Braze brightened at seeing her interest in the creature he'd mentioned.
"Ah, yes… he kept a good eye on me whenever Okuma slept," Braze explained,
"Practically drooling every time he watched me."
"Yeah, I make him a mix... Mostly chicken and rice, with a few peas and carrot pieces tossed in," he added conversationally.
He led her toward the ship. For now, he'd quarantined the creature to one of the cabins rather than confining it to the kennels below. Specifically, he'd given it the Haven Suite, the one with the large observation window at the forefront of the ship, offering plenty of space for the beast to move about and watch the stars.
Braze stopped by the kitchen to retrieve the meal he'd prepared earlier, reheating it and picking up a washcloth to clean the water bowl. Then he led her down the corridor toward the suite.
From outside the suite, faint sounds drifted through the door, like the thumping of something heavy moving across the deck plates, followed by a deep, guttural rumble that could have been a growl or a huff of recognition. The air carried the faint tang of warm fur and sterilized metal, a scent that clung to the hallway despite the ship's filtration systems.
A claw scraped softly against the interior wall, then came the distinct sound of a nose pressing to the door's seam, a muffled snort, followed by a few impatient chuffs. The creature knew who had come.
Braze paused, resting a hand against the doorframe for a moment before keying it open. The lock clicked with a soft hiss, and the panel slid aside. Warm light spilled into the corridor, tinted golden by the illumination panels he'd adjusted to mimic late afternoon sunlight.
Inside, the Haven Suite looked more like a temporary habitat. Blankets and padded mats covered the floor were accompanied by a few make shift toys, some scavenged from the cargo hold, others clearly crafted by Braze himself, lay scattered near the center of the room. One was a length of braided synthrope, frayed and chewed at both ends. Another, a half-dented training drone, blinked feebly where the creature had gnawed through its casing.
The beast itself stirred from near the observation window. Muscles rippled under its thick coat as it rose. A low, throaty rumble vibrated through the floor when it saw him.
"It's alright," Braze murmured as he stepped inside, his voice low and steady.
"I know. You've been patient."
He set the warmed bowl on the floor and crouched beside it, using the damp cloth to wipe out the water dish with care. The creature drew closer, sniffing his sleeve before lowering its head to eat, letting out a short, almost grateful rumble.
It had been nearly two weeks since it had last seen Okuma. In that time, Braze had been the one tending to it, feeding, cleaning, and keeping it company during the quiet hours.
Braze retrieved the bowl and slipped into the refresher to fetch some fresh, clean water leaving Saram alone with it.
The creature lifted its head for a moment eyeing Saram. Its ears flicked, nostrils flaring as it tasted the air witha few snuffles. A low rumble rolled from its chest, not quite a growl, but heavy enough to warn that it was aware of her. Muscles tensed under its coat, shoulders rising and falling with slow, breaths.
Yet, even through that guarded posture, curiosity lingered. It didn't back away. Instead, it lowered its head slightly, golden eyes following her every movement.
It looked toward the refresher door, as if waiting for Braze's return, before deciding how close to let her come.
