Drifters

Inti's Watcher

Marie finished lunch, wondering what to do before the review. Playing cards with someone sounded like a good option. She was about to go in search of an opponent when Sophie came out of her room and paused, looking guilty.

"And where have you been?" Marie asked, taking her plate to the sink.

"Nowhere interesting," Sophie said, following her over. "Marie, I need to tell you something. We- I wasn't strong enough."

Marie turned to face her, leaning against the counter. She remembered she'd promised to talk to Razan, and wondered if this was about the same thing.

Sophie tugged nervously at her braid. "I was too weak. I- I had to ask for the platform early. Nop warned that there'd be a penalty, but I couldn't- I had to sit down. So we won't win, and it's my fault. I'm sorry."

Marie slowly nodded, clearing away one set of questions and hastily arranging another. "Sophie, how much do you think I care about winning first place?"

"Well, if we don't win, we won't get paid as much, so we need to do our best," Sophie tried.

"But we do still get paid. At minimum we get enough to eat for the week," Marie pointed out. She put her hand on Sophie's shoulder, smiling faintly. "How much do you think I care about you?"

"I- But- I wasn't strong enough. It was just eighteen minutes, and I couldn't make it," she said, sniffling.

Marie sighed, pulling her into a hug. "You did fine, thief. You're still alive, you didn't get hurt; that's plenty. You were smart and didn't push yourself. Well done, girl, well done."

"I still- I should have- I'm not strong enough. I have to do better. I keep failing."

"And even with your failures, I'm grateful you're in my group," Marie said gently. "You could have asked for the platform eighty minutes early, and I'd still value you being unharmed more. Your safety is worth more to me than any amount of gold."

Sophie whimpered, hugging Marie tightly. Marie wondered if the girl's parents had never shown her any affection at all; getting her to cry was far too easy.

Marie spent a few seconds patting Sophie's back, then decided it was time to move on. "Tell me, what did you do with Razan night before last?"

Sophie stiffened, tears and sniffling immediately stopping. "Nothing noteworthy," she said, backing out of the hug as she wiped her face.

Marie raised an eyebrow at her.

"We- Peter was asleep, so I went to Razan's room, and we played a round of cribbage."

Marie blinked slowly.

"That's not anything new," Sophie continued. "You and Peter are always playing, so we learned how to play just in case it ever came up."

"You've been betting on who will win?" Marie guessed. "That's why he has to make you breakfast every morning now?"

"Yes, precisely," the girl said, smiling. The smile briefly faltered, but she got it back up quickly.

Marie frowned. "And night before last, what did you win?"

"Well, he let me win, he broke up a double run just so-"

"Thief."

Sophie flinched. "I… asked him to kiss me."

Marie very carefully didn't react.

"I didn't- He- Well, I…" She stopped, watching Marie with wide eyes.

"Be careful," she said slowly, debating what advice to give.

"In what way?"

Marie glanced around the room, double-checking they were alone. "Peter is a good person. He doesn't deserve to be hurt. Razan is not a good person. He will hurt you."

Sophie was silent for a few seconds, looking at the floor. "I'm not a good person, am I?"

"Do you want to be?"

"Of course."

"Why?"

Sophie looked up at her. "Because…"

"Because your mother told you to be?" Marie asked. "I'm not a good person. I'm just me. What do you want to be?"

Sophie slowly smiled. "I want to be a thief."

Marie chuckled. This was going to end incredibly badly.

Peter watched the review, his arm around Sophie. For each group, it started out by focusing on the people in the jungle, then when they reached the button it focused on the climber.

He was surprised that many people didn't even try climbing down. They went up, untied their wrists, then simply waited for their teammates. It made sense, it cut the risk of falling, but it still felt like a waste of time in a race.

Knowing he was going to be asked to climb next, Peter focused on strategies. In the groups that did acceptably well, the climbers went in with rope wound around their waists. They tied it to the rope they were hung from, and used it to help climb down. When their group reached the bottom of the cliff, they didn't have as far up to go.

Peter waited for their group to be announced, wondering if the people faster than them had used rope. He was learning that everyone here kept strategies to themselves, even when talking to friends. Being a fast learner was an important quality.

"In fifth place, the Drifters!" the announcer called, and a polite amount of applause rang out in the crowd around them. "This group was attacked in the jungle by a horde of vicious beasts!"

On the wall, the pictures showed monkeys screaming and hurling things. Peter winced, hoping to never see another monkey as long as he lived.

"Aww, they're cute," Sophie said as the announcer went on about the vile creatures.

Peter looked at her as Razan grumbled, "Cute?"

"No, they're not," Marie said flatly.

Sophie shrugged, about to say something, but was distracted when the pictures switched to show her untying the rope from around her wrists. Peter watched images flash by, showing her getting lower and lower, as the announcer praised her speed.

"And once again, we get an energetic finish from this group!" the announcer called, showing Sophie running down what looked to Peter like a near-vertical cliff.

