While the ceiling was high and spacious, the place seemed built for Earthlings. Everything seemed slightly smaller, like it would fit Jenny and not him. He wasn’t the largest Humanoid on the station, but many were taller, with bigger needs, or tails, and most everything around seemed fitted to the size of the Earthlings than anyone else.
“This is very exciting,” Jeff began. “As you know, The Bridge is a kind of housing complex for couples who are mated through the IDA, allowing them time to get to know each other, before jetting off into space, and making their lives together.”
“How many couples can be here at any time?” Jenny asked.
“We currently have ten suites available as a starting point, however, when we reach full capacity, we should be able to have fifty suites, plus the staffing to accommodate the couples and any events or excursions they may wish to try.”
“So it’s going to be like a hotel resort?” Jenny asked.
“Basically,” Jeff said.
“Will any humanoids be able to come here and stay, without being part of the dating agency?” Karuk asked.
“No, not that I’m aware,” Jeff said.
“What about you,” Jenny asked. “Do you get to go back down planet side? You and the staff? Or do you all live here full time?”
“Most live here full time, though some choose to leave on their days off and come back, staying here on their working days. I am one who commutes. My husband is a doctor, and is on call a lot, and I work here, so when I’m working, I stay here.”
“That’s gotta be hard.”
Jeff shrugged. “Makes us value our time together when we get it. For right now, it’s working for us.”
“That’s good,” Jenny said as she continued. She paused at a flower with large pink petals.
Karuk stepped next to her. “It is lovely.”
She nodded. “Lotus flowers are.”
He glanced at her face. “You dislike them.”
She shook her head. “That’s what my ex would call me. His lotus. I hated it.”
Karuk put his hand on her back and steered her away from the flowers. “Then I shall endeavor to not put you in the path of those flowers ever again.”
She chuckled. “You’re sweet, for a big old humanoid.”
“You are my friend. I want my friend to be happy.”
“I thought we were experimenting here,” she said, a little smile on her face.
“We are. We are experimenting to see how far our friendship can go.”
“Ahh, so that’s what we’re doing,” Jenny grinned.
Jeff had stopped a short distance away, waiting for them to catch back up.
“Sorry,” Jenny said.
“No worries,” Jeff replied. “The flowers are all so pretty and full of life. I just love them.”
“We like all but the lotuses,” Karuk said.
“Good to know,” Jeff said with a smile. “Anything else I need to know about you two?”
Karuk wasn’t sure how to answer that.
“We’re still figuring that out,” Jenny said.
