Saturn

“Rocky, what’s the word on the breeder tanks and specimen enclosures?”

“Tanks and enclosures sealed, statement!”

Rocky chirps back at me.

“Lights and climate controls stable too?” I shoot back, chewing idly on my pen as I mull over the checklist in my hand.

“Yes yes, all systems stable.”

“Good, that’s what we like to see.” I nod, adding a checkmark on the list.

“Simon, how’re the lights in the main hall? Any flickering, buzzing, or dimming?” I turn, calling down the tunnel hallway to Simon, who stood by the wall, scanning the breaker box.

“Looks good to me. Nothing abnormal.”

“Perfect. Thank you gentlemen, that’ll do it for the baseline system check!” I nod with a smile, happily completing the bi-weekly systems check in with a resounding “all good”.

“You two can feel free to scatter, I’m going to the cockpit to check nav, the smart computer, and life support.” I tucked the clipboard under my arm, nodding up towards the control room.

“Good good. Rocky go finish repairs on Simon fake arm.”

“Ah, so that why he’s missing his prosthetic?” I ask, eyeing the empty sleeve on Simon’s left.

“Yes yes. Need repair.”

“What the heck happened to it? You’ve only had it a couple weeks.”

“I didn’t break it, stop looking at me like o slammed it into a wall or something.”

“We had to lock you in the dorm for three days because you almost slammed me into a wall barely a week into you being awake here. Sue me for assuming you bashed it into something.”

“You can’t use that against me, that was a panic response.”

“To what?! Don’t pull that card on me, I didn’t do anything to you!”

“You were trying to inject me with something!”

“Painkillers! Because your arm was torn off!”

“Whatever! You didn’t warn me!”

“I thought you were asleep! Doctors don’t typically say 3 2 1 go when they’re giving a shot to a comatose patient.”

“You are not a doctor.”

“I have a doctorate!”

“In like, particles or something!”

“Molecular biology!”

“Same thing!”

“Wrong! Stop arguing with me! What happened to your brand new arm?!” I bark.

“Si mon no break arm. Faulty sensors make joints lock up too tight. Uncomfortable and inefficient. Rocky fix error.”

Rocky chimes in, his tone a little snippy. Clearly he’s sick of our shouting.

“See? Not my fault. Rocky’s on my side.” Simon flashes me a smile.

“Whatever. It was a safe enough bet blaming it on you.” I mutter rolling my eyes

“Stupid fox.”

“You annoy me. Greatly.”

Simon chuckles, and Rocky chirps along with him. I have no allies.

“I’m going upstairs.” I knew I lost the argument, but I’d rather fly into Adrian again than admit that, out loud.

-

Nav system looks good… still got a long ride yet to Erid… should probably figure out orbital specs before too long….

I mutter to myself, surfing through the displays on the wall of the cockpit.

Hmmm… astrophage numbers look good… water recycling looks stable… no airlock breach, food’s good, Armando’s good…

I nod to myself, sitting back in the seat with my clipboard.

“Pilot Detected.”

The idle displays all around me blink to life, but it no longer startled me like it had over a year ago.

“Yes Mary, thank you.” I mutter, scribbling on my checklist.

“Hey.”

I turn in my seat as Simon’s head pops up from the hatch.

“Yeeees? Can I help you?” I ask, twirling my pen in my hand.

“No, I’m just here to grab my notebook, I think I left it by the window.” Simon says, hoisting himself up rather impressively with his one and one a quarter arms.

“Oh? Yeah, your diary? Read the whole thing, cover to cover. It’s in the copilot chair- here.” I chuckle.

“Bullshit. It’s not a diary.”

“‘I love Ryland aoooo much, he’s the coolest, nicest, and smartest guy I’ve ever met.’ I think that was page nine?”

“Hilarious. It’s just an Astronomy notebook.”

“‘And he’s such a good teacher, and I love listening to him explain science to me!’ Page 15.”

“You’re full of shit.” Simon grumbles.

“Whatever you say. Here.”

I reach over, picking up the book and lifting it in Simon’s direction, while still keeping most of my attention on the pilot display, scrolling over to ‘Life Support’.

“Thanks.” The notebook slides free from my hand, and I drop it down with a hum and a nod.

“How much longer are you gonna be up here?” Simon asks, craning bis neck to see what I’m doing.

“Why, do you miss my company? Is that what you came to get your diary for?”

“No, I just wanna know how much more peace and quiet time I have left.”

I chuckle, rolling my eyes.

“Almost done, unfortunately. Just checking life support and I’ll be done.”

“…Life Support?”

“Yeah- water recycling, climate control, oxygen. Y’know - crucial stuff.” I shrug, scrolling along the wide yellow and black display.

Simon says nothing in reply.

“You’re wasting your precious quiet time sitting up here talking to me. I’ll be done and down in just a couple minutes al…right..? Simon?”

I turn in my chair, and Simon is just standing there, lost in the eyes, and blank in the face.

“Simon?” I lower my voice, brows furrowed.

“Yeah, yes- yes?”

“You okay? You lost signal there for a second-“

“H-how’s our oxygen.” He asks suddenly.

I blink a couple times, turning from the screen, back to Simon.

“It’s- fine..? Our oxygen is fine. We’re breathing right now, which is a pretty good sign.”

“How long until Erid?”

“A long while still- over a year and a half. We found you two years and some change into the ride.”

Simon nods slowly.

He had a fantastic poker face. One I had never seen before. If something was bothering him, no one would know until he was at the tipping point. That said, a dead giveaway of Simon’s stress could be found just about anywhere but his face.

Clenched fists, tight shoulders, a bouncing leg, if he was sitting down, and the most obvious…

Crack

He cracked his knuckles when he had stress he needed to release.

Crack crack

“What’s wrong?” I lift a brow at him.

“Nothing.”

“Lying.”

“Not lying.”

“Hand and shoulders, Simon, you’re rigid as a board, and you’re cracking your knuckles - what’s going on?”

“Just- nerve pain. I’ll be fine.”

Lying. Straight through his giant sharp teeth. Pretty solid lie, I’ll give him that. He does still get surges of pain from his injuries and mutations every once in a while, but that’s not what he looks like stricken with sudden pain.

I’ll let him have it, though.

“…Okay.” I say calmly.

I treat Simon the same way I do my students when they’d lie to me to get out of something.

If you meet them with the attention and worry they’re after, they’ll walk all over you for the rest of the school year. You don’t just get headaches and stomach aches every testing period, that’s not how that works….

If you acknowledge the issue, and offer concrete solutions, like “okay, go to the nurse, and bring me back a note when she checks you over.” Or “alright, I can call your mother and have her come get you.” They’re less likely to pull the stunt in the future.

“Well… go take some medicine and have Armando check you out. Make sure it’s nothing with your jaw or your arm.” I instruct, nodding slowly.

Simon nods back, still a bit stiff in the shoulders. What set him off..?

Whatever the case, he made his way back to the ladder, and descended.

-

I gave it about ten minutes. Before I idled the system displays again, I took one more glance at life support.

From the menu, I could access Armando’s care logs - a painstakingly detailed, chronological summary of every procedure, checkup, medicine and food distribution, and crew chart update that had been recorded since the launch of the ship.

Upon clicking the ‘refresh’ button in the corner, the list of today’s logs appeared on the display.

Most recent log: my breakfast, five hours ago.

Simon didn’t take any medication, or visit the medbay like I told him to. So he was lying.

Then what was wrong?

-

“Grace come see!”

Rocky called out from the lab. I had barely gotten off the cockpit access ladder before he beckoned me over.

“One sec bud.” I jog down the hall to the lab. The air smells like copper wires and shouldering filament.

I enter the room, grabbing a pair of goggles and gloves from the wall. Can never be too safe.

“What’s up? How’re repairs going?”

“Good good! Rocky fix arm completely! No more glitch.”

He wiggled his carapace proudly, pressing the drawer of the airlock closed, and cycling it, passing the prosthetic to me.

I gently open the door, removing the arm, and quickly setting it down. Still hot… it felt like taking a hot pan out of the oven on 200°.

I hiss, shaking my hands as the prosthetic lands on the table.

“Stupid. Stupid Grace.”

“Whatever, I’ll be fine. Whats one more burn.” I shrug, pulling up a stool and sitting down at the lab table.

“Wow- it looks different now too- cleaner- did you update the exterior too?” I ask.

The xenonite on the exterior before was a bit more patchy. A lot of the inner workings were visible through gaps in the metal paneling. It was cool, a kind of steampunk style- definitely a little more prop than practical, as far as looks go.

Now, the arm was completely enclosed in solid, thin, flat xenonite panels, with the only gaps being where the elbow and wrists flexed. Long? Running, linear patterns stretched across the upper arm and forearm, resembling some of Rocky’s tattoo engravings in his limbs.

“Yes, Rocky scrap and rebuild exterior. Simon complain of things getting stuck in old arm. Bad bad. Give Rocky chance to put engravings on new arm shells!”

“Oh! So these lines translate to something?”

“Yes yes yes, these here mean Simon name. No have last name so Rocky give Simon Grace last name.”

I freeze, looking up at Rocky.

“What?! Yes he does, his last name is Fisher!” I spat out.

“Not real. Simon say Fisher not last name. Just place holder. Simon no remember last name.”

“But it still works! Why my name?!”

“Grace and Simon share everything! Food, clothes, secrets-“

“Secrets?!”m what do you mean secrets?!”

“-Names-“

“We don’t share names. That’s not a thing.”

“Yes is thing! Grace say humans share names when married!”

I raise my hand, palm facing me. “Do you see or hear a ring?! No! We aren’t married!”

Rocky hums.

“I’m telling him that means Fisher.”

“Rocky teaching Simon Eridian language. He will know.”

“Whatever- what else have you done with the prosthetic?” I sigh.

“Updated electric muscle signal sensitivity. Easier to flex, grip, and release without strain.”

I nod, “good, good. That was the issue to begin with, right?”

“Yes, faulty signal strength. Very glitch. Is ready for Simon now!”

The metal had cooled significantly by now, making it safe and comfortable to pick up, about the temperature of a hot restaurant plate. I lifted it - surprisingly easily, I expected heavier.

“Is the install process still the same?” I ask, bending the fingers on the hand experimentally.

“Yes. Straps attach to collar mount, shoulder support attach to straps, secure under arm. Prosthetic fastener attach snug to Simon arm, snap all connectors into place.”

That’s a lot of words…

“Got it.”

“Good good!!”

I’ve only ever been standing around while Simon’s prosthetic was being installed… hope I got it…

-

“Simon!” I call out, standing in the hallway like an impatient parent, fists on my hips, with the strap of the prosthetic clutched in my left.

I’d looked all over the ship for him, but I couldn’t find him.

Granted, when I say “looked” I mean I briefly glanced around Simon’s usual haunts - the lab, the UV grow room, the dorm, and his area near the window.

Nothing.

