Chapter Text
“Can you get it?”
“Of course, even the genius Herta can't compete with me when it comes to hacking.”
“Good, then I'll also count on you with the preparation of the receptacle.” Slowly and with deliberate steps she approached the incandescent golden orb in the middle of the room. A quick glance to her partner assured her that it was safe to reach out with her gloved hand.
Warmth spread through Kafka's fingers as she got closer to the Stellaron.
But there was more. A faint energy emenated in waves from the star-like object. The closer her hand got the more she understood:
The Cancer of All Worlds, a splinter of the power held by Nanook, The Destruction.
What Kafka came to grasp in that moment was the sentience that people like the genius herself had always been going on about. This energy was by all means alive.
It didn't end there, though. The Stellaron seemed to be more parasitic than anything else. As if it were siphoning energy while she was in its proximity with the purpose to grow and consume all that there is.
‘Cancer, what a fitting name,’ she thought while holding the essence of The Destruction that, despite its origin, sprouts of life and new beginnings. Even if those beginnings would have to succeed periods of catastrophe.
As she pondered Elio's plan, she remembered their objective. To imbue the artificial human she had been tending to for the last months with the Stellaron. While she had been curious about how exactly they were supposed to achieve such a feat she was never one to question his plan.
He was always right, there was simply no need to contemplate what had already been predetermined. Destiny was chosen, that's what they all had learned in their endeavors with Destiny's slave. No one was safe in its wake. Destiny, a force so great and omnipresent, everything else seemed insignificant. As humans struggled and thrived, Destiny remained unchanging. As humans thrashed in the unruly waters of life, Destiny stood strong and acted like the moon. Controlling ebb and flow, controlling life and death. All was fleeting under the gaze of the final moment.
Kafka realized why there was no specific method of how to combine life with disaster. It was there all along, laid exposed in the midst of her right hand. A seed that would grow and flourish. In due time the receptacle and the Stellaron would be a whole, connected so innately that there could never be a reversal. A life created just so recently and its fate had already been written in the stars.
“Are you quite finished Kafka?” Silver Wolf interrupted her wandering mind.
“Don't worry, Wolfie. There's no need to hurry,” she shot back a self-assured smile.
“Ah, whatever. Don't call me that, I've told you before. Anyway, you got it now?”
“Of course I do.”
“Well, the receptacle is ready. Your decision,” the hacker explained while sliding a hologram screen to Kafka.
Before her eyes appeared two human images. “Receptacle Stelle” was written next to the female-looking one and “Receptacle Caelus” next to the male-loooking one.
“Elio said this decision will bring about lots of changes,” she retold her partner who returned, “He also said, it must be you who makes it.”
Of course it had to be her who needed to bear the burden of making the seemingly trivial choice.
She was the one responsible for this human. Her knowledge of the world and combat had been ingrained inside their brain. They had looked different, were given no name. Like a soldier they had been raised to fulfill their duty, their Destiny.
The Stellaron Hunter wondered why she was given the choice of appearance. Who knew if it was actually important to their goal or Elio had to make her believe so for a certain outcome she was not permitted to know.
‘Whatever, the sex doesn't matter. What captivates me more are the names,’ her eyes oscillated between both names before finally landing on the right one, ‘Caelus, Latin for the sky or the heavens. You, as well as me, may all be slaves to Destiny by proxy of following Elio but maybe there is a small chance for freedom.’
“Wanna give him a new name?”
Who had named the receptacles and who had worked on their two available redesigns, she didn't know. What she did know, though, was that it couldn't have been any other name than “Caelus'”.
“No, I think this one is quite endearing, no?” she asked mirthfully.
‘Spread your wings and fly. Sore the skies and live. Cry and laugh. Whatever it takes to go beyond your Destiny. “Caelus”, for all of us, make your own choices.’
“If you say so,” Silver Wolf replied curtly.
A scan of her fingerprint, some coding on Silver Wolf’s part and no five seconds later, the body belonging to the image previously seen on the hologram stood before her eyes.
