As always, this chapter was beta-read by the wonderful Kokodoru!

Luka awoke in the middle of the night. The first thing she noticed, with a slight moan of relief, was that there was almost no pain. The sheets were still clean and warm, the brace wasn't digging into her back, and the slight lumps of cash gently reminded her of their presence in the mattress.

"Are you alright?"

She jumped at the voice. It was Miku, back in her usual corner. She wasn't wearing her hoodie, or any top really, covered only by the summer slacks. The light from the base of her neck, illuminating the mass of hair, indicated that she was charging.

The woman breathed. Her throat was still sore, just slightly. Her mind was cloudy, but she didn't feel like she was drifting.

She was still absolutely, soul-crushingly terrified.

"Are you?"

"I think I'm ok," she stuttered. "I think the painkiller is wearing off."

"There's another three hours before you may take the next one."

"...I was asleep for nine hours?"

"Yes."

Luka sighed, closed her eyes, savoring the last few minutes she had before the medication would abandon her. Everything felt so jumbled and messy. While she could remember the previous day's conversation, the medication kicking in detached it all from what she had felt at the moment.

All she knew was fear. And soon, pain. That was all she could be certain of.

Miku spoke again, making her jolt, "The transactions went smoothly. I counted the money, and the customers left with their spice. We are down to nine crates."

"Wow."

"The money is on your workbench."

"...Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Luka tried to sit up, only to groan when the pain surfaced, shooting down her back without any mercy. "Fuck..."

"Do you need something?"

She cowered. "I just wanted to see..."

"I can grab the money for you."

"Yeah." After a pause, during which Miku did nothing, Luka added, "Please."

The android pulled the plug from her back and walked towards the workbench, then to Luka, with two bags in her hands. The woman watched her every move, paralyzed.

"Do you need help sitting up?"

"I do."

"I'll try to support you at the base of your neck if that's alright."

It wasn't. The touch paralyzed her, no matter how mindful she was. Knowing that any place she grabbed, she could squeeze and reduce her flesh to jam without effort, that there were guns in there, that the only thing stopping her from pulverizing her was as flimsy as a personal moral compass, it all terrified her.

The woman nodded though and the android did as promised, helping her up without causing any further injury.

By the time Luka pried open her eyes, the money had been laid out before her.

"Awesome," she muttered, voice subdued. "This needs to be hidden, too."

"I can take care of that."

"Yeah, I'd appreciate that, thanks."

Miku gave her a small smile, gathering the money and standing, returning to the workbench.

Her eyes still on the android's figure, Luka asked, "How much longer until day, Ruko?"

"Ten more hours until sunrise," the AI said.

Luka squirmed; days on the planet took far too long to her taste, but she didn't dare complain out loud.

Miku spoke up from the other end of the ship. "Do you want something to eat?"

"No thanks," the woman said. "I... I don't know. I just..."

"What is it?"

Luka sighed. The blurry line between dream and reality was starting to clear. Memories grew firm. Fear swelled. The reality of her situation sank in, hitting rock bottom of the ocean of psyche without mercy, kicking up the settled dust.

After a few short breaths, each gradually growing more painful than the last, Luka suddenly heard the android approach her again. She froze, every step making her heart race faster.

She dared open her eyes only when Miku was standing beside her. A plate rested in her hands.

"It's dinner. You need to eat. Ruko told me you haven't eaten in all this time."

"I'm—"

"This is not up for debate."

Luka set her jaw, closed her eyes, then nodded, allowing the android to sit next to her.

"Open up."

Her heart sank, her stomach twisting into a tight knot. "You're—"

"Can you eat?"

Luka felt tears well in her eyes. "I can try," she tried to hiss, but it came out as nothing more than a whimper.

There was nothing more thoroughly humiliating than being fed like a baby.

"I'll hold your plate for you."

She could do that. With a trembling hand, she grabbed the fork the android offered her, then looked at the plate.

It was toro. Not embedded in those fried dough balls that they sold at the marketplace: this was fresh, smoked toro.

The knot in her stomach loosened. Her hunger hit her like a truck.

She looked up at the android, finding those opal eyes again. They were on her.

"Thank you," Luka hurried to say, diverting her gaze, stabbing into the fish with snuffed enthusiasm.

"I hope you like it," the android whispered.

The delicious flavor of the fish, all buttery and fatty and rich, melted on her tongue. The flesh fell apart, as tender as it could possibly be. There was no garnish or sauce or toast to eat it on, yet Luka could eat this all day, any day.

"It's delicious," she admitted, daring to eat with slightly more eagerness. "This probably wasn't easy to find."

"It wasn't," Miku admitted. "But I gathered that I needed to apologize somehow."

"How did you..."

Miku smiled. "My tip money."

Luka stared for a second. The friendly, smiling face was so unlike the mask of an angry god that had watched her suffer. She was proud, too. It was her money, made with her own work. She was so proud and happy and kind.

For a split second, Luka saw that sweetheart of an android again, all smiles and songs and delight.

Only for a second.

She shut her eyes, returned to her meal.

"I didn't think you had so much."

"It isn't comparable to your fortune," Miku said. "But it is enough to get some nice things."

"You... You didn't have to spend it on rare fish."

"What else would I spend it on? I have no material needs."

