Waking from the Nightmare

[Toaster]

Olivia leaned back in her chair with a sigh, dropping her eyes to the glass of ale on the table before her.

"Nothing pleasant, I'm afraid."

Blue chuckled. "I didn't think so."

Olivia nodded, raising her glass to her mouth for a sip. Replacing it on the tabletop, she glanced back up at the man.

"How's Red?"

The man rolled his eyes in exaggerated exasperation as Olivia deflected his question with one of her own.

"He's still recovering," he replied as the waitress arrived at their table, carrying a plate with two glasses of a murky, colorless liquid. He nodded his appreciation as the girl placed them on the table in front of him before leaving again for the bar. Blue leaned forward and took a deep breath of the faint vapor that rose from the drinks. He held it in for a moment, then exhaled with a satisfied smile. Locking eyes with Olivia again, he continued, "He's still jittery - or rather, still more so than before - after what he went through."

Olivia nodded pensively. "His family's alright?"

Blue nodded his confirmation.

"Good."

Olivia leaned forward, glancing around the establishment cautiously. For the most part it was empty, only a few freighter pilots sitting together in a booth on the far side. Nonetheless, she didn't want anyone eavesdropping on what she was about to discuss with her old acquaintance. She lowered her voice.

"Are you still in touch with any of the other Colors?"

At this, Blue narrowed his eyes. Keeping them on Olivia, he reached for one of the glasses, pressed it to his lips and threw his head back, emptying the drink in one swig. He wiped his sleeve across his mouth before placing the empty glass back on the table.

"Yeah," he finally muttered. "A few of 'em." He turned his head from side to side, glancing around the bar. Then he, too, leaned forward, bringing his face to within a few inches of Olivia's. "Why?"

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Olivia Sable