Though online maps are convenient and clear, Min is currently poring over a physical atlas while a huge map, spanning nearly two metres, lies spread out at his feet. Simply because it looks more stylish.

  Xi P has wanted to travel outdoors for a while now. Over the past six months, he's been stuck in the suburbs, downtown or mostly just at Min's place, and it's been getting to him. If Xi P hadn't asked, Min wouldn't have even considered taking him on a trip — he's the type who doesn't really notice the beauty of nature.

  In other words, a homebody.

  "If you prefer, you don't have to think of this as an outdoor trip. Think of it as an ecological survey." Xi P shrugs and says.

  It takes Min several seconds to get his head around Xi P's logic before he replies with a wry smile: "Then I'd rather call it a trip. Conducting an ecological survey with an alien sounds like something out of a sci-fi game, but at the end of the day, it's still work."

  "Sounds like you don't enjoy your work so much."

  "True, can't compare to piloting a spaceship and exploring the universe. Though I get you. If you didn't enjoy getting out and about, I doubt you'd be an ecologist in the first place, let alone sign up to pilot a spaceship exploring the universe."

  "Absolutely right." Xi P nods.

  Min is quite generous, straight away picking a helicopter trip. It takes him quite a while to find a tour company that allows custom itineraries. The specific flight route, however, is still under discussion. Now, while Min studies the map, Xi P is flipping through a travel guidebook. After a while, Xi P suddenly asks: "What about this place?"

  Peering over, Min instantly recognises the location Xi P points to in the photo: an ice tongue.

  Ice tongues form when glacial ice slowly advances along the surface or ice sheet below the snowline, extending the glacier's reach. Large ice tongues present truly spectacular sights. Compared to the almost monotonous green mountains and grasslands around the country, glaciers offer a refreshing change, both figuratively and physically. It's no surprise Xi P is interested in them.

  Seeing this, Min seizes the opportunity to ask: "Why didn't you choose one of those rainforests? Our rainforests must be very different, but ice should be pretty much the same on both planets, right?"

  Lifting his gaze slowly to meet Min's, Xi P replies: "I'd like to live a little longer. Think about the insects, bacteria, parasites. Unless the helicopter doesn't land."

  "But this isn't a tropical rainforest." Min thinks, though he keeps that to himself. Xi P's reasoning isn't flawed, for an alien like him, a species-rich rainforest can indeed pose risks, perhaps harbouring dangerous pathogens. Glaciers, by comparison, offer far greater biological safety. The only question is whether the custom flight path allows landing on such terrain.

  Consulting the manual, Min is surprised to find that landing on a glacier tongue is indeed permitted. That settles it, though extra cold-weather gear will be necessary...

  "..."

  The route is finally mapped out: departing from the city's heliport, they'll first circle low over the rainforest for a while; then proceed to the glacier tongue, where the landing on its summit will be the journey's highlight. Afterward, they'll retrace their path through the rainforest back to the airport.

  "Just, what if my identity get exposed half way through? On the helicopter?”

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "Well, as long as you don't speak, no one will recognise you under the cloak. If they really try to pull it off, I think, hm, well, you can jump out mid-flight — you're quite skilled at that, aren't you?"

  ***

  "No, I wasn't actually telling you to go with a parachute...”

  ***

  In point of fact, Min is wrong in one respect. What he thought of as a "helicopter" is actually a gyrocopter. While they share some visual similarities, their operating principles are fundamentally different. The top rotor of a gyrocopter isn't powered during flight and relies entirely on relative airflow to spin and generate lift. This design makes vertical take-off and landing impossible for nearly all gyrocopters.

  Which is why Min's jaw drops when he sees this "helicopter" glide to a stop like a conventional fixed-wing aircraft.

  "What's going on? Have I finally gone crazy?"

  Xi P, standing next to him, shows no particular reaction — maybe he doesn't think much about the terminology, or perhaps he simply doesn't care about such minor differences.

  Today is the scheduled tour date, and the weather looks quite promising. Though the clouds are thick, true sunny days are rare around here anyway. The wind is slightly strong, but it shouldn't affect the flight significantly. Everything seems perfect.

  Min enters the building and gives his number to the young man behind the counter, who busies himself with the computer. Throughout this process, Xi P remains silent, standing quietly behind Min and occasionally shaking the hem of his robe. After several washes, the robe has lost all its warmth. Normally, Min would have confronted the shop owner, but it turns out that this is a blessing for now — at least Xi P can now wear something decent underneath.

  Once the confirmation is complete, the young man directs Min to take a seat nearby and wait. Min nods and turns to leave, but the young man behind him calls out: "Is she your girlfriend?"

  As he speaks, he points behind Min, making it clear who he is referring to.

  It's not surprising that the young man thinks that way. Xi P has been following closely behind Min without saying a word. Not to mention the distinctly Islamic-style outfit. Add to that the shorter stature and the black robe that covers even the face...

  This might be more exaggerated than the most conservative Islamic woman's attire How they can see anything at all is beyond the man's comprehension.

  Min pauses, taking about two seconds to process the situation. He glances back at Xi P, then fixes his gaze firmly on the young man. His current state of mind is indescribable. While he does indeed have a fondness for foxes, and Xi P does not appear masculine or feminine by human standards, remarks like this...

  "NO!" Min snaps angrily, flushing crimson as he continues, "And I tell you, how can you..."

  The young man stands completely dumbfounded, listening to Min's entire tirade without saying a single word. He genuinely doesn't grasp the situation. Even if the woman following behind isn't the customer's girlfriend, why such an overreaction? Still, clinging to the principle "the customer is always right", he forces a smile after being yelled at and apologises to Min.

  Truthfully, Min feels not only anger, but also shame. Turning away, he quickly walks to the nearest chair, sits down heavily, and takes deep breaths to steady himself. Xi P follows and sits down beside him, unable to contain his confusion. He whispers: "What happened?"

  Min replies quietly: "No worries. You weren't exposed. It's safe. He just... humiliated you."

  If Xi P had the ability to show human-like facial expressions, it would have had an utterly baffled face. After a thoughtful pause, he asks, "Is it because this outfit is religious?"

  "...Partly. Please, I don't want to talk about it." Min replies, gesturing for Xi P to be quiet. He really doesn't want to explain the truth to Xi P — his own shame makes it impossible to articulate, if nothing else.

  Being confirmed as a furry fetishist is the worst thing he can think of for his social credit.

  ***

  After nearly twenty minutes of tedious waiting, Min's anger and shame finally subside. Just as he begins to relax, the gyrocopter pilot arrives.

  After shaking hands with Min and exchanging brief introductions, the pilot named Charlie turns and extends his right hand towards Xi P. Xi P recognises the handshake gesture, but if he shakes hands, the other party wills inevitably sense something amiss. This leaves him standing awkwardly in place, unsure what to do.

  Fortunately, Min quickly offers an explanation, covering it up: "Sorry, she's from the Middle East and isn't quite used to things here."

  Yes, although Min dislikes it, the best plan they come up is having Xi P assume the identity of a Middle Eastern woman to navigate these complications. Given his height, he is quite a good physical match — it's merely difficult to accept mentally, including for Xi P himself.

  "Ah, is she your wife?" Charlie nods upon hearing this, promptly abandoning the handshake and turning his question to Min.

  Min's face twists.