Shoya Kasamali

He heard her hiss and paused to glance down at her. “Sorry.” Spoken flatly, as though it was automatic and not a careful expression of real regret. “Is that worse off than it looks, Kasamali?”

“I’s not a bother.  Helpin’ someone helps yourself, right?  I mean, I’d want someone to help me if I was wanderin’ around hungry.”  He managed to smile in a way he hoped was fondly.  Fitz nodded in the direction of one of the few places he knew had a vending machine, a couple of blocks away, and then his own stomach growled.  “Mmm, well…I’ll grab somethin’, too.”

   Perhaps Shoya was correct. Perhaps Kara would never fully understand. Fear, she understood. Feeling unsafe… of course. But she knew her life was not as valuable as Shoya’s. She knew, innately, if she were to meet her end, for all else… things would be fine. 

   Gray eyes fell downwards. “You just did.” Regardless of rank, Kara was required to answer to humanoid life forms.

   If they told her to do something… she had to do it.

   Perhaps her emotions could not be controlled like so, but her actions had just been dictated.

   She smiled, hard, sad. “Won’t you tell me if you need anything, Shoya? Whenever or whatever it is.” 

   And with those words, she turned to leave. 

Right. Kara had to obey any direct statements, a system that horrified Shoya every time she remembered it. She should probably say something, make it clear that wasn’t actually an order... but she couldn’t bring herself to.

Giving a little nod Monet idly browsed through the shop herself. She had no interest in going into Shoya’s head deep enough to figure out what the woman wanted, and it seemed easier to let Shoya take care of it all.

The sudden question made her pause for a moment. “Well, no…not directly. You could try to get a job, and then. Oh never mind. Here” Waving one hand she motioned for Shoya to hand the stuff over. There was no way the shop owner would accept anything but cash, credit, or a trade of some sort.

“I have more then enough money believe me. I’ll pay for it all, and then meet you outside. Please don’t waste my time arguing, and no there’s no debt. I’m not like Xavier or Magneto.”

The gesture left Shoya genuinely stunned, and it was a few moments before she could form words again. “You do not have to do that,” she finally managed. She would not argue, but it made no sense. Even if she had the money, why would she perform such a favor, and then expect nothing in return?