Chapter Text
DARK CHARCOAL-BROWN
Orange stared between Blue and the pile of ores in the large branded containers in shock.
"Wait, you're going to examine all of them?"
Blue nodded.
"Precisely."
"Oh, no, no, no." Orange pulled a book from behind their back and flipped to a specific page to show Blue. "According to page n.__, rule __, this is against MIRA's guidelines, Blue."
"Perhaps. But look closely at these ores, Orange." Blue's hand rested on Orange's shoulder. "They possess unusual... variables. If I study them now, the rest of the staff will be better prepared once we land."
Orange's cheeks warmed.
"Y-You're right. Forgive me, Blue."
Blue smiled gently.
"Apology accepted, Orange. I'm glad you agree."
Black folded their arms, approaching from behind them.
"So basically Cyan and I are useless, Blue? I'm literally the geologist here."
Blue shook their head. "Not at all." They turned toward Black.
"You see, some medical equipment is surprisingly useful for analyzing them as well—"
"That's the damn point!" Black threw their hands up. "MIRA gives me nothing but a glorified monocular, and suddenly you're getting better results with equipment that wasn't even meant for geology."
Blue opened their mouth, but Black cut them.
"Do you know what Cyan and I mostly do? We guard the ores. That's it. And when Cyan started talking about weird vibes coming from them, I didn't even believe them at first."
Black gestured toward the containers.
"Now look at us. The ores actually are weird, you're studying them, and somehow the ship's doctor is doing my job better than I am."
Blue's expression softened.
"I don't believe that's true."
Black frowned.
"To be fair," Blue hummed, "I understand your frustration. MIRA has not exactly prioritized geological research here. They send us into the dark expecting miracles, yet deny us the candles to see." Black blinked.
"You and Cyan were tasked with studying these ores, yet you've been provided with little more than a monocular and basic collection tools. It is corporate blindness, not your failure. They look at budgets, we look at stars. We can still solve this- we just have to be brighter than their shadows."
"Exactly!" Black pointed at them. Blue nodded.
"I admit I have access to equipment that was never intended for geological analysis. The results I've obtained are less a reflection of my skill and more a reflection of the resources available to me." Blue paused. "Tools can assist observation, but they cannot replace experience."
They glanced toward the containers.
"If MIRA truly wishes to understand these ores, then perhaps it should begin by investing greater trust and greater resources in the people it hired to study them."
A gentle smile crossed Blue's face. "And besides... I don't think anyone should be reduced to a single role. I'm certain you have more to offer than geology alone. Wherever your path leads, I hope your expertise is given the respect and the tools it deserves."
Black froze.
"...Oh."
A faint blush crept across their face as they looked away.
"...That wasn't what I meant." It was exactly what they meant. Blue softly chuckled, "No, but you deserved to hear it anyway."
Orange looked between them, then fully at Black. "Black, why don't you take a short break?"
"What?"
"You appear emotionally compromised."
"I am not emotionally compromised..."
"Page __. Employees exhibiting signs of workplace distress are encouraged to step away briefly and regroup."
Swoon, swoon~
SKY BLUE
Cyan stepped into the medbay. "Hey, uh, Blue?"
Blue didn't turn from their work.
"...Yes, Cyan? I'm afraid I'm still occupied with my research."
"Oh, right, sorry, but... are you alright? I-I feel like your vibes have been off lately..."
They looked around the room, pulling their arms close to hug themselves, "The ore's senses feels connecting to yours somehow.. and unusual. And stronger. Do you need help, btw?"
Blue paused for a moment before turning toward Cyan.
"Off? No, Cyan. If you assumed it was stress, what you witnessed was dedication." They gestured toward their studies.
"A physician's duty often steals sleep from the night. Yet I remained awake willingly- for your sake, and for everyone else's."
Cyan stared admiringly and Blue continued smoothly, "And I assure you, nothing's wrong with the ores. Still making progress to uncovering their hidden dimensions. But forgive me, Cyan-" They offered a soft, apologetic tilt of their head.
"-im afraid your hands would be quite lost here. This research requires a delicate dance with medical instrumentation I could not ask you to learn. It would take you quite a while to properly use them."
Cyan blushed, looking down awkwardly.
"O-Oh, heh... when you put it that way. I guess I'm just overthinking it. But, like... still be careful, okay? Ask me or Black if you need somethingg."
Swoon~
MINT
Lime peeked out from the floor vent.
"You’ve been pretty obsessed with those ores lately, Blue... I heard Orange is startin’ to worry you’re plannin’ to sell ’em off for a quick buck, or... somethin'."
Blue walked over and crouched in front of Lime.
"That's an odd conclusion. Black hasn't conducted much research on them, so I assumed nobody had studied them thoroughly. Besides, geology isn't exactly common knowledge aboard this ship. Some medical equipment is surprisingly useful for analyzing them as well."
"Ehhh, sure. But are you really into geology? You ain't never mentioned it before. I mean, healthcare’s always been your thing."
Blue held Lime's gaze, smiling.
"Being a doctor doesn't prevent me from having other interests. What about you, Lime? Do you have any hobbies you've never mentioned?"
Lime blinked.
Blue rested a hand over Lime's. "I've been meaning to get to know you better."
Lime's face immediately reddened.
"U-Uh..."
Blue tilted their head.
Lime looked away, flustered. Their hands waved nervously in front of them. "I mean- not everyone goes around yappin' about their secondary hobbies!"
Swoon! Swoon!
OLIVE
Before dinner, Blue knocked on the kitchen door.
Yellow and Brown continued cooking but exchanged a glance before Yellow called out,
"Who is it? We're in the middle of prep here!"
"I'm sorry if I've interrupted your cooking, Yellow and Brown, but I have a request to make. One meant only for myself."
Yellow paused, setting the dough onto a wooden board. They walked over and yanked the door, instantly blushing at the sight of Blue. "Oh, Blue, I didn't know you had preferences. You usually wolf down every pizza flavor we throw at you. Though... I guess we could whip something up. What's on your mind?"
"Yes, I enjoy all kinds of flavors. However, I'd like to try something I've missed the taste of. A baked potato, simple as it is. Hopefully there are some potatoes packed away somewhere in the kitchen."
Yellow squinted in confusion while Brown finally looked up from their work.
"Wait, seriously? But Blue... that's just a potato." Yellow's expression suddenly fell.
"Hold on. You mean you're sick of our pizza? Oh, come on!"
Brown looked equally wounded. A tear slipped from their eye, though they continued cooking.
"Oh, no! You've misunderstood me, Yellow and Brown." Blue offered a soft, comforting look. "I merely wished to try a different dish. They're quite nutritious, and I thought a healthier meal might help keep my mind sharp during my work as a doctor."
Yellow and Brown exchanged knowing glances, then nodded and murmured in agreement.
Blue continued softly, "And please don't mistake my curiosity for dissatisfaction. Every meal you've prepared has nourished this crew through long days and long nights." They placed a hand over their chest.
"As the ship's physician, I pay close attention to everyone's well-being, including yours. Not once have I found cause for concern. Your cooking has kept us healthy, comfortable, and happy." Blue's expression softened. "Food is more than something that fills an empty stomach. It's a quiet reminder that someone cared enough to prepare it. Day after day, you've given this crew that kindness without asking for anything in return."
Yellow and Brown stared, both of their cheeks warming.
"So no, I haven't grown tired of your cooking."
Blue smiled. "If anything, I've only come to appreciate it more."
Yellow and Brown immediately melted. "Awww..."
Swoon~