"Want to go find a guest room? I can help carry your stuff."

"Yeah, thank you!"

He helps carry her stuff.

The house is big and impressive and dimly but evenly lit, and there are brighter areas here and there. Guest rooms are mostly clustered in one wing of the building.

"If you get lost easily I recommend picking something down this hall," he says when they get there. "Otherwise, depends what you like. Pretty? Well-lit? If the dark ends up bothering you I can get you a pair of those slightly goofy-looking enhancement goggles the ruikni use."

"It is pretty dark but not too dark to get around and if I'll be able to charge things I have an old pocket everything that'll do a flashlight. But if the rooms come in well-lit that might be good."

"'Pocket everything' is one of my favourite phrases, it's so evocative - yeah, I'll find you someplace well-lit. Nice view of the sky sound good? Visitors to Aluvanna either really like the sky or really don't, in my experience, and you seemed like you were in favour."

"It's neat!"

"It is!"

So he finds her a suite on a higher floor with big windows, strong lighting, and a balcony.

"This is gorgeous."

"I'm glad you like it!"

A sound she can't hear prompts him to flick an ear toward the balcony. "Oh, I think my mother's home, would you like to meet her?"

"- sure, why not."

He goes out onto the balcony and waves up at the sky.

A woman with huge white feathered wings swoops onto the balcony and lands. Her feathers look soft. She enfolds her son in a hug, then lets go.

"Hello," she says to Peka. "I'm Kyralaine, Ashras's mother. From the luggage and the guest suite, may I assume you're Ashras's sponsored immigrant?"

"That seems to be the idea."

"Welcome to Aluvanna!"

She glances between Peka and Ashras with a thoughtful smile.

"You can let me know if you need anything, assuming Ashras doesn't get there first, which he probably will."

"Um, I know the - more alien aliens - their food is fine for us but I don't know if infant formula works so somebody might have to make runs for that -"

"I'll take care of it."

"Thanks. Um, do I need to keep shaving her hair, here - it came out orange -"

"Not at all. There are no caste-related rules of any kind among humans."

"Okay."

"I very much hope you'll like it here."

"I'll settle for nobody killing my baby."

"You can be very sure of that."

(Ashras looks away from the conversation with an expression as of someone who strongly disapproves of anyone killing anyone's babies.)

She snuggles the baby, pets the shaved-down peachy-colored fuzz of her hair.

Kyralaine smiles at the baby.