(Oof. This bout to be weird AF)

We captured it on a weird planet. Now we were toting the poor creature back to earth for study. It's a real shame. This is our first encounter with an alien life form and what do we do? Trap it and force it back with us to earth with no knowledge about it.

It was difficult to subdue. It's speed alone was incredible. It's talons could rip though almost anything. The steel plating on the walls were keeping it contained but some days I wonder if it really wanted could it escape.

When we first pursued it, all we knew was it was some form of avian. Imagine our surprise when we found it was more human in form than we imagined. We started to study it once it was secured on board.

It was 2 weeks into our journey home we realised not only was this thing human like but also intelligent. It could tell feeding times and complain when we were late. It vocalized in harsh chirps and peeps for the most part. We doubt it's ability for human speech. The language much too complicated for it.

2 months later our horror started when it spoke.

"You skipped my meal assholes" it shouted obviously displeased.

Though it was 2 days ago I met it and changed my journey...

I quickly gathered the rations. I was put on duty since the person who usually did it was sick and we feared contamination killing the thing.

Since the ship was so short staffed I was used to picking up a few shifts here and there but I was hardly one in the science teams space. I was already running late trying to find the grounds.

Though that was just the first mistake. Feeding was late, and so was the guard to the feeding grounds. Usually a big door keeps the creature in its area of the grounds so we can stock the food safely.

I hurried trying to set down the food as it should be. I double check trying to make sure i didn't forget anything. It's got its meat and such. This things diet is startlingly human as well.

"Finally" a voice spoke from behind me.

I shuttered suddenly panicked. When I turned I finally saw the beast. It looked like a man with sun kissed skin. His blonde hair surprisingly short and tame. What made him so different was the large red wings that extended from his back and clawed hands.

He seemed to also take notice of me and curiously approached, "One of the humans? Odd, usually they seal off before letting one of you in?"

My voice caught in my throat. Fuck. Is he going to kill me?? As he got closer i noticed his eyes pin slits while he examined me.

"You're a female right? You are perhaps the smallest I've seen. Usually, they are much larger than males in other species" he circled me

I nod, maybe if I don't move he won't see me as a threat.

"No need to be so scared. Do you speak? Or perhaps not all of you share the same language?"

"How do you speak English?" I speak up

"Your language isn't that complex. I picked it up fairly quickly. Some words I stumble with" he smiled standing before me, "Mind if I touch? I am just... what's the word. Interested?"

"Go ahead?"

He gently took my hand looking curiously at my fingernails, "What do you eat? Do you perhaps use these to dig?"

"Uh, no. They are just my hands. Use them to make tools I guess?" I shrug

"Amazing. You are so simple. It's adorable" his hand trailed up my arm pulling me further towards him.

I quickly pull out of his grasp. Though not the smartest move I can't help but reel from the sharp clawed hands and seeing his sharp canines.

He frowned but seemed to understand, "You're uncomfortable? I promise your privacy. I simply am just interested"

"My privacy?" I question.

"Yes, I took down all the cameras in the area. No point in them" he sat on the ground grabbing some of the food that I layed out on the mat.

Now that I see him I have more questions. I thought he was similar to a bear or something. Feeding a lifeforms on a mat seemed justified but now seeing what looked like a man with wings and claws it felt degrading.

I had heard of the cameras though. Last week all the cameras went dead. But last week we were still under the impression he Couldn't understand words? He couldn't string together sentences. Although he spoke we figured it a fluke. Good to know it wasn't though.

"How can you speak?" I mumble

He shook his head as if it was a dumb question, "From listening to all of you"

"All of us?" I raise a brow

"Of course. The vents here are perfect for it" he shrugged grabbing another handful of fruit.

My head is swirling! I nod and try to awkwardly excuse myself as he just waved me off enjoying his meal. I left the containment room before releasing the breath I didn't know I was holding.

That thing isn't human...

"You survived the meeting" the commander looked confused

"Yes sir" I shrug

He hummed intrigued but finally nodded, "Then it's determined. I want you in the handlers team"

"Sir I just work-"

"Did i stutter? You will work with the subject from now on. None of the scientists have been able to make contact with it as of yet"

I huff but find myself glaring up at one of the vents in the room. Did he do this? Is he the reason my duties are changing?

Now I find myself back in his cell with a plate of food.

