Page 4 of Proslo

A Mylos male wearing a rather nice looking suit and tie looked up.

“Hi, I’m Betty Lewis. I have an appointment.”

He smiled broadly and stood. “Welcome! I’m Lechand. Could I offer you a coffee? Or perhaps a tea?”

“A coffee would be lovely, thank you.”

“A flat white, Americano, a latte, or a cappuccino?” he asked.

I blinked. “A latte, please.”

“Would you like vanilla, mocha, or caramel? I’m afraid we’re out of the gingerbread and hazelnut syrups.”

“Vanilla’s good,” I replied.

He opened a drawer in his desk and handed me a tablet. “If you’ll have a seat over there,” he indicated a very comfortable looking sofa and chair grouping, “I’ll bring it right over. And please, help yourself to whatever you want from the side table.”

“Thank you.” A quick look showed me that the two large boxes on the side table held various donuts and other pastries. I picked up a bear claw with one of the paper napkins provided and settled myself into one of the pillowy armchairs. I began answering the questions, and wow, there were a lot. I’d expected them to be as long as those from the better dating sites but these were way beyond that. The first part included an in depth personality quiz. I’d only answered about five of those questions when Lechand returned with my coffee.

“Thank you,” I murmured once more.

I kept answering question after question, and it didn’t take me long to realize that the hour estimate’s time was probably entirely filled with answering this questionnaire. I had to stop to take a potty break and Lechand offered me a second coffee. I accepted a caramel latte this time and took a glazed ring doughnut to go with it. At long last I finished answering everything, feeling like I’d bared my soul. I took the now cold final sip of my coffee and picked up my napkins to throw them away before taking the mug and tablet back to the desk.

Lechand smiled at me. “All done?” he asked, standing to take the mug from me, which he placed inside what looked like a dishwasher drawer under the counter holding the coffee maker and electric kettle before returning.

“Yes.”

“No problems? You managed to answer everything okay?’

I chuckled. “Some of the things you guys asked made me have to think, but yeah, I got there in the end.”

“Excellent!” He reached into another drawer, pulling out a sealed swab. “I just need to take a DNA sample and let Xeranos read it while he finishes analyzing the replies you’ve given.” He took the tablet from me, pressed the button to turn it off, and placed it back inside the drawer he’d taken it from. “If you’ll just open your mouth, I’ll take a cheek swab.” He uncapped the tube holding the swab and took it out. “Perfect!” He continued on cheerily as he collected the saliva sample and placed it back inside the tube. He walked back over to the coffee area and opened another drawer beside the first one, placing the swab inside. “Okay, Xero, have at it as they say.”

“Processing,” came a male disembodied voice.

“That’s your AI, isn’t it?” I asked him, glancing around as if I could spot him.

“It is indeed.

“I read he’s fully sentient.”

“That is correct,” Xeranos replied. “But don’t worry. I only ever use my powers for good.”

I laughed nervously. “That’s alright then.”

“It’ll be a few minutes at most for him to complete -” Lechand started to explain when bells began to ring.

“Congratulations!” Xeranos cried out, sounding way too happy.

Lechand looked as shocked as I felt.

“This location has never had a match before,” he told me. “You’re the first!”

I stared at him in incomprehension. Had they both just said… No. No way.

Lechand smiled at me. “What a happy surprise!” he continued. “Your mate has also been alerted and will be arriving shortly. He tapped at a device around his wrist. “Oh! You’re matched to Dr. Proslo, our chief medical officer. He’ll have to take a shuttle down, so I’m afraid you’ll have to bear my company for another hour or so.”

I shook my head in denial. “I can’t. I have to go feed my cat and, and let my landlady know things have changed and…” I made a dash for the front door but it didn’t budge.