Page 13 of Swipe Right for Stardust

Luckily, she didn’t seem to notice, but continued. “First, I desperately need to clean up. I’m pretty sure I still have confetti in places confetti should never be.”

VANESSA

Istumbled into my quarters, my heart racing as the door whooshed shut behind me. The room took my breath away. A hovering bed floated gracefully in the center, defying gravity. Holographic art displays shimmered on the walls, cycling through mesmerizing alien landscapes. But what truly captivated me was the window - a vast expanse of glass revealing the infinite tapestry of stars beyond.

“Holy crap,” I whispered, pressing my palm against the cool surface. Pinpricks of light twinkled back at me, more numerous than I’d ever imagined possible. A comet streaked by, leaving a glittering trail in its wake.

I tore myself away from the view, exploring the rest of the space. The bathroom held wonders of its own - a shower that adjusted itself to my exact preferences, jets of water pulsing from every angle. I couldn’t resist giving it a try, squealing as streams of perfectly heated water enveloped me.

Once dry, I approached the closet with trepidation. It hummed to life, holographic projections of outfits materializing before my eyes.

“Uh, something for a dinner date?” I ventured uncertainly.

The closet whirred, cycling through options faster than I could process. It finally settled on a shimmering dress that changed color with each movement.

“Wow,” I breathed, reaching out to touch the fabric. It felt impossibly soft beneath my fingertips.

My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since before the challenges. I spotted what looked like a food synthesizer built into the wall.

“Um, grilled cheese?” I asked hopefully.

To my delight, a perfectly toasted sandwich materialized moments later. I took a big bite, savoring the familiar comfort food.

As I chewed, my gaze drifted back to the window. The vastness of space stretched out before me, beautiful and terrifying all at once. A lump formed in my throat as I thought of Earth, so impossibly far away now. What had I gotten myself into?

I shook off the melancholy, focusing instead on the excitement bubbling beneath the surface. I was here for the adventure, right? And speaking of adventures...

I located the room’s communication panel, tapping at it experimentally. “Uh, Klix? You there?”

The screen flickered to life, revealing Klix’s eager face. “Hello, Vanessa! How may I assist you?”

“Hey, so... about Taffy,” I began, not quite sure how to explain our new tentacled companion. “We kind of... acquired a pet during the challenges. I was hoping you might have some advice on caring for it?”

Klix’s eyes lit up. “Ah, a Cephalox! How wonderful! They make delightful companions. I’d be happy to find a suitable habitat for your new friend.”

I smiled, Klix’s enthusiasm infectious. “Thanks, that would be great. It’s pretty cute, actually. In a weird, alien octopus kind of way.”

“I’ll get right on it,” Klix assured me. “Is there anything else you need?”

I glanced at the closet, suddenly self-conscious. “Actually... any tips for impressing a certain xenobiologist at dinner tonight?”

Klix’s expression turned sly. “Ah, I see. Well, Dr. Kolvari is quite fascinated by Earth culture. Perhaps you could share some of your planet’s customs?”

I nodded, thankful for the advice. “Thanks, Klix. You’re a lifesaver.”

As I ended the call, my nerves kicked into overdrive. What was I thinking, trying to impress someone like Zarnak? He was brilliant, accomplished... and completely alien.

I stepped into the shimmering dress, watching as it adjusted to fit my form perfectly. The fabric rippled with each movement, shifting from deep purple to midnight blue. It was easily the most stunning thing I’d ever worn.

As I fussed with my hair, my thoughts drifted to Zarnak. His towering frame and icy blue skin had been intimidating at first, but there was a gentleness to him that drew me in. The way his yellow eyes lit up when discussing his research, the careful way he handled Taffy...

I got a hold of myself, trying to dispel the butterflies in my stomach. This was just a friendly dinner between teammates, nothing more. Still, I couldn’t help the thrill of anticipation coursing through me.

I took one last look in the mirror, smoothing down the shimmering fabric. “You’ve got this, Vanessa,” I told my reflection. “It’s just dinner with a brilliant, fascinating alien man. No pressure at all.”

A chime rang through my quarters, startling me from my nervous preening. I opened it to reveal Klix’s eager face.

“Vanessa! I’ve brought something for Taffy,” he announced, gliding into the room with a floating, transparent sphere. Inside, an opalescent liquid swirled and shimmered.

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