Alien Diplomacy

know it, so it’s only the barest of leaks.”
    “Because no one is going to miss this event,” Reader said. “It’s the talk of the town. Paul can’t take two steps outside the Pontifex’s residence without someone asking if he’s going to be at the ball.”
    Gower nodded. “I’m sure your friend’s call won’t stop your other friends from attending, Kitty.”
    “Dude, where in my explanation did I make it sound like most of these people are my friends? Classmates, yes. Friends, no. Only Eugene. We’re not in with the Washington Wife In Crowd, trust me.”
    “I don’t think you need to worry, Kitty,” Chuckie said. “This leak, such as it is, isn’t enough to warrant anyone panicking, thoughafter this is done, I may have a word with his wife and explain that her husband is snooping around. If she doesn’t already know.”
    “Meaning she could be feeding him false information to keep him happy,” Tim said.
    “True enough,” Reader agreed. “But I’m with Reynolds. This isn’t a high enough priority to warrant any more of our time.”
    The conversation went back to the other higher priority problems. After a few minutes, it was clear that while high-level meetings had to continue, Jeff and I weren’t adding all that much. I was tired, and the torpedoes were suggesting that baby feeding rather than psychopathic mind-melding would be in my best interests. Jeff and I went up to our apartment while Mom went with a few dozen A-Cs to get Dad and Jamie.
    We got into our rooms, and I noticed something missing. A lot of somethings. “Where are all the Poofs?”
    “I’d assume they’re with Jamie and your father.” Jeff shrugged. “You know they go wherever they want to.”
    Someone knocked, and I heard Jamie’s Papa Sol and Nana Angela are the BEST Grandparents in the WORLD squeal-giggle combo. I also heard snuffling, yipping, and hissing. Jeff opened the door, and the tide of canines blew in, dragging A-C agents behind them, followed by the agents carrying the deluxe cat carriers. Mom, Dad, and Jamie came in, more A-Cs behind them.
    “Wow, it’s a party.” I took my child, who demanded kisses from both Mom and Dad before letting go of Mom’s shirt.
    Mom gave Jamie a tickle. “She was angelic as usual. So unlike you in that one way.”
    “Hilarious.” Dad opened the cat carriers, and all three cats exited from one. All the Poofs exited from the other. “Dad, why were all the pets and Poofs with you?”
    He gave me a shocked and affronted look. “There was a potential gas leak. You didn’t think I’d leave any of the animals in danger, did you?”
    “No, Dad, no,” I said quickly, lest the “they are our family members, too” lecture begin. “Just didn’t think about it.”
    Dad nodded. “I understand, kitten. There’s been a lot going on.” He looked into our bedroom. “Jeff, where are the dog beds?”
    Jeff coughed. “In the other room. The big dayroom,” he added hopefully.
    Dad’s expression went from pleasant to stern instantly. “The dogs are used to sleeping with us. They’re excellent protection, too.”
    “I don’t really want the animals in the same room as Jamie,” Jeff said.
    “We had cats and dogs before Kitty was born, and they were always in our rooms.” Dad shook his head. “You have the Poofs in the room with you.”
    “They’re different,” Jeff said, clearly grasping for any port in this storm.
    Dad shot him the Evil Parent Eye. “Jeff, when you agreed to take the pets, we went over sleeping arrangements.”
    “Oh, Dad, relax. You know they’ll be in our room within a matter of minutes, no matter where Jeff put the dog beds.” In my experience, the dogs merely dragged their beds to where they wanted to sleep and then refused to budge.
    “Where are you planning to have the cats sleep?” Dad asked, voice like ice.
    “With us,” Jeff said quickly. “I’m just worried that the Poofs might, ah, get territorial and hurt the dogs. Or the cats.”
    “Oh, don’t worry about that,” Dad said, all signs of annoyance gone. “They got along wonderfully while we were over at Paul and James’ residence.” He pointed into our room again.
    Sure enough, Candy and Kane were both on the larger Poof Condo already, surrounded by Poofs, all snoozing as if they’d lived here together forever. Sugarfoot was grooming himself and also the three Poofs hanging out in the middle of the bed with him. Clearly the Poofs and the cats were getting along just