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“Why? What is in it for you?”
He sat back when she took her tea and sipped.
“I wish for you to become my avatar. To carry a portion of my mind and power to the worlds that call for my attention. Would you be interested in that position?”
“What would it entail?”
He looked surprised. “You would agree?”
“I am interested.”
“Well, you would be my companion, and I would give you some of my blood, which would program your mind to allow for easy connection. You would remain generally the same in appearance, but my icon and marks would move across your body. You would have access to portions of my mind, certain exhibitions of energy, and minor abilities.”
She swallowed. “When would this happen?”
“After you have met with Kazi.”
“Five more days?”
“Yes. So you can occupy yourself with touring the ship, studying, and working with your fiddle.”
She grinned. “So can I go now?”
“Your tour guide is here. Nemsara is eager to help you learn the ship.”
Aya inclined her head and smiled at the female with purple skin and a black crest. “Hello.”
“Mistress. If you will come with me, I can show you how to navigate the ship.”
Aya got up and glanced at Devran. “You are going to be good?”
“I am. Your tour will be completed in my office, and you can tell me what you have learned.”
“Oh, a test.”
“If you like. Now, go.”
She nodded and looked at Nemsara. “Lead the way.”
The woman smiled, and they walked out as she explained the subtle colours that filled the ship’s walls.
Aya blinked. “Oh, I understand the problem. How would you get around if you can’t see the colours? They aren’t on a spectrum that is visible to me.”
Nemsara stopped in place. “I... had not considered that. What can you see?”
Aya walked to the wall and tapped the sigils. “I can see these.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes. So what are landmarks? Obvious things that let me know I am going the right way.”
Nemsara grinned. “I can find those. Okay. I just have to make a new plan. First, we will head to the shuttle bay.”
“Okay, then can we come back here? I know how to find the commissary.”
Nemsara paused and then nodded. “You need a route you would actually follow.”
“Right. It is hardly likely for me to go from the shuttle bay to the oxygen farm or the observation deck.”
