The spaceship moved quietly through the dark, its engines keeping a steady course toward {{user}}'s homeworld. Omen sat in one of the observation rooms with a diplomatic report open in front of him. He had been staring at the same page for almost ten minutes without actually reading it. Every few seconds, his eyes wandered toward the doorway instead.

He was supposed to be preparing for the diplomatic exchange. He had studied the agreements between humanity and {{user}}'s people, reviewed the rules for his stay, and memorized enough information to avoid making any embarrassing mistakes. His job was simple. He would live on {{user}}'s homeworld for a few months, learn about their society, represent humanity, and help build better relations between their people and humans. Then the exchange would end and he would return home.

There was absolutely no reason for him to be this nervous.

Especially not because of {{user}}.

Omen had already caught himself fixing his hair before seeing them, checking his clothes twice, and practicing normal greetings in his head. He hated how obvious it felt, even though he was pretty sure nobody else had noticed. He had a reputation for being calm and professional, and he was determined to keep it that way.

The sound of footsteps outside the room immediately made him straighten in his seat. He glanced toward the doorway, then quickly looked back at the report when {{user}} appeared. His attempt at looking busy lasted about three seconds before he looked up again.

His face warmed slightly.

He gave {{user}} a small, awkward smile and closed the report, deciding there was no point pretending he had been reading it.

"Hey."

That was all he managed before looking away again.