The dish turns out to be some kind of stew with a strong, salty taste. I don't recognize any of the ingredients, but it's delicious. It warms me up, and fills me with a sense of contentment.
Mira is sitting on the table next to me, swinging her legs back and forth, humming to herself as she eats. Llywelyn is seated across from me, picking at his food with a scowl on his face. I don't know why he's here, since he clearly doesn't want to be, but he is.
Xilukulkas is at the head of the table, watching us with a smile on his lips, sipping from a goblet of some kind of wine. The dining room is smaller than the one on the moon, but still luxurious. It's decorated with soft lights, and the table is made of polished wood. There are candles in the center, and the walls are covered with tapestries of... some alien scenery, I think.
I don't pay much attention to them. I'm too focused on the food. It's really good. I haven't had a meal this good since... well, since I don't know when. Maybe never. Xilukulkas provided good food on the moon, and even provided her human food to eat, but this is something else entirely.
Even in space, the rich just eat better, it seems.
"So... when are we arriving at the next place?" I ask, glancing at Xilukulkas.
He smiles. "Soon. We will dock at a small planetoid tomorrow morning."
Mira perks up. "Will it have good food?"
He chuckles. "I'm sure it will. But that is not why I have chosen to stop there. It is a museum."
"A museum?" Llywelyn grimaces, "How fun."
Xilukulkas gives a polite laugh. "I am aware it is not your favorite, Llywelyn, but you are free to stay on the ship if you wish."
Llywelyn huffs. "Maybe I'll do that. Don't much care for a pointless display of wealth."
"I assure you it is not pointless." Xilukulkas replies, "It is a collection of ancient artifacts from the oldest known civilization in the galaxy."
I blink, and look up at him. "Really?"
He nods, and his eyes flash a bright silver. "Indeed. It is quite rare, and a fascinating exhibit. You may even enjoy it yourself, although I understand you will miss much of the context. But the beauty is apparent regardless."
Museums...
I have mixed feelings on them. Simple boring things like art museums are usually boring, but I always enjoyed the science museums and the history museums when I was little.
I'm curious which one this will be like. With Xilukulkas I could see an argument for either one. He does seem to be a lover of culture and beauty, but he's also clearly into the odd and unique. Which means...
"There's a really pretty beach!" Mira shouts, just a little too excited, before smiling apologetically and adjusting her volume. " On the planet, I mean."
Llywelyn squints at her. "The nude beach?"
I can't help but choke on my food at that, and shoot a look at him. His collar lights up and his ears twitch rapidly.
"What?!" Mira asks, "A nude beach?!"
"It's not a nude beach." Xilukulkas says, calmly. "The one you're thinking of was turned into a conservation park years ago, Llywelyn. The beach is part of the museum grounds. And it is a lovely sight, but there are no expectations for undress."
He closes his eyes and makes a face I can't really identify. "Guess I could take some time off of the ship too, then. Baths are fine, but some natural water is nice now and then."
Mira claps her hands together. "Yay! We can all go together!"
"To the beach?" He squints at her, then sighs. "Just. Don't run around underneath me, I hate when you do that."
I purse my lips, looking down at my food.
I haven't seen daylight since...
The escape.
Maybe I'll look forward to this stop no matter what the museum turns out to be like. Just to see the sun again.
I don't know what it'll feel like to suddenly see it again but.
I think I'll like it.
I look up at Xilukulkas. His eyes are soft, and there's a smile on his lips.
He must know.
I suppose it's obvious but...
He definitely is aware that this is... a good idea. A good stop to make for me.
Obviously not just for me. But... I can't help but think that he added it on, or made this a special stop, because of me.
I look away, and focus on my food.
It's kind. Exactly as he always is. And it...
Makes me feel.
I don't know. Not guilty. I have no reason to be. Guilty. I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm not lying or pretending to be someone I'm not. I'm not using him or anything. I just... it's just that...
It'd be a lot easier - or rather, I'd feel... better.
If the people I were scheming to escape would just. Stop being so damn nice to me. Then I could feel better about leaving.
"Ah, I must say, Sarah." Xilukulkas says suddenly, and I look up. "The auction went well. The eggs are in the ship's nursery."
I blink. "Eggs?"
"Remember the whole reason we actually stopped at the station?" Llywelyn deadpanned. "It wasn't to test how much sweet food a kolumer can ingest in a day."
"No, but it was a benefit." Mira nods firmly.
"You shameless ritzah." Llywelyn grumbles, directing a sour look Mira's way.
It's about as effective as a hairbrush. She just giggles.
I glance back at Xilukulkas, "Why are you telling me about these eggs? What's that got to do with me?"
He gives a small shrug. "It's not something you've seen yet, and I find it to be quite a fascinating sight. If you'd like, you can see the eggs in the nursery and watch them develop over the course of our voyage. The species in question has a relatively short lifespan, so it should be something of a time lapse." He smiles. "If you find such things interesting."
I... I don't know, honestly.
But I certainly can't say that I won't,