The woman had no reply to that.

"And I hoped that you might appreciate it."

"I do. I really do. Thank you."

She emptied the plate in silence, offering another subdued 'thank you' as the android went to wash the dish and cutlery. Luka made to lie down, only to groan when a stabbing pain shot down her spine.

"Do you need help?"

"I need to lie down. I—"

Miku approached without delay, and while narrating, helped the woman back down on the bed. Luka hissed, every movement suddenly painful.

"I need a painkiller. I don't care about three hours, I need—" she whined. "Please..."

Miku didn't need to be asked twice, rushing back and forth to get her medication. But when she returned to the woman, Luka flinched at the sudden movement her way.

The android offered her the pill and the water, gently helping her drink. Luka obeyed, petrified, every panicked heartbeat shaking her to her core. After what felt like an eternity, the android let her lie down.

Then, it was just a matter of waiting for it to kick in. Luka sobbed quietly, refusing to move.

"You should be asleep within the next half hour," the android whispered.

Luka nodded.

"Can I do anything else for you?"

The woman glanced at her, shook her head.

"Are you sure?"

Another nod, but the android frowned.

"Please, do not be afraid of asking anything from me."

Luka gulped. "I... I'm afraid of sleeping with you here."

"Oh."

"You could do anything while..." She struggled to explain, her lungs constricted by the pain that continued to rise as she waited for the medication to take effect.

"If you would like, I would sit right here," Miku proposed, sitting in the pilot's seat. "I won't move from this spot."

Luka thought about it. "Please?"

"Of course."

"Ruko?"

"Yes?"

"Please make sure she keeps her word."

"Understood."

That helped. Luka managed a deeper breath.

"Sleep well."

"Yeah. Thank you," she muttered through clenched teeth.

Silence returned to the ship. Miku sat in the chair, staring out the window, for as long as Luka stared at her. Soon enough, the rising pain was once again shown the door, and her awareness followed suit. Before long, sleep sank its talons in her mind and took her far away.

She was dreaming before she even closed her eyes. She dreamt of the android, of her eons of knowledge, armies of strength, and her song. She dreamt of frozen smiles, the kind and caring smile of the android that anybody could buy and wear but it only looked right and true on her. She dreamt of being trapped and cornered and beaten until her bones broke and her lungs caved and her muscles snapped. She dreamed of being left alone to die in a puddle of her own blood. She dreamt she was running to escape that, running more and more but no matter how hard she tried, her limbs wouldn't move, and Miku would catch her and she had no way of telling what would happen to her when she finally caught up.

When she opened her eyes, breathing hurt again. Sunlight filled the ship through the window. She felt like she had traveled through time and space and that all those hours of night had evaporated in thin air.

Miku was sitting in her pilot seat, as promised, looking outside. However, for the first time since they had met, she wasn't wearing anything at all. The seams of her outer shell went down her sides, outlined the pseudo-musculature of her shoulders, followed the edge of her Achilles tendon, yet she looked so human.

Luka was starving, probably overdue for another antibiotic. She needed fresh bandages and a bathroom trip. Instead, she preferred to stay very still for a moment.

She just wanted to look.

As far as she could tell, Miku wasn't aware that she was awake. Either that was the case, or the android was lying to her.

A normal AI wouldn't try to deceive her.

Luka wanted to cry again.

She just didn't know what to make of this person. Promises of transparency weren't worth anything if being fooled was so simple.

"Luka, you are awake," Ruko whispered into her implant. "I am happy to inform you that Miku has not left the pilot's seat throughout your rest."

The woman blinked, and from the way the clothes had been tossed onto the workbench, it was likely that the AI was speaking the truth.

Ruko never lied.

Her heart rate quieted.

"May I inform Miku that you are awake?"

The woman nodded, and a second later, the android spun to face her.

"Good morning!"

"Morning," Luka rasped, voice hoarse.

"Did you sleep well?"

"...I'm not sure."

"You cried and spoke a lot. It looked like you were having nightmares," Miku revealed, standing from the chair.

"That's why my throat is so hoarse..."

"Perhaps. You need to take your antibiotic: you skipped one last night."

Luka watched, unable to stop the nude android from coming closer and, narrating the whole while, placing the pill on her tongue and helping her swallow it.

"You have another two hours until you can take your next painkiller," the android added as she returned the glass to its place.

Luka nodded dumbly, before stating, timid, "You're naked."

"Ah, yes," the android said. "I'm not sure I would use that word. I cannot be nude, exactly. But indeed, I am not wearing anything."

"Why?"

"I thought it might help you feel better," Miku remarked, making her way to the kitchen area. "If I didn't look so human."

Luka shook her head, her eyes were stuck to the android's frame. The surface of the android's skin was so perfectly smooth, the black seams placed where they served as much functional purpose as an aesthetic one. Yet, despite the flawlessness, despite the lines, she looked so, so real: two dimples sat at the small of her back, the hint of a spine surfaced between her shoulder blades, which moved along with her arms. Muscles of some kind flexed under her skin as she walked.

Cold fear gripped her heart. "No, it's... That won't help. Now it's not only like you're trying to fool me into thinking you're nothing but a dumb robot again, but you're a naked person posing as a dumb robot."

