“Could be better.”
“Couldn’t everything?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m ready for this incredible food you keep going on about. You’re sure I’ll be allowed in there?”
“You’re worried about that?”
“I don’t want to enter spaces where I’m not welcome,” she replied. “The D’tran stare at me. A lot.”
I chuckled. “They’re getting accustomed to newcomers. We’re interesting to them.”
She raised her brows. “Very well, then. Lead on.”
I was surprised she’d accepted my invitation. She’d likely been planning to retreat to her quarters with more of those awful ration bars. But I’d seen her eyeing the communal meals with something that looked almost like longing, even if she’d never admit it.
“I’m glad you accepted my invitation,” I said, in case she was thinking of backing out. “If we’re going to work together, you need to actually experience D’tran culture. Food is a big part of that.”
The evening air was cool as we stepped outside, carrying the scent of cooking fires and the distant sound of voices. The walkto the communal hall was short. Evening was settling over the valley, the air cooling but still pleasant. I noticed the way Iris scanned our surroundings constantly, her enhanced eye tracking movement and potential threats.
“Do you ever stop?” I asked.
“Stop what?”
“Assessing. Looking for danger.”
She was quiet for a moment. “No.”
“Must be exhausting.”
“It’s kept me alive.”
I couldn’t argue with that. But I wondered what it cost her, being always on guard. Never able to just…be.
The sun had begun its descent toward the mountains, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. I led Iris through the winding streets, past stone buildings with their curved windows and salvaged metal supports. People nodded as we passed, some calling out greetings that I returned with waves and smiles.
The communal eating hall was located near the center of the village, in one of the largest structures the D’tran had built. As we approached, the sounds of conversation and music spilled out through the open doorways, warm and inviting.
We stepped inside, and the tension in my shoulders eased.
The space was magnificent. High ceilings, supported by wooden beams and metal struts, created a sense of openness within the building’s stone walls. Bioluminescent panels cast a warm glow over everything, softer than the harsh artificial light in the communications room.
The smells hit me next. Roasted vegetables with herbs I couldn’t name. Fresh bread, still warm from the ovens. Something savory and rich that made my mouth water and my stomach growl in anticipation. The D’tran knew how to cook.That had been one of the most pleasant surprises of my time here.
The dining area was bustling. Long tables were filled with D’tran families, and the air was thick with conversation and laughter. In one corner, a D’tran male sat on a low stool, his fingers moving across the strings of an instrument I’d never seen before arriving on this planet. The music was haunting and beautiful, a melody that rose and fell like waves against a shore. Several children sat at his feet, watching with rapt attention.
I saw Iris stiffen slightly at the noise and chaos. Too many people. Too many variables.
“It’s just dinner,” I said quietly. “No threats here.”
She looked at me, and I saw something vulnerable flash across her face before she locked it down. “I know that.”
But did she, really?
We approached the kitchen area, where several D’tran worked behind a thick stone counter, ladling food into bowls and slicing bread with practiced efficiency. The male at the front, Foril, recognized me and smiled, his eyes cycling to a warm orange. “Greetings, Baleck! You’ve brought a human friend.”
I led Iris over, noting how she moved with that controlled grace even in a crowded dining hall. Foril was already ladling thick soup into two bowls.
“This is Iris,” I said. “Iris, this is Foril. He’s going to feed you actual food instead of those ration bars you’ve been eating.”
