could see a functioning food preparation area with over-sized cooking containers and serving implements.
I was seated across from Tonakk, and Gobi was standing next to us insisting we should sip orjweat and try a cake. And to talk. Apparently avoiding eye contact, muttering, and the occasional glower was not enough for her endearing little green self.
The big blue jerk seemed to have calmed down a bit and allowed her to mediate.
"I believe my business at the outpost on Narvek Minor will be over quickly. You are welcome to accompany us-"
"You. Accompany you." Gobi's arm nudged his and I swear he sighed in defeat.
"Fine. You may accompany me. For some reason my Greater Gobi believes you would enjoy watching us trade. After such we-"
"You," Gobi corrected. Tonakk just looked battle-weary at this point.
"I can return you to Terra in a few days." Was he… brooding, as he stared at his cup of orjwean?
"Actually, I would like that," I admitted. "I have always wanted to be a trader, so anything I can learn would be amazing."
My comment had him pause to glance at me in surprise. Suddenly I was something mildly interesting.
I had mixed feelings on being stuck here for a few sleep sessions, except for the realizations that 1. No one showed intent to murder me yet, and 2. I was ACTUALLY ON A SPACE CRAFT! Somehow the reality finally hit me and my curiosity finally overpowered my sense of self-preservation.
Granted, Tonakk might just wait until Gobi turned away and boot me out the nearest airlock. But if he didn't, I would get to see firsthand how trades went. I couldn’t pass up this learning experience, even if I meant I had to be on my best behavior. Especially knowing that being here meant I would finally have a place to sleep that was indoors.
"I will leave you two to speak with each other," She rubbed her temple to his, some sort of sign of affection maybe, and turned to leave. Suddenly she stopped and turned back to me.
"Have you smelled anything different about him?" Gobi asked me, motioning to her grandson.
Tonakk visibly blanched, frowning at her, "My Greater Gobi, surely such would not occur. Are you truly considering this?"
I was puzzled, what should he smell like? I took a less than discreet whiff of him before shaking my head at her. He didn't smell like anything at all.
"No, not yet? Okay, we will wait more." She patted me sweetly on my cheek before leaving.
That was… odd. We both stared after her before uneasily realizing we were expected to talk to each other now.
"So, um, is this your craft?" I asked.
"Do you live near the docking area?" He asked.
"Oops, sorry. I didn’t mean to speak when you did. In answer to your question, I sleep just outside of the docking area." I was careful in my reply and looked down at my drink. A glance showed that Gobi was gone and right now I was glad. Part of me felt like she might be disappointed if she knew my truths, and I did not want that. Not everyone's life was perfect and I was not ashamed of how I lived, I simply had nothing to boast about.
If they realized I was common street trash, would they be more likely to throw me out while in space? Something new to fret over. Shit.
I must have paused for too long in my thinking, or looked shifty, because a large blue head came into my view as I sipped from my cup.
"Virginia, will you tell me about where you live?" I glanced up to find him leaning in, as if I he actually wanted to know. I fidgeted, readjusting my seated position and stared into my cup for a moment trying to decide what to say. There was no way I would meet his eye if I told the awkward truth.
"I sleep beneath the remains of the Stavis concrete factory." Simple, matter-of-fact, and head held high. I wasn’t proud but I refused to feel ashamed. In the corner of my view I saw a horned blue head move back, no longer in my space.
"Your home is under this factory?" He tilted his head as if not understanding.
"The factory is a pile of rubble," I cleared my throat and took another sip of my drink. "It had floors both above and beneath the topside layers," I was using my hands to explain. "When it crumbled, some of the lower floors did not get destroyed. There