A happy meeting

The three of you agree to drop Dakota off at her apartment before your meeting with the neighborhood. Showing up with a woman on each arm probably isn’t the first impression that you want to make. Dakota kisses you goodbye, and does the same for Mazzy, and with a wave, practically skips to her door. You chuckle at her obvious happiness, glad that things are going so well.

Before you leave, your phone pings with a text from Dave. “Hey bud! Gonna take a rain check on dinner this weekend, me and the girls are headed to my parents place. Gotta introduce Katie to the family!”

You let Mazzy know, and she grins at you. “Sooo…when do I get to meet your parents?”

You laugh. “You know, that’s not a bad idea. Maybe we can swing over there tomorrow, they’re not far away. I haven’t talked to them in a while, and I bet they’ll like you.”

Mazzy claps her hands. “Yay! Now, let’s get this meeting over so I can go see Ellie!”

You chuckle, getting back on the road. Pulling into the local park where the meeting is, you’re fairly surprised to see quite a few people there, including families with their children. You take that as a good sign, since kids wouldn’t be there if the parents were hostile towards Mazzy. You hope.

When you find a parking spot, you immediately see Joanne walking over, a smile on her face. Despite being in her seventies, she has the energy of a person half her age. Her smile is infectious, and she hustles over to give you a hug as you and Mazzy get out of the car.

“Oh, I’m so glad you decided to come, Brian! So many people showed up, and I’ve been talking to everyone. They all seem interested in meeting your new companion! Now, how about you introduce me to her.”

You nod. “Joanne, this is Mazzy, she’s a halfling.”

Mazzy bounces over, a big smile on her face. “Hi! Nice to meet you!”

Mazzy offers her hand, but Joanne shakes her head. “No no, none of that. Give me a hug, you tiny, adorable girl!”

Mazzy giggles, and the two of them embrace. You take the opportunity to look around at the gathered people, and see most of them are watching you and Mazzy. You’re relieved to see mostly smiles, although there is a small knot of people, mostly older, frowning and whispering. You’re unsurprised to see Helen in this group, but at least the general positivity of the gathering seems to be keeping them quiet.

Mazzy and Joanne separate, and Joanne leads you over to the gathering, introducing Mazzy immediately. It takes a bit of time, but before long everyone comes to say hello. Mazzy has smiles for everyone, but especially the children, who seem to adore her already. She lets them play with her long, pointed ears, and they seem to be the only ones who can match her boundless energy.

You’re surprised by the welcoming you receive, and you’re amused by several men from the neighborhood, and more than one woman, coming over to privately express their jealousy over what a ‘catch’ Mazzy is. Watching her dance and laugh, you can’t disagree. She beams at you, her cheeks flushed and her purple eyes sparkling, before turning back to her conversation with several young women.

You note that the group of disgruntled people have left, as well. Although you weren’t able to change their minds, at least you defused the possibility of them turning the whole neighborhood against you. In a way, Mazzy is the perfect ambassador for monster girls. Aside from her small size and pointed ears, there’s little that distinguishes her as a ‘monster’. You have to imagine that the reception would be different if she were a towering orc woman, or a snake-like lamia, or any of a myriad of more unusual monster girls.

It also helps that she is friendly and outgoing. It’s impossible to dislike Mazzy once someone meets her. You walk over to join her conversation, and she smiles at you and slips her hand into yours. The two women she’s talking to practically melt at the simple show of affection.

The meeting doesn’t last long, less than an hour, and as you wave goodbye to your neighbors, you feel a worry lifted off your shoulders. Climbing back into the car with Mazzy, you smile at her. The little halfling is bouncing with happiness, and you want to keep that going.

“So, that went well.”

Mazzy leans over to hug your arm. “So well! Everyone is so nice, and I like them all, especially Joanne!”

You chuckle. “Well, how about we go get some lunch, and then we can go see your friend at the AWIO?”

Mazzy nods excitedly. “Yes! You’ll like Ellie, she’s the best!”

You grin. “And you have no ulterior motive for the visit, I’m sure.”

She gives you her most innocent look. “I wouldn’t dare! I just want to see my friend, and introduce her to you. I can’t be held responsible for what happens after that!”

You chuckle and roll your eyes.