Lars Kaufman

Guess who’s back..? Look outside, heh..

{You can see me flashing my fighter’s running lights at you.}

[It’s been a long day. I had a crew member accidentally lock themselves in the jump drive room and had spent a couple hours forcefully unlocking the hatch and fixing the hatch. I’ve been on high alert of everything for days now, especially with what Abigail seemed to be planning. There were others too, the Astrid fellow.]

[I find myself angrily writing on my compiled whiteboard, still trying to figure out who hurt me those weeks ago. My datapad lay on my desk behind me, some 10 or so feet away. Aphid’s voice fades in quickly.]

[At the sound of her voice my eyes go wide again. She was only gone for a few days, and had talked with me on comms just two days ago, but I always brightened up like…for lack of better terms, like a dog seeing their owner return home. I attempt to hustle over to the desk but need the cane to keep me from falling over.]

A-Aphid! Hey-

[I turn to the window of my office, and below, by the side of the cargo hull, was her fighter. She was alright. She was home.]

Ah, I see you there! Hold on, let me get to the cockpit to open the cargo!

[You can hear my footsteps and some loud ruffling as I awkwardly cling the datapad to my side as I walk quickly to the cockpit, before I sit down.]

Alright, alright…I can’t wait to see the surprise!!

Aphid! You…

[I can’t help but pull you into a warm hug.]

You damn sure surprised me!…good to have you back.

[I let go a little. I couldn’t believe she finally had done it. Let herself.]

Yeah.. I really let ‘em have it. Heh.. uh.. well.. lots happened, but.. I’m back now. Uh.. hope things have been goin’ well around here.

And.. uh.. one snarky word outta your mouth and I’ll kill ya.

You can count on it. Just glad you let yourself- eh, them, you let them have it. Happy for you is all I’m saying.

[I hug you again.]

Ugh, sorry for this…you just don’t know how much I miss your company…

{my ears droop a bit. I look guilty.}

I hope, anyway.

Don’t worry about that…I’ll find a way to take care of it.

{I hug tighter. My tail wags happily. Stars, I needed this.}

I figured as much… if you’re tired, I could take you to bed maybe…would you mind a nap together, pup?

Ughhhh....

I don't know how to land yet...

Ohhh... I think my liver is in my chest... Ughh...

Oh! I Am so sorry!! I didn't mean to interrupt!!

Guess who’s back..? Look outside, heh..

{You can see me flashing my fighter’s running lights at you.}

[It’s been a long day. I had a crew member accidentally lock themselves in the jump drive room and had spent a couple hours forcefully unlocking the hatch and fixing the hatch. I’ve been on high alert of everything for days now, especially with what Abigail seemed to be planning. There were others too, the Astrid fellow.]

[I find myself angrily writing on my compiled whiteboard, still trying to figure out who hurt me those weeks ago. My datapad lay on my desk behind me, some 10 or so feet away. Aphid’s voice fades in quickly.]

[At the sound of her voice my eyes go wide again. She was only gone for a few days, and had talked with me on comms just two days ago, but I always brightened up like…for lack of better terms, like a dog seeing their owner return home. I attempt to hustle over to the desk but need the cane to keep me from falling over.]

A-Aphid! Hey-

[I turn to the window of my office, and below, by the side of the cargo hull, was her fighter. She was alright. She was home.]

Ah, I see you there! Hold on, let me get to the cockpit to open the cargo!

[You can hear my footsteps and some loud ruffling as I awkwardly cling the datapad to my side as I walk quickly to the cockpit, before I sit down.]

Alright, alright…I can’t wait to see the surprise!!

Aphid! You…

[I can’t help but pull you into a warm hug.]

You damn sure surprised me!…good to have you back.

[I let go a little. I couldn’t believe she finally had done it. Let herself.]

Yeah.. I really let ‘em have it. Heh.. uh.. well.. lots happened, but.. I’m back now. Uh.. hope things have been goin’ well around here.

And.. uh.. one snarky word outta your mouth and I’ll kill ya.

You can count on it. Just glad you let yourself- eh, them, you let them have it. Happy for you is all I’m saying.

