Chapter Text
"Rise and shiiiiine, valued members of the Skeld!"
The very first thing Cyan hears when they blink awake is Orange's bright, cheery voice, muffled from outside their room and piercing through the dream they were having. Something about a rollercoaster… and dolphinmates. That's right, they were riding the rollercoaster, until they met an unfortunate demise when it all went off the rails. Literally. Hm… Time to write it down for review later!
It's only as they're stretching in that cramped lower bunk of theirs, hands nearly hitting the ceiling and visor perking as they yawn wide, that they rememeber where they are, physically. Small bunk, small cabin that smells funny, muted steely colors that make their bright tie-dyes and patterns stand out all the more…
That's right! I'm on the Skeld!
Somehow it still doesn't feel real… but in a good way! Them, being hired by such a big corporation like MIRA, tasked with such an important mission — Orange - their local Leo - had stressed that much to them while leading them around on a tour just a couple of days ago. It had been short and sweet, and they've mostly been getting attuned to the layout of the ship on their own… but they're here. And the excitement still hasn't faded, even with a few nights' stay.
(Sure, they had been apprehensive about sharing a room with strangers… but their parents always say that strangers are just friends you haven't met yet! Now that they've got a few nights under their belt, all their energy is going into turning these acquaintances into friends, properly.)
Their hand feels around under their pillow until — aha! — they find their dream journal with a giddy little laugh, reaching for their geode-shaped nightlight — one of many of those little trinkets they'd brought from home! — and flicking it on. The way the light bounces off all the beads of their curtain, making a kaleidoscope of colors in their little bed, briefly distracts them, until their gaze falls back down at the journal in their lap. Right, right. My dream…
They pull the pen from where it'd been stuck in the spiral of the journal, plucking at the feathery poof at the end, and then beginning to write.
Dear Journal,
Yesternight, I had a very strange dream about a rollercoaster carrying a pod of dolphinmates. They all had the time of their lives, making those squeaky dolphiny sounds, until they flew off the rails, and plummeted into an abyss. Scary!
They quickly draw a little depiction of this event, the plummet, for them to color in later.
I'll be checking the Intermediate Witch's Guide to Dream Interpretations to see what this means. But for now… I'm excited to say it's only a day until Takeoff Day! Our last crewmate is supposed to arrive and I'm hoping for an earth sign to bring us some stability. That's all for now, Black is waking up, so goodbye and TTYL!
-Cyan
Satisfied, they slide their journal and pen back under their pillow, the gleam in their visor only growing bigger. Black may look like the exact opposite of them — dark, brooding — and may act like the opposite of them — snarky and… brooding — but that hasn't deterred Cyan from making attempts at conversation these past few days. When they finally learned of Black's sign — Aquarius — it all made sense. Cyan knows other Aquariuses. Aquari? Point of the matter being, they know that below the snark, they have more in common than you'd think.
"Black! Heyyy, partner," Cyan calls to them as they part their bead curtain, smiling harder at the wave of tink! clink! tink! clink!s that follow. Oh, that sound never fails to put me on the right vibrational wavelength!
"A very good morning to you!"
Black looks at them with an unreadable expression. They're sitting at the vanity right across from Cyan, sandwiched between the geologists' bunks and the cooks' bunks (Yellow and Brown — Gemini souls! — have already woken and left far earlier), and their voice is extra gravelly from just waking up. Click! goes their spiked choker around their neck.
"Morning, Cyan."
Naturally, Cyan hops to their paws and joins Black's side, peering into the mirror themself. They look more towards Black's reflection than their own, though.
"Youuuu know what day it isssss," they singsong happily, while Black just sighs and reaches for their makeup kit — small, simple, and black with a white skull and crossbones on the casing — to begin applying their eyeliner.
"Yes, Cyan. I remember what day it is."
"TAKEOFF DAY EVE! Aaaaand Meet-The-New-Intern-Day! Aren't you ever-so-curious about them? I mean, I have so many questions— I wonder what they like to eat— and what their fur looks like— oooh, and what their sign is, I actually took a note in my journal, I think our crew could reeeeally benefit from an earth sign—"
Before they can continue, Black interrupts. "Personal space. Shouldn't you be getting ready too?"
