Mysterious Circumstances (pm to discuss joining)

[slippedhalo]

The massage got hot and heavy and one thing soon led to another for Erik and Natalia. Before she knew it, they were naked in each other's arms, making out.

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin and April spent the afternoon riding horses and playing fetch with the dog. It felt good to be "outside" even if the outdoors were still contained on the ship. It was close to five in the evening when April grew light headed and her stomach growled. "Austin, I'm hungry. We never really ate today. Maybe it's time to go have dinner." April suggested.

 

[slippedhalo]

Yuet and Aziz had enjoyed their library and web building time. When April and Austin joined them, on the hunt for something to eat, Aziz and Yuet were enjoying an Earth nature documentary on the television.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin followed April towards the library, happy to see Sally following them. He wrote a note and handed it to April.

"i havent eaten since i woke up
i dont really feel that bad
is that possible?"

As Austin followed April passed Aziz and Yuet a line from a song popped into his head. " 'scuse the 'tude but I haven't eaten today/ and my eyes are turnin' grey/ what's your name?" The song sang in Austin's head. "I can't remember." Austin whispered to himself, lost in thought.

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin followed April towards the library, happy to see Sally following them. He wrote a note and handed it to April.

"i havent eaten since i woke up
i dont really feel that bad
is that possible?"

As Austin followed April passed Aziz and Yuet a line from a song popped into his head. " 'scuse the 'tude but I haven't eaten today/ and my eyes are turnin' grey/ what's your name?" The song sang in Austin's head. "I can't remember." Austin whispered to himself, lost in thought.

April looked at Austin, "That's really weird. It's been several days. You should be needing life support by now or something."

Yuet overheard as she greeted the pair of them and set the table for everyone, being optimistic that they'd all get together for dinnertime. "Maybe purpur stuff make us stronger too, not just bring back life." She suggested.

Aziz brought a rice stir fry dish big enough for ten people to the table. Setting it down, he smiled at Yuet, she was completely adorable! "Yuet, purple. Say pur-ple."

Yuet squinted, biting her lip as she realized with frustration that she'd pronounced a word really wrongly. "Pur-p-l." She said curtly. "That pur-ple stuff they brought us life with. Maybe it make us extra strong too."

April considered this, looking to Austin. "You think?" She told Yuet whatever that stir fry was, it smelled delicious.

Aziz smiled and began plating some for April. "We made it to share. Austin, would you like some too?" He asked, ready to fill another plate.

That's when Erik and Natalia ran naked from her room, giggling like they were crazy as he chased her, picked her up, and carried her, laughing rauciously, back to the room. They emerged, dressed and smiling, a few minutes later, joining everyone at the table.

Kate awoke to the sound of David's stomach growling, then hers. "David, come on. I think it's time we dress and get some dinner." She said.

David was in agreement. Odd awkwardness filled the air when they were spotted both emerging from Kate's room together. They entered the dining room and were offered a plate by Aziz but Kate could feel Austin's stare and it made her blush.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin debated on eating. The food did smell good, so he decided to have some. He scooped a small amount of rice onto his plate and sat down next to April. He watched as a giggly Erik and Natalia came into the dining area, and he nudged April moving his finger in and out of his closed hand before pointing to the laughing couple.

Erik noticed Austin's gesture and laughed. "You're damn right we did! And now we can all have a pleasant meal with friends. Today is a good day!" Erik said happily passing beers to everyone before sitting down next to Natalia.

Austin opened his beer and took a sip, thinking that maybe Erik was right, when he saw David and Kate enter the room. Austin looked them over, his slight happiness disappearing instantly. He could tell they were together. He stared at Kate unsure how to handle the information. He had April now, he shouldn't care what Kate did, but he did. And to make matters worse for Austin, she had chosen David.

Austin quickly stood up, his chair clattering to the wall behind him. He grabbed his beer and left the dining room, his plate untouched. "Hey! Where's he going?" Erik exclaimed as Austin left the room.

