"CP 1765, September 17. 65 days have passed since landing. Local time: AD 2016, October 21."
"The differences in physiology inevitably lead to comprehensive societal variations, a fact beyond dispute. Yet if you ask me where I feel this most profoundly, it is difficult to answer. On this planet, many differences are so subtle that I struggle to pinpoint the most significant one."
"But if we narrow the focus to a specific timeframe, the question becomes much easier to answer. Normally, I would say facial expressions, but when it comes to feeding eating, the differences in ingredients are so stark compared to aspects like cutlery or etiquette. Omnivores... absolutely no problem. Theoretically, any species, regardless of diet, has a nearly equal chance of developing civilisation. If we're being strict, omnivores might even have a slight edge — agriculture provides such immense support to early civilisations. Herbivores, on the other hand, seem to have fewer reasons to evolve larger brains."
"By the way, do other habitable planets have plants? Or should we extend our classification of plants and animals to other worlds? Thankfully, our current definitions still hold here..."
"Those novelists and filmmakers writing about alien civilisations seriously lack imagination in these areas. The advantages of the appearance and colour diversity of plant-based food are taken to extremes here — think vibrant platters and a dazzling array of juices... Unsurprisingly, no matter how appealing they look, I still have zero appetite for them. But curiosity got the better of me, and I tried the orange plant juice — "
"It was truly awful, like a putrid solution infested with parasites. I certainly hadn't drunk such a thing before, but that's the impression it gave me. Those 'parasites' were likely fragments of fruit. Setting aside the repulsive aspects, it tasted somewhat sweet. I can understand why they were enjoying it, but I know I never will — nor can I ever comprehend their sense of taste…"
"On the other hand, preparations are complete to drive out that monstrous creature known as a 'silver fox'. I suppose I should be curious about how it evolved such an appearance, but right now I just want to find a way to banish it from my living space! Faking allergies isn't easy. Thankfully, I know a bit about toxicology..."
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
***
Ever since buying this silver fox, Min has become somewhat obsessed with petting it, unable to help himself. These silver foxes, bred through generations of selective breeding, have a significant advantage over wild foxes — they genuinely enjoy being stroked. Their fur is so incredibly soft that Min simply can't resist the temptation.
'Maybe that's why fox pelts used to be so expensive — they do feel genuinely luxurious.'
Min is surprised that, after the initial hours of obvious resistance and even fear, Xi P has grown considerably in his acceptance of the silver fox. Although he still acts indifferent, he complies without objection when Min asks him to help care for the fox during working hours.
However, while he does tend to the fox, it seems purely out of deference to Min. Xi P shows absolutely no inclination to be intimate with the silver fox.
'After all, it's not a real furry…'
As for the silver fox's reaction to Xi P? It proves far more intriguing than Min had initially imagined. When it sees Xi P without his sunglasses, the fox follows him closely and stares intently at him for nearly ten minutes. Min couldn't read the fox's thoughts from its expression, but it must have been quite amusing. Had it not realised Xi P's complete disinterest, it might have stared for even longer.
So far, the whole situation is going rather well.
***
"What's with the outfit?" Min asks, eyes twitching involuntarily.
Min wakes up today to find Xi P wearing that hazmat-like hood. Clad in this contraption, he looks more alien than ever. The sight stirs up some unpleasant memories for Min...
But this time, Xi P doesn't do anything. He just pulls out a dictionary, flips it open, and points to a word under the letter A: "allergy".
Before Min can respond, Xi P points again, this time at the silver fox lying in the corner of the room. The implication is now crystal clear — Xi P is saying he's allergic to that silver fox!
Min gives Xi P a scrutinising look, his expression thoroughly bewildered. This is quite amusing — a fox-like being allergic to foxes? Having encountered countless creatures and chemicals on Earth without reacting, he's allergic to something that looks so much like himself?
But from a scientific standpoint, it's not entirely implausible. Allergies are unpredictable by their very nature, not to mention the question of whether Xi P's reaction is the same as human allergies. Indeed, discovering a new allergen suddenly isn't impossible — this one is just exceptionally odd.
Given Xi P's initial intense aversion to the silver fox, Min grows even more suspicious that he's faking it. Perhaps he's fabricating this "allergy" to get rid of the fox.
"Seriously?" Min asks, pressing his right hand to his forehead.
Seeing this, Xi P beckons Min with a finger, motioning for him to follow.
'Wonder where he picked up that gesture…' Min thinks.
They quickly reach the area behind the house. After confirming no one is around, Xi P removes the hood of his hazmat suit.
"Holy crap…"
