Page 4 of Klaz

But as I scrolled through passenger manifests and deck plans, my mind wandered. I saw myself on a dusty street, my blaster raised. A child’s scream. Blood on my hands that no amount of washing could remove.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the memories away. This was why I had retired. Why I had no business thinking about a human woman with a bright smile, or anyone else.

When I opened my eyes again, I realized I had been staring at her name on the manifest for far too long. With a growl of frustration, I closed the file.

It didn’t matter. She was young, vibrant. Full of life and possibility.

And I... I was ancient. Used up. A relic of battles long past.

I tossed the datapad aside and stood, my restlessness driving me back towards the door. Perhaps a walk would clear my head.

But as my hand touched the panel, I hesitated. Out there lay only more temptation, more reminders of what I could never have.

I turned back to the empty room, resigned to my self-imposed isolation.

It was for the best. For everyone.

CINTA

Istepped into the Eclipse Room, my dress swishing against my thighs, chunky ankle boots a startling contrast to the expected dainty footwear. The opulence hit me like a wall - crystal chandeliers, holographic art installations, and waiters gliding between guests with trays of exotic delicacies.

All of a sudden I felt like that scrawny kid from the Loriesta IV slums again. I took a deep breath, and channeled Elios’s lessons on poise.

“Lady Cinta!” A booming voice called my attention to a quartet of Mondian traders, their scaled hides gleaming under the ambient lighting. Perfect. I sauntered over, dialing up the charm.

“Gentlemen, how lovely to see you,” I purred. “I trust business is booming?”

The lead Mondian, a portly fellow with gold-capped horns, chuckled. “Oh, you have no idea, my dear. We just closed a deal that’ll have the competition scrambling for years.”

I leaned in, eyes wide with feigned interest. “Do tell.”

As they bragged about trade routes and profit margins, I filed away every detail. Potential marks, their weaknesses, the works. But after a while, the constant posturing grated on my nerves.

“If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I simply must freshen up.” I flashed a dazzling smile and made my escape to the bar.

I caught my reflection in the mirrored wall behind the liquor bottles. The elegant woman staring back at me seemed a far cry from the street rat I once was. I closed my eyes, remembering Elios’s voice. “Stand tall, chin up. You belong here as much as anyone.”

“Whiskey, neat,” I told the bartender, then turned to survey the room.

A cluster of young Nerath aristocrats caught my eye. Their tattoos marked them as members of influential houses. Time to work some magic.

I sauntered over, glass in hand. “I couldn’t help but notice your ink,” I said, gesturing to the intricate designs on one Nerath’s arm. “Reminds me of the ceremonial markings my great-aunt received when she brokered that trade deal with your people.”

Their interest piqued, I wove an elaborate tale of my fictitious family’s exploits. They ate it up, hanging on my every word.

As I chatted, snippets of nearby conversations drifted to my ears.

“Did you hear about that Vinduthi? The one by the viewport?”

“Six different stories, all of them dangerous.”

My gaze drifted to where they indicated. There he stood - Klaz. Even from across the room, his presence commanded attention. He looked uncomfortable, out of place among the frivolity.

I felt a pull towards him, curiosity gnawing at me. What was his story? Why was a feared Vinduthi at a fancy gala?

The ship’s captain took to a small stage, tapping a glass for attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests. We are about to witness a truly spectacular phenomenon...”

As all eyes turned to the captain, I noticed a Fanaith standing nearby, enraptured by the speech. Its iridescent skin glimmered, a valuable trinket dangling from one of its four arms.

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