Sequelae in a Trenchcoat

So picture some years in the future when the xenonite suits are so safe that Grace's class can now take field trips into his biodome. Rocky's there because this is a big moment for everyone involved and also he just loves listening to Grace in his element. One of the more mischievous kids tries to sneak off from the group and there are plenty of chaperones but Grace is the first to notice.

His posture changes, goes focused but loose in a way Rocky's never seen before as he peels of from the crowd. Rocky just stands there, stunned, as he watches his sweet, gangly, goofy, clumsy blob of a friend turn into a hunter. Grace circles around the pebble, slightly crouched, head turned and honed in, arms loose to the sides, and maybe the little one notices and does that nervously excited giggle-squeal thing kids do when they're being chased and tries to get away, but Grace expertly corrals them. He doesn't even have to run for it, he just pens the kid in, lunges-

The thing is, for now, they’ve always mentioned that Ryland is seen as soft and "leaky/wet" by Rocky whenever other Eridians ask about him.

Plus, Ryland is openly clumsy, emotional, and seems to adore teaching and being gentle with children. Sure, they know he’s brave and terrifyingly intelligent—he didn’t achieve what he achieved for nothing.

But it’s when other Eridians ask about human evolution that they start to get a bit scared.

The fact that the human species developed ocular vision just to be able to navigate is quite something. Because, even if it's deficient by Eridian standards, apparently the environment and the human race needed something more than just sound and touch stimuli.

Whenever small rocks or pebbles found their way into the human habitat, Ryland seemed capable of "herding" them so they wouldn't wander too far. Also, on the rare occasions Ryland left his habitat in his suit to walk around Erid (a custom suit with special light generators so he could move and withstand the pressure), he seemed to move with a caution similar to that of a predator.

And another thing? His voice. Ugh.

His vocal cords were mediocre at best. But they could easily recognise the inflections of his emotions.

Ryland was incapable of speaking Eridian properly. He was highly limited. He always used his translator to avoid misunderstandings.

But bloody hell, they once saw him arguing with Rocky.

Rocky was practically cornered by the soft human. Ryland’s shouting and his sharp, biting tone only became more terrifying when they noticed how he was leaning over the other Eridian. And it was only because he’d been interrupted by the scientist that he noticed Ryland was practically in attack-and-hunt mode.

As if his body was instinctively ready to strike at the slightest right stimulus.

Only for him to completely relax and snap right back into that friendly tone the moment he noticed someone else’s presence.

And his reflexes? Terrifying. If his cup was about to fall? Or if one of his children had rushed too quickly up a mound?

finished this coc wip from a long time ago!

“Before I can say anything, he’s pushing me against a stone wall and kissing my neck. ‘For fuck’s sake, Snow, this is hallowed ground!’

‘I’m not doing anything to unhallow it.’ He keeps kissing me. I rest my arms over his shoulders, letting the roses droop…

…He’s pushing his nose into my collar and biting my throat. ‘Kiss me in the Catacombs, Snow. Unhallow the ground.’” (pg 330)

💚 Lincoln Li-Wilson 💚