Three Square Meals Ch. 106

"What a view..." Faye murmured, gazing out over the otherworldly plain. "I can see why ancient Terrans used to associate volcanoes and lava with the supernatural."

Before John could reply, a pretty brunette approached them with a well-practiced smile. Her green eyes widened in recognition when she looked at John, then she darted a glance at Faye, clearly fascinated by the exotic purple-hued girl. "Welcome to the Flame Grill, my name's Claudine. Would you like a table for two?"

"Yes please," John replied, returning her smile and appreciating her treating them like they were just two ordinary guests. "Do you have somewhere quiet where we won't be disturbed?"

She glanced back into the empty restaurant and cracked a grin at his joke. "I think you might be in luck, Sir. If you'd care to follow me..." As she set off, she glanced back over her shoulder and added, "I know what they say about eating at a deserted restaurant, but the food here is very good. You're just early for dinner service, we don't usually start seeing people arrive until seven."

Claudine sashayed through the sea of empty tables to a small secluded one in the corner of the restaurant, where John held out a chair for Faye to sat down. After taking their drinks orders and leaving the menu, the waitress departed, leaving the couple in peace.

Faye watched the young woman leave, those luminous eyes following the seductive sway of her hips. "Claudine's a very attractive girl..."

"Is she?" John asked, making a production of turning to look. "Damn, how did I miss that? I must've only had eyes for my gorgeous date."

Her cupid-bow lips lifted into a smile and Faye said softly, "You know she is. Don't worry, I'm not jealous, seeing her just made me think..." Her voice trailed off and her eyes darted to the woman walking across the restaurant.

John relaxed in his chair and raised an eyebrow. "And what thoughts are going on in that pretty little head of yours?"

Faye hesitated for a moment, then grinned. "Actually, my thoughts are racing through my pretty little server up on the Invictus, but thanks for the compliment."

"Are you being evasive, Faye?" he asked, looking at her curiously. "You know you can ask me anything."

She tilted her head to one side, watching him with a quizzical expression on her face. "Alright then... I just wondered why you don't recruit as many women as you possibly can? Every woman you add to the group makes you more powerful and I've seen how much pleasure you get from being with all the girls. Claudine's a beautiful young woman... why not just recruit her?"

John smiled and shook his head. "Wow, we're skipping right over the small talk, aren't we?"

"You don't have to answer if it's too personal to share..."

Seeing that Faye wasn't to be deterred, he turned to glance back at the brunette, before meeting the elfin girl's curious gaze. "All the girls on the crew needed my help in some form or the other. I've never recruited anyone just on a whim."

"But why be that selective? And when we do find a girl who needs help, you try your hardest to discourage her from joining you... Why is that?"

John blinked at her in surprise, startled by the forthright nature of her question. "I've never really thought about it like that before... I-I just..." He gazed away into the distance, considering her question.

Faye waited patiently, then gave Claudine a warm smile when the brunette returned with their drinks.

Setting two glasses of red wine down on the table, she asked, "Have you decided what you'd like for dinner?"

"I'd like the mixed leaf salad, please," Faye replied, then darted a glance at John who was still lost in thought. "And my handsome date would like a rare sirloin steak with green beans and thick-cut fries!"

Shaking himself out of his daze, John nodded absent-mindedly to the waitress, watching her leave before looking at his glass of wine. "I think... I must have always instinctively known how Progenitors treat their Matriarch and Thralls. I suppose I've been rebelling against it all this time... trying to make sure the girls really want a life with me, rather than just forcing it on them."

Faye picked up her glass and took an experimental sip, savouring the unfamiliar taste. She looked at John over the rim of the glass and said, "So, do you think-"

He laughed and raised a hand in protest. "Hold on, I don't remember agreeing to a game of twenty questions. I think I've done quite enough introspection for the moment... now it's your turn."

She grinned at him, her big eyes gleaming. "Fair enough. Ask away!"

John picked up his wine glass and took a sip, then swirled the ruby-coloured liquid around the glass. "Have you ever disagreed with anything I've asked you to do?"

Faye's smile faded and her expression grew troubled. "Nothing you've asked me to do specifically, but I do regret that we were forced to destroy Nexus..."