"Right, right, right right right!"
Cyan draws back and looks through their drawer — singular — stuffed to the brim with various patterned outfits hanging out from the inside. They hum as they hold up two options to Black,
"Which one do you think goes with my fur more?"
"What?"
"My fur, Black!"
"…I don't know. That one, I guess," they point at the one on the right, and Cyan nods solemnly along with that choice, slipping on the dress in a single smooth motion, before reaching for their necklace on their vanity, too.
"Can't forget my lucky charm," they say lightly as they tie it around their neck, then grip the crystal in their hand, running their pawpad over the smooth surface of the alexandrite. "Without it, I'd just be— I would just be rawdogging all those awful vibes! No offense to you, Skeld,"
they add, looking up at the ceiling, and patting the bunk's post.
"I'll do my best to restore your aura."
Whatever the cause may be for such weird, bad, terrible, awful vibes, Cyan has a case full of reparative gems, a plethora of little witchy manuals to learn from, and most importantly of all — a good attitude!
And they have to share that good attitude with their partner, so the gemologist continues to ramble as they pull on their headband, stroking back those yellow-and-pink-dyed fluff strands from their face. They only barely notice Black getting up to grab their backpack and go.
"Honestly, you are lucky to be short-haired, I always wake up with this serious bedhead, and—
Black? Black, don't leave me behind, silly!"
They must really care about getting their tasks done! Or they're just really hungry… Cyan's own stomach grumbles, and they quickly realize that they, too, are really hungry. Revelatory dreams and pleasant conversations often distract them until they physically feel the pangs, but thankfully it hasn't gotten to that stage yet. And they won't let it get to that stage! Time to go!
Given that they are rooming with the two cooks of the Skeld, it takes less than a minute for the both of these geologists (on paper) to reach the stools right outside the kitchen. Cyan swivels in their seat a couple times, before looking up to greet their two other friends. (Only two of many here, of course!)
"Goooood morning! How're my two favorite chefs doing!" Cyan beams like a ray of starshine and waves excitedly as if they're seeing Yellow and Brown again after a long trip apart, while Black merely gives a:
"Hey. A coffee, please. No sugar, no creamer."
"Hey, y'all!" Yellow approaches the bar, leaning a hand on it as their visor squishes in a smile. Of the crew so far, Cyan's felt something of an instant vibrational connection with Yellow. They're both chattery! "Cyan, you flatterer. Black— your coffee's gotta wait till me 'n Brown are done with this batch of muffins.
Sooo, you excited for takeoff? You told me it was your first trip on a ship solo, Cyan!"
Black shoots the hippie a look before responding. "Mmm. Excited, yeah."
"Oh, SO excited, we both are! And yes, I'm having a lot of firsts on this mission," Cyan dives into rambling off. "Never been on a ship for a job, aaaand I've never worked with a partner before, but—"
they try to put a hand on Black's shoulder,
"—ow, your collar hurts! Buuuuut I know it's going to be SO great! And, just as a little forewarning," they lean closer and lower their voice, "if I get a little… moodier, don't worry, my signs are just in retrograde. Bad timing, I knooow, but I always have a plan to get them back to trendy-grade, though!"
"…Trendy-grade? Really, Cyan?"
"Yes, really!" It comes out more defensive than they'd like, so they clear their throat and add, "Sorry, I know you just had a rough night's sleep, Black."
But for some reason, that only makes Black's fur bristle and their visor narrow more. "Irrelevant to the fact that I just think trendy-grade sounds stupid."
"Damn, who spit in your coffee?" Yellow mutters under their breath, while Cyan droops. They can hear Black tossing and turning in their sleep above them, but clearly the crewmate doesn't want to talk about it. Maybe their own revelatory dreams already started… and those revelations were even more alarming than Cyan's. Oh, poor Black… To be supportive of their decision not to discuss it, Cyan changes the subject back to their up-and-coming new addition to crew slash potential future friend!
