The next thing he knew, he awoke inside a spacecraft. The clutter around him wasn't ugly, it was vibrant. Pretty fabrics draped over seats, dainty shoes scattered across the floor, makeup kits and wigs stacked neatly.
The woman's long hair now rested on a mannequin, and she herself had short, ear-length hair. She turned, her smile warm. "You are awake."
Xiaobao blinked in surprise. She looked like a handsome man now, but before she had been so beautiful. The transformation left him speechless, unsure if he was still dreaming.
He soon learned that the woman's name was Valkyrie. She was a performer, traveling across systems with her troop, dazzling audiences with music, dance, and elaborate costumes.
She explained that she had only been at the black market to purchase fabrics when she saw him, broken and alone. "You can follow me if you want," she had said, her voice gentle but firm.
