Page 72 of Ruin

Straightening, she tipped her head back and grimaced up at Ruin. “I’m nervous.”

“I know, my sweet, but there’s no need to be. They’ll love you.”

“But what if they don’t?”

He winked. “Then I’ll sic Hush on ‘em.”

Oddly, that actually made her feel a little better.

Lira held tight to Ruin's hand as they walked in. The noise hit her first—clattering utensils, the hum of conversation, bursts of laughter. She flinched, her grip on his hand growing white-knuckled. He squeezed back, a silent reassurance.

The mess was a large, open space with long tables and benches bolted to the floor. A serving line ran along one wall, where a mix of different species stood, waiting their turn.

She counted quickly. Twenty beings. It wasn’t even the whole crew, but it felt like a sea of bodies.

They joined the serving line, and she tried to tell herself she couldn’t feel at least half a dozen curious gazes on her back.

She took the tray Ruin handed her gratefully, the weight of it giving her something tangible to focus on. The line moved quickly, and she loaded her plate with a variety of foods, not really paying attention to what she grabbed.

Reaching the end, she finally looked down at what she’d selected and blinked. Not only had she gotten enough to feed three people, she’d selected some kind of wiggly purple…thingsthat were actively trying to squirm off her plate.

“Bur’akfighting larvae, hmm? Bold choice,” Ruin rumbled softly, the amusement in his voice unmistakable.

“I wasn’t really paying attention,” she admitted, still watching the things work their way ever closer to the edge.

“C’mon, love,” he chuckled, guiding her with a hand on her lower back.

They hadn’t gone more than two steps when a familiar voice called out, “Hey, little sister! C’mere.”

Jerking her head up just as the first purple wiggler landed on the floor with a splat, she caught Thrill waving them over.

“Here, sit, sit.” After they’d done so, he nodded at a male Quicksilk with pearlescent, olive green skin and bronzy orange chitin sitting on the other side of the bench. “I was just telling Sway about you repairing your pet, Beep.”

Sway dipped his chin to her. “Hello, Lira. It is very enjoyable to meet you. And your Beep, of course. May I ask, how badly was it damaged when you found it?”

“I, uh, it was nonfunctional.”

She glanced up at Ruin. At his encouraging nod, she kept going.

When she finished, Thrill grinned and pointed his dining sticks at her. “See? Told you she has skills. All that while under memory suppression, too.”

Her cheeks heated at the praise. She wasn’t used to this—people being kind, recognizing her efforts. Even before her time with Vargot.

Sway tilted his head at her. “So, Lira, I can smell you’re bonded with Ruin. May I assume that means you intend to stay?”

Her brows shot up. He couldsmellthat she and Ruin had…

Shaking off that train of thought, she nodded. “Yes, he’s mine. And yes, Captain Muru said I could stay.”

“Most excellent. If you have interest, I would love you to work with me in engineering.”

She blinked a little owlishly. “I- really?” At his nod, she grinned. “Yes, I would love that.”

“Tomorrow then, hmm?”

After agreeing, the conversation moved to other topics. Relieved, she picked up her dining sticks, stealing glances at the crew while she ate.

Their interactions were easy, familiar. Even when they ribbed each other, it was with a warmth that spoke of deep bonds.

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