[I hug you again.]

Ugh, sorry for this…you just don’t know how much I miss your company…

{my ears droop a bit. I look guilty.}

I hope, anyway.

Don’t worry about that…I’ll find a way to take care of it.

{I hug tighter. My tail wags happily. Stars, I needed this.}

I figured as much… if you’re tired, I could take you to bed maybe…would you mind a nap together, pup?

[We reach my sleeping quarters, and I place you down on my bed. You can see outer space from my bedside window. It’s nice. I crawl in beside you, and resume the pets and cuddles.]

Guess who’s back..? Look outside, heh..

{You can see me flashing my fighter’s running lights at you.}

[It’s been a long day. I had a crew member accidentally lock themselves in the jump drive room and had spent a couple hours forcefully unlocking the hatch and fixing the hatch. I’ve been on high alert of everything for days now, especially with what Abigail seemed to be planning. There were others too, the Astrid fellow.]

[I find myself angrily writing on my compiled whiteboard, still trying to figure out who hurt me those weeks ago. My datapad lay on my desk behind me, some 10 or so feet away. Aphid’s voice fades in quickly.]

[At the sound of her voice my eyes go wide again. She was only gone for a few days, and had talked with me on comms just two days ago, but I always brightened up like…for lack of better terms, like a dog seeing their owner return home. I attempt to hustle over to the desk but need the cane to keep me from falling over.]

A-Aphid! Hey-

[I turn to the window of my office, and below, by the side of the cargo hull, was her fighter. She was alright. She was home.]

Ah, I see you there! Hold on, let me get to the cockpit to open the cargo!

[You can hear my footsteps and some loud ruffling as I awkwardly cling the datapad to my side as I walk quickly to the cockpit, before I sit down.]

Alright, alright…I can’t wait to see the surprise!!

Aphid! You…

[I can’t help but pull you into a warm hug.]

You damn sure surprised me!…good to have you back.

[I let go a little. I couldn’t believe she finally had done it. Let herself.]

Yeah.. I really let ‘em have it. Heh.. uh.. well.. lots happened, but.. I’m back now. Uh.. hope things have been goin’ well around here.

And.. uh.. one snarky word outta your mouth and I’ll kill ya.

You can count on it. Just glad you let yourself- eh, them, you let them have it. Happy for you is all I’m saying.

[I hug you again.]

Ugh, sorry for this…you just don’t know how much I miss your company…

{my ears droop a bit. I look guilty.}

I hope, anyway.

Don’t worry about that…I’ll find a way to take care of it.

{I hug tighter. My tail wags happily. Stars, I needed this.}

I figured as much… if you’re tired, I could take you to bed maybe…would you mind a nap together, pup?

Guess who’s back..? Look outside, heh..

{You can see me flashing my fighter’s running lights at you.}

[It’s been a long day. I had a crew member accidentally lock themselves in the jump drive room and had spent a couple hours forcefully unlocking the hatch and fixing the hatch. I’ve been on high alert of everything for days now, especially with what Abigail seemed to be planning. There were others too, the Astrid fellow.]

[I find myself angrily writing on my compiled whiteboard, still trying to figure out who hurt me those weeks ago. My datapad lay on my desk behind me, some 10 or so feet away. Aphid’s voice fades in quickly.]

[At the sound of her voice my eyes go wide again. She was only gone for a few days, and had talked with me on comms just two days ago, but I always brightened up like…for lack of better terms, like a dog seeing their owner return home. I attempt to hustle over to the desk but need the cane to keep me from falling over.]

A-Aphid! Hey-

[I turn to the window of my office, and below, by the side of the cargo hull, was her fighter. She was alright. She was home.]

Ah, I see you there! Hold on, let me get to the cockpit to open the cargo!

[You can hear my footsteps and some loud ruffling as I awkwardly cling the datapad to my side as I walk quickly to the cockpit, before I sit down.]

Alright, alright…I can’t wait to see the surprise!!

Aphid! You…

[I can’t help but pull you into a warm hug.]

You damn sure surprised me!…good to have you back.

[I let go a little. I couldn’t believe she finally had done it. Let herself.]

