Snelga recognized that the humans, namely Finley, were subjected to undue distress from being caged, and she arranged for a compromise solution since the Council wouldn’t dream of moving primals without proper security. The Kexin veterinarian had gotten permission to allow the Earthlings to walk themselves, voluntarily, into the back of an armored truck. She was moving us all to her clinic, which doubled as her residence. I could tell our host was nervous to live openly around the “animals” from how she skittered inside on long, lanky legs.
I’m going to be there for Kaitlin, anything that she needs. She went above and beyond looking after Elbi and I…as I wish my sister had appreciated. I suspect our NASA benefactor will be working on Snelga, however; I hope the vet won’t decide it’s too much effort for an animal.
Snelga watched the humans stalk around for a bit, then pointed out where food and water were; she also explained the various rooms, including the prepared bedroom. Her explanation showed a bit more respect for their intellectual capacity, though that reverence seemed directed at Kaitlin more than Finley. My cute farmer was prickly and quiet, with an attitude of apparent indifference to anything explained. It was little consolation that he was a tiny bit freer, or at least able to interact outside of a cage, here.
“Kaitlin?” Snelga ventured, once the NASA researcher curled up on her couch. “You seemed…agreeable to an intelligence test yesterday. Now that you’re here, I’d like to do some research. Is that still something you want to try?”
Kaitlin’s smile brightened. “I’m curious to know how humans stack up to Kexins myself! Intelligence can be a tricky variable to measure.”
“You…want to take one designed for people? Kaitlin, I don’t want to set you up to fail or to be frustrated, sweetie! We should start more elementary, and prove you’re better than other animals.”
“Would it bother you to learn that humans are every bit as intelligent as Kexins? Because that’s what I want to prove—and I’m telling you, I can. It should be simple enough to prove or deny, so I don’t see the harm in letting me try.”
“I already respect you, precious. I understand you might feel pride or want to measure up, but you’re special for what you are. Your reasoning is exceptional, don’t get me wrong…”
Kaitlin arched an eyebrow. “Then test my reasoning. See how I compare to the average Kexin. I promise, my pride isn’t an issue; if I’m not in the same league as you, that’s okay. Neither of us have to wonder that way, right?”
“If you insist, Kaitlin. I’ll print out a Braelgar test for you, and have it translated. It scores reasoning, math, and linguistics. If you want to stop at any point, this is all in your control. We don’t have to record these results if it’s not flattering…”
“Science cares about truthfulness. Whatever happens, promise me you’ll document and record it?”
“Fine. I promise. Just sit tight. I’ll get a camera to show you…attempting to take the test and find the materials. I, um, wish you good luck!”
I turned to see if Finley was observing the scene, to find that he’d ducked into the spare bedroom that seemed to have been Snelga’s office before. The farmer leaned against a cabinet, keeping to himself during Kaitlin’s examination. His lips were taut and his eyes stormy, a far cry from the bubbly and joyful primal who’d fallen over himself to look after me. I dug through his belongings and put on his favorite hat, prancing past him. The human hardly reacted to my runway modeling attempts.
I have no idea how to cheer Finley up, when he seems this dispirited. He’s been there for me through it all, at my lowest point after Elbi’s attempted suicide.
“I wish we could go on a road trip. Just you and me,” I attempted. “Whether it’s traveling the stars or going for a ride in the countryside. Actually, if we went to Ivla Chol…I’m banned, but you could be my accomplice. Finley and his pinball touch.”
The farmer shrugged. “Har har.”
“Oh, I mean it. You have a very scary power, my fearsome primal. I’m glad you’re on my side. My secret weapon against the casinos; this is all part of the long con plan. Because I’m so manipulative.”
“Yeah, you sure got me wrapped around your finger. I’d walk through fire for you, y’know…and I ain’t immune to it like you! I’m so out of my depth though, and the way they treat us: it’s like one of my cows. I don’t know if I wanna cry or scream.”
