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“It wasn’t my intention to startle you.” Maklr fiddled with the faucet until cold water ran into the sink. “How bad is it?” he asked, turning off the cooking surface before removing the pan of hot oil.

“It’s nothing that hasn’t happened before.” Nell didn’t bother to look up. Her gaze focused on her oil-splattered hand under the running water. She missed the massive scowl crossing Maklr’s face. “I’ll be right back,” Maklr said. Nell made anon-committal sound. The sound of wood creaking against wood filtered into the kitchen from the hallway. She heard him muttering to himself as he opened drawers and moved contents around. “Found it,” he called. Maklr emerged from the bathroom brandishing a portable regen wand. “It’s not the newest model, but it’s a decent one. Come here, let me run the regen wand over your injury and it’ll be good as new in a few minutes.”

Nell peered at him through strands of her dark hair. “I, um,” she began.

“If you want to use it yourself, you can. Press here and the wand will turn on. Hold it a finger length away from your skin and slowly run the wand back and forth over the injury. It will heal your burn in a matter of minutes.” He placed the regen wand on the counter and stepped back, taking a seat at the table.

Nell’s uninjured hand darted out to grab the wand. She followed his instructions over the burn. A smile flitted across her face.

“How’s the pain?” Maklr asked.

“The pain is gone. I wish I had access to one of these on the harem ship,” she whispered. Once powered off, Nell raised the regen wand for a closer inspection. “This is amazing technology. I never expected to see one up close, let alone use one.”

“They didn’t have one?” Maklr asked from his seat at the table. Nell shook her head, unable to trust her voice. “What happened when…” Maklr trailed off. “We dealt with it. Some survived. Some didn’t.” Nell shrugged. “That’s life.”

Maklr frowned, his white eyebrows scrunched together. “That’s not how things are supposed to be.”

“It’s the way of the universe.”

“It shouldn’t be.”

“You’re idealistic. It’s noble, but not sustainable. I worked in an Elodian brothel, and then the harem ship.”

“Brothel?” Maklr shoved his fist to the side so Nell didn’t see him clenching it, or the droplets of blood that pooled in his palm from his claws poking into the soft skin.

“Yes.”

“How long were you there before you were rescued?”

“I don’t know. They didn’t let us have clocks or anything. And the calendars, I mean, year system, uh, revolutions,” she clarified at Maklr’s confused expression, “are different here. I can’t be sure how long it’s been since I left Earth. Earlier when we were in the holo-suite, I tried to approximate what it looked like. My memories are hazy.”

“Did you,” Maklr paused, deciding against finishing his question.

“I hated every minute. I complied because I didn’t want to die.”

“I never thought you enjoyed it.”

“Some did.”

“Nell, you never have to justify anything you did for your survival to me. I am proud of you.” She stared at Maklr in disbelief. “You survived when so many others didn’t. You might think I’m idealistic, but I have seen the aftermath.”

“Yeah, well,” Nell trailed off, resting the regen wand on the table. “I’ll finish cooking. I was almost done.”

“Would you like me to finish while you sit and relax?” Maklr asked.

A smile toyed on Nell’s lips. “I enjoy cooking.”

“Should I put this away then?” Maklr held the regen wand.

“I won’t need it again as long as you let me know when you’re walking back into the kitchen.”

“I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m sorry, Nell.”

“It’s okay. I don’t like it when people come up behind me.”

Maklr’s mohawk flopped as he bowed his head. “Apologies. I’ll remember to let you know where I am next time.”

“Thank you.” Nell placed the oil back on the cooking surface. “These should only be a few more minutes.”