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She looked at the image the crewman brought up on the display. “Yeah, that looks like it should keep the beastie from gnawing on the furniture.”

“Very good.” The crewman nodded.

As he fiddled on the computer, a rotten thought occurred to her. “Oh, and make everything bright pink.”

“What’s bright pink?” Aculus said behind her.

She spun abruptly. “Stop sneaking up on me!” She smacked him on the chest.

Nadzia had to look up to make eye contact with him. Aculus’ expression was oddly serious and yet she saw a flicker of amusement cross his face as he glanced down at where she swatted him.

“Premiere Servant, I was informed I should honor any of our guests’ requests,” the crewman replied, sounding professional and a bit uneasy.

Sometimes she forgot with the way Aculus joked that he held a very serious position.

“You are correct, Nubrium. I will handle anything else. I need to speak with our guest,” Aculus informed the crewman.

“Of course. Everything she asked for should be done momentarily,” Nubrium reported, then headed out, leaving her and Aculus alone in the commissary.

Aculus leaned in close, pinning her with his red gaze. “Now, what are you making? Because there’s only one thing I can think of that’s pink, and it can’t be that.”

Her nipples instantly stiffened, hearing his illicit question, but she still couldn’t let him get away with it.

“Just for that, I’m not telling you.” She made a face at him.

“I’ll have to guess then.” He gestured to the panel on the wall that was rising to reveal everything she requested.

He silently stood staring at it all, his expression pensive.

“Well?” she asked after a moment.

He pulled out the litter box. “You plan on starting a garden?”

“No, but it will get fertilized,” she snickered at her own joke.

Aculus’ brow rose as he looked from her to the box. “I don’t know.” He then grabbed the cat toys and harness and a devilish expression transformed his face.

“Whatever perverse guess is going through your mind, it’s wrong. Wrong forsomany reasons.” She shook her head.

“Then what are they?” he chuckled.

“Come on. I’ll show you what they’re for.” She led the way out of the commissary.

“Very well. You have my interest piqued.” He followed, carrying the stuff.

“So, what did you want to chat about, or was that just an excuse to be alone?”

His expression again turned pensive. “No, I have some things to discuss,” he paused.

“Premiere Servant. Nadzia,” a passing crewman greeted them in the corridor.

She smiled in greeting at the man.

“What’s going on?” she asked after the Osivoire passed.

“Let’s wait until we have some privacy,” he said.

“Oh, okay.” She glanced sideways at Aculus, his serious demeanor making her nervous.