"Really? Why's that?" John asked, listening with interest.

"Don't get me wrong, he was like a rabid dog that needed to be put down," Faye replied quietly. "I know Calara was forced to stop Nexus to save Terra, but he's the only other AI we've met so far. I would have liked to learn more about him... if he hadn't been crazy that is."

He nodded his understanding. "It must be hard... being the only one of your kind. I know what that feels like."

She tilted her head to one side and murmured, "I hadn't really thought about it before, but I suppose I'm another of your wounded little birds..."

"But not one I can easily fix," John said, reaching across the table to touch her hand. "Not that I think there's something wrong with you... but I know you've struggled with 'growing pains' and I don't always have the answers."

"You try to help though and that means the world," Faye said emphatically, placing her hand atop his.

He smiled at her, enjoying the soft warmth of her fingers. "Can I ask another question?"

"Sure, go ahead!" she replied, but he could see she was a little warier now.

He studied her cute face for a moment. "Faye, if I could grant you any wish, what would it be?"

She looked at him with wide eyes, then hurriedly took a big gulp of her wine. "This is harder than I thought!"

"You don't have to answer if it's too personal to share..." he said with a lopsided smile, echoing her early words.

Faye groaned and rolled her eyes. "I set myself up for that one!"

John took another sip of his wine, but stayed silent, giving her the space to answer if she chose.

"Oh look, dinner's ready!" Faye chirped with relief, turning to beam a bright smile at their waitress as she approached the table.

Claudine set the two plates down, her eyes darting to John. "Is the steak cooked to your satisfaction, Lio-... Sir?"

"It looks perfect, thank you," he said graciously.

She nodded, then turned to Faye. "Can I get you any dressings, miss?"

"No, this is amazing, thanks very much!" the purple sprite cheerfully replied.

Claudine returned her smile, then stepped away from the table, leaving them with their meal.

John glanced at Faye's leafy salad and smiled. "An interesting choice of dish from a steak house..."

Faye picked up her knife and fork and shrugged. "I'm a vegetarian."

He was unable to mask his surprise and glanced down in horror at the thick slab of juicy red meat on his plate. "I didn't even think to ask! I'm sorry, Faye."

She waved away his apology. "I have no objections to you eating meat; you're an omnivore, it's only natural." Giving him a self-conscious smile, she continued, "I don't need to eat to survive, so it felt wrong for a living creature to lose its life just to maintain the illusion that I'm organic."

"That's a really nice sentiment," John said, nodding his approval.

Faye gestured towards the steak with her fork. "Don't let your dinner get cold, it looks delicious!"

He sawed off a slice of beef and was about to pop it into his mouth, when he paused, a smile on his face. "As you seem to have passed on my last question, may I ask another?"

She blushed and lowered her eyes, suddenly finding her lettuce absolutely fascinating. "Okay..."

"I think I've got to know you quite well over the last few months and it's almost like there's two Fayes... There's this bright ray of sunshine I see on a daily basis, but there's also a deeply introspective girl who seems to be full of profound thoughts. I was wondering... which is the real you?"

Faye slowly raised her luminous eyes to look at him again, her face creased with worry. "Is there one of them you don't like?"

"No, not at all, I think both sides of you are lovely, it's just that..." he paused, unsure how to word what he was going to say without giving offence. "They're just very different types of personality, and in my experience, it's exceptionally rare to see both in the same person."

She was silent for a long moment, her expression pensive as she watched him eat. "John..." she said softly, uncertainty in her eyes. "Every aspect of my personality is an affectation. I didn't inherit a genetic predisposition to introversion or extroversion, so I've tried to adopt personas that help me achieve the most desirable outcomes for any given scenario."

"What do you mean?" he asked, frowning as he tried to follow her explanation. "You change your personality to more easily manipulate a situation the way you want?"

"To further my diabolical goals of galactic domination?" she teased him.

He blushed and quickly shook his head. "Sorry, that came out much harsher than I intended."

She smiled, showing that she hadn't been offended. "I've spent a lot of time observing you and the girls aboard the ship, and I noticed that everybody seems to respond well to Dana's cheerful disposition. Whenever you smile and laugh, your moods lift as endorphins are released. As I care a great deal about all of you and your wellbeing, I've tried to be as positive and upbeat around everyone as I can."

