Evfra tapped his finger on his glass of cold water. He had planned on begrudgingly enjoying the dinner. He, of course, did not invite others into his home, but as Jaal was overly friendly and intent on his general harboring positive feelings toward the Pathfinder, he had decided that it was a small price to pay for a decent meal. He had been trying to convince himself that a meal with the Pathfinder was simply a convenient mechanism for him to get a decent dinner – something that his life lacked when Jaal was not on Aya, but he quickly grew tired of the evening. It had started as soon as he set foot into the apartment. Jaal had come out of the kitchen wearing an apron and wiping his hands on it vigorously. Ryder had laughed easily at that saying that Jaal was 'cute' as a cook.

Evfra had found that it annoyed him that she had called one of his warriors 'cute'. They were battle hardened soldiers – not lap dogs. He had scowled meaningfully at the comment, but the pair had taken little notice of him conversing easily and – dare he say – playfully. It was all very much too casual, and he did not like it one bit. He did not like hearing them laugh. He did not like her busying herself in the kitchen. He did not like her setting his table. Mostly, he did not like the utter sense of being the one left out of the conversations as he impatiently waited for the damn food to be ready.

Of course, this had little to do with the company and more of the location in Evfra's mind. It was his house, and he felt that he should be the king of his own castle. He should be the one entertaining and not the domestically inclined Jaal. He knew little about such matters, but he was sure this questionable human food could be easy enough to prepare, and it was no great feat to place plates on a flat surface. Surely, he had at least the capability of being just as entertaining. He would be able to lean close to Ryder pointing at various dishes and speak at length about how they had been prepared and what bit of what it had been seasoned with. He would be able to see her smile and listen attentively – as she should – as he laid out before her what a master he was at building a home. Jaal was not so special as to be the epitome of angaran homemaking.

For these reasons, Evfra had sat in silence watching the pair cluster all too closely at the end of the table than was modest. He knew he was staring at them with a look of judgement in his eyes, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Jaal's cheek was nearly pressing into Ryder's as he detailed the creation of this 'potato' dish incorporating foods native to Aya, and Evfra took a bite of the food for himself as he tried to tell himself that he shouldn't care. He should've known that Jaal's enthusiastic companionship knew no bounds, and the personal lives of the Pathfinder and the warrior were not nearly as important as the food in front of him. He let out an involuntary sound of enjoyment as he tasted Jaal's cursed delicious food. The offending sound embarrassed him, and he quickly glanced up to make certain that he was not heard. His eyes met with Ryder's own, and a small smile played at her lips. He could not look away and knew that the cold washing over him was coloring his face most unbecomingly.

"I am glad you like it, Evfra."

Jaal's voice made him tear his gaze away and regain some of his dignity, although Ryder's smile still plagued him. He had wanted to entertain her, but his wishes lately have seemed to twist in a way that made the alternative almost preferable.

"Yes. Well, it is edible despite its… lack of color."

"I think it is quite edible."

Evfra didn't look at Ryder knowing that playful grin that he had envied a moment before was shining on him, and he couldn't bear to acknowledge it, so he took a long drink of water until he was nearly breathless hoping the icy chill would wash away the heat in his cheeks.

"It seems rather… odd that this is a 600-year-old meal."

"Of course not," Ryder laughed waving her hand in the air. "Eos has been growing things for a while now. None of the gardens had sprouted prior to the vault reset, but the radiation clearing has made it possible for some things to grow. So we have potatoes now. Not many, but being the Pathfinder has a few perks."

"Yes, we picked them up when we refueled," Jaal interjected using 'we' more times than Evfra was comfortable with hearing. "The valley areas are being cultivated with low-tech machinery right now, but I mentioned to the Pathfinder that the angara have some machines available that may be able to help for now until the settlers have their own."

"I don't – " Evfra began the sentence then glanced at the Pathfinder seeing the easy smile and bright blue eyes. "I don't see why not. As long as it's a mutually beneficial arrangement."

He shoved a spoonful of potato in his mouth to clog it up, so it could stop spewing utter nonsense. What use had the anagara for potatoes? They were at war and had the supplies to continue without the help, but something in the Pathfinder's eyes had rendered him incapable of rejecting the idea entirely.

"Yes! Bradley will be so excited! Eos pioneers haven't met the angara yet, and I get asked all the time about what you are like. Jaal is like a celebrity there when we get off the Tempest. I can't hardly tug him through the crowd. They'll be so excited to know that you will be helping them."

