Valorie fiddled with a corner of the wrap. She had asked if it looked weird, but it seemed like a misstep.

“Does that matter?” Yulia asked. Valorie frowned. From her observations, clothing seemed to hold a lot of meaning. Maybe picking it out was meant to come naturally. Valorie looked down at the corner of fabric she was playing with. Gareth’s words drifted through her head. Honesty, integrity.

“I’ve never had to pick out my clothes,” She said. “I don’t know how people do it.” Her cheeks were all too warm again. She could feel Yulia’s stare and sense her confusion.

“Sorry,” Yulia said, her face scrunched up with a frown, “Don’t fret over it, I didn’t mean it like that.” She said, and Valorie sensed her regret. “If something catches your eye, try it on. If it fits and the price is right, go for it.”

“What if it looks strange?”

“If you don’t like it, then it doesn’t fit,” Yulia said. She helped Valorie take the shawl off and began folding it. The advice made no sense to Valorie, but she felt a stab of sadness when Yulia added the fabric back to the display. Yulia must have noticed because she picked it back up and placed it on Valorie’s arm. “Come on, let’s get the merchant’s attention.”

“Thanks,” Valorie murmured. Her fingers rubbed against the cloth absentmindedly. Yulia patted her shoulder.

“Tell you what. Ask me and I’ll tell you if anything is too outlandish. Would that be better?” She asked. Her thoughts and her words matched up. Even with such proximity, it was easy to talk with her. Valorie met her eyes and smiled.

“Yes. Thank you, Yulia,” She said. Yulia smiled back.

“Anytime.”

Purchase complete, Yulia led the way as they reentered the crowds. She spoke as she moved with the flow. It would have been impossible to hear if she were not holding Valorie’s hand.

“We should grab something to eat before it gets too busy,” She said. Valorie nodded, but there was no way Yulia would see it. She worked up the nerve to raise her voice.

“Yes, that’s a good idea,” Valorie managed, but there was no sign that Yulia heard her. Physical contact gave Valorie a window into Yulia’s thoughts. She was focusing on finding a way through the crowd without getting separated. Each time the crowd tightened around them, her grip on Valorie’s hand tightened. Their connection somehow kept priority, drowning out the other thoughts that brushed passed. It made this trip through the crowd much easier.

“Oh, I know. Coco’s has a drink out now using the mint discovered on that new Guild colony. Bought the rights to the name and everything. Calling it Starry Mint, I heard.” She said. Valorie picked up momentary images from their close contact. A generic Cosmic Coffee cafe, a vibrant and thriving settlement on a lush world, and a mint leaf that looked nothing like a star.

They reached the edge of the food center. The tight hallway opened up into a large promenade surrounded by little eateries. Glass panels under their feet revealed that seating extended below them. The open space afforded Yulia a chance to stop and take in the whole room. Valorie stood by and helped her search for the Cosmic Coffee. She was glad for the breather.

“Oh, there’s Cocos – it’s on the other side,” Yulia began.

Valorie nodded, but a rancid smell crossed her nose. She cringed and held back when Yulia began walking. Something snotty and violent. Hungry. It wasn’t a scent, it wasn’t even physical. Valorie found it strange that her body had reacted before she understood. The complexity of her body now compared to the clone body continued to surprise her. She reached out, hunting for what had unsettled her.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“What’s up?” Concern filled Yulia’s voice and radiated from her hand. She looked Valorie over in a hurry, ignoring the people around them.

Valorie let go of her hand, trying to get a clearer picture. Now that she had felt it once, she knew for sure something was wrong. A flicker here and there of anger and bitterness. So much was normal, but this was different. Why?

“Valorie, come on. Talk to me.” Valorie pulled her aside this time. Closer to one of the empty walls. Valorie wanted to respond, but she was so close to that vile whisper. She recognized the feeling. It was different because she recognized it. It was angry and recent. Dupont.