The android paused, looked over her shoulder. The skin of her neck, on the inside of the bend, wrinkled as she did so. "Ah? You would prefer if I looked the part, then?"

"I'd appreciate it if you put something on."

"Ah. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come across as deceptive. I'll go put on some clothes, then."

Luka averted her eyes as the android turned to face her. "Please."

"Does it bother you?"

"What?"

"Having a naked person in your ship?"

"Yes."

"I thought you didn't mind so much," the android said, lifting a plate and making her way towards the bed. "I've bathed you and you have changed in front of me numerous times."

"Yeah, but, that was when I thought you were a dumb bot," Luka pointed out, voice quiet. She could see toro on the plate, and her mouth watered. She was famished. "I don't mind getting changed in front of statues..."

"I see. Do you need help sitting up?"

The woman squirmed. "Please put something on, first."

"Very well."

Luka's eyes stuck to the plate while the android walked over to the dresser. With her free arm, the woman tried to prop herself up. She expected it to hurt, but somehow, it only elicited a dull throb. With some effort, she managed to successfully sit on her own. That alone made her feel almost powerful, even if it hurt her a little. That she could stand and leave at any point without help was liberating.

But first? She put the plate in her lap and started eating.

The fish was sublime. She sighed, feeling some tension uncoil within her.

"I thought you were also more accustomed to real nudity?" Miku said from the dresser, already shrugging on a shirt. "Either way, I did not expect it to bother you so much."

Luka paused mid-chew. "You mean at red-light districts and stuff?" Luka muttered. "I mean, yeah. But you know, that's part of the deal. It's all in the context. Plus I don't make a habit of going there super often. It's not exactly fun. More to scratch an itch if anything."

"Ah."

Timidly, she asked, "I thought you knew everything about human sexuality?"

"I do, but every person is different, no?" the android asked, sitting beside her, wearing a standard t-shirt and pants. Both were blue, made of light fabric, for warm days. The android positively swam in them.

"That's fair."

Miku smiled. "You seem to be feeling better."

Luka paused. "I think I might be. It all still hurts a bit. I'm still scared of you. But... I don't know. I think I'm just losing my damn mind. Maybe the painkiller is still making me crazy."

"Good sleep and dreaming are essential for recovering from traumatic events," the android said, eyes downcast.

"Really? Nightmares, too?"

"Yes. It sounds paradoxical, but it's all part of how your brain processes information and memories."

Luka hummed, poking at the rest of her fish.

The opal eyes on her were so heavy.

"Are we seriously engaging in small talk? After what happened?"

"Hm. That depends if you're asking 'thanks to what happened', or 'despite'."

"Both, I guess."

"I am glad you are willing to talk to me," the android confessed. "You said you are still scared: I am not too threatening?"

"You can still crush my windpipe."

"But I won't."

"But you won't. Unless you're lying."

"That isn't exactly conducive behavior to connecting with people."

Luka squirmed again. "I know, I know. I'm just paranoid. I can't deal with people. At the market, people communicate what they want very clearly for all to see. On the tablet, conversations are targeted. All these exchanges are short-term, with no commitment, no bridges to burn, no risk. Here, now? Why are we chatting? Why are you talking to me?"

"You know my reasons: I wish to connect to people. That won't change," Miku replied. "Why are you indulging my conversation? You never have before."

"I... I'm scared to deny you."

Miku's smile fell. "You are in no obligation to speak to me," the android gently told her. "I won't get angry at you if you want some quiet."

"You say that, but—"

"Simply ask. I will understand. Being understanding is also part of getting closer to people. Being respectful of boundaries and space is healthy."

Luka frowned. "So you won't be angry if I tell you that I want to eat my toro alone?"

"No."

"And you won't be angry if I ask for help with my bandages after that?"

"Not in the slightest."

The scavenger thought about it for a very long time. "Ok. I would like some time alone then, please. I still... I have a lot to think about."

"Of course. I'll be in the pilot seat. Let me know when you need help."

"I will. Thanks."

"Of course."

Miku did as promised and went to the front of the ship, leaving Luka alone with her toro.

There was a lot to think about. It was difficult to weigh Miku's words against her actions. The memories, so harsh and brutal, didn't reconcile well with the promises she kept, the kind words, the apologies. Even if she could weigh those two things successfully, Luka still had an issue with the fact that she was her own sentient being.

No matter what happened, no matter what she promised, she was still a being that followed her own rules.

Luka just couldn't work with that.

The woman finished her meal slowly, feeling the ache return, if much more gradually than before. The initial bite of a fresh injury had subsided. Perhaps the exhausting trip to the clinic had done more good than she could have anticipated.

She was still far from well, however. Eyes on her empty plate, she had to accept that the idea alone of standing up, cleaning it, putting it away, it all discouraged her and fatigued her beyond description.

She could feel herself gather her courage with her mental hands, she could feel how it fled like grains of sand through her fingers, but after some time, she managed, "Miku?"

"Yes?"

"I... I'm done with..."

The android understood and approached to fetch the plate. Luka muttered a 'thank you', cowering despite herself when she stood so close.

She needed to sleep. Being unconscious was easier than dealing with all the emotions.

It was all such chaos.

"Miku?"

The android hummed in reply.

