Thornless Rose by Mill, T.C.

of Master Ementide, he didn't molest me on sight—which, coupled with his appearance, suggests he's a stranger to Corrina—and he seemed to understand me when I invited him here." "Not for breakfast, I hope," Tyrel managed. "As we don't have any." His stomach could have gone without the reminder that it hadn't been full since this time yesterday, but he was able to ignore physical discomfort as he considered Verithe's discovery. "So the communications engineer survived the crash of the Entiral ." "And evaded capture, which is more than we can say for the rest of the crew." "It's been—Shaper's... well, almost a standard year." "Ten and three-quarters standard months, or two hundred and twelve local days. Two hundred and twelve unrepeatable days." The words came in perfect Union, the voice itself a little hoarse, worn about the edges. As was the speaker himself. Straight black hair had gone thin and long, coffee-dark eyes sunk in a face the color of new ivory, too pale for health. Still, Santiro Ementide's round face broke into a pleasant smile. Once a sturdy man, he had lost a lot of weight, so that the stained coveralls just recognizable as Union's standard-issue uniform hung loosely from his shoulders, but at least he hadn't starved. "All that time, and rarely a friendly face." He held out his hand, which Tyrel grasped warmly. "Rarely?" Veri asked. "Er..." Santiro cleared his throat and pinched the bridge of his short nose. "I'll make introductions over breakfast." Breakfast t