Page 44 of Breaking Ties

The Hmrain slowly turned his head to look at her. “A being older than most cities on your world. What are you?”

“Really impressed.”

Aubrey covered her mouth and moved to Vress’s side. She went up on her toes and kissed him. That small gesture seemed to be the right thing to do.

Vress looked down at her. “You went for a walk?”

“Yes. We haven’t seen anything green and growing for years.” She smiled. “This is a wonderland.”

Whisper took up a respectful position to the left of Aubrey’s chair, a few steps back.

Vress turned to the other Hmrain. “Oracle, this is the Hmrain, Nerigot. He and his ship will be accompanying us to Aten.”

Aubrey looked at the man made of the most fascinating stellar night that she had ever imagined. “It is good to meet you, Overseer Nerigot. Do you run the academy?”

“I do. I am surprised you have heard of it.” He inclined his head.

“Just something I saw.” She smiled.

Food was brought in, and Whisper moved efficiently. The Hmrain were attended by crew, but Aubrey’s server inclined their head and backed off when the human demonstrated that she had things under control.

Nerigot was staring at Aubrey, and then he slid his gaze to Whisper. “You two are the same species?”

Aubrey smiled. “I am slightly above standard specifications. The activation to oracle came with some additional height.”

Vress said, “And width and depth.”

“Zip it, Overlord.” Aubrey began to eat.

Nerigot gave a theatrical gasp. “She is eating before the Hmrain?”

Whisper spoke clearly. “One, he has eaten in the last four hours and is not hungry. Two, she has had a twenty-five percent increase in height, and her density needs to be compensated for as per her requirement to maintain her body. Three, you had one of the fruits behind us as we were walking up, so therefore you have eaten at this meeting.”

Aubrey smiled and took another bite. “Any questions?”

Nerigot stared at Whisper. “What are you?”

“Currently, a server.”

He snorted. “A more specific descriptor.”

Whisper said calmly, “A human watching you ignore food that my people were dying for just a few short weeks ago. I am impressed with your ability to disregard the lives and opinions of those around you. Specific enough?”

He looked at the food. “You would have killed for this?”

“Our greens and grains were two years dead. Predators taste a little weird, and prey only lasted so long. I killed for much, much less.”

Aubrey slowly continued eating. She had had rations. Her family had owned a sporting goods store, and the rations had been plentiful until the end.

The Hmrain started eating, and Aubrey realized that Whisper had just given them a lecture about manners and eating their vegetables.

They ate quietly, but Nerigot kept staring at Whisper.

Whisper moved in and cleared Aubrey’s plates silently and gracefully as each course was served.

The meal continued for an hour with the Hmrain eventually talking about the new species and the possibilities.

Nerigot snorted. “They are not suited for the academy, but they might be suited to soothing.”