Chapter Text
Rocky -
I always had a resentment towards earth for what it had done to Grace and… Mark. Rocky hates Mark. It was hard to understand how Grace always gave these people… well… Grace.
It’s been a few months since we have landed on Erid. Me and other Eridian scientists like my amazing mate Adrian are still trying to make it perfect for Grace but it was hard when he would always say “It’s perfect!” but then have something to add on later when I ask multiple times if Grace is sure. So, there was something? Why were humans so confused? Why can’t be like Eridian?
It was a hangout day for me and Grace where we would probably be walking along the beach shore like the last few times, which is what I thought. But when I got there, I heard Penelope, who Grace had named this Eridian because they were a cherry blossom color with rose quartz crystals on top of them but also it reminded him of this woman from a story back on earth.
Grace says he likes talking to her because she is patient and has emotional strength which I think I have plenty of! Rocky can listen to Grace just as well… NO! better than!
Grace -
Knock Knock Knock
I look up from where I was looking at Penelope to the door then look back at her. “I thought I canceled that??” I whisper a little frantically. Adrian had made a way to communicate which was like a Walkie Talkie but wasn’t the best… It was the prototype anyway so maybe the cancellation was lost in translation.
“🎶Rocky can hear statement!🎶” He stomped his appendage on the ground two times which Grace had come accustomed to as annoyance or frustration.
“🎶What do you mean by canceled question?🎶”
When were they going to add the sound proofing to this dang thing Ryland had thought to himself as he stood up to go over towards the door and open it. Before Rocky could let himself in, Ryland stood in the way. Penelope made her way over to observe
“I mean I had told Adrian that I wanted to cancel our hangout today because I wanted to talk with Penelope.” As he spoke he managed to shimmy himself onto the stairs and Rocky onto the sand.
“🎶Why?! Why want to talk to Penelope so much now question? Rocky can listen and be available more than Penelope! Statement.” Rocky stomps his leg more, making Grace rub the back of his neck.
“Look, Rock… Bud. I know you want to be there for me but sometimes I just need to talk to someone about me and what happened and other stuff that isn’t my best friend!” Ryland squatted down to be more on Rocky's level.
“🎶But best friend is the BEST person to talk to about statement! And Rocky Grace both go through similar things so why is Penelope better then Rocky question?🎶”
It was hard for Rocky to understand since he and others had always been straight forward, to the point and aren’t complex. But neither is Penelope or sometimes Adrian, they understood and tried to understand my complex weird human feelings.
“Rocky, because Penelope doesn’t try to give her opinions- I mean she does but it’s in a therapist sense!” It was hard for Ryland to explain this to Rocky because he always had more questions and was always one to jump the gun.
“🎶What word mean question?🎶” Rocky tilted his carapace then quickly stomped his appendage again.
“🎶And HOW THAT MAKE PeNeLoPe better then ROCKY question?🎶” He sounded very offended even though it was through music notes.
“What- Therapist? Uhm it’s like a friend that listens to your problems but helps you through the feelings AND it makes them better because you always interrupt me which leads to a ten-minute tangent of you yelling about earth and not trying to understand me!” Ryland tries to keep his annoyance that's threatening to boil over but he can’t help but use his teacher's voice.
The two stand there not saying anything which feels like an eternity to Ryland.
Rocky just… leaves. I stood there shocked because Rocky was always confrontational and sassy. But he just… Leaves. I look down at Penelope and shrug letting out a loud breath.
“🎶Want to talk about?🎶” Penelope clicks their claws together and tilts their carapace.
Ryland nods and walks back to the couch closing the door. “Yes… please.”