#uhhhh that is followed in a close second by food poisoning

[fancifulwhump]

Jaskier food poisoning while traveling with Geralt???

“Geralt.”

Jaskier’s voice is smaller than usual. It’s harder to hear him. That’s the only reason Geralt stops walking.

When he turns back to face his companion, Jaskier’s face has taken on a striking pallour. Geralt may not recall much about human physiology, but even he can tell that isn’t natural. A thin veil of sweat glistens on Jaskier’s brow; everything below that has faded to grey, a hue whose queasiness is only emphasized by the expression on Jaskier’s face. He looks like he just stepped in zeugl vomit.

Come to think of it…

“Are you going to be sick?” Geralt asks bluntly, crossing his arms.

Whatever Jaskier had been planning to say, that wasn’t it. Somehow Geralt feels like he just cut off the beginning of a long-winded monologue. “I — what? No. Why would you even think  —  honestly, Geralt. Really.”

Jaskier clears his throat, huffing off to the side as though Roach has personally offended him. If glaring at the horse is easier than meeting Geralt’s eyes, something really is wrong.

For a long moment, Geralt simply stares at him, inviting him to say whatever he was intending to… but, stubborn as he is, Jaskier remains quiet. Geralt knows from experience how long the bard’s silent treatment lasts — five minutes, tops. With a grunt, he concedes to Jaskier’s sulk, turning and continuing on their way down the path. Until Jaskier decides to pull his head out of his own ass or vomit off the side of the road, it’s not his problem.

That’s what he commits himself to, at least. Remembering it becomes harder as time drags on — minutes into hours, continuing through the humid woods with nothing but Roach’s hoofbeats to fill the silence. On any average day, this would be fine. Geralt would prefer it, really, to an hour filled with Jaskier’s inane chatter. But silence isn’t something Jaskier understands, and he definitely doesn’t practice it. Being alone with his own thoughts is one thing; having Jaskier hang over his shoulder, following for hours without saying a single word, is another. 

It’s unnatural. Unnerving. Like attending the wedding of a bride wraith —  everything appears fine, but one crucial element is very, very wrong, and it poisons the entire afternoon.

Sure, Jaskier keeping his mouth shut can’t compare to the bride trying to eat her groom, but… Geralt’s not the best at analogies.

A part of him wants to round on Jaskier and demand to know what’s wrong — but that might cause more problems than it’s worth. However awkward silence is, an argument would be worse. Eager to avoid it, Geralt does his best to glance back at Jaskier as infrequently as possible — just enough to ensure he’s still there — determinedly trudging ahead. Eager for a distraction, he keeps busy scanning the woods around them. Level terrain will suit, the more secluded the better. There’s no chance they’ll make it to the wights’ lair before nightfall, but they can at least find a safe spot to bed down for the night.

Finally, Geralt comes to a halt in a small clear area, carpeted with pine needles and fir. Under the cover of trees, they will not be visible from higher up on the mountain; and with rocks at their backs, there’s no chance of being snuck up on. It’s clearly the best choice — but traveling with Jaskier long enough has taught him that at least consulting his companion is the best thing to do, unless he wants to listen to Jaskier complain all evening.

“How’s here for tonight?” he asks, finally turning back to face Jaskier. Immediately, Geralt wishes he hadn’t.

Somehow, Jaskier pallor has only grown. He looks even worse now, a hellish grey, washed out and drained of all energy; beyond the slumped shoulders and lowered head, his jaw is tense, lips bleeding in places where they’ve been chewed nearly raw. Jaskier’s eyes scan the clearing, duller than they’ve got any right to be, before he looks back up at Geralt and offers a short nod.  “Uhh. Yeah, this works.”

Geralt stares at him. “You’ve got nothing to add?” Jaskier always has a complaint about wherever they end up camping. If the silence was unnerving, this is simply wrong.

Jaskier considers for a moment, scuffing his toe against the stone floor, before shaking his head. “Nope. It’s fine.”

Geralt doesn’t buy that for a moment. He continues staring for a beat too long, drawing his skepticism out until it’s practically strangling them both… until at last giving up, looking away with a grunt of acquiescence. No arguments here. If Jaskier doesn’t feel like whining (but that’s wrong, Jaskier always whines) he won’t look the gift horse in its mouth… no matter how uneasy it leaves him.

Setting up camp is quick work, made longer by Jaskier’s overall reluctance to help. He’s useless at starting a fire on a good day — but tonight, charged with arranging stones for a fire pit, he can hardly bring himself to focus on the task at hand. He meanders around, picking up rocks and discarding them after a few thoughtful seconds; if he moved any slower, Geralt might mistake him for a zombie. Occasionally he braces himself against a tree and simply stands there, eyes shut and face drawn. He draws shallow breaths into his lungs and seems to hold them, as if frightened to let them out; Geralt watches, half-fascinated, until he manages to recover.

