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His smile was around his eyes. “Let me deal with that. Do you object to other species versions that make a similar sound?”
Aya blinked and smiled. “That sounds fun.”
He nodded. “I think so. I may need to look into purchasing space on a world to house some collections of things I believe you require.”
“You believe I require?”
“While I have not had a companion before, I do believe I will enjoy finding new purpose.”
Aya looked at the fiddle, and then she jerked her head up. “What?”
He chuckled. “You caught that? Yes, you will be my new purpose before I answer any of my worlds because you will be my answer.”
“You have known me for a few days.”
“I sat near your repair unit and spoke to you for all sixty days. Your mind and mine were connected while your body fought to repair itself. I know you well, and you will learn me. Acceptable?”
“Why?”
He paused. “Because you need me; I suppose that is the basic description.”
“What?”
“Folk want my help, my attention, want me to do something for them. You just want my presence. That is new. Most move away from me in terror.”
“Why?”
“They are frightened by me.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “My appearance?”
She laughed. “Sorry to laugh. Everyone here looks terrifying to me. There is no variation, so if everyone is terrifying, no one is terrifying, and that is where I have settled.”
He stared at her and started laughing. “That is a wonderful logic. I look forward to testing it.”
Chapter Six
Five days after he mentioned becoming his assistant, she was looking around her first marketplace since leaving Earth. Devran was with her, and the locals were giving him a lot of space.
Aya asked, “So where do we find the clothing we are after?”
He smiled. “Kazi’s assistant is coming, and she will guide us.”
“Where are we meeting her?”
“She is at the other end of the market. Watch.”
A wave of excitement and respect ran through the crowd, and folk bowed as a figure walked through the market; it was taller than Aya had imagined.
The figure radiated calm and power at the same time. It was female, wearing strips of natural fabric around her breasts and neckline. Her skirt was a sarong, and one leg was exposed to the hip. Her skin had a red tint to it, and silver vines moved along her limbs. Her forehead had the mark of the scales of justice on a dark red background. Her face was still in the human range, as was her neckline. Her bare arms had heavy metal bands on them, and the wristbands were etched with symbols that moved across their surface.
Thick, long hair waved back from her forehead and moved with a light that came from within. Black, red, brown, blonde, and thick waves of silver moved when she did.
The folk of the market bowed low as she moved, and her high-heeled sandals clicked steadily as she approached them.
The woman walked up to them and inclined her head. “Honourable Devran, welcome to Nassis.”
