He could have kept going on and on, pointing out the lack of harm Tina posed to Osopa’s vulnerabilities. He could have listed the strides the Nobek had managed since they’d met as teenagers. Normally, Tukui would have done just that.
For perhaps the first time in his life, the young Dramok recognized the moment had come for him to back off, however. Osopa was a thinker, the kind of person who ruminated over an issue, turning it over in his mind before coming to a decision. He needed space to digest the circumstances, to come to his own conclusions. And hopefully a solution to his issues with letting his guard down with Tina.
Instead of badgering his clanmate as he normally would have, Tukui resumed his trek to the bridge. After a moment of startled hesitation, Osopa followed him.
* * * *
Lounging at the end of the bed, Tina considered her choice of bows on Yorso’s handheld. She picked one and added it to the virtual gown’s train. After a moment’s consideration, her tongue poking out between her lips, she added two more.
“How’s the dress coming?”
Tina glanced up at Yorso, who sat cross-legged on the other end of the bed’s surface. He had three holo screens activated over his other handheld, the one he used for work. They floated in the air, lines of hieroglyphics, just below his eyeline. It meant his neck was bent at an awkward angle to read the Kalquorian writing, but the screens’ positions allowed him to easily glance up to look at her.
Tina knew all about small considerations and how often people failed to notice them. She noticed. Her heart warmed that Yorso would chance a stiff neck just so he could meet her gaze when they spoke.
“I think I’m overdoing it. But this designing program is fun.”
“Maybe it’ll be that fulfilling hobby we’re hoping for.”
“Maybe.”
He returned to his work, occasionally muttering under his breath when his com went off and he had to answer someone’s questions. The com buzzed often, breaking into the notes he tried to dictate. Tina didn’t think he was getting far on the dictation front due to the frequent interruptions. He scowled when he wasn’t checking on her.
Poor guy. Tina remembered her father coming home from work, often out of sorts because his supervisor was constantly giving him last-minute tasks, then yelling at him for failing to complete his routine assignments. Perhaps Yorso dealt with similar issues.
She added lace to the neckline and sleeves of her project. It was hard to resist the urge to fuss over her Imdiko. She wanted to bring him snacks and drinks. Take care of chores so he wouldn’t have to deal with them on top of his work—but he’d already done everything the tiny quarters required for cleanup.
No place to earn. She was a permanent fixture now, the equivalent of a wife. What did it mean to have three husbands, especially since she didn’t have to pick up after them? Cook for them or wash their clothes? Was her life all about sex and finding a hobby now? Apparently so.
The sex part is incredible. She bit her lips together to stifle a giggle as she added more lace to her creation. She couldn’t just have carnal relations and call it a life. There had to be more.
Her stepmother had a job. Her mother had worked too, a teacher specializing in developmentally challenged students. Should Tina work? Her clanmates had said she could. She could learn a profession. Have a career. Doing what?
It should be an occupation she enjoyed. What did she dream of doing? That question was easily answered, but Tina wouldn’t chase silly fantasies out of her reach. Especially those she couldn’t pursue because she wasn’t returning to Earth.
Yorso muttered again, his face darkening as his com buzzed for attention. He pasted a smile on to answer, despite it being voice-only. “Ga, Kaman Tranis?”
He was stressed. Tina glanced at the box of chocolates the men had given her. She’d had only three so far, though the treats were gobble-worthy. She wanted to make it last, since it could be the last chocolate she’d ever have, but she’d been happy to offer Yorso some earlier. He’d refused, insisting it was all for her.
It was difficult to not beg to do tasks for him. And not just because she was used to slaving over people in hopes they’d like her. Yorso was sweet. Caring. He deserved to be pampered.
He finished his com. Sighed. Craned his neck to stare at one of his floating monitors.
Hoping her curiosity wouldn’t’ be an irritation, Tina spoke up. “You’ve been at it for a while. What are you doing?”
He checked the time, stretched and yawned before looking at her with what she imagined was affection. “Hours of work and little to show for it. Never mind. Do you need attention?”
She waved him off. “I’m sorry I interrupted. You’re not here to indulge my curiosity.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m happy to answer your questions. You’re not a bother.” A flicker of sadness before he resumed speaking. “I’m updating reports gathered on how the residents of Europa are adjusting to be captured and putting them in a cultural context for our military leaders.”
“It sounds important.”
“An occupying army needs information on what to expect from those it’s occupying.”
“You’re sending in an army to occupy the convent on Europa?” The absurdity of soldiers needed to police nuns and children almost made her laugh. Then the real situation occurred to her. She stared at Yorso, her heartrate quickening. “Earth? Kalquor is set to attack my planet?”
A string of comforting platitudes sprang to Yorso’s mind as Tina’s amusement switched to stunned horror. He spoke none of them. Reassurances, however honest and well-intentioned, would ring hollow. His Matara’s world would soon be the center of conflict. The Kalquorian fleet was already fighting a path towards the planet.
Poor Tina. She and other innocent civilians hadn’t asked for this. In the end, he said, “Our leaders are determined to end the war as quickly as possible. That means invading Earth, taking its leaders prisoner, and occupation.”
She sat quietly, absorbing the shock. “You’ll kill my people.”
“We’ve been killing your soldiers. They’ve been killing us too for the last year. And before. Tukui had two older brothers who died in battles with Earth before war was even declared.”
Tina stared. “They died fighting against Earth forces?”
“That’s what armed conflict is. Fighting and killing until one side says they’ve had enough.”
She sat with this new information for a minute. “Earth declared war on Kalquor. My people started it. And Tukui lost members of his family. Yet he still wants me to be his Matara?”
“Why wouldn’t he? You aren’t your government, Tina. Most of your people aren’t. Tukui isn’t resentful of humans because of what their government has done.”
She was quiet for another minute. When she spoke again, her voice was so faint that Yorso had to strain to hear. “What will happen to people like my family?”
“Your family?”
“My dad. My siblings and stepmother. What does Kalquorian occupation mean to them?”
Yorso was startled. She cared for the man who’d rejected her so brutally? She worried for those he’d replaced her with, people she’d never met?