"Can... Can I take the painkiller?" she asked. " I know I still need to wait—"

"Of course," Miku assured her, pill and glass ready. "This will have to be the last one you take early, however."

"Ok."

Luka shrank as the android drew close and handed her the pill, then the glass. The woman could drink down that one on her own, much to her relief.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She watched her retreat once more and prepared to tuck herself in: within half an hour, blissful unconsciousness would welcome her once again, and if Miku could successfully stick to her half of the ship, then it would make letting go of the real world all that much easier.

"Luka?"

"Yes?" she hurried to answer, the stress sending another jolt of pain throughout her entire being.

"...I got you something else."

Luka kept her eyes trained on the android as she once again drew close. Despite the mid-morning light of the ship, she almost didn't see the dark shape she held between them. Yet the faint yellowish gleam was unmistakable, the star-shape instantly recognizable.

"Is that..."

"You said you liked the local flora," Miku said, letting the woman hold the flower.

Luka turned it over in her hand a few times, admiring the rich blue color and its iridescence. "Where...?"

"At the local flower shop. They sell petrified specimens of local plant life. It cannot breathe in the air you need to survive, so sadly, this one is dead. But it is preserved so it will forever look alive."

The woman's eyes darted from the plant to the android. "Right... This one is my favorite."

"Is it? Lucky choice," Miku said with a chuckle. "It was my favorite, too. It's unlike any plant I have ever seen, and yet it is so unmistakably a flower."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. Earth plants were typically green, leaf and stem. The petals could be a wide variety of shapes and colors. Different flowers had slightly different structures, numbers of petals... This is such a uniform color of blue, though."

Luka nodded, trying to imagine what an earth flower would look like, tracing the outline of the petals. After a long, pensive moment, she whispered, "I've never seen one so close. Or even touched one. I didn't know they sold these."

"I hope you like it."

The woman sighed. "I do."

"You're crying."

"Yeah. It's... I'm starting to feel it."

"Ah. I'll put the flower somewhere safe, then."

"Could you put it on the dashboard, please?"

Miku gave her another one of her smiles. "Of course."

"Thanks."

"Are you going to sleep?"

"Yeah..." She sighed again, feeling like she was going to drown in her tears and sorrow. She felt so painfully alone and yet...

"I understand. Sleep well, Luka."

"Thanks."

Through lidded eyes, she watched as the android navigated past the remaining boxes to place the flower on the dashboard. Through the window, she saw the blue planet at night, the sky so dark it was terrifying, the port lights illuminating the vegetation below. And, standing in front of it all, was the person who scared her the most, her hair blue as well, blue as the sky and the sea.

Luka woke up later that day with plenty of daytime to spare. Through the lifting haze of the painkiller, she remembered that she had secured no deals for that night. No deals meant hanging on to the spice for longer, and that meant staying in Miku's company for longer. This in turn encouraged, whether she liked it or not, further cooperation with the android. After almost a full rotation, she was overdue to get her bandage changed, and she had to bear her terrifying presence nearby, shaking like a leaf while Miku poked and prodded at the oozing pink wound.

She had no choice but to work with her, and consequently, to trust her. She had to trust her not to tamper with her food, to bring her the correct pills, even to hold up the tablet while she typed away at the screen, not with the help of the stronger painkillers, but her medkit default brand, so she could keep her wits about her.

To her luck, the default brand of painkillers seemed to do the trick, so she put away the extra-strong ones for a rainy day. She could stay awake and plan the spice sales almost as if nothing had happened. That night, after finishing the last of the toro, the two of them could even go out to make the deals, the only difference being that Miku waited for her a bit further up for the trade to be over so they could return to the ship together, just to be sure. Her new brace was all the more visible, and neither wanted to find out how an ambush would go.

After the deals, Luka subjected herself to another extra-strong painkiller just to get herself to sleep in the android's presence.

With the nights being so long though, she woke up once again in total darkness. The opal eyes, blue and yellow and red all in one, pierced the darkness as the android asked her how she felt.

Luka almost willed herself back to sleep and away from reality. Instead, she was forced to wake up, trust the android to prepare her meal and feed her the medication again, and nervously tap away at the tablet with Miku sitting all too close.

Those were nervous hours. As per the planet's rules, docked ships weren't allowed to brighten their interior lights unless they could block it out somehow. It had something to do with safety or protecting the local wildlife. While they waited for the morning, the two coexisted in low light, and low light was not nearly enough to make the woman feel safe. Luka flinched at the slightest movement and sound from the android, and Miku in turn was trying very hard to make up for what she had done. While Luka understood that she didn't have to converse with her, she was still so afraid of making her angry. Meeting her eyes automatically made her cower, and answering any question was done delicately.

As watchful as she was being, Luka couldn't help but notice that the android was having difficulty figuring out what to do. For the last part of the night, after Luka had been fed and medicated, and when the online conversations no longer went anywhere, the android had donned some clothes to leave the woman alone, going for a long walk. When morning came, however, she returned and tried, almost too enthusiastically, to get close to her again, striking up conversation and asking questions, all the while insisting that Luka could bail at any point in time.

This only served to make the scavenger even more nervous. After a few hours of twitchy on-and-off conversation, Miku went on another walk.

