With his shift concluded, and all of the drudgery work done, he made a stop by the kitchens before retiring for the evening. Peter and Ariana were still there, overseeing the clean up and a shift change for the evening meal, and Mistress Dina had finally arrived to replace one or both of them.

  He waited outside for them to get off. Ariana arrived in the hall then, while Peter stayed back with Mistress Dina.

  “Is he working a double?” he asked.

  “Yes.” She said. “I hoped he wouldn’t have to, but we have all this extra shit to do. I mean sure, the military’s kitchen is helping us out with the more tedious stuff, but even with both of us on this stupid ceremony, we’re still overplaying our hand. I guess Lady Jain thinks we can just make puff pastry happen. The shit takes seven hours!”

  “That’s too bad.”

  “It’s fucking terrible!” she said. “You want to get out of here? I’m tired of looking at these shit heads. They’ve been giving me grief all morning.”

  Lance climbed to his feet. They ambled off together.

  “What do you want to do?”

  “Nothing specific. I just need to get away from here for a minute.”

  “Maybe the Core then?”

  “Too far. Let’s just go up to the barracks.”

  “Alright. Mine or yours?”

  “Mine is closer.”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Okay.” Lance said. “Have you seen Sami lately? I feel like I haven’t seen her in days?”

  “Now you mention it, no. I mean she said something about going to the Teacher’s Tower yesterday and I haven’t seen her since. Usually she pops by to brag about the new ones.”

  “Maybe she found someone she likes.”

  Ariana cackled. “No way. She doesn’t do feelings.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.” Lance chuckled. “I met Ben’s friend today. She was kind of rude.”

  “Who is she?”

  “Some girl. Rashanna’s her name. She works for Lady Jain.”

  “I know her.” Ariana said. “Well, kind of anyway. She’s on my floor. She’s actually really sweet once you get to know her.”

  “Is she? I couldn’t tell.”

  “She’s kind of like me, I guess. She doesn’t like people. Especially new people.”

  “So, how do I win her over?”

  “You that serious about this guy?”

  “I don’t know. Things are going good I suppose, but its still early.”

  “Then what’s that shit eating grin about?”

  “Nothing.” He said too quickly.

  Her eyebrow twitched.

  “Really, it’s nothing. We just went up to the Teacher’s Tower—“

  “You fucked.”

  “No.”

  “You did something. You’re beet red.”

  Heat vented over Lance’s collar as he thought back to the last evening. He stuffed those thoughts down, fearing he might tell on himself in other ways.

  Lady Jain, Lady Jain, Lady Jain.

  “Fine. We did stuff. Not that stuff. But stuff. And it was nice. It was really nice.”

  “Stuff like?”

  “We blew each other. Happy?”

  She cackled. “Very.”

  They mounted the stairs.

  “So you like him.”

  “Yeah. I do.”

  “And he likes you too.”

  “Maybe—“

  “That wasn’t a question. He introduced you to Rashanna. The guy has a lot of acquaintances, but he’s not close with that many people. I think she’s his best friend.”

  “It was kind of a coincidence. None of you were free, so I had breakfast with them.”

  “You think he would have invited you over there if he didn’t want to take things farther?”

  “I see your point. I guess I haven’t formally introduced him to you guys yet. Maybe I should.”

  “He’s met me.”

  “And Sami. But that’s different. That’s work.” Lance shrugged. “Maybe we can do a stones game. I can invite him.”

  “It’ll have to be after the reception.” Ariana said.

  “Alright. Then we’ll do it after the reception. The usual place work?”

  “Sure. I’ll tell Peter.” She said. “If I find Sami before you do, I’ll tell her, too.”