It was the tuna, he’s decided by the time their packs are set up and a miserable fire pit has been assembled. Something about it smelled off last night, and Geralt had wanted to say as much… but Jaskier was already halfway done with dinner. To bring it up would have been to worry him needlessly for nothing. 

Of course, now it clearly isn’t nothing. While Geralt’s stronger stomach could handle the tainted food just fine, Jaskier hasn’t been so lucky.

Geralt snorts as the bard slumps down on a log, hunching in on himself with both arms around his stomach. For all his reluctance to voice his discomfort, Jaskier makes no attempt to hide it. He glowers after the ground, throat bobbing with each heavy swallow. A few times, his eyebrows draw together, and he exhales hard through his nose; where he might have been keeping quiet before to salvage his dignity, now Geralt seriously doubts Jaskier is able to open his mouth.

“If —“ Geralt begins, before stopping cold. Ask Jaskier about it again, and he’s just going to deny it. While acting as if Geralt’s insulted him. What’s the point inviting that? Instead, Geralt closes his mouth and leans back, regarding his companion unwaveringly. Jaskier’s shoulders are tense, his limbs drawn like taut bowstrings. He doesn’t even look up at the dropped question. Over the heavy silence, a low gurgle emanates from Jaskier’s stomach; he inhales sharply, pressing both arms in on himself, and doesn’t move a muscle.

By now, it’s impossible to look away. Geralt crosses his arms and leans forward, frowning. Jaskier has to break sometime. It’s inevitable. But the moments drag by, long and agonized, and he remains still as a statue. Either Jaskier is that stubborn or that optimistic, but Geralt can see things clearly: if Jaskier doesn’t get it up now, they’re both going to spend the rest of the night miserable.

Casually, he reaches towards his back and draws out a parcel wrapped in cloth. He hadn’t wanted to save last night’s leftovers, but Jaskier insisted. “Squirrel?” he asks, extending a piece of dried flesh Jaskier’s way. 

Jaskier reels, scrambles backwards over the log, and gags into the bushes.

Geralt tucks the squirrel away, victorious.

He tries to give Jaskier his privacy from there — some things he just doesn’t need to see. It’s more difficult when Jaskier finds his voice again. Apparently, nausea was the only thing holding it back, and the moment he’s unleashed the first torrent of partically-digested squirrel into the bushes, he remembers how to speak again.

“Geralt — oh gods — I feel awful, Geralt.”

Something Geralt surmised on his own.

“My stomach — hah-hah-uhhhh.” Jaskier belches, loud and queasy. Geralt can’t help making a face. “It’s turning inside out. Destroying itself. Help, Geralt.”

“Leave me out of this.”

“For the love of —“ Jaskier cuts himself off with a gurgle; his shoulders convulse, and he whips around just in time to avoid vomiting directly at Geralt. It’s all the unfortunate eavesdropper can do to remain where he is. Comforting Jaskier would be the nice thing to do… but he’s never been called nice in his life. Still, it seems a bit too rude to move to the other side of the fire, just to put some distance between the two of them.

“Do you, uhh —“ Geralt frowns into the flames once the latest round of gagging has died off. “Do you need anything?”

“A merciful death,” replies Jaskier, strangled.

“Right.” After a long moment, Geralt rises from his own log and treds carefully across the campsite. He’s not at all quiet, but Jaskier doesn’t look up until Geralt is standing right next to him, looming at his shoulder. Jaskier’s mouth opens, but instead of a question he only manages a sick hiccup.

“There. There, there.” Geralt’s hand lands on Jaskier’s back, which promptly shudders with another gag. Unsure of what else to do — of all the uncomfortable places life has taken him, this is somehow still a first — Geralt pats Jaskier’s back, lightly at first, then with more confidence as the sick man brings up another wave of sick.

The last thing he expects when Jaskier is done is for the bard’s full weight to slump against him. Jaskier moans aloud, dragging the back of his hand across his mouth. His other arm still cradles his roiling stomach, but at least he no longer looks a pin’s drop away from projectile vomiting. “That was hell,” he mutters, jolting with a silent hiccup. “Been feeling queasy all day, but I hoped… oh, gods. It was the squirrel, wasn’t it? It was the squirrel.”

Geralt, in a merciful mood, does not confirm the suspicion.

Jaskier moans, leaning back against Geralt’s legs. There’s sick on his shirt, and his bangs are glued to his sweat-soaked brow. For a moment, Geralt simply allows himself relief that it’s over. Then, another gurgle emanates from Jaskier’s raging stomach, and he realizes that no, it’s really not.