Honestly, that was all Luka needed. She couldn't get enough of the unconditional quiet, the peace she needed to think, to digest, to accept that if she wanted the android out sooner, she would have to swallow her fear. That night, there would be more deals, and she wouldn't be able to finish those alone.

She had to put up with Miku. She had to work with her.

But she needed that silence.

When Miku returned from her walk, Luka wanted to shoo her back out. That probably wouldn't go well; she could barely look her in the eye. Breathing easy around her was tough enough.

Fortunately, the android didn't start a new conversation, returning to the front of the ship to give Luka more space. Just when the woman thought that the silence might last, it happened.

"Luka, are you willing to talk for a bit?"

"Sure?"

"I was thinking..." Miku started, staring at the flower that had found a permanent spot in a mug on the ship dashboard. "You have an easier time talking with people in the city because it's short-term, and their intentions are broadcasted, right?"

"Yes?"

"Well, I don't think we can help how short-term my stay will be," Miku said, caressing one of the petals. "But maybe we can adopt a similar system. Like that, I can tell when you're completely against conversation without me having to ask. I suppose that with closer friends, it gets easier with time to read the room. Sadly, we do not have that luxury."

Luka's brow furrowed. "You mean like a pin?"

"Perhaps. It would be better to have a system that is not so easy to overlook. One that is more active than passive."

"What do you mean?"

"If you want to signal an intention with a pin, odds are that you may forget about it. Eventually, of course, we would realize why a miscommunication has happened, but that would be after the annoyance has already occurred: either I bothered you too much, or left you alone for too long. With a more active system, this could be avoided."

"You have any ideas?" Luka asked, sitting up a little straighter.

"Maybe this flower. Or, no, something less vulnerable." Miku thought for a moment, then said, "There is a store selling stuffed animals of the local fauna. We can say that as long as you hold one, you wish to be left alone."

The scavenger wanted to refuse. Miku probably saw the scowl on her face, asking, "Does it sound like a bad idea?"

Luka flinched at being called out. "Maybe. Stuffed animals? I'm not twelve..."

"No. But we are adults trying to make things work. We might as well consider all solutions," Miku said. "I could attempt to communicate similarly. Maybe I could wear shirts or bracelets of varying colors: red is that I have a question, for example. Like that, you would never have to wonder what is on my mind or what my intentions are."

Luka thought about it for a moment. "I... Would it be worth it? If I can convince this guy when he finally answers, then we can sell four crates tonight, another one or two the next, and whatever might remain, the night after that. We most likely won't have to bear each other's presence for another full cycle."

"If it would make you feel better for even a day, it would be worth it."

A ball of wary skepticism formed in her gut. "You want to go out and buy a rainbow of shirts, get a stuffed animal, just so we can communicate what we can just as well say with words? If you want a stuffed animal and more clothes—"

"I require neither of those things," the android insisted. "There is a reason they communicate the way they do in the market: it streamlines the process and saves time. Even between the two of us, it could save a huge headache."

Luka frowned. "I'm not sure."

"How about we start with the stuffed animal?" Miku suggested, already getting back on her feet. "I still have a bit of my tip money. I'll go and get one, then be right back. Is that ok?"

"...Ok."

Her hand was already on the button to open the door, but the android pulled it back. "You're not convinced."

"No, it's ok."

"Do not worry about denying me. If you are against the idea, you have the right to be."

"It's just a whole lot of money and effort for so little."

"Making sure we can agree and communicate isn't so little. If I can avoid scaring you even once, it would be worth it."

Luka remained unconvinced but waved the android away after making sure that her sticker wasn't visible. True to her word, the android returned soon after, holding a large soft plush of a local animal. A quadruped with a long tail, the back lined with small spines, it was blue from head to toe like almost anything on the planet. It was a bit of a fat creature, plump and probably massive in real life, but the stuffed variant was sizable enough for it to be impossible to hold and forget about.

"Here," Miku offered, holding it out. "Apparently it's a Dexterok. Keep it nearby. If you are open to the idea of talking, you may hold it."

"Maybe we should try the other way around?" Luka asked.

"As you wish."

Luka accepted the stuffed animal, curling her arms around it. It was wonderfully soft to the touch. The material was strong, designed to withstand reptilian claws and insectoid mandibles alike, but the texture was delicate and complex, soft beyond comprehension. It weighed a bunch too, at least three times more than what Luka had expected when she had first taken the plush in her arms.

She couldn't resist the temptation and gave it a small hug. The plush was huge, about half as big as she was, so it was impossible to hide. Miku paid her no mind though, returning to the pilot seat and the view outside.

She hadn't even finished the conversation, letting Luka be the moment she had taken it into her arms.

Luka sighed, picking up the tablet on her own for the first time in days, to hopefully finalize the meeting for that night. It was hard to hold the stuffed animal while typing, but she found she could lean on it, supporting the injured half of her body with it so she could more easily hold the tablet and type at the same time.

Fortunately, the potential buyer had replied, and soon after Luka announced, "We have four deals tonight."

Miku turned towards her, smiled to acknowledge that she had heard, then promptly returned to the window.

Luka felt something well within her. She frowned, swallowing tears, grabbing the stuffed animal with two hands as she laid down.

