Personal questions

Fiona smiles warmly, seated comfortably in her chair. “So, I feel like the people who read what I write will be less interested in the science of who you are, and more interested in you as a person. I’ll admit, I jumped at the chance to be one of the first to meet you.”

Mike smiles. “And why is that, outside of the whole ‘meet the strange new alien’ angle?”

Fiona laughs softly. “Of course that’s part of it, but you have to understand that I’m rather different as well. My mixed ancestry gives me an unusual appearance for my kind. Most Tyrii tend towards…harder exteriors, let’s say.”

Alicia nods. “Most look more like Damon. Fiona is much more soft.”

Mike raises an eyebrow. “Soft is one way of putting it. You’re quite attractive, Fiona, though definitely not what I expected.”

Fiona nods. “Part of my popularity is based on my looks, of course. But I’m also responsible for a lot of the more open relationships between races. And now you come along, and many of the people who see you are going to think of who you’re going to be with.”

Mike glances at Alicia, which doesn’t go unnoticed by Fiona. “Oh, really. So much conveyed in a single glance. It’s a bit of an open secret about this place that many of the people here are interested in humans for more than just scientific reasons. Could it be that you’ve already become close with someone here?”

Both Mike and Alicia blush, and Mike nods. “Just the one, so far…”

Fiona laughs, her eyes sparkling. “Just the one he says! I take it that there’s more than one seeking your attention, then?”

Mike nods. “Yeah, you could say that.”

Fiona seems delighted, leaning forward and resting one set of elbows on the table. “I’m guessing that the lovely miss Kyrie has made an advance, then. She was never one for subtlety. And possibly Liam as well, I know he has a very feminine touch…”

Mike blinks in surprise. “You seem to know everyone rather well!”

Alicia speaks quietly, seemingly a bit embarrassed. “Yes, we’re all good friends. Very good friends.”

Mike looks from Alicia to Fiona. Fiona smiles, and nods. “Yes, very good friends indeed. And we share a lot of common interests. Alicia sent me a message this morning, warning me about the release of your info, and telling me about what you’ve been up to together. Needless to say, I am intrigued, and very interested.”

Before Mike can answer, Alicia speaks up. “I’m sorry, Mike, but I just had to tell her!”

Mike chuckles. “It’s fine, the whole world knows now. And it’s not like we were keeping what we’ve done a secret! After all, Kyrie basically called dibs for tonight!”

Fiona laughs, shaking her head. “As I said, she isn’t subtle.”

Reaching across the table, she places a hand on his. “If you can still move after she’s done with you, maybe give me a call.”