There to greet it in the airlock (a proper size! Gangly rooms were so cavernous!) was the Pride Senior itself, Timbre Grey. It came forward and extended its graspers, and Arm Wild twined its own graspers round them. Now they could actually see and smell each other, they could communicate properly.

<<Arm Wild>> [Welcome], the Pride Senior said. A gentle whiff of pheromones reinforced the sincerity of the greeting.

How could any race rise to civilisation depending just on verbal communication? Arm Wild had often wondered. Humans recognised the existence of bodytalk, they even had the word for it, but how could they relegate it so to such negligible importance? The Pride Senior's legs were properly positioned; the slightly emphasised posture of its body showed that its welcome was genuine and glad. Arm Wild took care that the precise strength of its grasp and lowered position of its head emphasised its acknowledgement of the other's seniority.

I am noticing First Breed fulltalk! Arm Wild thought in sudden horror. I have been among the Ganglies for too long!

<<If you are like the others, you will be glad for the change>> [sincere, concern] the Senior added.

<<It drives me mad, Timbre Grey>> [feeling] said Arm Wild . <<I find the Ganglies fascinating and they could even be my friends, but ... oh>> [pure frustration, verging on madness; subtle hint of self-control to show semi-jest]. <<It is good to be back. Even the deckplates feel different under my feet>>

[Amusement] <<They are. The humans make their ships from a different material to us. But now you can put away your eye-surrounds and your pheromone bottles, Arm Wild. You are among friends>>

<<They are effective but they are not the real thing. This break was an excellent idea, Timbre Grey>> [sincerity]

[Pleasure] said Timbre Grey. [Polite concern] <<Incidentally, I hope you do not use the word 'Gangly' to the humans. Remember we may have to learn to treat them with respect>>

<<My translator is set always to use the humans' term for themselves>> said Arm Wild. <<But I will endeavour to speak properly of them from now on, anyway>>

Timbre Grey [amusement]

<<To be fair>> [grudging respect] Arm Wild added, <<my translator is also set to distinguish between 'Rustie' and 'First Breed' in reverse. My Ganglies — my humans — always use the term 'First Breed' in my presence>>

<<Commendable>> [approving].

Arm Wild [true].