She couldn't deny it. It was comforting. It was comforting to hold something so soft, and it was comforting to know that as long as she held it, she wouldn't be bothered.

A small part of her mind nagged that the tealette wouldn't honor it. People didn't honor such childish things. This was a con to placate her, to pacify her, to gain her trust. Ruko had said humans were predictable, right? Miku had probably guessed from her speech that she hadn't had a supportive environment growing up, that she probably didn't have the luxury of a real plush animal she could grow up with and call her own for most of her years.

She hugged the Dexterok tighter. She wanted to call it Dexter. But naming it would mean that Miku was right and that she had won and that Luka had fallen for her trap.

She cried. Miku turned, noticed, but she did not ask.

She kept her eyes trained on the outside.

When Luka stood to go to the bathroom, lugging the Dexterok behind her, Miku didn't ask if she needed help.

When she made dinner, the huge plush wedged between her legs on the floor, the android didn't interfere.

When she slumbered away the remaining daylight, Dexter in her arms, Miku didn't remind her of her painkiller or antibiotic, didn't ask about changing her bandage, didn't even inquire about the precise time of their first meeting.

She kept her word and let her be.

It was only when night truly settled and Luka realized she had a few hours left until their meeting that she put the plush to the side.

"I need to prepare for when we go out," Luka groaned, making her way to the first aid kit. "I need my meds, fresh bandages..."

"Is it very far?"

"The first one is. We'll have four hours to get back here and make it to the second meeting, then three hours to make it to the third one. The fourth one happens a bit before dawn, so I'll get my sleep before that one." Luka swallowed the pills, sighed, suppressed a shiver, took out the fresh bandages. "Can you help with this, please?"

"Of course!"

"Thanks."

The new brace was made of sterner stuff, making it far more restraining than the previous one. Luka suspected that the doctors had given her that one to make sure that she actually had someone taking care of her, who wouldn't let her run off and get hurt again. It was almost impossible to remove on her own, and with fresh bandages over recently agitated, healing skin, putting it back on was almost torture.

Miku was getting good at that though, removing the brace with practiced gestures and gently pulling it up from the bandage. Once it was set aside, she picked at the end of the self-adhering gauze, then pulled.

This was always the part that Luka hated. The gauze only kept the compress close to the actual injury, but with every peel, she was scared that the oozing, tender skin would stick to it, open the wound, undo her like a loose string on a knitted sweater.

The android was too careful to let that happen. Although her proximity made Luka tense, the memories of her assault still fresh in her mind, she hadn't taken the opportunity to hurt her yet. Repeated actions became a routine, and routine became a habit, and she was already thinking that she might be able to actually trust Miku with the task with closed eyes if she absolutely had to. For the moment, though, she still watched the android closely, ready to run.

"I want to hold Dexter," she whispered. "...Please."

Miku paused, halfway done with unwrapping the gauze, but she set it down to retrieve the stuffed animal. She handed it to the woman without a word, then continued with her task.

She did so with stark neutrality. She wasn't even humming to herself any longer. Once the gauze was gone, the compress was carefully, so carefully peeled off. Luka couldn't look at the injury for long periods of time, but she could see that the skin there was going from the angry red to a more gentle pink, the main puncture wound of the bullet sealing up with minimal oozing. She knew there was even more damage underneath, with her ribs, shoulder blade, and lung, but she didn't want to imagine it.

Either way, it was clear she was in for a long, slow recovery.

Normally, this was when Miku commented on the progress, but that time, she remained silent. She applied a cream to the area, and a different one for muscle aches to her back, then placed a new compress and re-wrapped it all with new gauze.

Luka watched, her free hand resting on Dexter's head. Both of her arms had to be held up at an angle so Miku could wrap around her torso horizontally, armpit to armpit, and also up to her left shoulder. She mixed and matched how she connected those three points, making sure that the entire area above her left breast was covered in gauze, the compress completely hidden. The extra padding made the brace more comfortable, too.

Lowering her left arm after that was always a pain, yet she had to in order to get the brace back on. Miku guided her arm back into the brace, latched it, then walked away without a word.

Fresh bandage complete, Luka dared heave a deep sigh. Her heart was racing, her system had been yelling at her to run, but she had stayed her ground and had made it out alright.

"Ok, we need to go," she muttered, placing Dexter on her bed.

"I have the spice!" Miku chirped, lifting it as if it were nothing. "Are we properly dressed for the occasion?"

Luka pressed the button to open the chamber. "We're good. Let's get going: we have a long walk ahead of us."

"Alright!"

They stepped into the night, the sight now a familiar one. Ruko wished them well, they agreed that they had to be back within four hours, and headed deep into the city.

"Luka?"

She flinched. "Yes."

"Now that we don't have Dexter to help us, I'll let you start conversations, if you want."

"No. It's ok. I need to indulge you sometimes."

Miku pouted. "There's no obligation to."

"Won't you get bored?"

"Given enough time, perhaps. But I find ways to entertain myself. Oh, are we going into the labyrinth again?"

"Yep."

"Understood. But there should never be any obligation, really, when it comes to connecting. Of course, when you actually converse and share, I expect basic respect. But I will never ask you to talk to me against your will. I will never force your attention on me. I can ask for it, but I will never demand it."