I grabbed his right hand, clasping it between both of mine. “However you’re feeling, I won’t judge you. Do you want to talk about it?”
Finley stuck his lower lip out, a familiar pouting face taking hold. “You can’t possibly understand. You don’t feel anger.”
“Wade and Kaitlin explained a lot about how it feels, but you’re right; I don’t want to assume it’s the same for all of you, any more than other emotions. Regardless, it’s not the same as firsthand experience. If you want to explain it to me, I can listen. I’m sorry I can’t do more. I might not have one avenue to react, but I…definitely understand homesickness and hopelessness.”
“Of course. I don’t want to drag you and Kaitlin down. You’re both going through so much, and she’s all…happy, somehow. I just need to keep to myself. She’s making real progress with Snelga, and I’ll just fuck things up. I don’t know why I thought I’d have any power here, or why I thought there was anything I could do to help. I’m a silly primal.”
“You are, Finley. And that’s why I love you. I need you to be a primal and not give up. Never let them see you falter, right? As long as we’re together?”
Finley nodded. “I’m doing my level best. It just ain’t real good.”
The two of us stood in a comfortable silence, our eyes drifting far-off in a sea of thoughts. Kaitlin was the most capable of defending humanity, since I clearly couldn’t convince anyone. Finley had also put Snelga on edge about the possibility of him attacking with his ill-tempered threats. I knew the farmer was all bluster and bravado, but trying to explain that to any of my peers would be an exercise in futility. This was my fault for making him stay at NASA and then pairing up with him; he wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me barging into his life. He’d be better off having never met me.
All I achieved by going to Earth was traumatizing my sister and causing the humans, who are both kind and innocent, to suffer. I wouldn’t blame them for spitting on my name and being angry over the lives lost in vain, for a selfish refugee. They’re the only ones who stood up for the Saphnos, and all they got was the Council’s disrespect.
Finley arched a bushy eyebrow and cleared his throat. I followed his gaze to find Snelga awkwardly standing in the doorway, avoiding any direct stares in the farmer’s direction; it seemed to us both that she was waiting for him to move. I gathered that the Kexin was worried about the “package deal” for Kaitlin, though our host wouldn’t split such social creatures for the sake of their health. Seeing Mr. Canavan as a person would be a tougher sell than accepting Dr. Sharp as an exception.
“You forgetting to blink, Snelga?” Finley grunted.
The Kexin startled, taking a cautious step back. “Perhaps you would like to wander, primal? We’re going to have to find a pasture for you to graze in, hehe…”
“So you want me to move.” The flaxen-haired human scrunched his nose and turned around, pulling open the drawer Snelga had been side-eyeing. He grabbed a pencil and raised it in the air. “This what you’re after?”
“Well, yes, but if you’re possessive of that corner…”
Finley extended his arm, passing the writing utensil to the fearful Kexin. “Here you go. You could’ve just asked.”
“I…see. Thanks, Finley. G-good boy.”
“…woof.”
I waited for Snelga to leave the room, breathing a sigh of relief when Finley didn’t explode, before realizing something. “That wasn’t worse than my ‘sweetie?’”
“Hmph,” Finley scoffed. “Naw, she does sweetie too. I done heard it. She’s on a collectathon of pet names.”
I hugged him so tightly that he winced. “Thank you for being civil about it.”
“You said it, Craun. Being huffy is the worst thing I can do here; it won’t change it or help our situation.”
“Yeah, but it must be…what’s the right word? Exasperating? You’re right that I can’t understand how it feels…”
Finley chuckled. “You know how water feels when it touches your skin?”
“Unpleasant, burning discomfort? Toxic to the touch?”
The primal tapped his temple. “It’s like that in your brain and the air you breathe. The blood rushes in your ears and you could about strangle someone.”
“That’s why you use the same word for physical irritation and the form of anger?”
