“Oh, for sure. Well, just let me know if you think of anything.”
They walked for a bit before Jenny had a question. “What if we wanted to go down to the planet. Like if I wanted to take Karuk to meet my family.”
“I would have to check on that,” Jeff said as he led them down a hallway that was narrower, and there were doors on either side. He guessed they were the apartments that were mentioned for the different couples.
Jeff continued. “The closer we get to Christmas, the weirder people are being about this place. There’s more and more protesters out there every day, it seems like.”
“Where’s their sense of brotherly love?” Jenny muttered.
“Exactly,” Jeff said.
“I thought Christmas was a celebrated holiday,” Karuk said.
“It is,” Jenny started. “But it’s also got a lot of religious belief wrapped around it. Many people on our planet don’t like the idea of humanoids, because that may bring their religious beliefs into question.”
“Which is why we’re being careful about allowing anyone who’s not from Earth on the ground. We wouldn’t want anyone to be hurt, or worse, by someone who is not in their right mind.”
Karuk nodded. “I will be careful.” He doubted anyone on the surface could match him in an altercation.
Even with the small knife he carried, he could be quite lethal if necessary.
Jeff looked him up and down. “Honestly, we dress you right, you’d probably blend in enough that it wouldn’t be a problem,” he said. “It is those like Erzo, who Polly is married to, with his big tail that is hard to hide. That causes a lot of issue.”
Karuk nodded. “Charro have always been difficult.”
Jenny grinned. “Thought they said that about Dalgurians.”
“Takes trouble to know it,” Karuk answered back.
“You two are cute,” Jeff said, and led them just a little further, stopping at the one on the end. “And here we go, we’re at your suite.” He tapped a card on the door. A light beeped, and the door lock clicked. Jeff pushed it open.
“You’ll see it’s a fully functional apartment, complete with a little kitchen, living area, bath and bedroom. There’s plenty of space for you to unpack and there’s a large closet for you to hang up your clothing as needed.”
Jenny gasped as they entered.
Inside the room, dominating one corner of the main living area, was a tall green tree. The woodland smell coming off it was divine. The tree was covered in red, white, and gold glittering balls, and lights that pulsed in different colors. A star sat on top, twinkling as well.
He’d seen nothing quite like it before. There was something mesmerizing about the look of the tree.
They both walked toward it. Karuk wanted to touch it and feel the branches and the stick-like leaves.
Jenny turned to Jeff. “You all put a real Christmas tree in here?”
Jeff grinned. “Well, it’s getting close to time. So, it seemed appropriate.”
Jenny glanced at him. “There’s presents under the tree too?”
Jeff waved his hand. “Just a few things that might make your stay a bit more pleasant.”
Jenny turned and her eyes glistened with tears.
“Oh, honey, don’t cry!” Jeff said. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
“But it is,” Jenny said. “I’ve sort of lost track of time up there. This is a pleasant reminder of home.”
“It is a very special looking tree,” Karuk said. “This is part of the Christmas you mentioned before?”
She nodded. “I told you about Santa, how he brings presents? He puts them under the tree for all the good boys and girls.”