If it were Amy other day I wouldn’t be all that worried, but he’d been acting a little strange earlier, and prosthetic aside, I really just wanted to put eyes on him.

“Hey, Simon! Where are ya, bud?!” There was evident exasperation in my voice, I could hear it.

Creeak

Hey, so what was that…?

Creeeak

The sound is coming from the observation window, but I was about 80% sure I hadn’t seen him-

“Simon?!”

There…

“Simon did you not hear me calling you for the last 10 minutes-? Better yet, how do I miss you?!”

I throw my hands up with mild frustration, walking over to the suspended bed.

The xenonite chains that were supporting the bed platform in the air must have been responsible for the creaking I heard. They’re attached to a pulley, so that we can retract and secure the platform against the ceiling if we need to disengage the centrifuge.

Simon shrugs, and…

He signals to me with one hand, the hand sign for “glasses”.

I furrow my brows.

“Glasses?”

“Glasses off. Missed me.”

He signs again.

I reach up to my face, and notice immediately, the absence of my glasses. Lifting my hand a little higher, I feel them perched up on my head. Right… that explains it.

I bring my glasses down to my nose, blinking a few times, bringing everything into focus. That answers one question, but now I have another.

Why are we signing?

“Thank you… for that, I guess that is how I missed you.” I step up to the platform, crossing my arms on the bed.

“Is there a reason why you’re not talking right now? You alright?” I lower my voice.

Simon periodically went through spells of silence. Sometimes only for an hour or so, sometimes over a day. It was his brain’s way of handling all the stress swimming around in his head when it occasionally bubbles to the surface.

At the beginning it was pretty difficult to help him, communicate with him, or figure out what was wrong when he couldn’t speak to me.

We tried a few different solutions…

Writing was a little challenging- in all honesty his handwriting was pretty bad, and paper isn’t exactly a renewable resource out in the great beyond.

Rocky and I made him an augmentative, alternative communication device with some brutally subpar programming on my part. He uses it occasionally, but admittedly it’s pretty clunky, cumbersome to carry, and could do with an upgrade.

The best solution we’ve found, is sign language. I’m pretty proficient at it, as an educator, so we spent some time learning the basics, and Simon picked up quick. We can carry pretty seamless conversations in ASL now, whenever need be.

“Don’t want to speak.”

“Okay, sure… you don’t want to speak, verbally? Or you don’t want to speak to me specifically right now?”

“Verbally.”

“Gotcha… uhm…”

He doesn’t offer me anything more, just looking down at me, sitting crisscross on the bed above me.

“Well, how about I at least hook up your new arm, and maybe you can fill me in on what’s going on once you have both hands to chat with, hm?” I push the metal arm towards Simon with a smile on my face.

He looks down at it, then to me, and nods.

“Perfect. Can I come up?”

He nods again.

I hoist myself up onto the platform, taking a seat on my knees next to Simon.

“Ok, shirt off, please.” I make a motion for him to remove the t-shirt that used to be mine.

He slid it off without a word or hesitation, sitting straight. He knows the drill.

“Thank you sir… arm up.”

He lifts the torn arm out straight to the side. I pull a fabric slip from my pocket, tugging it over the stump like a sock. Once it’s snug to Simon’s arm, I pick up the prosthetic, and sigh, trying to remember the order of operations

Simon looks down too. He reaches over, tapping the straps that attached to the top of the prosthetic, then reaches up and tapped on the collar mount that was already around his neck.

Right!

“Yes! Thank you, collar to steaps, straps to mount, mount to prosthetic. I remember, thank you.”

I get to work, snapping and twisting and clicking and tightening, until the prosthetic was snugly in place, and sending and receiving signal as it should be.

All the while, Simon stayed silent. No quips, no complaining, nothing.

“Oookay, you should be all set. Can you spell you name out?”

“S-I-M-O-N” the mechanical hand whirs as he makes his way through the five letters.

“Perfect! So, now that you’ve got both hands, you wanna tell me what’s going on?”

I sit back and little, giving Simon some space.

He thinks for a moment, before raising his hands.

“Not speaking.”

“Gathered that much. I was hoping more for a why.”

“Conserve oxygen.”

I raise a brow. What? Oxygen..?

“Conserving oxygen…” re helpers, nodding as he signs.

“You check oxygen earlier today. Don’t want to waste oxygen. Not speaking, less intake.”

Okay…

“I- I’m confused.”

Snap!

We both jump as one of the straps on the prosthetic support comes undone.

“Crap-! Ugh, darn thing. Hold on, let me fix it…”

I scoot back over, and tend to the undone strap, fastening it back into place with a little more care than before, tightening it as best I can, bracing my hand against Simon’s chest… wait…

I pause for a moment, moving my hand down to the center-left of his chest. His breathing was shallow, and his heart rate was low… way lower than it should be.

“Simon, why are you breathing like that?” I ask, urgently.

He lifts his hands again, and gets halfway though the sign for “conserve” before I stop him.

“If you say ‘conserve oxygen’ again, I’m gonna freak out. What do you mean?! Why are you worried about our oxygen?!”

“You checked oxygen earlier. Limited supply, yes?” He signed back just as urgently.

“Whahat?! No! No, I- you misunderstood-“

“How not limited? Ship is made of three cylinders. One for fuel, one for us, one for oxygen, yes!”

“No, Simon no, three for fuel, one for us in the center, that extends outward.” I explain.

His eyes widen.

“Where oxygen stored?? How much?? Why are you talking so much?? Low oxygen.”

I shake my head.

“No no no, no. Simon, stop for a second.”

“Three breathing organisms on a ship with limited oxygen.”

“Stop. No, just listen.”

“No oxygen tanks in-“

“Quiet coyote. Can you please show me two quiet coyotes?” I sigh, raising my hands with index and pinky fingers raised.

“Patronizing.”

“No, I’m not, I just need you to listen and focus, c’mon. Humor me.”

Simon relents, and mirrors my hands with a deadpan stare.

“Thank you. What I was trying to say. Was that we don’t have limited oxygen tanks aboard the Hail Mary. The ship uses a recycling system that supplies us back with oxygen from the other gasses and water that we release in the cabin. It’s a cyclical system.”

“Then what were you che-“

“Hey, tell those coyotes to stop barking, I wasn’t done.”

“You paused.”

“I was taking a breath. Which is what I’m trying to convince you to do before you pass out. Now, as for what I was checking, I was just making sure that the recycling was in proper working order, which it is. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Simon looks at me a little bewildered.

“I promise! You’re nott in any danger of running out of air.” I take a deep breath in and out, just to prove my point. “See? No problem.”

Simon nods, looking down for a moment, losing himself in thought.

I wait patiently, in case he has something more to sign.

“I did not know that was possible.” He signs slowly

“Really?” I ask gently.

“I thought one-way vessels came with limited air. All the time.”

I hum, not looking away from Simon’s hands.

“I’m guessing the Iron Lung had limited supply…”

“Yes. I almost ran out.”

“Oh-“

“The hull breach got to me first though.”

I grimace.

“Right… I didn’t even think about that…. No wonder you got freaked out.”

“The air was really thin.”

“I bet.”

“Smelled like iron.”

“Yeah, so did you when we got you on board. But you got cleaned up, healed up, and here you are, right? Safe and sound.” I smile. “No blood, no thinning air, no creepy fish or whatever. Just a clean ship, a rock, and a teacher.”

“Yes, water.”

I tilt my head, a bit confused by the sign.

“Water?” What do you mean water.”

Simon meets me with the same confusion.

“T-H-A-N-K-S” he spells the word out instead.

“Oh! You meant ‘thank you.’ That’s this.”

I turn my palm toward my face, touching my fingertips to my mouth, and tilting my hand out as if I were blowing a kiss.

“This, what you did, means water.” I hold up three fingers, tilt my hand so my palm faces in to the side, and tap my index finger against my chin. “Close, though.”

Simon nods, mimicking the “thank you” motion.

“And you’re welcome. I hope that puts you at ease a little bit.”

He nods again.

“Still don’t feel like talking?”

“No.”

“Good enough. In your own time… will you at least take some deep breaths? You looked like you were gonna pass out earlier.”

“I am.”

“You aren’t. I can clearly see your chest barely moving, Simon.” I place a hand on his chest.

“Cold cold cold.” He signs rapidly, tensing up a little.

“Anemic, anemic, anemic, I’m aware. Breathe.”

“Panic. Go away.”

“You’re not panicking! Your heart rate is evening out, you’re not sweating, your eyes aren’t dilated. Don’t cry wolf.” I say, a little sternly.

“Coyote.”

“What? Oh- Stop. Breathe.” I can’t help but smile. “I’ll make you if I have to.”

He narrows his eyes at me with a challenging glare.

I roll my eyes, sighing. Fine, dramatics it is.

“EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY, CLEAR THE AREA!” I shout, sitting up suddenly, and shoving Simon down onto his back on the bed, being sure to not startle him too bad. He did ask for this, though.

“WE HAVE ONE, ADULT MALE, KINDA-HUMAN, UNREAPONSIVE, NOT BREATHING.”

Simon smiles, more out of shock than anything else, looking up at me like I’m fresh out of my mind.

“CHECKING FOR PULSE.” I make an obnoxious show of “looking for Simon’s pulse”, testing his wrist, putting a hand, then an ear to his chest, which I think got a little giggle out of him, then probing at the side of his neck with two fingers. I catch the pulse for just a moment before Simon shrugs up his shoulder and swats my hand away with a snort.

Now we’re cookin’.

“NO LULSE!”

“Yes there is.” He signs quickly.

I gasp, batting his hands away.

“HE’S CONVULSING!” I shout, voice a little raspy. I haven’t had to yell in quite a while.

“STARTING COMPRESSIONS. CLEAR THE AREA!” I chuckle, placing both hands on Simon’s chest, in the furthest thing from COR procedure placement, and begin gently pressing down on Simon’s chest, repeatedly.

Each “compression” forces a little bit of breath into Simon’s lungs, coupled with the quiet chuckles that squeezed their way through.

I pause, acting like I’m listening for signs of life.

“SIMON?!” I call out theatrically, reaching up to shake him by the shoulders.

Simon signs out “yes”, and I decide that isn’t good enough.

“STILL NOTHING! I’VE GOTTA DO MOUTH TO MOUTH!” Again, not protocol, but who cares.

I lean down, and Simon catches me by the cheek with his hand, pushing me back, the both of us snickering like idiots now.

“WE’RE LOSING TIHIME! HE’S NOT- HEHE’S NOT BREATHING!” I move my hands from Simon’s chest, sliding them under his arms, scratching gently.

Simon gasps, which I’m counting as a breath, and finally starts laughing like he means it.

“Oh- OH! HE LIVES!” I cheer, bringing a hand up to his stomach, and dragging my nails quickly over the tightened muscle.

“HE’S ALIVE!!”

Simon lets out a high pitched, sort of squeaky laugh, his chest rising and falling. Thank goodness.

