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"Ugh Titan!!! Give it back!"
"No, Ganymede–go away! I'm the one that starts these meetings so I get the pointer stick thingy!"
"You don't even know the name of it! And it's my special day so I should get to do it this time."
"G-g-guys stop f-fighting please!"
A heavy sigh slipped through Callisto's lips, the moon leaning back against an asteroid as she gazed upon the chaos unfolding in front of her.
Stars above, this was going to be a long meeting, wasn't it?
Exhaustion already plagued her mind, setting her up for a gathering filled with snapping annoyance and heavy disinterest. She did not give a comet about anything they were talking about, and seeing as how the two "leaders" were arguing before it even started…well it was definitely just a precursor to what was to come.
Ugh, couldn't they just have a normal meeting for once? For stars sake, they were trying to make things better and eliminate the issues–not cause new ones! Was there any possibility of having even just one meeting that got straight to the entire point of these things?
Direct and simple. That's what Callisto always liked. No room for misunderstanding so it would be over quick and she could go back to blissfully doing nothing.
But of course, the other moons didn't think that way. They made the problems so much bigger, but still somehow danced around the heavier and more sensitive subjects that were hard to talk about. And stars forbid a moon show a genuine problem that wasn't connected to their planet. At least not directly. Because, like always, everything always had to revolve around the planets or their star. Once the subject strayed from that, people got restless and anxious and didn't know what to do.
But eh, whatever. That's a problem for someone else to solve. Callisto just did what she was told and let everyone else do their thing.
But stars, it was so incredibly boring. Nobody had cried in forever, and there wasn't any giant drama taking hold of the Solar System (...for now). It was pretty calm, all things considered–at least outside of the meetings.
Callisto still thought these were a complete waste of time.
It was just working. Volunteering to do something that would take a whole lot of energy? Who would do that?! And willingly?
Okay, sure, maybe there were important things like speaking up against the Sun and the problems with their planets–but those took forever to solve. Billions of years of issues could not be solved with just one session of "talking about our feelings," or "communicating." It went far more deeper than those simple things, and Callisto was starting to think she was the only one that saw that.
But she kept her thoughts to herself. Besides, they were far too depressing to interest anyone. Maybe Triton would enjoy her dark humor and ideas (wherever he was…hopefully he's safe. Or he's probably just running late. Had to round up all the kids and be so responsible and caring…ugh Callisto what are you doing shut up), but for everyone else, she'd learned that it would only get her annoyed looks and rolled eyes. If nobody took what she said seriously, why bother saying it at all?
"Callisto! What do you think?"
Callisto blinked, her own thoughts rudely interrupted by Ganymede's annoying face suddenly filling her vision. Well there goes her wish of being alone. He grinned despite the scowl plastered on her face, his eyes shimmering with the mischievous glint that always meant trouble. Which then, if Ganymede was in trouble, it meant Callisto would have to deal with said trouble. And she was already dreading having to participate in talking and social interaction. The heavy, suffocating weight on her shoulders grew, sucking away her energy and her patience.
Eugh. What now? Couldn't he go bother Europa, they are dating (at least she thinks so. Callisto can never tell anymore–why is it so complicated between the two?) and leave Callisto alone? There's hundreds of other moons he can ask, why choose her? The one who was clearly busy thinking and wanted to be left out of the drama for once.
Ganymede leaned in further, obviously wanting an answer to the vague question he asked–but stars above ew now he's too close. She could smell his atmosphere wafting through the air–salty and icy, with a vague hint of something burning–her surface prickling with disgust. Her "personal bubble," as Luna liked to call it, was being popped by the bubble-popper of all bubble-poppers.
Callisto huffed, narrowing her eyes and pushing Ganymede's face out of hers with a dark, speckled hand, "What, Ganymede?"
Spluttering, the moon fought off the hand pressing into his face, sending a glare her way (that was hopefully playful and not actually hating her…ew why was Callisto caring how someone thought about her?). Callisto just sent one back, equally as intense and charged with the crystal clear message of, you're pissing me off. Go away.
Ganymede just rolled his eyes, a grin twitching at the corners of his mouth. Great. So he didn't hate her. Yay. Awesome. She's liked and now those people won't leave her alone. Yippee.
With a mutter of something she couldn't catch, Ganymede whipped back around, pivoting on his heels and catching Callisto off guard with the sudden movement. She took a slow step back just in case the idiot did something else and fell on his face. But damn look at the form…maybe Europa did finally give him ballet lessons if his pivot was that smooth and flowy. A stunned and impressed feeling bubbled up in her core…quickly disappearing once Ganymede opened his mouth again.
