Starbuck was thankful for the prescience that had determined he leave his pack outside of his tent when he turned in for the night. He hovered at the tent's entrance. Sheba was right. If it was possible, it reeked even worse than he did. His team members were all searching through their own packs and effectively keeping their distance. Suddenly, he heard a gentle thud beside him. Several other thuds followed. He looked down to see five bars of soap. "Oh, thanks. Like I couldn't figure that out for myself," he remarked.
"Do you need a towel, Starbuck?" Raizel asked innocently.
"Here's an illuminator, Lieutenant." Timon added helpfully.
"The pool is that way, Starbuck." Sheba directed him.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," he grumbled as he pulled yet another set of clean clothes out and prepared to head off in the cool night air. Tuija handed him his now dry jacket and boots. He sighed. Starbuck knew that the right boot would stay dry for about ten centons.
"I fixed your boot, Starbuck. Should be as dry as an Otori prayer meeting now." She grinned at him.
He glanced at her in surprise. "Tuija, I love you," he declared. It was hard to believe that earlier in the day he could hardly wait to get away from these people. Now, he was proud to call them friends.
"Go get clean. We'll sort you out a place to sleep," she added.
"Yeah, right after we burn your tent," Raizel told him seriously.
"Be careful," he warned. "I suspect it will be quite the bonfire."
"Then you support the burning of the tent decision?" Timon asked.
"Well, I'm NOT carrying it back out of here," he replied as he pulled on his warm boots and made for Paradise. He could hear Galena shouting, "Did you remember the soap?" and the ensuing laughter as he disappeared down the hill.