Work Text:
It has been VℓℓI [433.58] years since Adrian has heard their mate. Since the families of Erid’s first and, to this day, only interstellar crew have heard them. I+∀∀V+ℓ [85,416] days.
Even after all this time, Adrian can’t help but hope that the crew will return. That today will be the day that Erid will pick up the signals from the ship. Some of the other families have given up hope, assuming their loved ones are dead. Many scientists and engineers started working on ways to combat the cooling of their primary star.
Then-
A signal.
Faint, cutting in and out, but a signal nonetheless.
Adrian drops everything and rushes to the space elevator, eager to be present when the crew returns. They’re made to wait while the signal strengthens.
But people start whispering. Rumors spread. The signal isn’t the expected one from their ship. It’s similar, but not exactly. After a few days, the origin of the signal gets close enough for Erid to understand that it is not their ship. The news devastates everyone who hears it.
It is a ship, though.
The strange ship finally gets close enough for the radios at the top of the space elevator to connect. Adrian and the other families are forced to wait as the specialists initiate communications.
Suddenly, a technician comes rushing into Adrian’s temporary quarters. Come quickly, they demand.
Bewildered, Adrian obeys. They’re guided to the room that holds the radio, where the room is filled with technicians, scientists, and even a few of the team that had built the Eridian ship all those years ago. Adrian is nudged to sit before the receiver.
Hello? they trill hesitantly.
A pause. Then, a song they had been longing to hear for so long crackles through the radio. Adrian!
For a brief moment, the world is static around them. Overwhelming relief, pure joy, and even sheer excitement makes Adrian tremble. Rocky! My love! You’re- I hear you! I hear you! they burst into song without thinking.
I hear you! Rocky sings back, and Adrian’s claws shake. I am safe. I am well. We are nearly to Erid, I promise.
‘We’. The crew!
How is everyone? Why were you gone so long? Adrian asks, hoping it was a simple answer.
Rocky doesn’t say anything for a while. A faint hum in the background makes Adrian pause; the song is unfamiliar, unlike any of the crew’s voices. Finally, they exhale. The rest of the crew… did not survive the journey to Tau Ceti.
Clearly, this is not the first time everyone else in the room had heard the news, as they only flinch slightly before continuing their work. Adrian whines. What?!
I was protected by the Astrophage in the engines, Rocky says quickly. I have learned much about space travel and science while away. I was stuck at Tau Ceti because the collection devices broke off and I could not complete the mission.
As they speak, there’s that faint humming sound, making reassuring tones. It’s not Rocky, but Adrian isn’t sure what it could be. Maybe a recording?
Rocky continues. But I made a friend. A ship from the Sol system arrived and we worked together to solve the Astrophage problem. There was an issue with my ship, so my friend is bringing me home on their ship.
It feels like the floor has dropped out from beneath Adrian’s claws. The rest of the room feels like they’re shocked, but like they’ve at least had some time to adjust to the news already.
You’re being honest? Adrian trills.
Yes yes yes, Rocky chirps. My friend is a teacher and a scientist. They brought all of their species’ knowledge with them to share. We have learned much since meeting. They sound amused. They come from a death planet. But we have discovered a way for us to coexist together.
A death planet? Adrian repeats.
There’s laughter, both familiar and not. Rocky’s notes grow a bit fainter, as they speak to their friend. You should explain.
Okay okay, a new voice says, before Adrian hears some shuffling noises. Then that new voice gets louder. Impossibly, it sings in Eridian, sounding natural rather than artificial. You may call me Grace.
In the background, Rocky shouts, that is not your full name!
Grace works for now! Grace shouts back, then chuckles as they seemingly focus back on the radio. I am from the third planet in the Sol system. My planet is named [Earth], meaning [soil] or dirt. Life there is carbon-based.
Several Eridians shriek in excitement. Adrian assumes that this is the first any of them have heard Grace sing. They listen patiently as Grace continues.
