Kent/Feldspar

[videointhenoise]

"Just once more," they had said when Ellie's team petitioned for it. She was busy with Palmer, falling in love with science while he fell in love with God, and Kent was left to pick up the pieces. He wanted another damn go at it. The Machine had a pricetag in the billions; it was begging to be used again.

But they wouldn't let Ellie go. They wouldn't let just anyone go. They wanted someone who knew how it worked, who had been there from the beginning, but someone who isn't completely taken in by Ellie's words.

That leads them to a dozen people and they end up with Kent. He's blind, but that's not what decides it. They claim that he wouldn't hallucinate the way Ellie did. That he has a unique perspective.

And, he's already proven himself steady and loyal.

He experiences it all the way that Ellie does, but something goes wrong on the other end. Maybe another terrorist attack. Maybe not. All he knows is that he's in the sphere and then, suddenly, he's floating, unable to find his footing until a great crash and he slams into the bottom of the machine.

He groans, pulling his helmet on with a grunt and a wince.

"Fuck this," he mutters, finding the edge of the sphere with his hands. There was a door there somewhere. He just - has to find it.

Comments

[getfeldsparred]

Feldspar’s late to the campfire that night. It’s the cave’s fault, really, it’s so hard to tell time surrounded by the dark, glittering ore. But when they get there the record player is already set up, and Kent’s getting ready to start on the music portion of the presentation.

They don’t think they’ve ever seen Gneiss look so excited. Or Rutile. Or Spinel… all of the elders, really.

[videointhenoise]

Kent leans over the record player, making sure that it's at the right placement. He starts up the music as everyone collectively holds their breath.

It starts with classical, but the pop will come soon.

[getfeldsparred]

Hearthians are naturally drawn to music in all forms, but it’s safe to say they’ve never heard music as rich as this. A full orchestra with hundreds of humans playing their instruments make sounds that overwhelm their minds, and bring most of them to tears.

At Ode to Joy Gneiss, Slate, and little Riebeck bring out their banjos and guitars and pluck along with the melody, the awe fading from their expressions, replaced with pure excitement.

[videointhenoise]

Kent can hear the way that they prepare, the extra sounds underneath played by the Heartheans making him smile. He sits down beside the record player, making sure to pause between songs.

"Okay, the next is a dance song," he tells them.

It's the Spice Girls.

[getfeldsparred]

That gets some of the younger Hearthians excited - a dance song! Prophy confidently strolls over to Gossan and takes their hand, while the hatchlings find a place to jump up and down awkwardly to the music.

Feldspar hums along to it - it’s the second time they’ve heard the song, and they like it. It’s weird.

[videointhenoise]

Kent laughs, hearing the footsteps and grinning as he hears them find their rhythm. He hums along, tapping his stick, his cane, against the ground to the beat.

The next few songs are the same, with Kent sometimes replaying songs on request.

[getfeldsparred]

At a certain point most of the Hearthians have either gotten their instruments out or are dancing, Feldspar doing a little bit of both until they’ve made their way over to Kent. They tuck their harmonica into their pocket and then reach out to touch Kent’s hand.

“Hey, come dance with me?”

[videointhenoise]

He doesn't hesitant to take their hand and stand up, following them into the fray of feet and laughing Hearthians.

"I don't know how!" he confesses. "Not this way."

[getfeldsparred]

"Relax, Kent!" they laugh, taking his stick away and leaning it against the nearest tree. They take both of his hands and pull him to the edge of the other dancers, giving them both a little space to trip and fumble through this together.

"There aren't any steps to learn or anything, just move to the music with me."

[videointhenoise]

Kent grins, pulling them closer so he can actually dance with the music instead of simply listening to it.

But as his feet move, he loosens up a little, even going so far as to sing along with him.

[getfeldsparred]

Once Kent starts having fun Feldspar takes his hands and gives them both a little twirl around. "Are you having fun? Hey, what's this song called? I like it!"

[videointhenoise]

"It's called Kiss from a Rose," he laughs. "It's not my favorite pick for the record, but the sound is so - haunting. And - and lovely."

[getfeldsparred]

“It’s different, I’ll tell you that. And makes no sense.” Which they also kinda like. It’s a slower song so Feldspar gets nice and close, their hand resting on Kent’s lower back as they sway with him.

[videointhenoise]

"You dance the way we do at home. Maybe it's a bipedal thing," he muses thoughtfully. He does like to get close to them, though. The song slows and ends and Kent braves a small kiss to their mouth.

[getfeldsparred]

If the others were watching Feldspar wasn’t paying them any mind. They slide their arms around his neck and kiss him back, turning the quick kiss into something longer.

[videointhenoise]

The music fades from his awareness as he returns that kiss, sliding an arm around their waist in turn.

That is, until the hatchlings (Gabbro) start laughing.

[getfeldsparred]

Feldspar hums softly against Kent’s lips, temporarily forgetting that the entire village is just a few quick steps away. They hear the laughter, giggling more like, and pull back with a glare in the general direction of the hatchlings.

[videointhenoise]

Kent laughs, leaning his forehead against their shoulder. "It isn't a secret," he reminds them, but then raises his voice. "But maybe you should teach them a lesson anyway?"

[getfeldsparred]

“Great idea!” Feldspar yells, hopping back and reeling on the youngsters with a growl. They’re met with delighted shriek and then the sound of hurried footsteps, which Feldspar gladly chases after.

“Get back here, hatchlings! I’m going to throw you into the geysers!”

[videointhenoise]

Kent cackles softly and finds his way back to the bench, sitting and leaning back with his legs crossed.

"Get 'em!" he calls out, finding a mallow and placing it on the end of a stick.

[getfeldsparred]

It takes a few minutes before Kent gets company again, this time the gentle presence of Gneiss. They pluck a banjo in their lap and then set it down beside them, announcing their arrival in their own way.

“So. Feldspar.”

[videointhenoise]

Kent had been waiting for this sort of conversation, but he didn't expect it from Gneiss. It's a pleasant surprise.

"Hello, Gneiss."

[getfeldsparred]

Gneiss laughs softly and melodically. “Hi, Pebble. What a nice evening we’re all having because of you. Especially for one of us.”

[videointhenoise]

"Pebble," he says with a cheerful little laugh. "I like that. And uh - if you mean Feldspar, then I suppose so."

[getfeldsparred]

They smile and nod, picking up a stick to roast their own mallow. “How long has that been going on?”