Yeah.. I really let ‘em have it. Heh.. uh.. well.. lots happened, but.. I’m back now. Uh.. hope things have been goin’ well around here.

And.. uh.. one snarky word outta your mouth and I’ll kill ya.

You can count on it. Just glad you let yourself- eh, them, you let them have it. Happy for you is all I’m saying.

[I hug you again.]

Ugh, sorry for this…you just don’t know how much I miss your company…

{my ears droop a bit. I look guilty.}

I hope, anyway.

Don’t worry about that…I’ll find a way to take care of it.

Guess who’s back..? Look outside, heh..

{You can see me flashing my fighter’s running lights at you.}

[It’s been a long day. I had a crew member accidentally lock themselves in the jump drive room and had spent a couple hours forcefully unlocking the hatch and fixing the hatch. I’ve been on high alert of everything for days now, especially with what Abigail seemed to be planning. There were others too, the Astrid fellow.]

[I find myself angrily writing on my compiled whiteboard, still trying to figure out who hurt me those weeks ago. My datapad lay on my desk behind me, some 10 or so feet away. Aphid’s voice fades in quickly.]

[At the sound of her voice my eyes go wide again. She was only gone for a few days, and had talked with me on comms just two days ago, but I always brightened up like…for lack of better terms, like a dog seeing their owner return home. I attempt to hustle over to the desk but need the cane to keep me from falling over.]

A-Aphid! Hey-

[I turn to the window of my office, and below, by the side of the cargo hull, was her fighter. She was alright. She was home.]

Ah, I see you there! Hold on, let me get to the cockpit to open the cargo!

[You can hear my footsteps and some loud ruffling as I awkwardly cling the datapad to my side as I walk quickly to the cockpit, before I sit down.]

Alright, alright…I can’t wait to see the surprise!!

Aphid! You…

[I can’t help but pull you into a warm hug.]

You damn sure surprised me!…good to have you back.

[I let go a little. I couldn’t believe she finally had done it. Let herself.]

Yeah.. I really let ‘em have it. Heh.. uh.. well.. lots happened, but.. I’m back now. Uh.. hope things have been goin’ well around here.

And.. uh.. one snarky word outta your mouth and I’ll kill ya.

You can count on it. Just glad you let yourself- eh, them, you let them have it. Happy for you is all I’m saying.

[I hug you again.]

Ugh, sorry for this…you just don’t know how much I miss your company…

{my ears droop a bit. I look guilty.}

I hope, anyway.

Don’t worry about that…I’ll find a way to take care of it.

Guess who’s back..? Look outside, heh..

{You can see me flashing my fighter’s running lights at you.}

[It’s been a long day. I had a crew member accidentally lock themselves in the jump drive room and had spent a couple hours forcefully unlocking the hatch and fixing the hatch. I’ve been on high alert of everything for days now, especially with what Abigail seemed to be planning. There were others too, the Astrid fellow.]

[I find myself angrily writing on my compiled whiteboard, still trying to figure out who hurt me those weeks ago. My datapad lay on my desk behind me, some 10 or so feet away. Aphid’s voice fades in quickly.]

[At the sound of her voice my eyes go wide again. She was only gone for a few days, and had talked with me on comms just two days ago, but I always brightened up like…for lack of better terms, like a dog seeing their owner return home. I attempt to hustle over to the desk but need the cane to keep me from falling over.]

A-Aphid! Hey-

[I turn to the window of my office, and below, by the side of the cargo hull, was her fighter. She was alright. She was home.]

Ah, I see you there! Hold on, let me get to the cockpit to open the cargo!

[You can hear my footsteps and some loud ruffling as I awkwardly cling the datapad to my side as I walk quickly to the cockpit, before I sit down.]

Alright, alright…I can’t wait to see the surprise!!

Aphid! You…

[I can’t help but pull you into a warm hug.]

You damn sure surprised me!…good to have you back.

[I let go a little. I couldn’t believe she finally had done it. Let herself.]

Yeah.. I really let ‘em have it. Heh.. uh.. well.. lots happened, but.. I’m back now. Uh.. hope things have been goin’ well around here.

