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]

He gratefully slides into his chair and eats. "Have I ever told you about coffee?"

[getfeldsparred]

“No,” they answer, “except I think I heard Hornfels mention it once. It was in your book, right?”

[videointhenoise]

"Mm, yeah. It's a stimulant that a lot of the world uses," he explains. "I stopped getting headaches after stopping it, but I still want it!"

[getfeldsparred]

“Yeah,” Feldspar laughs, “Hornfels was saying they wanted to try it. Me too actually - sounds great! Like the opposite of sap wine. Although…”

They shrug their shoulders, careful of Lapis. “There is a mushroom that can be found in the cave system under the village that do something similar.”

[videointhenoise]

"What? No one mentioned that!" He finishes the last of his breakfast and stands to wash the plate. "...what kind of mushroom?"

[getfeldsparred]

“Because it’s incredibly dangerous, that’s why!” they argue with a laugh. “Going through those geysers is the kind of thing only a dumbass like me would do.”

[videointhenoise]

"Then why mention it?" he laughs. "Unless you're volunteering."

[getfeldsparred]

“I mean, I would, except I have a feeling I’d get yelled at. And not just by you - whole village would call for my head if I pulled a stunt like that again.”

[videointhenoise]

"Again?!" he laughs. "Felds. You make my blood pressure go up."

[getfeldsparred]

“Oh, pffft.” They sit back with a snort, patting Lapis’ little bottom when they start to get wriggly. “If you only knew half of what I got up to when I was younger.”

[videointhenoise]

"I do know, thanks to everyone here. We gossip about you a lot."

He starts down the hill, his stick in his hand.

[getfeldsparred]

Feldspar casually strolls after Kent, happy to show little Lapis more of the outside world. They don’t even let the casual comment of being discussed like they’re the only news around - the day’s too nice for it.

“Then your blood pressure should be used to it.”

[videointhenoise]

They aren't the only news.

Kent asks.

"It's different when you're here," he says. "Speaking of...I was - thinking maybe one of the elders would like to have them for a night. After all, I'm sure you want some rest."

He manages to keep a straight face.

[getfeldsparred]

They absolutely read through Kent’s casual mention of getting someone else to watch Lapis. “Oh yeah? And you’d be okay with that?”

[videointhenoise]

"I think I need to be," he laughs. "Or I'm going to lose my mind when you leave again. Besides, I need to introduce you to the concept of grandparents."

[getfeldsparred]

“Hmm. If it means I get to spend more time with you, then yes, yes you do. Although I’m pretttttyyyyyyy sure that we already have this sort of thing here. Give the hatchling to the next person so you can get a break is not a new thing on Timber Hearth.”

Feldspar hears the faint plucking of Gneiss’ banjo and grins. They’re always happy to see their Gneiss.

[videointhenoise]

He laughs. "It's a little more involved than that," he teases and tilts his head.

"Is that Gneiss?"

[getfeldsparred]

“You can’t tell by the banjo?” They grin as Gneiss finally spies them and sets down their instrument to climb to their feet.

“Feldspar! Kent! Little Lapis too - all on a walk today?”

Gneiss rushes forward, giving a little kiss to Kent’s head and then ignoring Feldspar altogether in favor of looking at the hatchling.

“You’ve done wonders, Kent. They look so strong now.”

[videointhenoise]

Kent lets out a breath. "They did all the work themselves."

He reaches over and finds their little head, gently brushing his fingers against their ears.

"I thought since they're out of danger that they might like a little change of scenery."

[getfeldsparred]

Lapis yawns loudly as Kent touches their ear, and Gneiss chuckles fondly. “You certainly helped,” they chide him gently.

“Do you want to hold them, Gneiss?” Feldspar asks, holding them out to the older Hearthian confidently.

“Only if it’s okay with Kent. These two have been inseparable.”

[videointhenoise]

Kent laughs sheepishly. "Yeah, go ahead. I think they'd like to meet the rest of the community."

[getfeldsparred]

Feldspar is confident in Kent’s ability to let go for a few hours. Lapis is safe and steady now, and the elders know what they’re doing if anything does happen. They’ve been raising hatchlings for a long time now.

“I’m sure Tektite will be excited to see this little one. They’re tough.”

[videointhenoise]

"My little gemstone," he mutters and leans over to press a kiss to their head. "Take them for the night if you want. I think they'd like new attention. But - they don't like the cribs. And the paste is too thick, so I add a little water to it. And - they like when you sing to them."

[getfeldsparred]

Feldspar exchanges a glance with Gneiss.

“Kent,” Gneiss says, gentle as gentle can be. “Are you sure you want me to take them for the night?”

[videointhenoise]

"Yes, Gneiss. It's good for them." It's good for him. He reaches down to take Feldspar's hand in his own. "I promise I'll be alright."