Maggie's Story (Intergalactic Matchmaking Services) by Ava Louise Page B

overflowing with trays and plates with the various offerings. Some things Maggie would just look at and say, “No way … that looks gross!” Once she made her mind up that way, there was no changing her opinion. Daxon concluded that she may be stubborn to a degree, but she knew her mind and seemed open to trying most new things.
    Many of the males would try to encourage Maggie to try their offerings of new foods, but she always looked to Daxon for assurance before actually agreeing to try something new. He liked that she trusted him so soon after meeting him. Her trust in him made something in his chest warm.
    The various Nordonians asked her questions about life on planet Earth. It was apparent they watched a lot of the news programs from Earth. Unfortunately, they seemed to think that only horrible things happened on Earth. Maggie had to explain that news programs reported on tragedy and disasters more often than the feel-good stories that were also out there.
    Daxon waved over another male that entered the eating hall. “Maggie, this is Denot of the Rion clan. He is my childhood friend and also the ambassador’s youngest son.”
    Maggie turned to greet the newcomer. “Hi, Denot. It’s nice to meet you.” She waved her hand at him as he sat next to Daxon.
    Denot was only slightly smaller than Daxon in height, but just as solidly built. He had inherited his mother’s dark gray eyes and skin of light green and light purple. The bird-like tattoo on his skull was almost identical to his father’s tattoo.
    “So what is this I hear about you bringing aboard a pet?” asked Denot. Obviously he had been speaking to his father. “What is it and do I get to see it?”
    Maggie laughed as she saw Denot had caught the attention of the other Nordonians at their table.
    “Her name is Mamzell and she is my cat. I’ve had her for about three years and she is my constant companion.” Maggie wasn’t sure how to explain a cat to someone that had not seen a real one before. Surely they had seen cats in the media, though. Holding her hands a little above the table, she said, “She is about this tall, this long, not including her tail, and is covered in a light tan fur with black legs, head and tail. And, yes, you may meet her if you like, but she isn’t the biggest fan of strangers. Except she seems to really like Daxon for some reason.”
    “Well, there is no accounting for taste. I believe that is one of your Earth sayings?” said Denot with a laugh.
    “Hmmph,” said Daxon. “Then the cat should love you Denot. Maggie talks to her, too. Although I am still trying to understand talking to an animal that cannot communicate with you in return.”
    “What?! I understand her and she understands me. Maybe not in the conventional way … but we get along just fine, thank you.” Maggie could not hold back the laughter at Daxon’s dubious expression.
    “But why talk to the pet if it cannot talk back to you in the same language?” asked Daxon. He was having a difficult time understanding the whole concept of keeping a pet.
    “Because she is always there. We live together. It’s just like with a child; they aren’t born talking, at least human babies aren’t, and we still talk to them. They understand what we say in some sense, if not the exact words, then the tone of our voice conveys our emotions. The same goes with pets. Not everyone talks to their pets like I do, I admit, but I’m not going to live with a pet and ignore it. Mamzell is a part of my life and I’m a huge part of hers. Usually it’s just the two of us. She isn’t used to having a lot of people around her.”
    “Do all humans keep pets,” asked one of the other Nordonians. “I do not recall any of the other humans that visited us having pets.”
    “No. Some people don’t like having to clean up after them. Some people are also allergic to pets with fur. It’s an individual thing. And cats aren’t the only thing people keep as pets.” Maggie