“When it comes to love, things happen very quickly in the Known Universe,” I said, opening my arms to Tariel.

  An autonomous robot positioned itself beside me, waiting for me to place Tariel on it, which she found amusing. Seeing her without pain, lighter, exploring the robot-chair, brought me a quiet, almost physical joy.

  “Aren’t we too close to the village?” I asked.

  “One thousand kilometers from the previous location,” Jazzia informed me. “Using the time phase to hide ourselves would consume too much energy. Mirtis reports that the Xerantos will arrive in thirty minutes.”

  “I need to use the bathroom,” Tariel said.

  She had gone almost an entire day without needing to, which wasn’t surprising after two days without eating or drinking. The robot followed us to the bathroom, where I sat her down and helped her with her clothes. The situation left me embarrassed; it felt like caring for a child, yet Tariel was an adult.

  After that, I took her to the bedroom and laid her on the bed.

  “Why did you bring me here?” she asked.

  “So you can put on something more appropriate.” I gestured to the screen behind me. “It’s cold outside.”

  “But it’s warm in here.”

  “The ship’s temperature is controlled to always keep the environment comfortable.”

  Even though she was capable of taking off her shirt on her own, I did it by reflex. I watched her, unintentionally, and noticed the beauty of her pale, hairless body. The marks and blemishes revealed her history; small, injured hands and feet spoke of hard labor. Firm thighs, abdomen and breasts with a delicate softness — the whole was harmonious, even with the absence of eyebrows and the tips of her ears. Her eyes, however, held my attention in an almost hypnotic way.

  I stopped at her eyes.

  “What is it?” she asked, surprised.

  “I’m admiring you,” I said, embarrassed.

  “Do you feel desire? I’m not beautiful…” she said, frowning.

  “I’m not your enemy, I’m not like those who hurt you. You are a Selium whom I love.”

  She blushed, awkwardly.

  “You may not feel beautiful, but you are,” I affirmed.

  “My hair won’t grow back. They used nanachá leaf on me,” she lowered her gaze.

  “Even so, I’m enchanted. Not only by your beauty, but by you: your strength, your judgment, your observation. Few could have kept you captive for so long if you’d had somewhere to go.”

  “Thank you… for everything,” she said, wiping away tears.

  “I’m a historian. I like to study the history of all planets. The Xerantos discovered Donna recently, but they didn’t understand the human presence. That’s why I came: to interact and gather information.”

  “Humans aren’t from Donna?” she asked.

  “No. Our origin is Earth.”

  AX appeared, projecting images of Earth and Donna.

  “This is planet Earth, this is Donna,” I explained. “You are natives of Donna, but you resemble humans greatly, not only in appearance, but in feelings.”

  “Feelings? Aren’t they the same?”

  “Sekvens, for example, don’t know sadness in the same way. They don’t understand malice, lies, or hatred, but they possess other feelings we still don’t comprehend.”

  “Jazzia, are there clothes besides mine?” I asked, changing the focus.

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  “There aren’t. Mirtis brought a wardrobe for Tariel; it will be delivered shortly.”

  “I can fetch it,” AX offered.

  “Bring a simple, beautiful dress, a warm coat, and boots.”

  “What is a wardrobe?” Tariel asked, rolling on the bed, hugging the pillow.

  “It means the Xerantos brought several clothes for you.”

  “But they’ve never seen me!” she exclaimed.

  “We are blessed by the love of the Sekvens. AX sends our images to them, so they already know you.”

  I asked Jazzia to show the exterior on the bedroom screen. A vast green plain appeared, with Mirtis resting in the background.

  “I’ve never seen so much green!” she exclaimed.

  “It reminded me of Vitória, on Earth. Mirtis is larger than Jazzia.”

  “Exactly 10.6 times,” she corrected.

  AX appeared behind us, materializing with his usual smoothness, placing a set of folded clothes on the bed with almost ceremonial precision.

  “Sorry for the delay,” he informed us. “I waited until the appropriate pieces were selected.”

  I picked up the first one: a white pair of panties, delicate, soft to the touch.

  Tariel tilted her head, curious.

  “What is that?”

  “Panties,” I explained, kneeling in front of her. “They’re meant to give you comfort… and to protect your intimacy.”

  She observed the piece as one might discover a sacred artifact, and allowed me to lift her by the legs. The contact of my hand on her skin startled her.

  “I’ve never worn something like this,” she murmured. “I… I can feel my legs. I feel your hand touching them.”

  I sighed, taken by a warm relief.

  “That’s excellent,” I celebrated, unable to hide my smile. “AX’s medicines are working better than we expected.”

  Next, I took the dress. The fabric was unfamiliar to me, soft like water and firm like fine leather; a clean, discreet, elegant pink. Long, with a simple cord at the waist.

  “It looks great,” I said, guiding her to the hallway mirror. “You look beautiful.”

  The tears confirmed how much she appreciated it. With her on the robot, we headed to the ship’s door to receive the Xerantos.

  “I arrived on Donna yesterday, and I was lucky to meet you.”

  “The luck was mine,” she smiled.

  “It has been rewarding to take care of you. Despite your youthful appearance, you are an adult; I’ve bathed children, but not like this.”

  The door opened and three Xerantos were waiting. Tariel stretched out her arm, holding onto my shirt.

  “It’s all right,” I assured her, taking her hand.

  Nearly three meters tall, each Xeranto was almost twice Tariel’s height. I recognized Julis, involved with the Shoros, but wearing a different uniform. I greeted her with a smile.

  “Welcome to the Known Universe,” Zircon said, bowing slightly. “Julis and Armer accompany me. AX will translate our communication.”

  “Thank you,” Tariel replied.

  “We brought a regenerative capsule for your injuries. We are still studying your DNA, but we have enough for our purpose.”

  “What is DNA?” Tariel asked, curious.

  “It is the unique biological recipe that defines every living being,” Zircon explained. “We study yours to help you.”

  “We brought basic items, translated books, so that you may know the universe that has welcomed you. You now belong to us; you will no longer suffer deprivation or pain. And you will not have the right to cease existing.”

  “Thank you,” Tariel smiled.

  “You have a partner who will teach you to read. We will prepare the equipment to treat you,” Zircon added.

  “My name is Julis,” the Xeranto female introduced herself. “Don’t worry, we will take good care of you.”

  While the Xerantos went on to the first level, Tariel and I walked across the field, appreciating the vast green expanse, the forest, and distant mountains.

  “They said you are my partner,” Tariel said.

  “That’s how they see it. If I saved you, it’s because I loved you, so you belong to me and I will be your partner. If I love you, you love me, and you will be my companion.”

  “Then… do I love you?”

  “Do you love me?” I asked.

  “I don’t know,” she said, lost.

  “Strange, isn’t it? They act as if everything were already decided. The Sekvens unite us, saying that love exists, and so far they’ve never been wrong. If they call us partners, we will stay together forever.”

  Tariel smiled.