The heavy downpour of last night has lightened to a light sprinkle. Spores washed out from the air and down from the countless fungi around makes a film on top of the puddles. Gales push with some aggression compared to yesterday. Clouds choke the skies, turning the once vibrant lavendar sky to a dreary blend of whites and greys that obscures the two brother suns. Softened light from the sky prevents the formation of shadows. The local fauna remain silent, preparing for the next storm.
"Leader, leader, follow the leader. Leader, leader, follow the leader," repeatedly chants a chain of whelps close behind Ycthuthrheth. Right behind Ycthuthrheth is Zuri, followed by Itztli, then Colgate, Kunzite, Ore, Socks, Eary, Deary, Weary, and finally Antumbra. Watching behind the chain from behind are Tara, Ivy, and Kitty, making sure that none of the whelps try to dodge the lessons.
Once at a door, Ycthuthrheth knocks and peek in. "Citria, Xochcatl, Cattleya, is everything ready?"
Simultaneously, Xochcatl nods, Citria gives a simple "Yes," and Cattleya gives a more enthusiasic "Let 'em in."
Ycthuthrheth gestures to the chain of whelps to go into the room.
"Alright take a seat, and we will check who is present."
Zuri chooses a seat front and center. Their sight and hearing is completely fine, but the adults have to be able to see what they're gesturing. Itztli chooses the seat to their right. Colgate, Kunzite and Ore choose the back seats. Eary, Deary, Weary and Socks choose the middle ones. Being the last one in the line, Antumbra takes the final open seat next to Zuri.
Once Citria, Xochcatl, and Cattleya have made sure that all whelps are present, they look to Ycthuthrheth, Tara, Ivy, and Kitty right outside the door. Xochcatl gives a thumbs up. Cattleya says, "They are all here." Citria thanks them, "Thank you for your help."
"I should be the one thanking you!" replies Ycthuthrheth.
Kitty nods, "Not a problem."
"Glad to help!" chirps Ivy.
Tara says a simple and short "You're welcome."
And just as quickly, the four close the door and walk off to do their own tasks.
Xochcatl shifts her focus to the whelps. "Important people are coming over. Behave well."
Citria chimes in, "Our guests are of species different than us. They will come here to see our way of life, but we need to make them feel welcome as well."
"For some examples of what not to do..." Cattleya adds, "Unlike us, our guests walk on two legs. They will look very different from us. Do not stare at them. That is rude. Do not ask them to fight either. That is generally rude."
Citria and Xochcatl look at Cattleya. If anyone is going to try to start a fight with the guest, it's Cattleya.
Eary, Deary, Weary and Socks chat among themselves and Zuri raises their hand.
Citria looks to the chatting whelps. "Eary, Deary, Weary, Socks, if you have any questions, please raise your hands and stay silent until called."
The chatty whelps go silent.
Xochcatl looks at Zuri. "Yes, Zuri?"
Zuri starts gesturing, and their rowmates, Itztli and Antumbra try to interpret.
Antumbra squnits, unconfident in his interpretation. "Two legs... do... how?"
Itztli offers his interpretation, "How do they do anything with just two limbs?"
Zuri nods and points at Itztli.
Kunzite, Ore, and Colgate begin whispering in the back row.
Citria looks to the back row. "Kunzite, Ore, Colgate, please wait until we've answered Zuri's question."
Cattleya answers the question. "They have four limbs, just like a lot of us here. It's just that they walk upright on their hind legs only and their fore limbs -" Cattleya lifts her right hand and points at it with her left, "- are a lot like tsabhua front limbs. Good for doing things, not good for walking."
Kunzite raises her hand and without waiting for approval, asks, "Are we allowed to play with them?"
Itztli, Antumbra, Eary, Deary, Weary, Socks, Ore, and Colgate create a cacophony of approval to the question. Zuri nods in agreement.
Once it quiets down, Xochcatl answers, "You're allowed."
The whelps cheer.
"But they will be here on official business," adds Citria. "So let them ask to join you, and let them join if they do."
And so the adults continued to lecture the whelps on the dos and don'ts around the guests, until the whelps seemed unable to focus anymore. Feeling that the lecture was sufficient, Citria, Xochcatl, and Cattleya released the whelps to enjoy the rest of their day.