But that makes the money thing all the more confusing. Why save when it can be put to use?
And…he's brought it out now, to help the rescue efforts for the va Sithai brothers, who Zoey is convinced are not dead. Was he saving up for limbs and now he's going to be resentful of having to give his savings over? Or was he saving for something else?
So many questions, and no answers. Jerrok will be back later. I'll bring it up then.
I scratch at Sleipnir's ears, and when he lolls on the bed, I decide maybe I will, too. I pull out my books…and then pause. Outlander's on top, and the sight of the old clock on the cover gives me an idea. I caress the book absently. Reading it has always been a comfort to me, a way to escape into another world. At this point, though, I have it half-memorized, and I can think of someone else that could use a good distraction.
Zoey.
"Come on, Sleipnir," I tell the carinoux, patting his flank. "Let's go take a walk, you and I."
The big creature groans and rolls over on the bed, exposing his long belly. His many legs are flippity-flopping like the laziest of cats, and he's so cute I can hardly stand it.
I poke one of his toe-beans. "Walkies and then snacks, hmm?"
The carinoux immediately jumps up from the bed and begins to rub against my legs, nearly knocking me over.
I laugh, rubbing his head. "Yeah, you know the word 'snacks' at this point, don't you? Well, come on." I tuck the book under my arm and open the door to the room again, peering out in the hall of the Jabberwock. It has that “ship” smell to it, of recycled air and fuel, but there's also a faint undertone of something herbal and pleasant, as if Fran's trying to cover the ship's functional stink. I head down the hall with the carinoux at my heels, pausing when he sniffs at metal wall panels (and shoving his head away when he gets a bit too lick-y). It'll be good for both of us to take a walk, however meandering.
The Jabberwock's metal halls are bigger than I anticipated, with metal grating above and below, and wiring and pipes of all kinds tucked behind the grates. I don't know a lot about ships—other than how to dismantle them—but it seems pretty nice. I guess. I can't help but compare the austere surroundings to every sci-fi movie I watched as a kid. They hold up surprisingly well, because this hall looks like something that could have come out of Star Trek…or Aliens. This particular hall is crew quarters, with lots of doors spaced a fair distance apart. There's the sound of muffled voices and a metal stairwell leading belowdecks. I try to recall what Fran said was on the second floor. A rec room, a training room…oh, and the armory. Right.
A door hisses open down the hall, and Sentorr steps out. The carinoux at my side automatically growls, moving in front of my legs protectively.
"It's okay, buddy," I tell him softly. "Sentorr's a friend."
The elegant-looking mesakkah pauses at the sight of us, his hands clasped behind his back. He looks very…proper, especially compared to the rest of the crew. I think of Tarekh and Cat, who seem to constantly be covered in engine grease of some kind, arguing over the best way to prepare a breakfast noodle at the top of their lungs. I think of Kivian, who never met something shiny he didn't like, or Fran, who just likes to be in everyone's business. Iris and Alyvos seem to do their own thing, but Sentorr is like…well, he's like the disapproving hall monitor back in school.
It's unfair to think of him like that, because Zoey clearly loves him and she's not nearly as stuffy as he is.
"Hi," I say brightly. "I was taking Sleipnir for a walk and thought I'd say hi to Zoey. See if she needed some company." When Sleipnir pushes against my legs again, I tap his hindquarters. "Sit. Behave."
If cat-lizards could grumble, this one would. He reluctantly sits, though, and I'm pretty sure he's glaring at Sentorr.
The alien man studies both of us for a moment and then gives a crisp nod. "I asked her to take some time off. Relax. Company might be welcome." He hesitates, then seems to rethink it. "I'll be back shortly to check on her."
I smile and move past him in the hall, tapping my leg so Sleipnir knows to stay at my side. I'm pretty sure Sleipnir gives the littlest, sulkiest growl as Sentorr moves past, but other than that, he behaves very well. The door that Sentorr emerged from has a lot of alien writing on it, but I can't read any of it. I knock instead. "Zoey? It's Sophie."