I waved a hand as I slid up to the bouncer – a younger gaanith who I'd seen here before, although she was usually cleaning something – and she unclipped the cord blocking off the entrance."You'll want to find Dreyko inside," she said, big yellow eyes blinking at me as her spiny ear flaps flexed and ruffled nervously; I guess she wasn't used to public-facing roles."He'll show you out back."
"What do you think, Elethenn?"I asked as we ducked inside."Is Tam going to show you what he hasout back?"
Elethenn's blush, which had been fading, turned pink again as we worked our way up the dark hallway and into the gym beyond, but the look he shot me was underpinned by a certain affection, so I knew he didn't mind my teasing.
Tam had told me he had fight nights here now and again – he'd suggested I try my hand, but I'd declined; Silver Sea wanted me to charge appearance fees for shit like that, and also I didn't want anyone to ever gamble on me again, thanks very much – but I'd had a hard time picturing how the gym could become anything other than a utilitarian space.Tam was a great coach, but he wasn't a particularly organized person and so the gym was always a bit cluttered and chaotic, and he was always hauling gear around from one side of the perpetually chilly and dimly-lit training room to the other.
Now, the entire training area had been stripped back: all of the gear was hiddensomewhere– I couldn't even imagine moving some of the equipment, but Tam did seem to have a little entourage of strapping up-and-coming pit fighters, so being short on muscle was probably never a problem – and, instead, a massive cage dominated the floor of the training space.Bright coloured lights beamed down from the ceiling, painting the room in swaths of red and violent purples that made the shadows even darker.The doors to the maze-like series of halls and rooms out back – the locker rooms, the kitchen, Tam's office, and the storage spaces I could only assume were currently crammed full of gear from floor to ceiling – were all shut, leaving only the large, rectangular training room.
There wasn't a crowd yet, but therewasa bar – a big free-standing counter that must have been rolled in from somewhere – and a few of the fighters who were scheduled for the night were chatting amicably next to it.One brin, who looked particularly sour, was pacing in the cage as if getting a feel for its dimensions.Across the space, Dreyko beckoned at the two of us.Honestly, he was probably responsible for the set-up of the space; he was definitely the reason anything was remotely organized or clean at all.
"I don't carewhoyou are," said Dreyko as we approached, gleaming eyes narrowing with good humour even as his nostrils flattened with tension, "but you can't just come swanning in here with weapons on a fight night, Sashen.We check them out back.Come on, I can stash them for you."
"I'm probably not staying," I insisted, pivoting as Dreyko pretended to grab for my blades.I easily batted his hands away, flashing him a pleased smile.I was getting faster.I was almost slippery these days."We're just here for a chat, and if the music's good wemightstay for a little.If we stay, I'll put my shit in the locker room."
Dreyko shot Elethenn a knowing look."Celebrities.So entitled, am I right?I'm sureyou'llfollow the rules at least."He stuck out one waiting hand, wiggling his fingers.
Elethenn hesitated, glancing at me.I shrugged, which I was sure Elethenn had seen me do enough times to understand what I meant.Besides, what was going to happen to ushere?It was the walk to and from Tam's I'd been concerned about.Elethenn nodded, then carefully removed a plasma pistol from where it had been hidden beneath the folds of his jacket.
My eyebrows shot up.I'd fired one of those at the range; they were powerful and incredibly temperamental.I'd been awful with the one I'd tried, but Araxis had said that if you werereallygood, plasma pistols were probably the most effective gun you could use in close quarters.One pulse could hit multiple targets if you knew what you were doing – and if you were extremely skilled.
"I did tell you," Elethenn said, the smallest and most hesitant smile catching one corner of his mouth, like he was afraid to be proud of himself."I worked in security."
"Which is why he understands the importance of following the rules at public events, unlike certain ex-dancers," Dreyko intoned."I'll put this somewhere safe for you."He smiled, teeth flashing in the moody lights overhead.
