As the shuttle lands, Sefon pauses in a way that’s the most tentative he’s been yet. I look up from checking my com for new messages and wait for him to speak.

“I…” he starts, then pauses again, swallows. “I’ve really enjoyed chatting with you.”

“Yeah.” I feel my uncertainty climbing back up. “It’s been nice.”

“Would you—” he grimaces then smiles, “Sorry, would you want to grab dinner? I know I’ll see you tomorrow for the second leg, but I’m worried this will turn into another story of passing strangers otherwise.”

“I thought Fate decided what this story was?” The question is a ploy to buy time. I’m floundering in the implications of his words.

Sefon’s smile remains in place. “Fate brought us together twice. It was showing me that I had missed an opportunity. I hope that opportunity won’t slip away again.”

My mind is racing with two hundred reasons this could be disastrous when my com buzzes gently in my hand. I look down and see a new message from Marinek. It reads, ‘I’m sure it’ll work out. Don’t overthink it.’

“Aright.” I look back at Sefon. My heart is pounding so hard it hurts. “Maybe there is something to be said for Fate.”

His grin widens. “Like that it works in mysterious ways?”

“Something like that.” I’m too unfocused to banter. My nails bite into the palm of the hand not holding the holocom.

We agree on a time and spot to eat then depart the shuttle in opposite directions. He said he’s staying with some friends and I’m off to find a hotel.

I find somewhere to sit and breathe. I take a moment to feel the space around me. Nothing ever feels quite as wild as

Yebran (7/T).

In my mind’s eye, I can see the doors all along its circumference opening and closing. I can look up or down into infinity.[1] I let out a slow breath. It never ceases to amaze and overwhelm.

After some time, I wander towards a hotel I’ve visited before. It’s relatively cheap, but better than that, the proprietors owe me a favour.

The hotel is tucked away and not well signed. I hit a button that was once red but is now black from fingers pressing off the paint. The door slides open and I step into a dimly lit room.

"Do these eyes deceive me or is that an old friend standing in the door?"

"Stop putting on a show and go say hi."

"Lahdika. Divys. Hello."

Two women sit behind the counter. Lahdika, the taller of the two, has thick, long, dark hair that she wears loose. Her skin is a warm ochre, and her expression of exaggerated suspicion is belied by the bronze glow at her cheeks and smile in her eyes. Divys in contrast has close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair and pale, pink-tinged skin. Her smile is freely carved across her face, bold and wide.

“Hello? All these years and that’s all they have to say to us?!”

“Say hello back Lahdika, or that friend you’re so surprised to see may turn around and leave.” She gently pushes Lahdika towards me.

Lahdika turns to me sharply. “You wouldn’t dare.”

I shrug with a smile and start slowly stepping back towards the door.

Lahdika finally moves from behind the counter, walking up and yanking me into a hug.

“Foolish, as always. Can’t appreciate the joy of reuniting with a friend.”

“Yes,” I say, “that’s me.”

“Hello, Jinsang,” says Divys, still seated behind the counter. “It’s good to see you.”

“And it’s good to see you as well.” I slowly start extricating myself from Lahdika’s grasp. “Not so tight please.”

She lets me go and steps back, appraising me.

“Too thin.”

Divys nods. “And too scared.”

I watch her and say nothing.

“You’re staying in town?” Lahdika asks.

“Yes.”

“Then you’re staying here,” says Divys.

“And it’s on us.” Lahdika waves a hand cutting off my protests. “You would insult us by not accepting our hospitality.”

“What she means is you better stay here, and she’ll hate you for the next three months if you try to wriggle your way into paying.”

I shrug, helpless in the face of their intent expressions. “You’ll keep it off the books?”

Divys scoffs.

“Who do you take us for?” Lahdika adds.

“Okay, okay,” I say, and “Thank you.”

A room key is added to my holocom from a holoscreen on the counter and I’m waved off to rest.

“Dinner is in two hours.”

“Oh, I actually have plans…” I start.

“Look, they’re blushing,” Divys says.

“With whom?” Lahdika asks.

“So nosy,” I say, backing up towards the stairs.

“Consider it payment.” Lahdika’s grin is devious and determined.

“I thought you said it’s on you and that it would insult you were I not to accept your hospitality?”

“They’ve got you there,” Divys laughs.

I duck up the stairs, cheeks flushed and pulled into a grin.