“Now I’ve gotta check your vitals. You were out for quite a while! Thought I lost you!”

“No. Stupid. So dramatic.” He signs.

“We gotta crack that brain open too, because clearly you’re losing it. I’m not dramatic.” I scoff. “Okayyyyy, organs? Everything still in place?”

I bring both hands to Simon’s middle, kneading and pinching at the soft part of his stomach.

Simon snorts, shaking his head madly, and striking a fist against the bed. If this was his stubborn attempt to not laugh, boy was it cracking.

“Okay… Organs are where they should be… how about reflexes?”

I bring a hand down to Simon’s knee, giving an experimental squeeze just above the joint. He kicks his leg out, dropping it flat to the bed with a startled gasp.

“Wow! Reflexes on point! Other leg?” I repeat the motion, to the other leg, this time squeezing a little harder, latching on tight as his leg bucks under my grip.

“MMHMHAHAHA- OKAHAY!! EVERYTHING IS FINE!!” Simon shouts.

“Oh! Look at that we’re back online! I missed that voice!” I smile wide. “Doesn’t exempt you from a check up though, unfortunately. Bear with me!”

I snicker, sliding my hands up, and out to Summon’s ribs, I don’t move them.

“Grahahace.”

“Mhm?”

“Gehehet the fuck offa me.”

“That’s not nice, why must you swear at me?”

Simon lets out a sound that’s half groan, half chuckle.

“I just wanna make sure you’re breathing properly, that’s all!”

Simon glares at me, but it has no effect.

“Come on, biiiig deep breath in for me.” I coax gently.

To my surprise, he takes a hesitant breath, slowly taking in air. His ribs expanding into my hands.

“Good! Very good, hold it… aaaand… out!”

At the last word, I clawed my hands, and dug into Simon’s ribs suddenly.

“*snrk-!* A-AHAHAHA- SHIHIHIT!” Simon sputters, barking out laughter in shock, kicking his legs against the bed.

“Perfect, lungs are working!” I snicker, scribbling over Simon’s ribs, careful to avoid his gills.

“Just give me a couple more nice deep breaths and we’ll call it good.” I slow my hands, gently trailing them up and down Simon’s ribs.

“I- I cahahan’t breathe with you- touching me!”

“Well not with that attitude you can’t! I’m barely doing anything anyway.”

“You’re scrahahatching my gills, you fuckin’ ass!”

“Hey!” I hissed, jabbing my index fingers into the skin above Simon’s gills. He yelps, tensing like he’d just been electrocuted.

“You’re not gonna turn your voice back on just to curse at me in every other sentence.” I vibrate my fingers against Simon’s gills, a little rougher than I usually would.

“OKAHAHAY OKAY OKAY I’M SORRY IM SOHOHORRY, I WON’T ANYMORE-! GRACIE-!!”

“Promise?”

“YEHEHESS!!”

“And you’ll take some deep breaths for me?”

“AGH- YEHES!”

“And you promise to just ask me questions instead of working yourself up about things that you don’t need to panic about?” I speak unnecessarily slow, not letting up on Simon’s gills.

His back arched up off the mattress, teeth gritted, hands gripping my wrists.

“GRAHAHACE!! YEHEHES, ENOUGH!”

I chuckle, letting go.

“Okay! Okay. I’m done.”

Simon collapses down, gasping for breath.

“Slow down, breath in and hold it for a sec.” I say softly, placing a hand on his chest. He flinches, but doesn’t protest.

I feel his chest rise and expand, holding the air in for a moment.

“Good, good.. and… out.”

Simon lets the breath out. 

I nod, patting him gently on the chest.

Simon takes two more deep breaths before I’m satisfied, lifting my hand.

“How’dya feel?”

“Fine.”

“Yeah?”

“Mhm… what?”

“That’s all? Just fine?”

“I mean- what more do you want me to say?”

“Well how do you feel now that you know you’re not slowly asphyxiating?” I shrug, scooting myself up beside Simon, lying down alongside him.

“Ah- well yeah, it’s nice to know. I just feel kinda stupid.”

“What? Why?”

“Why would we be running out of oxygen?? I mean, you told me you’ve been aboard this thing for years… there’s no way the ship would have tanks big enough for that much air…”

“Yeah but you didn’t know, that’s fine. Doesn’t make you stupid.” I shrug.

“Hmmmph.” Simon groans.

“I mean think about it- the only ship you’ve ever been on besides Mary was a flimsy rust bucket with hardly enough o then for a three hour trip. Of course you’d expect every other ship to have limited air supply.”

I shrug, turning to look at Simon.

“Assuming the worst and trying to prepare for it doesn’t make you stupid, Simon. It just means you’re-“

“Traumatized.”

“…yeah… not quite what I was gonna say, but yes.” I turn back to face the ceiling.

“But now you know, and there’s nothing to worry about.” I say, making a show of taking a deep breath.

Simon does the same, much to my delight.

“So…”

“Hm?” I reply softly.

“The air recycling system. It’s working properly?”

“Perfectly, yeah.”

Simon nods slowly. “Would you… mind… explaining how it works? I- I dunno, maybe understanding it would put me at ease.”

The stupidest, nerdiest, widest smile splits my face, and I sit up fast as a whp.

“You’re asking me to explain something to you?!”

“Oh dear lord- come on…”

“You’re asking me to explain science to you?!” I find myself tense from excitement, balled fists shaking in the air with unspent energy.

“Woah- okay.”

“What?!”

Nothing- just- you look stoked.”

“I am!”

“Gracie. It’s not that monumental of an event- you explain things to me all the time.”

“Yeah but you hate it!”

“What? No I don’t!”

“Wrong.”

“Correct! I may not know what the hell you’re talking about, but I don’t mind listening! Just- tell me about the air system? Before you implode, please?”

I nod, sliding to the end of the bed, and reaching back to grab Simon’s arm - his good arm - tugging him along.

He chuckles, following me off the bed.

“Okay, okay slow down- where are you dragging me?” Simon takes my wrist with his free, mechanical hand, and moves it down, so that our hands are connected.

He interlaces his fingers with mine, and my brain goes blank. Gosh, I’m lame..

“I- I uh… uhm to the uh…”

“Really? Holding hands broke you?” Simon chuckles, squeezing my hand gently.

“No…” I stand there for a moment, stiff, unsure of what to do next.

“Want me to let g-“

“NO. no- I mean, I don’t mind. Where was I going?”

Simon snorts. “To show me the air recycling system?”

“RIGHT! Yes! Okay, cockpit!” I start off, dragging Simon behind me.

“So, what do you know about zeolite filters?” I ask, looking back over my shoulder.

Simon chuckles, shrugging. “Absolutely nothing, Dr Grace.”

This isn't the first time it has suggested this. I think it asks at least once every time they see me, and my answer stays the same every time. “No.” It comes out harsher than I intend.

“He means a lot to me and so do you. I want you to get along.” I will say, it doesn't usually push after the first no; I'm a little surprised. It shifts closer to me while I'm working at my desk. “You work on the biodome team. You are in charge of so much of his life. This includes everything from what he eats to the conditions of the ocean in his home. You should be more involved physically..." I huff. Sure, maybe it would make my life easier to see the human in person, but my feelings towards the creature keep me away, and I think that's for the best for everyone involved.

“I work on the human because you don't trust anyone to care for it other than yourself and me.” We have a team, of course, but when it comes to Grace’s immediate health and comfort, I am the primary Eridian involved. Rocky shifts even closer to me; he's wobbling a bit. He's ready for sleep. 

“I-I don't want you to just do it for me. Do you enjoy it a little at least?” I move away slightly as it reaches a claw out for me. “You were excited when we first arrived…not just for me, for Grace too.” Grace was exciting when he first arrived. An alien who saved not one but two planets and saved my mate personally. Of course I would find that exciting. And to have the opportunity to help lead in the invention of its enclosure was amazing. But not so much anymore since I learned what the consequences of its existence on my life would be.

“It keeps me busy" is all I give to it. “Why are you being more pushy than normal?” I sense something's up. The unaccepted claw retracts, and Rocky pushes it together with another, fidgeting. I knew it.

“I must attend a meeting pertaining to Grace. I won't be there with him… I want you there to watch him instead," it trills out sheepishly. “I don't know how long I will be gone for. I…do not want him to be alone.”

“It is alone right now, is it not? It can function and take care of itself just fine.” Annoyance and anger lace my voice a bit. Rocky scitters back a bit but tries to touch me again. Its words are starting to slur as exhaustion takes over his body.

“You know what I mean. Grace is…sensitive. I don't want him to be alone ever again.” I feel anger rise within me. What about me being alone? For decades I waited to not be alone again, and now, even with my mate back, I am alone. I feel the mercury boil under my carapace as I try and be understanding.

“I know you do not like him.” It's not that I hate Grace personally. I can't really. I've only ever interacted with him while he was unconscious the first few weeks of being on Erid. I have complicated feelings toward the human and the situation that has come with it. 

“Please do it for me.” I move away from them again while trying to continue working.

"It's always for you, isn't it?"

"I-I…I'm sorr—"

"I'll do it. It's fine," I grumble at its despondent tone and move away from my desk.

Rocky comes over to me again. This time I know it isn't trying to convince me of anything; it just wants to sleep. The sight of it tugging at me hurts more than the argument did. Rocky is exhausted. Its movements are sluggish; it reaches a claw towards me. I flinch away before I can stop myself.

Rocky goes rigid and sits for a moment. “Y-you won't even hold me? You won't let me close to sleep?" It sounds broken, close to a cry but not quite. The sight makes me go rigid in return.

I let out a low hum. “...I need some space right now. I will still watch.” Rocky lets out a strangled whine, close to a sob, but settles on the bed close by anyway. I can tell it's too exhausted to really do anything about it; it's actively fighting off sleep that should have taken it days ago.

“Thank you, Adrian." the words come out slurred. I shift towards it to answer but Rocky is already asleep. Its claws are still loosely curled together where it has been fidgeting moments earlier. 

Something inside me aches.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ🛸༄˖°.

I arrive at the dome's airlock, wearing a thin Xenonite suit I've never had to put on before. Rocky stated that Grace knew I was coming to see him today instead of itself and that the human was nervous. To play nice, for Grace’s sake. I've taken the human's chart with me. While I'm here, I might as well take notes while I can and see what I can improve for him.

I step in and wait for it to pressurize, and then I'm on my way. I head out to the beach and start towards the humans' house. The sand shifts below my feet, and I hear the constant crashing of waves next to me. I move my attention to the “classroom” on the other side of the dome. I think making it a bit bigger would be helpful. More students to teach at a time, but to give the human more space to work with for demonstrations and such. Maybe add storage for materials so it's easier on the human.

By the time I come back to reality, I've approached the house. I realize we haven't exactly built the house for an Eridian of my size. I could probably get in, but I'm not sure how cramped the inside would be.

I knock lightly and wait a moment. I hear its footsteps frantically heading towards the door. It finally opens, and the little human looks up at me in awe. 

