Genetics and Technics

They parked in front of a hotel and Dylan got them three rooms, and led the group up to their floor. The three rooms were all adjoining.

Rhianna studied the rooms silently, while Larra stared at them, as if amazed by the sight.

"Stop gawking," Rhianna whispered in her room before regarding the surroundings again.

Dylan gave them the keys to their room. "Feel free to order anything you want from the room service."

Rhianna nodded in understanding before abruptly shutting themselves into the room and breathing out a heavy sigh. She locked the door and at last let go of Larra's hand. Larra ran immediately to the window to see the view. Rhianna watched her go, then asked, "Why did you say you thought they wouldn't hurt us?"

Larra didn't turn from the window as she mused over the reasons, "Their body language wasn't consistent with it, neither was their speech patters and intonations. And if they did mean to turn us in, they would have got the authorities to meet with them sooner, like they said." Her voice lowered to a saddened whisper. "We're dangerous, you know. Civilians wouldn't want to tangle with us on their own." She brightened again, still staring out the window. "Unless they're trained. Which doesn't make sense either."

Rhianna blinked at her, then shook her head and sat on the bed. "I guess."

Dylan and Seraphina retired to their room, and Kendran to his. Kendran slept. Dylan and Seraphina stayed up talking. "What are we going to do with them, Dylan?"

"We'll help them as long as we can. Find them a place to stay."

Rhianna and Larra took turns sitting guard through the night; though Larra's sitting guard ended with her falling asleep also.

The next morning, everyone awoke with the sunrise.

Rhianna woke as soon as she heard people moving around. She frowned when she saw Larra had fallen asleep and shook her hard to wake her up. "Larra! Wake up."

Larra wobbled upright. "What? No, is it time?" She blinked at Rhianna, confused. "What?"

Rhianna rolled her eyes and checked the door, ensuring it had remained closed and locked during the night, and that no one was waiting outside. Meanwhile, Larra rubbed her eyes and tried to wake up the rest of the way.

Dylan rapped lightly on their door.

[OYAN tsunami!]

Rhianna peered through the peephole before sliding the door open slightly.

['Night!]

"Let's go get some breakfast at the cafe next door, and we can discuss what we're going to do."

[How's 3Day going?]

Rhianna nodded. "Just a minute." She walked quickly to Larra, who still sat yawning on the bed, and wrapped the scarf snugly around the collar before hauling Larra to her feet and leading the still half asleep girl to the door.

Dylan led everyone next door to the cafe, telling them to order whatever they wanted.

Larra peered at the menu, made a face, then poked Rhianna and quietly consulted her about the different foods. Rhianna directed her to a good choice before deciding to get the same herself. That done, Larra continued to stare at her menu, though in actuality spent most of the time peering over the edge of it at the others.

After their food arrived, Seraphina spoke for the trio, since the boys were eating. "Why don't you tell us who you are and what you're running from, to start with."

Rhianna blinked. "You don't know who we are?"

"We haven't a clue. We could just tell that you were runaways."

Rhianna studied the group before her, sizing up the situation. They didn't know where they were from... so she could tell them water she pleased, right? There was no reason to tell the truth, that they were runaways from the games and had a high price on their heads. No, she didn't have to give them a reason to turn them in. She took a deep breath and lowered her gaze. "We ran away from home."

"The usual tale. Now let's have the truth."

Rhianna frowned a little. "That is the truth," she said, a little too insistently.

"I'm an empath, little one. I know you're lying."

Rhianna blinked. "A what?"

Larra perked up just long enough to spout off a definition before sinking back into her chair and silence again.

Rhianna hesitated, sighed. "Fine. We're..." What kind of half-truth could she tell that might pass? "We're servants."

"What kind?"

Rhianna shifted uncomfortably. "Maybe we should go."

Larra looked up from the table, looking as if she would protest, but deciding against it.

"Not a smart move." Dylan was holding up a butter knife, looking at the reflection in the metal, which showed the street outside. Two cops [or the equivalent] were loitering, looking for troublemakers.