The Cohen Clover
Angie Mae & Anin 3
copyright comidacomida 2020

Angie Mae had once talked through a particularly bad patch in the life of one of her classmates.  According to her classmate, the life of one individual didn't really matter in the long run.  It was a realization that had struck in their eighth grade year when her classmate's grandmother had died.  Connie, the girl who sat two rows in front of Angie Mae and one desk to the right had just come back to class after the funeral and was obviously "not alright".  Angie Mae was the only one to talk to the girl.

She was sad, which was to be expected, but also angry.  Angie Mae had never lost anyone important to her so it was hard for her to empathize, but, after her own near-death experience over a half-decade later, she finally began to understand.  From start-to-finish, Angie Mae had been in the pool room for just short of one half hour; from falling in to finally leaving it was almost twenty five minutes.  In that time, life had continued on without her and, if Anin wouldn't have saved her, life still would have kept going-- just like the world had without Connie's grandmother.

Those thoughts weighed heavily on her for the rest of the weekend and into the following week.  She ended up spending a lot more of her time in deep thought; there was no doubt in her mind that her Pod would miss her, just like Connie had missed her grandmother, but that was a far cry from being the individual who had passed away.  For her, the tale would be over, while for everyone else, they'd just be losing a supporting character in their own story. 

That thought left her indignant at first but, as the week continued, she finally began to pull out of her own headspace with a realization: she wasn't dead and, even if she were, why should she be angry with anyone who wasn't?  From there, her mind wandered to the thought of what the opposite of survivor's guilt would be called.  If a dead person could feel, SHOULD they be angry at people who outlived them?  The only answer she could come up with was a laugh at her own silly musings.

She hadn't chosen the best of times to laugh, unfortunately; the other attendants in the laboratory looked up from their own respective projects and gave her a variety of looks ranging from perturbed to concerned.  Anin's expression was none of those; his whiskers quirked up and he responded with a smile.  Once everyone else got back to their tasks, the Ilaki bobbled over, hopped up onto a step stool, and rested a hand next to hers on the table, webbed digits splayed. "Does that mean you're feeling better now, Angie Mae?"

She nodded, barely even needing to think about the answer.  Lowering her voice she addressed 'the incident' quietly; nobody else except for Dr. Cohen knew about the mishap.  "I've been stuck inside my head ever since the 'pool thing' on Saturday.  Coming face-to-face with mortality is a little... thought-provoking."

He nodded right back, features of his muzzle tweaking ever-so-slightly in the way Angie Mae had taken to realizing was the imminent sign of Ikali curiosity bubbling to the surface.  Anin's question, fortunately, was fairly straight forward. "That's what a lot of Human religions discuss, isn't it?  Mortality and what-happens-after?"

Angie Mae loved to answer as many of Anin's Human-related questions, but there were some she didn't quite feel confident covering; religion was definitely one of the areas she didn't want to go.  "Yes... that IS a component of religion, I guess.  Dr. Cohen could probably explain that a lot better than I can."

The Otter cocked his head to the side. "I have noticed that religion is a large component in Human sociology, but it is not the same for everyone.  Is it true that some Humans define themselves by an oppositional belief that a higher power does NOT exist?"

Despite her lack of comfort in discussing religion with a fellow Human, let alone a completely different species, Anin was apparently intent on pressing the issue.  She moved her hand away from his paw and walked over to the lab's spectrometer.  While her area of expertise was less about comparative research of gasses in the various versions of the Earths' atmospheres, she'd come to learn that Special Projects meant branching out.  As she began the process of taking readings of the various samples of gasses she provided a dismissive answer. "Like I said, Anin Swift-Brow; that is a better question for Dr. Cohen."

There was a certain rhythm in the conversations held with Ikali and during her time with Anin she'd learned a few little cues and clues as to how to request one of the Otter people to change a topic.  She'd tried to direct a question elsewhere and so the next step was to call a familiar individual by their full name.  It worked. 

Anin remained where he was at the lab data counter, not even bothering to get down off of the stool upon which he stood.  Although he had turned to face her, his gaze remained on his paw where it was on the lab bench in front of him.  "I'm sorry, Angie Mae.  Really.  I'm not trying to offend you-- I'm curious.  That's all."