“Hello Grace.” It's still silent, just staring. I shift uncomfortably at the tiny alien.

“Oh, uh, sorry. I didn't know Eridians could get so…tall." It chuckles a little, but I feel its heart skyrocket. It's for sure nervous. “Rocky told me you were bigger but didn't really specify how much bigger."

“Yes.” It fidgets as I speak. “Adrian does not think it is good idea to try and go in Grace house.”

It looks back at the structure and rubs the back of its neck. “Uh–yeah. It's probably better if we hang out outside instead. Um, let me grab my shoes.” It turns back inside and grabs what it's looking for. 

I let out a small annoyed hum. The human is so loud. It is much louder now than when it was unconscious. I can hear its heart, its blood, and its breath. I can hear the crackles and pops of its joints, the way its tongue moves as it talks. So loud. How did Rocky get used to this noise? I would have gone crazy on that ship. 

The tiny human comes fumbling through the door and walks ahead of me. I noticed the door that it left open and pulled it shut. And so forgetful. 

We head down the beach in silence. Every wave crashes against the shore with a different rhythm. Besides me, Grace's heartbeat refuses to settle. Between the ocean and the human, there is hardly any silence at all.

The human comes to a stop and drops to sit, facing the waves. I do the same, crossing two arms in front of me, ready to take any notes on the human I might need.

“Grace nervous, question?" I ask softly. He spins to face me head-on.

He turns his head up at me and chuckles lightly. “You can tell?” What a dumb question. 

“Yes. Grace heart loud and fast.” I hear blood pump to its face, and it looks away.

“Sorry.” 

“Is okay. Human can not control.” Before I can stop myself, I reach a digit out and run it over its cheek, pushing its face to look at me again. "This is blush, question? Grace embarrassed, question?” I can't help but be a scientist first, I guess. The portable human thinking machine has made my life a thousand times easier. I can look up any knowledge about the human body and system, but seeing and experiencing it in person is so much different.

It lets out a small yelp at my sudden touch, making its heart beat more. The blood in its face reaches its ears. Although I want to, I refrain from grabbing at the tips of its ears too. One thing I don't stop myself from doing, however, is dragging that claw down to its neck to feel for the carotid pulse. It's one thing to hear but another to feel, and it's strong. I can feel its blood thump against its skin, rappidly, over and over.

“Amaze.” I murmur without thinking. 

"Uh—umm, Adrian?” The little human squeaks out. It has squeezed its eyes shut and forced its head up to the sky to accommodate my touching.

I let out an amused hum. “Apology.” I retract my claw, curling it back into my lap. I stay quiet, hoping it will calm down. When no calming down happens, I try to pivot to my questions, hoping to distract the human.

"How Grace feeling, Question. Eating well, question?” I ask.

It clears its throat. “Uh, I'm feeling good. Better than I did! And yes, eating well!” he smiles. 

“How are ‘burger’, question?”

“The me-burgers are amazing!” he shouts excitedly, hands moving as he talks. “You literally saved me with those things.” I feel myself get a little flustered at the praise, and I hate it.

“Saved Grace in other ways. More important ways.” I let it click out with some disbelief. I cure and bring this human back from death, but ‘me-burger’ is what saves it. Human priorities are weird and confusing.

“Well, yes," he rolls his eyes a bit. “But humans have a strong connection to the food they eat. Physically and mentally. Mentally I didn't want to eat, even though I was dying of starvation. The food tasted awful and had a horrible texture. Your idea to use my muscle was fantastic!” I feel him shift a little closer to me. “It tastes so much better than the other stuff. You kind of cured my starvation and helped cure my bad mental health at the same time!” It laughs as though what it said was funny and not worrying. Though I did not know how linked the mental state and food were, this information is helpful to know when synthesizing more food for it in the future.

“Adrian will work on making 'me-burger' taste better for optimal mental health and human relationship with food for future.” I mentally add this information as a task to get started on when I get back home.

“You don't have to do that, Adrian. I'm okay with the burger. I promise." It looks away, towards the artificial ocean again.

“Adrian must.” I let out a quiet rumbling for a moment as one of my claws gently plays with the sand beneath me. The human looks back at me. 

“Why?” Its head cocks to the side, in a cute way, with wide eyes.

“For Rocky," is all I say, and I can tell it comes out sad. “Adrian will do anything that Rocky asks of it. For Grace.” I know Grace still needs a translator to some extent, but he is good at picking up tone.

He sighs, "Thank you for coming to see me today. Letting me meet you.” He smiles, but his eyes look sad, lids falling low. “I know you hate me, but…I still appreciate it. Appreciate you and everything you have done.” Its eyes well up with liquid. “I know Rocky puts a lot—too much—on you, and I know he's never home with you. I know that," he sniffs, looking down into his lap. “I-I feel like it's all my fault. I'm so…so useless on my own here. I-I'm such a burden to you…” he starts leaking, and I feel myself starting to panic now. I don't know what to do when a human starts leaking from their face. 

I suddenly feel guilty, not a little guilty but deeply guilty. Grace looks so small sitting beside me. He is smaller than I ever thought he would be. Somehow I convinced myself that Grace was the source of my frustration. Looking at him now, crying into his hands, I realize how unfair that was.

“I don't hate you, Grace.” I try and speak as softly as I can. He presses his hands to his face harder, shielding himself from me.

"It's okay that you do. I would hate me too. I—I do hate me.” His voice cracks and he breathes in sharply. “I’ve ruined what y-you two could have had…” I can tell he's trying his best to keep his emotions in, sniffling and wiping the tears from his face just to have them replaced immediately with fresh ones.

I let out a low, pained coo. Slowly, carefully, I pull the human towards me. I expect it to resist, but Grace practically folds into my arms. The moment his head touches my carapace, he latches on. His fingers clutch at me desperately. I scoop his legs off the sand, holding him gently. 

“Grace. Adrian does not hate you.” My words, which are supposed to be comforting, only seem to make it cry harder. "Adrian frustration is not Grace fault. Grace bring Rocky back to me. Rocky could hate Adrian. Not want to be mates and Adrian would be happy that Rocky alive and well.” Grace pulls his very leaky face from me, looking for a moment but not saying anything while he quietly weeps. 

“I-I know your relationship with Rocky is bad…he acts different.” He babbles over his words, “I know w-why you didn't want to see me; I'm not that s-stupid—” I move my arm up in front, making him stop.

The notion of how fragile and small he is worms its way into my thoughts, and it makes me happy that he trusts me as much as he does. That he wants to be okay in my arms, even though he is adamant that I hate him. I let out a sad trill, running a claw through his hair. 

“Grace save all of Erid. All of Earth. Grace risk life for Rocky. For me. Adrian will never hate Grace.” I scratch gently at his head, bringing my claw down to the side, near his ear. He breathes in deep and leans into the touch. 

“Understand, question?” He nods slightly, but the tears and sobs don’t stop. “Grace.”

“Y-yes…I do.” He shoves his face back into me, pulling his arms to his chest. He shakes with sadness.

I feel myself heat up in embarrassment as I contemplate what to say next. “Adrian has…grown to love taking care of Grace…” Rocky was right. I do enjoy it as much as I told myself I didn't. All those times I pushed my limit on how long I could go without sleep and worked so hard for Rocky and Grace, I did, deep down, enjoy it. “Adrian happy hearing Rocky tell how Grace is happy with new thing.” I hum out rather quickly. 

He seems to perk up at this. “Y-you don’t have to do that, Adrian.” His crying is slowing. I pull off his glasses, placing them into the sand next to us. I wipe a claw over his face.

“Adrian not doing anything but tell truth.” He starts giggling and pushing at my claw. He sniffs while I clear the tears from his face.

“Thank you…” he says, breathing in deep. I move my claw back to his ear to comfort him again, scratching it lightly. He shoots up with a high-pitched noise, and I flinch, pulling my claw back.

“Grace okay, question?” I frantically say, grabbing his chin and moving his head to the side. I trace his ear again, and he flails. “Where hurt, question?”

“W-wahait nohoho!” he squirms about in my hold. “Nohot hururt! Tihihicklish!” he squeaks out. 

Rocky has told me about the human version of tickling before, specifically that Grace is quite fond of it, and it's come up in my research on the human body. It has a similar outcome to Eridian tickling. Laughing and wiggling around. I think this method will be a good way to make Grace feel better. 

I pull my claw away with a hum of understanding, and he relaxes. He's lying in my lap, a small smile across his face, but I still see the faintest tears in his eyes. He moves his face to his hands, still sniffling.

“Hm. Adrian will give Grace check up.” He glances through his fingers.

“W-what?” he asks, his voice gravelly.

I gently pull up his shirt, and he tenses up. He's still quite thin, but fat has definitely started to come back. I reach my claw and grab at his ribs, giving slight squeezes. He jumps with a squeal.

“WAHAhait! Adriahahan!” He presses his arms to his side while twisting in my grasp. I feel around the bones, moving my claws up. His ribs definitely don't stick out as much as they did when I first treated him. I squeeze his top ribs while feeling his chest muscle for any growth.

“NAHAHOHO-AH I-I dohont neheheed a CHEHheheCK UHUP—“ he cackles, trying his best to dislodge my claw.

“Grace need check up from Adrian. Make sure Grace eat well. Check for fat and muscle growth.” I chirp with a playful tone. "Is Adrian job." I moved my claw from under his arm to trail down it, using another claw to pull his arm from his side.

“I-I ahaham! Ihihim eahahating gohohood!” I trace lightly down his arm as he pulls at it. I pinch at his elbow and let out a yelp and some more giggles. There’s some muscle growth here, though definitely not as much as I would like.

“Hm. Not enough.” I trace down to his wrist, then back up to his inner arm.

“Ah-I’m sohorry!” he tugs weakly at his hand, soft laughter leaving him.

“Grace no apology. Adrian work harder to help. Make grace strong.” I murmur it out while thinking of solutions for later.

I release his arm, and he presses it to his side again, his legs trying to come up and curl him into a ball. I stick a claw back down, feeling around his tummy. He screeches, fighting my arm. 

“Good. Much fat and muscle here.” I firmly press in, feeling all the muscles twitch under my touch. “Rocky will be happy.” 

“EEEAHHAHA—NOHOHO!” I hear blood rush to his head again as embarrassment takes him. “S-stohOHOP—ADRIAHAHAN!” He kicks at my carapace, and I can’t help but let out some giggles. He’s so small and weak; it’s amusing. I have to admit his little human sounds are quite cute.

“Grace too ticklish for exam, question?” I tease a bit, vibrating my claw. He squeezes his eyes shut, shaking his head rapidly.

“A-ADRIAHAHAN– *SNRK* THIHihis ihihisn’t neheceHESSARY!” squeaky noises come from him.

I grab a flailing foot with another claw, stretching his leg out as my other moves down to his thigh. I push into the muscle there and let out a pleased trill.