Humans are much more delicate than he realized… and more often than not, its an pain in the ass.

[forbetterorworsefinalspace]

Dog’s Breakfast

Rating: Teen and Up

Fandom: Final Space

Part: 5

Link-  🌌

_______________________________________________________

Finally Sheryl begins her search for the Dimensional Keys, Gary just gets in the way and Sheryl goes through an actual mom experience.

Just don't get your hopes up.

_______________________________________________________

“Don’t run o- GARY! DO NOT RUN OFF!”

“I won’t!” Gary responded, still taking off in the same direction.

Oh FUCK me….

Sheryl ran a hand down her face as she watched the child stop to look at a sale stand. They were currently on day one of their stay in Furtasanguinis and it was their first day in the marketplace. This city was the largest on the planet, and the black market here was more of just a market. All around were shady characters, buying and selling wears. Sheryl eyed a bird monster who shuffled by, dripping in a green goo that was likely alien blood.

So you know, a child friendly location.

She had set up a meeting with one of her contacts, who would either know something about these keys, or know who to ask. It was in half an hour by the fountain- well, fountain turned drowning pool. Sheryl frowned as a large group of Aliens began to drown another in the muddy water, the fountain just spurting sludge. 

“Mom! MOM! Come look at the bugs store!!”

Sheryl kept watching the drowning, pulling a ciggy out to light up. Gary just kept on calling her.

“Mom! Mom!! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!Mom!! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!Mom!! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!-”

“Eh?” Sheryl responded when the alien finally went slack and the bubbles stopped.

“Bug store mom!”

Uhhhhh…

Sheryl turned and slumped over to the vender Gary was referring to. The vendor was a lean character with eight arms, three eyes and a weird feeler mouth, like a shrimp. On his table were a variety of bags in jars and cases, from all over the universe.

“Look! Mooncake could’a made some friends.” Gary tapped one of the cases with a weird slug, crab thing inside. “C-cute little guys!”

“Mooncake?” Sheryl asked, smoke wafting from her mouth.

“Yeah! My Lunar moth caterpillar! He’s in the jar back home.” Gary smiled.

“Oh that thing.” Sheryl responded lazily, smoking her cigarette. 

“Uh huh!” Gary looked over the display. “I wonder if there are any earth bugs here?”

“Nah, not rare enough.” Sheryl sniffed. 

“Do you know any of these?” Gary asked, gesturing to them. “What are they?”

“Sure lets see.” She started pointing at them with her cigarette. “Endangered, endangered, rare, endangered, venomous, poisonous, on the no trade list, endangered, technically extinct, venomous,-”

Then alien vending the shop started to yell at them then, shaking four of his eight arms. He was screeching in a forgin language but Sheryl understood every word. Gary darted behind her but Sheryl didn’t notice him, she was solely focused on the very angry broomstick before her.

She let him finish, not moving an inch, but when he was done, she took out her cigarette and fried back at him. Twice the intensity, twice the volume and twice the vulgarity. No one stopped to watch as this was pretty commonplace, but the shop vender was certainly shaken, head ducking lower and lower as Sheyrl blasted him, verbally into next week. Finally he just took off, scuttling into the back of his shop, crying a little.

Victorious, Sheryl put her smoke back in her mouth, dusted off her shirt and went back to the fountain, Gary trailing behind.

“What happened?! Why was he such a wet turd?!” Gary whined, staring back at the store. “He just started yelling!”

“Thought I was calling his wears garbage.” Sheryl said, sitting down on a bench near the fountain. “I showed him who the real garbage was though.”

“Oh.” Gary looked back. “How you speak his language?”

“I speak many languages, all part of the espionage business Gary.” Sheryl sniffed, tapping her cigarette free of ash. “Tweedlepick is actually pretty easy to learn. It's just making the right mouth shapes that’s hard. They got that bottom feeder mouth shape, more blubbing.”

“Wow! Can you show me to do that?” Gary asked, excited.

“Ahhh, maybe later kiddo.” Sheryl spotted her contact through the crowd. “Here, my friend just showed up, stay close to me.” She tossed her smoke into the muddy water and was shocked when it erupted into flame in an instant, people yelling and screaming. It died down in less than five seconds though, so she shrugged and walked off.

“Sssherylllll…” The hooded centipede creature hissed, red glowing eyes peering out at her.

“Scheer, yah old bastard, how are you?” Sheryl asked, clasping him on the back.

“Allssss welll. You?”

“Not as well.” She admitted. “I have a sorta mission I’m on, trying to find something called Dimensional Keys. You ever heard of ‘em?”

“Dimenssssional Keysss…” Scheer garbled, scratching his chin with a bone like hand. “I have heard whisssperssss.”

