'I had suggested that Cam accompany me but he was unwilling to risk becoming trapped in another universe while there are still Elves unressurected.  Even so, I did not anticipate this magnitude of negative consequences from such a short time spent on Earth.'

"Yeesh.  Yeah, that's fair.  Uh, there's me now, though, so probably we can just sidestep most possible issues as long as I tag along whenever you go off galavanting."

'I have no plans to do so.'

"Rad.  Uh, so, if I say that everything about that made me expect deception does that make sense to you or should I delve in a little more."

'I expect delving to be much more likely to help than harm.'

"Yeah probably.  I guess the most important thing here is that I was expecting you to be hostile, and for - humanishes - hostile people are really likely to be lying.  I dunno if your sort has less conflict or is just more upfront about it."

'Conflict is limited among my species by several factors but I have experienced a share of it.  I would classify it as fairly overt.'

- several factors -

"Uh Ancora just checking have you affection-altered yourself in my direction at all?"  Her voice is high and strained by the end of the question.

'I have not.'

"Okay awesome!  Just checking."

'This possibility upset you greatly.'

"Yeah.  That's a me thing; I don't think other people care quite as much.  Probably still be really careful with it though.  And obviously more careful with the other direction; probably just don't ever do that one at all, honestly."

'I was unaware of even that possibility until recently and was horrified when I discovered it.'

"I know.  Just - delving.

'I have not yet come across a person not of my species who it would make sense to like more than I naturally do, even were I lacking in morality.'

"That follows.  How much do you like everyone else you've met, if you don't mind me asking?"

'Cam has been immeasurably useful and I hold deep affection for him.  I have not spoken much with Bar but I like her as well. You frightened me and are a distressing reminder of my greatest failures, though not in a way which translates to dislike per se.  My six initial humans had a traitor among them and all worked to mislead me about important moral facts but I love them still.'

. . . She should not 'oh honey' the terrifyingly adorable vampire alien.

"So you like pretty much everyone, then?"

'I have not met a member of my own species whose presence I unaidedly enjoyed.'

"How long were you in your world, before you came to Earth?"

'Artists have not as a species invented timekeeping.'

"Oh.  Do you have a guess?"

They consider this.

'No.'

"Hm."  Judy scritches her cat.  "Do you think you've met more artists or humanishes?"

'Artists, with certainty.

Why do you ask this.'