Dhivael found it interesting that he was able to pinpoint her reason behind requesting his preferred drink. However, it was not very surprising. In her communications with Professor Gideon Whyte, he seemed educated and intelligent. One who studied other cultures would have a good idea of what observations to make. Perhaps he had immersed himself in other cultures in a similar fashion. While they were two very different people, she felt that she had a few things in common with this Earthling.
The Rihan listened attentively as he described the blend of his tea. Her dark eyes took note of the English flag that marked the mug he handed her. National pride was an interesting thing, but it was not surprising. Kaydence had informed her about what it meant to feel homesick, so maintaining symbolic pieces of home was something common among Earthlings. Sentimentality was the proper word.
She sipped the tea, examining its flavor. The flavor was not an unpleasant assault on her taste buds. In fact, it was almost pleasant. She’d become accustomed to hot beverages and hot foods in the few months she’d spent on Earth. It was very different from the foods consumed on her planet which were normally in bar or pill form. It was far more efficient that way, and while the consumption of water was the same, it was never tainted with sugar or things like that. However, while she was on this planet, she would need to adhere to their customs or understanding would be that much harder to achieve. “It is interesting.” Dhivael commented before taking another slow sip of the brew.
“Grouping smaller masses of people under one description makes Earthlings feel unique unlike being grouped under one description in larger masses?” Dhivael was a little confused at this idea, but perhaps it was a sentimental thing? Just as people were fond of their homes, they were fond of their racial descriptions? These beings were so conflicting in their wants and desires. How did they understand themselves let alone their people? If they didn’t like the idea that they were one of a billion others who were mixed ethnicities, what difference did it make that they were one among a million of a single ethnicity?
“It is not.” Dhivael responded to his hope that his writing hadn’t disturbed her. While she had no need to immediately log her findings, she would do it later, in private. Even Rihannsu were susceptible to forgetting things, but it was not as big a problem as it seemed to be with Earthlings.
“Yes. I have learned a little about similar rituals. While nothing has been precisely as it is on ch’Havran, many of the basic foundations have been similar.” The Rihan female actually wondered if those ceremonies were evolved versions of the ones of her planet. It was very possible considering the theory that her people had crashed on this planet. Of course, that was only a theory and not a fact. It was a difficult one to prove, too. Dhivael wasn’t really on Earth to help prove or disprove that. Her reasons were purely self-serving, but she would document her findings for those who studied the connections between Earthlings and Rhiannsu. After all, it was only a fair exchange, for they were funding her schooling on this planet.
“I am sure it will be very educational for me to view humor at various stages in various situations. I appreciate your taking the time to help me with my studies.” She would also have an interesting time trying to decipher which personality traits contributed to interactions that were thought to be more amusing.
“If humans have traveled to ch’Havran, I am not aware of it. Such a thing is considered unfair to the Earthling, for the technological and cultural differences are daunting to one who is used to living in more primitive and more emotional conditions.” On the rare chance that a Rihan became mated to an Earthling, they always seemed to stay on Earth. Bringing a humanoid to ch’Havran was essentially not even a thought that would cross one’s mind. Even if it did, it was certain that the Nodaire, or the leaders of Rihannsu, would likely veto such a request very quickly.
“Have you had the opportunity to study various cultures first-hand, or have you only ever traveled between England and the United States?”