[ closed ]

[finethanks]

WHO: Eichi Tenshouin, Victor Nikiforov, Yuuri Katsuki
WHERE: Oros
WHEN: January 11th
WHAT: Gamma mission "WE ARE DREAMERS, SHAPERS, SINGERS, AND MAKERS"
WARNINGS: None

[Eichi had signed up for a research mission because it seemed the perfect choice. He wouldn't be left behind uselessly on the ship, but he wouldn't be thrown directly into the danger of the main mission. It's both lucky and unlucky that the two he wound up with are familiar with his condition, to an extent. They'll be more likely to understand that if he passes out, but he's already concerned about worry. He's kept silent this whole way about how the heat has his heart beating a little too fast to be comfortable, and how every step they take now over the dry land has him aching to take a break.

He's not sure if they called to stop because they noticed, or if it was simply convenient to stop in this small, shady section just at the base of a mountain. There's been no sign of what they're looking for yet. The tent is set up, probably a little sloppily, and Eichi is sitting on a larger boulder closer to the shade of the mountain, trying to subtly catch his breath. This mostly involves staring at the little O-7G7 plants, just two of them, pressed up against the mountainside and wondering when they'll be able to find signs of the creatures that are said to live on the east side of this planet.

Realizing that he's been silent for a little too long, Eichi lifts his head to give the tent a longer look now. He didn't help with it at all, so that was probably entirely Victor and Yuuri's doing. (Or one of them.)]

How exciting. Fufu, looking at a small tent like this, and how it's a little lopsided on one end... I feel like I really am adventuring. ♪ [They are adventuring. But nevermind that, he's pushing away complications to feel excited about living.]

Comments

[finethanks]

[Despite his clear weariness and the dried blood on his helmet, Eichi seems in high spirits. He's terrified, to be honest, of these large creatures and the situation that they're in, but he can't show that. Showing that wouldn't help. Yuuri is frightened enough, and they need to get to Victor. So, when there's a light weight at his back and antenna reaching around to pat at him, he can only laugh to hide his nervousness.]

Fufu, it looks as though we're receiving the red carpet treatment, Yuuri. ♪ Come on. They're recorded as gentle creatures, so we should cooperate, shouldn't we? A sneak attack could have been seen as a threat, but this seems more like an invitation.

[Or a march to their executions, but he's hoping for what he said aloud and walks with that in mind.]

[yokunaru]

[Despite the "oh my god PANIC NOW" instincts that had kicked in when he noticed the Fek coming up behind them, essentially trapping them, Yuuri manages not to give in to the desire to flee. Eichi is right beside him, for one, and Yuuri has no idea how much running his friend's body can handle right now. And he's not leaving without Viktor either.

Some of the immediate panic drains away when the Fek don't attack them. They're curious about us...? Yuuri wonders, when one of them presses its head against Eichi's back, and the other merely inspects him with its antennae.]

You think they're trying to tell us to go this way?

[Yuuri tries not to flinch when one antenna prods at his helmet, and he keeps walking with the Fek guiding their way in that silent way of theirs.]

[genice]

( The antennae continues to stroke over the helmet, then down to the affixing clamps at Yuuri's neck. They draw away then, as if satisfied or curious over their findings and needing to consider the results.

The Fek drive them forward, one or the other moving to head them off from organic pathways that unfurl to the sides, or even the front; herding them by using themselves as physical blockades if they attempt to go elsewhere.

Still streets away, Viktor has edged to the door, moving with a casual roll of his hips and gentle swagger that he does not quite truly feel. Still, as he pokes his head outside to look at his large 'companion,' he finds the Fek has simply been waiting, watching normal traffic on the street. Traffic that seems to be thinning out, the ambling gait of Fek both burdened and unburdened by packages and baskets and even, in one case, an attached half-wagon, bringing them past in both directions. Only a few sway heads to look his way; more antennae twitch, as if tasting the air, but overall no move is made toward the alien in their midst.

He soon learns he's not to really leave. He's not sure what they're waiting for, but as he attempts to actually walk away from the adobe-like hut he's been ensconced in all the long, long night, his companion Fek shifts and moves to head him off. It's threat is in bulk, and nothing else; Viktor doesn't press his luck so much as continue to test it, as a child might. Poking and changing direction; walking away from one end of the door and forward facing wall to the other, seeing how far he can get before he's being firmly herded back into the radius of his temporary domicile.

He sighs, rubbing at his throat as he sends off another photograph to Yuuri.

I've been let back outside, but they're not allowing me to go walking like last night. It's as if I'm supposed to be waiting for something.

His hand at his neck seems to catch the Fek's attention. Or to prompt it into further staring, this time with antennae moving in twisting, odd ways. He doesn't know what it means. Is it irritated? Happy? Confused? Laughing? Playing a game of mental chess?

