Finally Rati felt safe enough to slow to a stop, ducking into an empty room. He was trying to develop some kind of plan, but the frantic creature thrashing in his arms and pounding against his chest wasn't doing his concentration any favors. Fierce little thing. He wanted to be gentle, to set it down easily, but those punches were getting awfully painful and it was pretty clear the creature was in some extreme emotional distress.<br/><br/>So, he dropped it.<br/><br/>As it landed with a hard *<strong>thump</strong>*, glaring up at him through bleary, tear-filled eyes, Rati took a step back and took the opportunity to introduce himself.<br/><br/>"Um...Hello. My name is Ratigua dis Cabrinta sor Tibretzi; you can call me Rati. I'm a Merkhalian. I'm sorry for frightening you; are you alright?" He said, the sub-consciously activated tran stealing his words and shifting them into the default language Common, largely a blend of languages most star-faring races were at least passingly familiar with. He desperately hoped it could understand him, and offered its stick back, thinking the little alien would take some comfort in its return.<br/><br/>As he spoke, Rati took a few short steps backward, his hands raised non-threateningly. Of course, he couldn't go very far; it was a very small room, almost a closet, and his back was very nearly up against the wall already. In more ways than one...