Page 117 of Every Almost

Charlie's mind was already racing with possibilities. Every schematic she could share, every system they could compare, every question she'd been dying to ask since she saw the ceiling joints. And then, underneath the excitement, a quieter thought ofWho do I tell about this?

The answer used to be Katie. The answer was always Katie.

"That's really amazing, Maren," Charlie said, and meant it, even as something behind her smile dimmed by a fraction. "You and I will be talking again, I know it."

"Sounds great, Charlie," Maren said, her smile broadening as Reyna led Charlie to the next individual.

Next was the man with the amber eyes who had watched her, standing near Selowen. He stepped forward and offered his hand, and Charlie realized he'd been paying attention during the handshake explanation.

"Orion Calev. Veladris," he said. His grip was steady and his voice had a quality Charlie couldn't place, something like a cello in a quiet room. "I'm the ship's Librarian."

"Librarian?" Charlie asked. "A space library. That sounds...incredible." Charlie saw Reyna smirk out of the corner of her eye.

Orion smiled. "We have an archive of knowledge from across the Coalition. Histories, sciences, cultures from hundreds of worlds." He released her hand but held her gaze. "I'd very much like to learn about yours, if you'd be willing."

"My culture?"

"Earth, and everything about it." Something in his expression shifted, a warmth that felt like genuine fascination. "I have a feeling you'd be an extraordinary resource."

Charlie wasn't sure if she'd just been complimented or recruited. Possibly both.

"We have so little information about your home planet and all the species that reside there," Orion continued. "I would very much appreciate if we could talk and allow me to absorb everything possible to give the Coalition a good idea of one of our lesser known planets."

"Do you really think I could help?" she asked.

"How couldn't you?" Orion asked, his hands clasping together. "You'd be a genuine source of first-hand experience. I don't think the Coalition has ever had a chance like this before." Charlie's eyes went wide at that.

"Oh," she said softly.

"At least, as long as the Captain allows this and thinks it's alright, of course," Orion stated, his eyes looking over at Reyna. "I should have led with that, Captain. My apologies. My curiosity got the better of me."

"Curiosity killed the cat," Charlie said, her tone light.

"Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that," Orion stated, worry crossing his face.

Charlie balked. "Oh, um... no... it's, it's a turn of phrase."

"About your cat dying?" Reyna asked, her face concerned and intrigued at the same time.

"Well, notmycat," Charlie said.

"How did the curiosity kill him exactly?" Orion asked, suddenly genuinely intrigued by this concept.

"Um..." Charlie started.

"You know, Orion," Reyna interjected, a smile appearing on her face. "I think you interviewing Charlie is a wonderful idea. It seems we really don't know much about Earth." Reyna lookedover at Charlie. "And if Charlie is okay with it, I don't see why not." Reyna raised her eyebrows. "It could be fun." Charlie chuckled.

"I look forward to it, then, Charlie," Orion said. "I'll come find you at a time everything is sorted out here."

"I can't wait," Charlie said, and she meant it.

This time, when Reyna led her away from Orion and onto the next individual, it was the man that stood four feet tall.

"Tavi Breck. Tessarae," he announced, extending a copper-skinned hand toward Charlie. "We have handshakes on Solmari, so I got you."

His grip was surprisingly firm for someone who came up to her ribcage. And when she took his hand, Charlie could feel a faint crackle of something where their skin met, like a static charge that had opinions.

"Tavi?" Charlie looked at his crimson locs and the vivid plum markings across his features. "Your braids are so cool. I love that style."