"Perfect. So what is earth like?" He shrugged

"Enough questions about me. What about you? Why didn't you resist more in capture?"

He looked surprised by that, "To be honest you were a surprise. That planet wasn't even mine. I just traveled there to study the planet myself"

So many questions, one at a time though, "How can you listen in the vents?"

"My feathers" he shrugged. I looked confused before I watched a feather detach and float to me, "They are teleconetic or whatever your word is for it. I can hear and feel through them. They are planted all around the ship. So I can listen"

"Really?" I stare curiously

"Oh yeah. Jean had a crush on Yuno but Yuno LOVES Milo. It's been my own little show. I'm pretty sure Eugene has a porn addiction while his girlfriend is cheating on him with the navigator"

"Juan??"

"Yeah. But I'm pretty sure he's two timing on them with the engineer. I think his name was Vasquez?"

I blink trying to process. He knows more people on the ship than i do.

"Anyway. By the way. I appreciate you keeping quiet about my speech. Pretty sure that surgeon, Riley? Wants to dissect me. But as long as I remain not a threat they won't let him" he finished his meal

"Wait wait. That reminds me. What is your name?"

"Mine? Well it's keigo oddly enough. Isn't that removed from your culture" he shrugged

"Your culture, is it like ours?"

"In a lot of ways yes but... that reminds me. I'll need extra food for the next 2 weeks"

"What for?"

"My species has a 2 week celebration. We eat more during this time in our...year cycles? I don't know if your language has a word for it. Its like a holiday. Maybe spring break would be an accurate term"

"I can't give more food just for a holiday"

"Its health related, I need more calcium in my diet in order to cycle"

I nod slowly, "I can see what I can do but I make no promises"

"Well I appreciate it"

"Then answer some more of my questions, tell me about your world, your society"

"No no no, I've answered like, 3 of your questions. Now, I've been trying to figure this out. You keep these plants on your ship, what is the purpose?"

"Need it for oxyg-"

"No no I get that. I mean why have them in special little jars?"

"Oh...uh...I guess they are like decor?"

"Of living things??"

"Or like pets?"

"Pets, those are creatures you Stockholm?"

"How the hell do you know the word Stockholm if you're learning the language by picking up from us?"

"Chel is really into some odd fanfic" he shrugged

"Well...I guess you're not wrong"

"Humans are twisted"

"Ok you asked a bunch of questions, my turn. What weird things does your planet do, huh?"

"I don't know. Weird is based on what is normal on your planet" he scoffed.

Well he's not wrong.

"Best I can offer is we raise and eat other creatures. But nothing we eat are very...intelligent" he shrugged

"We do the same with livestock" I shrug

"Well I can't tell you then"

My watch beeped telling me it was time to leave. I gave a quick goodbye before I left.

This became regular. Chat until the beeping. On the daily. I'd learn about his race and culture. Some of the planets he's studied. I also was able to get him an increase in portions.

Today when I came in something was different though. One of the room lights had been torn from its fixture. There was just the one light hovering above the spot I place the food.

"Keigo?" I look around setting his food in the usual spot, "What... happened?"

I jumped when he came out of the shadows looking as usual, "This room is too cold. It's nearly my cycle yet nothing seems right"

"Oh well uh. I don't really know what to tell you. I was only able to slightly increase your portions. I really am not in a position to do much" I shrug

He hummed before clicking his tongue, "Looks like I'll need to think of other options then"

"What is this cycle?"

"Its...I guess similar to your human cycles. They happen once every... that's 30...and that's...about 6 months?"

"Aren't you the male for your species?"

"Well yes, though we produce both if you know what I mean. Females are simply...the incubators I guess. During these times we can pass our need to mate when conditions are met. If we have proper food, heat, humidity, And general living conditions the need for the process isn't there so it's almost like a veto. My body would simply not create"

"And if they aren't met?"

"Currently they aren't and that puts pressure on my body demanding I produce. Though without an incubator it's a useless process"

"Have you ever gone though it before?"

He flushed at that, "A very bold question"

I flush realizing what I just asked

He cleared his throat, "I have but haven't. I've gone through it without a female. I've never actually mated anyone"

"I see" I sigh in relief when my watch saves me from this awkward conversation, "I'll see you tomorrow"

He hummed, "Yeah...see you then"

It was eerie leaving. The single light on the table of food that he now sat at as he locked eyes with me. I don't think I've ever shut that door faster than that moment.