“It’s considered beingbossy. For humans, anyway. We don’t like being told what to do.” He pursed his lips in thought. “Usually. There’s exceptions, if you’re into that kind of thing...”
“What isbossy?” I asked.
Levi thought about it for a moment. “Maeleons have no concept of bosses, huh? Another way to say it would be overbearing, or domineering.”
“And you do not like this?”
Now he didn’t seem sure. He blew out a warm breath. “I mean, it’s okay when you ask me to smile. I was just surprised to hear you say it.” In a quieter voice, he added, “No one’s ever said that to me before.”
I nodded in an attempt to mirror his human mannerisms. “Then I will continue to dominate you.”
Levi coughed. “Wait, what? N-no, not like that.”
My tail waved back and forth as I tried to make sense of his confusing statements.
“I do not comprehend,” I admitted.
Levi’s cheeks continued to flare pink as he stood up and brushed off his body coverings. “Never mind. Anyway, don’t we have work to do?”
He was right, though it had slipped my mind because of how much I enjoyed our conversation.
As Levi stood upright, he paused and glanced at the flowers under his feet.
“Um, Zat’tor?” he called.
I loved the way he said my name. “I am listening, Levi.”
“Is it okay that I’m stepping on your... siblings?” he asked.
Happiness coursed through me. My feelers floated airily, lifted by my emotions.
“Yes, it’s all right,” I assured him.
Levi looked slightly relieved, but said, “Are you sure? I don’t want to accidentally hurt anything else while I’m on this planet.”
“Look down,” I instructed.
He followed my gaze to the flowers beneath us. I lifted one of my feet. As soon as my weight was gone, the flowers sprang back into place, like I’d never been there at all.
“Each plant has a different personality,” I told him. “These are hardy flowers who enjoy roughhousing.”
Levi’s brow rose. “They do?”
“Oh, yes. Listen.”
I heard the flowers’ voices clear as day, but after a few moments of silence, Levi shrugged.
“I don’t hear anything,” he admitted.
“All things in time,” I promised. “Now, let us clean up.”
It was hard to miss the oblong silver object strewn in the Sweetfields. The sight of it filled me with discontent, but it had brought Levi to me, so I couldn’t be too angry.
Levi’s shoulders sagged as we approached the fallen ship. He sighed and ran his hand over the hull. The earlier joy and pink hue on his face were gone. He looked sad, like he’d lost something valuable.
I realized I’d perhaps been insensitive. Levi hadn’t understood my relationship with the plants, but I hadn’t considered his feelings about this crashed device, either.
“I am sorry,” I murmured.