John listened attentively, captivated by this insight into her personality. "And what about the quieter, more thoughtful side to you?"

"I've noticed that when one of you wishes to discuss something important, you adopt a more sombre, reflective tone. It adds gravitas to the speaker, encouraging the audience to be more attentive and receptive to whatever point is being made. Rachel uses this to great effect whenever she reveals any new scientific discoveries that she's made."

John shook his head in amazement. "I've never really thought about it that way before. You have amazing insight into the way we behave."

Faye gave him a dazzling smile. "Thanks! I'm glad I was able to shed some light on the complex social interactions that sentient organic life instinctively employs and takes for granted!"

He blinked at her in surprise, startled by the jarring shift in mood.

Her smile relaxed, turning coy. "It's fun being cheerful and upbeat, but as you can see, it's not always appropriate..."

"I had no idea you were so... nuanced... Faye," John said, truly impressed. He put down his knife and squeezed her hand. "Thank you for putting so much thought and effort into how you affect the crew. You're absolutely right by the way; I love your company, but I also value your opinion as a thoughtful, intelligent person."

She caressed his fingers and gave him a relieved smile. "I'm really glad you don't feel like I'm faking my personality."

"No, not at all." He thought about it for a second, then continued, "I suppose people usually inherit part of their personality and learn the rest from their environment... but for you it's been 100% environmental."

Faye nodded, her smile widening. "Yes! That's it exactly."

"Well I really like you, Faye. I think you're a charming girl and I thoroughly enjoy spending time with you," he said, his tone sincere.

"I really like you too," she said with blissful sigh.

They smiled at each other and focused on their dinner for a while, drinking the wine and making small talk about the restaurant. When they finished their dinner, Claudine arrived to remove their plates.

"Did you enjoy your meal?" she asked, looking at each of them in turn.

"Very much, the steak was excellent," John replied, giving her an appreciative smile. "Please pass on my compliments to the chef."

"He'll be delighted to hear the Lion likes his cooking," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

Faye leaned forward and asked, "Claudine, do you work here full time?"

The young woman shook her head. "This is just a temporary job to help me pay my way through college. I'm training to become a vet at the University in New Athens."

The elfin girl's face lit up with a grin. "You and the Lion have something in common. He likes healing wounded little birds... don't you, John?"

"Really?!" Claudine asked, turning to look at him with genuine interest. "I knew you were a war hero, but I had no idea you had veterinary experience!"

He tried not to laugh at Faye's antics and gave the brunette a disarming smile. "She's just making a private joke at my expense. I'm not that kind of vet, but I have a lot of respect for people who heal the sick, whether it's people or animals. I think you've chosen a very worthy career."

Claudine looked delighted at his praise. "Thank you! It's what I've always wanted to do." She glanced at the menu on their table and added, "Would either of you like dessert?"

John gave Faye a questioning look, but she smiled and shook her head. "Just the bill please."

"Sure, let me just clear the table for you," Claudine said as she gathered up their plates, then returned them to the kitchen.

"How did you know she was a student?" John asked Faye when they were alone again.

The purple girl grinned at him. "Claudine was reading from a holo-viewer hidden behind the bar while she was waiting for us to finish eating. I saw the reflection in the mirror, it was titled: Marcyk's Textbook on Small Animal Surgery."

John glanced back at the bar a good fifty-metres away and was astounded she could make out that much detail in a reflection at that distance. He smiled at his petite companion and said, "So you guessed she was either a budding serial killer, or training to be a vet."

"She didn't strike me as a knife-wielding maniac!" Faye replied with a giggle.

Claudine returned with the bill and John took it, glancing at the total. "Do you get to keep all your tips or does management take a cut?" he asked offhandedly as he paid the amount.

She wrinkled her nose and darted a glance around. "She takes 50%!" the young woman whispered with an indignant frown.

He shook his head in disgust. "I used to work in a restaurant... that's not right. Have you got your own credit chit with you?"

Claudine hesitated, darting a nervous glance at the door to the manager's office. "We're not supposed to let people tip that way..." she replied in a furtive whisper.

