Page 59 of Sway's Peace
It wasn’t just that he wasn’t used to adoring someone. He wasn’t used to being kind to people. Nice to people. He worked with a mad scientist that made him experiment on people. He probably, in some way, still only saw people through the cold, unfeeling eyes of a scientist. He’d been forced to hurt people. Forced to torture them. He would have had to cut off his own empathy in order to not lose his mind while doing it.
He didn't know how to adore someone, because he’d only ever hurt them. And that realization hurt her heart. Even as she forced a smile on her face.
“You should practice.”
He focused back on her face. “Practice?”
“Sure! How else are you supposed to get good at something? For reference, I am absolutely down to be your practice test dummy.”
He chuckled. “Oh, really?”
“Yeah. I accept undivided attention, massages, kisses – whatever you feel the need to practice. I’m flexible.”
“How generous of you.”
“Aren’t I just?” She smiled. “And you know what else I bet you need practice at?”
“Do tell.”
“Accepting adoration.” She caressed her other hand down his arm. Luxuriating in the softness of his feathers. “You probably haven’t done much of that either.”
“I have not,” he agreed. “I’ll look forward to it then. Now, what was that about kisses?”
Grace grinned, pulling on his neck. Coming up on her toes. Maybe this wasn’t the most romantic place for a first kiss, but she was caught up in the moment and didn’t rightfully care that-
“Hey, you’re back!”
A male voice cut harshly, excitedly through the moment. He sounded surprised. Sway and Grace didn't fully separate, but they put some distance between them as they turned, looking behind Sway towards the source of the call.
The male standing there was wrapped in fabric head to toe with a pair of goggles over his eyes, concealing his species rather well. He was about as tall as Sway, but bigger in the arms. He had come up from behind and, apparently, hadn’t seen Grace. He caught sight of her now though and fell back a step.
“Oh! Sorry,” he chuckled apologetically. “I didn't see you were with a female.”
“Do I know you?” Sway asked, all the warmth gone from his voice. He didn’t let her go, but the way he turned clearly put himself between the stranger and Grace. She wouldn’t say he sounded hostile, just cautious and firm.
The guy chuckled, putting a hand to his chest. “It’s me! Chim. Remember? We had that talk about family goals and plans last time you were here.”
Grace looked from him up to Sway, surprised. But Sway just stared at Chim, his expression unreadable. He certainly didn’t seem to recognize him.
“I’ve never been here before,” Sway said, his tone neutral.
“Huh? What do you…? You were just here for that big weapon shipment, right?”
“I’m here to pick up the weapon shipment, but I’ve never been here.”
Chim’s hole face, under his goggles, tightened as he tilted his head, confused. “You’re not Veesway?”
Sway stiffened. His expression didn’t change though. Grace, however, couldn’t keep the surprise off her face.
That couldn’t be the same Veesway, right? How common of a name was that for the farasie?
Who happened to look similar enough to be mistaken for him…
“He’s not,” Grace said quickly, smiling. Years of practice had her smoothly reaching for a cover for Sway’s sudden stillness. “But I think we know him. You said he was here for the weapon shipment?”
“Hm? Oh, yeah,” the guy cocked his head, looking at her curiously. “He’s part of the Song of Retrieval. Leader of it, actually. He was here to negotiate for the weapons.”
“A farasie? Was negotiating for weapons.”
