rodinia_z



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    In relative terms, the trip from the Tau Ceti system to the 40 Eridani system takes the Hail Mary a little over three Earth years.
    This is what happens when you put two snarky aliens in a small, enclosed space for that long.

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    26 May 2026

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    "Many stages in Eridian reproductive process. Rocky Adrian laying cycles finally sync up recently. So, Rocky Adrian think finally time for eggs. Adrian lay five eggs, very good. Only, strange thing happen. Rocky only lay one egg."

    “Oh,” I say. “That’s unusual, right?”

    "Very," Rocky hums.

    My throat tightens. "Does that mean there's something wrong? Are you sick?"

    Rocky makes a gesture I usually interpret as "not exactly". "Not sick," he says. "But doctors still worry. When Eridian start to make fewer eggs, this usually means laying period of life is over soon. Rocky very young for this. Rocky supposed to be in ideal time of life for laying. Rocky younger than Adrian, even." He shifts on three of his feet. Already, my mind is racing ahead, wondering -- "Doctors told Rocky to ask Grace, is this radiation side effect, question?"

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    26 May 2026

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    The Eridian thrills a high sound that doesn’t get picked up by the translator which means that it has no clear meaning. Like when a human gasps or sucks in a deep breath. It actually sounds a little like that. When they notice that I’m staring straight at them they scramble back into their hiding spot and hold very still. 

    A child, I realize with a start.

    That’s a child! 

    “Hey,” I call and the kid squeaks again. I was about to get to my feet but abort the movement and crawl closer on my hands and knees until I'm inches away from the xenonite wall. I wait and it takes me much too long to realize that they don’t have to peek around the corner to see if I’m still there.

    “Hey there,” I try again, my voice low and calm. It’s my teacher voice, the one I use for shy and scared students. 

    Used. 

    The fact that I haven’t had to use it for years and it still comes to me automatically almost knocks the air out of my lungs but this is not about me, it’s about making sure the little pebble doesn’t die of fright from the scary alien. “Hi, I’m Grace. It’s alright, you don’t have to be scared.”

    ***
    How Grace finally gets back into a classroom, where he belongs

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    25 May 2026

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    The capsule touches down on Erid about a decade and a half after I do.

    There's a message inside translated into fourteen different languages. Y'know, just in case I've taught myself - and then the Eridians - Afrikaans.

    Hey, it reads. Can we have our ball back, please?

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    25 May 2026

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    It's not jealousy. Adrian is adamant about that. They are actually insisting that it’s not any emotion at all. Not even dislike. They are simply completely uninterested in anything that concerns “the human”. 

    Rocky believes them. Adrian has always been the level-headed one out of the two of them. They are too logical to be jealous. They acknowledge that Grace and Rocky have a special bond after everything they went through together and also understand that none of that will ever pose a threat to their relationship. 

    Neither are they heartless or ungrateful. They know that Grace is the only reason that Rocky is back at all, the only reason their star has stopped dying. Adrian has told Rocky again and again that they are grateful and happy and wish the alien no ill will. They even helped with the construction of the biodome.

    And yet they have no desire to get to know Grace. 

    **************

    You know those videos where the dad is like "You may keep the cat but I will have nothing to do with it" and a few days later they are smothering the kitty with cuddles and love?

    Adrian never stood a chance.

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    25 May 2026