"But you're all about that."

"There's a difference between a captive audience and an audience which I'm holding captive," Miku muttered. "When you do talk to me, I would love it if you enjoy it. Because that is what connecting with people is about. It's sincere, mutual, and shared."

Luka considered it. "Right. Fine."

"I'll let you start the conversations, then. Until you have Dexter back to communicate how you feel."

"Well, in the labyrinth, no talking if we can help it. But after that... I don't know."

"We'll see how you feel," Miku said.

"Right."

Soon after, they ducked into the labyrinth. Luka caught the whiff of a laced cig, hinting that someone might have passed through those very same tunnels recently, but Miku kept walking, undeterred.

Luka didn't want to admit that the plush system was already working so well that she missed it. She still wasn't quite sure how well the android would continue to honor it, but in only a day, the presence of the stuffed animal had kept the android silent and only as close as Luka had asked her to be.

She needed it. She desperately needed to hold Dexter. She needed the safety, the silence, the isolation.

Why would Miku have gone so far as to think of that, and to give it to her? Miku wanted to bond, and while her words did ring true, she had no real reason to bond with Luka of all people. They were going to part ways, after all. Miku only really needed to make sure they wouldn't kill each other: make peace, not make her happy.

Why would she go that far? The gesture bordered the line of pragmatic and toed the limit of something more friendly.

That was a scary thought.

Just then, Miku came to a sudden stop, froze for all of a second, then turned on her heel and bolted.

Luka felt her heart somersault. She couldn't hear anything over Miku's quickly fading footfalls, but...

She didn't have the courage to challenge her. Luka followed suit, running as quickly as she could with her brace. Every time she turned a corner, she could barely see the android disappear around the next, and within a few turns, Luka was virtually alone in the labyrinth, without even the sound of her footsteps to guide her.

She needed to get back to the ship. She would message the buyer, tell him something happened—

A sudden pull on her good arm almost made her scream, but she could recognize Miku's eyes of opal anywhere.

The intense glare froze her.

Miku didn't wait for her to thaw, pulling her into a smaller alleyway, getting her on her knees, and pushing her down against the wall.

This was it. Miku ambushed her, was going to kill her here in the labyrinth, make it look like a deal gone bad, overpower Ruko and make off with her ship—

"Stay still," the android whispered, her voice cutting through her fear and piercing right into her heart.

If she hadn't already been petrified, the order would have turned her right to stone.

That was when the android's arm split apart, revealing the glowing barrel of her gun, which she promptly pointed at the entrance to the alleyway. Her brow was furrowed, a scowl marred her features, and Luka saw death in her eyes.

Only it wasn't directed at her.

That single realization allowed Luka to take in a tiny little breath. Even though the android was uncomfortably close, pushing her against the wall, both of them hidden behind the crate of spice, even though Luka ought to be quivering from fear, the fact that the gun, the anger, were directed at their unknown pursuer...

Luka exhaled, the puff of air barely enough to fill a thimble.

She remembered the pirates, the blood on her face.

This was no trick. Miku had protected her before. She had killed to save her life before. She was ready to dispatch whoever was trailing them without question because the glare in her eye told that she was absolutely certain that there was someone behind them. Someone potentially dangerous.

Only potentially.

That was when Luka heard the footsteps as well, and the lights on the barrel lit up.

Without a peep, Luka grabbed the back of Miku's hoodie with her good hand and pulled her back so she was also hidden behind the crate.

"Don't!" she hissed into her ear. "Shh!"

Miku didn't try to escape her grasp but also didn't retract her weapon. The glow did subside, however, allowing darkness to cover their little corner behind the crate.

They listened, breaths bated and eyes trained on the opposite wall of the alley as the footsteps approached them, passed them, and calmly went further in the labyrinth, paying them no mind. As with all sounds in this area, they disappeared quickly, almost too quickly, so the woman waited another moment before she dared blink.

Luka finally exhaled.

"Oh stars," she sighed.

"...We're safe," Miku mumbled, her hand reappearing at the end of her arm.

The woman shut her eyes, nodded.

The android was all too close. Her back against the wall, the weight of the android in her lap, the brace in her spine, the crate against her side, she was cornered, vulnerable...

"Are you alright?" the android asked, lifting and distancing herself from the woman.

Luka tried to nod. "I think..."

She heard her steps and cracked open an eye. Miku had stepped back as far as she could, putting a few meters between them.

"Are you hurt?"

"No," Luka said.

"I'm sorry for pulling so hard."

"It's... It's ok."

"Do you need some time?"

After a second, Luka gave her another nod. "Just a bit."

The android didn't reply, sitting down with her back against the wall as well, exposed to the perpendicular alleyway, but Luka was sure she could hear anything coming from a mile away. She would be safe.

They both would be.

She gulped. Her limbs were shaking and everything felt weak. She had been so sure she was going to die.

But no.

After a minute, she got the strength to mutter, "I know I said this place is dangerous. But that doesn't mean that everybody in here is out to get us..."

Miku hummed, uncertain. "I had my hands full with expensive cargo, you are unarmed with one arm tied. I did not want to take any risks."

Luka nodded. "Right. Right."