My species breathes oxygen and has organs that allow us to perceive wavelengths of energy known as [light]. We stand on two limbs and have an average body temperature of [37 degrees Celsius]. Grace chirps excitedly. Our memory is not as good as an Eridian, but we have created technology that allows us to record and share any information across generations. Our bodies are larger than an Eridian, but our mass is much less.
There’s the sound of a scuffle. Rocky suddenly crows, Sol species [humans] are wet squishy leaky space blobs! They are disgusting!
Grace whistles in protest. [Humans] are not disgusting! They are apex predators! Eridians are boring rock [spider crabs]!
Both of them are laughing the whole time, and Adrian can’t help but slump in relief. Rocky is okay. They’re coming home, and they’re healthy.
Still giggling, Grace sings, we will dock with Erid’s space elevator in a few days. We have already done a flyby of Threeworld to drop off a probe with [Taumoeba], so you should be hearing the results of their work soon. The [Taumoeba] will eat all of the Astrophage and stop Eridani-A from [dimming].
No one speaks.
Just like that, the mission is complete.
Erid will live on.
I will be weird, Grace tells them. I was not born an Eridian. My culture is both very similar and very different to yours. But Rocky has been teaching me much about Erid’s history and culture and language. They sound excited, chirping as they sing. I will make mistakes. But I want to learn everything. I want to live on Erid with Rocky and with Adrian and with all other Eridians if you will let me. Even if I am scary and different sometimes.
Adrian can’t help but laugh at that. Grace sounds so genuine. There’s a hint of nerves, but mostly just excitement and hope. Yes, I think we can all agree to welcome you to Erid.
The radio crackles as it tries to keep up with the outburst of wordless song that Grace releases. Rocky joins in a heartbeat later, making a hum rise up from Adrian’s carapace.
They have to say goodbye soon after, but Adrian will wait. Only a few more days, and they will be able to touch their mate and thank Grace for saving them.
Adrian waits alongside many other Eridians as the human ship lines itself up with the space elevator. A technician extends the xenonite tube and connects it to the ship. All at once, as soon as contact is made, they all can hear the entirety of the human ship.
The [Hail Mary].
The whole thing is weird. Solid surfaces, xenonite tunnels containing Erid’s atmosphere, flat panels, strange things full of small wires and objects, and-
An Eridian. And what must be a human.
As soon as the tunnel is deemed secure, the inner airlock door opens so Rocky – surrounded by xenonite? It clings close to their carapace – can enter. The atmosphere within cycles to match Erid's, and as soon as there’s a beep, the outer ship door bursts open. Rocky throws themself out of the airlock and right towards Adrian.
They manage to get their strange xenonite shell off before they touch, and Adrian chokes out a warbling note as they do so for the first time in many years. There are new imperfections on their carapace, remnants of long-healed injuries, but they seem happy.
Grace, are you coming? Rocky calls, loud enough for the human to hear through the walls of their ship.
Adrian suddenly realize that Grace is big. One and a half times their size, they think. They balance on two limbs, and all kinds of tubes and pouches and things shift and make noise and squish within their soft body. Grace makes a sound that they can only guess indicates amusement. [Calm down, Rocky, I wanted them to see what humans looked like before I defy the laws of biology again!]
Rocky huffs. They pull away from Adrian just a bit. Grace is human. However, and here we all listen very intently, because their voice is a mix of amusement and anticipation, for reasons we have not been able to figure out, Grace also can be Eridian.
No one moves.
Except Grace, who taps the inner airlock door. They move part of the skin on the protruding short limb-thing on the top of their body and exhale air. Surprisingly, it’s a pretty good inquisitive whistle. It’s not perfect, which makes Adrian wonder how there was such good Eridian being spoken over the radio.
Rocky giggles. Grace come out now!
Then-
All at once, Grace’s squishy human body twists and folds in on itself. In less than a heartbeat, they go from four (and a half?) limbs and loud organs to hard carapace and five hearts beating quietly in their body.
What the fuck, someone warbles, and it’s a testament to how shocked everyone is that no one says anything about the unprofessionalism.
