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Faron shrugged. “Physical perfection is highly prized on my planet. I am a long way from that.”
“You should not be judged based on your appearance.”
Faron tutted. “Of course I should. It is our way. You can tell a lot about an individual by their physical attributes or lack of them. I see, for example, that you have an attractive face, but it’s not symmetrical. You have one eyebrow slightly higher than the other, and although your lips are full, they aren’t even.”
Kendra stroked a finger across her lips. “You didn’t seem to object when you kissed me.”
“I did not say your asymmetry is repellent. What it shows is that you have genetic flaws. The more symmetrical the face, the more genetically perfect an individual is. Have you seen the prime females on Tenkcet?”
“Some. They all look healthy.” Kendra had seen pictures of successful Tenkcet females, those who were suitable for breeding. They were strong, sturdy, with wide hips, large breasts, and tiny waists. They all looked similar with large, straight noses and strong jaws. Those must be the features Tolongs found appealing.
“The ones who are the most successful breeders have the highest quality of genes. You will not find a physical flaw in the top females.”
“Doesn’t it get boring if an individual looks the same as the next?”
“Genetic weakness is not boring. Weakness should not be tolerated.”
“You’re treading a fine line,” Kendra said. “You might be discarding individuals who could provide much to your society, but because they don’t look a particular way, you get rid of them. What about someone who has a crooked nose but is a musical genius? Or someone with a high IQ who has a weak chin? They are not considered important?”
“Not for mating with,” Faron said. “They have their place in our society, but you can never expect them to be coupled with another Tolong. They dedicate their lives to what they are skilled in. Not everyone is meant to be in a mated pair and have a family.”
Kendra shook her head. “Then you condemn them to loneliness. Surely a life isn’t worth living if you don’t have intimacy and love.” She bit the inside of her cheek. She could be describing her own life. She’d closed the door on love a long time ago. When she dwelled on it, Kendra felt a tiny, cold space in her heart that should be full of joy.
The server arrived and removed their empty plates. She replaced them with two platefuls of braised chicken and roasted vegetables.
Faron grabbed a handful of vegetables and stuffed them into his mouth.
Kendra lifted her fork and began to eat.
“Why bother with that?” Faron pointed at the fork. “It will take too long to eat. The food will be cold.”
“I like to sample my food and enjoy it. I want to taste what I’m eating. You might like to try it.” She placed a piece of red pepper in her mouth and chewed.
He twisted his mouth to the side before grabbing the lump of chicken and tearing off a chunk. “This way is more practical.”
“You look like a caveman.”
“I don’t know what that is.”
“A Neanderthal.”
“Do they eat with their hands?”
“Most likely.”
“They sound like remarkable individuals if they do that.” A smile graced his face for a second before he continued to eat.
Kendra sighed. Faron had no place in his life for niceties. She kept her head down and continued to eat. At least the food was great.
Faron smacked his lips together and sucked each finger clean. “That was delicious but too small.”
Her head shot up. She hadn’t even started on her chicken. “You must get terrible indigestion from eating so fast.”
He shook his head and patted his flat stomach. “I’m used to it. Food is fuel, nothing more. I eat to sustain my energy.” His hand reached across the table to grab her chicken, but she jabbed it with a fork.
“Keep your giant paws off my meal. I’m going to eat this.”
“Then you’d better hurry up.” His fingers crept across the table again.