“Good human Grace! Much muscle here. Good good good.” His other leg kicks out frantically as his arms scramble to pull at my claw. “Such a good human. Adrian can tell Grace been running. Keep up with regiment. Good Grace!” I half tease, half praise, soaking in the new wave of blush creeping up his face.

I squeeze his knee, and his leg jerks hard. “How joints, question?” I know the gravity on our planet has taken its toll on his body. I scratch lightly at the underside, pulling giggles from him.

“T-they ahahache a bihit, not bahahd!” He covers his face, pulling at his appendage.

“Hm. Will work on problem. Brace maybe help.” I go back up and squeeze rapidly at his kneecap.

“ADRIAHAhahan! P-pleheHEHEASE! NOHOHO MOHOHORE-AHAHEHEhehe—“ I let go of his leg, and he immediately folds in on himself, gasping for air.

“Grace very good. Fat and muscle build good. Will add more magnesium and zinc to diet. Help.” I state, scratching at his scalp, pulling lightly at his hair.

“O-okahahay—“

“One spot Adrian check.” I unfold him a bit and pull down his pants a few inches, then push into his lower stomach, making him scream and fight me again.

“ADRIHIHI—NAHAHOHOHOT THEHEHERE!” He squeals, curling around my claw. I squeeze at the little pudge that sits there with content.

“Adrian happy happy happy! Grace get more healthy. Grace doing so good!” His cheeks flush again, ‘hiding’ his face as much as he can while wiggling around.

“NOHOHO—“ I move up a bit and press into his belly button. 

“Yes.” I scratch lightly at the little spot.

“EEEHEHAHA—PLEAHAHASE!” He arches up while making a rather adorable noise.

I stop moving my claw, letting it rest against his tummy. His laughter lingers intertwined with little hiccups and tiny giggles. Different kinds of tears staining his face now. I rub soothing circles into his skin while he catches his breath.

His heartbeat is loud and strong. Alive. Every beat is proof that Rocky made it home. Proof that Grace made it home too. The little pitter patter settles something deep inside me.

He's curled up in my arms, his breathing and heart evening out. He has a smile plastered on his face, and soft giggles still spill from his lips. He wraps his arms around the leg that is still settled on his stomach, and he lets out a sigh. 

“Grace…very endearing. Adrian understand why Rocky love so much.” My admission makes him shove his face in my arm with a flustered noise. I reach a claw up and pet at his head again, sliding to scratch at the base of his neck. He melts into my arms, eyes closing. 

“Thank you. I hope you visit me again.” He shifts a little in my hold.

“Will visit. Promise." his small frame shifting to look at me again. “Adrian apologize for not seeing Grace sooner.” Guilt floods my chords.

"No, it's okay. I understand why.” He laughs slightly. "I would be upset at me too.”

“Not upset at Grace. Or Rocky. Adrian understand situation. Adrian knows feeling not logical. No one fault.” I rumble out gently. "Adrian apologize. Not Grace fault. Grace save Rocky. Adrian forever be in Grace dept. Should not have taken feelings out on Grace Rocky.” I move my claw to under his chin, scratching slightly. He smiles wide, scrunching up his shoulders a bit but tilting his head up, giving me more access.

"It's okay.”

“Is not," frustration lacing my voice. His eyes widen slightly. I can't get over what he said. "Grace really not like Grace, question?” He looks away as I lower my claw from his chin.

“I just–I hate the way I'm so helpless here, I guess? I rely on so many Eridians just to wake up and take a walk. I don't, like, hate myself. I feel like a burden to you and Rock–”

“Grace good burden. Adrian like Grace burden.” I see his heart rate start to rise again. I stroke his forehead as I see tears start to swell in his eyes again. He sniffs and takes a deep inhale. 

“Okay, question?” I say firmly.

He wipes at his eyes. “O-okay.” 

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ🛸༄˖°.

“Adrian?” Rocky's voice pulls me from my thoughts. I hadn't even noticed it sneak up on me.

“Rocky! How was the meeting?” I ask tenderly. The waves crash softly in front of us.

Instead of answering me, its carapace shifts down, its attention on the little human asleep in my lap. It seems to look in shock and awe as I pet Grace. After a moment, it lets out a small excited sound, something I haven't heard in months. 

“D-Did it go well?” Its voice vibrates from joy, already knowing the obvious answer.

I let out a giggle. “Yes. Me and Grace had a good talk.” I bring my claw to scratch at his scalp. He shifts, making adorable little purring noises in his sleep. 

Rocky walks up in front of me and Grace. "I'm very, very, very happy!” it trills, bringing up its claws and shaking them. 

“Me too," I reply fondly. Rocky suddenly stops; the atmosphere around it changes abruptly.

“Are…we okay?” I let out a small, pained sound as Rocky moves a bit closer to me. 

“Yes. I am sorry, my love. I was never mad at you. I apologize for any hurt I have caused.” I reach an arm out, hoping it will come to me.  ' I placed my emotions on you both when shouldn't have."

They come closer, about to take my claw, but hesitates. “I am sorry too. I have not been home with you to spend time or watch you sleep. I had you work nonstop on Grace, not thinking of your thoughts or feelings. I am sorry.” It shifts back and forth, two claws fidgeting together. “Do you still need space?”

“Rocky, I know why you did it. I do not blame you," I whisper out softly. “I would love nothing more than for you to be in my arms.” 

It takes my claw immediately. It was as if I were afraid I might change my mind. I gently pull Rocky closer until it's pressed into me and Grace. The tension leaves its body so quickly it almost makes me laugh. I start caressing it the same way I'm doing with Grace, and exhaustion immediately starts pulling at it again. In my arms, it softens, and I can feel sleep beginning to take hold. A low rumbling starts deep inside Rocky. So sleepy and content with both of us here. I've missed that sound.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ🛸༄˖°.

“Grace!”

I hear my name from across the house.

I’m in the middle of lesson planning, which is something I had, admittedly, been putting off for wife a while, and needed to knock out.

Maybe if I just stay quiet… he’ll think I’m not home… or asleep…

“Grace!” I hear footsteps approaching the bedroom- crap. I really don’t want to get up… what do I do?!

Play dead. Well- play sleep.

“Grace, I know you can hear me this house isn’t that big- …” Simon’s voice stops in the doorway.

“Very convincing. Yeah, your notorious sleeping position, laying like a mummy with an open laptop next to you. Would you get up?”

“How would you know how I sleep?” I grumble.

“I’m sorry, how many times do I have to come in here, so you’re not by yourself after a bad dream, for me to have a pretty good idea of how you sleep?”

“…You can get away with that because I do the same for you, loser.”

“Correct. Up.”

“Fine! Fine. Worte a Shot.”

“A shot in the dark with a blindfold on. Can you please help me? I don’t need you for that long.”

I sigh, lifting both my legs straight up, and using momentum of dropping them back down to sit myself upright, hands still folded over my chest.

“Jesus… Are you done, Dracula?”

“You’re the one with fangs.”

“Don’t start.”

“…Yes, what do you need?” I ask, begrudgingly standing up.

Simon shakes his head, turning to walk out of the room, and I follow close behind.

“I need to get this planter down in the greenhouse, but it’s a million feet in the air.”

“Rocky built that as an automated lift and lower system, didn’t he? You should be able to lower it from the control panel by the neighboring wall.”

“Yeah well, it’s not working. I got it most of the way down, but it jammed at about seven feet up.” Simon sighs.

“Ohhh Rocky’s gonna be mad…” I snicker. “That aside, isn’t there a stepladder in the greenhouse? Or at least one in my office.” I catch up, walking beside Simon now.

“Adrian’s borrowing them.”

“What could they possibly need with a stepladder…”

“Beats me. Point is, I don’t have one.”

I push open the front door of my house, hooking a left.

Rocky and Adrian were kind enough to build Simon a greenhouse in the biodome, and it was conveniently right around the back of my house.

It was… massive. There was enough room in the thing to plant, grow, and keep a thirty foot tree in the central, geodomed cathedral room, with shelving, lighting, and irrigation running all around the room like a botanical penopticon. 

The ground was mostly moss and clover, a lush green space that Simon often liked to read, dwell, and nap on while I was busy teaching.

He always looked so peaceful curled up in the foliage, with the yellow-green light dappling down from the skylights. Every once in a while, I’d join him.

Around the circumference of the cathedral was a metal path, starting from the wall and stretching inward about five feet, offering sturdy footing for more utilitarian activities.

There were a few offshoot rooms as well, used for storage, lab space, and a small, personal gallery room with a collection of some of Simon’s favorite plants he’s grown in the months we’ve been here.

The space in the very center sat empty, a tiered pedaatal of soil dedicated for Simon’s seedling, should he ever want to plant it. We were still working up the courage to separate the seedling from his amulet, but the option was always there.

Simon pushes the doors of the greenhouse open, the thick, humid air hitting me like a wave as we enter the small foyer leading into the central dome.

“Ah! You’ve planted some stuff around the center plot! Looks good!” I smile, walking over to the newly planted foliage, crouching down to have a better look.

“Anything special about these guys?” I ask, gently taking one of the tiny, hearty leaves between my fingers.

“No, not really. Just some sturdy ground cover. Sedum Angelina, is what it’s called. Adrian brought me some new substrate to try out in here, so I figured these succulents would be a safe start.

I nod, standing up. “Cool! Looks pretty. I like the bright green.”

“Thanks.”

“So what plant is it that you so urgently needed my help retrieving?” I put my hands on my hips.

Simon is already a few yards away from me, staring up at an obviously, very out of place shelf of plants, suspended awkwardly by articulated xenonite arms.

“This. It’s jammed, and that sucks, but more urgently, I need that philodendron up there so I can repot it. Its roots are going bad.”

“Uh huh… which one is the philoso-hedron, exactly?”

“…philodendron, ‘Professor’ Grace, and it’s the one to the right of the center.”

I hum in thought, looking around for anything I could use to step on to reach the plant.

“I’ve already looked. There’s nothing.”

“And so then what am I here for?”

“You’re taller, I thought you could get to it.”

“What?! How tall do you think I am?! Better yet how short are you?!”

“I thought you had better wingspan!”

“My arms aren’t that long. Strong, but not long.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“Ok, I’m gonna go home then.” I cross my arms.

“No! Just- help me think of something!”

I throw my arms up. “That’s so vague! I thought you already had a working idea!”

“No, scientist, that’s why I need you!”

I laugh incredulously, looking up at the plant.

It looks back at me.

“I’ll lift you.” I say with a sigh.

“What? No.”

“I’ve done it before.”

“When?”

“How’d you think you got out of your sardine can and into my medbay, Brinestein? I had to haul your butt across the whole ship!”

“Brinestein is so lame.”

“Whatever, you’re getting lifted.” I rolled my eyes, taking a few steps over to Simon.

“No! What?!”

“You want your phyllo-dungeon or not?!”

“Okay! God- I’ll step up on your hands.” Simon relents, groaning.

“Absolutely not. With all the mud and dirt and icky nonsense you track in my house on those boots? No.”

