Damia's Children by Anne McCaffrey Page B

paw you to death but it’s an enthusiastic way to go.
    She could see what he meant for she was now surrounded by a horde of ’Dinis of all sizes and colors, all wanting to touch her, as if to reassure themselves that the Human child they had been promised had actually landed.
    A very loud crack and the ’Dinis crowding about her stood still, with only one or two small noises of what Laria interpreted as dismay. Another crack and the ’Dinis made a respectful corridor as the largest ’Dini she had ever seen made its way to her. It had great loops of pearls about its neck and an incredible tiara sort of construction ornamenting its poll eye which was tilted in her direction.
    Just as she was wondering what sort of movement she should make to indicate respect to this superior ’Dini, she felt paws lift her two handsand bring them forward. Tip and Huf had become her escorts? sponsors?
    The big ’Dini lowered its upper section so that the liquid, purply poll eye was level with her face. The eye began to twirl slowly. The ’Dini brought both of its paws forward to touch her outheld hands, folded them to its chest and said firmly PLSGT ! the ’Dini way of exchanging names with humans.
    Laria copied that gesture and said LR !, well pleased that she had managed both the liquid “l” and the rolled “r” sounds.
    Recoiling in what was a very good approximation of Human surprise, Plus (which she decided to call it in her own mind) gave the burbling noise that signified ’Dini pleasure.
    Well done, Laria,
Yoshuk said.
They’ll love you here with those ells and arrs.
Another alto chuckle from Nesrun.
    Beyond her a second large personnel carrier glided gently to rest in a cradle. Behind her an almighty thunder shook not only the air but the ground and, whirling around, Laria saw her first self-propelled spaceship take off. It was far away, probably ten kilometers or more, despite the tremendous sound. The flames from its massive rockets grew longer and longer as its upward movement proceeded. Laria couldn’t help but stare and wonder why such an antiquated and wasteful method was still in use when Clarf had its own Tower. But it wasn’t, she reminded herself, a Prime Tower. Yoshuk and Nesrun were T-2’s, not T-1’s, and would be unable to thrust such a behemoth on its way. Beyond it, a second, then a third and fourth spaceship rumbled skyward.
    A little shake of one of her ’Dini-held hands and Laria recalled herself to her surroundings. Tip and Huf had gathered attendants: much the same coloration as they were so that Laria figured they might be related. No one knew how many constituted a ’Dini family group.
    Plus now tucked her hand under its arm, against its warm silky side, and turned, so she followed. Unobtrusively Tip gave her a quick sign that this was an honor—which she had already gathered. She lengthened her stride just as Plus shortened its and she didn’t know if she should laugh at their cross purposes. Then she saw Huf make amusements signs and so she felt able to grin up at the big ’Dini.
    Oh, my dear, you are landing on your feet,
Yoshuk said.
Led out by Plsgt himself.
    What’s going to happen now, Yoshuk?
    You’re to be escorted to your new quarters by Plsgt who’s always been the strongest proponent on this planet of the experiment. Then you’ll be part of the welcome home banquet for your pair. Tip and Huf? Yes, and we’ll meet you there. We won’t leave you unsupported, Laria.
    Not unless we want our ears singed off by the Rowan or the Raven,
added Nesrun, coloring her tone with a mock malicious grin.
    Plus handed Laria into the open-air passenger compartment: Tip, Huf, and several of their color group joining them. The vehicle moved smoothly forward on airjets, the driver carefully maneuvering through oncoming traffic that was mostly crated, bagged, and boxed materials, piled high on floats. How