“How much does he remember?” Kafka inquired with great intrigue.
“Hm, he'll remember you,” Silver Wolf reported casually.
Right at that moment Kafka felt as if a tendril in her chest had been pulled tight. A pang near her left spinal region that went away as soon as it came.
She couldn't put a name to the feeling and in lieu of the ensuing mayhem dismissed it without a second thought.
‘Here goes,’ she told herself as the hand holding the Stellaron was shoved in the center of the humanoid. Immediately upon impact, Kafka felt a resistance to her touch. Not just by flesh but by an invisible force. The Cancer of All Words had found purchase and the life form called “Caelus” was born.
“Time to wake up.”
“Caelus, is everything alright?”
A head loomed over his half-lidded eyes, a mix of blue and pink irises reflecting on his own gray ones. They sparkled like ice would but for some reason they lacked any resemblance of coldness.
“March?” he asked drowsily.
“Yep, it's me. Seems the warp jump took quite a toll on your body, huh?” she paused, giving him a quick once-over, “Don't worry about it. Everyone's first time is different.”
Finally regaining his standing, Caelus raised an eyebrow and smirked.
“Wait no!!! That's not what I meant. Ah, get that stupid grin off your face,” March 7th huffed, “Anyway, we're here: Jarilo-VI. But Himeko doesn't seem to look too pleased. Common, let's see what's up.”
Gingerly, the boy took her hand. For some reason he trusted her.
No, that was not the right word. He more so understood her which in turn made it easier to connect.
Perhaps it was the fact that they both didn't remember who they were but that was not all. He may have only spent a couple of hours with the crew but he could already get a vague picture of their personalities.
March 7th was an extroverted person, headstrong and a bit all over the place with her mind. Something about her own positivity was soothing and her smile was unverwaring and steadfast. An anchor through the turmoil that had been his life for today and whatever remained from a past long forgotten. When he saw that smile he could not help himself but feel optimistic about what was to come.
The Astral Express was a ginormous train with windows running from top to bottom. Its interior was adorned with mostly grays contrasted by the red of the furniture.
The yellow lights combined with the stars shining from the vast universe around them made for a comfortable and warm atmosphere despite the industrial colors of the rest.
Through those massive windows Caelus could see a planet completely encompassed by an icy blue. However, the warmth that March 7th still held in her eyes was nowhere to be found on this desolate-looking space rock.
Yet, there was something else, not warmth but still some kind of energy that drew him closer. He and March 7th finally reached Himeko and Welt, still, his eyes kept their gaze fixed. There was a burning need to reach out, to find out what could be hidden underneath the snowy plains that would surely clad the land. Curiosity may have been a part of what resulted in his yearning but the main reason was something more intimate.
An invisible rope that connected his core to the inerts of this azure sphere. The line was not pulled taut but it wasn't hanging loosely either. More so the feeling could be compared to a slight tug from the other end. Whether he liked it or not, Caelus' attention was drawn to Jarilo-VI by this rope or whatever was holding it.
“So it seems you‘ve noticed?“ a deep and collected voice interrupted his reverie. It continued, “You look like a deer caught in headlights, I apologize. I didn't mean to startle you.”
Welt Yang’s voice was tranquil in a way Caelus could not grasp. While he didn’t look like he was in his twenties, by no means did he look old. Regardless, his posture and the fading sparkle in his hazel eyes exuded an air of experience. His smile was gentle and understanding, so caring and not patronizing at all.
Caelus came to wonder what that smile would look like if Welt was happy or-
The wonderful smile was replaced by a concerned expression on Welt’s face. ‘Nooo, why?’ he internally frowned before he remembered, ‘Oh right.’
Sheepishly, Caelus smiled, his cheeks turning a light crimson. “Sorry, ehm, I was lost in thought there for a second.” His eyes turned away from Welt in embarrassment.
They were met with a fiery orange and another smile. One more confident and more determined. A small smile that was carefully hidden but the slight quirk of her lips gave Himeko away. It felt just as gentle but instead of the old-soul that peaked through Welt’s facade, Himeko burned with a fiery spirit. The glint in her eyes was enough to rekindle a flame in his gut and quickly he overcame his earlier embarrassment.
