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Makkari's leg bounced restlessly as she dabbed at the layer of grime on the relief sculpture's surface. It was a new addition to her collection – something to keep her busy while they wandered space. Druig and Thena flashed her jaded looks when she carried the stuff onto the ship, but she promised she'd bring them back to Earth once the mission was done. Since Arishem kidnapped their family and might destroy the planet anyway, that plan was looking more complicated than she originally thought.
She usually had no problem keeping still while working with her collection, but she couldn’t concentrate properly with the war going on across from her. Eros and Pip were playing one of her board games. Or, at least they were before Pip accused Eros of not understanding the rules. The overlapping, nonsensical vibrations were getting more distracting by the minute. Her thoughts drifted to Thena, who was still making dinner. Surely, with five people to cook for, she could spare some work for Makkari?
Magically, Eros snapped out of his fury when she stood. His doe eyes turned up to her.
"Where are you going?" he asked in halting sign.
"To help Thena. She has a lot to do.”
He perked up at the opportunity.
“Can I help?”
“We can manage, thanks. See you in a couple hours.”
He started to sign something else, but she zipped off before his hands formed a word. From the kitchen doorway, it looked like Thena had already finished all the prep. She was standing over a large pot on the stove, but something was wrong. Her body was rigid, her shoulders were hunched, and she was trembling. Makkari’s eyes widened. She didn’t think before coming to stand alongside Thena, still giving her a wide berth. She leaned over to get a look at her face. Her pupils were clear, but her eyes were wet, and her face was contorted in bitterness. Makkari realized it was maybe not a good idea to pop into her space if she was having an episode.
“What’s wrong?” Makkari signed gently.
Thena blinked and looked at her. She shook her head. Her left hand was clenched tightly around a stirring spoon, and her right was balled into a fist on the stovetop. She unclenched it with effort.
“It’s not right.”
She inhaled. Makkari didn’t understand yet, but she waited patiently.
“This is Gil’s recipe. It doesn’t taste right.”
Thena bowed her head. It didn’t stop Makkari from seeing the tears fall. The smaller woman raised her hands slowly.
“Can I hug you?”
Thena nodded, and Makkari enfolded her. As tight as Ajak would, if she were here. She couldn’t remember ever touching Thena outside of battle moves or rescues. Gradually, Thena stopped shaking. She pulled back and swiped away the tears under her eyelids.
“Thank you.”
Makkari shook her head and smiled.
“He might still be out there. If he is, we’ll find him. Everything’s going to be ok.”
Thena gave her a small smile. She nodded almost to herself and turned back to the pot.
“Do you need help?” Makkari asked.
“No. It needs to stew for a while.” Thena looked at her sideways. “Were you trying to escape Starfox?”
She grinned. “Sorta.”
“You can wash the dishes.”
Makkari saluted her and turned towards the sink.