Austin ignored the shout as he walked towards April's room. He let himself in and flopped onto the bed, the beer in his hand clattering to the floor. He ignored it and buried his face in the sheets, willing himself not to cry.

Austin heard a soft whine from behind him and felt a warm presence jump onto the bed. He felt a cold nose burrow itself under his arm and he turned to see a concerned looking Sally staring at him. Austin pulled the dog close to him, burying his face in her warm fur, as he began to sob.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate moved to follow Austin. They were overdue for a talk. But, David put his hand on hers, a shake of his head indicated he thought it to be unwise. April had been telling all about the horses and Sally before Austin left the table, Sally trailing after him. With an apology to the group, April took hers and Austin's plates of food, and excused herself, bringing the meal to him. It was her room so she didn't knock. She set his plate on the desk and sat on the edge of the bed, eating from her plate. "Superhuman or not, you should eat. This is really good too."

 

[Othermoose]

Austin was glad that April followed him instead of Kate. He gently pushed Sally away and grabbed April. He pulled her down next to him, so that they were eye to eye. Austin wrapped his arms around April and kissed her passionately before buring his face in her neck. He continued to sob wishing he knew why he was so upset, wishing he could identify the emotions he was feeling. But he couldn't. So he just held onto April, like a drowning man clinging to a life raft, waiting for his hurt to pass.

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin was glad that April followed him instead of Kate. He gently pushed Sally away and grabbed April. He pulled her down next to him, so that they were eye to eye. Austin wrapped his arms around April and kissed her passionately before buring his face in her neck. He continued to sob wishing he knew why he was so upset, wishing he could identify the emotions he was feeling. But he couldn't. So he just held onto April, like a drowning man clinging to a life raft, waiting for his hurt to pass.

April held Austin through his crying. She hoped he wasn't crying over Kate. That would make her feel like nothing more important than a consolation prize. "Austin. She's better off with David. They've got more in common. Why do you care if you've got me, and Sally, and the black horse...what's his name going to be?"

 

[Othermoose]

"I don't know." Austin whispered between sobs, pulling April closer to him. He tried to decipher his feelings. He didn't understand why seeing Kate with David upset him do much. He didn't want Kate, now that he had April. In fact, he was certain April was better for him than Kate. April was kind to him, she forgave all of his fuck ups, she was beautiful, he could go on forever. And as Austin went on thinking about April a new feeling rose in his chest, one he'd never felt before. But a feeling he was almost certain he could identify. He pulled his face from April's shoulder, glad to feel his tears stopping. He looked deep into April's eyes, afraid of what he was about to say. Austin took a deep breath and whispered: "I think I love you."

 

[slippedhalo]

April's eyes widened at this declaration. How confusing! He seemed to be less sad now than he had been minutes earlier but she wasn't sure how all of this led to a declaration of love. "Love? But, you hardly know me. I hardly know you...could love happen so fast?" She wondered aloud. "I know I feel deep things for you...But, I've never been in love before. I don't want to hurt your feelings by admitting I don't know how I feel but I know I'm enjoying whatever this is we're becoming. I just don't think it would be right to lie. I could love you, I need some time and more of what we've become to know for sure. Does that make any sense or am I rambling?"

 

[Othermoose]

Austin smiled sheepishly and nodded. He grabbed his note pad and began to write. He wrote for a few moments before handing the note to April.

"it makes sense
i said i think
im not sure i love u
it just feels good to be around you
and im happy thinking about you
ive never felt like this so i guessed it was love
im not sure either
and sorry i lost my shit over kate
i think im good now but i still dont want to go back
stay with me?"

Austin handed the note to April waiting for her to read it and respond. "Wish I could talk more" he whispered before coughing a little bit.

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin smiled sheepishly and nodded. He grabbed his note pad and began to write. He wrote for a few moments before handing the note to April.