The airlock cycles again, and the Eridian that Grace had turned into tumbles into the room. They pop upright and lift two limbs. As they do jazz hands, they sing in (nearly) perfect Eridian, hello!
Rocky laughs and laughs and laughs as everyone else struggles to figure out what just occurred. This is Brave-One Land-Where-Life-Grows Teacher-of-Many Savior-of-Stars Friend-from-Sol Star-Traveler Scientist-Studying-Life Shape-Changer Full-of-Grace, Rocky sings, and the complicated chords that make up what must be Grace’s full Eridian name fill the air. It’s long, but as everyone listens, they understand why it is.
Grace shuffles their limbs in embarrassment. You may call me Grace. My full name is very long.
It will get longer! Rocky teases.
The human-turned-Eridian’s vents puff out warm air as they try their best to hide behind their own limbs. Rocky moves closer and bumps their carapaces together with a reassuring hum.
No one really knows what to do or say. The concept of aliens truly existing, let alone an alien who for some unknown reason could change into one of them, was baffling. It was practically something out of a horror song-play.
Adrian finds themself moving forward and dipping their carapace in a sign of respect and thanks. Welcome to Erid, Savior-of-Stars-Grace. Thank you for bringing my love home to me.
Grace squeaks. They flounder, flailing two limbs as they struggle to find the notes to reply. Next to them, Rocky nearly falls over with how hard they’re laughing. Finally, Grace hisses, shut up, Rocky! You didn’t tell me- I’m not presentable! I didn’t know I would be meeting them so soon! I left everything on [Mary]! Grace taps nervously against the ground and seemingly addresses Adrian. Hold on, let me- I gotta go back for a second.
Without much more warning, Grace skitters back into their ship’s airlock and slam the door. It cycles with a hiss. Everyone listens in confusion as Grace darts through their ship, searching for something. Several times, they trip over their own limbs, or over stray items scattered throughout the ship.
Everyone turns to Rocky.
They chitter. Grace made gifts for Adrian. They’re nervous about meeting you.
Adrian’s brain stutters. Processing those notes takes a moment.
From within the human ship, Grace tries to rush around a corner too fast and skids right into a wall with a slam that leaves a dent. As soon as they make it to the airlock, they trip over what looks like a pile of soft materials. They’re mumbling to themself, and two of their claws shake nervously as they carry a bundle of items.
Gifts, says Adrian slowly.
Rocky laughs. Grace was very very very nervous. They thought you wouldn't like them, or even that you would hate them.
The [Hail Mary's] airlock cycles before Adrian has a chance to ask for clarification. Grace tumbles out, miraculously without crushing the items in their claws. They skitter over and then stop abruptly. There’s a pause as their vents flutter.
A wordless hum makes Adrian twitch, until they realize that it’s just Rocky encouraging their friend.
Rocky told me you study the environment and ecosystems, Grace hums.
Adrian tilts their carapace back and forth subtly to try to get a better understanding of what Grace is holding in their claws. Yes.
The alien in Eridian form reaches out with one hand. Adrian takes the object gently, and examines it. It is a thin, flat disk with a hole in the middle, and grooves all the way around. With a tap, Adrian knows it’s made of xenonite, but can’t figure out what it is.
Then Grace sets down a second object. Place the [record] here, they instruct, and Adrian does so. With great care, Grace lifts a thin piece of metal attached on one end to the side of the rectangular object, and places the pointy end into one of the grooves of the disk. Then they tap a button.
All at once, as the disk begins spinning, the sounds of wind rushing through an atmosphere fills the air. Adrian startles, until they realize that it isn’t the sound of the space elevator collapsing, but is coming from the disk itself. It’s similar to the way Eridians record and play back sound on strips of thin metal.
This is a recording of the atmosphere on the planet where Astrophage and [Taumoeba] evolved, explains Grace, and in the background, several Eridians’ claws clatter against the ground as they jolt in surprise. This is the best one, but I have many more.