And sure, I should have noticed the little shimmer of tension in his laugh, how his stare kept flicking toward the closed doors that led to the rooms beyond.But this wasmygym, and I knew Tam and Dreyko and the other employees, and I also knew that Tam would never let anything bad happen to me, not in a hundred years.I was certain of that.I knew Radiant Ward too and, despite what had happened, I was safe here, in this building and with these people.I had Elethenn next to me; I had my swords across my back.I felt safe, and so I was stupid.
"Anyway," Dreyko continued breezily, Elethenn's pistol vanishing into one of the pockets of his robe, "Tam's pretty wrapped up tonight, but he was wondering if he could steal you for a second, uh, Elethenn, is it?He wanted to have a quick...chat before he comes out to meet with Sashen.Just a few minutes."
Elethenn flushed under the pulsing red lights, the skin around his eyes tightening with some sort of conflict.He glanced at me; his hands flexed at his sides.I could almosthearhim blushing, and I could definitely hear the unasked question.
"Why don't you go and have thatchat, since I have some messages to catch up on anyway," I suggested mildly.Then, with a pointed look, "And don't feel like you have to rush on my behalf.I'm going to hang out with – oh, give me a second –" I squinted at the sephear who was behind the bar, fiddling with glasses, "Berryn.I bet I could show her a few new drinks."And because I knew the longer I stood near Elethenn, the more he'd doubt himself and the right course of action, I beelined across the familiar room made unfamiliar by the lights and massive cage, and ducked behind the bar.
Berryn barely spared me a look."Sit over there," she said, sounding upset as her mandibles clicked unhappily.She gestured without looking to a stack of crates."And stay out of my way."At a quick glance, it looked like she'd broken a few glasses and, when I went to go help her clean up, the look she shot me was absolutelyacidic, so I just moved off to the side and out of the way.By the time I settled in, carefully placing the framed photo by my hip to keep it safe from Berryn's apparent clumsiness, Elethenn had vanished out back, hopefully to get groped by a good-natured gaanith who I knew would at least treat him right.Elethenn deserved that.He needed someone kind and thoughtful.
You could not ask for a kinder partner, Elethenn had said, and he was right.Even when Araxis had been hurting me, he'd been kind about it.And even though I'd been difficult since then, he'd been patient and gentle.I smiled to myself, shaking my head.I mean, it wasn't a surprise Elethenn might be drawn in.Who wouldn't be?
I had to stop thinking about Araxis before I got too doe-eyed while watching some people beat each other up, so I glanced down at my wristband, fully expecting to settle in with some translation exercises Inmadra had sent me at the end our lesson.Instead, a pink message notification was blinking on my wristband, and I had to fight to smother a sudden, delighted grin.
I pulled up the interface and sifted through the string of messages that had come through from Araxis, as if thinking about him had somehow spurred him to write.
I might not have bitten through my tongue, but I am afraid that the sheer idiocy of some of what I had to listen to has permanently rendered me more stupid.
Then,Hm, this is likely the kind of thing I should not put in writing.You see?The effects were immediate.
Then,I like your human symbols, especially when they don't make sense.They're very endearing, although you need no assistance in endearing yourself to me.
Then,I could meet you where you are, if you would care for my company.I am not far, just in Generation Ward.
Then,I do not mean to intrude.Your time is your own.
Then, I should have thought more carefully before making the offer.Of course I am overstepping.Enjoy your evening, and I will see you at the creche.Perhaps you will consider taking a shuttle home, or you could tell me when you leave so that I know when to look for you.
You do not need to do either.You are capable of determining the best course of action.I look forward to hearing about your evening when you're home.
All of it was followed with a heart, glowing softly on my interface.
I stared at his messages, sucking on my lower lip and fighting the smile that wanted to break free.It was like I was a teenager again.Better: I'd been terrified every time I'd so much as looked at Desmon.With Araxis, I didn't need to be scared.
