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]

"They didn't, but I'll bring it up with them later," he assures him.

"You need to sleep."

[getfeldsparred]

Feldspar sighs quietly at Kent’s insistence that they sleep. “I will, I will. Just…tell me more about your day.”

[videointhenoise]

"I worked on the soundscope a little. Thats the name we're going with."

He sits back. "Slate and I are going to try and put it on the ship."

[getfeldsparred]

“Sound-scope,” they repeat, laughing to themselves. “Says exactly what it is, nice. It’d be useful on the ship if there’s a couple of us flying out here. Help me locate Esker and Gossan.”

And for them to find Feldspar, which would be more useful but they’re not thinking like that.

[videointhenoise]

"Exactly," he laughs. "I'm working on range now."

He smiles. "But I've mostly been putting together furniture."

[getfeldsparred]

Feldspar sits up sharply, radio floating off their shoulder and hanging out in front of them. Putting together furniture can only mean one thing.

“Are you going to house one of the new-hatched?”

[videointhenoise]

"I thought I would."

He hesitates. "Makes the cabin seem a little less lonely, I guess."

[getfeldsparred]

Oh.

It makes sense. Kent spends a lot of time alone when they’re up in space, so why wouldn’t he take in one of the little ones?

Feldspar grimaces to themselves and then picks up the radio. “That sounds like a great idea. You’d be amazing with them. Gneiss and Rutile would appreciate the help.”

[videointhenoise]

"That alright?"

He laughs. "I didn't ask you first, but I knew you wouldn't mind. Softie."

[getfeldsparred]

“Of course it’s alright! And it means I get to see the hatchlings as soon as I land, so really, you’re doing me a favor.”

They smile a little more genuinely and sit back in the chair again. “You’ll be good with them. It’s really amazing how well you’ve just blended in with all of us. You’re more Hearthian than me sometimes.”

[videointhenoise]

"Thats not true. I'm just Kent. You are all better than that."

He tilts his head. "Alright. My time is up. I'll talk to you tomorrow night," he tells them softly, and while he can't say that he loves them, he hopes they can hear it.

[getfeldsparred]

They go quiet for a couple of seconds, just thinking to themselves. "You're not just Kent, you know. Not to me."

As much as they'd like to keep Kent on the radio with them all night, they know Gossan's also up on a run to Giant's Deep. Best free up the line.

"Goodnight, Kent."

[videointhenoise]

"Night, Felds."

And he signs off, letting Slate take the radio to check on Gossan. He heads back to his cabin, whistling all the while.

[getfeldsparred]

Gneiss is on their way to Rutile’s cabin a rather large basket in their arms, but as they spot Kent up on the path ahead they whistle to him.

“Hey! Heading home? Do you mind if I come with? I actually have some supplies for you.”

[videointhenoise]

He pauses, his stick in the dirt, and smiles. "If course. I always love the company."

He waits for them and then starts back up.

[getfeldsparred]

Gneiss takes their place beside Kent on the path and walks with them up towards his cabin by the waterfall.

“I’ve got some blankets for the little one, some little clothes, some jars of the fish-paste we feed the hatchlings, ointments and herbs…all the pantries in the village has this stuff, it’s about time we get you well-stocked.”

[videointhenoise]

"Hornfels said you might come by with supplies. Or they would," he laughs. "I've made room in my pantry and in the room for the crib. Whatever they need."

[getfeldsparred]

"Hornfels will come back with the rest, don't worry," they smile. "Three hatchlings - you're only going to take one at a time, but it's still a lot. Are you sure you're up for the task?"

[videointhenoise]

"Absolutely not," Kent laughs. "But I'm willing to try. I want to. It feels - right. Like I'm part of the community."

He opens the door for them and takes off his shoes, leaning his stick against the wall.

[getfeldsparred]

"It's not like you'll be alone for any of it," Gneiss reassures him, taking off their boots and walking briskly into the kitchen to set down the basket.

"Does Feldspar know you're taking on the hatchlings?"

[videointhenoise]

"I just told them today at our chat. I wasn't sure when the best time would be, since I know they're going to miss the ceremony." And it breaks their heart.

[getfeldsparred]

Gneiss smiles sadly. “Feldspar’s always been partial to the hatchlings. I think it’s a kinship.”

There’s the clinking as Gneiss begins opening pantry doors and moving jars about.

“Rutile always believed Feldspar’s detached from the rest of us.”

[videointhenoise]

"That's not true," Kent argues firmly, almost defensively. He walks over and reads the little braille indents for them in his pantry.

[getfeldsparred]

“Relax, Pebble. I never believed it for a second.” Gneiss lets Kent guide their placement, working with them shoulder-to-shoulder. “They lived with me for a while when they were still a young hatchling. They got hurt a lot, and I was patient enough to mend their broken bones and stitch up their cuts.”

Gneiss laughs softly, fondly, but it fades after a moment. They give a solemn look to Kent that he can’t see.

“That egg is small, Kent. Did Tektite talk to you about its odds…?”

[videointhenoise]

Kent straightens his shoulders. "It's a very good thing I don't always listen to the odds. Humans are risk takers in that way," he explains. He doesn't have to see the look to know it's there.