Traditional slave garb turned out to be a white flowy dress, cinched tight at the waist and the top was a crosspiece that tied behind her neck. It highlighted the mounds of her breasts while making her waist look small and emphasizing her hips. She felt almost naked with all her assets on display, but yet feminine too.

She’d piled her dark brown hair on top of her head, doing her best to bring out a few wispy pieces to soften her face. It was the best she could do. Her suspicion had been right: there were no converters on the ship and hence nothing to plug her hair gadgets into. There wasn’t much she could do about shoes, but she’d used her strappy sandals and called it good.

Vi hesitated at the bathroom door, feeling trepidation run through her. What the hell was up with her? She’d worn bathing suits that were more revealing than this, right?

Still, she hadn’t worn her bathing suit for Haze yet and she wasn’t sure she could handle it.

Haze and the doctor were waiting in her room.

“Woah,” Haze said. “I guess it fit.”

Seban laughed. “I’ll say that, yes. Vi, you look very beautiful. Haze, I’ll check on everything. Make sure your shuttle is stocked with supplies that Vi’s human anatomy can process properly.”

As Seban left, Vi turned to Haze suspiciously. “And how exactly did you have this on board?”

“Trade secret,” he said, a smile on his face.

“Spill.”

“Okay. I may have had the cloth handy and crafted it. I have a gift for blending in and being prepared.” He shrugged his shoulders.

Vi’s mouth dropped open. “You sew?”

“I’m a man of many talents.”

“I just can’t picture it.”

“Merking ain’t all glory days and killing, that’s for sure.”

“Uh. Well, I hope not,” she said as easily as she could.

Haze came closer to look at her. “You have tattoos?”

“Yes.” Vi touched the one on her collarbone self-consciously, not that he could see it, but she felt exposed.

“They’re beautiful.” He glanced at her. “Do all humans have them?” He reached out and lightly touched the small leaf on her inner wrist, making goosebumps rise on her arm. “I’ve never noticed any on Molly.”

“No, I had them… uh, added.”

“Added?”

“I drew them,” she explained. “They use a special ink to put it into your skin.”

“What is this one of?” He touched the simple black abstract one she’d put on the edge of her shoulder.

“It’s of a feeling, I guess. This one is the first tattoo I ever got myself, when I first left home and moved as far away as possible. It’s like freedom, I guess.” Vi traced the outer half circles, their openings pointing away from the center. Then she slid her finger down the center line - “and new beginnings.” She swooshed her hand away from her body.

“It’s pretty.” He smiled at her.

“Thank you. I-” She shook her head quickly. “Never mind.”

“What?”

“I was thinking - I could show you my painting, if you want. I brought one with me from home.” She turned to her desk and picked up the painting.

It was all reds and golds and bits of green, streaky lines like the trees whooshing by the car window as her family traveled up the coast on their one long vacation from North Carolina.

She held it out to him, one hand going to her hair to conceal her nervousness.

He took it from her gently. “I like how wild it is, how all your colors race about.” He handed it back to her. “Pretty.”

“Thank you.” Now, she felt awkward. Maybe he was just saying it. She usually didn’t show her paintings to anyone… not until she knew them better.

“Well, I—” She held her hand up to her forehead, looking around, trying not to look at Haze. “I guess I should get changed for the trip.” She glanced down at herself.

When she looked up, he’d taken a step closer. She took in a deep, nervous breath. It felt like waves of energy were pouring off the guy and leaping across to electrify her skin.

“Need any help with that?” he asked, stopping before he got too close, leaving her the choice.

As she glanced up, his gaze scorched her.

She took a step back to be safe. “Hah. No, I do not need help with that. You just git yourself outside, mister.” She pointed to the door.

“Sure. Sure.” He held his hands up. “Had to check. Wouldn’t want you to get into trouble without me.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She waved her hands in the direction of the door, shooing him out.

When the doors closed, Vi released a deep sigh of relief.

That had almost been trouble, and she was not having that handsome ass loafing on her couch already. …Er, if she had a couch that was.