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“It’s okay. I can wait my turn.” She shook her head.

“I look forward to fresh meals. This kynchin just isn’t quite right.” Scala grabbed his plate and walked to a table.

She pressed a finger to the control panel and the display instantly switched to English, though the options it listed were still foreign. She scrolled through them, looking at the phonetically spelled names and generic ingredients.

Do I pick the root vegetables and meat in a spicy sauce or the seared meat and leafy greens?she debated.

The replicated meals weren’t that bad. The way the Osivoire first described them, she thought all the meat would come out with the consistency of tofu; which was fine, but could never be mistaken for meat no matter how it was dressed up.

Tofurkey, my ass!

The replicated meals were pretty amazing. Although, they were reproducing foreign ingredients, and she had no clue what the real thing actually tasted like.

In the end, she picked neither dish and went with the soup that reminded her of Thai hot and sour chicken soup.

“I’ve noticed you like the tok-mi,” Aculus said over her shoulder as she reached for her selection.

Nadzia paused hearing his deep jovial voice a few inches from her ear. He wasn’t touching her, yet she could practically feel his lips on the sensitive skin of her neck. A shiver worked up her spine. He always had this uncanny knack for sneaking up and throwing her off guard.

“You keep surprising me like this and you’re going to wind up with hot soup all over you.” She glanced over her shoulder and was suddenly face to face with him.

“I wanted to catch you before you ran away to wash your hair,” he replied, alluding to her lame excuse for not joining him for dinner.

His thin lips tipped up in a sardonic smile. She was busted.He knows it was bullshit.She bit her lip, mulling over what sort of witty retort she should give him.

Aculus’ gaze drifted to her mouth, and she could tell ornery thoughts were crossing his mind. Then a strange expression flickered in his red eyes and he took a step back. She blinked, slightly confused. He usually waited for her to say something snarky before he backed off.

“I, um, changed my mind,” she replied, thrown off by his odd reaction.

She grabbed her soup then wandered to an empty spot at the table with the other guys.

“I think my conclave is going to have a feast when we return. Payim, Scala, Incus, you’re welcome to join us,” Cartil finished saying as she sat down.

I thought the conclave was the Osivoire government.

She shrugged it off. There were a lot of things she didn’t understand. In fact, over the last few days, confusion seemed to be her general state of being.

“Invitation accepted.” Payim, the lone Cadi warrior who’s tagged along to visit Osi, lifted his cup to Cartil.

“I look forward to it,” Scala nodded.

“Especially if your weakness is making gelu,” Incus, another crewman, exuberantly agreed.

She cocked her head at the odd statement.

“I’ll communicate the request.” Cartil smiled.

“Sounds like you guys are excited to be going home,” she commented.

“It’s been a while.” Scala nodded.

“We tend to go on long runs,” Cartil added.

“Really?” Her brow furrowed in confusion. “Your missions must take you pretty far out then.”

Her concept of the magnitude of the universe was beyond pathetic. She was certain when they rattled off planets and places, she wore the same expression the family Schnauzer had when she told him she was leaving for school. For some reason she assumed Earth was incredibly far away, since they had to go through a wormhole to get there. But apparently she was wrong, since they’d be at Osi faster than the cross-country vacation her parents dragged her on as a kid.

“Sometimes. Mainly because not everyone likes going home.” Cartil glanced toward Aculus, who was approaching the table.