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She snorted and pointed to her door. He hadn’t let her go.
She palmed the scanner and opened the door. He walked up the stairs, and when they entered her space, he froze. “Gym equipment?”
“Yes. Can you set me down so I can get all my uniforms in the laundry and dress like a normal person for once?”
He nodded. “Certainly, if you kiss me.”
“Vecchin don’t kiss.”
“I know, but humans do, and the result is exhilarating.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t give bribes or pay extortion.”
He grinned and set her down. “Disappointing but very wise.”
She went to her bedroom, grabbed a change of clothing, took a quick sonic shower, and got dressed in a long tunic and trousers. They were very comfy in a style used by upland Vecchin.
She hung everything out in the cleaning cupboard and set it to cycle.
She walked out into her living and exercise space, and Hazor was checking the settings on her machines.
“You are stronger than you appear.”
“Yes.”
“Interesting. Do you have workout gear? It might be helpful at assessment.”
“No, they prefer to generate something with all of the sensors in the right places.”
He glanced at her. “Right. What would it take to see you in a dress?”
“A date or a lot of liquor or both.” She smiled. “Shall we go?”
He looked at all the machines with a smile. “Why didn’t you go for public service?”
“I needed to train with it. I have only gotten the hang of it in the last four months.”
“Where did you practice?”
“I rented a boat and went to Makthall Island.”
He smiled. “That would be remote.”
“It was. Since the effect is known, I just had to work on projectile accuracy.”
Hazor was looking at her and laughed slightly. “I don’t think Mother knew just how close she came to getting zapped.”
“I would never. That is why I needed to practice.”
He held his hand out, and she took it. They walked outside, and he lifted her again, flying her to the assessing centre.
“Oh, yay. Everyone has seen me, and I am at the centre on time. Hooray.”
Her parents came out the door and stared at her. Her father frowned. “Cloudy?”
“Yes, hi, Mom. Dad. This is Hazor, son of Yvari and Mathon, grandson of Vecchin and the honoured Yvetha.”
Hazor was grinning at her. “You forgot guardian of Siloven.”
