Her room blared as the alarm rang and Foxy woke up with a start. She hopped from her bed and looked around wide-eyed. How should she stop the noise? In her daze, she hopelessly looked around for a button, or something; her heart thudding against her ribs.

"Stop, stop, stop." Foxy murmured underneath her breath. "Stop!" She yelled in frustration; the alarm stopped, and the light to her room brightened. Foxy stared around in horror. This was going to get some used to. Foxy scrubbed her face clean, and her teeth, she tried to comb her hair. She looked at her appearance -- compared to Isa's bright grey, Foxy had dark eyes.

Foxy sighed, as she looked away she realised she could do with some food. So, she decided to head to the canteen. But first, she needed to do something . . .

"Please tell me the schedule."

She was met with silence.

Foxy blinked.

"Provision, please, tell me the schedule."

"Hello, Foxy, hope you enjoyed your nap . . ."

Then, the ship told her the schedule. The ship followed Omnian time in space, until they were docked on other asteroid belts or another planet. It felt so odd to learn about this.

She memorized the schedule, as the ship explained it to her, telling her about wake up calls, breakfast times, and other such times. Once, the ship was done explaining, Foxy got up. She stared at her room, and then at the sheet on her bed. She went and folded it as properly as she could with a bad hand, then she opened the door to her quarters.

It took her some time to find the canteen. In her tour, she had been so distracted by Kez's words. She had to climb a little ladder to reach and she was surprised to see Kez and Isa. They were talking but stopped when they spotted her.

"Hey, kiddo. Slept well?"

Foxy blinked as she registered the image in front of her. She had never seen Kez without her top hat or overcoat. He was only wearing his white shirt, untucked, and black pants. He was not wearing his golden-rimmed spectacles; and he barely had hair, but it was neatly combed to one side. He had a small blue cup in his hand and he sipped from it, leaning against the counter. Isa was on the table, he had a similar cup beside him; he was scribbling something on a notebook. He didn't look up at her, but she was expecting it.

"Yes, thank you for letting me." She said being polite.

Kez gave her an odd look, as if she said something weird, then smiled, "You ever tried coffee, kiddo?"

Foxy shook her head. He limped and brought his cup close to her eye level. She peered inside to stare at a dark liquid that smelled bitter. She cringed. He chuckled.

"Best stuffs; the beans are from here, this shit-ridden planet, can you imagine? In some village, in the middle of nowhere . . ." Kez chuckled. "Some feisty people there. Needed a lot of convincing . . . " His eyes twinkled. ". . . a lot of incentives."

Foxy smiled. But she stood there, unaware where to go. Isa looked up. "There are some juices in the fridge." He didn't look at her as she spoke but it was directed at her. She nodded, but didn't move. Kez smiled and then with his cane tapped on a small cupboard beside him. She walked towards it, opened the door the way Isa had, cold air washed her face, she bent to see plenty of canned fruits, food, and juices. Foxy smiled as she picked a juice can at random.

"The glasses are to your left." Isa said, again, without looking.

"Look at the kid, when you speak, brat."

Isa sighed, then looked at her lazily, "Right there," he pointed at another cupboard. She nodded, clicked it open, took out the glass. She struggled to carry both the things to the table. Then, with her good hand, she poured in the juice. It smelled so good. She sat away from Isa, in the hopes that she won't disturb him, and then took a sip of the juice. A flavour of sour and sweet attached her tongue. The juice tasted so good!

She ensured that her sips were small and she took time with her juice. She was well aware that Kez was watching her. So she took this opportunity to ask a question that hit her as she drank.

"Why are we still here? I thought . . ." she hesitated, ". . . I assumed that we will leave soon."

"Aye, kiddo. We're waiting on a shipment to arrive. It's taking a wee bit of time than expected. Idris is dealing with it."

"Is he not here?" Foxy asked innocently.

"Nah, kiddo, he left mid-tour."

This surprised her. For some reason, she had thought that the two men always did things together. At least, that's what she had observed. Apparently, that was not the case.

"Don't you want to ask the brat what he is doing, kiddo?" Kez asked.

Isa huffed, put his pencil down and glared at Kez, "Can you stop calling me that?"

Foxy was horrified at the tone he used. She would never . . . and then another realisation hit her. He used that tone because they were comfortable with each other.

Kez chuckled, "I'll stop calling you that if you stop acting like one."

"I don't act like a brat!" Isa folded his hands against his chest. He didn't raise his voice.

"Did you not comment on her clothes inside her room?" Kez asked pointing his cane at Isa. He held his cup in his other hand.

"No," Isa lied easily.

Kez diverted his gaze on her, "Foxy?"

Foxy felt herself going red. She looked at Isa, then at Kez, then at her feet under the table. "I don't know."

"Ah," Kez grinned. "Silence. Foxy, dear, you have to be better than that if you want to support him." Then he tapped the table with his cane. "See, brat!"

"I just pointed out that her clothes don't fit her! I also told her that we will also buy her new ones in Nobu; that's me being helpful. How's that bratty?" Isa's nose flared but his pose remained the same. He was so controlled, she admired that.

"By saying so, kid, you made her feel like you were looking down upon her. She liked those clothes before you shat on it with your words. You made her doubt herself. Usually, she tucked her shirt, and looked neat. Now, since you pointed out that her clothes are ill-fitted, she realised there was no point trying . . ." Kez said. He didn't raise his volume. In fact, he spoke to Isa as if giving a lesson. She was surprised how much he observed her or everything. She looked at her shirt. Is that why she didn't tuck it?

"I just pointed out the obvious." Isa stood his ground.

"Aye, point it out, but there needs to be tact involved, kid."

"I can't do tact . . ."

"That's what makes you a brat." Kez chuckled.

Isa huffed again, then went back to his notebook. A small ping was heard, and then Kez walked away, climbing down the ladder and disappearing. Foxy stared at Isa and then took her glass and headed to her room. She would finish her drink there. She had to make a plan . . .