Page 42 of Quick on the Claw

Their laughter subsided into a comfortable silence. Tiffany’s expression turned thoughtful as she gazed out over the water. “You know, I’ve always loved the ocean on Earth, but this... this is something else entirely. It makes me feel like anything is possible.”

Zak’s heart swelled at her words. He reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “With you here, I’m starting to believe that too.”

Tiffany’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink, nearly matching the ocean around them. She cleared her throat, a playful glint returning to her eyes. “So, fancy playing a game?”

Zak raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What kind of game?”

“It’s called twenty questions,” Tiffany explained. “We take turns asking each other anything we want to know. It’s a great way to learn more about each other.”

Zak nodded. “Sounds interesting. You start.”

Tiffany tapped her chin thoughtfully. “All right, let’s start simple. What’s your favorite color?”

“Green,” Zak answered without hesitation. “The deep, rich green of the forest at twilight. Your turn.”

“Hmm,” Zak pondered for a moment. “What’s your favorite time of day, and why?”

Tiffany’s eyes lit up. “Oh, definitely early morning, just as the sun is rising. There’s something magical about that moment when the world is waking up.” She paused, then added with a grin, “Plus, that’s when coffee tastes the best.”

Zak chuckled, making a mental note of her love for coffee. “I can appreciate that. The forest is particularly beautiful at dawn.”

“Speaking of the forest,” Tiffany said, “do you hunt?”

Zak nodded. “I do, though not as often as I’d like. It’s a tradition among our people, and there’s something primal and freeing about it. But I always make sure we only take what we need and respect the balance of nature.”

Tiffany nodded, seeming to approve of his approach. “That makes sense. Okay, your turn.”

“What’s your favorite food?” Zak asked, genuinely curious about her tastes.

Tiffany’s eyes glazed over dreamily. “Oh, that’s tough. But I’d have to say pizza. There’s just something about the perfect combination of gooey cheese, tangy sauce, and crispy crust that can’t be beat.”

Zak made another mental note, determined to find a way to recreate this pizza for her. “It sounds delicious. I’ll have to try it someday.”

As they continued their game, the questions ranged from lighthearted to more profound. Zak learned about Tiffany’s passion for teaching, her favorite books, and her childhood dreams. In turn, he shared stories of his training to become king, his love for the forest, and his hopes for Nova Aurora’s future.

“Do you miss anything in particular from Earth?” Zak asked, genuinely curious about what life on her home planet was like.

Tiffany’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Well, I definitely miss Netflix and chilling.”

Zak’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Netflix and... chilling? What’s that?”

Tiffany burst into laughter, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Oh, right. I forget sometimes that you don’t have Netflix here. It’s a streaming service where you can watch movies and TV shows. And ‘Netflix and chill’ is kind of a euphemism for... well, staying in, watching something together, and maybe not paying much attention to what’s on the screen, if you catch my drift.”

Understanding dawned on Zak’s face, and he felt his own cheeks warm slightly. “Ah, I see. Well, we may not have Netflix, but I’m sure we could arrange some... chilling... if you’d like.”

Tiffany’s blush deepened, but her smile widened. “I might just take you up on that offer, Your Majesty.”

As their game continued, Zak found himself more and more captivated by Tiffany. Her quick wit, her passion for life, and her genuine interest in his world all served to deepen his feelings for her.

“Tell me about teaching,” he said, genuinely curious. “How does it feel to be making such a difference for an entire planet?”

Tiffany’s eyes lit up at the question, her passion evident in every word. “It’s... incredible, honestly. Sometimes overwhelming, but in the best way possible. Every day, I walk into that classroom and see these bright, eager faces looking up at me, hungry for knowledge about a world they’ve never seen. And I get to be the one to show it to them, to open their minds to new possibilities.”

She paused, her expression growing thoughtful. “You know, back on Earth, I loved teaching. But sometimes it felt like I was just another cog in a massive system, trying to prepare kids for standardized tests rather than really inspiring them. Here, though? Here, I feel like I’m genuinely making a difference. I’m not just teaching facts and figures; I’m building bridges between two worlds. It’s challenging, sure, but it’s also the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”

Zak listened intently, marveling at the passion in her voice. “You truly have a gift, Tiffany. The way you speak about it... I can see why the children are so captivated by your lessons.”

Tiffany smiled, a mix of pride and humility in her expression. “Thank you. It means a lot to hear you say that. Sometimes I worry I’m not doing enough, that I’m not living up to the responsibility I’ve been given. But then I see a student’s eyes light up with understanding, or I hear them excitedly discussing Earth customs with their friends, and I know that even if it’s just in small ways, I’m helping to shape the future of Nova Aurora. It’s an honor, really.”

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