“Mhm. It ain’t like y’all say, but I want to listen to her talk like that about as much as you want to stick your toes under a water faucet and leave ‘em there.”
“So it…hurts?”
“Emotionally. An itch you can’t scratch in your thoughts: mighty distracting.”
“But how…does that make you want to hurt others? I’m sorry, that’s what I can never wrap my mind around.”
Finley pawed at his chin, frowning and seeming a bit stumped. “You know how with love, you can wanna show affection? Like you got the thought to hug me because you wanted me to feel better?”
“Yeah.”
“Imagine an unpleasant version of that where you want me to feel worse. Where you want me to be none of your existence rather than all of it. That’s hostility. That’s why.”
I shuddered, bowing my head. “And you felt that way toward me over a toilet?!”
“There’s…degrees of it! I don’t wanna talk no more.”
“Of course you don’t. You’ve been angry toward me multiple times.”
“You trampled my best friend and told me I wasn’t a person! You deserved it. I thought this was a ‘no judgment’ zone?”
“Yes, because I’m Craun the Fair and I always keep my word,” I said, striking an innocent pose.
Finley scowled, stamping a foot on the ground. “Aw, fuck you! You’re exasperating. Go sit in the other room.”
“Okay, sweetie.”
The primal stared daggers at me as I waltzed out of the bedroom. Giving Finley some space to cool off might be for the best, if he wanted to “dislike hug” the source of his ire. Snelga was going to need to come around more before they could have any productive interactions, though I’d try to help and be supportive of the humans in any way that I could. For now, I opted to go check in on Kaitlin’s progress alone; I was curious how highly she would score.
I have zero doubts that she’ll excel, since I’ve seen firsthand that she’s sharper than anyone else I’ve ever met. A once-in-a-generation genius, I’d even think, though she’d never claim that herself.
Snelga and I sat in silence to avoid distracting Kaitlin, and my mind was racing with too many thoughts to grow restless. The Kexin was watching the scientist’s progress more closely, surprised when Dr. Sharp breezed through tricky logic puzzles. I could see from how the veterinarian was pulling on her headfeathers that she thought the human was giving up on the questions. I knew the NASA researcher would happily puzzle on something that she found challenging; she’d told me she loved solving the impossible.
“Please don’t get angry, Kaitlin,” Snelga ventured, checking her watch, “but your time is up. They’re designed not to finish all of the questions, um...”
Kaitlin placed the pencil down, grinning. “Thank you for letting me do this. Alright! How’d I do?”
“Let’s find out. Don’t get your hopes too high, okay? You did great no matter what.”
The Kexin scanned each page with her phone’s camera, connecting it to the testing application where AI could score it. I could see the moment Snelga got the results, as her eyes went wide with pure, unadulterated shock; she nearly dropped the device. I peered over the veterinarian’s shoulder to see that Kaitlin’s score placed her not just in the highest percentile, but among the top test takers of all time. Our host’s bright red face turned toward the primal, studying her anew.
Kaitlin rubbed the back of her neck. “Why are you looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?”
“Kaitlin…” Snelga’s mouth moved without forming words, and she handed the scientist the device. “You’re…a genius. You’re not just an intelligent animal; you’re smarter than me, than most people…and you’re a primal. What a waste of a brilliant mind!”
“I told you that they were very intelligent, especially the humans at NASA. Give them some credit,” I interjected.
“If they’re that intelligent, then of course they shouldn’t be treated like animals! And I spoke down to you, like you couldn’t understand. That’s why Wade said I was humiliating him—I’m sorry, Kaitlin. This is amazing, you’re…”
“It’s okay. I don’t hold it against you,” Kaitlin assured Snelga. “Can you at least agree that by intelligence standards, I’m a person?”
“Of course. You’re remarkable! This is so exciting! I have to get to know you more and speak to you! It’s a dream come true.”
