He looks back in her direction when she starts talking. "I'm not sure it'd be the same."

"I hadn't known about Amentan eagerness for solutions to planets; the species I'm familiar with tend to also treat aliens as bad as or worse than the least-favored members of their own societies."

"That's... odd, I'd think even if we already had planets..."

"Even if you disapproved of an alien's cleanliness habits? Even if they seemed visually gross? Even if they had very different priorities and very alien minds? Even were they weak, even were they strong - "

"If they weren't clean maybe it wouldn't be any better than reds."

"I don't know of any other alien species with pollution instincts to the same level and direction as Amentans, though most have concepts of disease prevention."

"Well. Guess that'll change some people's opinions about how universal that'll be."

"We obviously haven't met everyone, but the universe is far stranger than most people would imagine." She hasn't even told them about the extradimensional fuck-yous.

Savo nods.

"There's some things that are more common - like dislike of outsiders - but life makes its way, in many forms."

"Are you satisfied, Allocator?" Ude asks.

Savo nods.

"What next?"

"We'll get out of your way now," says Savo's escort. Savo meekly follows her out of the house.

Is the blue still here?

Ude hasn't left and is still sitting on the couch.

"Thank you for letting me speak to him." (Bright has waved goodbye.)

"Of course," smiles Ude.

She regards Ude for a few long moments.

"Trusting a new people is not something easy," she says. "Amenta has done well for itself so far, but."

"Hmm?"

"Historically, first contacts haven't tended to go well for the weaker party."

"This is our first first contact. We're hoping to set an encouraging precedent," smiles Ude.

"That speaks well. Still, I'm too old for diplomacy; Bright's young enough she still thinks all strangers are friends she hasn't met. Maybe somewhere in the average of us you'll get a sensible diplomat. Maybe Bright will be old enough to negotiate on her own by the time I'm close on portals."

"She's an utter delight," Ude assures her. "I think she'll do very well. Do you think we should be looking into setting up school for her in the medium term?"

"She'd like the chance for socialization, but she hasn't done well in schools before. There might be a set up she can focus in, though."

"Hm, what's been the issue in the past?"