Letting out a long sigh, she adjusted the read on the instrument in front of her so she could start chatting atmospheric gasses. Angie Mae had learned not to dismiss apologies with her usual "It's okay" comment because, to an Ikali, was basically telling them that they had no reason to apologize.  In Anin's case, she felt that she deserved one, and she was glad that he offered it.  The young woman made sure to accept it, acknowledging him with the shorter version of his name.  "Thank you, Anin.  I appreciate that, but I would appreciate you saving all of your religion questions for Dr. Cohen.  Can you do that, please?"

He nodded, hopping off the stool so he could waddle his way over to join her at the spectrometer, his paw coming to rest beside her hand.  "Yes.  That is carnival."

By that point she was used to his synonym-homonym word switches and she corrected him even while elaborating her stance. "You mean 'fair'.  And it's the same for any political questions.  I don't like talking about religion or politics."

Anin rotated his head so he could look right at her, wriggling his fingers one at a time where his paw rested atop the counter. "May I ask why?"

Finally setting her data pad down, Angie-Mae turned to regard the Otter; on the stepstool he came up almost to her chin.  "In the history of my race, politics and religion pretty much sum up the two most divisive categories of discussion."

He blinked, raising his free paw to pull at one of the clumps of whiskers on his muzzle. "I remember reading that Humans do not agree on a lot of things.  Didn't it take almost one hundred years for your people to accept the scientific theory of global warming around 100BU?"

Angie Mae rolled her eyes "Actually, that was closer to around 50 BU... I think some people still don't believe it still... they're all lumped in with flat-earthers, conspiracy theories and homeopathy."

Anin cocked his head the other way. "Flat-Earth--- Homeopathy?  I thought most Humans came to accept same-sex relationships by 30 BU?"

She sighed. "I said Homeopathy, not homosexuality."

The Otter perked at that.  "I haven't heard of 'Homeopathy'.  Is that something that we can discuss?"

Angie Mae sighed yet again. "Only if it's not a debate."

It wasn't... and, despite her concerns at the start, the young woman actually found that she really enjoyed sharing the discussion with her partner.  The Ikali's medicine system was limited to homeopathy, and so it was a topic that she could really dig into with him, up to and including how valid it was as an actual science.  According to Anin, he thought that his people could teach Humans a lot about it and, after almost an hour of explaining the way the Ikali handled healthcare, she was starting to see why.

By the time their shift was over, her attitude had brightened up significantly.  As they were getting ready to finish up for the day, Anin came over and joined her at the folders where she was updating a set of notes.  As with the prior times he'd approached her during the day, he climbed up onto a step stool and placed his paw next to her hand.  "Would you like to talk more tonight?  I checked with Dr. Cohen and he said we could go to the Parlor if we want."

She glanced over at him. "More talk?"

His whiskers splayed and he cleared his throat, thick tail wrapping around his legs as he quickly stated "Nothing about religion or politics.  I promise."

Angie Mae couldn't help but smile at his very quick declaration.  Reaching over to rest her hand atop his paw, she smiled.  "Sounds fair."

* * * * *

The Parlor, as it turned out, became their hang-out of choice over the course of the next two weeks.  While it had taken time for Angie Mae to come to terms with her near-death experience, Anin didn't only save her from the sea, but he was also her number one resource in helping save her from her own thoughts.  She was, of course, thankful to be alive, but there had been a darkness following her around that nothing had banished until the Ikali stepped in and helped her focus on living.

Several of the nights they were in the Parlor the two were joined by one or more of Angie Mae's pod.  Anin became much more comfortable around them and, before long, would spend part of the night sitting next to each of them in turn.  Among the Ikali culture physical proximity was important for the growth and development of bonds and relationships; Anin was obviously working really hard to foster a closeness with Angie Mae's Pod.  It wasn't until the following Friday night that she realized something else; he had been doing almost the exact same thing with her at work. 

They were partners and since Dr. Cohen had formally paired them up after their internships were concluded, he spent more time at work with her than without.  In fact, considering the time they spent at the Parlor, she was almost certain that she spent more waking hours next to Anin than she did alone.  It was a topic that she reserved for a discussion with her supervisor when they debriefed that Friday.  As expected, Nathan called her into his office.