“Like I said, it was my dream to talk to aliens. I understand that you think we lose all rationality when angry, but I’d ask you to open yourself up to the possibility that we don’t, Snelga. I’m telling the truth, just like I was about our intelligence level. It would be easy to prove. If you take out the primals’ control issue, then you’d have to see me as a full-fledged person.”
“I want to understand how your mind works! You…have no business being this smart, and yet you are. Everyone needs to know. I promise, I’m going to share this immediately. I want others to talk to you and see how brilliant you are, but I need to ask you something—and be honest.”
“Always.”
“It could be a massive boost to funding if I can get someone to interview you and show what you’re really like, but non-primal experts won’t be forgiving of any displays of anger. Like what, for instance, Finley has been doing. You’re obviously smarter than that one, but you’re both from the same species. Are you sure you won’t lose control on camera?”
Kaitlin frowned. “Of course I won’t. Snelga, respectfully, I don’t like you speaking about Finley that way. Could you please reevaluate your behavior and treat him with respect? He might not have a PHD, but he absolutely has a person’s intellectual capacity too. Just because you don’t like his temperament doesn’t mean it’s okay to deny that.”
“Finley…doesn’t seem very safe. Or rational. Whereas you said that calmly,” Snelga responded.
I gave the Kexin a disgusted look. “Finley was abducted from his home and thrown in a cage, after his people were attacked for protecting the alien he fell in love with. All he did was try to help me with kindness, and he’s more than capable of learning and understanding anything I’ve explained to him, even without studying it like Kaitlin. But you won’t even talk to him like a person. Doesn’t he have the right to be displeased?”
“I’m sure Finley is afraid and stressed, but he’s threatening and violent at a moment’s notice. He’s…clearly a wild primal, and I don’t mean that in an insulting way.”
“Well, I’m insulted on his behalf. Finley feels angry because it’s his species’ natural emotion when they’ve been wronged. If you were nice and respectful to him, there’d be no exasperation. He’s sweet, happy, and helpful when he’s not being abused and jerked around!”
“I can tell that you do love him, Craun. Since you’re the one that tamed him, I’ll try to follow your tips! I can pretend he’s on Kaitlin’s level if it mends his anger.”
Kaitlin’s lips tightened. “All humans are equal and deserving of basic rights. If you don’t respect my entire species, you don’t respect me. It’s unfair to judge us by our ability to feel anger when you, frankly, don’t understand it at all. Please, Snelga, be better. I’d like to believe your heart’s in the right place.”
The Kexin recoiled. “I want to help you, Kaitlin! If it’s important to your happiness, I’ll do whatever you need me to, for Finley to be treated as equally as possible. That said, I must insist on it being only you in any interview.”
“Finley will be happier that way, but your reasoning is worrisome. We need to talk more about humans in general, because my hope is for you to see us all as full-fledged people.”
“You are people,” I told Kaitlin. “You’re innocent, kind people who’ve been treated like clueless animals. If I could make them see that, I would.”
“Oh, Craun. You can’t make anyone change their beliefs. That has to be their choice…Snelga.”
Snelga ducked her head in submissive fashion, before busying herself with sharing results and trying to pitch a platform on the “galaxy’s smartest primal.” I supposed it was a positive that the Kexin didn’t seem offended by Kaitlin, a primal, having a higher intelligence than her, but I needed her to pass that respect along to Finley too. For now, however, my immediate focus was on doing whatever was necessary to find a cure the NASA researcher’s ailment.
A/N - 49! Finley talks to Craun about how anger feels, while a skeptical Snelga lets Kaitlin take an intelligence test. The vet is floored to realize just how smart Kaitlin is, not just for a primal, but compared to the general Kexin population. Snelga wants to show others that humans have person-level intelligence, but she’s unconvinced that Finley is safe, which offends both Kaitlin and Craun.
Is Snelga more likely to come around now that she’s seen the numbers, and is she doing enough to help despite her reservations about Finley? How will they convince the general population?
As always, thank you for reading and supporting!