Before their stuff arrived, Iejei chased herself out, promising them another mat since they agreed that they did not want a table. Once Iejei was gone, Uuzhit answered Asakay's question from earlier. "She comes here three days a week, pretending she's being tutored."
"In what? The cult of outsiders?" Asakay headed into the kitchenette, discarding his apron. When he came out, he found Inyoninko staring at him. He grinned. "I look good, huh."
With a shake of her head, Inyoninko looked away.
"She'll be coming more often."
Asakay frowned. He looked thoughtful for a moment but there was nothing. "What happened?"
Uuzhit leaned back, arms folded and looked between Asakay and Inyoninko. "Do you have any idea the position you two are in?"
Inyoninko glanced sideways at him, a smile ghosting over her lips. "You mean pawns of war." Asakay spun about, wanting to sneak back into his room. "We know," she called, her voice firm and loud, forcing Asakay to stop. She glanced at him, then at the front door. "We were brought here as totems to hold off the east." She smirked, sparing a glance at Asakay. "That's why they showed off Asakay at the governor's mansion."
Asakay straightened his back and puffed out his chest but his eyes were down. "At least I got exercise outta it."
"Iejei wants to befriend us." Inyoninko's words trailed off as she looked away. When she glanced at Uuzhit, he inclined his head to her. "So she'll be coming by more often."
"She needs to be friends with the. Shsyryo attack dogs."
She sized him up. "You'll get to see your girlfriend more often."
Asakay perked up and bounded across the common area, throwing his arm round Uuzhit's shoulders. "You gonna get some," he called out and punched Uuzhit's shoulder. Uuzhit's eyes widened. He coughed. "Stick with us and you can spend all the time you want with spider girl." He laughed but it was strained.
Inyoninko's eyes narrowed. "Asakay. You're crushing him."
Asakay backed off. "Shit," he held his hands up, "Sorry man."
Uuzhit held his shoulder and flexed as he laughed. "You're really strong."
Asakay flashed a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry." He and Inyoninko watched as Uuzhit regained his bearings.
Straightening up, Uuzhit looked between them. His expression shifted as he glanced at the front door, seemingly remembering something. Then his gaze shifted to Inyoninko. He looked her over, thinking about something. Slowly, he shifted his gaze to Asakay but it did not linger long, darting back to Inyoninko.
Backing away, Asakay rounded behind Inyoninko. "Did I break him," he whispered. They watched and waited for Uuzhit to speak.
"You should be careful." Uuzhit looked over at Inyoninko and held her gaze. Asakay latched onto her shoulders. "Iejei's best friend is Eshuumina."
"Who that!"
"They've been friends since they were children. If." He glanced at Asakay. "Iejei can be called the queen of news here. Eshuumina is the queen of the school. Her father owns it." Asakay's hands tightened on Inyoninko's shoulders. She remained calm and composed, staring at Uuzhit. "Iejei is okay but Eshuumina." Uuzhit stared at Inyoninko, willing her to understand. "She's known for her pets." He looked between her and Asakay. "And Iejei. She finds her dogs."
Asakay shrunk back. "She really is evil." He whined. "Man. And I started to like her."
"So how will Eshuumina approach?"
Uuzhit leaned back and gave it some thought. "Her tactics," he slowed, searching his memory, "From what Iejei has told me. It depends on her target."
"What's she gonna do to me?"
Uuzhit looked at Asakay and offered him a reassuring smile. "Fortunately. You're not her type." He looked to Inyoninko. "But you are."
Asakay wrapped his arms around Inyoninko as if to carry her away. "Hell no. She ain't takin' my Ninny."
Uuzhit looked them over. When he focused on Inyoninko, she shook her head. Pointing between them, she said, "Childhood friends." She tilted her head to indicate Asakay at her back. "Abandoned mama's boy. Likes big middle-aged women."
"They don't break so easily," Asakay muttered and looked away. "And many of 'em like it rough."
Uuzhit snorted. He smiled behind his hand, the other held out to block Asakay from sight. "I did not," he stressed, "Need to imagine that."
"No one does." Asakay clung to Inyoninko. Uuzhit laughed into his hand but he could not stop laughing. He leaned back and fell onto the narrow table against the wall leading to his room. With a whimper, Asakay tightened his arms around Inyoninko. She patted his arm. "It's okay. No one's stealing your chip vendor away."
"Yeah."
Uuzhit could not stop laughing to himself. They watched and looked at one another. "It'll be fun here."
"Yup."
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