"Well — ahem — What do you think the new intern will be like? 'Cause I mean… I sure hope they're cute! Hehe, like our doctor aboard… mrow," they curl their paws, earning a huff of a chuckle from Brown, and a simple huff from the crewmate they're trying to cheer. Before they can make any other comments, though, their gaze turns as the hallway door whooshes open, and Red and Orange appear.
(The Captain and Cyan haven't talked a whole lot since Cyan's tour — the most they learned about them was that Red is a Libra, which makes total sense — but from their confident swagger, Cyan immediately feels that this crewmate right here? Is going to be great at their job. After all, confidence is a huge part of leadership, right? Needing to make tough decisions and all that!
And Orange is just so sweet, listen to their voice! They keep everyone on task, wake everyone up on time... They're so good at their job, Cyan wants to make them proud.)
"My crew! My crew… of mates. Making coffee today, are we, haha?" Red does finger guns at the two cooks, before laughing at their non-reactions. "Could I— maybe bother you for a cup myself?"
"Suuuure thing," Yellow drawls, chuckling a little themself. "And you, Orange, you want one too?"
"Oh, no, I shouldn't. I already brewed a cup of my MIRA-issued Instant Coffee in my room myself, so as to not impede on you and your tasks," the CR representative responds, still smiling like always.
"Ah, right."
"I'm just here to help keep everyone on track for the big day! Especially you both," they put a hand on both Cyan's and Black's shoulders, grin growing. "Because you need to finish loading up all of our important shipments! You know, the reasons you have jobs in the first place!"
"Yeah. We know, Orange." Black quickly brushes off the hand on them, glaring.
Cyan, meanwhile, fidgets a little with their necklace. "We'll— get right on it after breakfast!" they promise, as the scent of fresh baked muffins gets closer, along with two fresh-brewed cups of joe, one handed to Red, and one that's slid over to Black, who mutters a quiet "thanks". Each crewmate plucks up their own muffin, save for Red.
"Okie-dokie, wish I could stay and chat with you all, but the Captain's duties await me!
Save a muffin for me though Yellow," they blurt out as they walk backwards and promptly bump into a wall, earning more chuckles from the cook, who just shakes their head.
"And— I will be preparing for our last crewmate, our— intern, to come aboard," Orange glances away from the two cooks and quickly shuffles out as well, yelling over their shoulder, "Remember, it's imperative you start your tasks in twenty minutes from now! I'll bring them around in forty!"
"Alright, got it!"
Cyan reassures the CR rep, who they've come to realize — with their empathetic skills — has… a frenetic sort of aura to them. Poor Orange… they think as they turn back to the counter, visor warping into a raised eyebrow at Yellow.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, nothin'," they wave a hand dismissively, taking a bite of their own muffin and nodding in approval to Brown, who nods back. "Just that it's always funny when we're workin' for a rookie captain, that's all. They're like peacockmates, always posturin' around, makin' big deals of everythin'."
"You mean it's Red's first mission too?"
"Not only that," Yellow gives the door a shifty-eyed look, then proceeds to lean in all conspiratorially, "but I heard that they got fast-tracked to the position by MIRA after… somethin' happened. Don't know what, but it was not good, 'cause there was another crewmate involved who got blacklisted!"
"Not good," Brown echoes, hands crossed.
"Well, that's reassuring," Black notes, glancing off as they finish off their muffin.
"I think it's the opposite of reassuring, actually…!" Cyan plays with their long fluffy dyed strands of fur as they ask,
"Where did you both hear about this…?"
And of course, Yellow assumes a much less intimidating, relaying-frightening-information stance. "Oh, all us cooks in MIRA's contracts keep in contact. There's always somethin' goin' on around this damn company, I swear… but hey, at least Brown and I got our union approved!"
"AW! You two are married?"
"…Not the kind of union we were talkin' about, actually." Yellow whips out their union card, the picture of them on it looking near-identical to them now.
"Whoah. You…'re wearing the same clothes! Is that the only outfit you have…?"
"Yeahhh, I refuse to partake in the plague that is fast fashion."
