cosmic drifter

{Clay! Examine this!}; Accepting!

>Examine: Juniper Woods

It’s Juniper! (Or, June, as you call her.) Currently, she’s wearing a lilac dress she’d made herself while sitting at her dining room table. It’s amazing how so much of the furniture in her grandmother’s home was handmade, the craftsmanship is truly remarkable. 

Right now, she’s invited you over for tea, made fresh from her own garden! 

>Action: Ask about tea making

You ask her about the process of making tea, always being an active learner. She starts telling you about the plants she’s growing in her garden, as well as the tea leaves which... are currently drying above you? Huh.

>Examine: Tea Leaves

It’s a bundle of tea leaves, drying right above your head. They’re currently being held together by string, and will eventually be made into green tea! (Yes, you were paying attention to her explanation.)

You take another sip of the tea in your cup. Mm... lavender tea. 

>Action: Compliment

You make your compliments to the tea you’re drinking, admiring how freshly made tea was so much better than anything in the store, and there’s a twinkle in her eyes as she thanks you for the compliment, before hiding her face in the hat she’s wearing. How sweet! You can’t help but crack a smile, before reaching out for another cookie. 

Hm. Perhaps she could do something with this tea thing.

>Action: Business?

You ask her about the idea of starting up her own business making tea leaves. She is, understandably, surprised at the thought, but clearly, there are gears spinning in her head. After a few moments, she says she’ll think about the idea, perhaps when her life isn’t quite as hectic as it currently is. 

{Clay! Examine this!}; Still Accepting!

>Examine: Utility Kit

It’s just a standard tool kit that’s been labeled with the GYAXA logo on its handles. There are a variety of tools here, such as a wrench and a screwdriver, but which one did Sol need?

>Examine: Knife

It’s just a standard knife, with a black handle and a red stripe. Sharp enough to get the job done.

…The mere sight of the knife, though, makes you hesitate. For a brief moment, your hand goes to your right shoulder, while your breath shortens. Damn. This’ll be harder than you thought.

>Action: Take Knife

It’s just a knife. You’re in control of it. Not anyone else. Just pick it up.

>Action: Take Knife

Just pick it up, Clay.

>Action: Take Knife

Pick it up.

>Action: Take Knife

{Clay! Examine this!}; Accepting!

>Examine: Adelaide Terran

It’s her, your perfect little star, Adelaide. It’s been five chaotic (yet wonderful) years being her father. Today, she’s got two cute little pigtails in her hair and a yellow dress on. She’s running over to you, a wide smile beaming on her face and a piece of paper in her hands.

It’s a picture she drew! Do you examine it?

>Examine: Drawing

How could you say no to your precious little girl? You take her picture in your hands, as you take a closer look at her drawing. Apparently, she had to draw a picture of her favorite hero. However, you can’t quite tell who it is.

Can you guess the hero?

>Response: Aquaman?

No! She laughs at you. Not Aquaman. It’s her favorite superhero, though! Hm…

>Response: A hint?

It’s somebody she gets to see every day, apparently.

Wait… that spot on the nose looks kind of like a birthmark.

>Reponse: ...Me?

Leia nods her head, smiling in agreement. It is you! You can’t help but laugh at your complete ignorance, while also feeling a swell of pride surging in your chest.

It’s you. You’re her favorite hero.

>Action: Thank her

You lift her up in your arms with ease, planting a kiss on her cheek and thanking her for the lovely drawing. (And apologizing for how silly her Daddy had acted.) She laughs it off, before giving you a big ol’ hug.

{Clay! Examine this!}; Accepting! 

>Examine: Mikeko

It’s Apollo’s kitty, Mikeko! He’s currently basking in the sun, like a little cat loaf, just having a good time being a cat. Oh, how the world would be easier with if you just had to deal with kitty problems. Mikeko looks up at you quizzically, as if expecting you to do something.

Do you pet the cat?

>Action: Pet Mikeko

Of course, you pet him. Who wouldn’t resist that cute face?

You scratch him on the head and behind the ears, and his little cat eyes close with satisfaction, rewarding you with a nice purr. His fur is very soft and fuzzy, and you can’t help but crack a smile at the sight of the satisfied kitty. 

{Clay! Examine this!}; Accepting!

>Examine: Apollo Justice

It’s Apollo! Your best friend ever since middle school. As per usual, he’s got his signature two-pronged hairstyle and flashy defense attorney’s badge. He’s got a puzzled look on his face, with his finger pressed against his forehead. Hm. Wonder what’s the matter.