Adrian trills. Incredible! They itch to play the sound back, to listen more intently.
Gently, Grace lifts the small piece of metal and settles it into a new groove. The sound of wind abruptly changes, becoming less high quality, but no less fascinating; and then there’s a whistle from the disk. A second follows soon after, distant in the wind. Grace giggles as Adrian leans even closer. The fifth planet from my star is named [Jupiter]. It is a very large gas giant with intense storms. We sent a probe past it many years ago, before I was born, and it detected what we call whistlers. They are made when [lightning] occurs. Some [lightning bolts] on [Jupiter] can be longer than entire continents on my planet.
Rocky laughs as Adrian trills in excitement. Fascinating! Humans have been to space before their trip to Tau Ceti?
Yes yes yes, Grace says, and all at once their nerves are nowhere to be heard. Humans have been to space lots of times. More since I left. Some humans live on a station, like a ship, that orbits Earth. We have set foot on our satellite moon. They grow more confident as they realize other Eridians are drawing closer, interested in what they’re saying. We have sent many probes and unmanned crafts to other parts of our star system. I am the first to visit another star, and first to make First Contact with life not from our system.
Rocky suddenly cuts in. Grace was first to study Astrophage on their planet, they say excitedly. They were the one to name it, discover what it is made of, and how it breeds. They were First Contact for both Astrophage and Eridians!
We must collaborate! Adrian declares, nearly vibrating with excitement. To be able to learn from Grace, who must be the best scientist from their planet if they were the one to study Astrophage first, would be incredible.
Grace bounces up and down. Yes yes yes!
Still laughing, Rocky reaches over and adjusts the metal piece to a new groove.
This time, the sounds are completely different.
The wind is very soft, and there is a rushing sound, like tiny rocks tumbling across themselves. The rushing noise is repetitive, not quite perfectly timed, but close enough that it’s pleasing. A new sound startles several Eridians when it rings out.
That is a [bird], Grace explains. [Birds] are animals on [Earth] that can fly in the atmosphere. There are many many many kinds of [birds], and that one is a common one found near [Earth’s] oceans. Another cry, sounding fainter.
Finally, Grace removes the small metal piece and turns off the device.
Adrian hums. Thank you, Grace. I enjoyed this very much.
If you want more recordings, I have many, they answer. My ship contains all human knowledge up to when I left. Rocky is helping me preserve it in a way that Eridians can perceive.
Rocky lifts their carapace proudly. I have prototypes for new technology. It will revolutionize much of how we live and study. There isn’t a hint of exaggeration in their chords, which makes Adrian all the more excited.
Then, Grace sets down a new item. Second gift, they say, and back up so Adrian can circle it.
It is a strange sculptural piece. There's a square base, made of xenonite, and about as thick as Adrian’s fist. Protruding from the middle of the base is a twisting structure that grows slightly thinner as it gets further from the base, until it splits into smaller pieces. Those smaller pieces vary in shape and size and semi-fractally continue in seemingly random directions. Tiny pieces of material, both familiar and not, stick out from the smaller pieces.
Adrian hums and taps gently at the base to better hear it. It is beautiful. What is it?
It is modeled after a living organism from [Earth] called a [tree]. They are stationary organisms that take in carbon dioxide and put out oxygen. Without them, humans would not have been able to spread across the world. We use them for their materials, and observe them for their beauty. Grace hums. It is difficult to properly describe them as there are IλVI∀++ [73,000] species on [Earth].
That many?! Adrian whistles, surprised.
Grace laughs and the sound echoes wonderfully. That is just [trees]. I am not skilled enough to make models of all of them. But I have records of all life cataloged on [Earth] up to my departure. I have ways for you to observe what human [eyes] can observe. They wave a claw and gesture back at the model of the [tree]. [Trees] represent many things, but generally they are seen as representing life, resilience, and stability. Humans call the record of their relatives and ancestry their family [tree].