“I’ll take them off.”

“Even worse, actually. Just let me lift you normally! Like a cheerleader or something!” I chuckle, making a move to take Simon by the waist and hoist him upwards.

He flinches, taking a step back.

“What?!” I laugh, throwing my arms out, half in amusement, half in frustration.

“Don’t just come at me like that! Warn me!”

“Okahahay! 3 2 1 let’s go.” I count down quickly, taking Simon by the waist, and attempting to lift, only for him to gasp, and shove me off, a stupid, goofy half-smile on his face.

“Ohhhhhh brother, are we serious?” I rest my hands on my bent knees, letting my head hang.

“How am I supposed to turn it off?!” He barks out at me.

“Shh, don’t yell around the plants, Simon, they’ll think you’re yelling at them.”

Simon snorts rolling his eyes.

“I don’t know, just- flex your stomach or something. Just brace for it.” I shrug. “It’s gonna tickle regardless, but it’ll be over in two seconds.”

Simon nods.

…

“Ok but turn around and face the Philly-ding-dong so you can grab it.”

“Philodendron-!” He hisses, swiveling on his heels to face the suspended shelf.

“That’s what I said!” I chuckle, stepping right behind Simon. “Ok, ready?” I ask, hands at the ready.

“Yeah, just do it.”

“Ok, one… two.. theee!”

I take Simon again by the waist, just below the ribs, and get him about eight inches off the ground before I hear I sputtering snort, and he wriggles, slipping in my hold.

He falls back into my chest, my arms wrapped around his torso to anchor us both to the ground, the both of us giggling like drunken fools.

“Simon Fisher if you don’t pull it together and let me do this, I’ll give you something to laugh at, and that’s a promise.” I punctuate my joking threat with a pat on the chest, before pushing him up off of me.

“How about I lift you up instead, then asshole?!” Simon scoffs. 

“It’s not my Phil-the Dodo!” I laugh out with a dramatic shrug.

“Fine!! Then- at least lift me from here instead!”

Simon gestures under his arms, like that was somehow a smarter idea.

“…You must be joking.”

“…yeah, I don’t know why I even said that…”

“I don’t know why you say a lot of things. Alright, c’mon. Third times a charm.” I clap my hands, the sound echoing through the dome.

Simon sighs. “Okay… Go.”

I nod, taking hold of him again, lifting Simon up, and…

“AH-! Oof-!”

Simon thrashes, this time knocking us completely off balance, both of us tumbling down into the mossy ground. I held Simon tight to my chest as I took the brunt of the fall, sandwiched between plush moss, and Simon’s entire weight.

“You prihihick! You squeezed me that time!”

“Uuurregh- no I didn’t! You moved, and I readjusted so you’d stay stable!”

“Liar!”

“I’m not lying! It’s not my fault you’ve got gills with ten billion nerve endings in them, so the only place TO lift you up from is your waist!”

“IT WAS YOUR ISEA TO PICK ME UP!”

“YOU ASKED FOR MY HELP!! AND I CAN’T BREATHE!”

“YOURE HOLDING ME LIKE A VICE, IDIOT.”

I snort. “Oh yeah.”

Instead of letting Simon up, I tighten my grip around Simon’s torso, and dig one hand of curled fingers into his stomach, kneading the flesh like dough. The other hand slid over to his side, pinching and skittering over the area rapidly.

“AahHAHAHA- A-AAH! GRAHAHACE!”

I snicker, resting my chin on his shoulder as he struggled. “I told you I’d give you something to laugh about, Giggles!”

“GEHET- OHIHOFF!”

“Why?! Im enjoying my weighted blanket!” I made sure every breath ghosted over Simon’s gills.

“A-AHAHAHA- AH-! JEHEHERK!”

“Oh hush, you’re loving it.” I reach up and give his ribs a few jabs, with a rather childish “pbbft!” Sounds accompanying each one.

“IM NOHOHOT- AHAHA! STOP BREATHING ON MY NECK-!”

“Oh so you want me to suffocate? So mean to me.” I sigh through pursed lips, directing the air at the same spot. My hand travels up from Simon’s side, landing under his arm.

“You’re doing NOTHING to free yourself right now- ew! My lord you’re sweaty-“

I retract my hand from under Simon’s arm, wiping it off annoyingly on his chest.

Simon seizes my moment of weakness, thrashing to the side, and freeing himself from my grip

He rolls onto the moss beside me, and we sit up at the same time. He stares at me, I stare back.

He’s gonna chase me…

“Start running.”

“Yessir.” I mutter.

In the blink of an eye, we both tear off, running like bats out of hell. I clamber up to a stable, steady position, trying not to lose my balance as I run.

I don’t have to look behind me to know Simon’s hot on my trail. He’s much faster than me, but I know how to pivot.

I run about half the circumference of the greenhouse’s central dome’s paved path, and with a squeak of my shoes on the ground, I make a dangerously sudden 180, narrowly missing Simon.

“Ha!” I bark out as I continue back the other way.

Simon growls, adjusting from the disorientation. And following me once again.

With the little bit of time o managed to buy myself, I made the decision to turn into the propagation lab just up ahead, ducking in and taking a moment to assess my surroundings.

I find a large, alien-ish palm in the corner, tucked away among the maze of fronds, vines, and leaves in the lab. Perfect.

As quietly as I can, I scurry behind the massive, metal pot, hiding between it and the wall.

I had to admit, this was actually fun! I hadn’t played silly games like this in years…

“Ryyyyland…”

I hate this, I’m scared, and I’m not having fun. Why is his voice so deep?! It’s like he’s talking with a lion’s growl…

I know Simon’s in here with me, but the lights remain off. Awesome.

“You can’t hide from me in my own lab, Rocketman- I know the layout like the back of my hand.”

‘The one you’re missing?’ Is what I want to say, but I’m too scared to speak.

I hear heavy bootsteps navigating the room, the sound of things being shuffled and maneuvered. I move to peek over the pot to get a better look at where exactly Simon is.

Two red and brown eyes meet my gaze, looming over the pot as I peek over.

“Boo.”

I yelp, moving back, only to be brutally reminded that I chose a spot that locked me into an inescapable corner.

“NOOOO! NO NO SIMON! PleEHEHEASE!” I shriek, laughing nervously as Simon slowly steps around to the side of the pot, standing above me.

“Please what? What’re you begging for? I haven’t even done anything.” He lowers himself down, crouching in front of me.

“PleHEHEASE. Simonohon- you don’t have to do this.”

“I wasn’t planing to originally, but you made the Chase-and-find so fun…”

“W-what are you some kinda wild ahahnimal?!”

“Well- I mean… kinda.” He chuckles, tapping his external tooth with a metallic finger.

Oh my god he just might eat me…

Without another second thought, he lunges at me, knocking me back into the wall, and dragging me down to the floor, holding me there by my shoulders.

“OHOHOW-! Too rough! Jeez!” I complain, not bothering to struggle.

“Ohhh I’m sorry.” He says it in a patronizing tone, but he does take a little bit of weight off of me, but that’s about where the compassion ends, unfortunately.

“AaaAAAAAaaAAAAAAAAAHAHAHA-!!”

“My gid, I’m barely doing anything- my ears are gonna bleed.” Simon groans, slipping both hands up my sides, around the back. And up to my shoulder blades, scratching agonizing, slow circles into the muscle there.

“YEHEHES YOU ARE! GEHEHET OFF!!” I cry out, reaching my arms up to weakly push and punch at Simon’s chest. He seems utterly unphased.

“Well thank you for getting those out of the way for me…” Simon gathers both my wrists in this prosthetic hand, the grip tight and unwavering. He lifts them over my head, and against the wall above where I lay, and moves his free hand to the front of me, vibrating clawed fingers into my stomach.

“AAAAAAAHAHAA THIS ISNT FAHAHAIR!! I WASN’T NEARLY THIS ROUGH-!!” I whine, thrashing and bucking my hips.

“Cry about it.” Simon smiles. Deliberately dragging his hand so that one finger catches my navel.

“AAAAAHAHAHA-!! CRAHAHAP-!!” My whole body jerks, my arms pulling against Simon’s grip.

“Woah- that’s new.”

“NoHO IT ISN’T YOU KNOW THAT GEHEHETS ME!”

“Everything gets you. Everything.” Simon rolls his eyes, poking me in the belly button again, making me sputter.

“NOHOHOT TRUE.”

“Oh yea?!”

“YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRY.”

“Well if you’re gonna sit here and lie to my face, yes the fuck I do.”

“LAHAHANGUAGE!”

“Whatever GeekSquad.” He chuckles. “Let’s try… here.

Simon drags his nails along the underside of my upper arm, up the length of my tricep. I snort, turning my head to hide my face in my shoulder.

“Like who else would this work on?”

“A-ahAhaHA-! Th-thERE’s a lotta ner-“

“If you give me a breakdown of every nerve in your body right now, we’re gonna have issues.” Simon squeezes the area just above my elbow, cutting me off.

“Snrk- OKAHAY OKAY-!!”

Simon spends the next minute poking and squeezing me all over, just to prove his point. My hip, the part of my upper chest that nearly meets my arm, my thigh, my knee… and darn it he was right. I laughed at every one. I’m chalking it up to adrenaline…

“OKAHAHAY ALRIGHT I GET IT PLEHEHEASE-!”

I shake my head, glasses long since fogged up.

“I’ll stop if you agree to let me lift YOU to get my plant down off the shelf. Is that a deal?”

I groan. “Still with that stuhuhupid pill-addendum.”

“See now you’ve pissed me off.”

“Whahat?!”

“You know how to say it, assholw, you call everything by its Latin name!”

“Whatever!! It’s clohohose enough!”

“Say it correctly.”

“No! Get away!”

“Say it correctly!”

“No!!”

Simon tuts, hooking a hand behind my shoulder, resting near my neck.

“Still no?”

I freeze. “Sihihimon- Simon. C’mon-“

“3”

“WAHAIT! How do you say it?! I forget!!”

“2…”

“I DONT REMMBER HOW TO SAHAHAY IT!”

“1.”

Simon latches onto the nape of my neck, vibrating his fingertips roughly into the flesh.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHAHAHA-!!! NOOOHOHONONONO SILON! SIMON PLEHEHEASE!!” I feel my body tense up, my laughter becoming frantic, almost manic.

“Say it correctly for me, agree to my deal, and I’ll stop.” He pinches my neck, and slides his fingers upwards, sending an electric current down my spine.

“S-SHI- A-AHAHAA-!! UHM- UH- I CANT THINK!!”

“Yes you can, you’re great at it.” Simon purrs he momentarily switches to the side of my neck, offering me brief respite to think, only to return to the nape just a few seconds later. I can feel my face reddening as I for some reason hold my breath.

“Breathe, Ryland. You’re gonna knock yourself out.”

I let a breath out with a sputtered exhale through gritted teeth. I probably spat a little, but my eyes were closed. So if I didn’t see it, ir didn’t happen.

