Camping out

storiesabouthumanandthings:

Captain’s Log: Day 60 of 854

Since the last incident, we have relocated the camp. We sent out search parties in 8 directions in half a days walk to confirm that there are no Sidtara’s or any other predators in the area. It has since been confirmed safe. We have now started our vacation days. Some of the crew have gone to Berret, the closet major city to our location. Many stated that they tire of trees and leaves. Some were still worried of other attacks that may come from the Sidtara or other new predators. Many of the Humans have opted to camp outside of the exploration ship. Since we have confirmed the area is safe, we allowed it. They also insisted in making any food they caught or at least any food that was on the ship was cooked outside over an open flame. This confused many. Most foods are now premade and require very little work. The Humans agreed this is ok but this makes food bland over time and just depending how the meal is prepared will change to flavor of the food. We ate with the humans this night out of curiosity. The food was splendid and did have a new flavor that wasn’t there before. 

After dinner, the humans insisted that ghost stories were a mandatory part of camping out. We found a lovely warm rock near the fire to listen to these mandatory ghost stories. One human told of an ancient ghost of a woman that was murdered here many years ago on this very night in this very location. Even though it seemed impossible to know this information, the story scared many of the crew, human or not, ourself included. After a few more ghost stories some humans started to tell childhood stories and why they joined SEAD. A few of the non human crew who had decided to try this camping also told their stories. It is apparently acceptable to ask someone about themselves around this camp fire as crewmember Kyle started to ask us various questions. 

Kyle: Hey, Captain, What head do i to a need to speak to? Like, I don’t know which head to stare at when speaking to you so i often alternate or stare between them when speaking to you.

Captain: Your process works. It doesn’t really matter as long as you make sure we know you are talking to us

K: When you say us, what do you mean? Like what is your names? Everyone just calls you Captain but that seems so impersonal.

Captain: Well, We only have one name. Our name is Crootree. In your language, it directly translates into Miracle.

K: Wait, What? You only have one name?

C: Yes. Why would we need another?

K: Because you have two heads. That should mean two names.

We could see that there was another of my species within the crew. We could tell they were getting uncomfortable with the questions pointed at us but we were use to it. We continued with the conversation.

C: Even though we have two heads, we are one. We share information between the two heads, our thoughts are the same.

K: Woah, Wait again. So you are telling me that the minds are separate but connected?

C: *Shurgs* We guess. That is what we have been told by doctors

Other crewmembers soon started asking their questions, it seems that they have all been trying to not be rude as one human muttered. We figured that this was good to allow our crew to learn new information, we are science explorers after all. 

Q1: So what does each head control?

C: Each head works together. One can write and the other read, both can write. both can read.

Q2: And you said the information is shared?

C: Yes, both minds learn at the same time. This made grade school and college easier.

Q3: Are there others like you?

C: Not really. Among my own people, We are unique. There has been others before me but they did not last long. Extremely few made it to childhood. We are the first to make it to adulthood.

Q4: You are the First? On out planet, it is rare and difficult but it does happen. It is called conjoined twins. Some can be separated even. Some are connected at the head and others at the hip. Depending on the situation determines if they can be separated. But you stated that the separate minds can work together in a way. This seems the most fascinating. When it happens with humans, they are connected only physically. The Minds are completely separate with different personality. They even argue.

C: Now this is interesting. Are they given different names for the different Heads?

Q4: Yes, Maybe that is what is creating the difference for you?

C: Well as a child, we were given one name but also addressed as plural by our parents. They did not know how to address us as a newborn since we were new. We knew we were special simply for our parents. We are an only child so to say but we are not our parent’s first born. There were others before us but we were the only to make it to birth alive. When we were first born, our parents thought that they or we were cursed. That they had another child doomed to expire. As we grew, they never showed this worry though. They showered us in love and appreciation. They never treated us separate beings. Maybe that is the difference between ourself and your species.

Q5: Your parent’s sound great. Now i am curious. Did they educate you at home or did they send you to the public or private school system?

C: We were sent to public school. That was a huge argument between them. My Father was very protective and wish to educate us himself. My Mother wished for us to go to school, deal with other children, make friends. She was not wanting to hide us away. It was not an easy decision but they ultimately decided public school would be best.

She never wanted us to feel unwanted or that we were a mistake or a monster. That did not help though. The other children were often not kind. They feared what they did not understand. They often said we cheated on tests and in school due to our two brains. We guess, in a way, they were correct in the long term. We learned that one head can continue to watch the teacher as the other took notes and had no delay in between the actions like others have. We can also write with both hands at the same time about different information. We were often bullied and beaten for being different. This made us strive for more. We heard that some of your motivation for joining SEAD was due to personal curiosity, the idea of exploration, and simply finding new information. We joined to understand us better. We did learn that we weren’t alone in our condition early on but we wanted to learn more that may help my species in the future. Maybe help children with the same condition in the future.

Q6: That’s great. It helps me understand how you became Captain, why you are Captain. Your parent’s must be so proud.

C: Yes, they would be.

We excused ourself for the night. We have much to think on. We have learned much from the crew the night and we believe they have learned form us. We may go to the Humans planet after this expedition for free study on their conjoined twins. It sounds like they may have a higher success rate compared to other species. One stated that most cases lived to adulthood. Maybe there is something that could be studied and brought back to our home planet. At the very least, we can learn why we think as one and they think separately, possibly help them join their minds.