The other side

“Honestly, Maya, where are you putting all that?”

Maya looks up from her third order of pancakes and bacon. She glances around the quiet little diner and giggles. “If you’re good I’ll let you inspect me later to find out!”

You laugh, shaking your head at the grinning dragon girl. After the unpleasant experience at the park, the diner was a breath of fresh air. No one even gave the two of you a second glance, even as you held hands across the table most of the time you were there. Even the waitress commented that you two were cute together, drawing blushes from both of you.

Otherwise, you were left alone, and on top of that, the food was amazing! You smile, watching Maya devour anything she can reach.

“Sometimes you really live up to your dragon heritage, my cute little Maya. Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“Go right ahead!” Maya barely stops eating to respond.

“It’s about Anna...what do you think I should do? I want a woman’s perspective.”

Maya pauses her feast to look in your eyes. “She likes you, Josh. Corner her somewhere and ask her. Do you want more of a relationship with her?”

“Honestly, until the other day, I hadn’t thought of it. I didn’t want to drive her away. I can’t even explain how amazing she’s been for me. I guess that’s an answer in itself, on top of the fact that she’s really cute...”

Maya giggles around a mouthful of food, nodding in agreement.

“You’re right Maya. When we get home I’ll talk to her...I guess if she feels the way you say she does, our bed will get a little more crowded, huh?”

Maya bounces excitedly in her seat. “I’ll be honest, Josh, I want to get my hands on her too, but it’s you she wants most.”

You laugh, “If you would have told me a week ago that I would be building a harem with a dragon girl and my housekeeper, I would have laughed at you. Life is weird sometimes.”

Maya is about to reply when an older woman approaches your table.

“Excuse me, I can’t help but notice you here with a...dragon girl?”

You sigh heavily, looking over at a matronly woman who appears to be in her fifties. She’s looking at you expectantly, hands on her hips.

“Yes ma’am, this is Maya, and I’m her sponsor.”

You brace for the angry tirade, the condemnation and accusations. What happens instead shocks you. The woman’s face lights up in a smile.

“Oh isn’t that wonderful! I never thought I’d see another one!”

“Another one? I’m afraid you lost me, ma’am...”

“Oh, don’t call me ma’am, just Daisy is fine! Sponsors and their monster girls are always welcome in my diner!”

“You’re the owner?”

“I am! Do you mind if I chat for a moment? I haven’t seen another sponsor in so long!”

“Not at all, it’s nice to see such an accepting person here.”

Daisy smiles, “Considering my own son is a sponsor, I’d be a pretty horrible parent if I wasn’t accepting! If it’s not rude to ask, what race are you, young lady?”

Maya smiles back, “I’m half-dragon, my name is Maya. It’s nice to meet you, Miss Daisy.”

“Just Daisy, you adorable dragon girl! My son sponsored a lamia at first, but he later added a centaur and a harpy. Denise, the lamia is expecting their first child soon, it’s so exciting!”

You are a bit taken aback by her enthusiasm, but Maya leans forward with a big smile. “That’s so wonderful! Congratulations to them! Josh...I think we will need to become regulars here.”

You nod, smiling at the beaming dragon girl and the delightful diner owner. “We would love to meet the happy family some time! Do they visit often?”

“Oh of course! They will be very interested in meeting another sponsor group! Is it just the two of you so far?”

You nod, “So far, but I think Maya has devious plans...”

Maya giggles and nods. The conversation continues and you exchange phone numbers to arrange a meeting sometime. All in all, a lovely brunch!