Fawna

Dinner was going oddly. Every time youd look directly at Fawna her ears would shoot up and her head would turn so she could aim one of her large eyes towards you. It felt bad. You were warned not to look directly at other species since we were one of the few evolved races with forward facing eyes. You apologize for not meaning to trigger her with your stares. She is the first coworker to invite you out since you were hired into a workspace with other species since earth was brought into the Intergalactic Federation and it’s your first chance to see another species this close. A smile grew on her face, I think, still fighting urge to humanize them. In a soft voice she told you “Ignore my natural reaction, I find your gaze reassuring. I feel like I’m the only thing you are focused on. If I dare it is flattering.” Her head turned right towards you, you think it is her way of looking away. A doubt creeps into your mind about the purpose of this Dinner. She angles her head back and starts talking again “I see you choose a salad, I’d that your normal meal?” You shake your head as you say no. A minor tremor goes through her body as you do it. You were advised to stick to vegetarian meals when out with others. Besides this restaurant’s human menu consists of vat grown Hamburgers and processed chicken nuggets. Fawna started tapping her fingers on the table, a nervous habit? It made a pleasant drumming noise due to her fairly human hands ending in nails that descended from hooves and not claws. They were solid and she painted them to match her outfit. Switching which eye she aimed at me she began again. “Hamburger comes from the bovine group?” You replied with yes and thought to yourself where is this going. “Is that the group my ancestors would have been in?” Her voice was a touch louder. Is she going to shame you for being a carnivore? To hell with it. You say no and tell her that her ancestors appear to be similar to your deer. Venison. You awaited the anger. Her hands crept across the tables and grabbed you and she leaned over to speak into my ear. “Have you ever had Venison?”