"it makes sense
i said i think
im not sure i love u
it just feels good to be around you
and im happy thinking about you
ive never felt like this so i guessed it was love
im not sure either
and sorry i lost my shit over kate
i think im good now but i still dont want to go back
stay with me?"

Austin handed the note to April waiting for her to read it and respond. "Wish I could talk more" he whispered before coughing a little bit.

April read the note and smiled. "I'll stay if you eat your dinner." She declared, handing his plate to him and retrieving hers.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin nodded and took the plate from April's hand. He began to slowly eat, happy to be with April. Soon Austin finished all off his food (except for some scraps he gave to Sally) and set his plate aside. He laid down next to April looking up at her and smiling. "Sing?" He whispered coughing slightly.

 

[slippedhalo]

The dinner conversation was mostly focused on Yuet and Aziz's discoveries whilst exploring the newly revealed sections of ship. Natalia was excited about all the animals and determined she'd check the farm out right after dessert.

Kate admitted she was also curious, especially about the park and the horses sounded like a lovely addition to all of their lives. "I'd love to get a chance to ride, maybe choose one for myself." She admitted. "David, have you ever ridden?" She asked as a side note.

The general conversation soon turned to speculation on tomorrow's tests.

"I hope it's nothing too dangerous." Said Aziz. Yuet nodded her agreement.

"I'm curious how they'll use all of this information they seem to be gathering." Said Kate.

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin nodded and took the plate from April's hand. He began to slowly eat, happy to be with April. Soon Austin finished all off his food (except for some scraps he gave to Sally) and set his plate aside. He laid down next to April looking up at her and smiling. "Sing?" He whispered coughing slightly.

April chuckled, "Again?" First she finished her food. Then, after putting her plate down, she returned to the bed with Austin and cuddled with him, singing the first thing that came to her head, "Send in the Clowns".

 

[Othermoose]

The group finished their meals and continued to wonder what would happen tomorrow. After a while of listening to the group get more and more worried about the tests David decided he'd had enough. "Lets stop talking about this guys. We can't do anything about tomorrow so why worry? I say we all go and check out the animals. I don't think I've ever seen a horse up close." David said standing. The rest of the group stood up with him. "Lead the way, friend." Erik said taking a last sip of his beer.

The group walked through the ship until the reached the parks. "Wow, this is impressive!" David said looking around. He took Kate's hand they walked towards the horses.

"Hey, Yuet. Does this place have bees? I bet I could make us some mead." Erik said to Yuet after David and Kate wandered off.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin smiled and began to play with April's hair as she sang. He loved the sound of her voice, it was soothing to him. After a while of April singing to him, Austin smiled at April. "You need to learn some metal." Austin said before coughing again. He grabbed his notepad and wrote. He handed the note to April.

"i think my voice is coming back but it still hurts"

 

[slippedhalo]

The group finished their meals and continued to wonder what would happen tomorrow. After a while of listening to the group get more and more worried about the tests David decided he'd had enough. "Lets stop talking about this guys. We can't do anything about tomorrow so why worry? I say we all go and check out the animals. I don't think I've ever seen a horse up close." David said standing. The rest of the group stood up with him. "Lead the way, friend." Erik said taking a last sip of his beer.

The group walked through the ship until the reached the parks. "Wow, this is impressive!" David said looking around. He took Kate's hand they walked towards the horses.

"Hey, Yuet. Does this place have bees? I bet I could make us some mead." Erik said to Yuet after David and Kate wandered off.

Yuet showed Erik a flourishing bee hive and he began strategizing how he'd collect honey. She joined in his enthusiasm, not necessarily for mead but for the honey.

Kate befriended a tan mare with a blond mane and her foal, almost an identical miniature of her. "David, aren't they just so sweet?" She murmured, feeding them carrots. "I think I'll name her Gaia, like Mother Earth. What should we call her baby?"

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin smiled and began to play with April's hair as she sang. He loved the sound of her voice, it was soothing to him. After a while of April singing to him, Austin smiled at April. "You need to learn some metal." Austin said before coughing again. He grabbed his notepad and wrote. He handed the note to April.

