To Lana's surprise, the dozen or so kids hugged and jumped around the older man as if he was their best friend, looking up at him with hopeful faces. He looked back with a sort of weary amusement, tussling hair and exchanging greetings with a few of the children he seemed to know well, as more and more thronged him until there were a few dozen.
It now became obvious why Aiden had brought that satchel with him, as he pulled it open and began distributing small items from inside; electronic devices, sugary foodstuffs, even small soft toys for the youngest boys and girls.
An old man, probably in his sixties or seventies but still energetic, with thinning white hair and wrinkled skin, had hurried ahead of the other adults to referee the chaotic swarm of kids. At his insistence each child who'd already received a present solemnly told the captain, “Thank you,” then retreated with their prize so others could have a turn.
The rest of the crew had stopped a short distance away, watching Aiden being greeted by the young colonists. “So heartwarming,” Belix said sourly.
Lana gave her a cautious look, taking in her contemptuous expression. “Your heart doesn't seem warmed. You disapprove?”
“Oh no, I think it's a fantastic idea. Find backwards colonies and give them a bunch of junk from our cargo bay, along with a few cheap holoprojectors and candy for the kids, and bam! Instant hero. You've got a safe place to stopover when the heat is on, with people who'd never think to betray you. Usually, because they're too simpleminded.”
Ali passed between them, carrying another couple satchels that likely had more presents. “You know, Belix,” she said calmly, although her tone was reproving, “attributing selfish or nefarious motives to others with no supporting evidence is generally a sign of psychological projection.”
Lana wasn't sure exactly what that meant, although from her understanding of the words it was probably an insult. But the Ishivi just laughed. “Oh absolutely, I must assume that's what he's doing because those would be my own motives.” She gave the adult companion an indulgent smile. “I just think it's cute you assume his are pure. There are fancy psychological terms for willful blindness when it comes to those we care about, too.”
Ali frowned. “Obviously incorrect, since if I was programmed to refuse to acknowledge his faults it would be detrimental to him and impede my ability to ensure his wellbeing. But nice try . . . I suppose it's comforting to assume everyone is as jaded as you.”
Belix did her best not to scowl. “It's usually a safe assumption.”
“I'd love to debate that with you sometime, although at the moment I'm curious as to why you decided that assumption was valid in Lana's case, and that she was a good confidant for your cynicism. Unless, of course, you were trying to indoctrinate her with your worldview while she remains largely a blank slate. In which case that would be detrimental to her wellbeing and I must ask you to stop.”
Now the Ishivi did scowl. “Is that your motivation, or does the Captain just not want me making friends out of spite? Will he be happy until he's seen to it I'm completely isolated from everyone on the ship?”
Ali opened her mouth to answer, but before she could Belix pointedly stalked back to the ship, leaving her with Lana and Dax. The adult companion gave them a helpless look. “That wasn't my intention at all,” she protested.
“You do prioritize appeasing him, to everyone else's detriment,” the young man replied, making it sound like a simple statement of fact. He started forward to join the captain, who was now chatting with the old man. Lana glanced apologetically at the beautiful woman, then followed.
The children looked at her with the wide-eyed fascination she'd expect when meeting someone they didn't know, although when she smiled at them most smiled back shyly. But to her surprise, the swarm of kids seemed almost as eager to see Dax as they had Aiden, doing their best to tackle him while he staggered around under the weight of three or four at a time. He endured it with the same blank stoicism he always showed, but the young colonists seemed to love their game.
Ali was greeted with equal enthusiasm, although that might've been because of the bags of presents she was carrying. She waded through the throng of children to join Aiden, then began helping him pass things out. To the adults as well, as they began joining the chaotic crowd.
In spite of her earlier trepidation about being around so many people, Lana found herself feeling left out; the younger kids seemed wary of her, and the adults equally so. She noticed a few young men around her age sneaking interested peeks at her when they thought she wasn't looking, and a few young women giving her cool glares, and began to feel self-conscious.
Did they already know she was a Blank Slate? If so, in spite of their interest no one approached.
To her relief, Aiden eventually noticed her standing off on her own and came to her rescue, leading the old man over to where she stood. “Lana, this is Jorroc Cardon, who pretty much serves as the governor here. At least as far as the colonists have need of governing. Jorroc, meet my new crew member Lana.”
Jorroc gave her a warm smile as he offered his hand, his grip firm but gentle. “Welcome to Callous, Lana, it's a pleasure to meet you. Thorne has told me a bit of your situation . . . I'm sorry for what's been done to you.”
“Thank you,” she said hesitantly.
Aiden held his elbow out towards her, then seemed embarrassed when she just looked at it blankly. “This is a somewhat antiquated courtesy known as “offering your arm”. If you want to take it,
