Page 16 of Farborn

I finally remember my manners. “Davies McKellan. You can call me Davies. Nav officer for the MVPalmarian Rubayne. We just docked yesterday.”

“I am Olarte. We do not usually use family names, but mine is H’arjahrn. And I know when you docked, because it was my crew who docked you.”

Wow. Staring up into their eyes is starting to send chills pinballing through my system. In a good way, don’t get me wrong.

“Yourcrew?”

“Yes. I am the supervisor in charge of this berthing arm.”

“Wow. That’s…that’s really cool.” I sound like a babbling idiot. I’ve never had this much trouble talking to someone before, human or not. “So, listen. Anything fun to do around here?”

“I am assuming you mean on the space station and not on this particular berthing arm?”

I laugh, but I know it’s veering into desperate-sounding territory.

Mostly because I’m feeling pretty damn desperate right now, and I don’t even knowwhy.

The rational part of my brain, which deals with processing complex quantum equations on the fly, knows that Ireallyneed to chill the fuck out before I freak this poor Pfahrn out.

My lizard brain, however, wants to getreallyfriendly,reallyfast.

“On the space station in general,” I finally manage.

“Are you looking for anything in particular to do?” Olarte asks.

You. I want to doyou.

No, of course I don’tsaythat. I might be an idiot, but I do have a little common sense left in my skull.

“What do you like to do in your free time?” I ask.

Please be single. Please be single!

“I usually spend time alone in my quarters,” they say.

Okay, whew, there’s one point in my favor. “Anything else?” I ask.

“I do find a walk around the scenic observation hub path relaxing, on occasion. There is a beautiful view of Pfahrn from there.”

Perfect segue. “Don’t suppose there’s any chance of me talking you into showing me that when you get off work later?”

“It is easy to find. I can tell you how to get there.”

Nope, I’m blowing it again. “I mean, I don’t know anyone here. I would like to buy you dinner, if you don’t mind.”

“Buy me dinner?”

“I mean, yeah. You know, last meal of the day? Or, heck, I could buy you breakfast, if you’d prefer.”

“I do not require you to purchase me a meal to spend time with you.”

Wow, itreallyfeels like I’m blowing this. “Where I come from, when someone wants to get to know someone else a little better, they offer to buy them a meal. Like a gift.”

“You wish to get to know me better?” I don’t blame them for sounding confused.

So am I.

“Yeah. I mean—” I take a deep breath. “Socially, at the very least.” I offer another smile. “Look, I’m new here, I’ll be here for several weeks, and I’d love to make a friend.”