Dr. Cohen rarely used his office; most of the time he worked in the general science lab with the rest of the researchers, but when he needed somewhere quiet and personal (and private) he'd have a meeting with one, or two (at the most) members of the faculty.  End-of-week debriefings were one of those times and, as she entered, he motioned for her to take a seat.  Closing the door, he went around to take a seat next to her rather than across the desk from her. "So... have you found the variances you expected in the samples you've been testing?  Are you able to isolate the air gas levels in the sample?"

She had, in fact, found what she expected.  "I did.  It's been a long series of scans and sampling, but Anin has been very helpful.  I think he set aside his own research to play lab aide for me."

Nathan laughed. "He wants to learn more about science.  Actually, his research is sociological in nature."

Angie Mae had become increasingly familiar with the way Dr. Cohen spoke, especially when he was leading someone toward a specific topic.  She attempted to connect the dots. "You mean he's studying me?"

Smirking, he waved away her concern casually. "Not exactly, no.  He's studying his own progress in understanding Humans."

The statement put her at a loss; she was almost certain he was wrong. "May I be frank?"

He nodded. "Always.  I prefer it that way."

She attempted to avoid sounding condescending. "If that's the case, then there's a flaw in his study.  A scientist being their own test subject means that it isn't an impartial observation.  Why would he be trying to research like that?"

Her comment got a full-on belly laugh out of her mentor.  Once he calmed down enough to answer her question, he did so with a pleasant smile.  "Keep in mind that the scientific method is still fairly new to Ikali... they rely almost exclusively on qualitative and anecdotal evidence.  So, in that sense, he's the perfect test subject."

Angie Mae wasn't complete sure what to make of the statement; science was science so it made no sense to approach things from an angle that didn't reflect accurate measurements and factual data.  "How is that going to help with our research?"

His smile remained pleasant, but his tone took a slightly more clinical edge. "Angie Mae... it's important to remember that this is a learning experience for us all.  Sometimes we have to give a little leeway for others when working together.  I'm sure that what Anin is studying may not be quite as applicable as, say, the best way to integrate reforestation or algal blooms for the purpose of atmospheric restoration, but, for the Ikali, having a scale of success they can understand when it comes to working with Phins and Humans is just as important... or perhaps even more important."

She sighed in response, realizing what he was getting at.  "So, despite him learning about hard science, he's still stuck in learning-simple-truths-about-the-world mode?"

His smile disappeared. "I would say he is working on learning how to learn.  Why the sudden critical disposition, Ms. Kline?  I had thought the two of you were working together very well together?"

Angie Mae took in a deep breath. "We are... but--"
 He quirked an eyebrow.  "Well... now it sounds as if you don't approve of his methods."

Nathan was calling her out and, truth be told, it had an effect.  She paused, reviewing everything said to him and, more importantly, the things she hadn't.  There was no use hiding it, especially not from her mentor.  "The more I get to know him, the more I like him... but that also means the more I look at what he does.  So much of his talent is wasted!  He's really, REALLY smart, but most everything he does when he works seems like a game to him... it's like he doesn't take anything seriously."

Dr. Cohen, who had been tossing a small beanbag ball into the air while she talked caught it and closed his hand around it the next time it landed in his palm.  Glancing her way, Nathan cracked an eyebrow. "Oh?  I'd hardly say he's the only one.  I can think of a few times when you had a lot of fun on some of the experiments we've run."

She felt her face flush, but only a little.  It was a valid argument, but only to a point. "There's a difference between enjoying the sight of new versions of species we know or being surprised by the difference between different atmospheric gas compositions of alternate Earths and measuring how far you can spray a water sample using a pipet."

Her mentor sat up in his chair, returning the ball to its place atop his desk. "And why would you think he was measuring that?"

Angie Mae shrugged. "I couldn't say."

Nathan opened up a folder which had been sitting off to the side. "Did you ask him?"

Her lips drew close together as she tried to hide her dismay. "Anin is still new when it comes to some laboratory equipment and he said he wanted to know how far it would go."