And.. uh.. one snarky word outta your mouth and I’ll kill ya.

You can count on it. Just glad you let yourself- eh, them, you let them have it. Happy for you is all I’m saying.

[I hug you again.]

Ugh, sorry for this…you just don’t know how much I miss your company…

Guess who’s back..? Look outside, heh..

{You can see me flashing my fighter’s running lights at you.}

[It’s been a long day. I had a crew member accidentally lock themselves in the jump drive room and had spent a couple hours forcefully unlocking the hatch and fixing the hatch. I’ve been on high alert of everything for days now, especially with what Abigail seemed to be planning. There were others too, the Astrid fellow.]

[I find myself angrily writing on my compiled whiteboard, still trying to figure out who hurt me those weeks ago. My datapad lay on my desk behind me, some 10 or so feet away. Aphid’s voice fades in quickly.]

[At the sound of her voice my eyes go wide again. She was only gone for a few days, and had talked with me on comms just two days ago, but I always brightened up like…for lack of better terms, like a dog seeing their owner return home. I attempt to hustle over to the desk but need the cane to keep me from falling over.]

A-Aphid! Hey-

[I turn to the window of my office, and below, by the side of the cargo hull, was her fighter. She was alright. She was home.]

Ah, I see you there! Hold on, let me get to the cockpit to open the cargo!

[You can hear my footsteps and some loud ruffling as I awkwardly cling the datapad to my side as I walk quickly to the cockpit, before I sit down.]

Alright, alright…I can’t wait to see the surprise!!

Aphid! You…

[I can’t help but pull you into a warm hug.]

You damn sure surprised me!…good to have you back.

[I let go a little. I couldn’t believe she finally had done it. Let herself.]

- Peppermint, Twelfth Floret ( @ice-cream-floret )

{There was someone she knew. Lars. Lars could be pinned on all her problems, all her failings.}

{She knocked on the captains quarters, loudly.}

Lars? I would like to talk with you.

{She decided for this outing to wear her flight suit again, this time, she has sticked the insignia of the Terran Cosmic Navy upon it.}

Preferably as soon as possible.

[I’m dissociating. Thinking about Aphid.]

[I jump at the knock, but rush up when I recognize Abigail’s voice.]

Oh- yes, of course…I’m not terribly busy.

[I clear my throat. My eye bags are very prominent. I was lucky to have good hair genetics, but the past months have caused thinning. I try to ignore the weird feeling I get when I look at myself.]

{Abby immediately sees it in Lars, that weird look in his eyes when he sees his reflection. Her heart sinks, and her gun lowers.}

[I stiffen. I can’t show weakness. I am the Captain of the Nebula Prowler.]

It is just a lot of work to manage our ship in such a predicament. I’m not…perfect. I’m starting to realize I’m not even good at this captain business.

[A moment of silence.] Maybe I’m too attached to Aphid. But I- eh, I…I love her. N-not like that, but…I love her. And it hurts when I can’t save her from herself, that jerk she forces herself to be on herself. I’ve lost so much sleep over it…

[I blink away tears.]

{Abby giggles, her tail wagging a little.}

You're close to tears, dude. I mean, she meant a lot to me too, however I learnt from a young age that people tend to die a lot. People I love, my pets, nothing is remotely permanent and I expect the worst out of people.

{She sighs.}

If you were to become Captain, you’d pose a lot more threat to yourself and the rest of the crew. It’d end up with us all being compulsory domesticated. At least I assume that, with how much more…emphasized you are on your feralism compared to me.

[I clear my throat. I’m sweating bullets. Tears silently draw theirselves down my face. I attempt my best to ignore them. I don’t want to die.]

Anyways…nothing is wrong with me, I promise. I can’t fix Aphid…I want to, but she is her own person. But if she dies…I don’t think I could stand another hour here in this universe. It’s my purpose to make sure the crew is okay. That includes Aphid. I just want us all to be okay…

{Abby paces around Lars, keeping her eyes fixed on him.}

Mhmm. You're doing an incredibly convincing job at pretending there is nothing wrong, I'm sure. But your hair is thinning, and I've seen the way you look at your reflection, buddy~

{She puts herself infront of Lars, directly looking at him.}

Me? A feralist? Puhlease, I'm just doing what is right for Terra. For all of us. The interest of the human is to exterminate all Affini, no matter the cost. Something you seem to have forgotten.

