Page 69 of Alien Burn

He came to stand beside her. From here she could see the gallery reflected faintly in the window, people moving behind the paired peaks of his horns. He was close enough that she didn't have to raise her voice to be heard.

“Did you get home safely?” she asked.

“To the residence? Yes.”

“No wrong turns?”

“The pilot was distressingly competent. I had nothing to contribute.”

“You must have found that difficult.”

“I endured it.”

She sipped her tea. He watched her over the rim of his cup.

“What?” she asked.

“I was hoping you'd wear blue.”

The words pleased her so much that she didn't quite know what to do with them.

“Were you?”

“I had no particular color in mind until now.”

“Oh. That's very accomplished.”

“I meant it.”

She looked down at herself. “I almost changed.”

“I'm glad you didn't.”

The reply was warm and simple. He didn't ask why. She was grateful until she realized she wanted to tell him.

“Someone thought gray would be more suitable.”

His gaze moved once across the room, then came back to her.

“And what did you think?”

“That I liked this one.”

“Then you received excellent advice.”

“From myself?”

“Clearly the best informed person available.”

She tried to take another sip and smiled against the cup instead.

Beyond the glass, wind lifted the leaves of a broad green tree. One branch tapped the stone sill at irregular intervals. Dhomhes shifted to let her see past his shoulder.

“Is this all right?” he asked.

“What?”

“Talking here. With everyone watching.”