“PH-PHILO-DENDRON?!”

“Very good Angel, you’re halfway there.” Simon runs his nails up into my hair, and back down, making me shiver.

“A-AHA-! OKAY, Y-YES OKAHAHAY I’LL GET THE PLANT. ENOHOHOUGH!!”

Simon retracts his hand, and releases my wrists from the wall, and I slump into the ground, gasping for air.

“If you’d stop holding your breath you wouldn’t have to fight for air like this.” Simon chuckles, carding a hand through my hair, pushing it back off my face.

“You’re sweating like a pig…” he groans.

“Yeah, see how it feels?!” I huff out. He chuckles.

“Get offa me.” I hiss.

“What’s the attitude about?”

“You’re Heavy and you’re making me claustrophobic.”

“You’re not claustrophobic.”

“You don’t know my life!”

“You sleep with a weighted blanket. 20 lbs, And you pull it over your head. You aren’t claustrophobic.” I huff dramatically.

“I am when it’s you! Get offa me or I’m not getting your plant down.”

Simon shoots me a look, leaning slightly back down. I put my hands up defensively.

“Hey, what I said back there? I didn’t mean that.” I murmur.

“That’s what I thought.” Simon stands up, bracing himself on the wall as he extends a hand to me. I accept it, and he pulls me up with minimal effort.

“And you’re sure there’s nothing in here at all you can use to get your plant off that shelf.” I sigh, as we leave the lab, and make our way back to the suspended shelf.

“I’ve exhausted all my options, I assure you.”

I look up at the plant.

Stupid plant.

“Fine, let’s go. Let me step up on your hand.”

“Yeah, nice try Space Ranger, you’re going up cheerleader style.”

“Well, actually some cheer routines so use the hand ste-“

“Turn around and shut up.”

“Fine.” I turn around in a few theatrical stomps.

“Ready?”

“Don’t count me down, just go.”

“Alright, aaand- up!”

Simon takes me by my waist, lifting me up easily. I struggle for a moment, fighting the tingling feeling through my torso. I grab Simon’s philodendron, and I’m swiftly lowered back down to the ground.

“God you’re heavy.” Clearly, he’s joking, but I miss the cue

“No I’m not! I’m lighter than you are! You’ve got 7 pounds on me in muscle alone!” I protest.

“It’s a joke, hun.”

My face flares red as I clutch the plant.

“Don’t- you’ve never called- don’t call me that, don’t do that.” I stammer out.

Simon smiles at me. “Is it too warm in here for you?”

“No, shut up. Here. And I did it without flailing around.” I shove the plant into his arms.

It’s dark green, with flecks of pink all over the leaves. Honestly it’s quite pretty.

I’m sorry for calling you stupid, pretty plant.

Simon takes it. Examining it closely. He tips it to look at the roots through the clear planter.

“You’re gonna hate me.”

“…”

“This isn’t the philodendron I needed to repot. Its roots are fine.” He looks up and down the tall wall of greenery, spotting a similar plant a few feet to the right, and significantly lower, with obviously yellowed roots.

“…that’s the one I needed.” He snorts, dropping his face into his hand.

love my students, I really, truly do. I'm grateful very day for the privilege to teach extraterrestrials about life on my home planet.

That said...

l've never been good with kids.

Kids of my own. Taking care of them outside of academia.

Not... my strongsuit.

So you can imagine my hesitation when my best friend in the whole wide universe asks me for a favor I couldn't be less qualified for.

"No."

"Why, Question? Grace is teacher. Grace is good with young, statement."

"I'm good with kids I, yes, when I have structures to follow, Rocky. Schedule, regimented routine. I'm not equipped for this. Why do you think I don't have my own kids?!"

"Because Grace has no mate, and no desire for one, statement."

"..You're real funny, you know that? Hysterical.”

The answer is no I'm not babysitting your friend's pebbles." I say with a tone of finality.

"Grace mean."

“What?!"

"Grace horrible, statement."

"How am I horrible for this?! I- l've got lessons to plan! l've got assignments to grade, l've got cleaning to do-"

"Only Grace live in house. Why messy, question?"

“Oh and your place is spotless?”

“Yes.”

“Doubtful. If it’s anything like how you kept your area in the ship, it’s a wreck. Goodbye Rocky.”

I slowly begin closing the door. Rocky puts his body in the way, and I groan.

"Grace please, question? Pebbles' guardian visit parent today. Very very sick. Need someone to watch pebbles for today. Just today."

I soften a little, hearing why the pebbles were in need of a caregiver ... though pity wasn't quite enough to talk myself into childcare.

“And you can't watch them? Adrian?"

"Rocky and Adrian much busy today. Biodome maintenance." I groan, closing my eyes for a moment.

"And you've exhausted every other possible option.

"Yes yes yes."

I sigh dramatically, leaning my head back on the doorframe. "My goooooodddddd-"

-

I stood awkwardly in the doorway, looking down at the three pebbles in front of me

They looked up at me, standing politely on my doorstep.

There is no way… I agreed to this.

“Why Grace look scared, question?” One pebble asked. They were orange, brown, and tan. The colors were separated in neat layers like the belts and zones of Jupiter, which is the English name i had given them.

“I do not look scared. Grace is not scared.” I say, shrugging, ushering the pebbles into the house, stepping aside as they all trotted in.

“Mmm Mister Hrace look scared, statement.” Rosie whined, jumping up onto the chair in my living room as I shut the door behind us all. This particular pebble had some kind of a pink-ish quartzite thing going on around the top of their carapace, which sort of looked like a raw crystal tiara, and a few speckles on the tips of their claws. Naturally, the name Rosie was an easy choice.

“Guys, I’m not afraid! I promise. Just anxious-”they don’t need to know that, Ryland. “I’m alright. Look, what do you guys feel like doing?” I asked, leaning against the wall as the pebbles roamed the room, getting a feel for the place.

“Grace teach!”

“Yes yes!!”

I smile, shaking my head.

“Guys, we’re not in class! We don’t have to do class work if you don’t want to.”I shrug.

“Nooo Grace teach!” Rosie protests, standing up and bouncing in place on the chair.

I shake my head.

“Alright, okay. We can do some rapid fire questions then as an icebreaker. How’s that?”

All three pebbles chirp and stamp their feet excitedly.

I chuckle, taking a seat on the floor, pointing to Jupiter.

“Ok! Yes, Jupiter?”

“How much human on earth, question?”

“Uhhh, when I left there were just over eight billion.”

“WOA!! Much human!!” Jupiter chimes back.

“I know! There’s a lot of us! Way too many… uhh, yes! Rosie!” I clap, turning, and pointing to the crystalline Weidian on the chair.

“All human look like grade, question?”

“No- well- kinda? Just like you guys we all have the same parts- head, body, arms, and legs. But we xome in all different shapes, sizes, shades, and have other little things that make us individual. Good question!”

I point to the third pebble, who quietly raised a paw to ask their question. I called them Lichen. They seemed a little more shy than the others. A thinner, taller dark green and grey pebble with lighter splotches all over.

“Yes!” I smile at them.

“Um… if human no eat Eridian food, then what Grace eat, question?”

Ohhhhh, that’s not something I’m gonna explain to them right now.

“That… is a great question, buddy! But unfortunately I think it’ll take a little too long to explain. Let’s put a pin in that for another time, ok?” I smile awkwardly.

Silence…

“Y’know what? Let’s play a card game!” I decided, desperate to fill the silence.

“No understand. What that, question?” Rosie tilts their carapace.

“C’mon let’s play one. I’ll teach you guys.” I smile, sitting down on my floor, reaching for a battered deck of cards I had in my Hail Mary carryon- my Hail Mary-On, if you will- that now lived on my television stand.

I taught Rocky how to play a few card games on the journey to Erid. Solitaire, Tunk, even poker. We had to use skittles as chips… point is, I had outfitted all 52 cards with distressed numbers and text with some hot glue so that Rocky could “see” the cards. They were already Eridian approved.

“Alright, everyone sit in a circle. We’re gonna learn ‘go fish’.”

-

These kids were quick learners. It only took a round and a half for all three of them to get the hang of the game, and before long, we were on a steady flow of the game.

One thing I didn’t expect, was how competitive they all were. I mean, I should have seen it coming, they’re all siblings. But they were ruthless.

“Lie!! Does have six. Can see it!” Jupiter shouted, dropping their cards and stamping their two front legs on the ground in apparent frustration.

“Hey, hey- what did we say about looking at each other’s decks? I know you guys can echolocate, but you can’t-“

“No lie, no lie!! I no have six!” Rosie shouted back, a little frazzled and confused.

“Lie! Can see ! There! Why no give six, question?!”

“Rosie not have. Jupiter cheat!”

“Guys-“ I try to intervene, seeing that the siblings’ shouting was starting to scare Lichen, who had huddled themself next to me, clutching their cards close to their carapace.

“I NOT CHEAT!! ROSIE BAD BAD BAD AT GAME!” Jupiter yells. Loud, pitchy tones eminatinf from them as they hoist themself up on their back legs like a dog about to attack, and strikes down on Rosie, their xenonite suits colliding with a loud clink.

Rosie shrieks, curling in on themself, whimpering beside their dropped cards.

I spring up from the floor, fearing that the impact may have damaged one of, if not both of their suits.

“Hey, HEY! SEPARATE. JUPITER, BACK OFF.” I bark out, a lot sharper than I intended.

Immedietly I put a hand up, signaling silence, as I listened for the sound of any potential air leaks from the pebbles’ suits. When nothing follows but silence, I take a breath.

“Jupiter, we do not hit and jump at each other, that’s dangerous, and it’s mean. Do you realize how much danger you could have put Rosie in if you broke their suit?! My atmospheric conditions are toxic for your bodies. You could seriously hurt each other.” My voice was sharp. Honestly I was pretty peeved.

“Suit not break. Made of xenonite. Very strong”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ve seen it broken before, it can happen. Point is, we can’t put each other in reckless danger over a game.” I say.

I reach over to pick up Rosie’s discarded cards, looking for the supposed six that Jupiter swore they had. It was a nine. They read the number upside down.

“Look, bud. You mistook Rosie’s 9 card for a 6. You shouldn’t have been looking anyway, but even so, you read it wrong.” I say, sliding the 9 of hearts over, next to Jupiter’s 6 of hearts.

“I think you owe Rosie an apology. That wasn’t very nice.” I tilted my head down, looking straight at Jupiter over the rim of my glasses. A particularly “scary” look, according to my students back on earth.

Jupiter didn’t budge, turning around, and plopping down with their back to me.

“Fine. We’ll revisit this in a little bit. You’re still gonna have to apologize though. Why don’t you three go hang out in Rocky’s dome and cool down while take a look at your suits.”

I got a disappointed warble from all three of the pebbles.

“Me too Mister Grace?” Lichen trilled quietly at my side, still a little bit shaken from the fuss.