Adrian listens to the model with even more interest and care. The xenonite work isn't perfect, but they can't find it in themself to care. Organic life is imperfect. The symbolism is not lost on them; Grace selected something that was both foundational to humans and beautiful to observe.
Clearly, a lot of thought had been put into the gifts.
Slowly, as to not startle them, Adrian walks until they're right in front of Grace. The human-turned-Eridian is barely a third of Adrian's height, and they take a couple steps back automatically.
You did not need to make me anything, Adrian says quietly. They run a claw over the piece of Rocky's carapace embedded in their arm.
Grace squeaks. Oh! Suddenly nervous again, they shuffle their limbs and hunch a bit. I just- Rocky told me so much about you, and I didn't want-
An amused chirp leaves Adrian involuntarily, making Grace cut their notes off. Grace. You already brought me a gift no one else could.
I did?
Adrian purrs. You gave me my mate back.
Grace doesn't move for a moment.
Then they flounder, trying to hide behind two of their limbs unsuccessfully. A strange discordant set of chords erupts from their carapace. Grace waves their primary hands frantically. Anyone would've done that, they protest.
Next to them, Rocky huffs, and bumps up against the smaller Eridian. No they wouldn't have. If you couldn't turn into an Eridian, you'd be starving or dead right now.
What?! Adrian cries, whirling on Grace.
They huff at Rocky. So? I couldn't just leave you to die! Erid would've frozen!
Grace came back for me instead of going back to [Earth], Rocky says to Adrian. They developed the ability to change into an Eridian before we initially parted. If they had not, they would have had to eat [Taumoeba] to survive. The human mission was supposed to be a suicide mission.
For a split second, all Adrian can feel is rage. Pulsing rage, like they've never felt before.
What. Adrian hisses.
Grace shrinks back, tucking themself up against Rocky.
Not angry at you, Adrian growls. Furious at humans. Why would they not plan for a return journey?! You saved them! They want to crush stones between their claws, they're so angry.
Before they could start shouting, Rocky reaches out and taps one of their arms. I'm mad too, but we need to focus on right now, Rocky sings softly.
Adrian exhales. Yes. They tilt their carapace to better observe Grace. I apologize if I scared you.
It's okay! Grace squeaks. Clearly still unnerved, they move closer bravely.
Footsteps. All three of them startle. They'd been so engrossed in the gifts and then Adrian's anger that they'd all stopped paying attention to the other Eridians in the room. One of the scientists steps forward. Savior-of-Stars, what do you need us to do to preserve your ship?
Grace makes a strange noise, like they're clearing their air bladders. Please don't call me that, they beg.
Star-Traveler, then, says the scientist.
Grace whines.
Grace's ship contains an atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen at I/+∀ [1/29] of Erid's atmosphere. Rocky takes over, clearly aware of how uncomfortable Grace has become. It seems like their full name, or even portions of their name makes them uncomfortable, which confuses Adrian. Grace is able to survive in both atmospheres in Eridian form, but only in [Earth] atmosphere as a human. We will need to construct a building to keep human technology in. It will not survive in Erid’s atmosphere.
Things start moving very quickly. Rocky begins directing engineers and scientists to secure and stabilize the [Hail Mary]. To prevent them from getting overwhelmed further, Adrian guides Grace into a corner. They make sure to bring the gifts with them. The two of them settle down – well, Adrian settles down. Grace can't seem to sit still. Almost constantly, they flutter the claws on one hand. The habit is familiar and it takes only a moment for Adrian to recognize it as one of Rocky's methods of stimming. Not only that, but Grace subtly rocks side to side, twisting their carapace to try and pick up more of their surroundings.
It isn't until Rocky puts on their xenonite suit to climb back into the [Hail Mary) that Grace gets more agitated. They make an aborted movement, as if they want to follow Rocky.
Adrian rumbles, and reaches out a limb, slowly so as to not startle them. Rocky is not going far, they hum softly.
Trembling, Grace twitches their carapace in an up and down motion. I know.
