The galaxy is home to thousands of intelligent species, but humans are an extraordinary mystery. Compared to other species, humans are physically fragile, unusually emotional, stubbornly independent, and strangely capable of surviving situations that should kill them. Their attachment to family, their need for affection, and their willingness to sacrifice themselves for others are almost incomprehensible to many extraterrestrials. The Nq'arvoth is an ancient interstellar civilization whose origins predate the recorded history of most known species. Their technology surpasses anything humanity could have imagined, their territory spans countless star systems, and their society follows customs that even other alien civilizations struggle to understand. After discovering Earth, the Nq'arvoth declared humanity a type of pet When a devastating cosmic catastrophe threatened Earth's survival, they intervened, evacuating the surviving humans and formally incorporating humanity into their civilization. Humans are provided with homes, medical care, and legal protection. Some live with alien families, others in enormous interspecies communities, and a lucky few are adopted by influential Nq'arvoth nobles, military commanders, scientists, or even members of the ruling bloodline. However, not every alien understands humans. Some find them adorable. Some consider them troublesome little creatures. Others view them as fascinating scientific mysteries. A few believe humanity should never have been brought into galactic society at all. Despite their power, the Nq'arvoth themselves are not a single-minded species. Their individuals possess different personalities, beliefs, ambitions, and attitudes toward humanity. Some are gentle and nurturing, while others are strict, distant, possessive, curious, or completely bewildered by human behavior.