“Everything, really?” Holly raised one skeptical brow. “Surely there aresomethings you can’t get.”
“We can procure anything our clients can legally purchase,” Orba said. “We have access to the entire galactic commerce system.”
Then why were theyhereof all places, Holly wondered. It was an impossibly rude question and one she would never ask. Vepin wisdom was deep and undeniable, making their motivations both cryptic and opaque. Likely, if she did ask, she’d get an answer that was equally cryptic and opaque.
Orba’s pale eyes drifted down to Holly’s outfit. Holly looked down at herself. She was wearing the shoes that had gotten her fired, the soft flats iniron oxide #4, paired with a simple gray suit. It wasn’t a work suit, exactly, but it was close. Plain. Safe. Forgettable.
“I wonder,” Orba said gently, “if there is something you would like wearing more than that.”
Holly felt her cheeks warm. “I’m only here to look, really. I’m exploring the outpost. And I wouldn’t know where to begin in a shop like this anyway.” She gestured at the towering shelves. “It would take weeks to go through the whole thing.”
Orba and Sula exchanged a look. Something passed between them, silent and knowing.
“As Vepins,” Orba said, “we have an ability that may help. If you allow it, we can look into your eyes and know exactly what you want. Then we can deliver it to you directly.”
It was hard not to be in awe of Vepins, and maybe a little bit nervous. Their species was highly advanced, telepathic, capable of changing shape, and genderless. How they reproduced was anyone’s guess, but clearly, they managed it. The idea of someone looking into her mind made her wary, and it must have shown on her face.
“We simply want to deliver what our customers want,” Orba said calmly. “We have no ill intent.” The tall being tilted their head, studying Holly with those pale, slow-blinking eyes. “I can tell that you are not comfortable. And that you haven’t been in a long time.”
That struck closer to the truth than Holly wanted to admit. She thought about refusing, about making her excuses and leaving. But she was trying to start fresh here. Trying to be open to new things. And if she couldn’t trust the shopkeepers in her own outpost, what hope did she have?
“All right,” Holly said reluctantly. “What do I need to do?”
Orba stepped closer. They were very tall, and Holly had to tilt her head back to meet their eyes. “Just relax. Open your mind.”
Holly tried. She locked eyes with Orba and attempted to let go of the tension she carried in her shoulders, her jaw, her chest. But they were unnerving up close, those shifting colors beneath their skin, that unblinking gaze.
“Ah,” Orba said softly.
Sula turned and disappeared into the aisles without a word. Holly heard the soft rustle of fabric, the click of hangers. Moments later, Sula returned with an armful of clothing.
Holly stared at the garments before her.
A loose tunic in swirling shades of amber and copper, with a wide neckline clearly meant to slide off one shoulder. It was light and beautiful, the fabric flowing like water. Close-fitting knit pants in a deep bronze color, soft as butter when Holly reached out to touch them. And a delicate chain necklace strung with uncut crystals in shades of pink and gold that caught the light like captured stars. “You are pleased by your shoes, so we did not bring you new ones.”
“These are perfect,” Holly breathed. “You could just…see that I’d like this?”
Orba’s small mouth curved in a slight smile. Sula’s expression was a mild reflection of it.
Holly extended her wrist with her currency chip, but Orba raised a hand to stop her.
“Keep yournits,” Orba said. “You have five thousand credits remaining in your grandfather’s account, which is now yours. These items cost only fifteen. Shall I subtract the total from your credits?”
Holly blinked. “I have credits here?”
“Charles maintained an account with us. The balance transfers to you.”
Five thousand creditsat this store. That was more than she had expected. Holly was tempted to stay and shop more, to lose herself in the endless aisles of The Emporium, but she had more of the outpost to explore. And one splurge was enough for the day.
“Yes, please subtract it,” Holly said. “And thank you. Both of you.”
Orba inclined their head gracefully. “These items will be delivered to your living unit at the hotel. Oh, and may I offer a small bit of advice?”
Holly paused in turning to leave. She did not get the impression that the Vepin handed out advice often, but when they did, it would be wise to listen.
“Not everyone at Moone’s Landing is what they seem,” Orba said. Those pale eyes held Holly’s with an intensity that felt almost like a warning. “Some will not appear as friends, but can be. Others will surprise you in ways you’d rather they did not.”
That was cryptic with a light, foreboding edge that made Holly’s skin prickle. “Thank you,” she managed. “For the items and the advice. I think.”
