<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/K01L4x7.jpg?1)</div>At first it was surprising that there was other life in the galaxy. And when there were folk like her Agellesian species (upright, two arms, two eyes, communicates verbally, etc) it seemed proof of a shared galactic origin. But it wasn't long for Nazoli's wonder to turn to horror when she discovered that the humans, the elves, and seemingly all the other species could be just as ignorant as the worst of Agellesiankind.<br/><br/><em>What is she going to do to me? Am I going to become a prisoner, a bargaining chip? Food?</em>Countless horrid possibilities swam through Nazoli's head when Astrae rescued her, all the mental images of slavering monstrous aliens coming to mind in spite of her liberal mentality in seeing the worth of every sapient life form. She still felt guilty about that day, guilty that she still felt tinges of resentment against the citizenry of the Pact Worlds who proved indifferent to the riots.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Nazoli, knowing that she'd have no other company, elected to remain clad in a bath towel while she examined her earnings for the day. She frowned at the lack of credits, but what was even more insulting was the 1 star review. The Agellesian's fists balled up in anger at this black mark which will haunt her for the rest of her "career." But what she did not mind the smell of propellant or blood that came with her roommate's arrival. On the contrary, it brought a bit of a weak smile to her otherwise rotten day.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry," she responded. "The hotels, even the hourly rate ones, are too costly and I got to save up when I can."<br/><br/>And then the bomb dropped. Nazoli remained silent. "I...ummm...no, the client was a miser. I...I guess I'll work overtime on the day and night shift."<br/><br/>She couldn't even face her friend. She didn't even tell her how many credits she got unless it was asked.<br/><br/>"Well...goodnight Astrae. I promise I'll make it up to you tomorrow."<br/><br/>Pulling the blanket over her head, Nazoli drifted off to sleep.