Liquid Compassion Read Online Free PDF Page B

difference after our sessions.”
    “I must say, I have never been in such persistent contact with a woman. It is a learning moment on both of our parts.”
    “What do you do for fun, Administrator Turnari?” she changed the subject abruptly, but he adapted.
    “I go sailing on the northern sea.”
    She blinked. She had thought it would be something more social. “That sounds quiet.”
    “It is. I can open my mind and let the silence reign.”
    Bits could see the appeal. “How long have you enjoyed sailing?”
    “Since I was a teen on Dhema. Dhemans don’t appreciate psychic mutations. I had to pull myself in tight just to make it through school and, after that, military service.”
    “So, you joined the Citadel to be able to be yourself?”
    “Something like that. I had reached a secure position and other families were approaching mine in an effort to coax me into taking a bride. My parents know what I am, and so, they were running out of excuses.”
    She blinked. “Your families arrange your marriages?”
    “Generally. It is considered appropriate to wed someone of matching social standing and financial status.”
    “Ah. Well, that is definitely different than Jrinka.”
    “How do you manage your relationships?” He raised his brows.
    She grinned. “Once we are journeymen, we can attend any guild social event, and so, we simply mill around until we find someone we feel compatibility with. From there, courtship ensues and then marriage if the couple is solid.”
    “Interesting. You don’t find the haphazard methodology to be a little inexact?”
    She shrugged. “I hadn’t gotten to that point. I was just granted my journeyman status on the day I left Jrinka.”
    “You managed to make it to journeyman status in that suit?”
    “Sure. I did my whole apprenticeship in it.”
    He tilted his head and his horns gleamed. “Really? Impressive.”
    “I was just happy to get it done. There were other tries at my journeyman rating, but someone kept smashing my projects. I don’t know if it was another apprentice or someone else, but it really held me back.”
    They chatted for another few minutes until she finished her meal, and when she took her tray to the dish station, he was right behind her.
    “Are you coming with me?”
    “I can at least escort you out of the building. I am eager to see the armour in action.”
    They made their way to her quarters, and he watched as she stroked the suit open before backing into it.
    The fit was slightly snugger than it had been when she had been at the base.
    “Well, it is proof that I am gaining weight, I suppose.” She bent and twisted to get settled before looking at Turnari with a grin. “I am heading out, are you coming?”
    He offered her his arm, and she took it, walking out with him.
    “Why do you always offer your arm?”
    He smiled. “Two reasons. The first, it was the way I was raised. The second reason is that I like it when we are in contact. I find it soothing.”
    She stifled a personal groan. Of course, he felt that it was soothing. Everybody felt better when they were in contact with her. She had gone from hopeful to depressed in a moment, but she kept the emotion from leaking. She was very proud of that as she waved farewell to him and sprinted across the kilometres that separated the base and the Citadel.
    The suit enabled her to reach speeds that nearly blinded her. When her tearing eyes couldn’t handle the speed, she slowed to a more tolerable sprint.
    Mala’s workshop was open, and she jogged into it, calling out as she arrived. “Hello?”
    Mala popped her head around another armoured suit in the same shades that Bits was wearing. “Bits! You are looking good.”
    “Thanks, Mala. Turnari said you needed to see me?”
    “Yes. I have made some upgrades to the suit, and I wanted you to try it on.”
    “Sure.” Bits tapped her feet and the suit opened. She stepped up to the new one and ran her finger along the scaled seam. The carapace