Tell me what is wrong.

Alright, alright…

[A moment to gather my words.]

I want us to be able to be happy. Aphid clearly has some needs that require…technology from the weeds. And yet, in receiving that help, you have effectively put her in a situation where she can either: Save you and then hurt herself, or kill you and keep herself.

Abigail…that was the wrong decision. Historically, in all wars on Terra and beyond, we can use our enemy’s weapons to our own advantage, yes? And when a fighter is content with themselves, they can better focus on their mission. You putting Aphid through that was- [I remember you can easily kill me right now.] …it wasn’t the right thing to do.

{Abby seems to be so far removed from whats going on around her at the moment, its the only bit she catches. She pulls her gun again, firing a shot at her tail, only to miss and shoot her foot instead.}

OW! SHIT!!

{Almost immediately, she collapses to the ground, gun sprawled infront of her. She can't help but let out these sad, pitiful whines as she realises her rage and self-hatred blinded her completely.}

I w-won't let them... I w-won't let them change us... I can't let them- they can't FUCKING DO THIS? GAH!

I’ll go get gauze from the clinic.

[She didn’t give a shit for what I said. She just wants the power. I’m not the best captain, but…clearly we’re better off than if someone more blinded by their hatred were to take leadership. I walk to the clinic, grab some gauze and other bandages, and return.]

{There was someone she knew. Lars. Lars could be pinned on all her problems, all her failings.}

{She knocked on the captains quarters, loudly.}

Lars? I would like to talk with you.

{She decided for this outing to wear her flight suit again, this time, she has sticked the insignia of the Terran Cosmic Navy upon it.}

Preferably as soon as possible.

[I’m dissociating. Thinking about Aphid.]

[I jump at the knock, but rush up when I recognize Abigail’s voice.]

Oh- yes, of course…I’m not terribly busy.

[I clear my throat. My eye bags are very prominent. I was lucky to have good hair genetics, but the past months have caused thinning. I try to ignore the weird feeling I get when I look at myself.]

{Abby immediately sees it in Lars, that weird look in his eyes when he sees his reflection. Her heart sinks, and her gun lowers.}

[I stiffen. I can’t show weakness. I am the Captain of the Nebula Prowler.]

It is just a lot of work to manage our ship in such a predicament. I’m not…perfect. I’m starting to realize I’m not even good at this captain business.

[A moment of silence.] Maybe I’m too attached to Aphid. But I- eh, I…I love her. N-not like that, but…I love her. And it hurts when I can’t save her from herself, that jerk she forces herself to be on herself. I’ve lost so much sleep over it…

[I blink away tears.]

{Abby giggles, her tail wagging a little.}

You're close to tears, dude. I mean, she meant a lot to me too, however I learnt from a young age that people tend to die a lot. People I love, my pets, nothing is remotely permanent and I expect the worst out of people.

{She sighs.}

If you were to become Captain, you’d pose a lot more threat to yourself and the rest of the crew. It’d end up with us all being compulsory domesticated. At least I assume that, with how much more…emphasized you are on your feralism compared to me.

[I clear my throat. I’m sweating bullets. Tears silently draw theirselves down my face. I attempt my best to ignore them. I don’t want to die.]

Anyways…nothing is wrong with me, I promise. I can’t fix Aphid…I want to, but she is her own person. But if she dies…I don’t think I could stand another hour here in this universe. It’s my purpose to make sure the crew is okay. That includes Aphid. I just want us all to be okay…

{Abby paces around Lars, keeping her eyes fixed on him.}

Mhmm. You're doing an incredibly convincing job at pretending there is nothing wrong, I'm sure. But your hair is thinning, and I've seen the way you look at your reflection, buddy~

{She puts herself infront of Lars, directly looking at him.}

Me? A feralist? Puhlease, I'm just doing what is right for Terra. For all of us. The interest of the human is to exterminate all Affini, no matter the cost. Something you seem to have forgotten.

