supernova.

“Okay, but, in all seriousness, I don’t think I’ve seen this many balloons before in my life,” Grace giggled, softly hitting a rogue floating heart away from her face.

“I kinda love it.”

“seriously,” soleil responded, eyes gazing around the room as a mischievous smile formed on her lips. “me too,” she agreed, “now all i need to do is find something sharp and then the real fun will begin.”

“Well, i just hope everyone had fun at the auction. Now i’m ready to relax, and- and maybe try some of that punch everyone’s been talking about. Happy Valentine’s Day!”

“oh golly gee. isn’t someone just so perky?” soleil asked, glaring at the bubbly brunette. “happy?” she repeated, taking a step closer to her. “what the hell is so happy about this day? it fucking sucks.”

“So… You’re single and wanting to be possibly signed up to be bid off in the Singles Auction then, maybe?” Bailey asked, hopeful, clipboard in hands.  “It will be fun! Maybe you- you’ll meet someone, and no weird… Smelly business.”

soleil’s nose wrinkled at the girl’s suggestion. “i’m single not desperate,” she rebutted. a dramatic sigh left her lips as she looked at the girl. “how could that possible be fun? that sounds like a disaster in the making.”

“yeah, absolutely.” jane smiled. “we’ll be saving innocent passers-by one couple at a time. i’m jane, by the way.”

“yes,” soleil grinned, “we’ll be superheroes. the space girl pursed her lips as she nodded, not being one for formal introductions. “i’m soleil—or sol, if that’s easier.”

“Euww yeah I know, it’s like I throw up a little bit in my mouth each and every time I see it, like go to your dorms instead!” Penelope said in a strict and disgusted voice, “like leave our single life to ourself don’t invade it!”

“ugh. can i help? i fly so i could do the tracking down if you wanted…”

“would you?” soleil asked, interest piqued, “that’d make my life so much easier. we could be like the crime fighting pda duo.” 

Wesley watched with a minuscule smile as Salem wriggled about excitedly. Her whole back end seemed to sway from the strength of her wagging tail. Deciding to soak up the attention, the dog sat down in the grass obediently. Wesley couldn’t stop the small chuckle that escaped his lips at seeing her enthusiasm. “Her name’s Salem,” he clarified. Salem’s ears perked up when she heard her name and she barked her agreement.

soleil couldn’t help but chuckle lightly as salem wagged her tail. the petite blonde adjusted herself, crossing one leg behind another as she lowered herself onto the grass and sitting crossed leg in order to interact better with the dog. “hi salem,” soleil giggled, amused by salem’s bark, “aren’t you a smart girl.” her attention shifting away from salem for a moment to finally address her owner. “she’s pretty awesome,” she admitted, as she looked up at wes. 

“Your bottom is of no concern to me.” Calder crossed his arms over his chest. “I could just pick you up. But that is rude to do, apparently.”

“and your need for a jacket is no concern to me,” soleil replied, crossing her legs and adjusting herself onto the jacket. her eyes narrowed for a moment as she nodded, knowing very well he could easily lift her off of it. “you’re right, not only is it rude but i assure you that if you try to lay as much as a finger on me, not only will i scream but i will bite.” 

“No, Salem–” Before Wesley could stop her, the Shepherd — with her brown and black dappled fur — bounded over to the new visitor with a wildly wagging tail. Clearing his throat, Wesley stepped up behind his dog with a quick nod. “She’s excited to be back,” he said in lieu of an apology.

the bouncing pup threw soleil off guard as she stood still for a moment. back home pets weren’t something that were common. seeing animals on the space station was rare, soleil always curious and envious of those with a furry friend. reacting to the furry creature in front of her, she bent down and scratched the dog behind her ears. “you don’t say,” she responded, her attention still focused on the four legged creature. 

“You are sitting on my jacket, small girl.”

“it’s keeping my butt warm, big man.”

“I was just wondering if I could get my backpack from behind you. I left it here by mistake.” He wrote

eyes scanned the note as soleil shook her head. “no,” she challenged, “finder’s keepers, loser’s weepers.”