#void speaks

Simon was planning a surprise for you.

What a novel concept; surprises. It was one of those human things that, even after all this time, you still did not fully understand. But, it seemed to make Simon happy to do such things, and you enjoyed whatever made your human happy. Especially when he was determined to celebrate the day the pair of you first met, he insisted on it, really, had even taken to keeping track of the days as best as he could. A difficult task in your realm, but one he was committed to regardless.

You saw no reason to end his fun. So, you made yourself scarce and allowed him the chance to prepare your surprise. Taking the opportunity to slip out of your realm to wander amongst the cosmos for a while, knowing that he would call you back once he was ready. You would hear him, no matter how far you travelled. You always heard him, after all.

So, you drifted along. You wove between dying stars, skimmed the surface of nebulae, and circled black holes. Finding amusement in how time seemed to move so slowly when you were eagerly awaiting something specific. Another novel concept you hadn't known before Simon. Excitement, and how it made time move oh so reluctantly. You were pondering such things when you felt it.

The presence of another.

A familiar presence, though one you hadn't felt in so long. Your focus turned, gaze settling upon a distant star as it grew closer, brighter, burning ethereal gold until she reached you. "Hello," You greeted calmly, "I have not seen you in so long, old friend."

Her responding laughter was warm. It was the sunrays that reached through the cover of leaves to caress the ground below. It was comfort and safety. Serenity encapsulated. It was Life. "The same could be said for you, little one," She replied in a fond whisper. "Where have your wanderings taken you?"

She circled you, and you returned the motion, your forms twirling around one another lazily. Light and shadow streaking across the cosmos. The notes of your seperate Songs combining into one melody. "I have not left my realm in some time," You admitted, purring when her Warmth caressed your form. "I have been... busy."

"Creating?" She asked, curiosity creeping into her melodic tone. "A new Concept, perhaps?"

"Yes, and no. Not existence, but a home for a friend," You replied.

She stilled. "A friend?" She repeated, then moved closer. Her gaze peered into your form, studying you. After a moment, she spoke again. "A human?"

There was an odd note to her voice. A quiet kind of contemplation. "Yes," You answered, honestly. There was no reason to lie, not to her. Of all the Concepts, she was the most benevolent towards humans. They were so intertwined with her domain, after all. "Do you disapprove?" You asked, idly.

She was quiet for a long moment, thoughtful. Thinking about something very attentively, and it surprised you enough to bring you to a pause. You studied her ethereal frame, your curiosity blooming. "Life...?" You prompted, carefully.

She stirred finally, fixing her celestial gaze upon you once again. "I have something I wish to show you, little one," She finally said, "I have been caring for it for quite some time, but I believe... it will be happier in your care. Will you follow?" Silently, you gave your agreement. She purred in agreement and turned to begin gliding through the cosmos. You followed, curious.

Her realm was one you had visited before, though it was no less stunning than it was back then. She wielded perfect control of her Domain, and creation came so naturally to her. When you followed her through the folds in the fabric of the universe, you found yourself emerging in a paradise. Lush, thick greenery. Trees, heavy with fruit. Beasts of various sizes and shapes meandered about, basking in the warmth of her light, grazing on the fruits of her Creation. You watched it all with the same awe you felt the first time you witnessed her realm, following as she drifted among the breeze, over the very tops of trees which stretched as if to try and touch her ethereal form.

You studied her craft carefully as you followed, certain you would never be able to replicate her perfectly--your skills with Creation were not a match for her own--but you would like to try and give Simon more to see and explore in your realm. Your thoughts were put on pause as you noticed that she was taking you somewhere very specific.

In her realm, there was a large, deep, blue body of water.

In the middle of that large, deep, blue body of water, there was an island.

She settled on the beach of that island, and you followed, looking around curiously. "What was it you wished to show me?" You asked, after a moment.

She hummed, the sound soft and cooed a quiet, "Patience, little one. You will see."

Your form swelled a little with indignation, but as you went to reply, there was a rustling that caught your attention, then the sound of approaching footsteps running through the grass. Your gaze turned away from her light to watch, curiously, as the bushes on the edge of the beach rustled, then a small shape darted from them. A tiny creature on four legs came running across the sand towards you, tongue hanging out of its mouth, tail wagging. It stopped short, upon noticing you, and stared. It did not bear its teeth. It did not run. It merely... watched.

Your head tilted.

Its head tilted in turn.

She chuckled warmly at the display. "Her name is Laika," She explained, drifting past you, her form shrinking and lowering to the ground. A limb reached out, smoothing across the beast's head, who leaned into her touch, tail wagging. "I found her many years ago."

"What... is she?" You asked, drifting closer, leaning down to get a closer look at the curious thing. She leaned closer to, sniffing at your form, her tail wagging slowly.