Tell me what is wrong.

Alright, alright…

[A moment to gather my words.]

I want us to be able to be happy. Aphid clearly has some needs that require…technology from the weeds. And yet, in receiving that help, you have effectively put her in a situation where she can either: Save you and then hurt herself, or kill you and keep herself.

Abigail…that was the wrong decision. Historically, in all wars on Terra and beyond, we can use our enemy’s weapons to our own advantage, yes? And when a fighter is content with themselves, they can better focus on their mission. You putting Aphid through that was- [I remember you can easily kill me right now.] …it wasn’t the right thing to do.

{There was someone she knew. Lars. Lars could be pinned on all her problems, all her failings.}

{She knocked on the captains quarters, loudly.}

Lars? I would like to talk with you.

{She decided for this outing to wear her flight suit again, this time, she has sticked the insignia of the Terran Cosmic Navy upon it.}

Preferably as soon as possible.

[I’m dissociating. Thinking about Aphid.]

[I jump at the knock, but rush up when I recognize Abigail’s voice.]

Oh- yes, of course…I’m not terribly busy.

[I clear my throat. My eye bags are very prominent. I was lucky to have good hair genetics, but the past months have caused thinning. I try to ignore the weird feeling I get when I look at myself.]

{Abby immediately sees it in Lars, that weird look in his eyes when he sees his reflection. Her heart sinks, and her gun lowers.}

[I stiffen. I can’t show weakness. I am the Captain of the Nebula Prowler.]

It is just a lot of work to manage our ship in such a predicament. I’m not…perfect. I’m starting to realize I’m not even good at this captain business.

[A moment of silence.] Maybe I’m too attached to Aphid. But I- eh, I…I love her. N-not like that, but…I love her. And it hurts when I can’t save her from herself, that jerk she forces herself to be on herself. I’ve lost so much sleep over it…

[I blink away tears.]

{Abby giggles, her tail wagging a little.}

You're close to tears, dude. I mean, she meant a lot to me too, however I learnt from a young age that people tend to die a lot. People I love, my pets, nothing is remotely permanent and I expect the worst out of people.

{She sighs.}

If you were to become Captain, you’d pose a lot more threat to yourself and the rest of the crew. It’d end up with us all being compulsory domesticated. At least I assume that, with how much more…emphasized you are on your feralism compared to me.

[I clear my throat. I’m sweating bullets. Tears silently draw theirselves down my face. I attempt my best to ignore them. I don’t want to die.]

Anyways…nothing is wrong with me, I promise. I can’t fix Aphid…I want to, but she is her own person. But if she dies…I don’t think I could stand another hour here in this universe. It’s my purpose to make sure the crew is okay. That includes Aphid. I just want us all to be okay…

{There was someone she knew. Lars. Lars could be pinned on all her problems, all her failings.}

{She knocked on the captains quarters, loudly.}

Lars? I would like to talk with you.

{She decided for this outing to wear her flight suit again, this time, she has sticked the insignia of the Terran Cosmic Navy upon it.}

Preferably as soon as possible.

[I’m dissociating. Thinking about Aphid.]

[I jump at the knock, but rush up when I recognize Abigail’s voice.]

Oh- yes, of course…I’m not terribly busy.

[I clear my throat. My eye bags are very prominent. I was lucky to have good hair genetics, but the past months have caused thinning. I try to ignore the weird feeling I get when I look at myself.]

{Abby immediately sees it in Lars, that weird look in his eyes when he sees his reflection. Her heart sinks, and her gun lowers.}

[I stiffen. I can’t show weakness. I am the Captain of the Nebula Prowler.]

It is just a lot of work to manage our ship in such a predicament. I’m not…perfect. I’m starting to realize I’m not even good at this captain business.

[A moment of silence.] Maybe I’m too attached to Aphid. But I- eh, I…I love her. N-not like that, but…I love her. And it hurts when I can’t save her from herself, that jerk she forces herself to be on herself. I’ve lost so much sleep over it…

[I blink away tears.]