She was grateful. As a whole, she found humanoid races just a little too prudish about physical contact. But what did you expect when they were generally born only one or two at a time? Alastrian hatchlings didn't really have a concept of personal space. It had taken Ariadne a long time to get used to the isolation that came with growing up.

Except when it came to hands. She was careful never to let anyone touch her hands.

"You've given me a lot to think about, Jim." She smiled. "Thank you."