Thank god, maybe this wasn’t a goosechase from a drunken nightmare.

“Oh? What have you heard?”

“That they are but the thing of legandssss.” Scheer explained, shuffling on his many legs. “However, I have not looked into them much farther than that.”

“How much would that cost?” Sheryl asked.

“Dependssss on how much work it issss.” He chuckled deeply. “My work issss not cheap.”

“I got money.” Sheryl said. “And some nice Earth shit. You don’t get much Earth drugs up here, do you?”

“Mmmmmmmm…” Scheer looked thoughtful. “No….”

“Tell you what, you put your feelers out, get the ball rolling, and I’ll let you have a taste.” Sheryl smiled. “Follow through, get me what I want, the entire stash I have is yours.”

“How much issss there?”

“Truthfully only a couple dozen bags, but when something isn’t plentiful, you can charge more for it.” She explained. “So what do you say?”

“...I will ssssee what I can find.” He crackled. “However if the effort beginsss to outway the reward, I may have to raissse my pricesss.”

“Your always worth the costs Scheer.” Sheryl said, but leaned in close. “Just don’t try to fuck me over.”

“I can only assssk for the sssame thing.”

“Then we understand one another.” Sheryl said, standing back. “When should I expect news?”

“Give me an Earth week.” Scheer whispered, starting to scuttle away. “I’ll sssee what I have for you.”

“Alright then.” Sheryl said, watching him leave.

Same old Scheer, even after all these years. Slimy but reliable. 

Anyway, there was no real reason to stick around for now. They could grab some food and head back to the Trailer, where she parked in the middle of the woods.

“Alright Gary, lets-” Sheryl turned and looked at her feet, only to find dirt.

Oh god damn it.

“Gary.” Sheryl scowled, looking up over the crowd and stalls around her. “Gary!”

Nothing.

Confused, Sheryl looked to the bug stand to the west. 

No.

Then to the street meat buggie to the east.

No.

Then everything in between.

NO.

“Gary?” She called, looking around a few more times, to no avail.

He was just gone.

A small shard of glass stabbed at something under her rib the moment she realized Gary was awol. It was a forgin emotion to Sheryl, she had never felt it before and she stall for a moment.

Fuck.

Fuck! FUCK! God Damn, shitty FUCK!

Sheryl forced herself to breath. Calm down! There are only two reasons Gary could be gone. Either he wandered off, or he was taken away. There's no time to panic.

She knelt to the ground, looking in the dirt.

Thankfully earth sneakers were a very visible and traceable patterns.

She followed them a little ways away to an alley, where they quickly turned into a scuffle before two larger prints were running down into the shadows.

Great. Kidnapped.

Sheryl looked down the alley with a scowl.

Should she really go after him? Honestly she told him to stay by her. What use was he if he didn’t listen.

Sheryl rolled her eyes.

Supplies would last longer for one person. Be more quiet. Less mess and disorder.  Hell, she may get the job done faster. Not to mention he’d just be a liability wherever they go…

She should just go back to the ship and forget about this.

‘What kind of monster has a child with someone, just to steal some plans?!’

‘If yah ain’t gonna be useful, you should just get busy dyin’!’

‘No ones comin’ ta save you this time sweetheart. Your rooted.’

Sheryl inhaled deeply and scowled, but started down the darkened alley. 

Fuckin hell.

Thankfully the footprints were very distinct, she was able to follow them through the winding pathways to edge of the marketplace. A few places they were cluttered or destroyed by other prints, but she was able to guesstimate where they were headed and catch up farther down the line with the tracks again.

Finally she came out to a more stable like area of the city, bustling with aliens and animal aliens of all sorts. Looking down she could see a large stack of cages by a shipping container, and Gary was seated in one at the bottom.

Sheryl ambled over and knelt beside the sniffling boy, she stared to a nearby wall.

“So!” She said, startling him. “What’cha doing Gary?”

“Mom!” He scrambled to wipe his eyes and turned to her quickly. “Your here! Some jack-ass-alope took me away and locked me up in here!!”

“Did he.” She stated. “Now how in the hell did he do that with you standin’ right next to me?”

“Uhhhh…” Gary deflated.

“Could it possibly be that you didn’t listen and took off?”

“...Maybe…”

Sheryl blew some hair out of her face. “Mmm, ok then. Have a good life Gary.” She stood up and began to walk away.

“H-hey! Wait!” Gary waved at her to stop. “Aren’t you gonna save me?”

“You made your choice Gary, now you have to live with it.” Sheryl tutted. “I mean, clearly your able to go off on your own, like you wanted-”

“No! No! I just wanted to see the shops while you talked!” Gary shouted, panicking.