Breakfast comes and goes, with Cyan stuffing their face with a couple more muffins before they head to Storage, to finish loading up the last of their shipment. Ore+… while it wouldn't be Cyan's first choice of a rock to study, it does have "plus" in the name, so there has to be something special about it, right?
Plus, they're just excited to have something to bond over with Black. The whole reason they're working together, that brought them together!
All they have to do is strike a conversation at the right time…
Before they can put all their master planning on the first steps of friendship into place, though, who else other than Orange and the intern arrive through the doors, the latter's curly pelt being a nice shade of dappled green. Cute!
"…You'll probably work with with Black and Cyan a lot! Hello, my favorite geologists! This is Green." Orange waves at the two of them with their free hand, the other dragging the intern along. They don't seem to mind one bit, for what it's worth, visor glancing around wide and awed.
"Hello, favorite geologists!" Green giggles and waves, which Cyan immediately feels drawn towards! Good vibes, good vibes!
"Hello and good morning!" the geologist (solely on paperwork) greets them both back, bowing their head and coming up to Black's side, looking over at their partner and nodding their head in the new crewmate's direction. They ARE cute! And we're already TWO crewmates' favorite geologists! I've never even been ONE mate's favorite geologist before! is what they're trying to say with their visor.
But Black immediately raises a hand to object and correct the intern.
"I'm a geologist, Cyan is a gemologist."
"Haha, that's not what the paperwork says!" Orange chimes in happily.
"Well the paperwork is bullsh—!"
"Anywayyy! This is the most valuable resource on the ship, and the whole reason why it's setting off! Ore+!"
"Sorry—"
the intern apologizes quietly to Black, before immediately getting peppy again, definitely thanks to Orange.
"I remember this from the presentation!" they say excitedly, hands gesturing to the biggest crates of the Ore+. "Wow-wow-wowie, you guys moved this all yourself?"
Black crosses their hands at the little apology, and points questioningly at the biggest crates. "What, that? No, they got that in with a crane. I thought they're supposed to move everything for us, but…"
"Silly you!" Orange interrupts. "Why would we possibly hire somebody to move all the boxes — even those you can lift with a minimal risk of injuries — when moving the Ore+ is the best way to get familiar with it at the start of our journey?"
"I really like this method, it allows me to attune to the vibrational wavelengths of the room much easier and quicker," Cyan agrees with their favorite CR rep, nodding their head profusely. "It's important so I can recognize when the vibes are off…! I still have plenty of rooms to attune to, though."
Green, that silly crewmate, nods along too, though their tone obviously conveys that they have little idea what Cyan's talking about — they'll be able to fix that over the course of this trip, they hope!
"I'll uh, I'm gonna do my best to— do whatever it is you need me to do while I'm here! I'm not exactly a rock expert or anything, but—!"
Another sharp glance from the goth. "Yeah. It really doesn't matter you're not a rock expert."
Cyan gasps, put a hand over their heart. "Rude...!" Yet they do their best to let that slide over them, like whatever slides off the back of a duckmate.
At least Orange pat-pats Green's shoulder encouragingly, continuing smoothly, "Cyan and Black will teach you everything! And we at MIRA believe this is the best method to learning any and all work procedures. Nobody understands them better than your co-workers!"
It helps that Orange has confidence in Cyan. And Green is looking at them with nothing but utmost respect!
"Aaaaand, of course, we're going to make you feel so welcome here too!" they add to the assurances, before their visor gets wide and starry. Important question alert, important question alert! "Oh, oh, what's your sign, by the way?"
"Me? Uh-uhm, uh— sign, like, what exactly...?"
"Your zodiac sign. You don't have to answer that. The angle at which you see the stars on the day you were born proves absolutely nothing," Black comments.
"Hah, says you, Black. But that was actually a very Aquarius response of yours…! They're usually one of the skeptics of the signs," Cyan explains, as Green rocks on their paws, and their partner just sighs and continues hauling in more Ore+.
"When I know everyone's signs, I'll be able to understand our compatibilities on a whole other level!"
"Ohhhh… In that case, I… I think I'm an… Taurus? Was that it? Yeah, yeah! I'm a Taurus!"
