You might be wondering right now "But why didn't the People just zap you over to Babalatchi instead of having you undertake a possibly dangerous and maybe deadly journey on foot through a country wholly unknown to you?"

Good question. It was her idea.

At first the chief was all like "Don't worry little hyoumans (he didn't really get the pronunciation ever, and after a while we just kind of let it go), let's have lunch and afterwards I'll zap you over to Babbi in a jiffy."

And I was like "Cool!". But my girl interrupted and asked "Well, actually Patalolo, we were wondering if we couldn't take the trip on foot. I've heard it's only a few days walking, through not that very harsh terrain, and I would really like to take the chance and explore this world as much as possible while I'm here."

"Sure." the chief said immediately. Making any thought of protestations from my side all the more difficult. Especially since my standing in this strange new world was already one of weakness and inferiority.

"I think you would manage wonderfully. You, Marten, I have some doubts about. But if you stick close to -------- (Chief, of course, was aware of her name and could use it freely. It just won't ever be printed in this book/blog/joke/word/thingy) and follow my instructions neatly, I think you will also be able to survive."

"Great." I said a little too sulky. My girl looked over to me with a smile that said 'Just endure this. The ability to trust yourself no matter who you are to others, and be confident regardless if people validate you every second is a great and noble thing. And I want you to achieve it.'

That felt really great and so I sat there smiling. Although I could also detect in her smile a hint of 'Especially if you want to take this thing between us further and not just keep looking at me every now and then and just pretending all that eye contact has special meaning and is not just two people looking at each other.'