Himeko had noticed and took it as her sign to give her accounts of what lay outside the windows, “I had already thought so, Jarilo-VI was not supposed to look this way according to the entries in the Express’s data bank. Though, I must say, the entries are already several millennia old.”
“What are all of you gushing about?” March 7th whined with the pout of a child whose lollipop had been taken away. ‘Quite endearing, hehe.’
Used to her antics, Himeko placed a hand placidly on her shoulder. “It’s a Stellaron. Only something of its power can evoke such extreme conditions.”
Pom-Pom piped up from behind one of the couches, a little tablet held in their hand. “Whatever it is, it’s affecting the Astral Express. The rails are only at about 12% stability. Unless the situation is taken care of we will have to stay in this location.”
The navigator of the Nameless sighed but she took it in strides. Once again her lips quirked up and confidence peaked through her eyes. “We will have to re-evaluate our strategy. I say all of us stay on the Express for 24 system hours to form a new plan.”
After garnering a nod from both Welt and March 7th, as well as Caelus and Pom-Pom, Himeko continued, “March, would you mind telling Dan Heng. He should be in his room.”
“You got it boss,” she gave Himeko a thumbs up and turned to Caelus, “You wanna tag along?”
“Yeah, why not.” He had not seen much from Dan Heng since they had boarded the Astral Express. Of course, he joined March 7th because he had nothing better to do but he also had been curious where the reserved boy found refuge on-board the space train.
Again, March 7th took his hand without hesitation and led him through a door at the end of the wagon that led into a long hall. She took him to the first door and without warning slammed it open, “Daaaan Hee-”
”March!” he screamed quickly but his scream was cut off when he fell from his chair and hit the ground.
”Sneak attack!” she proclaimed proudly and pumped a fist into the air.
Finally, after he regained his footing Dan Heng chastised, “A little warning would have been nice. How about knocking, huh? Ever heard of that?” His eyes flickered from March 7th to Caelus who had to stifle his laugh behind a loosely held fist in front of his mouth. Instead of any residual malice Dan Heng offered him an uncertain smile, “Sorry for having to witness that.” It seemed his aloof composure had dropped without him realizing.
It took him back to when he first woke up, when he opened his eyes and all he could see were those lips. From all the Aeons that could have overseen his life in that moment in time it could have only been Aha, The Laughter. Only THEY would find pleasure in teasing him with a kiss from a handsome guy just to deprive him of the opportunity a mere second later.
After rubbing at his head fruitlessly in his weak effort to soothe some of the pain, Dan Heng regained his former more composed countenance.
Of what Caelus could gather so far, he did not usually smile. Instead, he took to himself and observed. In a way it was very calculating but beneath it all there were glimpses of hesitation to be found.
Yes, in a way he was like a cat constantly on the look-out, preening from the outside.
But he was much more like a deer keeping a distance for the sole purpose of protecting itself. Fearing that coming closer, opening up would have him suffer.
Something inside of Caelus had the desire to look underneath the curtain, to see what he truly was like. How would he react then, how did he smile?
Currently, though, Dan Heng was a rock that would not be swayed. ‘Unless of course your name is March, there's probably no one who can resist her antics’.
As if she could mind-read, March 7th veered Caelus out of his thoughts, “Well, you're the one who chose the archives as their room. It's basically public property to the crew so I may come and go as I see fit.”
Frankly, Caelus considered March 7th’s argumentation far-fetched but he couldn't help but get lost in the details of what she said.
Slowly, he let his eyes wander and take an account of the room March 7th had brought him in. The slightly angled walls were filled to the brim with storage devices and the far back wall was one huge screen displaying different solar systems. Even the panels which made up the slightly raised floor at the back half of the room were screens. However, they didn't feature any information, instead using shades of greens and blues to make it look more scenic.
Atop those floor panels was a singular pillow and a thin blanket lazily thrown off to the side.