“I dunno, you don’t seem to want to listen to me.” Sheryl hummed, looking at her nails. “It might be best if we-”

“No! Don’t leave me here!!!”

Sheryl paused, looking to the ground for a few seconds before groaning. She came back and squatted by the cage, eyes narrowed. “You gonna listen to me?!”

“Yes!”

“You gonna do as your told?!”

“Yes!Yes! Pease!!!”

She grunted. “Fine.”

“HEY! Who are you!?” A voice shouted angrily. Gary yelped and crawled deeper into the cage as Sheryl turned around. She looked up into the face of a very grumpy, toad like alien. Then down to a set of very framilerly shaped feet. “Get away from my products!”

“Right.” She reached into her boot for her combat knife and stood. “Let’s get this over with.”

Ten minutes later she left the city in the direction of the camper, dripping in blue blood. Again no one paid her any mind, not even when she had Gary in one hand, forcing him along in front of her by the back of his shirt. 

“When we get back home, you are in charge of dishes, mopping and getting the fire ready- DO NOT LIGHT IT UNTIL I AM THERE- I will be taking a soak in the tub.” Sheryl ordered, making him walk up onto a bridge. “I am understood?”

“Yes mom.”

She let him go and kept walking, heading back to camp. Gary took a moment to catch up to her.

“Mom…”

“Eh?” She grunted.

“T-thanks for not leaving me behind.” He sniffled. She glanced at him, frowning when she saw he was sporting a black eye, clothes dirty and hair askew. 

She looked back out to the woodlands. “Yeah, well, don’t make me regret it.”

Gary didn’t respond.

[zephyr-iffic]

Mun Thingie

tagged by: @asktherwbymen

1) Name/Nickname: Kaleb, Blu3 (blue), Tyger, Trash Buddy (Hey, girl.)

2) Gender: Male

3): Star sign: Sagittarius

4): Height: 5′ 9”

5): Hogwarts House: Hufflepuff!

6): Favorite Animal: Dogs, though certain birds are a close second.

7): Hours of Sleep: It honestly depends, but anywhere from 4 to 6 to 9, if I'm really lucky.

8): Dogs or Cats: Dogs, with a respect towards cats due to a number of friends with cats.

9): Number of Blankets: On my bed? Three? Four, maybe?

10): Dream Trip: Toronto, maybe Tokyo or even Austin, TX.

11.) Dream Job: Voice Actor or Late Night Radio Host (a la “The Deb of Night.” Anyone?)

12.) Time: 1:39 a.m.

13.): Birthday: December 8th

14.): Favorite Bands: Halestorm, Evanescence...others that I'm forgetting.

15.): Favorite Solo Artist: Amy Lee

16.): Song Stuck In My Head: Familiar Taste of Poison - Halestorm

17.): Last Movie I Watched: Spider-Man Homecoming

18.): Last Show I watched: RWBY

19.): When did I create my Blog: March 2014

20.): What do I post/Reblog: Mostly starters and replies, but there are some things that interest me certain ask memes.

21.): Last thing I Googled: “How to find the start date of a Tumblr blog,” because—frankly—I needed to know.

22.): Other Blogs: Uh...I think my other OC one is still up. I haven't been on it in AGES, though. caydeycatgoesmeow.tumblr.com

23.): Do I get Asks: Sometimes? I wish I got more.

24.): Why I chose My URL: It was a combo of Zephyr and terrific. Boom.

25.): Following: 1,024 (Uhhhh)

26.): Followers: 377 (And I love every one of you.)

27.): Lucky number: I think it's...I don't know, really.

28.): Favorite Instrument: Piano

29.): What am I wearing: A t-shirt and pajama bottoms

30.): Favorite Food: Pizza. Hell yeah.

31.): Nationality: African American with Native American

32.): Favorite Song: Oh gosh. I would have to say...We All Become – Darren Korb and Ashley Barrett

33.): Last Book I Read: A little bit of “Four and Twenty Blackbirds” by Mercedes Lackey.

34.): Top Three Fictional Universes I’d Like to Join: Dragon Age, RWBY, Buffyverse

tagging: @pxrfxctandhandsomx @avalanchiing @roofieeyed @theringisntthehero and anyone else!

[aristarshower]

Star Catcher

Masterpost

Adventure Three-The Big Lesbian Wedding

Ugh, my jell still stinks from that stupid tank. Dig was back in their usual bio suit that translated their luminescence for others. It also let them move to their liking without being restricted by the lack of liquid around them. They were also enjoying all the attention the crew was giving them.

“Sorry you had to go through that, Dig. How about I cook for today and you take the day off?” Nisha offered. Dex knew she felt bad even though no one was hurt. It had been a close call and neither the ship nor the crew were truly capable of withstanding close calls.