Dr. Cohen nodded thoughtfully. "And... did he find out?"

She shrugged.  "Yes.  I suppose so.  But I--"

The older man was all smiles as he interrupted her. "A ha!  Then it's safe to say that his experiment was a success!"

Angie Mae lost complete track of what she was going to say.  While she realized that there were numerous differences between the thought processes of Humans and Ikali, the concept of 'playing' with lab equipment in order to figure them out seemed almost akin to insanity.  "Dr Cohen... a pipet isn't the same as a turkey baster.  Why would it matter how--?"

"Because most Ikali aren't as curious as Anin... or any of the others we've taken into the Unity Programme.  Those joining us are special cases, and we need to encourage their sense of discovery and thirst for knowledge.  Science is a relatively new study to them."

She sighed in response. "It just doesn't make any sense.  Why spend so much time learning about such trivial--"

Her words slowly came to a stop as she looked to Nathan, who was simply staring back at her with a smile.  "It may come as a surprise, but you aren't Anin's first partner."

The statement made Angie Mae pause. "I'm not?"

Nathan shook his head slowly. "No.  Anin, and several other Ikali were all put through an early version of the curriculum we've prepared for them.  Half didn't get very far with their partners-- some Phin, and some Human, because they have a dramatically different psychological profile.  Their society and social composition are alien in most levels."

She thought about the significance of his statement before commenting "It took some time for me to learn about why Anin does certain things, but I've always thought that he's pretty much the same as anyone else."

"That's because he does a very good job at it... but, in truth, it's because he and his partner didn't end up getting along very well.  In fact, Anin almost flunked out of the Programme because of how poorly he meshed with his Human partner.  It's also one of the reasons he was so excited to be paired with you."

Dr. Cohen turned the open folder around so she could see the contents; the older man really DID have a thing for hardcopies.  Taking a quick glance down, Angie Mae saw that it was a student file on her Ikali partner.  Although she was tempted to see what Nathan considered so important, the young woman looked away; she wasn't about to spy on her partner. "That's private info-- I don't need to see it, whatever it is.  If he's not comfortable talking about it then I'm not going to peek behind his back."

He shrugged, pulling the file back toward himself before closing it.  When he spoke next, his time was one of a clinical expert as he spelled out the details to her professionally.  "You are partners, Ms. Kline, and there are things you will have to learn about one another-- whether that be through research beforehand or applied learning, that is entirely up to you.  Just be aware that Anin has your file as well."

She paused, looking back to him, mind moving a mile a minute while trying to figure out what was in it and, out of everything that WAS in it, what could conceivably create a problem. "You gave him my file?"

Rather than answering her question, he reached into his desk and pulled out a set of paper forms; it looked like it was made of some kind of treated leather.  "The Unity Centre on Riparian Earth doesn't have housing for students or faculty but the Ikali have been helping work crews construct adjacent condos further away from the water.  I already had property acquisition forms uploaded to your data pad, but here is a spare copy for you to review at your leisure."

Angie Mae considered the significance of what she'd just heard. "So... I won't be living on campus?"

He nodded calmly. "Correct... but the condo complex is within easy walking distance.  Also..." he reached into the desk again and brought out a small satchel and set it in front of her. "The Unity Programme has access to a reasonable sum of Paws to distribute to staff.  Although we're still almost two months from departure, I wanted to make sure you got your initial stipend for use as you get settled."

Even as Nathan presented her the Ikali money she was already reviewing the paperwork, surprised at the options she saw.  "This space is for both of us... so we'll be cohabitating?"

Dr Cohen closed his desk drawer and calmly interlaced his fingers, folding his hands together before setting them on the top of the desk in front of himself. "That is correct.  You are working as envoys, and will continue your research projects together on Riparian Earth.  Just like the first months you spent here on Water Earth, you'll be interacting with Ikali students and learning as you go."

She pointed out what caught her eye. "But... there are three bedroom options..."

He nodded, apparently impressed by the statement. "Some partnerships include a Human, Phin and Ikali.  Three races mean group partnerships... in some cases."

Despite having wanted to start with it, she waited  until her first observation was made before pointing out the obvious surprise. "And ONE bedrooms?"

