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]

Kent sits back, listening to the water, to the sound of working. Hammering. Moving. Everything.

He swallows hard. "It's hard to not be with them," he mutters, feeling sick and anxious.

[getfeldsparred]

Gneiss nods softly and places their hand on Kent’s shoulder. “I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for you, Pebble.”

They pat him on the back softly, trying to quell their own tears.

“Give them time. They’ve been alone for so long.”

[videointhenoise]

"I know."

And so was Kent, not that he'd ever say it. Not that he'd ever compare. Because he always had the other Heartheans, despite the fact that he was not a part of them. He was integrated but not a part. He takes their hand in his.

[getfeldsparred]

They don’t need to say it, Gneiss knows. They understand better than most.

“It’s an adjustment for everyone. When their fever breaks we can tell the others…if you think that’s wise, Pebble.”

[videointhenoise]

"They're all going to find out eventually. They can't stay away and - the others need time, too. But they can't - "

He clears his throat. "Feldspar will get overwhelmed if they all crowd them."

[getfeldsparred]

“They’re overwhelmed with just us, yeah.”

Gneiss pats their shoulder. “But the others…Hornfels, Gossan, Slate…maybe they should be told?”

[videointhenoise]

Kent just lets out a breath. "I should do that, yeah. But not - not until they're strong enough."

[getfeldsparred]

Gneiss waits a moment before responding, watching Arkrose and Mica play around in the water.

“When are you going to visit them next?” they ask softly.

[videointhenoise]

"I would be there right now if I thought they wanted me there," he says and he runs his fingers through his hair.

[getfeldsparred]

“What makes you think they don’t?”

[videointhenoise]

"They need to rest," he says. "Relax. And not worry about me."

[getfeldsparred]

“Maybe being around you will help them rest and relax. I can tell you they’re not doing it now.”

[videointhenoise]

He lets out a soft breath again, soothed by the sound of the water.

"I know you're right. Just - can you lead me there?"

[getfeldsparred]

“Of course. Take my arm. Rutile and Tektite have been working on a ramp using those gravity crystals from the ships.”

[videointhenoise]

"God, that's clever," he breathes and takes their arm to follow. "I'm so proud of them."

[getfeldsparred]

“We’ve always been clever, Kent, you included,” Gneiss says almost wistfully. They take Kent up the ramp, moving across the planks carefully. “Resourceful. We’ve been through so much as a species.”

[videointhenoise]

"You have," he agrees, his feet careful on the ramp. "And we will get through this, too."

[getfeldsparred]

“We will. And we’ll grieve, and we’ll despair, and then we’ll light a campfire and play our music and remember that we have each other, just as we’ve always done.”

Gneiss passes by Tektite, who stops working to briefly place a kiss to the top of Gneiss’ headscarf. “Alright there, Kent?”

[videointhenoise]

"Just wishing I could help more," he admits and reaches out his free hand. They take it, hold it fast, and then turn to get back to work.

[getfeldsparred]

“You are helping,” Gneiss reassures him as they continue walking up the ramp. “You and Lapis saved us all.”

[videointhenoise]

"Lapis did it. I - can't imagine what they're thinking now," he mutters. "They've seen so much. Done so much. My baby is..."

He shakes his head. He can't even say it.

[getfeldsparred]

“No longer a hatchling,” Gneiss finishes. “You can see it behind their eyes - they’ve grown by years in only a single day.”

[videointhenoise]

"Doesn't mean they need me any less," he tells them firmly, because he is not giving up on them. He is not leaving them alone.

[getfeldsparred]

“No, they need you more. Now more than ever, Kent.”

Gneiss gets them to the top of the reservoir building and down through the dark rooms, into the sheltered space where Feldspar is currently being watched by Esker while they need a tin of fish.

[videointhenoise]

Kent is glad to hear it. He knows it's the truth, but he likes hearing it. He places a hand on theirs and then lets go, his hand on the wall instead. "Hey," he calls out softly, hearing soft words.