#cloud hampton

Aurora "Cloud! Did you read the magazine?"

Cloud "Uh-oh. I haven't gotten around, yet."

Aurora "There's an article about diffraction limits of observatories. Very interesting. It's hard to research distant exoplanets, and it's an engineering problem."

Cloud "...Right! Do you remember when we visited the observatory?"

Aurora "Yes. It was the last spring. Um, could we go again? I'd like to see the mirrors now that I understand better how they work."

Cloud "Yeah, sure. Although your dad would be a better guide."

Julian "It's a single reflecting telescope. I don't see how my input differs from yours."

Cloud *sigh* "Pity me! I'm just a simple botanist."

Julian "Hmh."

Aurora "Hmm... there must be plants on other planets. Do you think we ever have a good enough telescope to see them?"

Cloud "Oh, I hope that won't happen any time soon since we still have undiscovered species here, too. In fact, I think I have a sample of a new Ericaceae. Would you want to see it?"

Aurora "Hmm. Cloud knows about plants and dad knows about math and physics. What do you know about?"

Jonas "Ah, sorry I didn't bring my résumé. I know about literature."

Aurora "Aha. Fiction or non-fiction?"

Jonas "Fiction, mostly. I'm an author."

Aurora "I didn't know you write books. I read fiction too, um, just not very often. Can I read your books?"

Jonas "You're a little younger than my target audience."

Aurora "That's okay. I don't read children's books."

Cloud "Right, uh, let's see about that at some point! When we don't have another matter at hand."

Aurora "My opinion is that Jonas can move here, but only if he does chores like we do. Um. Could Hanna move here, too?"

Julian "Hanna, uh-"

Cloud "Judith's android."

Julian "The prototype. I see."

Jonas "Yeah, I'll clean and whatever but Hanna stays with Judi. How about I invite her to visit sometime?"

Ruby *giggles* "Becca! I should put the cake in the fridge."

Becca "Let's take it upstairs with us. There's still some cider left, too."

Emil "Uhhh hey, I'm here. I can hear you. Just so you know."

Ruby "A bedroom picnic...? It's been a while-"

Emil "I'm going to retreat to my room now, and not step out of it for the rest of the night. Bye!"

Ruby *chuckles* "We're horrible."

Becca "He'll survive. I wasn't joking, though."

Julian "I don't recall my opinion's been asked."

Jonas "Ah-"

Cloud "That's on me! Uh. I think my statement was that you'd probably need time to get used to the idea."

Julian "You assumed. Based on...?"

Cloud "C'mon, Julian. It took years for you to allow me to sleep in the same bed with you. And even then only because it was the most practical solution!"

Julian "—Yes, I need space. But at the time, I wasn't comfortable that you and Jonas would've, uh..."

Cloud "Used the same bed. I get it."

Julian "That isn't an issue anymore."

Cloud "Which I'm very happy about! Still, Jonas works from home. Would you be fine with him being here most of the time...?"

Cloud "—Shit. I didn't mean to talk past you. Sorry."

Jonas "...Whatever."

Julian "I, uh, don't believe the difference would be significant. There's been more disturbance since Aurora was born. Yet I've been able to work... that's all I ask."

Jonas "Yeah, so. How about you? Do you prefer me to stay elsewhere?"

Cloud "Of course not! I'd love to live with you both. But, uh..."

Jonas "Speak your mind."

Cloud *sigh* "I guess I've enjoyed that there's another place, as a getaway. I care about Aurora but it was a big change for me, you know?"

Jonas "Yeah."

Cloud "But, hell, we don't have any privacy in Judith's house, either. It's been childish of me to cling to that."

Julian "We could make arrangements. This building is easy to modify. If we expand the second floor-"

Cloud "A new room...? Not a bad idea, actually."

Julian "But I want to hear Aurora's opinion, first"

Jonas "There you are. Am I disturbing?"

Cloud "Not at all! I was planning to clean the water collector."

Cloud "It tends to get clogged if I slack with it – but frankly, I'd rather do about anything else."

Jonas "Figures. What's the water for, anyway?"

Cloud "We track pollutants and nutrients from rain, to better understand local ecosystem interactions. Erm. Routine tasks, really."

Jonas "Mmm. And the tent?"

Cloud "Used to be an equipment storage but has turned into a graveyard of broken stuff. Dammit. I should clean that one, too."

Jonas "Ah. No space for two of us, then?"

Cloud "Well, we are good at fitting in tight spaces... but there might be sharp metal and such, so maybe not."

Jonas "Yeah, scratches aren't my thing."

Cloud "We could stroll around and seek a less hazardous spot, if you want."

Jonas "Weren't you planning to clean something?"

Cloud "Well done! I could've won, though. This might be the only sport I'm good at."

Jonas "Yeah, well. That was enough bowling for me."

Cloud "Is it just me or is it very quiet in here? Maybe since we're the only customers."

Jonas "This town is lively as ever, eh? There's the jukebox-"

Cloud "And a karaoke!"

Jonas "No fucking chance."

Cloud "-you're the DJ, though."

Jonas "A former one and I never played sappy golden hits at the club. I was good at that job, you know."

Cloud "Fine, I'll choose, but I accept no complaints."

Cloud "So, may I have a dance?"

Jonas "I still don't dance."

Cloud "And I happen to still know that's a lie. Besides, there's no one around to see us."

Aurora "Hello. Did you come because it's dad's birthday?"

Jonas "Yeah, for that too."

Aurora "Dad and Cloud are still upstairs, but I think they'll come down soon. They don't usually sleep this long."

Jonas "Ah... they must be exhausted. So, how's the school? Still too easy?"

Aurora "Yes—um, except for gymnastics. But I learned to do a headstand! I can show-"

Aurora "Good morning. I'm leaving for school."

Jonas "Yeah. Have a good day."

Cloud "What a wonderful scent."

Jonas "There's something to talk about."

Cloud "So the fresh coffee is a bribe? I'll take it!"

Jonas "Care to sit with us for a moment, Fa—mmh, Julian? This considers you, too."