Shika looks at Tejas.
Tejas nods and he punches some buttons. The satellite imagery comes up, the trajectories superimposed, the satellite timestamps matching the trajectories. "It's not the high end feeds, of course, that stuff is classified."
…
So yeah... squeezing my hand and all. Then the thanks. I work to control this enormous wave of guilt, then an angry flare. I don't think she would be in here except for what they made me give her. I just nod in response and I decide to sit down next…
I’m caught for a moment, just like before in the shower, looking at her body. I can't tell whether she’s naked because she wants to be or because I want to see it. Like before, I tear my eyes away and up to focus on her face.
At first, when she r…
I hesitate a moment. The thing I don’t like about the device is how hard it is to lie. That and there is always some emotional bleed.
But she was awake! And doing better. And of all the pod, she asked for me.
I bite my lip considering and fina…
I'm a little better now. My insides are still feeling strange. And I feel... not quite so righteous about what I said to Bea. I take in the bay, the tube, the new doctor.
"Hi. Um... No Emergency, thanks. I was messaged about Priscilla was asking f…
Bea folding in on herself just makes me angrier, really. Drokk her. Like I said, I turn away, give my little promise to Nadja and storm for the door.
I don't care where I go. Just away. But I remember that Pris was asking for me. Maybe I'll head fo…
When she says it, I rear back like I've been slapped while my insides go cold and start to ache and the world shifts strangely.
“ What?” I whisper it,
If Nadja had said it, I would probably have blown it off. But to have Bea say something like th…
Shika's eyes widen and she grins, excited like a kid on the Emperor's birthday.
"Really? I was just hoping for, you know, a drink, since you're not engaged and all. But that would be, just... amazing!"
She holds her hand out to transfer the comm…
"No, Bea. You shouldn't be afraid of me. Not you. Hey..."
I cock my head, studying her, lay my hand lightly on her knee, the scars on my arm perfectly visible.
"What's the matter, huh?"
I glare daggers at Nadja.
"Oh there's going to be trouble." I say with an edge. "No stopping that now. Nadja will regret drokking with me, with us, believe me."
I look at Bea, my voice softens.
"What's the matter, are you afraid of her? You kn…
Vyvyan doesn't watch you being escorted from the room, turning back to the bar instead, brushing xir hair back into place.
Her minions offer you support but they won't persist if you insist on walking yourself.
They escort you to a rather nice r…
I never did understand the particulars of speedball, so what is legal or illegal isn’t something I know right off the bat. I shrug.
I sigh internally when I take notice of Bea. I suppose with earlier today I should go see if she’s okay.
I stand…
I break into a full grin and a chuckle at Tabitha's affection and happiness. It nudges something warm. "You're welcome"
It kind of falls off when she screams for Zola, and I have to think about that situation. But she's not looking at me anyway.
I…
Your lunge was unexpected. Vyvyan shouts in surprise, struggles and shoves you off but you saw what you needed to see. Xie has one. Not one of the cheap ones, like xir minions, but something that looks much more advanced and subtle. It's almost invi…
Shika shrugs
"Cultural ignorance." She smirks. " Offworld accent, core systems if I'm any judge. You sound just like Gabriel Caro on Love and Honor." Her color deepens a bit with the admission that she follows slightly trashy melodrama. She smiles…
I open my mouth to return the greeting when Ashlee hurries over and starts chattering. I close my mouth, nonplussed. Considering what I've just asked of her, and the way Tabitha ruffles her hair affectionately, I bite back an urge to snark somethin…
“Good”
I can see her wondering why, also the discomfort of me being too close. I let go, back off.
“Sorry” I mumble. There’s an awkward pause and I see that Tabitha has been taken out of the game. See the exchange with Zola.
“Okay then. I’ll…
He lets go, stepping away from Kohaku's sword, she follows him with the point, stepping between you when the distace opens up.
Mykki bows respectfully.
"I do. I will be pleased to attend." He straightens again, eyes glittering in the scattered …
String on Eff
I watch Eff go, impassive, then turn back to Ashlee, riasing a brow.
"Lizard?" I say like 'Really? That was the time?'
"Alright. That's my end." I put an hand on her shoulder, glance around for anyone else too close. then look st…
"Believe what you wish, you will understand the truth soon enough, little sib." xie says somberly, still looking away..
More thugs enter the room. The ones you dealt with before and a couple more. Vyvyan motions to them and looks at you again.
"…
Shika smiles, slightly flushed, and shrugs, looking a bit relieved, perhaps.
"Glad to help, what I can, Sai." She says. "But I think you've seen plenty, right? You're a TXR ship captain. You'd have figured it out."
You're pretty sure you didn't …
He does, Xuan. He can hardly resist.
And here's the thing. It's a very good kiss. The technique is impeccable (one could hardly expect less from someone like Mikki, honestly.) But there's something more to it. Honest passion, perhaps, real feeling…
I’m standing straight at my full height which is above average, taller than Eff is in any case, and I cross my arms, raising my chin slightly as I look down at her coldly.
“Indeed, Corporal Eff, you will have to forgo your discipline of Rai for th…
Vyvyan turns back to the bar, xir composure returning as if you hadn't just yelled at each other.
"When I believed in the fairy tale. Before I knew the universe for what it was... perhaps."
Xir tone is light and casual again.
The call disconnects.
"I guess this is uh... higher level than I thought." Shika says a wry twist to her mouth.
Her partner comes over the speaker. "Touchdown in a minute, sweetheart."
Shika rolls her eyes. "Not your sweetheart, Gos." She says…
I raise an eyebrow. I was planning on trading her brother's game ball for this little favor, but I guess I get to save that for a rainy day.
That's something Dad used to say. It would be nice to know what it means.
"Okay. I'll get rid of her. An…
I locate who she’s freaking out about. Besides me, I mean. I shoot Eff a cold look, a warning. Then turn back to Ashlee.
“I want you to get me something of Nadja’s. Something personal to her.” I say in a low voice. "I'll make it worth your while."
Ouch. That's first.
She was drokking with me about the psychic whatever. That's second.
"Drokk you." I grip Dad's ring on my finger and look away from her, feeling my face petrify even as my guts churn with...whatever. "You don't know what the d…