‘He can't be serious, right? This is not actually where he sleeps?’ worry clouding his mind he brought his attention back to March 7th.
“Nevermind anyway. No secrets can be kept hidden in the face of me, March 7th the great,” she broadened her shoulders, closed her eyes, took on a confident smirk and set her arms akimbo, “It's not like you’d be up to anything naughty.”
When March opened her eyes again she was met with a sputtering Caelus and a Dan Hang who bashfully averted his eyes from their gazes as best as he could.
Immediately, March 7th turned beat-red. “NO! I- What… That wasn't what I meant!!!” she practically screeched, “I am so sorry Caelus. These innuendos keep happening outta nowhere, I swear!”
At this, Dan Heng turned back to face her again, “These? March, what have you been doing to our newest crew member while I was gone?”
March 7th turned to Caelus once more about to profusely apologize when a muffled laugh escaped his lips.
Confused, she asked, “Huh?”
“ ‘Member’ pfff,” Caelus bursted out laughing, clutching his sides.
Taken aback, March 7th accused with wavering cadence, “Gosh, you are even worse. Dan Heng can you belie-”
She stopped herself when she saw that Dan Heng hid a snicker behind his hand.
“Arghhh,” March 7th fumed, “Idiots, all of you are idiots. Caelus, you tell him what we came here for in the first place. I need a nice ‘Immortals Delight’, the caffeine outta fry my brain enough to forget today ever happened.” And then she stormed off.
Normally, Caelus would see this as the moment where he needed to apologize but then he peered over to Dan Heng and it was all worth it. Crimson coated his cheeks and there was a hint of a smirk.
‘Adorable, take that Aha!’ he boasted to himself and the universe.
Unfortunately, it didn't take long for Dan Heng to compose himself. After a fake cough he inquired, “What was it you and March wanted to tell me?”
‘Ah right, there was something.’ Caelus' memories were brought back to the Stellaron on Jarilo-VI. It felt uncanny, to say the least. For a single object to have caused chaos beyond repair on an entire planet and to have such a thing inside of your body.
Dan Heng must have noticed his apprehension, “Hey, is everything alright. Did I make you uncomfortable?” He looked a little nervous.
“No. Definitely not!” Caelus promptly corrected, “It's what March and I were here to tell you about. Jarilo-VI has been affected by a Stellaron. The whole thing is covered in ice and snow. Himeko suggested waiting a day to form a plan.”
Dan Heng gave a curt nod but there was a look lingering in his eyes as if still curious about certain things but uncertain whether or not it was rude to ask.
It didn't take a Herta to put two and two together. “I know what you're thinking. And yes, it worries me. I- actually I don't know what to feel, just that it's making me queasy. That's all,” he explained as his eyes fell slightly downward.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to pry,” Dan Heng looked a bit uncomfortable, not sure what to do.
‘Shit. Get your schtick together, Caelus. You know him for barely a day. Optimistic now, trauma dump later!’
“Nah, it was me who lamented unprompted. Anyway, I think I'll leave you to it. See ya,” with a wave he hastily scurried out of the room. If he had stayed for a mere second longer, Caelus wouldn't have missed the fond smile on Dan Heng’s face.
Caelus was now back in the hallway. When he hurried off he had forgotten that he had no clue about the Astral Express. Where he was and wasn't allowed, if there was a place they expected him to be.
Deliberating his choices, he decided it was best to return to the parlor car where he hoped the rest of the crew would still be roaming around.
Fortunately, Himeko and Welt lingered at the same spot as before, probably discussing what they're gonna do about the whole Jarilo-VI situation, while the conductor was sweeping dust towards the back of the room.
Immediately upon his entry, Welt's head snapped to where his own peaked from the doorway. He might come across as a man who is only looking forward to his retirement, which may as well be true, but his instincts were sharp as a blade. He was acutely aware of his surroundings at any given time. He spoke and acted with a natural tact and poise. His steps were calculated yet different from Dan Heng.
Where the raven-haired boy used his reticence to keep to himself, Welt used it to always come out the victor.
