"Come on, Diana!" Kelvin said, practically bouncing on his feet as they stood in the palace's main courtyard. "We're on an alien planet—well, technically a human colony planet, but still—and you want to spend our time going to their military base for sightseeing?"
Diana adjusted her cloth, trying to maintain her composed demeanor despite the way Kelvin's enthusiasm made something warm flutter in her chest. "I was suggesting we familiarize ourselves with local defensive capabilities. It's practical."
"Practical is boring," Kelvin declared, turning to their assigned guard—a young man named Marcus who looked like he was trying very hard not to smile. "Marcus, my good man, where do the locals go for fun? And I don't mean royal fun. I mean real, actual, normal people fun."
Marcus glanced between them uncertainly. "Well, sir, the district markets are quite popular. There's gambling, street food, entertainers..."
