Tori (Patreon)

I didn't plan on getting you guys another Tori scene before the month's end, but whaddayaknow? I've got a new one!

I'm not 100% certain whether this is the same day as Daskatoma's latest visit or not. That'll be worked out later.

——— 

Tori stared in the mirror and frowned. Her skin was covered in little patches of scar tissue that would never grow fur again, but if she smoothed her pelt down, many of the bare spots could be covered.

Many but not all. The irregular, fist-sized spot over her heart was so large that nothing could cover the naked, weirdly textured skin. Plus, the center of her chest was in such an inconvenient spot! She couldn’t find any way to stand or position her arms to conceal that injury—short of hiding behind Druka, or better yet, hiding in the apartment. Not that either was an option, if she planned to solve these cases before the next inspection.

Her mate stepped into the bathroom and peeked over Tori’s shoulder. She caught his eye in the mirror and groaned, “I’m hideous.”

“You’re healing,” he said. It was a lie but a well-intentioned one at that. Scars never really healed. “We don’t have to go out,” he reminded her. “We don’t have to celebrate Visitor Day if you’re not up to it.”

Tori sighed. “No. I need to. This will be the best opportunity I’ll get to talk with a broad cross-section of the crew—geroo I wouldn’t speak to normally. Maybe if we talk to enough, I can get this investigation going in the right direction.”

“Well, then I’m glad I got you some V-Day presents,” Druka said with a smile.

What was left of Tori’s ears perked up. “You did?”

Aboard geroo gate ships, there were only two official holidays—days that the krakun allowed the geroo to celebrate—Visitor Day to commemorate when the krakun first visited Gerootec, and Exodus when the geroo left Gerootec aboard Planetary Acquisitions ships. Exodus was typically a quiet celebration with family and friends, a way to give thanks for all the good in their lives, but on V-Day the geroo would throw open their doors, welcoming anyone who wandered in. Neither were typically gift-giving holidays.

Druka pulled a small flat box from behind his back and flipped it open to reveal a band of deep green cloth that sparkled like jewels. Tori’s eyes popped open. “Is that … a sash?” she whispered.

She had never owned a sash before. Geroo only ever wore cloth at the very fanciest of parties—the sort of parties thrown by those who lived at the very top of the ship. Stunned, she stared for several moments, speechless. “Kind of fancy … for deck fifteen.”

“Perhaps,” he said, removing the gift from its box. He carefully draped the nearly weightless cloth over her shoulder so that the band of green crossed the center of her chest before looping back around the opposite hip. It was the perfect width to conceal the bald patch over her heart but yet narrow enough to look elegant instead of gaudy. “But considering the circumstances, I’m sure everyone would understand you wearing it whenever you wished.”

Tori turned to face him. She rubbed the sheer cloth between the pads on her index finger and thumb, wishing she could feel it. Eventually, she stared into his green eyes. “It’s amazing, Druka,” she whispered, “just like you.”

She leaned forward to kiss him, but he raised his paws. “Wait! Wait! There’s still one more”

“Hon,” she sighed, “you don’t have to give me anything—” But her words trailed off as he snatched the item from just outside the door. “A weapon? Oh, Druka, I’m in no state to fight anyone off—”

“It’s not a weapon!” he yarped. The aluminum tube was about a meter long, as thick as his thumb, and bent at the end so that the last ten centimeters were at a right angle to the rest. “I’ve been reading about life on Gerootec before the exodus. It said that when geroo had difficulty walking, they would fashion these ‘canes’ to help them get about.”

“A crutch?”

“Not exactly,” he said, “but similar. I used a little of Aziz’s money to bribe my boss into turning his ears the other way while I made it. Then, I anodized it green to match the sash.” He rolled it in his fingers so it would sparkle in the bathroom’s light.

She reached out to touch his thoughtful gift. He’d even affixed a little rubber pad to the bottom of the cane to keep it from sliding against the aluminum decks.

“And the sash?” she asked.

“I … sorta blew all my savings on that,” he admitted. Her dark eyes lit with alarm and he rushed to explain, “I figured that there’s no way our salaries are ever going to cover the rent on this level fifteen apartment. So, since we have to use some of Aziz’s money for that, then we don’t really need my savings…”

Tori frowned, feeling worried. “I need that money to bribe the doctor,” she reminded him, but it wasn’t like she needed to. He knew better than anyone.

