maskormenace | video;

[The face that appears on the video screen is most definitely not human. It's blue, for one, and has more antennae than humans tend to. On the plus side, the being whose face it is also happens to be more polite than most humans.]

Greetings, denizens of Earth. I recently arrived in this place and time, for...some reason.

[Because of mad scientists, probably. Though his greeters at least appeared sane.]

My name is Croach the Tracker. I am from G'loot Proktaw. [Added a moment later, to his chagrin:] Which you would designate Mars.

I have already spoken with multiple residents of this planet to learn more about this place and time. Although it is unlikely any of you have access to a time portal and I do not detect a spaceship powerful enough to take me home within this region, I would owe a great onus to anyone who could assist me should I be mistaken.

In return, I can offer my tracking skills. I also have a great deal of experience fighting robot outlaws should you have need in this area.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I shall look frequently to see if they do.

Checking it every morning, just to be sure? After a certain point, I think it can be assumed that it will remain.

You are correct, but I will undoubtedly see it coincidentally as well.

I'm sure you would.

Now, you've known humans before, but have you spent any extended time on the planet itself before?

No. This is the first time I have been here for more than a short time.

Well. You'll have your work cut out for you, then. I can't say how your own culture might compare, but I've had to go through it once before, myself.

Could be I can help.

Then I shall call upon you if I am in need of assistance.

And you plan to play it by ear until such a time should occur?

I do not possess ears, though I have multiple senses designated for hearing.

It's a turn of phrase. Coined by eared species, certainly, [ she runs a thumb against her lobe, but it looks more like a nervous tic than the illustrative gesture she intends. ] but it's meant to denote improvisation. Perhaps by responding to cues as you hear them, I would think.

This phrase lacks clarity, but I will take note. My onus to you for the explanation.

Idioms are rarely about clarity, true. They are more a substitutive mechanic, and sometimes the connection between the original meaning can be lost as the phrase evolves.

But then, that's really how language typically develops in general.

Human language, perhaps. The language of my tribe is always precise.

I wouldn't call it strictly theirs. My world spoke it long before it developed on their planet.

Did it? That is most curious.

Not as curious if you know the whole chronology. It's a long, complicated story, no need to bother you with it.

Then I will take you at your word.

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