Valorie’s brow furrowed, and Yulia wondered what was going on in her head. Was Valorie unsure what to say? Or how to say it? Whatever it was, she was quiet as she pondered it. The conversation stalled, and Yulia needed to get it moving again. Maybe literally. She opened the panel by her door, pressing a few buttons on the display. It recognized her PD, and the door slid open.

“Come on, let’s chat inside.” She said, going ahead. This was the new plan: invite Valorie in, offer her a beverage, make plans to go out shopping. Normal things Yulia could definitely do.

Yulia entered her room, and the cozy home she called hers transformed into a mess before her eyes. Things she always ignored became an immediate eyesore. Something crinkled under her foot. Such as the loose wrappers sprinkled about during zero-g. “Hopefully, you don’t mind a bit of a mess.” She with a forced laugh. Coming inside was a bad idea.

Valorie was quiet as her eyes traveled over the room. Yulia followed her gaze across the many posters along the walls, a large amorphous couch, and folding futon. The outline of a large display, and various controllers locked in place below it. Yulia had forgotten to clean up before leaving Luxe station. Anything that wasn’t locked down was strewn across the room. The silence seemed to stretch on, doubling in length.

“What do you think?” She asked, coughing up another forced laugh. “Maybe I should have said a bit of a disaster…” She said. Valorie turned to her and walked up close. Her faraway gaze was suddenly so very serious, eyes carefully making contact. Surprised, Yulia took a step back, and Valorie’s serious expression deepened into a frown.

“Yulia… I…” She began. Yulia’s imagination went wild with possibilities for what was to come next. Her voice dried up as she waited. “I still want to be friends.” She said. That was not one of the possibilities that had raced through Yulia’s mind. Relief started in her shoulders, relaxing her whole body. “I’m afraid I’m not very good at it.” Valorie’s eyebrows furrowed. “I’m sorry.” She said. Yulia got the feeling she threw the apology in for good measure. It didn’t matter. A grin spread across Yulia’s face at the pure innocence of it.

“Don’t be sorry. If anyone hasn’t been a good friend, it was me. I should’ve said something sooner, but I didn’t. I’m the one who is sorry.” She said. She wanted to laugh at her previous behavior. Valorie looked a little confused, but her serious expression was gone.

“Are you sure?” She asked. This time Yulia actually laughed.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” She said. She moved away to pick up some of the closest wrappers. “I’m excited you joined the crew. This’ll be fun.” She said, moving to pick things up from the couch next. “Actually, would you like to go shopping? Colony stations always have some unique stuff.” She said as she moved about. Valorie stood stiff at first but slowly started to follow Yulia in picking things up.

“Shopping? For something specific?” She asked.

“Nah – unless you like natural fibers. Then, Gomori is a good chance to find something you like.” She said. Valorie looked rather bewildered. When she noticed Valorie had started helping out with the cleanup, Yulia stopped and put away what she had. “Not interested?” She asked, taking the items Valorie had collected. Valorie blinked and shook her head real quick.

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“I want to go.” She said.

“Awesome! I’m gonna get ready and we can go. Grab a drink from the fridge and relax.” She pointed to the mini-fridge and then to the couches. Valorie nodded, focused on her new mission. Yulia grinned and made her way to her bedroom to change. “Congrats on becoming one of us, by the way. Did you like your cake?” Yulia asked as she went.

“Yes, very much.” Valorie had picked out a bottle of water and chose the futon to relax on. She sat with her knees together and her feet tucked back. She was looking out the window at the stars beyond. Yulia ducked into a looser top as she continued talking.

“The pink icing was thanks to me. I was teasing Serge for whipping up green frosting. Guess I went too far, cause he changed it.” She said.

“I like green,” Valorie said. Yulia paused and glanced in Valorie’s direction with a serious look.

“Don’t tell Serge that.” She said, “He’ll never let me live it down.”

“I’ll be careful.” Valorie nodded, voice sincere. Yulia laughed and thanked her. When she emerged from her bedroom, ready to go, her hair was a glossy emerald green. Valorie saw it, and a small smile brightened her face. It was a far cry from her usual distant stare.

“Very pretty,” She said.

“Why, thank you.” Yulia grinned. She wanted to see these rare smiles more often.

***

The market on Gomori was claustrophobic and busy. After only a few days with a small crew, the dazzling life packed into the market was a lot to take in. The shops were each contained in small cutaway boxes. With adjustable walls, the sellers would fight for every foot of space. A low ceiling and thin main hall completed the aesthetic. Store signs lined the ceiling, and the air was heavy with the scent of sweat and roasted meat. Valorie noticed signs along the walls proclaiming it a temporary set up. The new market was under construction, but there was no date for completion.

Something in the crowd put her off, a bad feeling that she could not put her finger on. She tried to ignore it by focusing on moving through the crowd. Yulia was tall so it was easy to keep track of her, but it was hard to catch up. Large gatherings didn’t bother her in particular. She had been in many stations with several thousand people. She found the mesh of life quite beautiful. That is, when she had the space to maneuver. Each person that brushed past left a passing thought with her. Mixed with all of the physical noise, it left her mind ringing. When they broke free of the crowd into their third shop, Valorie breathed a sigh of relief.

“This looks cozy.” Yulia interrupted her thoughts. Valorie looked around for her and saw that she was sifting through a display of cloth. She pulled one off the rack and held it up. A pattern of earthy brown and bleached white. Rather than simple cloth, it was a wrap with a hole for one’s head. When Valorie reached Yulia’s side, Yulia was already examining a label sewn into the cloth.

“One hundred percent dranta fur? What’s a dranta?” She said. Valorie ran her hand along the rack and picked up another. It was warm to the touch and ran rough across her fingers. Running her fingers over the garment again, she found a different label.

“It says, warmer than synthetic, softer than wool.” Valorie read. She was pretty sure her clothes were all synthetic. She didn’t know what wool felt like.

“Everything says it’s softer than wool. Except sellers in the Sol system, they get real mad.” Yulia said, with a laugh. “Do you like it?” She asked, picking out one that had green on it as well. “Try it on.” She said, fitting the hole at the center over Valorie’s head. Valorie immediately felt warmer, and she liked the way it draped from her shoulders. When she twisted, it tickled her arms.

The first time Valorie tried to pick out clothes after escaping the empire had been a disaster. She went into it without thought, and in the end, only purchased items that matched her SCT uniform. At the same time that she was trying to get away from the empire, she was still wearing what they prescribed. She played with the corner of the cloth as her indecision peaked.

“Does it look weird?” She asked. Yulia’s expression told her this might not be the right question.