It’s alright. Cooking relaxes me. Dig removed something from the forge in front of them and blew into tiny shapes.

“Is that glass?” Dex whispered to Nisha.

“Have you never seen Harpie eat?” Dex felt it again, that gap that separated him from the others. He hadn’t really had the chance to know any alien species when he was on Earth and the few weeks he was aboard Star Catcher were a whirlwind of wedding preparation. He had a bad feeling that at the end of this he would have to leave. The only reason SC needed a new navigator was because Nisha was busy with the planning. Dex wasn’t even truly qualified. He had lied his way through and soon it would all come crashing down.

There was a little noise on the comms and the captain’s voice came through. “Hey guys! We’re back!”

The rest of the crew had gone away for a little recreation. They had shot forward thanks to the reserve star dust from the escape pod and got to a intergalactic wormhole. But the wormhole didn’t lead to the right galaxy. It led to Galaxy-G-YKOQA which had a wormhole to G-ETA or as Dex knew it, the Milky Way.

Galaxy-G-YKOQA was a strange system with two galaxies devouring each other. It was considered unstable for dust collection and made an excellent place for some quick down time while staying innocuous.

“Which planet are we on again?” Nisha made a noise that Dex assumed was the answer. The only sure thing was that it began with a Y. “So each galaxy is named after the live supporting planets in it right?”

“Yes.”

“Which one are you from?”

“Same as you. I am from the A though.” Araite. The first alien world humans found long long ago.

“What’s it like there?”

“Oh it’s nice.” She was busy clicking away on the hand-held before her..

“Weather good? Sunny?”

“I guess you wouldn’t call it sunny considering the temperatures on Earth but it is hot enough for humans to survive.”

“Pleasant winds?”

“Most of the time.”

“Then why aren’t you getting married there?”

“Uhhhh Dex we are getting married there. Why do you think we are heading to ETA?” Dex couldn’t answer. He had assumed Alina and Nisha would get married at Alina’s father’s place but that would be too absurd to say out loud. Of course they wouldn’t want everyone at a criminal headquarters. V saved him by entering quite explosively. He bounced off a few chairs and threw his arms around Dex.

“He...Hey...V…”

“Dex!!!” V shouted right in his ear.

“Alright, you idiot, get off him!” Alina dragged V away. “Sorry he gets a bit too ...drunk sometimes.”

“What did he drink?”

“Something Retmarians call the Qoedy.”

“Cody?”

“Eh close enough. V is a fucking lightweight but it wears off fast. He should be bearable by dinner. Speaking of dinner, Dig what are you cooking up for us?”

Burgers.

“With meat?” Dig made a vague motion Dex decided not to interpret.

“Oh Dex, I wanted to ask you what will you be wearing for the wedding?”

“Uhhh...I am invited?”

“Of course! You’re part of us now!” The words were warm but Dex didn’t feel it.

“I don’t know.” He left before Nisha could ask more questions. He hadn’t left the ship with the others because he had felt safest there. Somehow without him noticing the ship had become home. And it might all go away too soon.

“Dex!” V was hanging out of his door, dripping wet.

“Hey V.” Dex kept walking. Not even an almost naked V could cheer him up.

“Heeeeeeeeeeey buddy….”

“V stop patting my face.”

“Sorry but why is it all sad?”

“My face?”

“Yeah it looks bad.”

“Thanks.”

“No. Just tell me what’s wrong?” Dex couldn’t resist V’s pout.

“I like this ship.”

“Me too!...wait should I be sad about this too?”

“No! I just mean I am temporary. As soon as this wedding is done, it’s back to the boss for me and whatever the hell that means. And I like y …...this ship.”

V was grabbing the wall really hard making choked noises. Then he turned away from Dex and threw up all over the floor. Dex left as the cleaning bots hurried off to the mess beeping furiously.

***

The call for dinner went up on the comms. The crew usually did not eat together owing to the different dietary needs but once in awhile one of them decided they needed a meal together. Dex hadn’t been to one yet and was standing in front of a mirror nervously adjusting his hair. He didn’t know what the protocol would be. He understood that the crew unanimously deciding for a joint dinner is probably because of what happened with the Wadmians. He understood the need to stay close but at the same time facing all of them together would mean facing how much of an outsider he was.

Dex, done with your hair? Dig was at the door. They had modified the speakers on their suit to make the voice sound really deep making Dex jump.

“Yeah.”

You don’t have to be nervous Dex. We are not going to eat you. Just a heads up, don’t stare. With that ominous statement Dig threw open the door to the dining area which was just the cooking area with a few more chairs crammed around the table.

“Hey!”

“There he is!”

“Dex!!!” V was still a little loud but the others shouting with him made Dex laugh.

