As Anton bends down to grab the next battery, rummaging beneath the counter, I observe the way Leelee’s hazel eyes follow the movement, trust and relief imbued in her eyes. Once the man collects them all, almost a dozen heavy rectangular batteries line the counter.
“I need to finish working on my accounting, so I’ll leave you to look them over. Call out to me if you have any questions or are ready to check out, okay?”
“Yes, thank you, Anton. I appreciate it.”
When the store owner retreats into his office, Leelee turns to where I’m waiting and waves me over.
As we inspect the batteries Leelee has procured, I feel a stirring of hope.
“Look here, Ravok,” Leelee tells me, her voice soft within the hushed whispers of the store. As I pick up one of the heavy batteries, Leelee reads off the specifications listed on the side of another.
“Will these work?” she asks, her gaze intense as she looks up at me.
Grasping the large battery in my hand, I weigh its potential. They’re quite dissimilar from the charging units of my disabled ship but I’m optimistic that I will be able to repurpose them to meet my needs.
“Yes,” I respond confidently, my gaze unconsciously straying to the gentle curve of her smile. There’s a flicker of relief in her eyes. “I think they will.”
“Okay, I’ll let the store owner know. While I do that, maybe you should look around some more,” Leelee suggests. “See if there’s anything else we might need – tools or supplies that can help us.”
I nod my acquiescence, though a deeply rooted instinct to protect resists the idea of any separation from her. Regardless, I begin a systematic sweep of the establishment, my eyes analyzing every product while simultaneously monitoring Leelee. I wish my previous human captors hadn’t taken my phaser. I feel vulnerable without a weapon, although my strength and claws are undoubtedly formidable, especially against this older human male.
I listen as Leelee calls to the store owner.
The man steps back out of his office with a happy grin. “I’m so glad to have these off my shelves that I’m going to sell them to you at a discount.”
Leelee profusely thanks the man, so pleased with getting a discount that I am suddenly worried about the price. Am I asking Leelee to spend more money than she can afford? If so, how can I make this up to her?
As I explore the shop, examining the massive variety of goods on offer, I maintain constant vigilance, always keeping my Leelee within my sights.
The jingling of the small bell above the door signals the arrival of a new presence. Keeping my hands loose and ready at my side, I instinctively edge out of direct sight, retreating to a far shelf where I can easily see and reach Leelee without the newcomer spotting me.
A female strides in with a confidence that rivals my own commanding presence. A mane of golden curls cascades down her shoulders, bouncing as she walks. She’s older than Leelee, her face showing signs of maturity, but her eyes sparkle with a startling youthful vivacity.
“Koko, hi!” Leelee greets the new woman who has joined her at the counter. Leelee seems familiar with the female and is pleased to see her, so I relax a fraction. The woman turns to Leelee with a radiant grin. I remember the name Koko. Leeleetold me that she is the person who owns the cabin and is the governing body of this strange town.
I had pictured the region’s ruler as an elderly, stern figure, commanding respect with an austere demeanor. What an unusual species these humans are. Instead of strict rules and rigid norms, here stands a leader who exudes an infectious warmth and charm. She doesn’t even appear to be in any kind of uniform; instead, she is dressed in bright, flowing colors that make me think of a flower.
“I saw Svarog closing his shop, and he mentioned that you had picked up your car. He was pleased that you filled up the tank on the loaner truck. That was smart of you. It’s always a good idea to be in the good graces of the town mechanic. Sorry again about breaking your window. I hope everything has been fixed to your satisfaction?”
“Yes, it looks as good as new. I appreciate you covering the expense. And also, for the use of your cabin. Don’t forget to tell me how much I owe for the rent.”
Koko’s back is to me as she stands at the counter talking to Leelee, making it easier for me to keep an eye on them both. She notices the batteries lined up on the counter. “Are you buying these?” she asks.
“Um, yes, I am.”
“Oh, Lily, I’m so glad they’re going to find a home! I ordered them and then realized that they wouldn’t meet my needs after they’d already shipped. It was too late to stop the shipment. I’m lucky that Anton didn’t mind putting them on his shelves instead of making me buy something I no longer needed,” Koko exclaims.
“You don’t need these for the cabin, do you? Although putting solar power out there might be a good idea. Especially during the winter months. It can sometimes lose power out there after a big storm.”
“Oh no, I don’t need it for the cabin. I’m, um, I’m going to be heading to my aunt’s place once I leave here and she is heavily interested in upgrading to solar power,” Leelee lies. I hope Koko doesn’t notice the blush gracing her cheeks. It’s sweet that Leelee is so uncomfortable with lying. “When I was researching the batteries we need, I called this store on a whim, and Anton said they had what I needed. It was all just dumb luck.”
“Luck?” Koko scoffs lightly. “I don’t believe in luck. You were meant to be here, Lily, and these batteries… They were meant for you. Everything has a plan. I really believe that.”
I watch as Leelee stammers, taken aback by Koko’s statement. But she doesn’t disagree. My species also does not believe in luck. Cryzorians make our own destinies. So, if I’m here for a reason, I have no idea what that reason is yet. Although, I will admit that getting to know Leelee has changed the entire trajectory of my life. If meeting her was luck, then I count myself the luckiest male ever born.
“Mayor, what can I do for you?” The storekeeper chimes in, his voice reverently polite.
Koko turns away from Leelee to face the man behind the counter. “Oh, yes, sorry. I got distracted catching up with Lily.” Koko gives Anton a bright smile as she rummages around in a pocket. A moment later, she pulls out a crumpled piece of paper with a flourish. She smooths the paper on the counter, and then she and Anton bend their heads over the list.
