Page 157 of Seven Oars
The conversation had happened in their own language, but Galan picked up on the tension.
Now Gro sputtered and choked. Her face reddened—he held her fast.
“I asked you a question, female.”He squeezed harder.
Rosamma jumped up.“She can’t talk if you hold her like that! Please, let her go!”
“She makes Anske sad,” he countered.
“Tough shit!” Eze yelled, barreling into Galan.“Anske makes us all sad with her holy howling. She’s annoying! She steals other people’s food, and she eats like a slob. Now, let Gro go!”
Gro was choking.
Galan swung at Eze with his free hand, sending her flying.
Rosamma saw red.
She snatched a stuffed old shirt she used for a pillow and pressed it into Galan’s face.
She didn’t want to suffocate him to death.She only wanted to suffocate him a little.
He thrashed.
Gro kicked up.
Eze recovered, and the three of them hung on him like barnacles.
“Call off your dog, you pious bitch!” Eze screamed at Anske.
Anske looked smug.“Gro’s mean. She deserves it.”She was already munching on something.
“Mooch.”
Galan’s fist connected with Eze’s jaw, snapping her teeth.
“Disturbance at the Cargo Hold. Disturbance at the Cargo Hold.”
Galan dropped Gro.“Crap. Tutti!”
Rosamma scrambled after Eze to the far side of the room.
Anske, too slow and in Tutti’s direct way, caught the zap.
She groaned as she fell in a manner of a toppled monument, and only her eyes reflected the intense loathing she felt toward the Cargo Hold inhabitants.
Attracted by the noise, Nud and Xorris poked their heads in from the passageway. They pointed fingers at Anske and guffawed at Galan, calling him a patch-faced dipstick in training.
Fawn trailed in, glassy-eyed, and laughed without tracking.
There was a minor scuffle where they trampled over Rosamma’s little mattress.
This went on until Galan cursed vividly, forgetting his newfound upright ways, and escaped the Cargo Hold, taking the circus away with him.
Once more, the women were alone.
“I hope you’re happy,” Gro said, gingerly rubbing her throat.
“Me? How’s that my fault?” Anske was almost crying.“I always suffer because of you.”
