Dhivael did not understand the humanoid’s reason for smiling, but she had often seen the people of Earth smiling at one another upon offering greetings. There were also some who scowled or some who seemed indifferent. The Rihan had a difficult time deciphering when someone would react one way or another, but she believed her mental prowess would permit her this ability in time.
“Is Kay your preference?” Dhivael asked. She had met one person who had been introduced to her with a nickname, but he had made it clear he hadn’t appreciated being addressed as, “Scrawny Steve.” She had made it a point to call him Steven which he had declared to her was his preference though he had glared at her when she had used it. Steven had asked her if she was mocking him, and when she said she did not understand what it meant to “mock” someone, he had called her a “bitch” and walked away. Dhivael researched the word, and she found no resemblance between herself and a female canine of Earth. It had been interesting.
“That was my full name. I believe that is the proper way to introduce oneself, yes? You may call me Dhivael. It is how I am addressed in less formal environments.” In ch’Havran, in relaxed occasions when not with family, she would be called Dhivael, but on formal occasions, she would be addressed by her full name. It was strange to her that in classes, the professors would use only the first or last name of a student when they were called to attention. It was also strange that a student who was called to speak would remain seated. The Rihan had much to learn, and she was willing to acquire the required knowledge.
Dhivael thought she could detect the scent of the chemical called chlorine which was found in the public, man-made swimming areas, and it brought a new question to mind. “I can detect that you must appreciate swimming. Does this mean you are of an aquatic race such as a merperson or a selkie?” She asked a great deal of questions when she was getting to know someone. Even after she felt she knew them to some extent the inquiries did not cease, and she thought it strange that some did not appear to have the patience to answer her many questions.
As it was, she was taking things slower than she normally did. Three months on this planet had proven that Earthlings found her to be a bit “abrasive” as one humanoid had quietly told her in private. She only wished to learn.
“Do you require only vegetables and water to nourish you, or is it simply the time of day for such things? Does your body not require protein?” Dhivael herself had what she felt was a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, grains, and meat. She had eliminated dairy from her Earthling diet because she quickly found she could not properly digest it. She had also had a bad experience with a tropical fruit she had been told was labeled as ‘kiwi.’ It had given her strange, itching bumps all over her face. It had been quite unpleasant.