Legacy Of Korr by M Barlow Page B

divided regions—each had their own government, history, religion, language, and culture. She learned about sports, arts, and entertainment. She learned what Friday prayers were—a speech followed by a short prayer that lasted an hour, two for the devoted. So what had Hala been doing for four hours?
    Her sisters would’ve been relieved to have the place for themselves, but Alissara was lonely. Speaking of her sisters, the last time she’d seen them was after the battle. Over the past few days, she’d missed them more than she thought possible. Sometimes they picked on her—training sessions were the worst—but there was no one she would rather see than her family. She knew her sisters had landed.
    Somebody was at the front door. Keys jangled, and the door opened. Hala came back. “Sorry, I’m late. I ran into a friend and couldn’t get out of it.”
    Alissara forced a tired smile on her face. “It’s okay.”
    Hala put her keys and purse away and sat down on a small wooden chair next to the couch. “You know with how fast you’ve been swiping, it’s a miracle you haven’t absorbed the entire human knowledge.”
    Alissara put the tablet aside, stretched her arms, and gave her a genuine smile. “I would’ve, but your tablet got in the way.”
    Hala chuckled. “Sorry, it’s what I can afford on a teaching assistant’s salary.”
    “Don’t tell me. I read that somewhere,” Alissara said. “You help university professors teach subjects to students.”
    Hala removed her scarf and sat down next to her. “No, I make egotistical professors tea and coffee, pick up their copies, and reject their advances. In my spare time, I convince hormone-driven eighteen-year-olds that the subjects I teach are worth staying awake for in class.”
    Alissara reached Hala in one swift move and patted her shoulder, which she hoped was a sign of sympathy not a threat. “If it makes you feel better, I fought an intergalactic war a few days ago.”
    Hala’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
    Alissara nodded. “Worst day of my life.”
    “I have the perfect way to relax you, and it doesn’t involve my crappy tablet.”
    A break would be good. But, Alissara felt guilty relaxing and ignoring her mission and what she had to do.
    “I don’t know, I should—”
    “C’mon, It’ll be fun!”
    Alissara glanced at the tablet that begged for a break before she examined Hala for a moment. Her smile was wide, and her eyes sparkled. She was energetic, manic even.
    “Okay.”
    “Great,” Hala said and balled her hands into victorious fists. “I hope you don’t mind wearing the dress and scarf again.”
    “Are we going to the same area where we borrowed it?”
    Hala chuckled. “No, we’re going somewhere else—a popular spot.” She brought the long black dress and scarf.
    Another thing Alissara learned, and it paid off. She put on the dress and covered her hair with the scarf in a different way from what Hala had shown her this morning. When she finished, she stretched her arms to the sides with her hands facing Hala. “What do you think?”
    “I love it,” Hala said, smiling. “Let me help you apply makeup.”
    “Makeup?”
    “To look like everyone else. If your eyes don’t light up the street, we should get by unnoticed.”
    Alissara’s lips curled, and her nose wrinkled. Korrans didn’t wear makeup. “You worry too much.”
    Hala disappeared into the bathroom and returned carrying small, plastic containers and brushes. Before Alissara could object, she applied powders and liquids to her face and what looked like writing tools to her eyes. Then she applied a sticky but tasty liquid to her lips. When Hala was done with her, she’d look like the ancient king.
    “I know, but this suburb is in a working class area,” Hala said, and continued painting Alissara’s face. “Everyone looks and dresses the same way. If you stand out, people will stare. Believe me, it’s very uncomfortable. Oh, and if anyone asks,