"We call it night tea. Very popular amongst those that pull late-night shifts." I shrug. "Does it not meet your approval?"
"Oh, I'm still going to drink all of it," she says, taking another sip. "I was just expecting coffee. They smell alike. Do you have sugar? Cream?"
I blink. "Why?"
"To put in my coffee-tea-whatever?" She gestures at the mug. "To sweeten it?"
I make a face, rather horrified at the thought. Why would you sweeten a hot drink? It sounds disgusting. But I dig through the bowls scattered on the table, find a creamy, dairy-based pudding that I find achingly sweet but some seem to enjoy and bring it to the bedside as an offering. She tastes a little of it, makes a happy noise, and then dumps the entire bowl into her night tea and stirs it into a creamy mess.
I try not to gag at the sight.
"Okay, this stuff is amazing," Ruth says, cradling the mug close to her lips as if she's afraid it'll be snatched from her. She peers over the rim at me. "Do you have any other sweets here? Those aren't what I had in mind." She points at one of the airy sporeling tufts, one of my personal favorites. "Are those tofu?"
I don't know what tofu is, but the way she says it makes it sound revolting. "They are a delicacy crafted from mushrooms."
She makes a face. "Cake? You promised us cake once."
This creature has the palate of a child. I pull out a sweet bread that's topped with a fruit compote and bring it to the bed, and she makes a ravenous sound. Ruth doesn't even bother with eating utensils. She just sets down her tea, picks up the entire cake with her hand, and starts eating it by the fistful. It crumbles all over her but she doesn't care, licking fruit off her fingers and making happy sounds as she eats.
I should be revolted. Part of me is, but the other part of me watches her tongue flick over the side of her hand, catching a drip, and then I find myself fascinated…and full of self-loathing for even paying attention to something like that.
Once she finishes the cake, she sighs and picks up her tea again, drinking more of it with a blissful expression on her face. Silently, I take another cake from the table and bring it to her. All this food will go to waste unless we eat it, but I don't think that will be a problem. She tugs the plate toward her and picks up one of the eating sticks at least, then looks at me. "So where are we going if we're not going back to the Star just yet?"
I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. "Why should I tell you?"
"You shouldn't." She smirks. "But I figured it couldn't hurt to ask."
As she picks up the tea mug again, I can't help but notice that she's very…casual now. Almost friendly. Is it because she's eating? Or because she's trying the same plan I am—to befriend the enemy to get them to spill their secrets? I suspect it's the latter and decide to drop a few hints. "My uncle, Lord va'Rin, is very familiar with human slavery. He'll know what to do."
"Charming," she says in a flat voice. "We're going to see the head slavemaster. I can't wait."
I open my mouth to correct her and then stop. Let her think what she likes. If it makes her desperate, she'll tell me a bit more about what's going on. "You don't approve?"
She just gives me an angry look. "What's the plan with me, then?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, what's your goal?" She gestures with her mug. "You have me chained to your bed. I'm naked. What's the plan here? What are you going to do with me? Can you at least tell me that so I can adjust my mindset?"
"You mean so you can prepare?" I scoff. "The last thing I would do is tell the enemy my plans."
Her eyes narrow. "Are you…going to make me serve you, then? Is that why I have no clothes?"
"I am not interested in a human bedslave." My lip curls with distaste. "And you have no clothes because you were the one that stole into my tub."
"Can I have some clothes, then?"
I consider this. I should dress her, absolutely. If nothing else, so the crew has faith in me once more. Even so, I don't like the thought of just giving this female everything she asks for. I need to keep the upper hand. "Tell me more about the Star and we'll see about getting you some clothes."
She rolls her eyes and tosses back the last of her tea abomination. "What do you want to know?"
Is this another one of her tricks? "I need to know—"