"Ti-tan," he said, spitting out the last syllable like a piece of comet gum, jabbing a finger at the blue-green moon. He made sure to glance back at Callisto to ensure she was still looking, swinging his gaze back to Titan to glare at him, "Is being rude!"
Ah great. So now she's being dragged into this. The one thing she didn't want to happen.
Callisto and Titan sighed in sync, their shared annoyance shining through as clear as day. She ignored the slightly amused glance sent her way, frustration mixing the boredom to create a wonderful combination in her core. Ugh life sucks. Everything sucks. She wanted to be floating in the eternal void, sleeping, not existing–anything other than being stuck in the middle of a stupid argument.
Titan shifted his gaze back to Ganymede, expression falling back to muted annoyance, crossing his arms over his chest with a huff, "Really, Ganymede? You're tattletelling now?" Ugh no…please don't make this more of a problem than it already was. Titan shrugged, eyes subtly lighting up with an idea, "That doesn't seem like the appropriate behavior of someone who's going to lead a Moon Club session…"
A wave of anger crashed over Ganymede, dangerously sparking into red flames dancing in his eyes. He grit his teeth, face morphing into tight and furious, eyes throwing daggers at Titan. His hands clenching into shaking fasts–and before that could explode and they all would have to deal with his anger issues, Europa appeared out of nowhere, sliding in between the two to break them apart.
Thank the stars.
Callisto didn't have the energy to calm down a raging Ganymede at the moment.
She didn't have the energy to do anything at the moment.
So she backed away from the drama, letting Europa handle her boyfriend as Titan stepped back. The cloudy moon let out a rough sigh, eyes going to the stars beneath them as he leaned against the board. Ah. Yup. Totally understandable. It was all annoying and taking too long. Callisto totally agreed on that part. They should just rapid fire go down the list–which still wasn't written on the board by the way, because someone decided to interfere with the normal structure of things–and then they could all go back to their planets and sleep for a million years.
Great. Awesome. Amazing. Sounds like a plan, anyone else on board?
Nobody answered because Callisto didn't speak.
"...okay but Titan, Ganymede does have a point," Europa was saying, her voice floating through Callisto's ears as she reeled herself back into focus. Ugh, she really wished she didn't. Blocking everything out was so peaceful. And nice. Nobody wanted anything and all she had to listen to were her thoughts that always agreed with her.
Fatigue stuck to her mind as Callisto yawned, the thought of falling asleep right here and now crossing her mind. But it was quickly shot down as the raking squeals of the tiny moons cut through the air, only further emphasizing the point that it would be far too chaotic for her to take a nap.
Oh woe is the day.
She yawned again, running her hands over the dips and folds of her intricate braid to help her mind snap back to reality…even if she really could not care less about this argument. It was stupid. All arguments were stupid. Everybody should be more like Callisto and avoid social interaction altogether.
But because she was a Galilean Moon and one of the biggest moons of the Solar System, she had a duty to uphold. Or whatever.
Ugh, blah.
Callisto focused her vision, finding Europa, Titan, Ganymede, Io, and Titania (when did she appear?) all standing in front of the board, faces displaying different stages of annoyance. Titania stood next to Titan, silent but calculating eyes scanning the situation at hand. Yeah, see, she knows what's up. Silent but deadly–Callisto knew there was a reason she liked the Uranian moon.
Titan raised an eyebrow, Io nervously playing with his hands as his anxious eyes flitted to the surrounding moons. Callisto would be anxious too, if she wasn't so tired all the time, because the bigger moons were making a scene when literally hundreds of others just stood around waiting. Staring. Judging.
Hopefully they could actually get to the Club part of this being the Moon Club soon.
Titan pinched his nose, letting out yet another sigh, "And what is that point, exactly? That he should get special treatment because it's his birthday?"
Eugh…
"Our birthday," Europa corrected, echoing the discomfort panging in Callisto's core. Ganymede crossed his arms, Io glancing at Titan with hurt shining in his eyes. Europa gestured to the four moons, her eyes narrowing as they hardened, "All the Galileans share a birthday–or did you not know that Titan?"
Titan spluttered, panic flashing across his eyes (much to Europa's satisfaction) as his voice pitched higher. He threw his hands out in a placating gesture, rapidly shaking his head, "No! No! I didn't mean–okay well maybe I forgot–but you can't use any of your birthdays as an excuse to get something you want!"
Ganymede raised an eyebrow, "Why not?"
Europa stepped forward, hand intertwined with Ganymede's with challenge shining in her eyes, "Yeah, Titan? Why can't we have nice things on our birthday?"
