“What story?” Nova asked.
“We’ve been reading stories from Hissa mythology,” Nakin explained as he set a child down in a pile of pillows next to Nova. After that, he grabbed a data pad off a nearby shelf, he tapped on it, then handed it to her. The display was full of Hissa script with a colorful drawing of two smiling moons circling a planet.
Nakin moved off to get another child. Miran leaned over, tapped the data pad and the Hissa writing was replaced with Space Standard.
“Thanks,” she said, excited to entertain the children while also learning more about the Hissa. She skimmed the story, already picking out what voices she’d use for the different characters. Risor slid off Nova’s lap so she could lay down with her head on Nova’s thigh.
After they had Risor, Vilor, Kisen, and Wilon in the soft corner with them, she started reading and all four children, including the ones in the beds closest to them, listened with rapt attention. When she used her first special voice, the children made noises of delight.
The moment she was done reading the story, Nakin was there to whisk the children back to bed and bring another round of children for story time. When he tried to pick up Risor, she grabbed hold of Nova’s shirt and wouldn’t let go.
“No, no, no, no,” she repeated over and over again.
“Hey now,” Nova said, gathering the little girl into her lap. “I’m not going anywhere. You’ll still be able to see me from your bed.”
She calmed a little but still wouldn’t let go. “No.”
“If you go back to your bed, I’ll make sure to visit you and talk before I leave,” Nova said.
Mentioning leaving didn’t help. Risor started crying big, fat tears. Nakin looked deeply concerned.
“I don’t understand why she’s so upset,” he said. “I’m going to get a mender.”
“I think she might need a little extra attention,” Nova said, rubbing Risor’s back. “Can five kids visit me at the same time so she can stay for another round?”
“But that’s not fair to the other children,” Nakin protested.
Miran spoke up. “Risor might need more comforting than the others. By all means, call the mender, but for now let her stay.”
Nakin looked indecisive until Qusin joined him.
“Remember when Tisep needed you to sleep in a cot next to him last night?” Qusin asked. “That wasn’t favoring one child over another, it was giving a troubled child the support they needed.”
Nakin gave Qusin a relieved look. “Yes, you’re right.”
Qusin gave the male an approving nod before crouching down and waiting for Risor to meet his eyes. “You’re safe. Nova can stay, but please remember that Nova has a bed and will need to leave to rest. You wouldn’t want her to be uncomfortable, would you?”
Risor seemed to think about that. “She comes back?”
“Of course,” Qusin said. He pulled a data pad out of his back pocket and tapped at it until a number appeared across the screen. As they watched, the number started counting down. “She’ll be back before this reaches zero.”
Risor took the data pad from him and stared at the number before looking up at Nova and shoving the tech in her face. “Promise?
The number was in Space Standard, so it was easy for Nova to tell that she’d have about a day to come back before it finished counting down. Qusin had given her plenty of time to rest and return.
That made her response easy. “I promise.”
That calmed Risor down. They were all settling down for the next round of storytelling when a Hissa came sprinting into the room. Skidding to a stop, he looked around until he settled on Miran.
“Section Commander Belor has been trying to contact you,” he announced, rushing over. “They need you in command. Hurry!”
“I turned my data bracelet off,” Miran said as he stood. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s the Diniki,” the newcomer said, glancing at Nova and the children. “Oh, um, I’m sure everything is fine, but Miran is needed somewhere else. He’ll return as soon as he can.”
“I thought everything was settled with the Diniki,” Miran said, tapping on his data bracelet to bring it to life. The thing beeped with so many notifications that it was an almost constant alarm. “If this is going to take longer than I expect, I’ll send Saris or Nerin to take you back to our room.”
“Miran, let me—” she didn’t get a chance to finish because Miran was already following the other Hissa out of the room and back through the tunnel.