"i think my voice is coming back but it still hurts"

"I'm glad you seem to be feeling better. Maybe in a little while we can go to the MeRP' s and ask them some practical questions?" Said April, reminding Austin of the need by patting her flat stomach.

 

[Othermoose]

After studying the hives for a few minutes Erik turned to Yuet with a thoughtful look on his face. "I remember my grandfather always used smoke when he collected the honey. He said it put the bees to sleep. Or at least calmed them enough so he could get to the honey. Maybe we could start a fire or something?" Erik said to Yuet.

================================================================

David watched as Kate walked up to a tan mare and began to pet the horse. She named the horse "Gaia" before asking David for a name for the horse's baby. "I don't know." David chuckled. "Gaia junior? I've never been good at names." He said walking over to pet Gaia with Kate.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin nodded his agreement before grabbing his note pad.

"maybe we should go now
im still kind of freaked out about us
about you
about you know
lets just get it checked now and see if we can get some kind of prevention"

Austin handed April the note before standing up and stretching. He kneeled down and sratched behind Sally's ear as he waited to see if April wanted to see a MeRP now or wait.

 

[slippedhalo]

After studying the hives for a few minutes Erik turned to Yuet with a thoughtful look on his face. "I remember my grandfather always used smoke when he collected the honey. He said it put the bees to sleep. Or at least calmed them enough so he could get to the honey. Maybe we could start a fire or something?" Erik said to Yuet.

================================================================

David watched as Kate walked up to a tan mare and began to pet the horse. She named the horse "Gaia" before asking David for a name for the horse's baby. "I don't know." David chuckled. "Gaia junior? I've never been good at names." He said walking over to pet Gaia with Kate.

Natalia was counting sheep, not metaphorically, literally. They had nineteen ewes and three rams. And, three ewes had recently had lambs. "25 sheep! We basically have a working cattle farm here. We could use these sheep for dairy and wool products, I know how. I think I could manage this farm with a little help." Natalia said, talking excitedly. "They're beauties too, in really nice shape. No one is very old or frail so I wouldn't even consider butchering anytime in the near future. Same with the cows. It's all really prime livestock here. They've given us a good gift to start a few small farms with if we take good care of all of it well."

Kate smiled, eying David and shook her head at his shyness in naming the foal. "Would it be alright with you if we named her Molly?" She suggested. "...as a tribute to your daughter. If she were here...well, I'd give this horse to her." Kate hoped David took it as a gesture of honor and not an insult.

Yuet considered Erik' s suggestion. "If we start fire, must be very careful. Enclosed space catch fire quickly and limit air for us too."

Aziz came over to the hive and he and Erik started figuring out what might be the safest way to smoke out the hive without killing the precious bees.

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin nodded his agreement before grabbing his note pad.

"maybe we should go now
im still kind of freaked out about us
about you
about you know
lets just get it checked now and see if we can get some kind of prevention"

Austin handed April the note before standing up and stretching. He kneeled down and sratched behind Sally's ear as he waited to see if April wanted to see a MeRP now or wait.

April read the note and stood right away. "Yes. I agree." She said, taking the dirty plates with her to leave in the dish washer on their way past the kitchen toward the Med Bay.

 

[Othermoose]

Erik smiled at Yuet and Aziz. "I'm not a thinker like you two. Just call me over if you guys need a brute. I'm going to see if Natalia needs help." Erik said with a laugh as he walked over to an excited looking Natalia. Erik playfully slapped her ass before smiling and asking: "so how is everything looking? Am I going to get a fresh steak soon?" He joked.

=============================================================

David gave Kate a sad smile. "I'm glad she isn't here. And I'd prefer not to name the horse after her. The memories are kind of painful." David walked to Kate and pulled her into a tight embrace. He held onto Kate for a few moments before letting go and looking into her eyes. "I know your heart was in the right place but I'd just prefer to keep Molly here." David said tapping his chest.