An alien ship crash lands on Earth, leaving its only occupant stranded. But in a fortunate twist, Earth is a hospitable planet for Veni, from the atmosphere and food to the friendly and intelligent inhabitants.The first such inhabitants Veni meets call themselves dwarves. And though they don't understand the technology that brought the alien to them, they insist on being hospitable. Sure, Veni doesn't understand why the inhabitants of this land insist on speaking a language that modifies for gender, but ze is anything if not adaptable—especially after ze meets Wystan, a man who speaks only with his hands.