"Not me specifically," clarified Evfra.

Ryder shrugged. "But technically."

Evfra couldn't believe that he was about to incite the wrath and – even worse – the attention of Paaran for an alien. He had never cared where the supplies came from, a sentiment which drove Paaran into fits of rage that were short-lived. She knew when she accepted the position of governor that he was stubborn and cantankerous and utterly unfit for running a city of civilians. He would've turned the whole lot of them into soldiers without a thought about taxes, embargos, diplomatic matters, or something as simple as farming. He was a warrior not a farmer, and for this Pathfinder, he was about to stick his nose into an area that Paaran would have gladly forced him to overtake long ago. He still could not believe that Ryder's good graces were worth all the trouble. He took another bite of the potatoes cursing at how delicious they were.

"We should discuss the alliance," she pointed out.

"Yes," nodded Jaal, "I believe an exchange of resources would be valuable."

Evfra suddenly felt comfortable again. This was where he belonged. This was how he could justify it. He was not doing the Pathfinder a favor. It was a part of a deal, and he would pull out something in return. Paaran certainly couldn't argue on the terms then, and he wouldn't be dragged into managing trade within the city. Life was simpler without unexplained favors.

"Resources and information," Evfra corrected. "I believe our kett intelligence network is much more extensive than your own."

"SAM and I have also uncovered some things at the facility that you may be interested in."

Evfra frowned. He had forgotten about the gifted AI that somehow lived in the Pathfinder's head. The thought was somewhat disconcerting.

"Yes, well, how exactly do you communicate with your AI?"

Ryder smiled at him – seductively? He wasn't certain what passed for 'seduction' in human circles, but he did not see how a man of any species would think anything other than that when he saw that predatory smile.

"I believe that is classified."

"I thought you wanted to be 'friends'," Evfra frowned at her not acknowledging anything of the sort.

She looked at Jaal in mock astonishment. "Did I say that?"

Jaal's rumble of laughter made Evfra frown in earnest. He was not keen on letting Jaal or the Pathfinder laugh at his expense whether personal or professional.

"Very funny."

"Really, Evfra, you cannot expect all Initiative intelligence be open for your perusal," Jaal said good-naturedly.

Evfra's mouth couldn't turn down anymore. Ryder put a hand on Jaal's arm, a gesture that served to only enrage Evfra's fragile sensibilities further, but her stern look at Jaal showed an air of command and not that of a companion.

"I was only joking, Jaal," she reprimanded and looked earnestly at Evfra. "My AI is connected within me. He is based on the human ark, but there is a smaller connection in my quarters on the Tempest. If you're interested, you are welcome to come aboard."

Evfra knew that she was only being diplomatic. He knew that she was furthering the relationship and understanding simply as a liaison between their species. He knew she was simply demonstrating how little she had to hide, but a woman does not simply invite a man to her quarters. Perhaps he was not threatening enough? Perhaps she thought him small and weak and unworthy of care? Or perhaps these Milky Way aliens were simply culturally different, but despite his mind's frantic reasoning, he could not turn her down nor could he answer her. He sat in stunned silence staring at the Pathfinder. Luckily, Jaal voiced his interest saving his general the embarrassment of commenting.

"I did not know that SAM was in your quarters!"

"It's not a big deal."

"Truly! I have wanted to see this technology, and I thought that I would have to wait until we visited the Nexus."

"Jaal, you should not invite yourself into a lady's quarters," snapped Evfra the harshness in his voice making the pair stop to look.

They were utterly ridiculous. At his comment, they both turned into blushing schoolgirls. Evfra would have found this exasperating, but he was more annoyed at the sight.

"Did it sound like that," laughed Ryder nervously as she twirled her hair.

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to intrude."

"Jaal," she said after a moment, "I would not mind letting you see SAM on the Nexus."

"… I would enjoy that very much, Pathfinder." Jaal's eyes were downcast as if he wished to sink into the earth, and Evfra would be lying if he did not admit to taking at least some sort of guilty pleasure in his discomfort.

With a bolt, Jaal rose from his seat. "I believe that you wished to discuss the alliance. I should get back to the Tempest. Gil has promised to teach me poker."

Ryder laughed. "Be careful. You may lose your clothes."

Jaal's smile came back in full force as he nodded amiably to Ryder and left. When the door closed, Evfra heard Ryder mutter under her breath, "Like he would mind."

Evfra could not help his curiosity, so he asked, "What is poker… and why would it make him lose his clothes?"