The Fek lifts its chin, then ducks its head down to Viktor's level. The large globule by its eye sweats, a thin trickle of fluid slowly leaking out. If this is a Fek crying, it's a very disturbing way of going about it. Viktor thought he had trouble handling human tears. This is even more bizarre.

Only the Fek grunts, stamping a foot when Viktor doesn't respond like it expects. Viktor would love to help, but he doesn't know what the native wants. He even holds his hands up, palms out, apologising; and finds his wrist rudely encircled by an antennae that tugs his hand down, forcing it and the glove to go under the stream of liquid leaking from the Fek itself.

It's pooling in his hand.

And for the first time, Viktor begins to suspect this might be a form of caretaking.

Mostly as he suspects he's being offered some version of water. He cups his other hand with his first, and the Fek blinks, keeping hold of his wrist until the trickle of liquid comes to a gentle stop. Then it lets go, and Viktor is left holding water in his hands and wondering how in the world he handles this situation without offending someone.

Help. )

[finethanks]

I'm almost positive. They're gentle creatures, aren't they? If they wanted us dead, even in the form of ritual or some other method that we don't understand, they would have come back for us in the night, or circled on us now. Instead, they're so calm. ♪ These rumbling footsteps are shaking right to my heart. They must be showing us something.

[Eichi is right, but in that weird way where it's unclear how he figures all of this. Instinct? He's trusting his gut, honestly, and so he follows along much more pleasantly than Yuuri. The truth is, he's just as nervous and worried that they might be directed to Victor's corpse and the following moments will be very unfortunate, but he's careful not to voice any of this.

Then, it catches his eye. Up ahead, he sees a head of silver hair and smiles. He thinks he'll let Yuuri see for himself.

But what on earth is Victor doing with that fek?]

[yokunaru]

[Eichi has a point, Yuuri tells himself. The Fek could have overpowered them at any moment if they had really wanted to, and yet there they are, prodding him and Eichi along like this instead. Even knowing this, Yuuri feels the tension thrumming through him as he cycles through several similar thoughts of what could go wrong from here.

Then, he sees the unmistakable silver hair, standing out starkly against the brown of the mud huts around them.]

Viktor...! [He chokes out in relief. While his instinct is to break into a run and reach him as quickly as possible, there's Eichi and the Fek guarding them to consider. Yuuri, determined, wraps one hand around Eichi's wrist so they won't get separated--just in case. Then, he glances at the Fek, wondering if they'll let them go now.]

[genice]

( The fact Viktor has managed to wear just the faceplate and breathing apparatus for his helmet has... to do with reasons involving sand clogging and the like. REGARDLESS, as he stands there holding water in his hands, so careful not to spill it, he hears someone calling out his name. Whipping his head around, he breaks into a smile only partially obscured by his helmet; he stays in place, because he hasn't truly been invited to leave, and instead calls out to the two familiar forms approaching.

he's so glad to see them both up and walking. so immeasurably glad. )

Yuuri! Eichi! You're both okay!

( still, he glances down at the water in his hands, pursuing his lips. ah... )

Yuuri, can you come take my mask off for me for a moment? My hands are full, and there's something I need to do.

( Namely: drink.











he's so unsure about this, but he's going to fake it until either he makes it, or he dies. the Fek escorting both the other men bring them up to the one Viktor stands besides, leaving off on their nudging and guiding as they take a step back, lifting heads to look over Yuuri and Eichi down at Viktor with his hands cupped just so. )

[finethanks]

[Eichi is silent and follows along wherever Yuuri might take him by the wrist. As they're guided to Victor by the fek, he can at least stop moving and catch his breath. As slow as the walk was, he's exhausted already, and the blood stain on his helmet is really bothering him. When will he get the chance to clean it off?

But something draws his attention despite that, as Victor requests help from his fiance. (That's right, fiance.) The liquid pooled in his hands...]

Is that water? [In his hands? From where, on this planet?]

[yokunaru]

[Yuuri takes an aborted step forward, then glances back at their escorts. When the Fek accompanying them make no move to stop him, he reaches Viktor's side with some relief. Viktor doesn't look injured--it's only then that Yuuri finally allows himself to relax.]

Your mask? [Though Yuuri lifts his hands to Viktor's face, he hesitates, exchanging a worried look with Eichi. What on Earth is going on?] Will you still be able to breathe?

[genice]

No.

( He's not going to lie to his fiancé (STILL PAINFUL TO WRITE, BTW). He keeps his voice nice and conversational, even. )

But I don't always breathe when I'm drinking anyway. If you're holding my mask, I won't fumble for it. Please.

( he's making Yuuri responsible for that, which is not strictly fair. he's still doing it. )

[finethanks]

[Yeah, he will leave it to these two. Meanwhile, though, he's going to reach a hand curiously towards one of the fek and see if they will permit him to pet them, or at least pat them.]

[yokunaru]

["No" he says, like Yuuri's supposed to feel better about doing this. Yet, what else can he do here?]