Miku was looking at her. The angry blue flame in her eyes had been replaced by the warm glow of concern. There was no mistaking the emotion there, no matter how much her eyes alone reminded the woman of that night.

Luka shook her head: how could she possibly reconcile the monster that had harmed her and the Electric Angel that had protected her more than once?

"Do we need to go back to the ship?" Miku whispered.

"No. We need to get rid of this," Luka insisted, placing her good hand on the side of the crate.

The sooner they left, the better. The sooner she could get rid of Miku, the better.

"I'll give you more time, then."

"...How long have I been sitting here?"

"Ten minutes."

Luka swore. "We're going to be late..."

"I'll help you stand."

Luka shook her head: she needed another minute to let her heart slow down a bit more, for strength to return to her legs. With a clenched fist and closed eyes, she muttered, "For future reference, as long as you are on this planet, then no matter what, no matter where, who or why, never, ever draw your weapon first."

"But—"

"It won't look good. Ever. The fact that you've got a weapon like that undeclared is already illegal enough. But if you need to fire at someone, only do it in self-defense. In space, on other planets, that's another story. Here? You always need to be the one firing back."

Miku nodded. "I understand."

"Great," she rasped. "Ok. I'm ready. Let's go..."

"Do you need help?"

"...I think."

The android offered her hand, which the woman half-heartedly took. She stood with some effort, stabilizing herself thanks to the crate, but her legs still felt a bit weak.

After taking a few breaths, she said, "Ok. I'm good."

"Let's go, then."

"Let's."

The rest of the trade happened without any incident. The buyer was still there, which was a little bit unexpected, so Luka had to explain the presence of the super-humanely strong android. They recognized her, complimented her skills, and lamented that they didn't have the time to stick around for a song. After examining the goods, they handed over the money, then the two groups parted ways.

On their way back, they slipped through the labyrinth once again, and when they emerged on the dock side of the tangled structure, Miku broke the silence.

"May I ask something?"

Luka gulped: she had been quiet for so long, she had hoped that wouldn't change. Her mind was still reeling.

"Yeah, go ahead."

"They recognized me. How come?"

"What do you mean?"

"I am often recognized while I take my walks. I sing at times and get more tips. But I'm finding it hard to believe that everybody who recognizes me has been at one of my previous performances. This place feels too vast for that."

"You know what the internet is, right?"

"Humanity developed it in the late twentieth century, back on Earth."

Luka shrugged. "I don't know what that means exactly: just that it was a really long time ago."

"I suppose, yes. It is still around, no?"

"In a more advanced form, yeah. Swift communication and all that is still essential in the space age, and when it comes to trading, anybody who wants to make a good deal has to keep up with the trends."

"Do you?"

"Not as avidly, not nowadays," Luka admitted with a shrug. It was strange to chat with her when she thought about it too much. About such mundane things, too. She shifted, uncomfortable. "I just want to disappear, you know. I have the spice, now. There's no point in me trying to keep up anymore. I used to when I needed to find a good water purifier, or a second-hand space suit, see what the latest handbag trends and designs are. Now? I'm just selling to get lost. I don't have to keep an eye out for anything."

"I see. So, is it fair to think that I might be on the internet?"

"Some clips of your songs, maybe. You're interesting and novel, so it might have attracted some attention. Especially if people know that you're still for sale. That keeps the buzz going."

"Ah," Miku said. "Interesting."

Luka nodded, and to her surprise, the android didn't pursue the conversation. As the silence stretched on for one minute, then two, she felt herself relax.

They returned to her ship in silence. They prepared for the next trade, which happened close by. Miku grabbed the box, Luka took a drink of water, then they headed back out.

The second trade happened without any issue. They went there, the spice changed hands, they came back, prepared for the third trade. Miku picked up the box, they walked to their destination, they completed the trade, and returned to the ship.

With a whole night to wait until the fourth deal, Luka counted then hid the money before preparing dinner, all with Dexter held snug under her arm. Miku returned to her new favorite perch in the pilot's seat, eyes on the night and gently caressing the immortalized flower.

As Luka tucked herself in, she couldn't help but take one last look at the tealette.

Dressed in such mundane, if oversized clothes, her hair tied up into a ponytail, she really did look like a person. A regular person she had invited over to her ship. In any other scenario, she could have been a friend, with how relaxed she seemed. An old friend, who didn't feel pressure to fill the silence, who didn't feel any need to prove herself.

She didn't breathe, though. She could keep eerily still. She had a gun in her arm and could kill her a thousand ways.

She was terrifying.

She was an artist, a songstress, a bard. A uniter, a gift.

She was a threat, a machine, a weapon with a mind of its own.

She was a person, an individual with emotion, goals, desires, maybe even dreams.

Luka clutched the stuffed Dexterok. She was all of those things. She could do anything. She could end her in an instant.

Instead...

"Hey."

The android turned to face her, but only smiled, indicating that she was listening. Luka froze at the opal eyes that glimmered even from so far, which almost seemed to contain a soul.

She was a mystery.

"Never mind."

If the android was annoyed, she didn't show it, and only smiled as she turned back to the great outdoors.

She was patient. Understanding.

She was kind.

She was all-powerful.

"Ruko, wake me for the meeting."

"I shall," the AI droned. "Good night."

"Good night."