Page 23 of Alien Haven

“Yikes.” Ilid tried to use her as cover to hide from the narrow-eyed Nobek behind her, making her laugh harder.

* * * *

“I have to take you back to the bar to get your shuttles, don’t I?” Ilid said as he lifted off. The window vid showed Jennifer waving goodbye from the farmhouse’s front steps, and he smiled.

“She’s amazing,” Mitag said. “So much energy. So willing to laugh and have fun.”

“Smart too, though she doesn’t make a big deal of showing it off,” Ilid agreed.

Detodev said nothing, but his gaze was riveted on the young woman as she turned and followed Clan Amgar into their home.

Since Detodev had taken the copilot’s seat, Mitag hung over them both. His arms propped on their backrests. “I walked from my house, which isn’t far from Bar, Bowl, and Barrel. I bet Detodev walked too.”

“I did. You can drop me off at my place, if you don’t mind, Dramok. It’s on the way.”

“Or we could continue this lovely night at my home. I’d like to hear everything you know about Matara Jennifer. I bet you have plenty of delicious details to share,” Mitag invited, grinning naughtily.

“You have no shame.” Despite his pretended irritability at the Imdiko’s mischief, Ilid was tempted. It would be nice tomake friends since he was certain he was sold on staying on Haven.

Perhaps he would have gone for it if it had been only Detodev. The Nobek seemed aloof when he hadn’t had plenty of liquor. Not one for getting overly close companion-wise. A potential drinking buddy for the future.

Mitag, in contrast, acted as if he were actively on the hunt for clanmates. The fact he’d been attempting to pal around Detodev for more than a year despite the Nobek’s taciturn nature spoke volumes about his intentions.

A good guy, Mitag. Sweet, funny, and vibrant like Jennifer. He has all the makings of a terrific clanmate.

Too bad Ilid couldn’t say the same for himself.

“I told my parents to expect me home tonight,” he apologized. “It’s too late to com them I’m not coming in. My mother and Imdiko father will worry if they wake up in the morning and I’m nowhere to be found. The trials of being under twenty-five.” He tried to make it sound as if he joked.

“I love that you’re younger than me. It makes me feel so experienced and wise.” Mitag chuckled.

“You aren’t twenty-five either,” Detodev reminded him.

“I will be in a few months. And I don’t live with my parents.” Mitag winced and quickly added, “I’m not saying anything is lacking about you doing so, Dramok. Please don’t take my statement wrong. Based on tonight, I think you’re a terrific person. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t invite you over.”

“Thanks. I took no offense. Iwason my own less than a year ago. On this trip, it made sense to rent a place as a family while we evaluate owning a bakery on Haven.” It wasn’t quite a lie. Ilid felt ashamed to hide the entire truth, however.

It was clear he had no business encouraging Mitag for anything beyond a casual…verycasual…acquaintanceship.

“If you have parents who want you close, you should take every advantage of it,” Detodev said, his gaze distant.

It was on the tip of Ilid’s tongue to ask if the Nobek’s past troubles, which had led him to be put in Clan Amgar’s care during his youth, had estranged him from his parent clan.

Detodev spoke before he had the chance to pose the question. “You can drop me off at Mitag’s, Ilid. Thanks.”

Mitag beamed, as if the Nobek had granted his every wish. “Glorious! I’m glad the party’s not over. Meanwhile, give me your com frequency, Ilid. We’ll figure out when we can get together, at which time you can make your excuses to those loving elders of yours.”

Ilid thought he heard a slight catch in Mitag’s voice. When he glanced at him, the Imdiko was smiling at him, his com at the ready to record his contact information.

“I don’t know how much time I’ll have to spare for recreation,” Ilid said. “We’re meeting the sellers tomorrow. I’ll be contacting suppliers and computing cost analyses—”

“Ugh, don’t tell me you’re as unsociable as Detodev,” Mitag groaned. “Why are you guys so reluctant to enjoy life? To hang out with me, the life of the party? Do I smell bad or what?”

“I told him to drop me off at your place,” Detodev scowled. “Am I being unsociable?”

“You know what I keep stocked in my bar and that you’ll be well rewarded for emerging from behind your impenetrable wall. Frequency, Ilid? Please?”

Since Ilid couldn’t conjure a reason not to give it to him and avoid being insulting, he caved.I’ll think of a reason to put him off when he coms. He’ll eventually understand he can do better when it comes to prospective Dramoks.

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