Nonetheless, the smile he shot Caelus when recognized whose head it was that peered into the parlor car was sincere and that was all that mattered.
Now, Himeko became aware of his presence as well and beckoned him with a small hand gesture. Not waiting any longer, Caelus fully stepped out of the door and sauntered over to the eldest crew mates (‘Well besides Pom-Pom, probably’).
“Hello Caelus,” they greeted in unison.
“Hi there,”
Welt's piercing eyes saw the uneasiness that Caelus hid under a weak smile.
“Is everything alright?”
He contemplated if he should ask but decided to try anyway, “The Stellaron on Jarilo-VI, if it really is responsible for all this disaster. Then do you think that- that I could- you know, whether the same thing could happen to me?”
Himeko’s blazing voice ringed through his troubles, “Don't worry about a thing. We've checked back with Herta and she said the Stellaron that rests inside of you is stable. She didn't foresee any dire consequences for the near future.”
His spirits slightly lifted, one aspect of what she had told him stuck out. “What do you mean by ‘near future’? Does that mean there's still a possibility?”
“I have to be frank with you, yes, there is. We still don't understand the Stellarons in their entirety and can't make guaranteed predictions. But don't worry, the Crew is more than capable to handle whatever Destiny throws at us.”
When Himeko had said “Destiny” she visibly tended. He barely caught it but it was there. There was something she knew but decided to omit. But for now he was satisfied with the answer she gave and didn't want to test his luck. “Thanks, that's a relief, I guess.”
“Oh, by the way,” Himeko began, “I totally forgot to mention your arrangements here. It's been so long since we've had someone join the Astral Express Crew. Of course, there's a room for you. I'm afraid the wagon with the other’s rooms is already full but there are more on the car right next to it,” she pointed her arm towards the door Caelus just came from, “Pom-Pom, would you mind getting Caelus’ room ready so he'll be able to move in after dinner?”
Pom-Pom leaped in the air, then after composing themselves bowed, “Pom-Pom is deeply sorry for not thinking of your arrangements sooner, dearest Trailblazer. Pom-Pom will see you to your room immediately.”
One salute and they were gone before Caelus' face got the chance to express any emotionen, now, though, he was definitely overwhelmed.
“Himeko,” Welt faked a cough.
“Ups,” she snickered into her hand, “Sorry, I was getting ahead of myself. I'll tell you again when necessary. For now, do you know how to cook?”
-
And this was how he found himself shoved by his shoulders into a kitchen. Throwing an apron into his arms, Himeko did the equivalent of running for the hills with the limited space the hallway to the kitchen provided.
‘Oh well, I guess I'll get right to it then.’
Caelus took a deep and long breath and then broadened his shoulders. He was gonna cook the best meal they had ever had. They would be impressed beyond measure and would surely want to never let him go.
Examining the apron he was given, he found the baby-pink fabric embellished with neat white embroidery and blue ruffles on the sides. His suspicions were confirmed when he read the text on the front pocket. The two numbers “3/7” were written in a bold font.
‘It’s so darn cute.” Caelus felt proud that he was allowed to wear it (even if Himeko just looked for the next best thing to relieve her of her cooking duty).
‘So, first things first, what do we have here?’ He opened the fridge and checked the cupboards to get a picture of what they had.
Once that step was completed and after he found the cooking utensils he needed, he got to work straight away.
It went without a hitch, for some reason it felt just as natural as walking. Where he knew the recipes from, he didn't know nor did he particularly care as long as he could make the Crew proud of himself.
He enjoyed making Lasagna the most. Something about rolling the dough and layering the self-made pasta sheets in between layers of ready-to-melt cheese slices was oddly satisfying.
As the Lasagna rose and baked in the oven Caelus started to prepare more. From salads to stews to different kinds of jelly he hoped he could match all their preferences.
It must have been two hours already. Stove tops were covered in simmering soups and the fridge was now home to various sweets.
But, alas, there was one thing missing. Something quintessential to every good feast:
Cake
And a hell of a cake he was gonna make.
