"Hi, I'm an alien," she said. She was a pretty young woman with short red hair, freckles, and a cocked smile. The person now looking at her oddly was an older woman, late twenties to early thirties, hair up in a bun and wearing the sort of outdoor coat that said she wasn't uncomfortable in money. "You don't look so alien to me." The corner of her mouth quirked up, unsure what came next but curious and, for the moment, entertained.

"It's an excellent disguise," said the redhead. "Totally impenetrable to any kind of investigation. I'd like to invite you to be the first to try to examine my disguise and learn my alien ways. Maybe Thursday at seven? At Antoine's?"

The brunette blinked. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"No!" the redhead said. "This is a factfinding mission. A first contact between two peoples."

"Yeah?" Her smile was deeper now. "Why me?"

The redhead looked away, then back. "Because you're cute."

"I'm Daria." She held out a hand.

"I'm Allie. The alien."