They clap happily! "Ooohooohooohoo! I totally got that vibe from you."
Unfortunately, all good friendly conversations have to come to an end — at least because Orange ever so helpfully reminds Cyan that they're on the clock. "Oh, I'm so glad you all are already getting along! However, there are still a few crewmates our intern has to meet! And youuu have to continue loading up our precious Ore+."
"Oh! Right, yes, of course!" Green salutes, going very still as they're directed into the hallway leading towards the engines and Reactor. But they still turn back to wave a farewell to their two favorite geologists.
"Bye Black, bye Cyan! I'll see you later!!"
"Take care!"
And, of course, Cyan reciprocates with just as much energy, until the others leave with the door whooshing closed behind them. Time to get back to work…!
"I like them. And I told you they'd be cute!"
"Yeah, cute… they're going to get eaten alive in this industry."
"Awwwwh, don't say that! They're going to be fine! They have us, after all!"
"Eeexactly…"
"W— Wait up, Black!"
Of course, after all the Ore+ is loaded up, Cyan offers to go grab Orange to let them check their work, and allow Black to go to dinnertime early! A little gift to their partner, for Takeoff Day Eve. They check Admin, feeling it's appropriate for such a high-ranking crewmate to be there!
"Orange? Are you in here?"
Sure enough, Orange is there, and they hurriedly closes the console they were checking, perking up, back straightening, and hands clasping together. A picture-perfect CR representative.
"Cyan! Have you finished loading up all of our precious Ore+?"
Any brief thoughts about what Orange could have been looking at disappear in an instant.
"Yyyyep! All the ores are tucked away, snug as a bug in a rug! In fact, that's what I was just coming in here to let you know!
That Black and I finished our tasks.
They already left for the Cafeteria, by the way."
"Oh, wonderful!" Orange immediately whips out their clipboard and starts looking for something to check off. "So we have all of our crewmates and our Ore+… That means we are all set to take off! Great job. I'll be sure to inform the Captain. Aaaand… as a celebration, we're going to have a TakeOff Party tomorrow!"
"Oooh— a party! I LOVE parties! Is there anything I can do to help set up?"
Cyan starts bouncing on their paws, giddy and sparkly-visored. Back on their home colony, there'd always be some kind of celebration going on — mostly, the crewmates there used it as an excuse to hang out, but Cyan always loved it! There'd be games, there'd be sharing of secrets, there'd be good food — all the essentials for forging and renewing bonds.
Not to mention it was also a way for some of them to keep traditions from their own homeworlds. Those that weren't born into the colony, that is. Name days, star days, half-birthdays, quarter-birthdays… and now, this would be—
"My first space party...!"
So of course Cyan wants to get in on the action!
And thankfully, Orange seems eager to include them, too! "Oh, yes! Parties require a lot of things. Like balloons, banners, party hats, table covers…"
"All of those are crucial for a good time. Actually, do we have a speaker on board too? I took a tablet with me — like I wrote I would —"
(As part of the paperwork they signed! God, that was a lot of fine print. They hope Orange doesn't mind that they skimmed…)
"—and I loaded up lots of funky beats I can play to really amp up the mood. I mean, the vibes could literally be out of this world!"
Orange rubs their chin and thinks about it, before snapping their fingers. "Oh, I know! There are speakers in the security room, you could totally take those! I'm sure Purple won't mind."
"Oooh, perfect! Could youuuu give me a second task list for tomorrow, for getting the party supplies?"
And lightning-fast, they get a brainstorm. This could be the perfect opportunity to bond more with Black! So they quickly add,
"And should I get Black on board to help too? We could work together to make the set up go faster...!"
Orange is already writing something down, the pen is gliding over the page in quick flashes. "Yeees, absolutely! Two sets of hands will be faster, great idea! I'll give you the list after dinner – don't forget you must manage all your tasks, no priorities! But you already know this, don't you? You are one of our most conscientious workers!"
The gemologist blushes, twirling a longer strand of blonde-dyed fluff, paw making a circle in the ground. "Awwww...! I'm just trying to be as helpful as possible! Especially since you've got a lot on your plate as a manager- you deserve to have fun at the party too!"