"A game of bluffs. Gil is notoriously good at it, and Jaal is a handsome man. I could see Gil talking him into a bet." While Evfra was still processing that sentence, she – without making eye contact – asked, "Are angara all so… cavalier about nudity?"

Evfra coughed spewing a bit of his water across the table. Ryder scrambled to explain her question only making Evfra feel more embarrassed.

"He and Liam were just exchanging armor, and I saw them. And, well, Jaal was naked, and he just walked out – and I saw everything – not that I was looking, but I mean he just walked through the whole ship. I mean, everyone saw everything, and I just thought maybe you guys were just okay with that. Maybe?"

Evfra laid his head in his hands and groaned. "I will speak with him."

Ryder's hands flew frantically about her face. "No, it's not a problem. Really. I just misunderstood. He and Liam were doing some sort of cultural investigation, and we all assumed that it was normal."

"It most certainly is not normal in social circles. With family, perhaps, but socially… Never."

Ryder paled, "It is my fault then. I had told Jaal that the crew is like family, and – "

"He is a part of your crew, therefore a part of your family."

Ryder nodded not meeting Evfra's gaze. He didn't know how he felt about Ryder and Jaal as family. The thought made him uncomfortable, because Ryder – despite being an alien – met all the criteria that a female needed to become a part of a family, and Jaal while having his own misfortunes was still equipped to offer what was necessary for a suitor to propose a union. Evfra became painfully aware that he was lacking in those qualities. He cleared his throat.

"Regardless, I take it that Milky Way species prefer clothing. I will speak with Jaal."

"I don't want to create an issue." Ryder's voice sounded terribly chastised, and Evfra grew increasingly unsure of what he should do if she were to cry at his prodding.

"It is not your fault that we do not understand each other," he offered. "It will come with time."

"Perhaps Liam is right, and it would be best to ask questions about each other?"

Evfra shrugged, "It will come in time."

She pursed her lips at his answer. "General, I would like to avoid further misunderstandings of the sort. Imagine if I had mentioned this to the Moshae or Paaran."

I wish, he thought to himself but replied, "What do you wish to speak about?"

He could almost see the wheels turning behind her blue eyes and thought suddenly that he had never realized that she was intelligent as well as bossy and beautiful. It was a thought that he should have realized much sooner, but he had been busy noting her other attributes, corralling Jaal, and doing his other routine duties.

"I don't know," she said slowly, "but can I ask when I think of it?"

"I don't see why not," he grunted trying not to look at her, because the water he twirled in his glass had suddenly become fascinating. When he did glance up at her, she was beaming, and he hurriedly downed the glass of now lukewarm water.

"We have an alliance to discuss."

She straightened her posture becoming alert – her softness fading. "Yes, we do."

Evfra was comfortable with the following back and forth of negotiation. It was something he was familiar with and often took solace within, but he couldn't help a small part of him missing the smile that she had displayed towards him. He was impressed by the hard business side of the Pathfinder, but he was enthralled with the personable side of her and the contrast it brought. It was something that he had never seen in himself choosing to be only one. The vulnerability and openness of the other let him feel his kinsmen's pity and worry for him – emotions for which he had no need. When they had compiled a list of available assets and possible trades, Evfra sent it to Paaran for her approval with an air of finality. He knew that he needed to pull away from this woman before it was too late. She stood in his door looking at him through her lashes, and every piece of loneliness that he had felt in his life pleaded with his mind to ask her to stay the night.

"Do you know your way back?" His voice was huskier that he had intended, and he hid it with a cough. She tilted her head for a silent moment, and Evfra wondered what information she was receiving and how he prayed it did not pertain to him.

"SAM said that he has not yet compiled a map of Aya."

"Ah. It would be inconvenient if you were lost," he sighed.

"It would," she agreed. "For you."

He walked ahead of her feeling her fall into step beside him. "For me how?"

"Well, I know where your door is," she explained. "And there is the diplomacy thing. It would look bad if the high general lost the Initiative liaison."

Evfra's smile was hid in the dark, and the crinkle by his eyes felt unnatural, but something about the night and Aya's chilled mist rising through the streets made his daytime life feel primary. He was living a secondary stolen moment that didn't pertain to the reality where she was an alien, he was a general, and hostility was mandatory. Tomorrow would be different, but tonight was holding a piece of a life denied to him.

"That it would," he agreed meeting Ryder's eyes for a brief moment.