“Yes, buddy- you too. I need you all in one safe place while I work.” I said with a slow nod, standing and leading the siblings to Rocky’s dome, which sat comfortably in the corner of the living room.

One by one, the pebbles filed into the dome, shedding their xenonite suits, and nudging them into the airlock for me to retrieve.

“Thank you guys. I’ll only be a few minutes, alright? Let’s all take a breather and regroup. I’ll even turn on the tv for you.” I grab the suits from the airlock, standing up and turning towards the television mounter to the opposite wall.

“What’s on… hmmm…” I scroll through the endless, preloaded media, settling on an animated show I vaguely recognize. Something about twins on summer break? I dunno.

Probably not the best representation of earth, it I just needed them distracted, not educated.

-

Thankfully, the suits sustained no damage.

I figured they wouldn’t- xenonite is incredibly strong. But if Rocky could punch out of his habitat in a few strikes in several atmospheres of pressure, clearly it isn’t indestructible. I say back, lifting my overhead light away from the suits and taking a deep breath.

I still had two more hours left with the pebbles before Rocky was scheduled to pick them up and take them home, and I was already fresh out of ideas. Card games didn’t go very well, they weren’t hungry…

“NO NO-!”

I perk up, hearing Rosie’s voice from a few rooms over. What the heck?

“JUPITER BAD BAD!!”

Oh boy.

I spring up from my swiveling chair, tearing down the hallway to the living room. It had only been Doreen minutes! Are they seriously fighting again?!

Oh…

I stop in the doorway, chest heaving as I rush to put eyes on the pebbles.

They’re… fine.

Rosie was shouting, yes, but it looked like they were just playing with Jupiter. Roughhousing.

“What’re you guys doing-?” I shuffled over to the demonize some, crouching down. Neither Jupiter nor Rosie respond to me, so I turn to Lichen.

“What’s happening? Should I be concerned?” I feel the puzzled look on my face.

“Jupiter apologize to Rosie. Bad apology. Rosie no talk to Jupiter. Mad mad mad. Jupiter make Rosie laugh and feel better!” They explain.

“Huh…” I look look at the pair again, and wouldn’t you know it, Rosie was laughing.

Laughing in the Eridian sense, that is. Soft, high-pitched, bird like chirps. I’ve heard it from Rocky plenty of times.

I crane my neck to see why exactly they were giggling so much.

They had rolled onto their side, kicking all five legs wildly about, And Jupiter was standing on their hind three legs again, like they were before, but this time, they were gently poking and tapping at Rosie’s carapace with their two front legs. Kinda like a cat kneading, I suppose.

“What’re they doing… exactly?” I lean over to Lichen, still observing the other two pebbles through the dome wall.

“Jupiter tapping on Rosie. Make big fast sound waves that Eridians can feel. Feels funny!”

I nod slowly. “Oh so- they’re tickling Rosie.”

Lichen chirps in confusion.

“Yeah humans have something like that too. Not soundwaves though. Just physical touch. If it hits us a certain way, we laugh. I thought I explained that to you guys… maybe that was my B group… That’s interesting that you guys have it too.” I smile fondly at the pebbles tumbling around on the dome.

“So it’s just soundwaves bouncing off your shells- all over?” Lichen trills, nodding. They hop up, front feet against the dome, tapping profusely.

It startles me for a moment, I flinch back.

Oh, they’re tapping in the mesh screen.

“You want me to try?”

“Yes yes! I show Grace!”

I scoot closer to the dome, sitting crisscross, and gently pass my hand through the xenonite mesh. It melds to the shape of my hand, reaching its limit at the middle of my forearm.

Lichen hops down from the wall, meeting my hand as it enters the dome, like an animal encouraging you to pet it.

I smile, giving Lichen a pat on the top of the carapace, before gently tapping my fingers one at a time.

I can feel their body tremble for a moment, before a bunch of melodic chirps emit from the pebble.

“Ha, it works! That’s so interesting!” I laugh to myself.

I try tapping just a little bit harder, not cruelly so - just testing the reaction.

Lichen shrieks and falls over on their side like a stunned cow.

“Oh! Sorry bud, too much?” I reach my other hand in through the mesh, assisting the pebble back into an upright position.

They trill, lifting a leg and tapping my xenonite covered hand.

“Sorry, I can’t feel anything with the xenonite. Good try though!” I give them another pat on the top of their carapace, and bring my attention back to Rosie and Jupiter. The latter of the two had come over to see what I was up to.

“What Grace doing, question?”

“Lichen was teaching me about the game you were playing with Rosie. Did you apologize to them?”

“Yes! Apology apology! Then make Rosie laugh because Rosie still mad mad mad.”

“I see that! Seems like it worked.” I smile.

“Yes! Rosie all better now. Can we come into our now?” Jupiter asks, nudging my hand back through the mesh.

I chuckle, pulling my hands back out.

“Yeah, ok sure. Let me go get your suits.

I stand up, jogging back to my office to retrieve the xenonite suits, bringing them back, and placing them in the airlock.

The pebbles wriggle into their suits, stretching their legs into them like we would with a pair of pants. Once I was sure they were safely encased, I cycled the airlock, and opened the door.

Immedietly, I’m bowled over.

“Oof-! Jupiter!” The pebble bounded at me, knocking me backward onto the ground, standing on my chest triumphantly.

“I see Grace!!” They shout, stamping their feet a few times.

“Ehehe-hehe-! I see you too bud!” I chuckle, nodding up to the pebble.

These guys were only about a third Rocky’s size, and a fifth his weight each, but 60lbs of concentrated weight was nothing to sneeze at.

“Would you mind getting down, Jupiter?”

“Grace not still mad at Jupiter, question?”

I furrow my brow.

“What? No, why would I-” Oh, he wants to make sure I’m not still upset with his little stunt against Rosie. I see. “No kiddo, I wasn’t mad at you, I was just a little disappointed, that’s all.”

“Is worse!!” Jupiter whines, stamping their foot again. I recoil, curling up on myself a little.

“Ahahah! Ohohow! It’s not worse! Stop poking me!”

“Hurt?!”

“Grace hurt?!”

The other two pebbles piped up, clearly worried by my reaction.

“No no, not hihuhurt. Don’t worryhyhehe! Okay, Enohohough!”

“Jupiter make Grace laugh! Make him feel better. No more mad, happy happy! Work on Rosie!”

Oh dear.

“No! No, that’s not-HAHA-!” Jupiter cuts me off as they stand up on my middle, losing balance, and slipping, dragging a leg down my side.

“Ohohokay, time to get off.” I gently lift the pebble, shifting them off me, and placing them beside me.

They warble at me in protest. “Angle no good, but okay.” They say, hoisting up on their back legs once again.

“NoO-! No noHOHO! JUHUHUPITER!!”

Before I can roll away, they begin tapping and prodding my torso, in nearly the same way they had to Rosie a little while ago.

“Knock ihihit ohOHOFF, that tigihickles!!” I curl up, rolling onto my side, my back to Jupiter as I realize the other two pebbles are just.. watching!! Unbelievable!

“GuhuHUYS!! Hehelp!” I call out to the other pebbles, who slowly approach me.

“Help, question?” Lichen chirps.

“Okay!! Help Grace!” Rosie pounces at me, joining in with Jupiter, poking sharp little paws into my back.

“nOHOHAHAHA!! I- I DONT MEAN LIKE THAT.”

“Grace laugh loud loud loud. Can feel soundwaves too, question?” Lichen asks softly. They sat a distance away, not wanting to be involved.

“HA-HAHA-! N-NO, I TOLD TOU, AHAHA- ITS- ITS JUST THE TOUCH!” I fold my arms over my torso, hugging my knees up to my chest.

I can’t believe I’m writhing on the floor, bested by three children. This is a new low…

“Grace still mad at Jupiter, question?” The question was punctuated with two rapid jabs to the middle of my back.

“AH-! AHAHA-! NO, KIHIHIDDO, I ALREADY SAID NO!” I attempted to push at the pebbles, unable to move their weight at my awkward angle.

“Grace weak, statement.” Rosie giggles.

“I’M NOHOHOT. YOU GUYS ARE HEHEHEAVY!”

In a futile, last reach for freedom, I reach out both arms to both assailing Eridians, tapping my fingers firmly against the xenonite of their suits.

Both Jupiter and Rosie shriek, taking a surprised step back. Lichen giggles.

“Hahaa! Payback!” I sit up, relishing my newfound freedom. I reach out, grabbing both pebbles, and bringing them close with a grunt of effort.

Once I have them, I begin drumming my fingers across both Jupiter and Rosie’s carapaces, just as Lichen taught me.

A symphony of high-pitched chirps fly out from the siblings, ten little legs wiggling and kicking.

I coo softly at the display., listening to the musical laughter. “Oh you guys are adorable!” I grin.

“Feels funny!!” Rosie yips, falling over on their side.

“I know! That’s the whole point!”

I alternate between tapping against the broad surfaces of their carapaces, to along their legs, near their joints, and gently around the tops of their carapaces.

I couldn’t really tell if anything work better or worse than any other spot, they giggled all the same.

Now, I’m no pianist, but I found myself tapping the notes of ‘Carol of the Bells’ on Bothe the pebbles at once.

Tap, tap tap, tap. Tap, tap tap tap.

I was kinda impressed with myself for keeping the rhythm steady for as long as I had.

“Mihihister Grace!!” Jupiter chirped

“Ugh! You messed up my song! Now I’ve gotta start over. “ I sigh dramatically.

“BONOHO!”

“GRAHACE!”

I begin to whistle the song as I tap along. Rosie and Jupiter wobble around, giggling and churping for a good long while, until finally,

“NO MORE NO MOGOHORE!” Jupiter yips.

With that, I lift my hands away, chuckling.

“Alright! Alright. No more.” I say, lying back down on the carpet.

“You guys alright?”

Rosie and Jupiter trill happily in reply.

“Good. Is that enough proof that I’m not upset either you anymore, Jupiter?”

“Yes yes, understand now.” Jupiter stands slowly, crawling over to my side.

I fear for a moment that they plan to pounce on me again, but they don’t.

They plop down right next to me, tucking their legs in like a cat. Rosie follows suit on my other side, nestling themself beneath my arm.

“Whahahat’re you guys doing?” I chuckle a bit unsurely, as finally Lichen joins the pile, taking a seat by my shoulder.

“Pebbles sleepy now.” Lichen says. I look up at them.

“They’re tired out? Huh… but why on top of me?”

“Young Eridians like to sleep in pile! Safety and warmth.”

I smile softly, nodding.

“Got it. Young stick together because they’re still small and vulnerable. Makes sense.” I say with a yawn. I’d gotten pretty tired myself.

“Grace sleepy too, question?” Lichen tilts down to look at me.

“Yeah.. a little bit…” I gently wrap my arms around the drowsy pebbles.

“Is okay. Grace and siblings sleep. I watch.”

I nod softly.

“Mkay… thanks, bud…”