Ganymede nodded along, a smirk plastered across his surface, "Yeah…it sure doesn't seem like the appropriate behavior of someone leading the Moon Club."
Hah! They got him there! Smart move Europa. Backing Titan into a corner and making him seem like the bad guy, and then Ganymede swooped in to take a jab at Titan, using his own words against him! Now this is interesting to watch. Callisto could not care less about what they did or did not get for their birthday–but this was both interesting drama, and something she didn't need to get involved in. As long as she still looks uninterested…she could get away with just listening.
Callisto shifted in place, focus completely on the drama unfolding, the bored and uninterested mask falling back over her face.
Titan's eyes desperately flitted around, hesitation stealing away his words. He grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck and obviously stuck after Europa and Ganymede's incredible manipulation tactics actually worked. Said moons tilted their heads to the side, wearing twin, smug expressions and obviously knowing they won this meaningless argument. Io slowly inched away from Titan, looking torn between him and his fellow Jovian moons.
Titania stepped forward, Callisto glancing at her and she filled the silence left by Titan. Her tongue stuck out to the side, eyebrows pinched together in deep thought as she slowly spoke, "Wait…Ganymede does have a good idea here."
"Thank you! See–she gets it!"
Titania nodded, eyes flicking up from their position staring at the stars and jumping from moon to moon, "We haven't been celebrating anyone's birthdays. And, at least in my experience, it's an important part of our identity." She turned to Titan, Callisto very much intrigued as to where this was going, "The Moon Club was created because us moons needed a safe space where we could be ourselves and come together as a united–peaceful–group, right?"
Titan blinked, smiling softly as he nodded, eyes still wary but tinged with curiosity.
Titania gave the Saturnian moon a small smile, raising her voice higher to capture the attention of all the moons (even if they were all already listening in), "And birthdays are an integral part of us as a whole. It's the day we woke up and became a part of the Solar System–" Titania's eyes lit up with excitement, quickly glancing around and pointing at Luna, catching the distracted moon by surprise, his startled eyes widening, "–and from what Luna said about Earthling traditions, birthdays and the parties that follow it are a time of togetherness and recognizing the importance of individuals, which is exactly what we wanted to do by creating this club!"
Murmurs of agreement rippled throughout the group, nods and whispers spreading across. Callisto had to agree that Titania did make solid points. She almost formed an opinion other than "not caring." So…props to Titania for getting her to do that. Callisto glanced behind her, the excitement buzzing through the crowd making it clear that the group was on board before Titania even said her final point.
Titania smiled wide, turning to the rest of them, her arms splayed out and addressing everyone, "I say we make it a tradition and celebrate the days each and every one of us were created–starting today with the Galilean Moons' birthdays."
Cheers erupted from the surrounding celestials, excited whoops and hollers echoing throughout the Asteroid Belt. Happy giggles and laughs added to the excited mayhem, voices rising and overlapping one another with their newfound source of buzzing anticipation and glee. The smaller, child moons obviously didn't know what was going on, but that didn't matter to them as they fed on the chaos and mirrored the emotions of everyone around them.
Stars above, it was loud.
But Callisto didn't care. She didn't. Just relax and don't pay attention to it. Just like everything else–don't form an opinion and don't think about it.
Titan's voice rose above the cacophony of hundreds of energetic squeals and shouts, somehow easily catching everyone's attention. The voices faded to a low murmur, the buzzing energy still crackling in the air as he glanced around, eyes straying to Ganymede and Europa's happy faces for a moment longer, "Alrighty then. I agree with everything Titania said so…I guess we have a party to plan!"
Luna floated forward out of the hoard of moons, reeking of confidence as he spoke up with a smile, "I've seen and participated in birthday parties before, so if it helps, I know what we need to set one up."
"Yes! Thank you!!! Okay everyone, Luna's our resident planner so listen to what he says and let's do this!"
The moons split themselves into groups, Luna organizing everyone into separate jobs. Wow…well this wasn't how Callisto thought it was going to go. Sure beats going through a whole fiery argument, but this was a surprising turn of events. She was included within the Galilean Moons–so this party was partially for her.
She didn't quite know how she felt about that.
A small, familiar ripple of gravity tugged from behind her, Callisto turning around and immediately stepping out of the way as Mimas ran in front of her. Ugh, idiot. Watch where you're going! Annoyance filled her pounding core, it calming as she raised her eyes up.
And met Triton's.
His eyes were covered by his sunglasses, but she could still feel his gaze on her.
Her core fluttered for a moment, excitement filling her mind at finally seeing the other. She'd been looking forward to seeing him, but had been disappointed when he wasn't here. Callisto didn't realize how much of her joy actually came from the other moon until all the icky feelings were washed away as Triton appeared. It was all blegh when he wasn't here.
