6

ZURI POV

The bright colors of the planet Kea don't seem to stop with their people or their rooms. The outside is just just as brightly colored. The trees, the grass, and every flower is just as bright and colorful as the Kea people themselves.

"Wow," Jia says as she looks around.

Xiu and I don't say anything but our heads are on a swivel just like her's.

"Kea is the most colorful planet known. Zalu, a fellow correspondent, said her human female said it looked like a rainforest dipped in pain," Baalee says as she stops walking and allows us time to look around.

I nod and smile at the analogy.

"That's a great way of describing it," I say quietly and Jia nods.

We begin to move again and Baalee leads us to a rather large looking building.

"The other humans should be here already," she says as she presses the button to open the door.

The door slides open almost immediately and I don't have to look very hard to spot the two small humans sitting with two female Keas. Baalee makes a beeline for them and as we approach I hear a bit of their conversation.

"The Peulos come from a watery planet and like to swim. They are blue or green in color. Kea's are all around you. We are the most colorful. We view everyone as family and hate conflict. Fighting in this war is hard for our people. That is why Keas host the Harvest. We are the most trusted," the green Kea is saying and I grow eager to join the conversation.

It sounds like they are talking about the men we will be expected to be with.

"Oh, look. The other humans have all arrived. That was faster than usual," the purple Kea says as she spots us.

All the heads at the table turn toward us at her announcement. I get a little nervous as they stare, but I keep my chin high. I already feel slightly protective of feisty Jia and I can't have her thinking I am nervous.

"Fellow Harvestees, may I present. Zuri, Xiu, and Jia. They all just arrived," Baalee says as soon as she reaches their table, and one of the Earth girls immediately stands up.

"Hi, my name is Krystal. That's Fiadh," she says as she looks from us to the blushing girl still seated at the table.

She gives us a geniune smile and my nerves seem to disappear. She holds out her hand, and I smile back at her while taking it. When she releases my hand she moves on to Xiu and I am surprised to see Xiu shake her hand also. Xiu adds a bow to the greeting and the extremely friendly Krystal gives her an awkward bow in return. I bite back a laugh at the exchange but Jia out right giggles at her. After they shake hands Krystal sits back down looking eager to interact with us.

"Where are you from," I ask surprised someone that looks like her knows Swahili.

"I am from Ohio. Umm, well, the United States. Where are you three from," she answers sounding unsure of her answer.

"I am from Africa," I answer keeping it simple, and she nods before looking at the others expectantly.

"China," Xiu answers quietly, and Krystal smiles again.

"That's cool," she says before looking at Jia.

"California in the United States," Jia says, and I watch the movement of their mouths to confirm what I am starting to realize...

They aren't speaking my language. Of course. When Baalee made me able to understand Kea, she made me able to understand everyone. Krystal isn't speaking Swahili, she is speaking English, but I hear Swahili when she speaks.

"Where are you from," Jia asks looking toward the silent girl hunched close to the table.

She seems to gulp before answering and my heart breaks for her. This is the girl... This is the girl from Ireland.

"Ireland," she practically whispers and my big sister instincts seem to rage to life.

I want to get to know her. I want to shield her.

"We should find a larger table. The other correspondents will be arriving shortly. Zalu, Jali, enjoy your breakfast with your Harvestees," Baalee says and she leads us over to a bigger table close to the wall.

I glance back at Fiadh's tiny frame twice before taking my seat at the new table.

"I will bring over your food. You three stay here. If you see a tall pink Kea walking with an even taller purple Kea, those are the other correspondents. Their names are Liamee and Tursa. I will return shortly," Baalee says and my eyes focus on my companions.

Xiu seems uninterested in making even eye contact with me so I focus on Jia.

"Krystal is nice," I say lightly trying to start a conversation.

"Yeah. I can't wait to get to know her. She seems easy going," Jia replies while looking around at the room curiously.

"This place looks like a sleek high-tech cafeteria," she says partially to herself and I glance around at the room too.

"My school was pretty small and we didn't have a cafeteria," I reply and she tilts her head.

Her eyes drill into me and I draw back from the sudden interest.

"You know in the States they don't teach us much about other places. Africa is one big mystery to me. Animal planet shows us lions and giraffes while late night commercials beg for money to feed starving African children... Sorry if that sounds insensitive. I was just wondering if that's true. I mean Africa is huge. Is that all there is in such a big place," Jia asks sounding truly curiously and I laugh.

"There are many areas of extreme poverty, but there are also big cities. My area was pretty poor and members of my tribe do wonder where their next meal is coming from," I reply and Jia's cheeks drain.

"Really? Oh my gosh I am a horrible person. I figured it was all lies to get money. I am so sorry. America has a huge homeless population, so I am not trying to say the United States is better or anything," Jia says and I shake my head.

"That's okay. I am proud of where I come from. We don't have as many luxuries as the western world, but we also don't have depression or chronic anxiety. We are pretty happy people. American schools should do better at educating their your people," I reply and Jia laughs.

"You got me there. Most high school graduates don't even know America's history very well," Jia says and we both grow quiet.

I glance at Xiu again but her stern looking face keeps me from saying anything to her. Instead I look toward the door we entered and smile when I spot the two Kea fitting Baalee's description.

"Here they come," I say quietly and Jia's head snaps in the direction I am looking in.

They wave at us and we return the gesture just as Baalee returns with a tray full of filled fruit bowls.

"Perfect timing, ladies these are the other correspondents. Tursa, you are with Jia and Liamee, you are with Xiu," Baalee says while pointing toward the correct people with her long blue finger.

Baalee then begins to pass out the food as Tursa and Liamee smile and greet their charges with happy expressions, but I can't seem to focus on them. I am realizing just how hungry I am. My body feels practically hollow as I recieve my bowl of fruit.

Baalee and the others sit down with us and I take that as my que to dig in. I throw three different colored fruits in my mouth and groan when their sweet juices explode on my tongue.

"Enjoy, Zuri. Your body needs the sustainance," Baalee says as she hears my groan.

Our table is quiet for a few minutes while we shovel fruit into our mouths, before Baalee clears her throat.

"So do you have any questions so far," she asks and I quickly nod while trying to swallow down my bite.

"Umm, yes. When we walked in I heard the other correspondents talking about the other alien races. How many are there," I ask and Jia nods excitedly.

"Excellent place to begin. Let's see, there are sixteen planets in our galaxy with life on them. Earth, Cok, Peulo, Kea, Vaal, Hassin, Shikaz, Makskin, Glortinon, Frole, Gaimo, Jahn, Rusckod, Gafrop, and Muysock. The allied planets are currently at war with Jahn, Rusckod, Gafrop, and Muysock," Baalee says and Jia leans forward.

"What are the guys like who will be competing in this tournament thing? Should we be worried about getting paired with any of them," Jia asks and Tursa shakes her head.

"No. All the champions are respected soldiers. They would never tarnish their honor by being a bad mate," Tursa says and Jia nods.

"How can we tell them apart? Do they look like you," I ask and Baalee shakes her head.

"No. Each species has its own look and typical personality traits," Baalee asks and I nod while taking another huge bite.