- I'm simply a bad person then. - Flora heard his yawn. - Are you tired? I'd rather not have you fly your ship while barely staying awake. We can go back up to Tholey if you want, before you fall asleep on me. Or... - she paused for a moment and sat up. - ...or I can give you a drink that should give you some energy. I made it myself. - she added with pride.
- Since I have no clue what Tholey is, I guess I'll take an energy drink... - he closed eyes completely and rubbed his eyebrows for a second, then brought his hand lower to the bug, carefully taking it and lowering the hand to the grass, allowing the bug to head off - Don't worry by the way. By the standards of current society I am a bad person too. - saying that Sean brightly smiled to Flora.
Flora smiled back. The bug decided to take Sean's offer and left.
- We have lots in common, I see. - she got up. - And Tholey is a space station. It's run by the Bounty Hunters and just happens to be orbiting this planet. Maybe you'll even see it on the sky at some point. - she walked over to her ship. The canopy opened as she reached it and she took the ladder to the cockpit. It took her a few moments before she walked down the ladder, carrying a thermos. She then walked over to Sean, handing the drink to him. - Here you go. - The ship closed behind her. Flora then sat down next to her companion.
- Ah, I've seen some station... And I am sure that Bounty Hunters will be happy to see me, but I doubt I'd like some of their hospitality. - Sean's face turned into an awkward smile. As Flora went to pick the drink he leaned back, resting on both his hands, and decided to enjoy the sight of bright nebulas seen in the sky. Slightly fading off in his thoughts he only noticed Flora coming back when she spoke. Instantly pushing himself back into the sitting position he took a thermos.
- Thank you. - he nodded to her and quickly opened a thermos. Putting the cup on his legs to free one hand he took a deep breath before taking off the mask, holding it near his face though. At the same time he brought the thermos to his mouth and slowly flipped it, making a carefull sip to taste the drink first.
The drink was warm and slightly sour, devoid of any dregs or other things floating in it. His first sip was carefully observed by Flora, who was nervous about the final judgement.
-I recently started adding an exctract from a curious little caterpillar living on Kyushu. It makes the drink way less sour than it would otherwise be. What do you think?
When Flora mentioned a caterpillar Sean's face stretched out. It took him few moments to hold off the awkward feeling from the picture he imagined.
- Firstly, I like sour things. Secondly... - he lowered his head and smiled quite playfully, seemingly laughing at himself - I don't think I needed to know that.
With the same smile he turned his head to Flora - Do you boil your ingredients together?
-In most cases. This one is made in the same way as tea, basically. I put together a mix of herbs, added the... anti-sour ingredient and boiling water, and then I filtered out all the dregs and stuff. A thermos with this mixture is really handy when you are on a prolonged flight.
- Hmm... I wonder what it would be like without this anti-sour ingridient. - with a chuckle he made a couple more sips - I usually just take a nap on the nearest... - he paused for a second to think of a word - ...landable planet, or if such unavailable, find some very deserted place, put the ship in waiting mode and sleep in open space. Although that's a rarity, usually I can find at least an asteroid large enough floating around.
- Well, I can't do that when I'm supposed to scout the way for a trade convoy. - she paused for a moment. - Though... What kind of routes do you take that you have to sleep in open space? I mean, when I'm travelling somewhere with my private ship I have little trouble finding a place to stop by. I admit it's not always the nicest place to take rest at, but still.
- Places like Tau-23. - Sean lowered the mask to take another deep breath - I didn't know about freeports then and I assumed every station to be hostile, since I am either a gaul or gaul renegade to them, depending on their allegiance. Also was very exhausted after the break through Gallia... - he lifted the mask again and made several big sips this time.
