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

[videointhenoise]

"I'm not here to keep their feet on the ground," he assures them. "I'm not - that isn't what I want. I want them to be happy, but I want them to come back once in a while. Explore the stars, then come back to tell me about it," he explains.

"I'm happiest when they're exploring the solar system."

[getfeldsparred]

Gneiss leans against Kent, exhaling as they look out at the fire and the others still having a good time. They're quiet for a little while, the Attlerock sitting quietly over their heads.

"I think they just may keep coming back if you're here waiting for them."

[videointhenoise]

Kent nods, wrapping an arm around them. "I hope so," they mutter. "I hope that they do because there are a bunch of other people here who love them."

[getfeldsparred]

“They know that,” Gneiss tells him. “And I know they have a big heart. I just want to see you happy, Pebble. Keep seeing you happy.”

[videointhenoise]

"I'm happy," he assures them. "I've found a home here. A family. I like teaching the hatchlings."

[getfeldsparred]

“We like you too, Kent. And if we had to choose between you or Felds…”

They chuckle and nudge Kent playfully.

“You’re not a hatchling, you can make your own decisions. I just had to weigh in like the busybody I am.”

[videointhenoise]

"I like that you did," he assures them. "Means you care. Did you sic someone on Feldspar?"

[getfeldsparred]

“Rutile,” Gneiss says, almost apologetically. “They’re a little harsher, I fear, but Feldspars sometimes needs a firmer hand.”

[videointhenoise]

Kent chuckles. "I'm sure I'll hear about it later. I would wish him luck, but I think I appreciate the care."

He takes their hand and kisses it gently. "Go be with the others. I'm fine here."

[getfeldsparred]

“I know you are,” they smile. “Let me eat my marshmallow first and I’ll be on my way.”

Gneiss brings the stick up to their lips and blows on the marshmallow, still sitting close to Kent as they both listen to the chatter. “I’ve been meaning to ask you…do you want me to make you an instrument?”

[videointhenoise]

Kent just laughs a little sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I - I should learn an instrument first. I was never really into the band. Just - singing."

[getfeldsparred]

"You won't learn unless you try," they say, laughing into their hand. "What are you interested in? I've got all sorts of instruments in my cabin if you want to come by and test some out."

[videointhenoise]

He nods. "You know, Gneiss. I think I will. How's tomorrow sound?"

[getfeldsparred]

"Tomorrow sounds perfect." They finish off their marshmallow and get to their feet. "You should probably go find Feldspar. Rutile's probably through with them."

[videointhenoise]

Kent stands up and picks up his stick, leaning against it. "Thank you," he tells them sincerely, and he walks to the outside of the campfire. Feldspar will find him; they always do.

[getfeldsparred]

Feldspar does find him, and unlike their usual calm and even cocky self, they're grumbling and obviously flustered. They run into him on their way back to the campfire and exhale low. "Kent, hey. Let's get out of here."

[videointhenoise]

Kent chuckles and reaches for their hand. "Lead the way. My place this time," he suggests softly.

[getfeldsparred]

"Yeah, good idea," they grumble, though they have to admit that holding Kent's hand makes them feel a lot better. They take one more look over their shoulder and then head for Kent's cabin by the waterfall, slowing once they're out of earshot of the campfire.

"Rutile found me. Did Gneiss or Tektite find you?"

[videointhenoise]

"Gneiss," he answers once they're on their way. "What did Rutile say to you?"

[getfeldsparred]

They grumble quietly, kicking some rocks down the path. "Rutile...they told me..."

Feldspar trails off, annoyed and a little ashamed now to even be talking about it.

"They didn't tell me anything. They lectured me about taking care of you, not breaking your heart because of some stupid stunt. They said I should think about choosing, either you or Outer Wilds."

[videointhenoise]

Kent immediately jerks their hand back and reaches out for them with his other. "Hey. Stop," he says and his voice is firm but soft. "You do not have to choose. If you choose me over Outer Wilds, I will throw you in a geyser myself. You can have both. You can have the stars and you can have me."

[getfeldsparred]

“That’s what I said!” They step into Kent, taking both of his hands and holding tight. “That’s what I told them! I said that you would never make choose, because you get me. No one else has ever gotten me before, but you do, and you wouldn’t ask me to do that.”

They step closer, clearly still heated, but in a different way. “You’re the only one who’s ever understood. The others…they kind of get it, in their own way, but they never got that yearn, y’know? But you do. You…you always have.”

[videointhenoise]

"I know," he says smugly, kissing their hand. "It's alright. I want you here, but it want you happy. I want you to tell me everything. Explore and learn."

[getfeldsparred]

Feldspar takes Kent’s face in between their hands and presses a kiss to his lips. It’s soft and sweet - different from their usual kisses.

“I’m not going to abandon you for space either. I don’t know what Rutile was thinking - I’d never hurt you on purpose.”

[videointhenoise]

"I know."

He leans against them and moment, then steps back to lead them up to his cabin again.

"I trust you, Felds."