Ships and Space, Part 1b

A table of people next to them laughed and offered cheers, their wine glasses bobbing in the vintage yellow light like sea buoys.

Any more and you’ll get a headache.

She gave the pipe-stylus back to him and took a rolling breath out. The mist twinkled around her like she was in a heat haze.

Sorry, but I’ve only been here a month and everything is so different to back home.

It’s OK, I think everyone who comes here feels that way. Most places don’t have so much going on.

She looked at him for a moment. He had a very patient face. Her stomach growled, and she took a look at the menu. When she glanced back at him, she realised he had a plate full of food that he hadn’t started. She gestured to it.

Don’t worry, I wouldn’t start without you.

It’s not right if you let it get cold.

It’s not right if you have to watch me eat while you’re hungry.

Actually, in my culture, it’s considered wrong if you let food go cold, so I have to insist.

He smiled back.

I know. It’s supposed to be eaten cold.

She laughed. Holding her smile, she peered at him curiously.

I can’t tell if that’s thoughtful, or if you’re just making fun of me.

He took a bite from the plate.

What do you think?

She mouthed a gasp.

I think maybe it’s both. Anyway, don’t tease me, I have to think of something to get.

Her stomach growled again, but she was also, as she was worried about, visibly tense, although much less so than when she came in. The menu’s listings seemed like a foreign newspaper.

How about this? You could have mine, and I’ll have whatever you want to order, then, if you don’t like what I got, we could switch back around.

She paused and considered it. Again, her belly rumbled.

It’s difficult arguing with my stomach.

He handed her the plate and, in doing so, she noticed a tattoo of something like an engine on his arm. He signalled a waiter over and she picked the most appetising-sounding dish to her. He also ordered some wine. Her people generally found it difficult to acquire tattoos with the ribbons of colour running across their bodies, so she decided to grill him a bit.

I like the body-art, any particular reason for getting it?

I thought it fit well enough. I design spaceships.

The wine came, and the glasses. He poured them both some out.

Well, that explains the money, then. So why did you invite me to this meal high up among the stars?

He took a draught of wine.

Because a shimmering diamond maiden like yourself deserves a precipice to match her class.

She felt herself blush, embarrassingly, which made her blush even more. She held her face in her hands.

Are you alright?

When her face re-emerged, she was beaming.

You know, I’m not really hungry. Maybe we could get something on the way back to your place?

He nodded, and smiled.