"I don't get it. The fairway is usually packed!" Jaeko looked around the half kilometer square room and sighed. "I guess most people are staying home and watching the news about that crashed starship." Girset waved his chocolate covered banana and remarked, "First contact with another human species from the Milky Way galaxy! That's pretty big news." Toxic tucked her big stuffed monkey under her arm and asked, "OH? Then why are YOU two NOT home watching the news?" Willow held her stuffed toy like it was an offering and said, "Girtset is from the Triangulum galaxy, and I already had contact with humans. Besides, they'll be here tomorrow, and we planned this outing for a week ahead. Alien invasion, first contact or WHATEVER...WE're going to have some fun!" Jaeko laughed, "Thanks be to god for lack of crowds! Toxic when you climbed up on the roller coaster frame WHILE THE RIDE WAS GOING to get that little boy's balloon, you flashed everyone below you! You ever heard of UNDERWEAR?" Toxic laughed. "You seen me naked before! My underwear dissolves first, so I don't even wear it. Loose clothes last three times as long before they burn up. By the way, thank you for winning me a giant monkey! I didn't know you could throw things so well. Same for you, Girtset! WOW! I thought you just shot things with a bow!" Jaeko looked over at the green man and asked, "Yeah... what about that? BOWS? Didn't your people come up with any more sophisticated weapons? Something about FTL starships and bows that seems so..." "...ALIEN? I am an alien", Girtset finished. "I'm humanoid, but have not one gene in common with the beings of this star-system. We held honor above all. Fights and combat should never be decided by the strength of weapons, but by the determination and skill of the warriors. We never came up with nuclear bombs, though we had nuclear reactors for thousands of years. Our honor did NOT save my people from extinction when Triangulum was destroyed in the great war between the Althan-Krommium and the Scourge." He trailed off, and Toxic jumped in, asking, "SO, are you two an ITEM? You know... boyfriend and girlfriend?" Willow nodded, "That's right. I'd be smiling if I was built to be able to smile." Toxic paused in shock. "YOU CAN'T SMILE?" "The Asurans never wanted their slave species to know joy. We existed for sex and torture. They hated humans so much, they had killed all they encountered, and ran out, so the built us to be hardier. I'd be dead, if not for Tall White Lady and the River Prince. I never knew I COULD feel love and joy. I'm so happy, I'm practically glowing with happiness." Willow's face seemed almost mask-like. Toxic gripped her monkey and said, "If we can get the Four Sisters back on-line, I'll MAKE you a smile! I promise!" Toxic looked around and grabbed Jaeko by the arm, "Let's go on the Roller Coaster again!" "AGAIN?" Jaeko laughed, "I think you'd live on it, if you could!" Toxic shook her head, "Naw! The bathtub would slosh too much to bathe in! You'd be like a sock in a washing machine!" She looked over at Willow and said, "Here, have a monkey! I already have a pengy. Besides, your boy friend needs a stuffed friend,too!" Girtset said, "I should have made more reservations at that little noodle place! We'll catch you two later, we're off to eat." Toxic waved and hugged on Jaeko's arm as they walked over to the roller coaster. Jaeko said, "I like your strength, Toxic." "Because I can bench press ya? Goofy." Toxic blinked. "NO. Because you accept everyone as who they are. You aren't impressed by titles or fame or any crap like that. I really admire that in you." She blinked again. "Why would anyone BE impressed by that stuff?" Jaeko laughed. "Best question of the day!" --to be continued!--