"Do you ever find the missing?"
She nodded."Every once in a while, some are found and returned home.Like you, I suppose.You’re home."
"This is not my home, but I am almost there.Soon, anyway."Though how long that would be, he wasn’t sure.It would be a matter of finding transport back to Sol.
She stepped closer and put her hand on his arm.It was a move of comfort.She stroked his forearms.The compassion in her eyes returned to a more neutral look.
"I'm glad you're here and free now."
"Being able to choose my own tasks is something I did not realize I missed doing."
"I bet," she said, and the sadness she wore a moment before shifted to a more content expression."I have an idea.I want to check out the station and see what this is all about.Shall we go on a walk?Maybe get to know one another more?"
Marcin nodded."That sounds pleasant."
"And food.I want to try some food."She paused and glanced at him."You can get some food, right?"
"Certainly.Food is always appreciated."
They stepped out of the rooms and into the entry area, where Vinka sat.She looked exhausted.Her whole body sagged into the chair, and she stared up at the window overhead.
"What.Oh," Gianna said, looking up at the window."That's beautiful."
"It's just chaos," Vinka said.
"While not wrong, there is an inherent beauty in chaos," Marcin said as he stepped toward her.
"If you can find that beauty," Vinka said.
He stared for a moment as well, appreciating the starfield.He had not really looked at one in a great while.There was something soothing in the chaos of the stars.
He turned back to Vinka."Are you well?"
"I'm fine, thanks.You know how difficult Solkan can be."
"Did he harm you?"
She chuckled."No.No, he did not.His attitude needs work, though."
Marcin nodded.Solkan had always fought for everything, and it seemed he had not been broken of that personality trait."When we reconnect with Master System, we should be able to rectify that."
"We shall see," she said.She looked over the two of them."Where are you two going?"
"Check out the station," Gianna said."Never been on a space station before.May see if I can find a really good version of a space taco."
"What's a taco?"Vinka asked.
She paused and looked around."I'm not sure how to explain it.It's meat and cheese and vegetables, wrapped in a crunchy shell.The shells are round and folded in half to hold in all the food."
"Huh," Vinka said.She glanced at Marcin."Take her to a Puno shop, three levels up.That's where all the food is, anyway.See if that's kind of like her tacos."
Marcin nodded, for he had no idea where to take Gianna.He wondered if Kolvin and the other female would want to come and turned toward their door.
"They just got back," Vinka said."So, they're probably fine."
He nodded."I suppose it is just you and I."
"That sounds fine to me," Gianna said as they walked out and toward a lift."We are mated, right?We should get to know each other."
