Arlow Tsai is a great guy (really). Around the time space aliens became known to the human race, Arlow was informed about something strange. Copies of him were appearing around the multiverse. When he found out that he was in line for huge inherit...
"3" enters the pocket universe with the other two elLans (the Wroug Three). The other lans leave, and the door closes.
They seat Arlow Tsai on a bed, wearing what looks like a child's nightclothes. She walks calmly over and greets Arl. Arl lifts his arm and does not look. He has probably been getting all kinds of inspections and injections.
She kneels and takes his hand with both of hers. He shudders, and then slowly smiles. Quickly, he hugs and cries happy tears on her shoulder.
Arlow Tsai has had no means to communicate with the Lan (not since the automated sterilization on Wroug). Just body language. But he now sees the three elLans that had been with him on Wroug. Tears fall on his clothes from "3", and the other come close by.
They will have only the hand signals that Arl described while he had a functional translation system. It starts with the two hands making a heart. They all enjoy that time with smiles.
This will be a publicly viewable space, but moveable curtains can afford times of privacy from the viewing window. With the current settings, a day outside will mean an elapsed time of over five years in the pocket universe. It is a time setting that allows for outside news to reach those inside without a waste of months or years.
"3" hugs Arl and makes an internal vow 'Arlow Tsai will not suffer like he has. We will be more diligent. For Arl, and for all like him in the universe. I will be better.'
The elLans will have to learn Arlow's language and then teach Arl how to speak Lan. It goes well for the first six months. They have a regular schedule, and the three elLans seem to make progress in understanding. Their vocal range makes it hard for him to follow sometimes. Without the translation device, he has time to consider lyrical nature of their voices and language.
Around six months things stall. Arl is not as devoted, sometimes just holding his hands above his head. The words are increasingly unknown, almost chaotic.
"3" finds Arl shivering in bed one morning and climbs in. After a while, they both start to shiver. Shiver for shiver. It attracts the attention of "1" and "2", who pull "3" away.
"3" says: "Arl is a creature of his planet, just like with the minerals. He needs a specific environment. His body needs a regular light cycle. We need to program these lights for light and dark periods."
They set up the lighting, and within a few days Arl is back to making sense. He asks about the Lan telepathy he experienced. "1" and "2" deny any such a thing would exist for the Lan (generally), certainly none of the three of them had that ability.
"3" stands off, not joining in the denials. With hands a bit away from her body and a gaze that is off towards the floor; Arl thinks it must be something "3" does not understand herself or does not want to explain.
When the year ends, the elLans make a ring of curtains. They plan to have a ritual of bonding. Removing all clothes, they hold hands (each one hand) in the center and circle. With changes to the hands positions every ten minutes, the dance lasts about a half hour.
They have enough understanding of Arl's language, that they repeat a quick version the dance while circling him. It is version meant to demonstrate the meanings to those that are young. Arl is quite happy, but also curious.
He does not have the words to ask about elves, but that dance was quite similar to writings and paintings.
"3" can offer some information. This plane supports only technology and not magic. Anything magical here would need to be self supporting. It focuses the Lan to engineering technology. On planes that have magic, our species is not called the Lan. In magical places, they are masters of a magic called 'erae' and devote themselves to 'erae lines' within their galaxy. They call themselves the 'Fae'.
"1" tries to add to the discussion but Arl is not sure about what is being said. Something about "fae" and an area of the belly where she sweeps her hand outward.
Arl has not lost the context. Fae! A human man taken away by the 'Fae'. He knows how that ends. Yet, being a copy would mean an end, anyway.
He curls up on their laps after they put their clothes back on.
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