But they're still stressed. Adrian shifts closer, until their outstretched limb brushes up against one of Grace's. Through the contact, they can hear all five of Grace's hearts pounding with anxiety.
Oh.
Adrian suddenly realizes why Grace is struggling.
They hum. Tell me more about life on [Earth]. The chords that represent Grace's planet of origin are strange, but they can pick out familiar aspects. Notes for water and life, and several more that vaguely sound like those for ground and human.
Grace's claws still for a moment, then they shuffle their limbs. About [Earth]?
Yes. Life is carbon based?
They perk up. Yes! Cell structures very similar to cells from Erid and Adrian.
Before they could say more, Adrian chirps, from Adrian?
Oh, we did not- Grace giggles. As they do so, they lean more against Adrian's limb. Humans are bad at naming things they have not observed directly. Usually. Tau Ceti has planets, but we were only certain of two, and uncertain of the other two. Their heart rates are slowing as they sing. Humans name exoplanets after their star. Boring.
Adrian purrs encouragingly.
The fourth planet in the Tau Ceti system was named Tau Ceti-[e]. Rocky said it was a boring name. I said they should get to name it, since they got to Tau Ceti first.
Is there a reason for that? Adrian asks.
Grace wiggles. Yes yes yes. In human culture, the first to travel to a new place gets to name it. Not all places on Earth are like this, and history is messy, but it is tradition. Some places are being renamed to respect the original human inhabitants.
The concept of explorers naming something is fascinating. Adrian copies the up and down motion that Grace had done earlier.
Anyway, sings Grace, and their voice is much more stable now, Rocky wanted to name the planet after its wavelength originally. But that would not be efficient. Humans often name things based on meaning or emotion. Connections. History of a group of people, maybe, or an important person.
Oh. Oh.
So Rocky named fourth planet in the Tau Ceti system after you.
Oh, says Adrian.
That was… unexpected. Rocky would not have forgotten them, would have missed them. But to name an entire planet after Adrian… They tap a claw against the ground. Rocky's climbing around inside the human ship, explaining things to an engineer who was following them around in a clunky xenonite ball.
Planet Adrian is the origin of Astrophage and [Taumoeba] and a lot of other life, Grace explains. Astrophage is dimming stars, yes, but it also revolutionized space travel for humans and Eridians. It is a new form of renewable energy. They chitter in excitement. Maybe planet Adrian is the origin of both Earth and Erid life!
Okay. Adrian puts aside the urge to smother their mate in love. That can come later. Now is the time to continue to keep Grace calm so Rocky can stabilize their ship. Then they will go down to the surface. We will study this together. When you are ready, you should lead a thrum on this theory. On human science and technology, too.
You think they will want to listen to me? Grace asks, and oh no, their heart rates are spiking again. Even if the theory is not normal for what humans or Eridians think?
Adrian quickly shifts so one of their limbs is curled around Grace, and another rests in front of them. Absolutely! You are the best scientist on Earth, and best scientist on Erid. You have knowledge of things Erid never even theorized. You have been the First Contact for three separate species, and you are the only sentient creature to travel to three different star systems. They laugh at the thought. Eridians will fight over who gets to thrum with you first. Everyone will want to learn from you.
Really? says Grace in a quiet tone.
Yes. Adrian answers firmly. Biology thrums. Engineering thrums. Teaching thrums. Many many different thrums will want to have you lead and teach them. You will likely be the catalyst for the growth of many of them.
Grace is silent for a long moment. Then they reach out and brush their claws over Adrian's. I was outcast from the human equivalent of a thrum back on Earth. I didn't think anyone here would want me to join a thrum besides Rocky.
It takes all of Adrian's self control to stop themself from reacting outwardly. Why were you outcast?
I wrote a research document about the possibilities of life outside of what humans assumed was the necessary requirements for life, Grace mumbles. Humans assume planets need to orbit within a certain radius of their star, and that life needs water to exist. Most assume that life needs to be carbon based. Seemingly without thinking about it, they begin fiddling with Adrian’s hand. The larger Eridian remains still and allows their fingers to be manipulated. They did not like me much after I wrote that document. I wouldn’t back down. There was a conference, like an inefficient science thrum. I got upset. They hesitate, then quickly say, I called the leading researcher in the field a waste of carbon.
