@booksociety’s To the Stars event: Alienation (Starstruck #2) by S. E. Anderson
A car alighted beside me, and out stepped two birds, elegantly groomed and wearing silk shifts, with elaborate markings on their short beaks. Their legs were as long as I was tall, and spindly, making me wonder how they supported their body weight. The taller of the two gave me a shifty look.
“Macreneens don't like our eyes to linger.”
I jumped. I hadn't noticed Zander’s sudden appearance at my side.
“If we were on their home planet, they'd have you thrown out of the aviary for that transgression.”
My face flushed. “I wasn't trying to be rude.”
“It's okay. People are used to it here; it's such a melting pot. People often offend others without realizing it. They won't sweat the small stuff. They've learned to live with it. Purposeful culture insensitivity is a major offense, though. Anyway, come see!”
Before I could respond, he took my hand again, pulling me along toward the city.
