Even from the height, she could tell it was stone. Something about the way it looked, she knew what it was. Like she'd seen it before or something, but she knew she hadn't. She'd never left her system before, so what that sensation was all about, she had no idea.
She brushed off the strange feelings and instead focused on what she could see. Trees. Mountains. Stone buildings. Transports zipping between buildings. Technology mixed with the stone. Like old and new. Organic and technology wrapped around one another.
Interesting. She hoped to see more of the world while she was here if that was allowed.
She rubbed her nose, ready to scrape off more of the rough skin.
"No," she whispered to herself. She brushed her bangs back into place. She'd already rubbed her nose like three times.
Each time, she yanked her hand back, like Adryel was there, but the truth was, she was alone in this part of the ship.
Well, alone, in that no one she was friends with had been pulled into this first group to go down and meet the Kantenans.
Really, the only person she knew was Graecey.
She came over to Janae and put her hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry about this."
"What?" Janae asked as she flipped around her hair a bit.
"I'm sure the last thing you wanted was to go first.”
“Getting the selection over with and allowing me to relax works good for me." Truth, she thought. Getting this part out of the way would take the pressure off what she was doing and why she was here. She would likely be going crazy if she had to wait through groups.
Who knew how long each session would take?
"You could be chosen, you know."
Janae raised her eyebrow. "Graecey, I know you're speaking like you are supposed to, but really, look at this grouping. I'm probably the homeliest one--"
"You're not homely, not at all!"
Janae opened her mouth to cut off Graecey's objection, but someone else cut into the conversation.
"Look at that," Roemary said. "She's so kind to those who have no chance.”
Janae noticed that Sereya wasn't there. So Roemary had no one to agree with her. Others were backing away from her, which Janae couldn't help being amused by.
"You were not a part of this conversation," Janae said.
"And who are you to--"
"I am the head liaison," Graecey said as she faced Roemary. "And I am about finished with your attitude and your mouth, Roemary. You may be externally appealing; it does not mean you're a beautiful person."
"Maybe you need eye correction," Roemary said. "Because I am--"
"You are mean and spiteful and have done nothing but tried to make others feel bad about themselves, and I am over it," Graecey said. "Now shut your mouth, or you'll never step foot off this ship.”
"You can't do that to me, I'm--"
"I don't care who your father is or what special connection you have with whoever. You're going to be nice, or you're going home.”
"What if I get chosen?" Roemary asked.
"Good luck with that," Graecey said and glanced at her wrist communicator. "If you're what they're looking for, then the Kantenans are going to be disappointed.”
Roemary gasped.
Graecey cleared her throat. "Now, we're about to land. So, I suggest you gather with the others that are going out in this grouping." She walked away, getting on with her duties.