On the wall, Razan caught her and they fell to the ground, his hand on her bare waist.

Peter tensed, seeing them smile and joke. Next to him, the real Sophie took his hand. He looked down at her as the pictures changed to show the fourth-place winners.

She cheered for the Diamonds, and Peter started to wonder if Sophie cared how he felt at all. About anything. Or if she just wanted attention.

The announcer said that the Diamonds had the easiest time getting through the jungle, mostly because they had a dry stream bed to follow. They were lucky in terms of terrain.

Peter, at the moment, felt extremely unlucky. He pulled his hand away from Sophie, taking half a step back, and she didn't seem to notice.

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Marie noticed. The pirate raised an eyebrow at him, and all he could do was stare miserably back. At this point he half-suspected she could literally read minds, so he silently asked her what to do.

Third place went to the Wasps, who had convinced the rostari that wrapping their climber's forearms and calves in thin rope was a fashion choice. There were a few comments about how that wouldn't be allowed next time as the groups whispered ideas on how to copy the strategy.

Second place was announced for Dust, and again the crowd cheered.

Sophie turned, grabbing Peter's arm as she bounced in place. "Stars haven't been announced yet, Rani's team won!" she whispered to him, beaming.

Peter had to smile, putting his arm around her shoulders. "That's great."

He caught Marie shaking her head, and wondered if Sophie's bright eyes would hold him spellbound forever.

Razan moved through the crowd, finally stopping just in Innoka's field of view. She smiled her feline smile, taking a step away from the group around her. No one noticed.

He took a casual step sideways, and she took another step back, turning to face him. He bowed.

"Well done in the contest."

Innoka shook her head. "I panicked and froze after three minutes of climbing. It really wasn't a good job at all."

"But you made the attempt, knowing you might panic," Razan said. "That shows true bravery."

She blushed faintly, her dimple appearing. "Thank you. Your team did well; how did you deal with the monkeys in the end? It didn't show."

"Nop provided a barrier while we ate lunch. They got bored and wandered off," Razan told her. "I wish I could give an exciting tale of defeating them in combat, but no."

"And I wish you'd come to my room after dinner tonight," she said softly, golden eyes sparkling.

Razan bowed. "I will do anything you wish, if it is in my power."

"Anything? Well, I wish for a diamond necklace," she teased.

"Just a necklace?"

Her smile grew. "If you happen to come across diamond earrings I'll take them, but a necklace is enough."

"I shall do my best," he promised, seeing Antoni walking towards them.

Not wanting to risk strangling the man, Razan bowed to Innoka again and walked away. After a few steps he broke into a run, heading to the tables near their group area.

Sophie was at a table with Peter and Rani, sharing some dish from Rani's homeland.

"It's not that spicy," Peter was saying as Rani giggled and Sophie fanned her tongue.

Razan bowed to them, then turned to Sophie. "I need a diamond necklace."

She stopped moving, all three staring at him.

"And earrings, if possible," he added.

Rani burst into laughter as Peter continued staring at him as if he were insane.

Sophie took a gulp of water from a glass, then turned back to him. "Earrings I can provide; the only diamond necklace I have, the centerpiece is a ruby. If that's fine, would you like the bracelet to complete the set?"

Rani, whose laughter had cut off suddenly, jumped to her feet. "Wait, you have a diamond necklace?"

"Just the one," Sophie said apologetically. "Nop says diamonds are easy to find on some planets, so it's one of my more worthless sets."

"Hold on," Peter said. "Razan, why do you need a necklace?"

"Innoka asked for one," Razan told him.

"Did you know Sophie has a diamond necklace?"

"No, but if anyone could acquire one, it would be her."

Rani sat back down, crossing her arms. "If you'd told me you had a worthless set of diamond jewelry, I would have asked for it. What other worthless things do you have that you're willing to give away?"

"For you, I have a set of not-worthless amethyst jewelry," Sophie said sweetly. "It'll match your group colors perfectly."

From the huge smile on Rani's face, Razan assumed that was acceptable. From the frown on Peter's face, Razan assumed something was unacceptable.

"Sophie, don't just give expensive jewelry away," Peter said, earning him a glare from Rani.

"Why not?" Sophie asked. "I don't wear any of it. I was going to sell it if we ever became destitute, but we seem to be doing fairly well. I don't need it, and if it makes them happy…"

"It would make me very happy, yes," Razan said.

Peter ignored him. "I wouldn't mind you selling it, but don't give it away."

Sophie straightened her back primly. "I will gift Rani a set of jewelry, because she is my best friend and has been very helpful to me, hardly asking anything in return. But you're right about Razan; what shall we have him do to earn the diamonds?"

Razan leveled a glare at Peter.

Rani looked at the food on the table, then sat up. "Oh! I have an idea!"

Marie leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Louis chop vegetables. He'd always been an excellent cook, and time hadn't dulled his skills.

Ebba walked into the area, smiling when she saw Marie. "There you are. Your samurai is about to make a fool of himself; I thought you might like to know."