Shortly after wiping down the countertops for the n-th time in the last two hours he got to work once again.
-
“Pheeeew,” with a loud sigh Caelus dropped on a barstool adjacent the kitchen aisle in the middle of the room, “Finally, it's done.”
Just as he was going to take a short break, the door slid open.
“Caelus, you’re here? Welt mentioned you were-” it was Dan Heng who froze mid-step, mouth agape.
“Did you make all of this?” he asked, still full of shock.
Sparing the room a glance, Caelus was quick on his feet, his eyes full of panic, “I am so sorry, I was just about to clean this up. I was just taking a break, not slacking off, I swear!”
Instead of returning to normal, somehow Dan Hend looked even more dumbfounded, “Wait, no that's not what I-”
“Himeko told me to cook, I didn't just barge in here, I promise!” Caelus was pacing around the room, his eyes searching for something in Dan Heng's eyes.
‘Oh,’ the raven-haired boy realized. “Cause, calm down, I am not mad at you.”
“You're not?” Caelus abruptly stopped mid-step, awaiting his response with bated breath.
“Of course, not. I was just surprised. I didn't expect you to make so much food.”
Caelus visibly relaxed at that but quickly tensed up again, “I didn't make too much, did I?”
Seeing that this conversation would lead nowhere, Dan Heng ignored his own hesitation and put his hand firmly on Caelus’ shoulder, stopping him mid panic attack.
“Caelus,” he went rigid immediately, “I was just surprised because it's been a long time since we had anything more than instant noodles or raw meat. We're traveling most of the time, you know. I am not mad at you, the opposite, actually. Thanks for putting so much effort into making food for the Crew.”
And then he gave Caelus a smile, a genuine one. A smile that crinkled his eyes and made barely visible dimples appear.
A smile that had a radiance resembling a lighthouse. And exactly like a lighthouse would show the ships traversing impossible tides the path forward, Dan Heng's smile overtook him completely and pulled him out of the perilous waters which some may call his mind.
He mustered the biggest grin he could manage, hoping to give back even a glimmer of what the other had given him through gestures alone.
Then, Dan Heng, looked amused of all things, “You- you've got something on your face.”
“Really? Where?” Caelus began randomly swatting his hands at his face, “Gone?”
“Not quite, it's on your left cheek.”
“Here?”
“No, my left.”
“Did I get this time?”
“No, more to the left.”
“Now a little bit downwards.”
Big golden eyes stared innocently directly into Dan Heng's eyes, “Now?”
After careful consideration he ultimately couldn't resist those puppy eyes, “Here, let me.”
Trembling pale fingers were steadily lifted towards Caelus face, the boy not daring to move.
They touched soft skin, slightly warm from exhaustion after baking for hours.
It felt as if time froze for a moment.
The endlessly vast sea met the burning star.
“Guys, what's taking so lon- Oh my God!”
March 7th had entered the kitchen but her hysteria obviously didn't stem from the excessive amount of food littered everywhere.
Caelus and Dan Heng stood still for roughly three seconds before the gears in their heads finally set in motion again.
But instead of carefully retracting his hand like Dan Heng had previously wanted to do, he snapped it back at being caught in such a compromising position.
While he certainly had removed the cake batter that had been on Caelus' face he also managed to slap him right across the face and make him fall back into the counter.
“Shit, God. Caelus, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.”
Both boys were full on blushing now while shaky hands barely were able to stabilize Caelus as he got back up.
“I guess this is my cue to leave. Please come to the parlor car with the food once you cleared up whatever that just was.”
March 7th was about to leave when she saw the food still presented on the kitchen surfaces.
All previous thoughts had been erased and she honed in on the red jelly decorated with glazing pieces of chocolate.
“Did you both manage to whip up all of this food?” she looked like she was about to eat it all in one go.
“I made it, I guess.” Caelus corrected with a weak voice.
“For real? Wow, you're amazing, Caelus.”
And there was the March 7th Caelus admired so much again. A big smile plastered across her face. Immediately, the room lit up.