...okay, fine. [Still radiating tension, he takes the mask off as gently but quickly as he can, then holds it to his chest as he watches Viktor with obvious concern.]

[genice]

( He makes himself breathe out, lifting his hands to his mouth so he can take a mouthful of the water (warm, he notes, and oddly flavoured, in no way he precisely knows how to describe) and swallow, once, twice, before lowering his hands and turning his face, eyes open, to Yuuri again.

He really does hope he's fast with the mask. Viktor doesn't need to breathe immediately, but he'd prefer to feel this is as natural as possible. The fact he still needs to do this again to get it all down is another hurdle they're tackling together.

Meanwhile, Eichi's curiosity is rewarded by the twitch of the Fek's hide under his hand, and a curious look from the Fek in question. It likewise reaches out to touch Eichi's shoulder, mimicking the same pat or stroke. It's a bit like strange mirrors.

The Fek who had offered Viktor 'water' leans closer, snorting. Both antennae have come to a more sedate rest as it watches Viktor accept its offer, even with all the strange business between Yuuri and the face decoration that appears to be removable? )

[finethanks]

[Ah, it mimicked him! Eichi is so drawn in to playing mirror games with this Fek that he only half glances back to Victor to see what he does next. Continuing his petting strokes, and not minding the ones he's getting in return at all, he stays silent. This is calming for his heart rate...]

[yokunaru]

[Meanwhile, Yuuri’s eyes stay glued to Viktor as he waits anxiously for him to finish. Just where did he get the water, anyway? Maybe the Fek had given it to him from their supplies as some kind of peaceful gesture? Now that the three of them have been reunited, Yuuri knows that Eichi’s assessment had been correct—if the Fek had wanted to harm them, they could have done it so many times over already.

As soon as Viktor’s done drinking, Yuuri practically shoves the mask back at him, ready to help Viktor put it back on.] Everything okay?

[genice]

( Eichi will soon find the Fek has started playing with his helmet, gently and systematically looking for any sign of hidden antennae. it even tries gently rapping against the top of his helmet, to no avail.

Victor takes the mask back, sliding the relevant parts over his nose and mouth to suck in air; how he'd managed to get all that oddly almost sweet, body-warm water down he doesn't think on too hard. he gives Yuuri a thumbs up before he follows up with words, the Fek who'd been so carefully observing him shifting and dropping one front knee down to carefully lean against Victor, causing him to stumble before he leans back into the Fek. wide eyes look to Yuuri in his surprise: )

I'm fine, but I think they... anyway, if a Fek ever weeps for you? I can't believe I'm saying this, but it might be polite to drink their tears.

( it's not actually about weeping, but it sounds appropriately dramatically ridiculous, and feels close enough for now. )

[finethanks]

[Eichi laughs at the Fek's attempts, lifting his hands back to hold his helmet after the gentle tapping doesn't stop. Wah, he'll get dizzy, even from this small motion. Eventually, he turns back to look at Victor.

Maybe the fek was weeping over his failed proposals.]

That's so poetic. They really are gentle creatures, aren't they? This one is so friendly, I almost want to hug it. Fufu, but it could crush me in an instant, and I don't want to make a wrong move. I'll stand here politely, instead. [But he does move his hand back to pet the fek.]

Pet pet~.

[Mission what mission.]

That bracket meta is so savage

[yokunaru]

[Yuuri watches Eichi and the other Fek play around, his concern ebbing away slowly. Though he still has no idea what the Fek are trying to do with him and Eichi, any of the danger they'd felt at their original campsite is essentially gone.

Yuuri turns back to Viktor, shaking his head in disbelief.]

Is that what you just drank? Fek tears?

[Yuuri can't decide if knowing is actually better than not knowing in this case.]

WHERE IS THE LIE, YUURI

[genice]

For the sake of not thinking about it too hard...

( Victor shrugs, so magnanimous. )

Eichi, I think they'd be fine with hugs! Maybe.

( The Fek that's been shepherding Victor's movements takes a step toward him and Yuuri, nudging Victor forward into Yuuri. He turns it into a slinging of his arm over Yuuri's shoulders, taking steps as the Fek falls in step with them and walks them toward Eichi and his own companion. At least Eichi's Fek is no longer tapping at his helmet, having looked toward the others once Victor was pushed in motion. )

They might be wanting us to walk town again. I don't know, they've been quiet this whole time.

at least eichi didn't say it aloud, which really he could

[finethanks]

I'm so frail that I would be crushed if a hug is accidentally insulting. Do you want to try first?

[Anyone would be crushed, Eichi, don't be rude. But his joking aside, he notes the movement and shifts to stop petting, ready to move as well. He's only trying to make things light to ignore how horrible everything is right now.]

It's as if they can communicate with their eyes. In a way, it reminds me of a performance. Busy singing and dancing, but communicating clearly through the eyes of your friends and partners~. It's an art, isn't it?

Maybe they can sense that we are also performers.