"What's he doing?" Marie asked.

Ebba grinned. "He accepted a spicy pepper eating contest against Rani."

Louis stopped chopping, turning around with a frown. "Does he have any idea how spicy Indian food typically is?"

"I doubt it!" Ebba answered cheerfully. "Peter was debating joining when I left to find you. I'm off to watch, I'll let you know if he passes out." She waved and walked out the door.

Marie rubbed her face. "That boy is nothing but trouble lately."

"Well, my love?" Louis asked, wiping his hands on a cloth. "Shall we go watch?"

"No. Leave the children to their own devices."

"Come on, you don't want to see people cause themselves pain for entertainment?"

"I just want supper," she said honestly.

He beamed. "And you shall get it, with a delay of ten or fifteen minutes."

Marie sighed. "Fine, but if I'm asked to hold someone's hair back as they puke up lava, you're the one who will suffer for it."

Louis happily agreed, and they went to the common area.

Down by the tables a group of people, mostly men, were cheering. Marie followed Louis over and pushed through the crowd, stopping next to Sophie.

Sitting at the table in front of plates of brightly-colored peppers were Razan, Peter, and Rani. Razan was looking a bit pallid, but the other two were fine.

"What are they doing?" Marie asked Sophie quietly.

Sophie smiled. "Razan wants a necklace from me, and to get it he has to eat a spicier pepper than Rani. Peter joined to prove Rani wasn't cheating, and that Razan is just weak."

Given that there were eight peppers left and Razan wasn't looking good, she assumed he was about to die. However, Marie also knew he wasn't likely to give up willingly. Especially considering there was only one reason he could want a necklace. She sighed as the three picked up the next pepper on their plates.

"Sophie, you're the judge?"

"Yes."

"Good. I'm taking Razan's place." She stepped forward, swiped the pepper from his trembling fingers, and shoved him out of the chair as she bit into it.

Razan fell to the ground as she took his seat, staring as she finished the pepper off. It was spicy, but nothing extreme.

He bowed deeply. "Captain."

Rani swallowed her pepper and grinned. Peter suddenly looked worried; he knew Marie's eating habits.

"I'm not sure how fair this is, auntie," Rani said, her tone apologetic but the grin still on her face. "We've already had several peppers."

Marie nodded as the crowd agreed. "A fair point. Shall I eat the hottest one next, then?" She picked up the one on the end, a grape-sized roundish red thing.

"That would make eating the others pointless," Peter said. Again, the people watching agreed.

Rani picked up the hottest one. "True. So we all eat this one next."

Peter slowly lifted his pepper, very unsure. He glanced behind Marie to where Sophie was, then nodded.

"Ready?" Rani asked. She waited for them to nod, and bit her pepper in half.

Peter followed her example, whimpered, and immediately spit the thing out. He shuddered, pushing himself away from the table as people cheered his bravery.

Smirking, Marie put the whole pepper into her mouth and pretended to chew. She moved her jaw up and down, holding the whole thing on her tongue.

Rani swallowed and took a drink of milk, warily watching Marie.

Marie swallowed her mouthful of saliva, pressing the pepper against her teeth, then winced and coughed into her hand. The pepper hit her palm and dropped into her wide sleeve. She wiped her mouth, swallowed again for show, and grinned at the girl across from her.

Nervously, Rani put the second half of the pepper into her mouth. She was sweating, her face going red. Finally she knelt over the table and coughed, half the pepper falling out of her mouth. "Nope. No, that's too much. How- You win."

Marie smiled, getting to her feet as people cheered. "I have experience, child." She casually picked the least-spiciest pepper off the plate and bit into it. "Sophie, is that entertaining enough for you?"

Sophie debated, looking at all the peppers still on the table. "I suppose. Yes, Marie, standing in for Razan, is the winner," she declared, and there were more cheers.

"Thank you, Captain," Razan said sincerely, bowing again.

Marie crossed her arms. "This won't happen a second time," she warned, and walked away.

Louis followed her. "You know, if I added that pepper to our dinner, you could truthfully tell people you ate it should anyone ask."

She laughed. "You saw that?"

"I expected something of the sort," he admitted. "Not that you aren't capable of eating one of those things whole, of course, but you do tend to cheat."

"How spicy is it?" she asked, shaking her arm to get the pepper into her hand again now that they were out of the crowd. She turned it, looking it over. "Would you be able to stomach it?"

"Only one way to find out!"

"Louis, if at some point this evening you end up puking up lava, I will be upset."

He happily agreed, waving her into his group's area.

Razan watched the blue glow grow and fade as he was transported to Innoka's room. Innoka was standing, watching him arrive with a smile.

He bowed, holding out the set of jewelry Sophie had given him. "I hope these are acceptable."

Innoka faltered, whatever word she'd been about to say trailing off. After a few seconds he looked up to find her staring with mouth agape.

He shrugged, standing straight. "Not fully diamond, but the best I could-"

She cut him off with a kiss.