
The light of the day soon dispersed. She could hear the world outside of her scoop as the creatures of the night took control. Owls and insects. Nothing bothered her scoop. Andalite technology made sure of that. When the Sun came in, it shone brightly through the curtains. As soon as she woke, she would hear rustling...
Her instincts kicked in instantly. The rustling has caused her heart to race. She slept standing up, as all Andalites did, so her first thoughts were “Run!” She readied her tail and peered around the curtains of her resting area.
There was a Hork-Bajir there! It must have been... tall, green and covered in blades. Yes, it was definitely a Hork-Bajir. It was peering through her things.
She squeaked, her thoughts stuttering as she worked up the nerve to exit the makeshift bedroom. <H-hey... please don’t touch that. It’s fragile!>
The Hork-Bajir bolted. It must have jumped three feet in the air. It saw her, and in its bewilderment almost tripped over a desk. "Hruthin!" It called.
She squealed and hid back behind the curtain. <Ahhh!> She Peered out again after a moment. He hadn’t attacked her. He was simply curious. <I’m sorry I scared you.>
The Hork-Bajir was slowly creeping backwards toward the scoop entrance ramp. It had obviously not expected her to awaken this early in the morning. She picked up a bundle of bark she had collected and covered in a maple sap. She trotted out cautiously, placing it on the ground before disappearing Again. It was a peace offering.
The Hork-Bajir was most definitely wary. It watched the bundle of bark offered from the Andalite. He thought that the Andalite looked small. Delicate, even. The stories that he'd heard were perhaps exaggerated in the intimidation aspect. He bent down, keeping his eyes on the Andalite's hiding spot, and picked up just one slab of bark. She let him have his space, hoping he would take her offering. She wanted to learn so much about him.
He sniffed at the bark, inspected its surface. It seemed fine, really... Nothing was off about it. He reached down, and with long, powerful arms he scooped the whole batch up to his chest. He dove out of the scoop, and back into the trees.
She heard him leave. It was safe to come out. She found the pile of bark gone. Grinning to herself, she hurried about her morning duties. Maybe he would come back. For now though, she began examining some specimens she had collected. Most plants here were green or brown. So strange…
The Hork-Bajir had found somewhere secluded to eat the bark. It was all gone rather quickly, and he was satisfied. He did, however, find it strange how the Andalite had arrived. Why was it here? He knew that Hork-Bajir and Andalites were not at all friendly to each other. He peered out of his hiding spot. He could just make out a section of the scoop from a distance.
She thought that the Hork-Bajir was wary of her. They had no predators here. What was he so afraid of? She shook her stalk eyes in confusion. Urkit would be so excited to hear one had visited her though!
The Hork-Bajir approached again. Now, he was more curious than anything else. He scooted around the side of the scoop and approached the ramp again. Akari had waited inside in case he had decided to come back. She peered around the curtains with a stalk eye. <Hello.>
He spotted the Andalite. This time, he held his ground. She'd given him tasty bark. Surely, she had good or neutral intentions. "Hello." He said back blandly.
Her head poked out and she smiled. <Mind if I come out?> She was filled with anticipation. Her first contact!
The Hork-Bajir was hesitant. He didn't say a word. Instead, he just watched. The Andalite was just as he'd been told: Six limbs, four eyes, and a scary bladed tail.
She waited at the entrance of her lodgings, examining his expression as best she could. She took a careful step forward. <My name is Akari.>
His expressions, of course, were not easy to read. He was clearly male though, displaying three proud horns atop his head. He was a couple feet taller than her, and very intimidating. He took a while to respond, but in the guttural voice said, "My name is Buko."
She had gathered more bark for him while she waited. <Would you like some more bark?> There was a pile halfway into her scoop and she gestured to it.
He glanced quickly to the pile, and then back to her. He completely bypassed the question, most certainly having more pertinent thoughts in his head. "You are an Andalite?"
<Yes. I’m sorry, I guess I forgot to say so.> He seemed more observant than she expected.
"Why are you here?" He asked.
<I’m here to meet you actually. Well… your people.> She stood by the pile of bark and waited hopefully. There was no hostility on her features.
He watched her closely, eyes firmly glued to her as she moved to the bark. But with each passing moment, she felt more genuine to him. He looked to the bark, and then to his already distended stomach. A second pile? Did she see Hork-Bajir as gluttons?
