We were on the bottom floor of the promenade, giving me an excellent view of the glass barriers keeping people on the higher decks from falling, though most drakcol wouldn’t mind. But it was against regulations to fly on any station or ship. Colorful vines draped over the glass, alive with blooms. Similar vines crept over the ceiling, and the typical blue moss covered the floor. Plants filled almost every available space, providing oxygen to the ship as well as lending an air of tranquility.
Drakcol thrived on nature. We needed sunlight to survive; it was integral to our health and wellbeing. Each light in the ship provided the same vitamins sunlight did—it was the only way we could survive in space long term. We also needed plants. They provided a peace that kept us calm.
My eyes ran over the shops with lighted signs written in Standard, colorful awnings, tables and stools in front of the restaurants, and the odd wares for sale. I saw a couple of pet vendors. One was selling Garbilian beetles. Many people liked tokeep them as pets, because they were smart, loyal, and would rid your home or ship of smaller pests. Beside the beetle vendor was a cat priest.
We took the cultural laws of Earth seriously. Cats were house gods and goddesses, worshiped by humans, and we honored the same traditions. One had to sign a document stating that they wouldn’t move a sleeping cat from where they perched. The person also had to prove they could afford to care for the delicate creatures. Being able to have one of these human gods was a huge honor.
I wanted one, so badly, but I couldn’t afford one. They weren’t cheap pets to acquire or keep. If I asked, Seth would purchase me one, but I didn’t want him to. It would be taking advantage of his generosity. No, I would keep saving until I could afford one. But thankfully, I was allowed to play with the cats in the shrine. They did require a considerable amount of attention to be content, so shrines encouraged people to come inside.
We continued to walk until we reached the Foblen food stand. I was beyond happy to see Mistress Kel’yeena. She had been my favorite vendor when I was stationed here. I loved her noodles. Every single one of her soups was delicious. Not only that, I considered her a friend. I might have been on board for a bit, but I’d avoided the promenade because I’d feared running into Monqilcolnen, which was a shame because I’d been unable to reconnect with her previously.
Urgg and Seth took a table. I already knew what they would both order. Urgg didn’t care, as they liked to try new things. I just ordered them something random, knowing they wouldn’t care. Seth would want what he always used to get, and what he still ordered from the Foblen noodle vendor in the capital we frequented. Seth wasn’t one for change. Once he found something he enjoyed, he usually never tried anything new.
I approached the back of the small shop, which was covered with an intricate tapestry, shielding the kitchen from customers. A furry appendage pushed back the cloth, and I was greeted by an arachnid face. Mistress Kel’yeena had twelve beady black eyes, slit nostrils, and a gaping mouth with four clacking mandibles. Her upper body was clothed in swathes of heavily embroidered black silk, which highlighted her soft frame. She had four long arms, covered in silver-white fur. Her rounded abdomen was draped in black silk and glass beads hung over the side, tinkling with every movement. Her four legs were bent and added to the arachnid appearance.
“Wyn,” she said, mandibles clacking. “It’s so good to see you, young one.”
“You as well.”
“Are you stationed here once again?”
“Only temporarily. I’m going to be here for this mission, then return to Tamkolvanloknol.”
“Oh,” she said, sounding rather sad in her raspy voice, and her arms fell. “I shall miss your breath once more.”
That was quite a compliment from a foblix. Breathing was considered sacred and lovely because it vibrated the webs filling their nests. Foblix were weavers and creators of the highest skill, and I adored their food and wares. If I could’ve afforded it, I would’ve purchased more than one blanket, rug, or tapestry from Mistress Kel’yeena, although foblix didn’t sell what they made. Their skills were only to be used to give gifts for their loved ones to adorn their nests. So any of their woven goods for sale were secondhand and exceedingly expensive.
“I suppose you would like to eat?” she asked, rubbing two of her front legs together.
“I would,” I confirmed.
“Lucky for you, I made a batch of noodles only yesterday. They are fresh and ready.”
I told her my orders, and she disappeared behind the tapestry. Foblix were private to an extreme. No one besides family was allowed inside their nests. While her shop wasn’t her nest, it was private from prying eyes. Besides, I believed some of her customers wouldn’t like to know her noodles were made from the webs she secreted. The webs were rolled until they formed noodles, then were dried, and chopped to the right length.
Foblix ate these soups for every meal.
When she returned, she gave me a tray with three soups. One had rich brown broth and thick chunks of meat; this one was Seth’s. Me and Urgg both had a red broth, which was too spicy for most species, with long green vegetables and fried meat on top.
Seth gave me a warm smile, and Urgg grunted their thanks before taking a huge gulp, sputtering when the spice hit their tongue. “By the gorgg’s low hanging rocks,” they said, “that is burning hot, but it does taste rather lovely.”
I took a long drink, the spice pleasantly burning my throat. “Perfect.”
“Is that a challenge?” Urgg leaned closer, baring their teeth, but I wasn’t intimidated.
I raised my eyebrow.
Urgg grunted, taking another huge gulp, and we both ate our noodles, not trying to gasp from the heat. All the while, Seth laughed.
I glanced between my friends and smiled, ducking my head. We were all back together again, as we should be.
Chapter 4
Hiding can be beneficial until it's not.
We’d been underway for nearly a week now, and I’d spent almost all my time in the tunnels, my bunk, or with Seth. I was avoiding Monqilcolnen as best as I could, but I would have to see him later today for remedial training. Thankfully, Urgg and Seth would be there. Afterward we were going to get a drink, as long as Seth didn’t need to return to his child.
The tunnels were blissfully empty right now, which I was deeply enjoying. While I wasn’t antisocial by any means, I truly did enjoy the silence and having space to myself. Perhaps that was why I enjoyed the tunnels as much as I did. As large as this ship was, it was difficult to find space for myself. The berth, where my bunk was, always had people around, and when I wasout and about, there was always someone passing by or calling out greetings. So I was going to relish the peace and quiet of the tunnels before I had to train with Monqilcolnen.
