Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40274 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40274 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
I notice, for the first time, that not all of them are wearing anything close to human attire or monk-like robes. Some of them are wearing the sort of clothing with a lot of pockets and the thick boots that suggest they are military. They look like the guards who keep the Halo elevator safe when it is extended, but even more armored.
“Are those soldiers?”’
“Yes,” Cir answers without thinking. “What would you like to eat? There are foods here from across the galaxy, and you are able to consume at least half of them. Would you like me to choose your meal?”
“Sure. Please. Thank you.”
Cir is talking about the food as he leads me around stalls and shops. It’s pretty obvious that the Halo is essentially a huge traveling city, a world traveling between worlds.
“How many other planets have you visited?”
“Oh, many,” Cir says. “This is a meat delicacy, somewhat similar to what your species refers to as barbecue.” He places some sweet dripping meat on a plate. He thinks I’m interested in the food, and usually I would be, but I have the feeling I am seeing behind the veil of these creatures.
“I don’t see any other aliens still on this ship. Did you work with others like me in the past?”
“I’ve never worked with anybody like you before,” he says, giving me a bright, shining gaze. I meet his eyes and feel myself being washed with warmth and affection, so much I feel as though I am being bathed with love. It almost forces the thoughts and questions I’ve been working on out of my head.
“You’re very sweet,” he says. “Speaking of sweet, these fried pastries are lighter than donuts, with a crunchier texture and…”
I’m not listening to him. My stomach is growling, but my curiosity is roaring. I have to wonder where they get the resources to travel through space with this many resources.
“The technology you have, is it solar power that makes the ship work?”
“It would be very hard for me to explain the forces that power the Halo,” Cir says. “Are you feeling alright? You’re full of questions today.”
“I’m trying to be a good assistant,” I lie.
I see his brows lower a little, and his eyes sharpen at me. He’s starting to get suspicious, which makes me suspicious. Why would he be concerned about me asking questions? Anybody coming here for the first time would be absolutely bursting with them.
I defuse the situation by snatching one of the donut things off the tray he’s holding. It’s a gold tray so it’s not your typical plastic food court offering, but same-same. I stuff one of the sweet fried treats into my face. It gives me an excuse to not talk anymore.
“Mmmnn, yeah. This is good,” I say when my mouth isn’t completely full. It is actually good, like a donut if someone with advanced bakery powers made a donut. Everything we can do, the Cupid can do better.
Cir is giving me an inscrutable look.
“Wow. Super tasty. So good I barely notice that you seem to have a floating army here in this glowing ship full of aliens.”
“We do have defensive capacity,” Cir says. “Are you afraid of the soldiers? Would you like to me to introduce you to one of our generals?”
“Wow. Tasty,” I continue to say, not knowing what to say.
He’s trying to convince me this is some kind of defensive force, but they look active to me, and ready to do something.
“I’m just so hungry,” I say, avoiding his gaze. I don’t want him to see my eyes. I always feel like he’s seeing more than people do. More than I want him to.
Cir
I didn’t think she’d pay very much attention to anything around her besides the food. Cupid food is usually so tempting to lesser species they have to be carefully supervised around it, lest they consume so much they physically burst. But Jessica is barely paying attention to the delicious treat she is eating.
Her eyes are still darting around the room, settling on the soldiers. They’re bothering her, concerning her. I can feel her worrying next to me.
She has so many secrets, and she suspects everybody around her holds secrets as well. She’s unable to relax and trust any good intentions. In many respects this is a microcosm of handling humanity in general. Lying, suspicious little things whose own dubious and inscrutable intentions are projected onto everybody around them.
“I think we will take our meal to go,” I say. “Let’s go eat somewhere private.”
She agrees, but still with that worried gaze. This is not the place for her. Her concern will start rippling around the others if I am not careful. We can all feel the energy and thoughts of humans, and even as we speak I have no doubt her mind is being gently probed.