to ally / to unite / to join / (poetry) antithetical couplet
联
=
关
+
耳
:
Li Qingzhao (li) invented a machine able to combine (联) her hair into braids, and she is trying it out for the first time in the anthill's kitchen (an2). Just as the machine starts Li Qingzhao realizes it is going to combine both of her ears (耳) into one braid she quickly hits the machine's off button (关).
谊
=
宜
+
讠
:
In preparation for a future alien encounter, Maud Younger builds up an advertising column (讠) from Ikea (宜) in the space station's bathroom (Ø4). On it she writes in big letters "friendship" so that the aliens know of her peaceful intentions.