There was a lot of variety among the food on the table. Dex did not understand some of it but he knew burgers well enough. He grabbed a couple and sat down between Dig and Amani who was feeding Mel not so secretly under the table. Mel was opening up different sets of jaws snapping away the food passed to her.

There was a hiss from the door and Harpie entered dazzling everyone. Dig elbowed Dex to stop him from staring. Harpie had had their exo skeleton painted in a dazzling array of colours and then coated it all with some kind of glitter. They picked up the bowl with shaped glass shards and hissed in delight.

There’s no need to thank me Harps! I love shaping glass! Harpie hissed again in obvious delight and the conversation went on. Dex felt a pang when he realized he was the only one who could not follow it. Harpie’s language was still a mystery to him and Dig’s luminescence was too alien for him to piece together. He only understood them because of the suit. He bit morosely at the burger and made an involuntary delighted noise.

“This is amazing Dig!”

Thanks.

Nisha and Amani had a plate of burgers to but Alina had a bowl of something blue. Dex nudged Nisha.

“Why isn’t Alina eating?”

“She is. Are your eyes ok?”

“But…” Dex made a vague motion towards the blue something.

“Oh that’s Desr, a delicacy where she comes from. Don’t try it though. It’s poisonous for humans.”

“Alright.” Her words caught up with Dex. “Isn’t Alina human?” He hadn’t meant to shout but the rest of the crew fell silent. It was true that Alina was a couple of feet taller than the tallest human Dex knew but other than that she looked completely human, brown skin, golden brown hair, two dark eyes, two small ears, one two lipped mouth, one small nose and two pairs of limbs with five fingers each. The others burst out laughing.

“Who owes me money?” Amani demanded. V and Nisha raised their hands looking disppointed.

“Come on Dex. I really thought you knew humans.” V’s words made Dex flush. He didn’t dare ask what Alina was. Nisha changed the topic to flowers soon and Dex finished his meal in silence.

***

Dex turned again on his bed unable to sleep. Every time he tried sleeping he felt like the world was falling from beneath him and then he woke up and realized there was no world beneath him and he was hurling through space. He had felt like this the first time he was aboard a spaceship but he had gotten used to it easily.

There was a soft knock on his door and V slipped in. The room was dark and Dex could clearly see the lines of luminescence on V’s limbs. They weren’t used for communication like Dig’s as far as Dex knew. He didn’t know if it would be rude to ask so he made a note of studying Retmarian anatomy when he had the time.

“Hey! Sorry about earlier.” Dex shrugged.

“It’s not a big deal.” He really didn’t know what was a big deal.

“Not just about the uhhh…” V mimed throwing up and Dex smiled. The tension in V’s shoulders dropped a little. “I wanted to talk to you properly about what you were saying before that.” It was Dex’s turn to tense up.

“It’s alright, V. I was just being a little paranoid.”

“No, it’s not. You’re upset and that’s not nothing. Look I can’t pretend to know the captain’s mind but I assure you she won’t just leave you behind. Not after everything we have all been through.”

“You really think so?” Dex hated himself for the little hope in his voice.

“Yeah. And hey if she wants to kick you out, I’ll go with you!” Dex laughed. V’s bio luminiscence glowed a little brighter. “No I am serious. We’ll leave together and make ourselves a new life among the stars.”

“Thank you, V.”

“You are a part of us now, Dex. It will all be okay.” V patted Dex’s hand again and walked out.

***

Araite was a beautiful planet. Dex fell in love the second they landed. The whole wedding area was covered in light flakes of snow. The venue itself was decorated with little dust lights and balloons. Dex had dressed in his best clothes which was an old jacket and a clean shirt. Dig looked amazing in their new bio suit and Harpie’s glittery exoskeleton was drawing all the eyes. Amani had gone simple like Dex did and wore a soft jacket with a silk shirt. All of Dex’s thoughts scattered when V walked in. He was dressed in some kind of scaly armor that left most of his chest uncovered. The armor ended at his knees and he wore soft warm pants underneath. V’s luminescence showed prominently through the clothes. Dex realized that was the design. The beautiful golden scales reflected the light back onto V’s dark skin making him glow.

“Close your jaw, kiddo.” Amani snickered and Dex looked away hurriedly. He wasn’t the only one staring. Half the conversation had stopped the second V walked in. V noticed all the attention and bowed to everyone. There were a few giggles and everyone went back to what they were doing before.

V winked at Dex and walked away to talk to other people. Amani and Dex were having drinks when V appeared at their side. The glow was completely gone from his skin.

“We have a problem.”

***

“How the fuck did this even happen?” Nisha hissed. They were all bundled away from the wedding venue while the emergency team neutralized the threat.

