Lots of stories with humans and delicate avian Havenworlders. How about one where the 'bird' descended from something like a cassowary. -- Knitnan
[AN: Compared with Humans, Cassowaries still have their weak points. The trick, of course, is getting close enough to exploit them. Cassowaries count as aviasaurs, and may not be Havenworlders by technicality.]
People tend to assume. If a cogniscent species looks like a bird, it's probably a Havenworlder. Many people coming across the aviasaurs make that assumption. Too many meeting Casuarid also make that assumption. It's an easy mistake to make. They're used to it.
So when the Vorax attacked the cruise vessel Summer Holiday, there was a series of misunderstandings in regards to Casuarid Ou'ap. Starting with her fellow travellers, and winding up with the Ships' Humans.
"But you're a Havenworlder," everyone objected. "You're fragile!" Of course they would. Aviasaurs look too much like avians to casual observers. Ou'ap was used to it. "I'm not as fragile as I look," she argued.
The nearest Human, like most Humans, just decided to roll with the situation and act accordingly if things went wrong. Humans were good at that.
Casuarids were just as good as Humans at kicking behinds. The Vorax were confused at the sight of an apparently fragile avian eager to face down the worst known Deathworlders in the universe.
They were even more surprised to have one of their Seconds split from neck to mid-torso in one swift kick[1].
The Human nearby swore appreciably.
"Keep telling you," cooed Ou'ap. "I'm not a Havenworlder."
Humans adapt quickly and Human Stiev was no exception. "I can take the four on the left, you good for the four on the right?"
"Meet you in the middle," grinned Ou'ap.
The Vorax were about to have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
[1] Yet another reason why you don't go near a Terran Cassowary. They can, have, and will split a human open from collarbone to crotch.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / LakeviewImages]
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