The notes are so unexpected, especially coming from a being that is so easily overwhelmed and stressed. A burst of laughter slips out before Adrian can stop it.
Grace jolts, and twists their carapace up in their direction.
Sorry sorry sorry. Adrian makes a very undignified sound as they try to stop themselves from laughing. I was not expecting to hear that you said something like that.
I was angry. Grace hunches in on themself a bit. Their primary hands squeeze for a moment around Adrian’s claws before loosening.
Adrian trills. Good. Be angry.
What?
They tap gently against one of Grace’s limbs. You were right, were you not? Maybe not about the water part, but there’s still many star systems out there with the potential for life.
Grace hums thoughtfully. I guess- yes. Yes, Erid’s orbit is outside the expectations that most humans have for life. They perk up. I was right.
And the theory you have about life on Erid, Earth, and planet Adrian being descended from the same life, is that a common theory? Adrian probes gently.
No, it is not. Grace is getting excited again. But I could study it on Erid, yes? I have lots of data from Earth, and now that I’m on Erid, I can properly study life from planet Adrian.
Adrian laughs. I will help you if you want. I don’t normally study life that small, but I want you to teach me so I can. The science thrums will help you.
This time, the mention of the thrums doesn’t send Grace spiraling. They wiggle and chirp, yes yes yes! I will teach you!
Start with telling me more about Earth, Adrian says. If you don’t know where to start, begin with explaining what you studied. All of it.
Grace launches into song, chattering away about microbiology and molecular biology. All thoughts of stress about thrumming or humans or Rocky not being in the immediate vicinity are forgotten as they sing. Adrian interjects with the occasional question or request for clarification of a term or concept, but generally just sits and listens.
Soon, a handful of other Eridians drift closer. Grace barely notices them, too engrossed in explaining how humans identified and studied [DNA]. Adrian bristles when one of them gets too close. They skitter backwards and sit down at a respectable distance.
It isn’t until Rocky finally clambers out of the [Hail Mary] and sheds their xenonite suit that Grace stops singing. They’ve been holding onto Adrian’s hand for a long time, long enough that neither of them feel like letting go. Adrian definitely doesn’t want to.
Rocky darts over to them. Are you okay? Are you ready to try and go down to the surface? Without waiting for a response, they brush their claws across Grace’s limbs, then across what they can reach of Adrian.
Grace was telling me more about [Earth] science. Adrian taps, and unsurprisingly, Rocky spins in excitement.
Good good good! their mate sings, but Adrian can pick up on the slight shaking of their carapace. Grace is very smart. Stupid when they don't sleep, but very smart.
Grace sputters. Adrian can tell that Rocky is teasing. I have been doing a great job of sleeping, thank you very much!
Only because Eridians can't delay their sleep cycle, points out Rocky.
Amused, Adrian cuts in. We are ready to go down to the surface. Next to them, Grace bobs their carapace.
The three of them walk towards the space elevator, through several hallways and rooms. Eridians gather in doorways and in the larger rooms. Many of them click, tap, or hum in excitement to get a good listen of their saviors. As soon as Grace’s claws tighten in Adrian’s, the larger Eridian shuffles their arrangement so the smallest is flanked on both sides by the others. Rocky ends up taking Grace’s other primary hand.
Grace stops before they could enter the space elevator.
Eridians can’t get sick, hums Rocky without context.
The human-turned-Eridian shifts side to side. I know.
Gently, Adrian flutters their claws in Grace’s grip. You will be able to return to your ship after the engineers secure it properly. Human and Eridian technology is fairly different, and we are new to space travel. You will only have to ask to come back.
Grace exhales a hot burst of ammonia. Okay. Okay, yeah.
Together, they step into the elevator.