<I wasn’t sure if you wanted more bark for later, or if you wanted to bring some home to share. This bark is from my planet.> She pointed. <Up there.>
Buko followed her finger. He just saw trees... He'd paid attention to what she'd said though. Indeed, the bark tasted different. Pleasant, but unusual. "Why do you want to feed us?"
<I was sharing part of my world I thought you might like. Perhaps in time, you could tell me of yours.>
Buko was now very curious. The Andalite seemed friendly enough. However, he didn't want to approach her. Not yet. "Thank you, Akari." He said.
Akari began wrapping the bark up in a cloth for easier carrying. <I’m very happy to meet you Buko. I hope we can be friends.> She smiles that hopeful smile again.
"People don't like Andalites here." He spoke bluntly. It almost came across as an innate reaction.
Her face fell and she set the bundle down. <Why would they?> She was puzzled. Andalites helped the Hork Bajir
"You mean that you came to Yellowstone with no knowledge of our history?!" He blurted. The way he was speaking, and articulating his words, was beyond anything that she had been told.
Her eyes widened. <I know everything my people know of course! I didn’t think you would harbor ill feelings though…>
He dipped his head. He didn't intend to hurt her feelings. "I'm just wondering... I don't know why you're here, all alone."
<I’m not alone. There are other Andalites. Not here of course. I’ve come to learn about your people.>
"You have?" He cocked his head and looked thoughtfully at her. "How will you do that?"
<I was hoping to watch and learn things. Maybe I can help too. It’s been a long time since we Andalites have learned from your people.>
"Some would say that you never learned from us at all..." He hummed. "But... that bark you gave me was delicious. Maybe if I help you, I can find more?"
She smiled. <You can have as much as you’d like, no matter if you choose to help me or not.> She wanted him to trust her. <I want to help you if I can, too.>
For the first time, he smiled just as she did. It looked something like a smile to her, anyway. His natural Hork-Bajir docility urged him to trust her. He took one step closer. "What are you looking to learn?"
<Everything. Your people are so fascinating!> She was aware of her eagerness and decided to dial it back a bit. <Whatever you would allow me to of course.>
He lifted a big Hork-Bajir hand, palm up. At first she couldn't figure out what he was trying to do, but his eyes darted twice to the pile of bark that lay before her. It was like he was offering a trade of sorts.
Akari stood, the bundle of bark in her small arms. <I’m glad you like the bark. It’s from a haluau tree near my home. I’ve taken care of the tree all my life in the hope that I could share some of it.> A blush spread across her cheeks
He was allured by her sweetness. It was the type of behavior he'd expect from another Hork-Bajir. From what he'd been told, Andalites weren't meant to be this way. "That's very kind of you." He thought to mention.
<Could I see you tomorrow? I would like to see your world.> Her eyes were bright. Always filled with hope and optimism.
"Yes," He replied. "I'm not sure how much I can show you... but I will. Will there be more bark?"
<Of course! I brought a lot.> She approached him slowly, not wanting to spook him. Her tail was lowered as she held out the bark. <Did you like the sap? I wasn’t sure…>
"The sap was wonderful." He said in what was a conveniently sappy tone. He gladly took the bark, moving slowly; he was equally worried of scaring the delicate-looking creature. And he was indeed scary. He was so tall and completely covered in weapons. Pacifists weaponized by a manipulative race of scum. She felt sorrowful for a moment. He seemed so gentle.
He allowed her to approach, his array of blades pointed harmlessly backwards. When he looked at her, he was pleasantly surprised. He felt something strange about her. He wasn't too sure what it was.
<Will you meet me here at sunrise? Perhaps we can have breakfast together.> She stepped back, rubbing her arms in the cold air.
He noticed how she shivered. "Yes, I can meet you at sunrise," He said. "But... what do Andalites eat?"
<Grass of course! There is plenty Around.> She pawed lightly at the bright green grass.
"Grass..." He uttered. He stored that thought in his head. "I'll come back tomorrow, Akari."
<Okay!> She Bounced lightly on her hooves. <I can’t wait! See you then Buko!>
He smiled to her, flicked his tail, and he shot out of the scoop and into the trees.
Also felt giddy. Her first encounter was a success! It was strange though. He looked dangerous... but he didn’t feel it.