Arent wrote:novius wrote:Arioch wrote:As for what Tempo is thinking... no comment.
Tempo surely has her own ideas, I guess.
There is a single person which has been appointed with ambassadorial status by his own government... that it happened by default because every higher-ranking officer on his ship is dead is irrelevant. He is of a so far undiscovered species and his very existence alone could shake the foundations of the Loroi Union. Well... that he is rather easy on her eyes might be an additional boon.
Well, in Beryls char sheet xenophilia & charitable are mentioned as character quirks. So, her reaction is in character. There are also some blackened-out parts in Beryls & Tempos sheet. So, who knows what Tempo thinks of this weird alien.
She'd definitely not be interested in him that way, maybe only how he could further her career or be beneficial for the Loroi at a whole. I'd peg her as the type who would use seduction as a means to an end, but for her it is simply another tool in her arsenal. Second, of course she'd be interested in how far the human lotai goes... and perhaps its practical applications to the second line of business of her caste. And if that requires some hands-on research she may go the route of verifying Beryl's findings for herself.
Arent wrote:Apart from that Beryl comes sometimes across a little patronizing, for example her comment that she will take "good care" of Alex. That doesn't sound as if she is afraid of him, rather that she is afraid something could happen to him.
A little bit, but
that big grin and how she stressed the words tell Alex and every Loroi in earshot "
All mine!", I'd say. Add to that, she seems to genuinely feel the need to make amends on behalf of her people (and by extension herself) for the poor treatment Alex got so far. And yes, Alex looks close enough to the males of her species for her genetically and culturally ingrained need to protect and coddle him to kick in. And that might add to it, that she does feel her people grossly transgressed their own customs.
Arent wrote:Actually, the Loroi "should" find Alex quite mysterious/scary. After all, they are not used to not-knowing what other species think. Ususally, they would immediately know if someone plans to attack them. But in Alex case they are completely at a loss.
It's a bit more complicated than that. Loroi receiving coherent thoughts or even feelings, especially over distance, from aliens is more the exception than the norm. Feeling their presence however and maybe their disposition towards the Loroi is more common.
But yes, Alex would fall into the "uncanny valley" for them. He looks close enough to be considered kin (even close enough for said protective instincts to kick in), but on the other hand, Beryl said it herself - even at close range, he seems completely blank to her. To her it must feel the same like one of the robots (or characters in a computer animation) to us who look very much human, but their gait, posture and movements are still 'a bit off' that they would
just be recognizable as artificial.
As a side note, that fits perfectly with that Talon was easy to accept his offer at friendship - and his hand - and offer hers in turn. Alex himself (as the narrator) did note that he never felt that sensation of a Loroi trying to probe his mind. Because Talon obviously didn't. Be it because of her lacking talent or simply not trying to, she took his presence much more as granted than even Beryl does, simply because she didn't need or want the 'backing' of his presence in sanzai.