But now he was! And with the gaggle of moons trailing behind him, yawns and sleepy eyes common amongst them…yeah it made sense why he was late.
Callisto smirked, looking the other moon up and down as her lips twitched in a genuine grin, "Took you long enough."
Triton sighed, rolling his eyes and glancing behind him at the trail of moons, letting them run off to play with their friends. He watched them go for a moment, turning back to Callisto as he rubbed his neck, "Yeah, well when you interrupt naptime it takes a bit to recover." His sunglasses slipped down his nose, revealing deep eyebags and brilliant eyes as his focus jumped to the chaos unfolding behind her, moons running everywhere as Luna shouted out instructions, "Uhh…what's going on?"
"Birthday party for the Galileans."
"Ah. Well, uh…happy birthday."
"Thanks."
A sudden shout cut through the air, snapping the two's attention to the two biggest moons in the center. Fighting. Again. Because they both had an entitled opinion and had to have it their way. Ugh, stupid boys. Ganymede ripped away the thing Titan was holding, holding it high above his head and out of Titan's reach, "The icing has to be yellow you idiot!"
Titan grunted, jumping up to reach for the icing in a fruitless attempt at getting it back, "Well that's not what Luna said!"
Their faces were so close together, glaring into each other's eyes as Titan leaned further into Ganymede, pressing their bodies even closer together. Despite the fact they were close in size, no matter what Titan did he couldn't grab the stolen icing. The bigger grinned, smirking annoyingly in a way that made Callisto want to slap him, "Oh what's wrong Titan? Not the biggest moon?"
"Shut up."
"Make me."
Next to Callisto, Triton rolled his eyes, muttering softly–so softly she probably shouldn't even have heard it–under his breath with an annoyed huff, "Stars just kiss already."
And, despite the fact that Callisto had a reputation for being the stoic, uncaring, boring moon who never showed any emotions, she let out a bark of laughter.
…and it went silent.
"Oh my god," Europa's quiet exclamation broke through the still quiet, shifting the confused Callisto's attention to the pink planet. Her eyes went wide, gasping with absolute disbelief, "Did Callisto just giggle?"
Io's breath hitched with a gasp (and a small cough), pointing a shaking finger at Callisto, his face shifting to utter terror as he covered his mouth with a small cry, "Are–are y-y-you dying?"
Ack! Callisto flushed, mortifying horror bubbling up through her surface, immediately looking down to the super-duper interesting stars as Triton did the same. She bit her lip, willing herself to just disappear into the darkness, "N-no! I'm not–and I don't giggle."
"That sure sounded like a giggle to me…"
Callisto shoved away the embarrassment, cooling her cheeks as she grit her teeth together. Her voice dropped, hostile with a sharp bite to it as she snapped, "Ugh, don't you have our party you need to finish planning or something?"
The mess of moons unfroze like they were being unpaused, the hustle and bustle and voices rising up to overtake the awkward silence. Europa's eyes sparkled with amusement, twirling around and bouncing away, leaving Callisto dreading the next interaction with her. Eugh she was never going to shut up about that. Callisto would have to endure the teasing and poking and talking about her feelings–stuff that she absolutely hated and would rather rip her ears off than have to listen to.
Triton coughed, capturing her attention as he shifted in place. Out of nowhere, Callisto became hyperaware of how close they were…and how their hands were only a few inches apart. Ew. No. Bad thought Callisto. Shut up. You don't like anyone–that's your entire thing! Callisto blinked, watching as Triton ran a hand through his messy, grey-ish brown hair.
He didn't push his glasses back up.
Triton coughed again, eyes jumping to her, before going wide and snapping down to his hands. Huh…okay then. He scratched one hand absentmindedly, opening his mouth and closing it like he didn't know what to say. Ugh, just spit it out already! Callisto cocked her head to the side, Triton letting out a slightly annoyed huff. He chewed on his lip, finally managing to speak and making his voice purposefully low this time–obviously for Callisto's ears only–her core-beat speeding up with anticipation.
Triton sighed, "I…I thought your laugh was beautiful. By the way."
Oh.
Uhm. Huh. Okay. Don't blush. Don't blush. Don't blush–
Callisto was most definitely blushing.
But hey, it was her birthday right?
So she was allowed to have something special for herself. A little present just for her.
Before she could stop herself, Callisto leaned over–mind poisoned with love and not thinking straight–pressing her gift for Triton right into his cheek with a small peck of love.
Oh yeah.
Birthdays were amazing.