Zahra grimaced.
"I'll go!" Holly raised a hand when no one responded to Vera.
Vera grabbed her pad off the ground, booted it up, and then said, "The first question is, if you’re feeling down how do you cheer yourself back up?"
"Well, that’s easy, ice cream." Holly beamed as her eyes darted between everyone.
“They might not know what ice cream is.” Zahra offered when Vera and Khaazai glanced at each other.
“It’s a sweet treat that comes in a frozen state.” Holly explained.
"Next one is for you then." Vera turned to Zahra. "What do you like in a male?"
He watched Zahra's eyes narrow on his sister. He got the feeling she also smelled funny business where his sister was involved.
"How come I get a harder question than Holly?” Zahra complained.
"These are random. I assure you." Vera promised, but Khaazai heard an undertone of amusement, and he wasn’t so sure his sister was telling the truth.
Zahra's lips turned down in what Khaazai had learned was called a frown. He found human facial expressions to be most interesting. His people expressed themselves through tone of growls, grunts, huffs with some other body language, but not many facial movements.
"Come on." Holly prodded. "You can 't pick and choose, Zahra. Sometimes the question might just be harder."
"Yes." Khaazai agreed. "You must answer the question asked."
Zahra turned her frown on him, and his chest rumbled with amusement.
"Fine." Zahra glanced around when she found no allies. Another amusing human trait. Glancing about as they thought of something. "I guess I look for someone trustworthy, motivated, interesting to speak with, and attractive."
"You forgot sexually compatible." Holly laughed.
Zahra glared at the other woman. "Wasn't part of the question."
"Khaazai." Vera turned to him.
Apprehension crawled over his skin, what question did Vera have in mind for him, because he knew for sure her questions were not random.
“How do you imagine your future?"
After several rounds, both Khaazai and Zahra begged for a reprieve. It'd gone from simple questions to an interrogation. Leaning in, Khaazai whispered into Zahra's ear, "May I show you the gardens?"
"Sure." Zahra rose with Khaazai. “I could use a break from the game that’s evolved into just you and me answering questions.”
"Where are you two going?" Vera asked, complete innocence in her tone.
“To escape you in case you begin your interrogation again." Khaazai said truthfully. Even though he’d learned a lot about Zahra, he was tired of the constant questions as well.
"Me?" Vera held a clawed hand to her chest in mock innocence. "Interrogation?"
"I think you three now know more about me than anyone else." Zahra mumbled with a shake of her head.
"Enjoy your escape then.” Vera said sweetly. This had probably been another plan of hers. Khaazai wouldn’t put it past her. She’d probably picked a game she figured would drive them away, together, giving them some time alone.
Khaazai presented Zahra with a crooked elbow, which she accepted by slipping her hand into the crook as he guided her out of the gazebo.
When they left hearing distance, Zahra commented, "I think your sister wants to play matchmaker."
"Do you think?" Khaazai feigned ignorance of his sister's motives.