“I don’t know. I assumed anyone making balloons would know not to fill it with flammable gas?” V had put on a few more layers. While the inside of the venue was dusted with snow for the aesthetic, outside the planet was a nightmare covered in snow with cold winds ripping them apart.

They had just managed to avert disaster. V had smelled something off when one of the balloons popped.

“At least no one was injured.” Alina was wrapped in the huge rainbow coloured thing Amani was knitting earlier. Dex realized it was a huge gown. Alina could wrap the train around her twice. She didn’t even need a coat. Nisha on the other hand was wearing the delicate wonderful Wadmian dress. Dex could see why it was special. The cloth itself was the softest Dex had ever touched and there were no threads like usual fabric. It was continuous and etched on it with utmost care and precision were designs like Dex had never seen before. And to top it all off there were crystals embedded at regular intervals making the dress glow more than V which was saying a lot.

“Yeah but what the hell are we going to do?” Nisha sounded close to tears. Alina drew her closer enveloping her in the rainbow fabric.

“Our ship is right there. Lets just get on for now. V find out how long it’s gonna take.”

V came back to the ship dejected. “Sorry guys it might take too long.”

“Why don’t you get married in the ship?” Dex wished he could take his words back the second he said them. The whole ship was crammed with wedding guests. There weren’t more than thirty but Star Catcher wasn’t built to hold that many people.

Dex was desperately trying to avoid being seen by Alina’s father. At the venue, the man was already seated at the front so Dex could just slip in the back but on the ship there was no escaping his presence. Alina’s mother was with Nisha’s parents but her father was with her. And now his whole attention was fixed on Dex.

“I...I..m...mea...mean...everyone is here.” Alina nodded encouragingly. “We can bring in some of the lights.”

“Or we could go into orbit.” Nisha’s eyes widened at Alina’s suggestion.

Harpie hissed something. “We can enough boost for the extra weight from the leftover star dust and we won’t need it later anyway.”

“We can totally make it happen! You can get married in front of the control panel with all the stars behind you!” The guests were warming up to the idea.

V patted Dex on the back. “Thank you.”

***

The wedding was beautiful. Mel had jumped up to Alina’s side and handed her the locket. Alina slipped it around Nisha’s neck while V cried silently behind her. Dex even saw a little tear in Amani’s eye but he knew he would die the second he mentioned it. Dig made little snuffling noises and punched Dex when he laughed. 

Nisha brought Alina a bracelet to go around her elbow. She pulled Alina forward and slipped it on. The entire ship erupted into applause when they kissed. Alina laughed when Nisha lifted her and almost toppled back.

A few people spoke in languages Dex did not understand. Alina’s father gave a short but sweet speech and wished them luck. V’s speech was filled with so many innuendos that Amani dragged him away before he could finish. Dex was worried someone would ask him to talk but the talking part was done soon.

“Lets dance!” Alina shouted and was met with more cheers.

There wasn’t enough food on the ship. None of them had thought of loading up the food from the venue. But there was plenty of booze so it was all okay in the end.

Harpie sang a slow song in their own language. Dex did not understand it but felt the sentiment flow throw him. Alina’s mother was dancing an old dance from Earth with Nisha. The woman was taller than Alina but Dex could see the resemblance in their eyes.

“Care to dance?” V was holding out his hand for Dex. There weren’t many people dancing and Dex had never danced before.

“I don’t know how to.”

“I could teach you.”

“I don’t really want to?” Dex said softly. He didn’t want to hurt V but he really didn’t want to dance either. V withdrew his hand and sat down beside Dex.

“Hey, you still worried about Alina kicking you out? I talked to her.”

“Why would you do that?” Dex didn’t care that he was whining.

“Shhh...I talked to her and she told me she would talk to us about this after the wedding.”

“Wait. So she didn’t tell you she was keeping me?”

“Well no…”

“Oh good. That’s reassuring.” Even V didn’t have an answer for that.

“Wanna get drunk?”

“Yes please.”

***

Dex and V were wasted by the time Alina took to the stage again. Stage was in this case was the slightly raised place before the control panel. Alina patted Mel and Mel screamed her kettle whistle until everyone went silent.

“We have an important announcement to make.” Alina took Nisha’s hand. Nisha’s mother gasped.

“Are you pregnant?”

“What? Ma! No!”

“Our announcement is that we are finally settling down!”

“Yes! We got a house. An actual house with walls and everything here!” Nisha hiccuped.

“So this is might as well be our final journey into space. And I love that we are finishing up on my first ship!”

There was a shocked silence. Everyone seemed to be waiting for one of them to laugh to call it a joke. Nisha’s parents broke the silence with tearful congratulations. Alina’s parents looked as shocked as the rest of the crew felt.

Dig’s voice was low but Dex felt the words in his bones. What the fuck.

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