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Space was... hard to think about.
So many theories, so many dreams, buzzing in her head like a hornet nest.
Humanity was fascinated by space.
Just gazing upon the stars made Mumei’s head spin as she felt the perspectives of all the others who had stared up at the sky with its beauty. In the field, watching the stars shine down upon them.
The most innocent told her that if she were to just hold her hand out, she could reach the glittering light in the sky.
So she reached out.
And Sana blinked as Mumei’s hand brushed her cheek.
“Hm? Something wrong, Meimei?”
The owl blinked back.
“… I forgot.”
“Oh no! Do you need help remembering?”
“… No,” she hummed. “It wasn’t super important.”
“Aw, okay.” Sana pouted for a moment, but only for a moment, before she bounced back with a smile. “You better let me know if you do remember!”
“I will!”
“Mumei!!!”
A smile was already on the owl’s face before she turned around to see a nova flinging herself down the hall’s of the council hall and towards her.
“Sana!”
That was all she could get out before she was tackled and lifted up into a large hug.
Not that she minded. Getting spun around made her laugh.
“You made it! Your humans made it!”
“They did!”
“Ohhhh, I can’t wait! I can’t wait to see what happens next!” Sana squeezed her. “First, the moon! Next, who knows!”
“M-mars probably!” Mumei breathily laughed before she bit her lip. “Um… Sana?”
“Yes?”
“S-squishing me.”
“Oh, sorry!” The Speaker laughed and carefully put her down, watching the owl smooth out her cloak. “I’m just a bit excited! The humans are so cute with their little suits and ships!”
“Aren’t they?”
“Not as cute as you though, Meimei!”
“… Sanaaaaaaaa!”
Mumei managed to find her on her first day aboard the first spaceship.
Well, the first spaceship she had ever been allowed on. Mumei had tried to get on one before, but security around them was surprisingly tight. Which meant she had to wait until the dang things were commercial enough for her to get into one without issue.
For the most part.
She didn’t like wearing the suit. She didn’t need a suit. Humans didn’t know that though, so she could forgive them and play along.
She couldn’t forgive them for making her wait for so long though! She had to be sufficiently taught everything humans needed to know (that she already knew!), she had to be seated and wait until she was called upon, then she had to wait for the lift off! And exiting the atmosphere!
It didn’t matter that she had to know about some emergency procedures on a suit she didn’t want to wear, she was on a mission. A mission she was already late for, but she was over that. Really.
She kept tapping her foot against the floor for a completely different reason.
As soon as they were given the all clear, she was the first one up and moving towards the window.
Because on the other side was space.
Space in all its glory. Space in its purest form. Its habitat.
Mumei raised her hand to wave, but paused.
She wouldn’t be able to hear Mumei from within the suit, within the ship. Maybe she couldn’t even see it was Mumei. (She always wondered if Sana felt where they were in the universe. If that was how the Speaker kept finding her.)
That made her frown.
She was able to see Sana, but her mission wasn’t over with just yet.
She had to wait again.
The announcement came later than expected, but she chalked it up to Kronii being upset with her over something.
She wasn’t sure what, but she’d figure it out once she landed.
For now, she watched the passengers around her get up and climb up to the deck of the ship. The glass dome surrounding it had opened up, revealing the galaxy around them. A swirling bunch of stars and planets that they’d never thought they’d get to see in their lifetime. Not with how pricey the trip costed.
Not that she’d know. Being a stowaway was always more fun.
It made her laugh to herself as she watched the kids run around, completely oblivious to how important the moment could be for them. It could be their call to become an astronaut or something.
Mumei hand itched to reach for her journal, but she fought it.
She was on a mission, after all.
Making her way down to the very end of the dome, she made sure to hurry and make it to the suit station at the entrance.
“Need help putting a suit on, ma’am?” One of the workers asked before he opened the doors for her.
“I can manage!” Without another word, she ran inside the room and waited for the door to close.
Lined up neatly were all the remaining spacesuits customers had access to, and she figured they could use an extra one.
So, with a grin, she opened up the outside door and laughed as she climbed the deck without any issue.
She ignored all the surprised yelps and baffled shouts of the humans as she reached the very tip of the spaceship.
There, she reached her arms out wide.
And the universe hugged her back.
“Sana!!!”
“Meimei!” She laughed. “You didn’t have to come out here in person, y’know? I would have met you anywhere!”
“I know!” The owl’s fingers tingled at the pure warmth. “I wanted to surprise you!”
“Well, you did!” Sana grinned a thousand stars. “Was there any reason why?”
“Hm...” She pondered for a moment before beaming. “Oh! I remembered something!”
“Yay Meimei! What is it?”
Mumei hummed and waited.
“… You’re gonna make me guess?”
The Guardian laughed as space dust tickled her.
“No! I just wanted to say...” She waited a moment longer before the words spilled out of her like water. “I love you!”
It was as if the sun flickered for a moment before blazing in all its glory, just for her.
“Aww! I love you too!”
“Really?”
“Really!”
“Forever?”
“Forever!”