Episode 9.7

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Content warning:

The following episode includes scenes of Alkohol consumption from under age person which some viewers may find troubling. Know your Limit! Reader discretion is advised. 

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Okay, I should be more suspicious after last time. But my curiosity is strong. So I take the glass and examine it. Visually, the stuff looks like the juice I drank in Gasard's room. Next comes a cautious taste test. Just a sip. And it tastes like the juice again.

Delicious!

I immediately empty the glass, especially since the water was shut off today, and I haven't been able to drink anything since.

After a while, I realize there's no juice in the glass. But then I don't care. I only half notice Mak and Musator whispering. Some of the men have started talking to me, providing distraction.

"Do you think you should tell the girl that there's a fair amount of alcohol in the cocktail?" Musator asks Mak, who just shakes his head. "But she doesn't seem like she's used to it." Musator seems genuinely concerned about me. "Don't you feel guilty about it?"

"No!" Mak replies shortly.

"You surely don't intend to do what you suggested earlier!" Musator asks, looking shocked at Mak. Apparently, he thinks highly of him.

"While that would be amusing, no," Mak says.

"Janine, I'm sorry. The poor girl will surely feel awful tomorrow."

"I hope so!" Mak nods vigorously, looking genuinely happy at the thought.

A sigh comes from Musator. "What did the poor girl do to deserve this?"

"Firstly, because that cheeky brat called me old."

"That's subjective," the chubby one interjects.

Mak keeps his gaze on me as he continues. "Then because of the slap today." Now Musator looks surprised. "And lastly, because she made me look stupid in front of the guys earlier, when she should actually be thanking me for saving her."

"She slapped you?" Musator asks incredulously, to which Mak nods with a sigh. "I like this girl!" The chubby one laughs loudly, then observes me just like Mak.

While they chat, I talk with the other men. They ask about my planet and my family, as well as what I like to do. In the meantime, they keep refilling my glass.

I willingly tell them everything.

Harmless games are played, I remember all that. It's just what comes after that is wiped from my mind.

***

Will they find the person who poisoned the drinking water? I hope so.

Anyway, I can't imagine there's no way to catch them here.

Something else is bothering me.

Am I really just a burden to Gasard? Maybe I should try harder to help him.

And what about the bracelet? Will Musator really not tell anyone about it?

But somehow, I trust him on that.