My translation stuff

Stella left the Stock Company headquarters and stretched her arms toward the bleak overcast sky. Beck came right behind, carrying the contract and the money from Leroy’s first payment. Beck had asked to go free before they left, but she had turned him down, of course, and Leroy had not objected—after all, he needed someone to keep an eye on her. “Well, that settles it,” she said. “It’s not nearly as bad in hindsight, is it?” ‘Keke! Unbelievable! Yer old man deserves better than that. eh!’ “No, I don’t think he does. He brought this upon himself, and all of us. But anyway, we’re running low on food. Let’s get some groceries on our way back. Oh, and also . . .” ‘Keke! Goin’ on a shoppin’ trip or something?’ “Beck’s not enough. I want more humans. Interesting humans, with entertaining life stories to tell. Yes, that’s exactly what I want. But don’t worry, Beck—you’ll get to be the first to entertain me.” She gently stroked his back. Cold sweat trickled down his cheek. “H-Huh . . . ?” “Onc...

Stella stood brooding in the quiet, empty store. Though it was morning outside, she was in as gloomy a mood as she could be. She’d killed a man. Impulsively, in the heat of the moment; one flick of her wrist and he was dead. It was a shame. He could have been interesting in some way. Now she would never know. To truly become a human, she would need to learn many things, some of which that man might have been able to teach her. After all, even the lowliest scum of the earth were still human; they had tales to tell, and unique takes on life to share. She should have given him a chance. ‘Quit mopin’ around and cheer up, eh? Don’t leave me talkin’ to myself here!’ “I hate to interrupt your monologue, but . . .” “It’s not a monologue!” “I was just thinking. It’s going to be hard, living like a human. But well, I can’t sit around doing nothing—not when my own body is this unreliable. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me . . .” Humans are fragile things. Stella was safe enough for now, with her...