Before I can continue, Ozark replies:
Howl4U [admin]: Your history with humans is… complicated. Are you certain this will not impact Solstice operations?
Tch.
I want to snap at him, but he’s not wrong. I’ve never been anti-human—not exactly—but cautious. Critical. Generally uninterested in socializing with beings who build parking lots in migration corridors and set campfires under drought warnings.
The problem is, the Network knows me. They know my tolerance for humans exists at a distance of one mile and decreases exponentially with nearness.
Or did.
I take a steadying breath and type:
BigFootBoone [admin]:He is an exception.
The reactions are immediate.
Dan: He sounds great. I really wish I could attend this year. I’m sorry I’m going to miss meeting him. Next year, though.
MothAkai: EXCEPTION = CRUSH
MothAkai: CONFIRMED
MothAkai: I’m putting this in the gossip channel. No one can stop me.
MothAkai removed by admin.
MothAkai rejoined.
BigFootBoone [admin]: AKAI, IF YOU MOVE THIS CONVERSATION, I SWEAR THERE WILL BE ANOTHER DONATION OF COPPER WIRE!
Thunderbird Bob: Enough. If Boone says the human is safe, he is safe. My mate is human. Many of our closest allies are. We’ll adapt. Boone, bring him.
I inhale sharply. Every emotion I’ve been wrestling crashes into me at once.
I didn’t think Bob would intervene. I didn’t think he’d takemyside, not without grilling me first. But then again, Bob knows what it means to find someone unexpected.
And to choose them.
His calm message shuts up the entire server for a full three seconds, which, in Network time, is an eternity.
Howl4U [admin]: Understood. We will adjust protocols.
Howl4U [admin]: Provide the human’s name for registry.
I inhale deeply. Typing it feels too intimate, but there’s no point hiding it.
BigFootBoone [admin]: Elias.
Silence again before another ping.
MothAkai: ELIAS! Oh, that’s a cute name.
MothAkai: Welcome to the network, little human. I didn’t realize it was that easy to add a human.
Howl4U [admin]: He’s lucky Bob vouched.
Howl4U [admin]: Do we need extra medical on standby for this human?? Is he fragile? Humans are always fragile.
