One day an alien is going about its business through the ship, walking to deliver something or the like, and they here someone trying very desperately to say something in the alienās native language. Itās perhaps the most pained-sounding pronunciation the alien has ever heard, but itās the only one of its kind on the ship so itās kind of unsure what to do about this seemingly impossible situation other than follow the sound. And low and behold, it takes the alien to the crew quarters. Or rather, one in particularā the humanās, who the alien had done their best to avoid contact with on their (as of yet) short stay aboard the ship. But then the sound happens again, and whoa, that time it was actually close to something comprehensible. So the alien swallows itās fear and knocks.
To itās credit, the human seems just as surprised to see the alien as the alien is to be there. The human looks flushed, like it has just exerted a lot of energy, and for the first time it occurs to the alien that the human might just have kidnapped another member of its species and was in the middle of⦠dispatching it when the alien neared the area.
But looking in, the humanās room seemed normal save the strange earth device on the floorā the alien believed it was referred to as a laptopā with the screen displaying an unmistakably familiar alphabet.
āYou are trying to learn my language?ā The alien said with wide eyes.
The human looked back into the room sheepishly, rubbing the back of their neck (his? Her? The alien had not even bothered trying to confirm their orientation due to fear).
āYeah, no, I donāt think I could master that if I had all the time in the world. I just uh, was trying to figure out how to say your name.ā
The alien just stared. And stared.
āMy name is Steve,ā it said slowly.
Perhaps the human is confused. Many a alien took on an earthly name, as it was hard for humans to pronounce or even perceive many of their languages. Had the human not been informed of this?
āNo I know, itās just thatā I come from aā (sigh). I know what itās like to have to change your name for another personās benefit. It might be easier but it doesnāt feel good. Like youāre hiding away a bit of yourself. Iām uh, Iām trying to learn how to say everyoneās names in their own languages so they donāt have to keep that bit of themselves too themselves.ā
The alien was silent as it processed this information.
The human shifted from foot to foot, glancing back into its room.
āIām sorry if I have offended you orā.ā
āOh, well, thatās good then,ā the human said with a nervous chuckle. āBut uh, I gotta say bud, you seem pretty spooked.ā
Everyone is given a universal translator. It is regulation. It brings every species together with the universal ability to communicate, and yet this humanās misguided attempt at understanding seemed somehow⦠the alien didnāt know what to call it, but the feeling it caused was hard to name and came with a swelling in its chest and the strange need to protect.
The alienās species was not able to cry tears in the human sense. Though if they could, it was sure it would be doing so now.
āIām⦠okay with Steve,ā the alien said softly.
If taking a human name might bring me closer to such an incredible species, I shall take any human name I am granted.
āBut if you would like help on vowel pronunciation, it would be an honor to help.ā
The human smiled a lopsided smile. āHell of a way to put it, but yeah, I would definitely use the help. Come on in.ā