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 is hot on the tails of the two hatchlings, arriving just as they finish cleaning their faces and hands but…well. Wet. “Hey, starshine,” they sing, waltzing into their home and planting a kiss onto Kent’s cheek.

“Let me wash up and I’ll be right back.”

[videointhenoise]

Kent makes a face and tries to push them back. "You're getting the floors wet? Did you take the geyser down from the launch pad again?" he huffs and Lapis and Hal both start to giggle. They won't tattle, but they're also very bad liars.

[getfeldsparred]

“I didn’t want to be late!” they argue, dancing around Kent and sticking a finger into the pot to sample their supper. “Delicious, as always!”

They’re already down the hall changing, but to be fair to Kent they do move with some speed.

[videointhenoise]

Kent shoos them away. "Get out, go."

He starts to serve the plates, flicking Lapis' ear gently as he passes. "Be nice to him tonight," he tells both hatchlings.

[getfeldsparred]

“We’re always nice, Kent,” Hal argues.

“Who’s not being nice?” Feldspar calls out, joining them back in the dining area. “Whoever’s not being nice is getting thrown into the zero g cave.”

Hal laughs and digs into their plate. “Lapis would like that probably.”

[videointhenoise]

"Until you threw up all over," Kent remarks, settling in for dinner and finding his bowl. He brings it close, searching it with his fingers. "Mm, take some of this over to Gabbro for me, huh? They were wanting to try it."

[getfeldsparred]

“Okay,” Lapis says, swinging their legs a little as they eat. “But we can stay up late tonight, right? You promised.”

“As long as Gabbro’s up then you’re allowed,” Feldspar tells them, knowing that Gabbro keeps weird hours and both hatchlings will be fast asleep after the second marshmallow.

They sit down next to Kent and push his bowl closer to his hand.

[videointhenoise]

Kent takes the opportunity to take Feldspar's hand in his for a moment. A silent thank you.

"What they said," Kent agrees, knowing full well that they talk a big talk. "But you have to be up early for lessons tomorrow morning."

The hatchlings might not have school, but Kent is determined to still be a teacher.

[getfeldsparred]

Feldspar squeezes Kent’s hand and brings it to their lips for a quick kiss before letting it back down. Both hatchlings groan but there’s a little glint of delight in their eyes - they love learning from Kent.

“What if you and Feldspar are still sleeping?” Lapis asks, sounding perfectly innocent but grinning broadly.

[videointhenoise]

"You wait fifteen minutes and then you're legally allowed to leave," Kent deadpans, knowing that they won't get the joke. But sometimes it's fun to keep some very esoteric phrases and thinkings from Earth alive.

[getfeldsparred]

They might not get the joke, but they absolutely run with it, especially knowing Kent for their entire lives. “Legally,” Lapis says sagely.

“Yeah, legally,” Hal grins.

“You can wait less than that too,” Feldspar says, nudging their foot against Kent’s.

[videointhenoise]

Kent chuckles. "Legally," he confirms and then nods. "If we're still sleeping, then you can go play until the afternoon. Then I'm gathering you up."

[getfeldsparred]

It’s clear Lapis and Hal both silently agree that they’ll sleep in on purpose - they shoot a look between them and nod vigorously.

“You’ll see them in the afternoon,” Feldspar hums, grabbing a piece of bread to dip into the sauce. “This is real good, Kent. Real good.”

[videointhenoise]

"Well, not strictly speaking, I won't."

He grins broadly. "And thanks. I cooked the mushroom sauce from last night down. It's not bad when you add some seasoning."

[getfeldsparred]

“Strictly speaking, you’ll never see anyone ever,” Feldspar remarks lightly, glancing up towards the two giggling hatchlings. Blind jokes are always a win.

“You always cook the most delicious stuff though, and I’m not just saying that because I’m usually up in space.”

[videointhenoise]

"You're right," he says seriously and picks up his drink. "And I do cook delicious stuff because I'm from an entirely different planet with a different perspective." He leans over close to the hatchlings. "And also I'm better than Felds."

[getfeldsparred]

“That’s not a secret,” Lapis grins, “Feldspar can burn water.”

“That’s learned helplessness. You taught us that word, didn’t you, Kent?” Hal adds, laughing as Feldspar furrows their brow.

“You can tease all you want, but out of everyone at this table I toast the best marshmallows.”

[videointhenoise]

"I did," he assures Hal and then snorts. "And you only toast the best ones because you have four working eyes and aren't a kid."

[getfeldsparred]

Feldspar rolls all four of those eyes. “Roast your own marshmallows then.”

[videointhenoise]

"Don't be cruel." He nudges them with his elbow again.

[getfeldsparred]

“You know I’m all talk,” they smile, nudging him back under the table:

“Ugh, they’re doing it again,” Lapis mutters to Hal. “Being all lovey. If they start kissing we need to run.”

[videointhenoise]

Kent slides an arm around their shoulders and then leans over to kiss Feldspar right on the side of their face.

[getfeldsparred]

They chuckle and turn their head quickly to kiss him right on the lips. The hatchlings groan in disgust.

[videointhenoise]

Kent returns that kiss and smiles against their mouth. "They're still here."

[getfeldsparred]

“I know, but this might make them leave faster,” they grin, kissing him again.

“Not at the table!! Ew!!!” Lapis brings their hands up to shield their eyes. “We’re going! We’re going!”