Allie had just dismissed her skimmer when she heard a woman calling her name. She turned to find Violet climbing out of an aircar, holding a bottle aloft in each hand.

"We finally got everyone into the Colony, so it's time to celebrate!" Violet announced.

Allie eyed the bottles. "What are those?"

"Finest fey moonshine. One of the Humans confiscated it from a kitsune who was trying to smuggle them in. I said I'd dispose of them properly, and so here I am!" Violet beamed. "Do you think we can drink them both tonight?"

"Not if I have to work in the morning," Allie replied, palming open her door and ushering Violet inside. "I've spent all day fixing plumbing in the Nyx Dome. The universe only knows what I'll have to deal with tomorrow."

Violet tossed her dark hair. "Well, a Human engineer, for starters. One who's afraid of Titans. He kept touching his implant, like it was some sort of magical amulet that could protect him from me." She snorted. "He might have been better off with an amulet. Those implants don't do anything except mark him as gullible. Maybe that was his name – Gill, Gull, something like that."

"Galen?" It couldn't be. He hadn't seemed afraid of her at all, and they'd spent most of the evening together. In fact, she'd thought he was working up the courage to kiss her right there at the end, which is why she'd made her excuses and left. She'd loved and lost once. Allie didn't think she could survive having her heart ripped out like that again.

"I think that was his name. Hard to remember. There were so many of them today. Young guy with a thing for music." Violet set the bottles on the bench. "Do you have any glasses?"

"Col, where are the glasses?" Allie asked.

A wall panel popped open.

"Thanks, Col."

Violet stared at Allie. "We have an AI controlling this facility? I don't remember that in the briefing documents."

"Of course. I'm probably not supposed to ask it to open cupboards and things, but who do you think responds when you ask for the temperature to be turned down in your apartment?" Allie asked, setting two glasses beside the bottle.

Violet peered around. "I use the controls. I don't talk to the walls. Is it...watching us?"

Allie laughed softly. "Col, are there cameras in the apartments?"

"There is no surveillance in private quarters," the AI said.

Allie shrugged. "Guess not, then. Why, were you thinking of doing something naughty you don't want anyone to see?"

Violet smiled. "Maybe. But Watch officers are supposed to be so good all the time, keeping the peace and all. Did they make you sit through an hour-long briefing on the importance of peace?"

She'd had to sit through months of peace talks as Humans and Titans gradually decided not to kill each other. Surely that was enough for anyone. Allie shook her head. "No, I must have missed that briefing. Fixing pipes today, or something."

Violet rolled her eyes. "Lucky you. Just thinking about it makes me need a drink." She uncorked a bottle and poured an inch of viscous purple liquid into each glass. "Is it supposed to look like that?" She lifted the glasses, eyeing the milky, mauve contents with suspicion.

Allie seized a glass. "I don't know. I've never been able to afford fey moonshine. To peace." She took a careful sip.

Violet gulped hers, then choked. "Stars, it's fey rocket fuel. That's potent!"

"Mm, it's strong, but I like it," Allie said, savouring her second sip. "I taste flowers, kisses and seafoam." And memories, she thought but didn't say.

"I think I just coughed up a lung," Violet said. "Is there any chance of some chocolate?"

Allie set her glass down. "Of course! How could I forget?" She retrieved a block from the refrigerator and passed it to Violet. "Have as much as you like. I think I'll finish my drink first."

"You can have all of it. Both bottles," Violet said darkly.

"Really? Then you should keep the block of chocolate. Fair trade." Allie reached for another block and unwrapped it. "We'll share this one."

They both ate in silence for a moment, savouring the sweetness of what Allie knew was the best chocolate in the system.

Then Violet started to laugh. "You know," she said, "I had you pegged as trying to seduce me down by the blast doors. I expected you to ask me for a favour, something I'm not supposed to give you. I figured if I brought you some liquor, maybe it would mellow you a little and you'd go easy on me. You're nothing like I expected."

Allie regarded her. "What did you expect?"

Violet's laughter died. "Colder. Harder. Not...chocolate." Fear darkened her eyes.

Allie hummed, hoping to set the succubus more at her ease. "I am here to pursue peace, Violet. I've had my fill of war. Now, why don't you tell me about your day downstairs? I'd love to hear your impressions of our new colonists."

Violet nodded and opened her mouth to recount the first of what would be many reports.