Page 71 of Truthful Deceptions

We kept this game going until the food arrived. Halmoris was holding the ball and looked up and sounded a loud negative rattle at the Talin who walked in followed by a food service bot.

“We’re busy, come back later,” he snapped at the server.

The poor guy froze. “I thought you wanted the food as soon as it was ready.”

“Human Opal enjoyed this game,” Narmuna said before I could think of what to say. “But she should eat. It's past time for her evening meal. We can play more after.”

Halmoris opened his mouth, paused, then closed it and sounded a rumble of agreement. “Yes, humans do require many meals a rotation. I’d forgotten.”

He set the ball down and pointed to the space in the middle of the circle. “Set the food down there. We’ll dine human style tonight.”

Human style was sitting on the floor? I know some human cultures sat on the floor, but just about everyone who left Earth adopted the eating customs of whatever species they settled among.

The server opened the bot and pulled out tray after tray. There was enough here to feed at least thirty individuals. The moment the fragrant food hit my nose, I realized how hungry I was.

I reached for a round of flat bread, tore off a piece, then used it to scoop up some food. I popped it into my mouth and almost moaned.

“This is really good!” I said, reaching for more of the same dish.

“We’ve had it on the ship, but this is fresh,” Tolly murmured. “It’s impossible to get the full flavor when it has to be processed for food packs.”

I ate another two bites before I realized everyone was staring at me instead of eating. I swallowed what was in my mouth and sat up.

“Did I do something wrong?”

Purrs hit me from every direction and everyone said some version of no. Feeling self-conscious, I nudged one of the trays.

“Everyone needs to eat,” I said. “It’s bad luck to sit in front of food and not eat.”

They all dug in, making me smile. I’d ordered them to eat, and they did it. I bet I could get them to sing and dance.

Who was the pet now?

Chapter 22

Opal

“Don’t be sad if she doesn't respond to you,” Grifforum said with a worried rumble. We were standing outside the section they’d partitioned off for Sloane, and I was waiting impatiently to go inside.

“Yes, I understand,” I assured him. “I won’t push if she’s having a hard time talking.”

“Can’t you wait a little longer?” Grifforum asked. “She’s in a fragile mental state. Her body seems to be healing much faster than her mind.”

“We’re leaving today,” I said. “I need to see her before we leave.”

“You’re coming back,” Grifforum reminded me. If Tolly was here I'd let him explain, but he was in the hall talking to one of the station staff.

“Yes, but I’m not sure how long we’ll be gone,” I said. “There are, um, things that might take a while. I don’t know how soon we’ll be back. There are things I need to tell Sloane before I go.”

“Be gentle,” he said, then finally sounded a rumble of agreement. He stepped out of the way and let me touch the door that slid up into itself to let me in. It was quick to slide closed the moment I was inside.

The room was a little different than the last time I’d seen it, when it had only been an alcove. There was a softly glowing bowl of crystals on a table pulled out from the wall. The display in the wall monitoring Sloane’s vitals was set so dim it was barely visible.

Mieshorum was standing next to the bed, helping Sloane sit up. Both of them looked over at me. I ignored Mieshorum; all my attention was on Sloane.

“You look better,” I said, although it was a lie.

She looked clean and her hair was combed, but she was still unbelievably pale. I couldn't be sure, but she also looked thinner and even more fragile. Her eyes were red and swollen, as if she only recently stopped crying.