"Fun? I'm always having fun! This job is fun! Now off you go, you aren't getting compensated if you miss dinner serving hours!"
"Ooh– okay! I'll see you later then!!" Cyan offers a final wave, thinking over Orange's words as they trot over to Cafeteria. Always having fun, this job is fun, that's the kind of attitude they want to have too! Thank goodness at least someone on this ship shares the sentiment... buuut they're sure the other less enthusiastic 'mates will come around eventually.
No, they aren't sure. They're POSITIVE.
As soon as the conversation with Orange ends, Cyan is quick to refocus. Too quick, maybe — when something is out of sight for them it's out of mind, too — but they prefer to think of it as… being versatile! Comes with the territory of being a water sign!
They peer around the Cafeteria as they enter and head right over to the kitchen, mouth already watering at the mere smell of the pizza Yellow and Brown are serving. What better way to end the day than with pizza?? This is definitely one of (many) perks of living on the Skeld, in their humble opinion.
"Mmmm, every time I think you can't outdo yourselves, you do!" they tell the chefs excitedly after grabbing their plate — and taking a bite — before giving them a "thank you!" and walking away to weave through the various other crewmates and go sit with Black.
"Your compatibilities are off the charts— ooooh, is that pineapple, Red? I should try that next— oooh! And Orange, your slice looks so good, too— it's the most delicious pizza ever, isn't it Green—?"
There's no room at all for responses, though, because they're on a Mission. A Mission… to sit with Black.
Plop! Mission complete! But it's just one small mission, in the larger mission of becoming best friends for life.
"Black! Hey, partnerrr, how's the pizza taste? Pretty goooood, right?" Cyan greets them with extra gusto, as they reach into their backpack to grab their tablet — a blocky rectangle of a device with a very thick metallic casing, a couple thick multicolored buttons on the side, and plenty of scratches you can see on the screen when it's off. Built to last!
Better yet, Black seems to be in a better mood! The magic of good pizza…
"Honestly, all things considered, it's not bad. Much better than what they serve on other ships…"
"You've been on other ships? I didn't know that...!" they lean in, intrigued. In the conversations they'd had prior, it was Cyan who mostly shared about their own personal life — tidbits about what their colony's like, their parents, their friends and family, their interests — so learning something about Black for a change feels like a little thrill. Like running through autumn leaves, kind of thrill!
So they pause their tablet's set up to wait for Black to say more.
They… get disappointed.
"Uh… yeah," is all Black says, eating another one of their slices. Which is fair, they are very delicious, but come on! Cyan is hungry for more than just food… for friendship!
After a bit of an awkward pause, Cyan turns their attention back to their tablet, tapping the 'down' button repeatedly to scroll through the catalogue as they speak. So many comforting shows they grew up on, the classics their parents love, and even some stuff they mentioned they wanted to watch but wouldn't be able to get into while on the Skeld! It makes their heart so warm.
"Well— in case you forgot, this is my first flight without my family. They actually helped me pack this because it's kiinda a little family tradition of ours to watch something while we eat. You wanna see what I got? "
Black tilts their head, thinking. "Er… sure, whatever. You got some horror movies?"
"Ohhoho, you are in luck, my friend!"
They re-position the tablet so they both get a good view, click on one of the options, and bounce in their seat as the opening credits roll in. They know from the old colorless film grain look that this is a movie their mimi picked — it's one they've watched all together plenty of times, even when Cyan was just a bean!
They called it a "B-movie", lower on the budget end, but the quality comes through in the sheer passion of it all. The costumes, the set design… even the way the actors overenunciate and ham it up, just charms Cyan. They get so lost in it, in fact, they almost don't notice Black getting up, or the fact that their own plate has been cleared. Funny, they don't even remember eating…
"…Aaalright, I'm stuffed now."
They're quick to press pause, and almost trip over the seat as they follow Black over to where everyone else's stacked dirty plates are. "W-Wait, you don't want to finish the movie?" they ask as they gingerly set their plate on top of Black's.
"Not really…"
"Oh."
