Scratches the back of his head. “I… uhhh well…. I’d… like to…. uhhh as humans say… court you….”
Carlos blinked at him. “Court…?” he asked. He
tried to think – was he mis-hearing that? Or was the translator giving him the
wrong words? “I’m… I’m sorry if this all sounds like the same word for your
translator, but like… wooing? Pursuing romantically? Wanting to date?”Yondu blinks a bit and thinks a bit then nods. “Yeah.. that sounds about right.”
Carlos just stared at him. He barely held himself back from saying ‘what the shit?’ out loud. “Wha… I’m… I’m flattered, I guess, but… I’m a little confused. Why… why me? I’m just… you know, I’m just a guy…”
He shrugs. “Because I’m… interested… so….. am I allowed or…. not?”
“You are – I mean, you are allowed to like me,”
Carlos said quickly. “I just… don’t understand, I guess. You… you’re a captain. I’m… kinda surprised you aren’t
already taken.” He then frowned. “Unless your species takes multiple partners…
then I’m afraid I’m going to have to turn you down. I… I don’t know about being
just one of… more than one.”“I don’t know much about my species….. but … that’s a story for another time….. but as for me.. no I have no…. other or mate….”
Carlos nodded slightly, looking down at his
plate awkwardly. “Ah,” he said softly. He moved some of the beans on his plate
around. “You know… I didn’t think I’d find someone out in space who wouldn’t
mind going out with a human. I… I guess I thought my species would generally be
too stupid or… I mean, in the sense of not being advanced enough.”“Look at peter…. the persons not stupid unless they refuse to learn….. you know only what your species does….it’s not your fault on that…”
“Well, he has the advantage of growing up in
space,” Carlos said. “But… I’m just saying… I guess I thought folks like you
would prefer someone who is more… familiar with their own culture. Space
culture, not just… planetary culture.” He glanced up at Yondu and gave him a slightly nervous smile.
The Perfect Scientist 