Valorie’s eyes widened and she reached out for her sister. Seda was nearby – docked at the very same station. Valorie snapped out of her search and looked around in the physical world. Her eyes caught on a small opening between two shops. An exit hall with restrooms attached. It was her turn to pull Yulia, and Valorie all but yanked her into the thin hallway. Yulia was out of breath from the shock.

“What did you do that for?” She asked. Valorie didn’t look at her, still searching the crowd.

“You were hiding when he came aboard the ship.” She muttered. She searched the crowd, trying to get a fix on that feeling once again. Where was he?

“Who?”

“The captain of the Hayes is out there.” She whispered. The area was too busy for whispering to matter. Yet, without knowing exactly where Dupont was, Valorie felt like he could be anywhere. Yulia fell quiet for a moment, eyes traveling over the crowd. When nothing changed, she squeezed Valorie’s hand before letting it go.

“You’re worried I’ll get caught?” She asked. Valorie eased off her frantic search and focused on her friend.

“You must have had a reason to avoid him. I thought,” Valorie said.

“I couldn’t have them poking around about me for an inspection. It’s okay now, Valorie. He won’t learn anything just by seeing us out together.” She said. Valorie’s eyebrows furrowed as she thought about it. As she understood, her look turned sheepish.

“I’m sorry, I panicked.”

“I’m not even sure how you picked him out of a crowd like that.”

“The empathy that allows me to sense life.” Valorie jumped to explain, realizing her mistake too late. “It can be sensitive to those that have made an impression on me.” She said. It was a lame explanation, but not too far from the truth.

“Yeah, Leon said the guy was a real jerk.” Yulia’s shoulders relaxed. Her voice had been gentle, but Valorie could sense the fear below it.

“Sorry,” Valorie said again.

“That’s enough of that.” She said, making up her mind. “How about this. Thank you, Valorie, for having my back.” She smiled.

Valorie met her eyes, forehead creased as she looked for an explanation. Yulia brushed her shirt down and straightened her hair.

“We’ll grab a drink and head back home. No biggie, just a couple of girls having fun.” She said walking back toward the food center. When she glanced back at Valorie’s worried face, she grinned. “All you have to say is you’re welcome. Don’t gotta think about it so hard, you know?”

“I’ll do my bes-” Valorie began, but Yulia stepped out of the hallway.

“Come on, let’s go already.” She said. This time Valorie sensed embarrassment, a far cry better than fear. Valorie rushed to keep up with her.

Yulia ordered them two Starry Mochas and led the way. Outside of the market, the hallways were smaller but quieter. Yulia paused mid-sip to speak.

“We should tell the Captain about the Hayes soon as we get back. You think they followed us to Gomori?” She said, absentmindedly shaking her drink.

“Considering standard inspection follow up, that is very likely,” Valorie said.

“Right? Exactly. Standard. No big deal. It’ll be fine.” Yulia shrugged her shoulders and took a prolonged sip of her drink. Valorie wasn’t sure who Yulia was trying to convince. Perhaps it was for both of them. As she pondered it, Valorie took a sip of her drink. The drink was bittersweet, with a sharp refreshing taste cutting through it all. She took another draw and savored it this time.

“Hey, Yulia?”

“What?” Yulia looked at her in surprise.

“Can we do this again?” Valorie said. A smile spread across Yulia’s face, her eyes crinkling with excitement.

“Of course.” She said waving her drink. Valorie smiled and Yulia squeezed her shoulder. “We’ve got lots of adventures ahead of us.” She added with a grin.

Valorie nodded her thanks. She didn’t have to reach out to feel the joy flowing from Yulia. Yulia took another sip and shook her drink again.

“Do you like the starry mint? Tastes like the usual stuff to me.” She said, easily slipping into a new conversation. Talking with Yulia was comfortable, and the smooth flow passed the time fast. Before Valorie knew it, they had reached the Helianthus. Home.