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Aya led them up to the commissary without hesitation. Her lack of vision on the spectrum that Nemsara took for granted was annoying, but once the problem was known, the fix was possible.
She walked into the commissary and blinked. Devran was sitting with the beverages and talking with the captain. She got her food and went to the table. Nemsara walked with her and nervously came with her to report to Devran.
Aya nodded to Devran and took the water he handed her. She ate calmly and carefully while Nemsara was quizzed as to her ability to navigate the ship, and when she was nearly done, Devran got up and went to get her something. He returned with a whipped mass topped with bright purple granules. “Here. This was all grown in the oxygen farm. It is sweet.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Devran.”
The captain and Nemsara tensed.
Devran smiled. “You are welcome, Aya.”
She picked up the flat spoon, took a few bites of the berry fluff, and smiled. “This is really good.”
Nemsara blinked. “You can digest that?”
“I really hope so.” Aya smiled.
Devran laughed, which got startled looks from around the commissary. “I will never give you anything you can’t manage, Aya.”
She paused and looked at him. “Is that innuendo?”
His eyes crinkled. “You will have to pay attention and find out.”
She snorted, finished her dessert, and then took the teacup that he handed her.
Aya sipped and listened to the conversations around her.
Nemsara finally got the nerve to say, “Lord Devran, Mistress Aya and I were talking, and if we have need, she stated she was willing to soothe any crewperson who needs it, with your authorization.”
Devran looked at Aya. “This will not cause you distress?”
“No. I didn’t mind the soothing. I just hated the box they kept me in.”
Devran nodded. “In that case, you will engage in the soothing in an open space where you feel at ease.”
Aya shrugged. “The med bay? It’s an open space.”
The captain blinked. “You are soothing them in the open?”
“I am not fucking them. It is simply a light contact on their heads. It takes a minute, and I have been told my skills are effective for several months.”
Nemsara blinked. “Really?”
“Really. It was why I was so popular.” She chuckled and sipped her tea. “And so expensive.”
Devran smiled. “That explains the bounty on you. Both the station and the Zowoth are frantic.”
Aya felt a pang of guilt, but she said, “There are other soothers.”
“They do not lock the others up as they did you.” Devran gave her a serious look. “Others are given light and space and are allowed to socialize so they don’t burn out.”
“Oh. I did not know that.” She focused on her tea.
“I didn’t want to explain it to you. You were delicate your first day.”
“So on day two you let me know? Thank goodness you paced yourself.” She finished her tea.
He was laughing at her, and the room was staring at their table.
