Page 20 of Instinct for Disaster

Nessa stared at the overseer and turned toward Cassandra. “Second meal?”

“Yes. He helped me get through customs.” She pursed her lips.

Yasku looked at Nessa. “You are headed for the Corkara Restaurant?”

“Um, yes, Master Yasku.”

“Allow me to join you, please.”

“Yes, of course, Master Yasku.” Nessa was obviously flustered.

Yasku moved next to Cassandra and extended his arm to her. She put her hand on the back of his wrist, and he smiled slightly.

Nessa stared. “Holy shit. Right. Sorry. I will just sprint ahead.” She darted off.

Cassandra glanced up at him as they slowly walked toward their destination. “Why are you really here?”

“You left your home without resting. Your body is in distress. Why is that?”

“I am thirsty. It makes me irritable and makes it hard to focus.”

“That will be remedied shortly. Why did you call a keffo without having a saddle?”

“I can ride without one. The big boy was great, and I promised him a treat if he showed up when I called again.”

“Hm. We live an hour from the city. You could have fallen and suffered an injury.”

“I can trip on this sidewalk and break an arm. What is your point?”

“Not with me next to you.”

“Overseer, you are too expensive to wear every day.” Cassandra sighed.

He started laughing and was still chortling as he directed her toward a restaurant with a line of folk who got out of their way the moment they saw him.

Two wide-eyed staff held the door open, and he walked in as if he owned the place, which he did.

The interior was filled with light and tables that had low cushions on the floor. Nessa came back and smiled. Whatappeared to be the owner came forward. “Overseer, thank you for gracing our humble business.”

“I am just accompanying these ladies for dinner. It is Free Miner Cassandra’s first day on our world. I am trying to make sure it is pleasant.”

She rolled her eyes, but the owner stared at her. “Free miner?”

“I was a khimerion miner. It let me earn my bond quickly, and then I saved for retirement and am choosing to spend the rest of my lifespan here.” She looked at Nessa. “With friends.”

Nessa smiled.

“Well, please come this way. I have a quieter table ready for you.”

They were led to the large round table with space for far more people than they had. Cassandra settled and was not surprised that Yasku sat beside her. She looked at him. “Why are you fascinated by me?”

He smiled. “I have seen nulls before, and while they gave you that classification, you are not a null. You are a crisis active. The moment that stress strikes, you go into business mode until the crisis is over. Your world was dying, and you had to find a new way to survive. Your crisis has not ended, but I will be there when it does.”

Nessa blinked. “Wow, he has you pegged.”

Cassandra absently said, “No, that costs extra.”

Nessa laughed. “Well, you are still the same.”

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