David saw the #gaunt Inspector through the camera & spent a moment steeling himself. In that moment, Zaza quickly slipped to the hatch & whispered, "Hey, Mister. If you make David sad, we'll cry!"
David reached the hatch & the Inspector uncharacteristically smiled at him.
#vss365
Tagvss365
The Better Angels lined up in front of the replicator as David punched in the code for a Fun Meal over & over.
"Thank you, David!" Zaza said politely with a smile as she took hers.
The #smell of Fun Meals had become repellant to David, but he put on a smile for her.
#vss365
Revin's father sprang back from Emma brandishing the knife.
Revin barred the exit & put himself en garde, feeling his gorge rise with hatred confronting the monster of his childhood.
"You bitch!" his father hissed. "You ruined everything!" Then he threw the knife.
#vss365 #bar
David executed a long #burn to stay on schedule. Finally, he headed for his bunk. He tiptoed among the Better Angels sleeping on their bedrolls spread across the floor. Zaza grabbed his ankle & they sprang on him, pulling him to the floor.
"Cuddle-puddle!" they shrieked.
#vss365
David sat in the booth while the Better Angels recorded a new track. He tried to just sit quietly but, hearing clipping, he sprang to his feet & pushed the engineer aside. He checked the #meter, adjusted several knobs, & then gestured through the window.
"From the top!"
#vss365
The Better Angels stepped onto the red carpet. There were guards to #block the thousands of screaming girls that had turned out to cheer. The Angels struck a pose for the cameras & then paraded proudly across the docking ring to the elevator. David followed looking down.
#vss365
"If you accept," David said. "You'd no longer be #transient workers & could get permanent housing."
"What about you?" Zaza asked. The Better Angels looked at him. He shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.
"No!" they said in unison & sat on the deck crossing their arms.
#vss365
David locked the console as the ship headed toward the jump point. It had seemed so large. He swiveled, watching the girls running, squealing, & bouncing off the walls. He had lost his #solitude, but he had gained… Zaza grabbed his hand, "Come, David! Play with us!"
#vss365
Wagons rolled up & opened the hatch into the cellar. Porters rolled barrels of ale & crates of supplies down the steep steps. Revin noticed one wagon with burly men unloading a very long crate. He went down, cut the #band, and opened the crate revealing a dozen spears.
#vss365
David led the Better Angels on a #circuit of the Grand Mall. Zaza held his hand as the rest looked around.
"What would you like?" he asked.
They shouted pointing in different directions.
"Now, now. We need to all agree!"
They all pointed at McCools & shouted "Ice cream!"
#vss365