>Action: Talk

You ask him why he looks concerned. Slowly, he begins spilling some details about a case that’s been puzzling him, and straight away, you nod along with him, letting the information soak in your brain. Hm. This is a real conundrum. 

He still looks quizzical, almost unsure about at the case at hand. What do you do?

>Action: Encourage him!

You give him a reassuring smile and a pat on the back. He’s got this. He’s definitely got this. He’s Apollo Justice, and he’ll be fine! 

And there it is, the sparkle in his eye, now back and ready for action. Now that’s the Apollo you know and love!

>Action: …Love?

“Weird? That sounds like a pretty normal pack to me.” Of course, Calum only said that because in the past, he’s had…weirder variations of hot chocolate. One of which included Daniel spurt a fair amount of hot sauce into his cinnamon hot chocolate. Those had been dark days. “The weirdest I’ve had was…I think it was lemongrass-something white hot chocolate. Something like that.”

Nevertheless, he picked out a peppermint packet for himself and a regular packet for Clay before squatting to grab the marshmallows in the bottom cabinet. “Which ones do you want? The regular size ones or the tiny ones?”

“I... stand corrected, then. I must have a normal variety pack, then.” Lemongrass in hot chocolate? A chill ran down his spine at the thought. That herb belonged in curry and soup, not in his festive drinks. ‘

“The smaller ones. You can fit more in the cup. The bigger ones are for stove smores.” Was it extremely silly, using the stovetop as an impromptu campfire? Absolutely. One hundred percent. But sometimes, you have to look extremely silly for the greater good of happiness.

It was a night like any other.

 A simple text, asking if he could just crash for the night, spending time in each other’s company. Naturally, he couldn’t say no- so, when Apollo came over, a bundle full of clothes under his arm and weariness in his eyes, Clay gladly let him in, letting him comfortable in his guest bedroom and turning on a comedic movie. They ate, they laughed, and eventually, when they were both tired out, decided to head off to bed.

As the lights were turned off and Clay retired to his room, he expected a nice trip to dreamland. The apartment was silent, save for the soft sound of traffic in the streets below, and he nestled himself in the sheets for the night.

…Then, came the scream. 

In a flash, his eyes shot awake, his instincts kicking in. Apollo. That scream was definitely Apollo’s. Before he had time to react, his bedroom was washed in a sea of light, blinding his poor eyes. Once his eyes adjusted, he could make out the shaking form of Apollo’s body, wracked with pain and desperate for an anchor from his thoughts. 

“Hey, hey, I’m here. I’m here. It’s alright. You’re safe now.” His voice was light as a feather as he stood up, his eyes softening at the poor sight of his best friend. By the stars, what had plagued his nightmares tonight? 

{Steal my heart? Eh, Sure.}; Accepting~!

Two of his hobbies come to mind! (I got another submission of this, so I’ll save the other hobby for the other ask~) The first is his rock collecting. For most people, they’ve only ever known him as a space enthusiast, so it can be quite surprising to learn that he is quite knowledgable about different types of rocks and crystals, and can name them pretty easily. 

The reason? His parents were geologists. As a little kid, he started his rock collection and was certain he would follow in his footsteps, but after his mother passed away, he turned his eyes toward the stars. However, he never truly did get rid of his passion for all things earthly. He inherited his mother’s collection, and has since then continued to expand the number of rocks he has as much as he could.

He doesn’t believe in the rocks having some sort of ~ healing energy, ~ it’s all just mumbo, jumbo, pseudoscience to him. Clay just really likes how they look. He’s a science nerd of all types, not just space.

“Hey, hey! I’m glad to be back, too!” Woah, didn’t expect the sudden attack from Apollo, but he’ll take the hugs nonetheless. (Of course.)

“I really hope you didn’t only eat chocolate over there.” Apollo jokes. He nudges shoulders gently with his best friend while chuckling. “You’d get diabetes or something.”

Having Clay back was a relief. It just didn’t feel right when the astronaut wasn’t around. “So, which one’s your favourite?” He doesn’t say anything about his separation anxiety, of course, keeping the conversation on the copious amounts of chocolate. … He should probably keep an eye on that.

“I ate plenty of non-chocolate food while I was over there, no worries,” Clay replied, playfully nudging Apollo back. Gosh, it was great to be in the comforts of home again. Russia was wonderful and his hosts were gracious- but nothing beat being with his loved ones in person again.