“I know. I know, hon,” he swore. “There’s still plenty left and there’s nothing else we really need. I won’t waste it.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “Did you talk Doctor Amhela into taking the bribe?”

She tried the cane in one paw and then the other, walking carefully out into the living room, unassisted. “He’s resisting,” she sighed. “Says he’s worried about getting in trouble with the administrators.”

“Well, I get the impression that Holly is the only administrator left on this ship at the moment,” said Druka. “He seems like a nice guy. I think he’d champion you.”

“I suspect you’re right,” agreed Tori, “but I’ll need to talk to him about it first. Last thing I want is to arrange a sit-down for the three of us and then find out that he’s against it.”

Druka nodded and Tori smiled. “This cane is pretty great. Thanks! I guess you’re tired of me leaning on you when we walk together?”

“Hardly!” he yarped. “That’s why I only made you one.”

Druka set three bottles of wine and a few glasses on the table before the pair left the apartment with the door wide open. Usually, family members would take turns staying behind on V-Day to welcome guests that stopped in, but, as always, Druka insisted on staying by Tori’s side. It hardly mattered, really. The apartment was practically bare and certainly devoid of any personal items—neither of them had brought anything with them—should someone decide to rob them.

Biiz waved to the pair as they strolled by the neighbor’s apartment. “Happy Visitor’s Day, Tori! Happy Visitor’s Day, Druka!”

They returned the greeting and touched paws before Biiz said, “You two have to come inside! I’d like for you to meet Thojy. He’s the nicest guy, so very generous. That’s his downfall, frankly.”

“Yeah, you mentioned that he had our apartment before they had to move down a deck,” said Druka. “That happened to us once. It was horrible. Nearly split us up.”

Tori nodded. “It did for a while, actually.”

Biiz lowered his voice. “This is more of a chronic problem.” He whistled quietly, and pointing down, he dropped his paw toward the deck. “I’ve tried to talk some sense into him, but he won’t live on a budget. They just keep moving down to economize anytime they can’t make rent.” He shook his head. “Please don’t let him give you anything, okay?”

Inside, Biiz made the introductions, “Thojy is a computer programmer. Druka works in manufacturing, and Tori is a crime investigator.”

The middle-aged male’s hazel eyes opened wide. “You’re tracking down our serial killer?” he asked. “Well, this is an honor!” He touched her pads and lowered his voice, “Though honestly? Please take your time. Based on his other targets, I just know my supervisor has to be on his hit list, and I’m praying he gets around to her before he gets caught.”

“Aw, that’s terrible,” cried Biiz, slapping his friend’s shoulder.

“No, terrible is the pool we’ve got going at work. Someone’s gonna make a fortune if they can guess his next victim.” He grabbed a glass and a bottle of brandy from the table. “Of course, I’m sure I’ll have to split it if I win. I know I can’t be the only one to bet on Nija. Here, try some of this brandy,” said Thojy, “it’s the best you’ll find on this ship!”

“Thanks, but no,” said Tori after receiving a stern look from Druka. “I’m still on pain pills from my accident. I’m not allowed any alcohol.”

“Well, I suppose your mate will just have to enjoy it for you,” he said as he handed the glass to Druka.

Biiz looked frustrated. “You really shouldn’t bring us such expensive gifts,” he complained.

“Pshaw,” grunted Thojy as he tipped a little brandy into his own glass. “I can’t return it now!”

Tori narrowed her eyes. “That tablet you gave Inea was awful generous too,” she said, guessing its origin.

“Just a hand-me-down,” he said with a wave of his paw. “I wanted a new one anyhow, and the poor’s cub’s tablet was in a bad way. He could barely make it through his homework without it crashing.”

Biiz shook his head and turned his eyes to Tori. “Let me get you some juice. Okay, Tori?”

“Sure. That would be lovely,” she said.

———

Reviewer's link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jJhf3AF-HdMAJY4Zz8AAZLO9jQFLJLmr-hBq7MgKWnU/edit?usp=sharing

Thoughts?