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“Excellent,” Ileg said when he reappeared. He glanced over Matt’s clothing again. “I take it you’ll prefer the casual wear first. I’ll send you renderings of basic foundation pieces within the hour, a couple of other items this evening. If you approve, I can have those ready for you tomorrow. The rest will come over the next couple of months.”
“Perfect. Thank you,” Masok said. “No rush on the dresswear, except for perhaps one outfit by the end of the month?”
“Not a problem. If you have a moment, tell me what you think of this fabric.”
“Custom clothes can be ready so fast?” Matt marveled to Karam as the other two examined the drapes of fabric.
“Automated clothing manufacture, even for the most individualized pieces, has progressed at an insane rate in the last couple of years,” the assistant confirmed. “In-person fittings are rarely needed, because the machines and programs are so good. We joke if artificial intelligence learns to master creativity in design, we’ll be out of jobs. Fortunately for us, everything AI dreams up as far as clothing goes either looks like fashion from a decade ago or an utter nightmare.” Karam chuckled and answered the softly buzzing door announce.
“Dramok Desit and Imdiko Tobeg,” a voice said.
“Enter.”
The door opened, admitting a pair of well-dressed Kalquorian men. They nodded pleasantly to Karam but froze when they saw Matt.
Across the room, Ileg turned from a soft blue fabric hanging he was discussing with Masok. “Ah, welcome back. I’ll be right with you—”
“You’re making clothes for humans now, Ileg?” The Dramok, whose name Matt had already forgotten, continued to stare at him. It wasn’t a nice stare. He and his companion glowered, as if they’d sighted an unpleasant bug.
“I am. I have a number of Earther clients.” Ileg’s voice had a chill in it.
Masok was at Matt’s side in an instant, his gaze fierce. “If you have an issue with my companion, Dramok, we can discuss it outside.”
The stranger gave Matt another scathing glare. “There’s nothing to discuss when it comes to parasites who siphon our resources. My clanmate and I will take our business elsewhere.”
They departed before anyone could reply. Before it shut, Matt heard the Imdiko mutter, obviously for his benefit since he spoke in English, “The infestation is everywhere.”
“I’m so very sorry about their rudeness.” Ileg and Karam, their faces reddened with anger and embarrassment, converged on Matt and Masok. “Rank doesn’t indicate good breeding far too often these days. Matt, I’ll design you such beautiful clothes to apologize for their rudeness. An extra outfit, something special, at no cost.”
“You had nothing to do with it, Ileg.” Masok visibly struggled to contain his anger. “Fortunately, their kind is in the minority.”
“Fortunately,” Ileg echoed. “Their clan won’t be welcome in my shop again, Karam.”
“Absolutely, sir.” The assistant managed a tight smile for Matt. “It was delightful to meet you, and I apologize you had to encounter such ugliness in Ileg’s studio. At your next visit, I’ll be sure we have extra special refreshments for you to enjoy.”
Much of what was said drifted around Matt’s head. He kept seeing those men staring at him in an all-too-familiar disgust. Theirs had been expressions of loathing that often showed up in his nightmares.
He maintained enough sense to mumble a few pleasantries before Masok ushered him out of the shop.
“Assholes.Gurluks!” the Imdiko swore in English and Kalquorian once the door shut behind them. “I wish he had accepted my invitation to step outside. I’m no Kom, but I’ve been known to put a bastard or two in their place when the occasion called for it. Don’t worry about it, Matt. They’re not worth the clothes you’re wearing.”
His arm circled Matt’s shoulders. The faces of the hateful Dramok and Imdiko had morphed into others in his mind’s eye, and he jerked from Masok’s embrace with a cry, shoving him away.
“Don’t touch me!”
Chapter Six
Matt stared at Masok, who froze. He was obviously stunned at the violent rejection. “Matt?”
The past oozed from the present. Guilt crashed over him. “I’m…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I just…I just…”
The words trailed into a sob. Matt felt as though fissures were opening beneath him, ready to plunge him in darkness. Despair filled him.
He wasn’t safe. Even with Masok there to protect him, there were those who’d hurt Matt and people he cared for. He’d seen it in their eyes, the hatred for who he was. The desire to erase him.
“Hey. It’s okay. Tell me what I can do to fix it.” Masok reached in invitation for Matt to draw close, but was afraid to make contact. His fingertips hovered in the air.
Figures appeared at the end of the lane and headed their way. Matt fought to steady himself. He knuckled the tears away. “I’m okay. It was just a moment, that’s all. I’m sorry.”
