It’s a marvel what these people must save on shower products!
Satisfied, she tapped the yellow button. A second invisible wave, this time a soak of magic, traveled down her body. The end result was more substantial, making Viera feel grounded … ironic while flying in a spaceship. Remembering the warning of a few months back, she did a double soak. A lesson with Flower Prancer wasn’t on her schedule, but that didn’t mean the cantankerous Elder hadn’t planned one on his own.
The sensation of the shower water splashing down over her face in the morning often made her feel awake and ready to face a room full of eight-year-olds. She’d take a leisurely fifteen-minute shower to wake up and center herself for the day. Here on the ship it took less than five minutes to get clean and soak in magic. Viera pulled on clothes, just as tired as when she pushed herself up and out of her warm bed, when a yawn cracked her face.
Time to find food … and coffee! Lots and lots of caffeine.
While Tiffany and her family were located on a different level, Betsy and Thorn were both on this level, as was Scout. Thorn and Scout didn’t have a family unit; the trip wasn’t long enough, and Scout liked a bit of freedom. Also, as the ship’s captain, Thorn was in and out at all hours. Scout could sleep better without interruptions in his own separate room. Their rooms were next door to each other.
As it went, Viera was assigned a room on the other side of Scout’s. Just as she stepped out, she heard him laughing, a feat considering the soundproofing installed in the walls and doors of the Ziner. Curious, she knocked on his door … well, typed the command to ring his bell on the pad to the right of his door. It took a moment for his door to open, and then an avalanche of baby ven were atop her. As they all focused on her, Buttercup and Westley climbing her legs, Inigo perched on her shoulder, Fezzik on her head, and … “Where is Miracle Max?”
Scout’s laughter filled the hallway. “Ms. Kor, you’re covered in ven; it’s a look! You could walk down the runway at a fashion show, make a new statement. The ven statement!” He fell over laughing. Just then Miracle Max flew out the door and down the hallway followed by Beaver, the baby ven’s mom. She was much bigger than the pint-sized moth-like creatures, with big dark eyes, and long antenna, and ready to catch her escapee.
Viera tried to turn but feared for the babies atop her.
Thorn came out of her room and rolled her eyes. “For goodness sake, Scout, can’t you control those things? They’re all over Viera. Look at her, she’s acting like a statue. As if, because they’re on her, she can’t move. Like they’re the boss.”
Viera pet Fezzik; he was so soft. A low rumble came from his belly. “But, Thorn, they’re so happy.”
“You know what? You and Scout can deal with this. I have to get to the bridge.” Her face softened. “Are you free tonight for dinner? I missed you last night. I was kind of hoping you’d share my box … er, my room.”
Viera shifted her gaze to Scout when Thorn said ‘box,’ but the boy had taken off down the hall after the missing ven.
Thorn stepped up to her and lifted Viera’s chin for a kiss. “Is that a yes? Tonight? I’d like to be around you when we go through the GPS so you’re not alone, and then, you know, watch over you until we both wake up.” Her grin was devious.
Heat made Viera feel alive and excited way too early. Despite the baby ven using her as their play structure, she placed her hands on Thorn’s hips and smiled. “That all sounds great, though not soon enough.”
Thorn leaned down for one more kiss before turning on her heel to head for the lift. “Oh! And no ven!”
Viera laughed as Scout ran up. “Okay, let's get them all back in the room. Have you eaten?”
“Nope. I was about to head off to find food.”
He slumped. “Thank goodness. I’m starving.” He darted into his room and the sound of hard ven food hitting bowls echoed out. As quickly as they attacked her, the baby ven were gone.
She laughed. “Traitors. You only want food!”
Scout darted out, shutting his door. “Do you blame them? That’s all I want, too.”
***
They found Tiffany sitting alone at a table. They both sat and, after deciding what they wanted, Scout headed to the kitchen to pick up their order.
Viera considered the girl. “Why are you here alone?”
Tiffany shrugged. “My parents said they’re on …” Her forehead wrinkled as she thought. “They said a thing where they don’t eat because they’re mad at Scout’s mom.”
“A hunger strike?”
The girl’s face scrunched up even more. “Maybe? I’m not sure.”
Viera huffed in frustration. “Does anyone know that they’re not eating because they’re upset?”
“They said their absence would speak volumes. And, well, I guess it did since you noticed.”
With a shake of her head, Viera thought about what she’d do with the information, if anything. Three days won’t kill the parents, and their passive-aggressive strike is a bit obnoxious. It isn’t like anything can be changed mid-flight. Save me from adults acting less mature than my students. “I guess I did notice, but mostly because I care for you.” She reached over to squeeze Tiffany’s hand. “I don’t think I’m the person they wanted to notice.”
Before Scout got back, Betsy arrived. She sat at their table next to Tiffany and across from Viera. She already had a plate with bacon, eggs, and toast. “Morning, everyone. I hope you all slept well.”
Tiffany shrugged. “I did, but I miss the water. We don’t even get water to shower with. It’s so weird. I hope it’s different at the space station.”
Betsy gazed at the two of them then took a sip of coffee. “I didn’t see you yesterday, Viera. I thought maybe you missed the ship.”
Juniper took the seat on the other side of Betsy as Viera said, “I found the kids and started playing games with them. I learned some of the chanziian colors.” One of Betsy’s eyebrows rose. Viera sighed. “Like my top, it is su-nor, one of my favorite colors.”
As she finished her example, Scout put down their plates with a loud snort. Her coffee splashed out a bit, and she sighed. Picking up the mug, she took a sip. She really needed liquid ambrosia this morning. Betsy’s eyes danced and Juniper giggled softly. “Okay, what did I say wrong?”
Juniper’s warm eyes crinkled at the side. “Su-nor is coffee; tsu-nor is purple. We can go over all of this more slowly if you’d like, later on. I’ve set up a tablet for you, so you can practice with seeing the words. I think it’ll help. Though, you’ll need to learn the alphabet first, which isn’t easy either.”
Scout sat sideways in his chair, facing her. After Viera took another drink of her coffee, she placed the mug well away from the edge of the table, or the boy, who still seemed animated from playing with the ven.
Viera turned to Betsy. “So, we didn’t see each other, but a certain stick is in my closet. I don’t know how or why, but it appeared when I checked yesterday and again this morning.”
Betsy ran her fingers through her hair, front to back. “Well, hell. That thing must be attracted to your magic, and when you moved too far away, it followed, like a good pup. I guess we’ll have to give in to inevitability. Maybe if you start carrying it around it will calm your magic down and help you to focus.”
Viera’s eyebrows shot up. “You think so?”
“Maybe.”
