Aleksa wipes her fingers along the what appears to be an oven, grimacing at the dusty lines on their tips, then frowns deeply as she wipes the dust on her pants, as if wiping away a habit from another life. Instead, she peers at the unfamiliar symbols on the wood inlaid wall, a large black slab behind her glittering like covered with stars. Everything about the room speaks 'kitchen' to her, but she hasn't a clue where to begin.
"My Lady, how can I help you?" Her cheeks pinken at Stinger's words as he catches her leaning over in bewilderment, then she places her fists on her hips at his over the top words.
"I'm just trying to take something to Vladie to eat."
"You shouldn't need to. His quarter should have everything he needs."
"And miss an excuse to check up on him?"
"Ah," Stinger grins. "In that case, allow me." He steps forward and Aleksa moves aside, but not so quickly that his hand brushes against her own arm. He pauses, then resumes pushing a few lights on the wall, which pulls back revealing a plate.
"That looks like meatloaf? And potatoes?"
"Close enough," Stinger admits. "I did live on Earth for many of your years." Aleksa looks like she might want to hear more, but she has a goal to keep. "I've tucked him up nice and snug," and he winks, and with a nod of his head motions Aleksa to follow.
In a gleaming white corridor crouches Aknet, just a hair too large for the ample space.
"I," Aleksa begins haltingly, then put on a brave face and an effort to be hospitable, "had wondered where you had gone."
"Guarding trouble," the sargon growled. Stinger palms the door open. The room beyond is not nearly as elaborate as the chambers above, yet still filled with a pair of large chaise loungers each adorned with cream puff pillows all atop marble floors shot with silver veins. And amidst the pillows, a disheveled, unshaven Vladie.
"Ahhh! Oh, Aleksa! What is this? Why am I a prisoner?
"You are not a prisoner," Aleksa says, although she isn't unhappy with the thought.
"Then why is that dragon thing out there?"
"She is keeping an eye on you."
"And she needs a job," Stinger replies evenly. Vladie opens his mouth to let more words out.
"Look, I brought you something to eat, OK?"
"What are you all up to? Why can't I be up there with you? I'm so bored! I tried to figure out that TV thing," and he points to a chest height dark panel set into the wall, "but all I get is some weird, smelly goo!" Aleksa rather shoves the plate at him, and he accepts it absently, absorbed by the angst of his complaints. Stinger nods to Aknet, just visible beyond the open door.
"If you would just ask, the sargon knows how everything works around here. Like that," and he points to a large mirrored surface. Vladie peers around him, his mouth slightly ajar at the thought of talking to the lizard in the hallway. He swallows hard, then jumps when she speaks like a load of falling gravel.
"You do not seem like a warrior to me, or I would engage you in battle tactics." Vladie pales.
"Battle tactics?"
"An honorable way to pass the time. Practicing simulations." Vladie fidgets, then perks at as a new thought hits him. Stinger turns away, then places a finger to the crystal on his neck.
"Simulations?" He sits forward, intrigued. "Like, video games?"
Aleksa's disparaging shake of her head is interrupted by Stinger's words.
"There's been a slight problem."
"Problem?"
"Jupiter and Caine have gotten separated from their guard."