"Oh, I think it'll be okay," John replied, producing his credit chit. When she nervously pulled her own silvery-stick from her pocket, he keyed in the amount and swiped his chit over hers, a quiet beep confirming the transfer.

"You're very kind, thank you," she said gratefully, then glanced down at her credit chit. One look at the new balance turned Claudine's lovely green eyes into saucers and she wavered unsteadily for a moment, leaning on their table for support. Giving John a look of bewilderment, she gasped, "Oh my God! Thank you so much!"

"We had a lovely dinner," he said magnanimously. "Hopefully that's enough so that you can concentrate full time on your studies... it must be hard trying to juggle University and a job."

She blinked at him, still stunned by his generosity, before giving him a jubilant smile. "I'm going to hand in my notice right now!"

Faye laughed as the young woman practically skipped with joy towards the manager's office. Darting a glance at John, she asked, "How much did you give her?"

"Fifty grand," he replied with a wink. "Now she can concentrate on her course and not have to worry about being saddled with debt."

"Are you sure we don't need a vet on the crew?" Faye asked, her expression turning serious. "We have just recruited a bunch of catgirls..."

He chuckled as he rose from his chair and offered her a hand. "You're getting as bad as Alyssa."

As they made their way out of the restaurant, they heard raised voices coming from the manager's office, so they slowed in case it turned ugly.

Less than a minute later, Claudine blustered out of the office and rushed over to join them, a huge grin on her face. "It's done! Now I can be a full-time student!" Her eyes suddenly filled up and she reached out to touch John's arm. "Thank you... you've no idea how much difference this will make to my life!"

"It was my pleasure," he replied, moved by her sincerity. "It was nice to meet you, Claudine."

She waved goodbye as they entered the lift, watching them depart with a wistful look in her green eyes.

"Feel better after doing your good deed for the day?" Faye asked as they descended in the lift.

"It's always nice being able to help someone without having to kill anything first," John replied with a wry smile.

She raised an eyebrow. "It's not too late to change your mind. Imagine how hot Claudine would look with a huge tummy full of your cum..."

John paused, imagining looking into those soft green eyes as he fed the beautiful young woman, his cum making her fertile and ready...

He shook away the tantalising image and smiled at his playful companion. "Don't... it's far too tempting."

"I didn't think you would..." she said, giving him a knowing smile. The elevator chimed and Faye glided through the open doors, pirouetting to face him as she backed into the corridor beyond. "So where are we going next on this amazing date?"

He reached for her hand, then turned left, heading down a ramp to the lower levels. "One last stop, then I'm afraid we'll have to head back to the ship."

"Time's been flying," she said wistfully, leaning into his arm. "I've loved having all this time alone with you."

John enjoyed the yielding pressure of her pert breast against his arm, and couldn't help glancing down at her chest. Faye's nipples were making prominent bumps in her yellow dress and with the height difference between them, he had a mouth-watering view of her cleavage. Despite his attempt to be discreet, the petite girl noticed and thrust her chest out further to give him a better look.

He darted a quick glance at her face and saw her radiant smile. "You temptress," he said, laughing at her gleeful expression.

"This date's getting better and better!" she exclaimed with a giggle, bouncing along at his side.

"I've been enjoying it too," he readily admitted. "It's been surprising... but in a really good way. I've started to realise that there's so much more to you than you've been letting me see before; so thank you for opening up today."

Faye blushed, her purple cheeks darkening. "I'm surprised at myself... but thank you for not reacting badly to anything. It was a tremendous relief that you were so understanding."

With Faye distracted by watching John's face, she was surprised when he brought them to a sudden halt. "We're here," he said quietly, his voice echoing in the huge room.

Faye turned around and her mouth dropped open in astonishment as she looked around the enormous cavern. The chamber was illuminated by lamps along the base of the walls, the lights catching the embedded quartz and triggering a dazzling array of colours.

"It's so beautiful," she whispered in awe, enchanted by the spectacular display.

"All this formed in one of the first lava lakes they created at the plant," John explained, looking up at the ceiling far overhead. "When I was trying to plan where to go for our date, I remembered the vivid purples from the amethyst and immediately thought of you."