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It takes me a moment to realize that she’s in a wooden tub that I thought was the start to some new project and hadn’t looked inside of. When did she get there?

I don’t figure it out before she starts speaking again. “Instead of asking yourself why you get upset when people touch you, the better question is why are people touching you without permission? That’s what isn’t normal.”

Rin winces. “I did that. I’m sorry, Liv.”

“No, it’s really okay, like I said,” I reassure her. “You didn’t know and you were terrified. I can control the anger when I need to.”

“Of course you can,” Kira says, pride in her voice. “You are really fucking strong. Mentally, emotionally, and physically. You are a great fucking ally.”

“Community member!” Eli calls out.

“Friend,” Rin adds with a smile.

“The greatest treasure of the hoard,” Kroaicho chitters from behind me in zha’s native tongue.

I whirl, skin moving from blue back to orange. I grin and Kroaicho’s skin lights up orange too.

“Fuck,” Kira quips. “Who needs night vision with these two around?”

Everyone laughs, me with them. Kroaicho settles down in the cleared space behind one of the benches, which I just now notice each bench has behind it. Plenty of space to fit all of the big beasts. There’s even a two-tiered bench that has Kuret on the higher part and Rin on the lower so they can both sit comfortably.

I blink, finally getting what Ree is trying to say. Rannek has been busy, paying close, quiet attention to everyone around him, steadily making everything as perfect for each of them as he possibly can. As fast as he can.

After dusting my hands off, careful to not cut myself with my wrist claws, I move to the bench in front of Kroaicho. Zha puts zha’s arms around me and squeezes me just the right amount.

I brace myself for someone to point out that it doesn’t make sense that I let Kroaicho touch me, but no one even looks our way, wrapped up in getting settled and making fun of each other.

I look down and notice that my clawed feet are perfectly level with the ground. This bench was made for me, I realize… and I just met Rannek. We barely even spoke.

Tears are swimming in my eyes as the stories start up.

“You should have seen his fucking face,” Kira barks out. “He kept sayingpetlike it was some sort of insult and then I fucking stabbed him.”

Drasuk lets out a rock grinding sound of rage. “That is not how it happened!”

“I like this story, Kira,” Kroaicho breaks in. “It matches Drasuk quite well. Zha is the perfect conceited treasure.”

“See, even glow bug sees it, you big blue lump,” Kira says as she punches the grumbling drakonid on his shoulder, then hisses.

“And Kira is the best treasure at insults,” Kroaicho adds and Kira puffs out her chest and wiggles her bone-crowned head.

“Fuck yes, glow bug,” she says pumping a fist in the air.

“What kind of treasure am I?” Eli asks, water splashing out of the tub in her excitement.

“You are a glittering orange glow,” Kroaicho responds.

Eli sinks down in the water, making a sound of confusion.

“Zha means you are cheerful, like the orange glow of our skin. A treasure of joy,” I translate.

“Oh, I like that,” she says, back to grinning. “I do try.”

A flash of purple from the corner of my eye catches my attention and I glance over in time to see Rannek place a small wooden sculpture on the bench beside me.

“For you, Kroaicho,” the purple male whispers.

Kroaicho looks down at it, then carefully extends a middle limb to gently take hold of it. “You made this treasure? It is beautiful. Olivia spoke of art and you are clearly well versed.”