Feldspar comes into consciousness standing in the middle of an unfamiliar hallway, the hatchling barely the height of a human thigh and wheezing from the rising panic. They always were a brave thing little, but that was with the whole of Timber Hearth acting as a safety net behind them. They blink rapidly and start to wander slowly, looking for Gneiss or old Tektite to soothe their growing anxiety.
"Oh there you are, pebble," Sym says as he takes the stairs down. "I've been looking for you. Don't be afraid. This is a ship full of aliens, but you'll be home soon."
The gentle voice and familiar endearment is enough to keep Feldspar from cowering as the alien approaches them, but their eyes are wide from confusion and fear. “I was looking for Gneiss,” they say, hands drawn up to their chest, “they had fish and, and, and marchmellows and I was gonna go with them.”
They look around again as though the older Hearthian might still step out from a corner.
"Ah, Gneiss. They will be back shortly, but I can help you find some marshmallows and fish. What do you say?" he asks, kneeling down to be more at their level.
That seems to be good enough for the hatchling, who gives another few thoughtful blinks of their big eyes and then nod slowly. They know Gneiss, who is the most adult of all the adults, and so they can’t be all that bad.
“Pick my nose,” they say, definitely reiterating something that they’ve been told not to do a hundred times. “And they climb trees! And they um, they, they can pick up sticks and frow ‘em.”
"What an adventure for the bug," he laughs softly, leading them towards the dining hall and patting their hand. "Did it thank you for setting it free?"
“No,” they answer, clearly unbothered by the bug’s rude behavior. When they hear the noises coming from the dining hall they stop in their tracks and quickly let go of Sym’s hand to grab hold of one of his legs.
He leans down and plucks the little pebble from the ground, holding them up against his side. "It's other people. Other aliens inside. Don't worry, little one. You are safe with me."
Feldspar, who is a big strong Hearthian and not a little hatchling, immediately tucks their face against his shoulder. “Okay,” they say, absolutely unsure.
They decide by color, going for something red and something yellow-ish and something green. They also ask for about three of the desserts, wanting to try all of that good stuff and none of the tea that they remember the adult wanted them to drink.
He keeps everything vegan for the little hatchling, so he's glad to see that they trend towards the colorful plates. He does let them have the desserts they want, and he does bring over a tea to a booth where he sits on the outside to keep Feldspar in.
“Uuuum, cake.” They have their big spoon in hand and they’re already reaching for a slice of some kind dessert with pink frosting. They have to kneel to get to the table, and they bounce happily in place and sing a little to themselves as they eat.
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timeasmymeasure
Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-15 12:36 am (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-15 01:39 am (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-15 02:19 am (UTC)They look around again as though the older Hearthian might still step out from a corner.
Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-15 03:17 am (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-15 03:36 am (UTC)“You are an alien?”
Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-15 03:45 am (UTC)He stands up and holds down a hand to them.
"But I know about Timber Hearth."
Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-15 02:53 pm (UTC)“You’ve got lots of fingers.” They hold up their other hand. “I’ve got fingers too!”
Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-15 07:38 pm (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-16 01:21 am (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-16 01:43 am (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-16 02:52 am (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-16 03:16 am (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-16 01:40 pm (UTC)“What’s that noise?”
Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-16 03:31 pm (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-16 03:48 pm (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-16 04:04 pm (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-16 04:09 pm (UTC)They hold on a little tighter and let out the tiniest of coughs, which unfortunately rattles their chest.
Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-16 04:27 pm (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-16 06:16 pm (UTC)It’s an argument they’ve had with many an adult.
“I don’t need yucky tea.”
Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-16 07:08 pm (UTC)He walks in a bit more, finding the trays and carrying one for them both with one hand.
Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-17 12:14 am (UTC)“What’s that?” They point to one tray and then to the next, and then to the next after that. “What’s that? What’s that? What’s that?”
Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-17 12:52 am (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-17 01:18 am (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-17 02:40 pm (UTC)"Now, what will you start with?"
Re: Retrospect Flood
Date: 2026-03-17 11:59 pm (UTC)Re: Retrospect Flood
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