They try to look on the bright side. It's perfectly normal not to jive with a movie! And Black was open to trying to watch this one, so maybe they'd like trying to watch something else for a change? I mean, I did choose a spooky movie just for them… I wonder, maybe they got scared? I mean, probably not, look at them… but just because the chances are low doesn't mean they are zero!
"Well- I have other movies we could watch in our room, if you don't like that one!" they offer, wiping their greasy hands on their shirt and combing their face fluff shortly after. "Or we could even start a show together, there's this one show I've been meaning to get into, but it's one of those soap operas and there's so many episodes, but my parents managed to get all of them on that little tablet, can you believe it?"
"…Do I look like somebody who enjoys soap operas?"
"Oh, I was taught not to make assumptions based on appearances. You can't judge a book by its cover, you have to open it up and see what's inside!"
One of those phrases they've written on countless bumper stickers! Thank you, job at the sticker shop.
Black just stares at them, expression thoroughly unreadable. "Right. Well. I don't like soap operas," they clarify.
"...O-kay! That's a no on soap operas... is that a no to everything else, too? Like — watching a movie or a show in general I mean... because like, we could totally do something... else! Maybe!"
There's tarot reading, or checking compatibility — Cyan already did that between them, of course, but it'd be new for Black! — or scrapbooking, or meditating, or—
Oh, they took a step back. "Yyyeahh— I think I'll just uh… get a drink and go to sleep."
"Oh! Oh, yeah, no, of course," Cyan tries to hide their disappointment. "Long day today — long day tomorrow — yeah, that's— yeah, tiring. Yeah.
I'll— I'm gonna finish my movie here, and then come to bed. So... goodnight?"
"Eeyup. Night." Black just waves their hand vaguely and walks away. Just like that? Just like that…
So maybe this is going to be a bit harder than I expected, they think to themself as they slump at their table. They don't understand it — making friends always seemed to come so easily back at home. Granted, that… may be because everyone was a lot more likeminded there. A lot more of interests overlapping… But still!
They replay the conversations over in their head as the movie plays, and the other crewmates dwindle and head to their own rooms. It's just— I was hoping we'd get a breakthrough already. I know we have all the right stuff for a good partnership, we're both lovers of rocks after all. I just need to get on Black's vibrational wavelength…
They truly believe that deep down… deep, deep, deep, deep, deep down, there's got to be a squishy center beneath that rocky - ha! - exterior. They just need some time. That's fine! We've got a looong way to Industria. I got allllll the time in the world.
Just you wait, Black...
Juuuuust you wait...
Entry 1 ^_^
Only one more day until takeoff!! Oh, I'm so, so excited, not only is our mission going to truly begin, buuuuut we're also planning a party to celebrate! Me and Black are going to work together to set everything up, and give everybody a good time!
Also, I met Green as well today! They're the new intern and the last of us to join the ship. A Taurus, an earth sign, just like I hoped for! We might especially need their stabilizing energies after what I learned about Red from Yellow…
Apparently it's their first mission, too! Maybe we'll get a chance to bond over that! They seem pretty open-minded, after all they let me give them a greeting clink when nobody else did.
Being open-minded is especially important when you're leading a crew full of such different mates… everyone here feels new and different to me, actually. A lot more cynical, and snarky than I expected… I wonder if that happens to everyone in space. Some of my rocks are already in need of charging, after all, but there's no sunlight, and the artificial ones just won't do.
But you know what? I'll do my best to be the sunshine they need! My crewmates, not my rocks. And if I was chosen for this mission for any reason, maybe it's this? Maybe Fate knew my empathy would be useful, to keep everyone's cheer up. So I'll do my best to match and synergize, especially with my partner. They haven't had a lot of good sleep in the nights we've slept in the same bunk bed, and I know it's making them really grumpy and tired, but that's okay!!! I'll just put in the effort for the both of us. I can't wait for them to open up more… already I learned today that they've worked on other ships, isn't that neat?? Soon they're gonna be sharing with me just as easy as I share with you!
Okay, that's all for now, journal, I can hear Black groaning that my nightlight is too bright. I love you!
-Cyan