Why he liked smiles so much, he didn't know. But he was going to continue to enjoy them as long as he could.
“Gosh, I need to eat these now,” March 7th stretched her fingers to the jelly she'd been eyeing for as long as she became aware they existed. Her mouth was already beginning to salivate.
Her head snapped in their direction so fast it looked like it would fly straight off her neck. All the while her countenance spoke of stern determination and has been more serious than Caelus has ever seen before.
“You two, listen up. This place needs a clean up. Stop being adorable dorks and get everything ready so we can have the feast we deserve!”
“We weren't doing any-” “What, you got it all wr-”
“I don't wanna hear it, chop chop. The counters won't wipe themselves.”
“Yes, ma'am.” they acquiesced in unison.
-
Barely five minutes later every nook and cranny of the kitchen shone like the last four hours never took place. Their work had paid off. Or the boys’ work at least. For being so adamant on cleaning March 7th seemed to ogle the jelly the entire time instead of helping them clean.
“We all did an amazing job.” she shot them a thumbs up and a proud grin, which petered out the moment she saw their glares. “Ehe”, March 7th sheepishly stuck her tongue out and then took off in a fashion similar to that of Himeko when Caelus first was introduced to the kitchen.
“Unbelievable,” Dan Heng shook his head but Caelus was not one easily disheveled, “Come on, we're basically done. Let's get the plates and cutlery and we can set up dinner.”
-
When they entered the parlor car they say a table in the middle of the wagon that hadn't been there before.
“Wow, and here I thought March was exaggerating. Seems I have underestimated you,” Himeko praised from the table where she, March 7th, Welt, and Pom-Pom had already taken a seat.
“You haven't even tried it yet,” Caelus spoke softly, slightly blushing.
“That can easily be changed.”
Nobody could suppress the laughter at March 7th's comment. She didn't care though, her focus lay on the food, and the food alone.
Dan Heng helped him place everything on the table and then they seated themselves as well.
“Let's dig in,” Caelus smiled but the tension in the air was palpable. He sat on the edge of the chair, anxiously awaiting their reactions.
March 7th, oblivious to all of it, was the first to take a bite, “Tshat lashagna ‘sh amaa’shing.”
And that immediately took the edge off Caelus' nerves, a snicker escaping his lips. The other Nameless saw this as their cue to try the food themselves.
And ‘Dammit!’ was it good. Caelus surprised himself with the tenderness of the tofu strips and the aroma of the soup.
They ate and ate, barely getting a word in while stuffing their mouths with the various delicacies.
As the dinner came to an end, they set in companionable silence, sometimes snatching a leftover here and there.
“Maaaan, this was the best meal I've had in like- forever,” March 7th boasted loudly.
“Now, now, my food isn't that bad is it?” Himeko asked smugly.
“Of course not, I would never suggest anything of the sort.” March 7th was up on her feet immediately, defending herself.
“I was only joking but thank you, sweetheart,” she clarified, clearly amused.
With a blush, March 7th sat back down.
“Alrighty everyone,” the Navigators words caught everyone's attention in an instant, “Thank you for the food, Caelus. I think we all can agree that those were truly some delicacies you cooked up. Let me take care of the cleanup, you did enough already. Don't stay up too late and at least try to get some semblance of sleep.”
Thunder roamed on the outside, the room itself dark. The only instances of luminance were the periodic lightning bolts shining through the windows lining the walls and the constant dim glow of the screen, no less the reflection of that screen on black glasses.
Nimble fingers incessantly tapped on the arms of a well-kept leather chair. The sound of rain was a constant whilst eagle-eyes observed their prey on the other side of the screen.
With every passing second and every finger tap the storm became more deafening until-
“Oh my God, Kafka, you're not serious are you?”
A beam of light illuminated the room, somewhat blocked by the small figure who opened the double doors.
“You’re such a drama queen, you know that? Brooding in the living room like you're some bad-ass super villain. And for what? For shits ‘n giggles?” She was met with a gleeful smile.