"A dog," The other Concept replied, a warmth to her tone, as she watched you interact with Laika. "I found her adrift in space so long ago now. The humans sent her up to the stars, but did not plan for her to return. She was scared and alone... and I felt it unfair to allow her to perish like that. So, I brought her to my realm, and she has lived here ever since."

As she had spoken, you had reached out a tendril of your form and began curiously petting Laika, but you paused as she continued with her story. Something about it sounded... achingly familiar. A life, sent into the depths with no plans made for their return. Left alone and afraid. The other Concept noticed your pause and drifted closer.

Finally, you asked, "Why show her to me?"

"Because... dogs are supposed to be with humans. As much as I cherish Laika, I can not be by her side always, and I cannot bring humans to this realm. She plays with the other life here, but it is not the same. I believe she is... lonely. Perhaps... she would do better in the presence of another like her?"

You understood then.

Your gaze returned to Laika who was nosing at your form, snuffling and wagging her tail quick. "Another... like her..." You mused thoughtfully, before finally nodding. "Very well, if it is what you wish... I am certain Simon will be pleased to have a companion aside from myself."

She smiled, her warmth shining even brighter than before. "Take care of her, little one. She is... very special."

You curled your form further around the little dog, carefully plucking her up into your hold. She whined but settled quickly, looking towards the other Concept as you cradled her against your form. "I will, old friend."

Returning to your realm, you drifted more slowly than usual, reaching out to brush your consciousness against Simon's just so he knew you had returned. Immediately, you felt him drop something and start cursing, rushing around in a manner that made your Core warmth and prompted a gentle chuckle, even as you settled atop the grass in the meadow outside his home.

The door to it swung open, and Simon appeared, arms crossed over his chest. His fingers tapped against the smooth plastic of his prosthetic limb. "You said you wouldn't come back until I called," He pointed out, and you chuckled at his attempt to appear stern, "you're gonna ruin the surprise."

"My apologies," You cooed, genuinely, "but... I have a surprise of my own that could not wait."

That got his attention. Simon lifted an eyebrow and uncrossed his arms, making his way down the steps and out onto the meadow while you lowered your frame further. "What is it?" He asked once he was a few feet away.

You set her down on the grass and uncurled your form gently. As she came into view, Simon's steps slowed to a stop, her eyes widening, lips parting in surprise. He murmured your name, low, before shaking his head. "Is that... is that a dog?" He asked, looking between the animal, curiously sniffing the grass below her and you. "But I thought- you said you couldn't create sentient life?"

"I did, and I cannot," You answered, a smile in your tone, "her name is Laika. Another Concept found her a very long time ago, drifting in space, left all alone. They took care of her, and then they gave her to me so that I might give her to you. So here I am, doing just that." Your gaze lifted from the canine, now staring at Simon curiously. "Surprise?"

Simon made a choked sound, a disbelieving laugh caught in his throat as he shook his head. "You-... Well, my surprise feels awful in comparison now. I was just makin' those hand pies you like so much," He admitted, laughing when your form immediately perked up. He shook his head, expression fond, before he slowly lowered himself onto his knees, eyes settling on the dog that had been steadily creeping towards him. "Hi there," He greeted, tone softening and pitch rising in a way you hadn't heard from him before.

Laika's tail began to wag. You remained silent, sitting back and watching as the brave little cosmonaut crept towards your human, sniffed at his offered hand, then immediately rolled onto her back and exposed her belly, tail wagging furiously. Simon laughed, a big, bright smile crawled across his face. "Aw, you're a good girl, aren'cha, Laika?" He cooed at her, scratching along her tummy and chest.

You slipped into your more human appearance and joined them, kneeling on the ground and offering your hand for Laika to sniff, so she could be reassured that you were still you. "I was told... that long ago, humans used to call her the Patron Saint of One-Way Trips," You murmured, voice gentle. Carefully, you stroked along her chest, in awe at how soft her short fur felt under your fingertips. Simon's petting slowed, and you felt his eyes lift to study you.

You met his gaze after a moment, smiling gently. "I think you have both made your journey back home now... yes?" You mused, thoughtfully.

His expression softened, and his hand crept over, covering yours. "Yeah," He agreed, then softly he added, "thank you."

Your smile grew wider.

Later that night, you curled up on the couch and ate hand pies, with Simon pressed against your side and Laika sprawled across his lap. Music played softly on the radio, and you wondered to yourself if this was what home was supposed to be. You, your human, and small space dog curled up in your laps.

When you retired to bed, and you watched Laika fall asleep curled into the crook of Simon's arm, her tail wagging, his fingers buried in the fur around her neck, and a small smile on his lips that hadn't left all day, you decided that yes. This was what home was supposed to be.