[Text from Libra] how come you didn't respond to my calls? You ok ?

[Text from Ricky] sorry I was sleeping, guess I didn't hear it. Feeling kinda sick, but I'm fine.

[Text from Libra] Oh shit you want me to come? I have a fucking good grog recipe with Thlarkian alcohol

[Text from Ricky] strange as it's going to sound, the thought of alcohol right now is flipping my stomach. Wouldn’t mind some company though.

[Text from Libra] You don't have to ask twice!

 Libra: Seconds later, a portal opens in Ricky's room and Libra steps through.

"helloooooo! What did you do this time to get sick like this?"

Ricky: Ricky shakes her head a little. "I don’t know. I'm guessing it's just something I caught on Earth. Spent some time in Oregon. It-it was cold and rainy."

Libra: "Oregon? I-isn't that were Bill and Sig live? They might know if there were cases of... I-I don't know food or water poisoning or whatever... What seems t-to be the problem?

Ricky: "Different dimension's O-Oregon. I-I’m sure it’s nothing... Just some nausea and fatigue."

Libra: "Hmm?" Libra was suspicious but shrugged, and came near his friend to caress her hair. "I hope you get well soon, there are silver snows at the moment on Y'lgr. We should go t-together."

Ricky: "I'd love to go. I'm going to do a med scan if it's not better by tomorrow. I-I’m sure I've got what I need to cure it if it's something more serious."

Libra: "I HOPE so! Dude I-I never saw you sick..."Libra went to the other side of the bed to lie down and talk more easily with his friend. "You're never sick, are you? I-I mean except now."

Ricky: She chuckled at that. "Everyone gets sick sometimes, dear. Though, I admit it’s rare for me.

Libra: "Hmm true... I mean I don't often get sick but... I get severely high which can look the same. Do y-you want ice on your head? A-a stomach massage?"

Ricky: "A stomach massage would be nice, actually"

Libra: Libra happily obliges and start slowly massaging Ricky's belly.

Ricky: She relaxes and lets him work. “Thank you, darling. It's really helping."

Libra: "Y-you're welcome dear... " Libra kept massaging gently, patient and happy to help

Ricky: "Could you... work down just a bit lower? I-it's cramping there." Sounded weird to ask, but she knew it would help.

Libra: "Sure thing darling" and as he worked on her stomach he felt a very little... bulge. He froze an instant. He had cared for pregnant co-workers at the peony club before. "Hmm... Ricky...?" No, it could be something else.... couldn't it? "Ricky my dear... what did you do exactly in Oregon?"

Ricky: She tilts her head, mild concern on her features, wondering what was bothering him all the sudden. "...I was visiting a friend, why?"

Libra: "Ricky you know you don't have to..." Wait shut up Libra she might not even know... what if someone had abused her??? "Hmm, y-yeah a friend... What kind of friend my dear?

Ricky: "It was a Bill... Libra, just tell me what you're thinking."

Libra: "I just... I just want to know what you did with him, because I might know what is going on... Ricky... Tell me did you lose consciousness at one point?

Ricky: She pauses, raising an eyebrow. "Well, we had sex...and, no I was alert the entire time. But i-it's not like that poisoned me or something." Nothing else would cross her mind yet, she was too old to have more children. at least with typical partners.

Libra: "...okay then." He took a deep breath. "I think you are pregnant… It's ok darling there are plenty of solutions and you know it. "

Ricky: Her eyes widened a bit, her hand instinctively going to her stomach. "Pregnant?" Just the very thought made her feel a little light headed. "I-I... don't know what to say... It just doesn't seem that likely..."

Libra: "I know I know but... I cared for women before. And... we should just be open about possibilities. He smiled, trying to reassure her as much and he could. "Now... Whose Bill is it so I can hunt him down if needed?" His smile was still warm but a fire had lighted in his eyes.

Ricky: "I-it's Trash Bill's... I doubt he's going anywhere. Hell, I don't think he knows about this yet either." She hardly thought this was some sort of bigger plan the demon was hatching. It was possible she was wrong, but her instinct told her that Trash also hadn’t thought it was possible.

Libra: As he heard the name Libra got out his phone, ready to threaten the void god himself... but stopped as Ricky expressed concerns. "do... do you want him t-to know?"

Ricky: She thinks about that for a moment, weighing out the options. "I... want to wait a little while... Maybe I'm being stupid, but I want to know more about what's growing in me. I-I want as little interference with that as possible."

Libra: "Sure thing darling. No problem. I... Y-you can ask me anything y'know."

Ricky: She absently rubs at her stomach, thinking and considering. "It's too early for a-a decision, but..." she seemed a bit reluctant to ask, but she remained strong enough to look him in the eye. "Are you going to think less of me if I decide to keep it?"

Libra: Libra's jaw dropped. "Oh my... no! Of course n-not I-I... man it is a tough decision and... you don't know what to expect from this baby to be honest... or if you and that little thing are safe and will make it. So, I’ll be keeping an eye on y-you! But if everything goes well... this is y-your choice darling... And y-you are way more intelligent and capable of making that decision...heh."

Ricky: She smiled softly at that. "Thank you for your support a-and confidence..." She takes his hand, squeezing it a little in affection. "There's a reason you're my favorite alternate, you know."

Libra: Libra's heart broke a little bit at her smile. "I-I... I..." He bowed, hiding his shyness "I am honored. Now... Who wants a bubble bath hmm? "