Silver Wolf didn't look impressed, “You really have no shame, Kafka.”
“Shame is just another word for fear. You know that's an emotion I can't relate to,” she relayed, the smile now appearing more forced than anything else.
“What were you doing, anyway?... Wait, you weren't actually watching the Astral Express the entire time?” Now, Silver Wolf actually looked taken aback.
“Why not? You should give it a try, it's really time-consuming.” Kafka averted her eyes back to the screen.
“Yeah, that's because you're basically just staring at the static image of a flying space train. Elio said that they would wait a couple system hours before boarding Jarilo-VI. You knew that.” the gray-haired girl's eyes were scrutinizing, trying to garner a reaction.
“Always so serious, Wolfie. Maybe I just enjoy the mundanity.” Of course not, in Elio's script the exact time when the Nameless would depart the Astral Express again was not specified and that lack of control made Kafka inexplicably queasy, so she tended to the matter herself.
Silver Wolf was not stupid, knew that Kafka was not going to spill the beans. Overcome with curiosity, however, she dared to ask, “Mind if I spent some time on the couch? Blade's acting all emo ‘vengeance this’ ‘revenge that’ again and Firefly's out as S.A.M. somewhere.”
“Of course, I don't mind,” Kafka was earnest in her reply. She noticed the way Silver Wolf didn't reprimand her for the nickname. She also never was one to take initiative, so Kafka was interested in what troubled her mind. “Guess I'll have to use Spirit Whisper on Blade again. Did he say something bad?”
Silver Wolf only huffed and put gum in her mouth as she sat down on the pink leather couch (courtesy of Kafka) as if to say “of course not”. It was plainly obvious that in his rage Blade had opened his big bad mouth too far once again and Silver Wolf had been on the receiving end of his plight. Kafka had been there multiple but she did not care for the harsh words he'd thrown at her. Also, she had a simple way to combat his out-lash in Spirit Whisper.
As for Silver Wolf, she was still a child. Not by age but heart alone. So Kafka didn't mind entertaining her some more. But before she could do so, a timer on her phone alarmed her of the Script.
“Elio told me I'd have to throw the trash out in about two minutes. I'll be right back,” Kafka stood and waited for a nod from Silver Wolf.
When the hacker realized, she crossed her arms and huffed some more “As if I care.”
Bemused, Kafka left the room and walked to their kitchen.
‘Oh, it really is bad,’ she had spotted Blade through the kitchen window. He was thrashing around, either running and slashing with his Shard Sword or staying on the same spot while his body convulsed. ‘Maybe that's why Elio wanted me here… Hell, what do I know.’
Packing up the multiple trash bags from under the sink Kafka braced herself for a second before carefully opening the sliding doors to their garden so as to not come across as an intruder to Blade.
“Hi, Bladie,” she was about to use Spirit Whisper but had to dodge a strike aimed her way.
“Listen.” Immediately, the man halted on the spot.
“The past is the past, memories are to be forgotten. You will find reprieve not in anguish but in calmness, for calmness is the key to the future you desire.”
Strong huffs of air turned to collected breathing, the sign that Kafka's work was down.
Well, only the work forced upon her by means of her occupation.
But Kafka was here for personal reasons too, “Also, apologize to Wolfie. You know as well as I do that she's always putting up a front but she's hurting too. Maybe not in the same way you are, but hurting no less.”
Before departing from the garden Kafka threw the trash in the bin in the shed because “God knows, maybe this pile of garbage actually will be the deciding factor between whether this universe will live onwards or crumble beneath Destruction. Destiny, MY ASS.”
-
“Knock knock, I brought you some lasagna from the fridge.”
Grey-eyes of a predator shot in her direction and were coming closer by the millisecond. Now, small hands were already taking the plate from Kafka's hands leaving her empty handed and chuckling.
“Mhm, your l’shagna ‘s shte bweesht Kafka!!!” Silver Wolf proclaimed between bites.
“If you say so,” Kafka turned to once the screen once more and seated herself in her signature leather armchair.
If she was smiling, no one would ever know.