Then again, as their superior, that might be seen as improper.
Perhaps it is relentless loneliness that makes me accept. I do not know.
But it amuses me watching Davies’ expressions after we are seated at a table and I explain the basics of our society to him.
“So…let me get this straight,” he says. “You have contracts foreverything?”
“That is essentially correct, yes.”
“What about your family? To cook you a meal, they’d have to have a signed contract with you?”
“For immediate family, such as between mates, or parents and children, there is a basic implied, perpetual contract in place, unless it is specifically cancelled or amended by one party or the other. Although mates do have detailed contracts that govern their relationship, expectations, requirements, and the like.”
“That sounds really complicated,” he says.
“Not particularly,” I reply. “It was a jarring adjustment for me when I started working here. I did not understand how some of the businesses on the space station had no provisions for contracts with their customers. It took me a while to get used to doing business with non-Pfahrn establishments who do not have contracts available.”
“But how can you have contracts for everything?”
“How can younot?” I counter. “What recourse do you have if a business fails to provide what they promise, be it a product, or a service, or a meal?”
“It sounds like you don’t trust each other very much,” he says.
“On the contrary. It is the rare Pfahrn whose word cannot be trusted. Our word is our honor. If one does not have honor, they have nothing. In our society, it is a far worse shame to lie than it is to be caught breaking a law. And as you can imagine, deliberately breaking the law rarely happens.”
Davies scowls. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“Wow.” We peruse the menus. “You sure I can’t buy your meal?” he asks. “I can afford it.”
“I mean no offense, but I have already signed a contract with the restaurant. Let us enjoy our meal together this time. Perhaps in the future we can discuss that.”
Davies smiles at that. I wish that were a gesture Pfahrn were as free with, but it was not until I started working with humans that I learned what the expression meant. They curl the outer edges of their lips up in a variety of manners, depending on whether or not it is for humor, or pleasure, or any number of emotions, including what I have learned is called sarcasm.
Pfahrn facial structure is slightly different at the muscular level. While we have a similar expression, it does not usually mean the same as when humans do it.
“Does that mean you might have dinner with me again before I ship out in a few weeks?” Davies asks.
“Perhaps. I am finding you intriguing and your company pleasant thus far.” Our server returns and takes our orders.
Once we have our beverages and are alone again, Davies leans in closer and drops his voice. “No offense intended, but do you have any preferred pronouns?”
“Unlike humans, Pfahrn do not use gender the way other species do. We are a nonbinary intersexed species. Pfahrn usepheyandphemwhen talking to and about each other. However, it is my experience those terms can be confusing for humans. It is the rare Pfahrn who will object to the Standard termstheyandthem, although I am never offended when I am referred to asheby someone who is ignorant of our ways. Especially if it is someone I only have the briefest of contact with.”
“And you’re single?”
“Unpartnered and unmated, yes. Why?”
“Okay, so tell me to fuck off if this is rude,” Davies says, “but I’m curious for a specific reason. How do you handle hook-ups?”
“Hook-ups?”
“Sex. Do you have sex for fun, or does it have to be in a closed partnership? Is there a contract for that?”
“There is a contract for everything.”
I do not understand why Davies now looks a little disappointed. “So no afternoon blowjobs, or one-night stands, huh?”
