Brenda Kowalski’s kitchen is all warm lamplight, floral curtains, and the sharp smell of sugar. Joe Average stands near the table in his red and white shirt, trying to look as suburban as possible. Zibbler is under the counter, tail thumping, jaws busy with a chair leg.
The chair gives a wet, splintery crunch. Brenda freezes with a pie plate in both hands. Gerald Fitch, already half-leaning over a notepad, lifts his head like he has just heard a headline being born.
Brenda Kowalski
Joey... is your little dog supposed to do that?
Zibbler pauses only long enough to blink three stalked eyes at Brenda, tongue lolling happily, then chomps again. Gerald’s pen starts moving fast.
Gerald Fitch
That is not a normal dog. I mean, not even close. Joe, what exactly is he?
Brenda edges one step back from the table, still trying to decide whether to scold the creature or offer it a snack. The chair leg cracks off in Zibbler’s mouth.
The pie crust is still cooling on the counter.
Brenda Kowalski
If he wants something to chew, I have an old ottoman in the garage. But I am not buying this as a pet, Joey.
Gerald Fitch
Answer me straight. Is this thing from Earth, or are you going to make me write a very strange article?
+ Story Quest Added
Explain what Zibbler is
+ Scene Quest Added
Answer Gerald Fitch's questions
“"It's simple, he is very rare type of dog from my home country. I adopted him some years back and I've become very close too him, but like most dogs he eats anything he can find you must allow me to apologize on he behalf."”
SUCCESS (Superb Deception, rolled +1)
Joe Average
He is a very rare dog from my home country. I adopted him years ago, and he does eat anything he finds. I apologize on his behalf.
Brenda lowers the pie plate a little, eyes flicking from Joe to the splintered chair leg in Zibbler’s mouth. Gerald pauses mid-note, then writes slower, as if the story has become stranger and therefore better.
Brenda Kowalski
A rare dog, huh? Well. He certainly has a rare appetite.
Gerald Fitch
Years ago, you say? And this is normal where you are from?
Zibbler trots out from under the counter with the chair leg held like a prize, then drops it neatly at Brenda’s feet. Wood dust scatters across the tile.
Brenda Kowalski
He can stay, if he stays off my good furniture. And if he wants food, I have scraps.
Gerald glances between Brenda’s softened expression and Joe’s calm face, his suspicion thinning into a different kind of interest. He taps the notepad once, waiting for whatever Joe says next.
“Joe pretends to be offended making Gerald out to be a racist. "What do you mean normal where I am from? Are you implying because we are foreign we are not normal? I am just another earth human male, and Zibbler is just another domesticated earth canine! I don't appreciate your rude implications Gerald..."”
SUCCESS (Superb Deception, rolled +2)
Gerald Fitch
Right, yes, of course. Bad phrasing. I mean, you call him a dog, but he is not exactly any dog I know.
Brenda Kowalski
Gerald, let the man talk. Joe’s done nothing but apologize, and your notebook is getting nosier by the second.
Joe Average
I appreciate your concern. Earth customs can be confusing. Zibbler is a domesticated companion from my home, and he is very, very ordinary.
Brenda Kowalski
Ordinary, sure. But the way Joe says it makes it sound practiced, not invented on the spot.
Gerald Fitch
That answer is smoother than it should be. Still, nobody sounds this careful unless they have something to hide.
Zibbler plants both paws on the broken chair leg, then nudges it away from Brenda’s shoes as if presenting evidence of good manners.
Brenda Kowalski
Well. Your little companion has better table manners than half the boys I’ve met. Does he always come when called?