
someone is feeling—even if I already know, Pattie.” Rolling over on her back, she pulled an arm across
her chest in a stretch, repeating the gesture with the opposite arm. “As for being uncomfortable, I just
need some ointment for my sore hands. Honestly, I didn’t know whether I could hold on any longer.”
She paused, brushed her fingers through her hair, dislodging bark flecks. “And a bath. I’d really like a
bath.”
Pattie didn’t know why the fleshy species bothered with their multitudes of cleaning rituals; a coating of
rotted bark dust and fungus on their epidermal layer might improve their natural state. In the years she’d
served around humanoids, she decided no amount of sonic waves, water, oil, perfume, soap, or scent
improved upon the sour musk that permeated every corner of their living spaces. But she’d adjusted.
Being tolerant of the quirks native to other species was expected of a member of a multiworld
community. There was a reason, however, why the Nasat avoided living too close to Zoë and Tarak’s
lab and it had nothing to do with them being noisy neighbors. “The evening rains will start soon,” Pattie
said, noting the rising mists, the slight shift in air pressure. “You won’t even have to go back to your
paddock. Take a walk on the verandah over there—” Pattie cocked her head toward a porch protruding
off the walkway “—and wait.”
“That’s not a bath, that’s asking to be encapsulated in mud.” She massaged her hands, alternating
between right and left. “Pattie…do you think you could use your communicator to check in with Tarak?
He usually keeps the transmitter on when I’m out.” Her voice quivered slightly.
Pattie touched her combadge. “P8 Blue to Dr. Tarak.”
A crackle, static, and then:“Tarak here. Because you have contacted me, I presume that you have
survived the quake in fair condition, but Dr. Xanfer—is she also well?”
“Yes, Doctor. She’s fine. Dirty, but fine.”
“The minimal inconvenience of filthiness is preferable to other, more potentially serious injuries to her
person. I wish you both continued health and clear thinking. I will anticipate your presence when
circumstances allow it. Tarak out.”
Sighing deeply, Zoë placed a hand over her heart. “I sensed that he was fine, but I couldn’t be certain if
my wishes for his well-being had misled me.” Contented, she sighed again, her shoulders slumping with
relief.
She’s in love,Pattie realized with happy surprise. She’d seen something of humanoid romantic
relationships lately, and recognized the signs.What a time to find out. She had questions for Zoë, but they
would wait for a more opportune moment.
Zoë assumed a cross-legged position, brushed dust off her tunic and craned to see what was going on
around them. “Are these quakes common? And if they are, will there be more tremors?”
“Haven’t had one in my sixteen seasons—or eight years by Federation reckoning. If memory serves, it’s
been more than a score of seasons since we’ve had any kind of serious tremors.”
The groan of circuitry far below announced the power systems restarting. The groan also informed Pattie
that she could feel safer about resuming an upright posture. Zoë followed her lead, scrambling to her feet.
Beyond the obstacle of an overturned kiosk blocking their path, Pattie saw some Nasat uncurl; others
hobbled toward the closest exits. Most were too dazed to move, let alone escape to safety. A few