It’s been a weekend of festivals and heat exhaustion. I am not made for heat. At least I had fun looking at gems and meeting someone from Wales (as I was wearing a Welsh hat). Too bad all the Welsh I know went right out of my head when she asked did I speak it.

Continuing on with Aneirin and Kaleo getting to know each other in Aneirin’s shuttle craft (Yeah it’s a bit longer than 6 sentences)

Aneirin didn’t miss the subtle quiver of Kaleo’s wiry body. Whatever the reconditioning Masozi mentioned was, it had to be horrible. Kaleo wore the stink of someone who had been up all night in a cold sweat. Still, there was hope in his eyes mixed heavily with fear. “You worried about that all night, didn’t you? I can see you didn’t rest. Masozi mentioned reconditioning. I haven’t read the bio and whatever else came with my new ownership of you. I don’t know what it means.”

“I only know the rumors. I heard the screams.” Kaleo’s larynx bobbed as he swallowed hard. “My trainers told me it was from the reconditioning, and if I didn’t want to end up there, I had best listen to them. I did whatever the fucks they wanted me to.” A hint of a blush colored his face. “Sorry, they never beat the cursing out of me. They tried.”

“I’m not offended.”

“Doctor, if you don’t want me, put me out the airlock now. Please.” Kaleo’s voice trembled and broke, his shivering becoming more pronounced. He grabbed hold of Aneirin’s shirt. “Don’t send me back to them.”

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