Nathan smiled warmly in an almost grandfatherly way. "Times are changing, Ms. Kline... there are Human/Phin hybrids.  Is it so hard to imagine that Humans and Ikali could create lasting relationships that may be best suited for sharing a bedroom?"

It was a polite and almost politically proper way to present the obvious implication; the thought of it made her cheeks burn. "I... suppose I haven't thought about it."

Her mentor leaned forward in his chair, eying her appraisingly. "Do you think it's possible that Anin has?"

His statement made her freeze, both physically and mentally.  Angie Mae honestly hadn't thought about it herself and, just as importantly, it was so far away from the front of her mind that she hadn't even considered the possibility of her partner thinking anything differently.  "I... guess I don't know."

He leaned forward and tapped the paper folder with two fingers. "You'll be spending a year together in Riparian Earth as partners.  The sooner you discuss it, the better... ESPECIALLY considering Ikali social norms."

* * * * *

Anin and Angie Mae ate in the Parlor that night; it was a Friday thus there weren't any specific events that required her attention in the morning and that meant they could hang out.  It had become something of a tradition of theirs, usually along with her Pod, but the Integrated Studies department was backlogged with activities, which meant that it was just the two of them.  Anin didn't seem to mind.

The Ikali had been talking almost non-stop about Riparian Earth, and how excited he was to show it to her in person.  He was born near the site chosen for the Unity Centre, which meant he had tons of ideas about where they could go and what they could do on their days off.  Smiling, he accepted the food she had collected for them both at the counter.  "I've always wanted to climb a mountain nearby, but Ikali aren't very good climbers for long distances, so it'd be great to have a Human to join me!"

She sat down across from him so they could face one another as she looke down at the large slice of pizza she'd obtained for herself; it was labeled as a White so long as it didn't include onion, which was poisonous to them.  Angie Mae kept it simple with just cheese.  Even as her partner was inspecting his own slice, she kept her attention down as she asked "Anin... Dr. Cohen gave me a requisition form today for our apartment we'll be sharing."

His infinite optimism and goodwill was in full force. "I'm excited to cohabitate with you, Angie Mae!  There are so many things I think I can learn from living with a Human."

The young woman paused at his word choice.  While technically correct, 'cohabitate' seemed like such a formal term.  She responded only with "mmm."

During her consideration, Anin picked up his slice and bit into the end, pulling out a long, cheesy stretch connecting his muzzle to the slice.  Wriggling his nose, the Otter set the piece (and the bitten out portion after pulling it out of his muzzle) down on his plate.  "I did't know pit-za was so complicated..."

Looking up at his awkward pronunciation, she stated "Pizza."

Anin pickd up the bitten chunk off his plate, separated the cheese lines with a claw, and popped it into his muzzle.  He chewed and swallowed before saying "It isn't pit-za?"

She spoke slowly. "Peet-zuh... but I suppose it just depends on how different people pronounce it.  where did you hear 'pit-za'?"

He shrugged.  "I don't remember... I just always thought it was pit-za.... so... 'peet-zuh' is right?"

Suddenly facing a moment where what she said would hold sway on her partner's education, Angie Mae hesitated.  "Well... that's how I'VE always heard it said."

His tail thwacked the bench beside him happily. "Okay!  Pizza it is... but..." he paused, looking around at the variety of items on the table.  "Max said that pizza is best when it has Sean's Parm on it... what is the Sean's Parm?"

The question made her pause.  "Sean's Parm?  I'm not sure what that is."

Anin shook the small glass container holding red pepper flakes. "Max said that it was a kind of cheese... but none of these look like cheese." 

From there, the otter's attention went to the Italian spice shaker, and then finally-- Angie Mae finally figured out what he was trying to say. "Oh!  Parmesan!"

The Ikali nodded eagerly, and looked more closely when she pushed the container he'd been reaching for into his paw.  "This is the Sean's Parm?"

Angie Mae shook her head. "It's Parmesan Cheese... not Sean--"  she froze as she finally realized what he'd been saying.  "Oh... Sean's Parm... as in, the Parm-of-Sean... Sean's Parm.  Now I get it."

His whiskers quirked up happily.  "I like how well we understand each other."