Upon Vestia: Chapter Ten

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Matt pulled him into a tight hug. "it's okay..." He sounded more like he was trying to reassure himself.

Merith blinked, nodding at the woman. "Of course."

"Most species have the opportunity for each individual to find their own purpose. A child can grow up to be a pilot, or a teacher, or an inventor. But some of us don't get that opportunity," he said softly. "There are so many who create, and are simply unable to let their creations choose for themselves. They just have to decide for them."

Armin finished the message to his family on Defiant, explaining why he would be delayed in his return home.
He explained about the slavers, and the dangers on the streets now to humanoid and non humanoid alike. He told them in detail about the incredible ship he was aboard, and the fascinating and varied people on board.
He promised he would be home soon.

---

Matt went to go get something to eat, all that tidying up was hungry work.

He found Kay in the kitchens, hunched on the counter top and eating from a torn open box of cereal. There was stuff scattered across the floor.
Matt looked bemused.

"I take it I have to clear this up too then?" He smiled.

Kay shoveled another handful of sugary cereal into his mouth. You could be useful and help me open the milk.

Matt burst into laughter. "Sorry.. sorry just... Sure, milk. Can you even use a spoon?"

Kay glared. I'll figure something out.

Matt got him a bowl and milk for his cereal.

"How long you gonna be stuck like this then?"

Asher thinks I shouldn't shift for a few days. I think he can fuck off.

Matt blinked. Wow, Kay really was in a bad mood. He wasn't usually quite so well.. rude.
"So you're gonna just ignore doctors orders?"

He's not a doctor and I outrank him.

Matt shook his head. "Just be careful okay? He's not the only one worried about you. Don't go like.. overdoing it."

You know full well I hate bedrest.

"Yeah I know. Still, maybe just deal with being well... this for a bit?"

Kay's eyes narrowed.

"Oh come on, it's not THAT bad right?" Matt continued.

Kay held up one taloned hand and glared at it disdainfully.

"It's only a couple more days... "

I'll go mad.

"Better than overdoing it and ending up sicker though right?"

I don't think any of you fully appreciate how difficult it is to be stuck in this form. I can't take care of myself. I can't even turn the damn shower on, or dress myself, or open a damn bottle of milk. Can you understand how frustrating and demoralizing that might be?

Matt lowered his head. "Yeah... that's gotta be rough. But, would shifting again cause you to pass out again? And how long can you maintain it? you only just woke up after nearly 2 days man, you gotta rest up a bit surely?"

I don't know. I need to speak to Starr. He awkwardly picked up the bowl and lapped at the contents.

Matt tried not to stare. "Just try to take it easy, at least for a few hours okay? And don't be too hard on Asher, he cares about you, he just wants you well again. "

I know.

"Yeah well it's worth reminding you again. You'd nag the shit out of us for ignoring medical advice, so we'll nag you okay?" Matt smiled.

Kay tried to set the bowl down and nearly dropped it.

I don't know how to explain this to the rest of the crew either.

Matt shrugged. "You took the bracelet off. Honestly people don't really tend to ask for much more elaboration. Least not that i've noticed. Besides, you're excellent at making shit up on a fly, you'll be fine."

I don't want to have to explain. I'm tired, my head hurts, my throat hurts and i'm pretty sure i've got some sort of virus.

"Maybe you should go back to bed?"

Sleeping isn't going to improve the situation.

Matt chuckled. "Yeah I know, you refuse to rest when there's work to be done. Just.. try not to overwork yourself like you usually do okay? If you're already sick there's no sense making yourself sicker."

What else is there to eat?

"I'll fry up some eggs or something. Just get off the counter. Why are you even up there?"

I couldn't reach anything from the floor.

Matt tried very hard not to laugh as he made a late lunch for the two of them.

The Creator shrugged, " I agree it is not fair, but some species are lost without a purpose. I suspect though many Androids would not be if given a chance." She said kindly before nodding for Merith to follow, "See you soon asher." She said heading out to somewhere more private to speak to Merith.

Asher nodded curtly as she left, and returned his full attention to the counter he was scrubbing, trying to divert his cores away from his own anger, and back to something productive. As soon as Kay was well again, he was going to take a day off--maybe even two days off--and relax by fixing shuttles or something.
And no more talking to creators, he told himself, he was way too emotionally invested in that topic.

Merith followed along his Creator, noting Asher's curt posture. He wondered how the android felt when he looked at him following his own Creator around so effortlessly. Concerned, he called for Vanessa, who called for Quinn.

The shadow fox slid itself into the room Asher was in. "Hello!" She said cheerily, giggling a bit.

Asher looked up, carefully wiping all anger from his face, and smiling in greeting. "Hello, what brings you in here today?"

"Merith is concerned for you." Quinn said simply. The shadow balled up, peeled itself from the wall, circled the room a few times before squishing itself back onto the wall. The fox unfurled itself, but was upside down, her paws on the ceiling. The shadow hummed, "You are angry?"

"I would like to talk to you about Heny.." She said while glancing ouf the window, softly closing her eyes. "I...wouldnt normally offer this, but she deserves so much more then what she been given..."

Asher almost lied out of habit ("of course I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?"), but after a moment he sighed and went with the truth. "She believes that some species must be created with a specific purpose. I believe that individuals should be free to choose their own paths. It does annoy me somewhat, for reasons that should be apparent."

After eating, rather awkwardly and messily mind, Kay would thank his brother, try to help tidy up, just make things worse, resulting in being banished by Matt.
He went to go to find Starr while Matt cleared up.

Starr was in her room, watching a video quietly and thinking.

Kay hesitated, then tentatively knocked well... rather he tapped on the door with his claws.

Starr blinked and looked at the door before going to open it. "Oh, hello Kay. How are you feeling?"

Kay shrugged. I believe i'm coming down with something so don't come too close. He told her.

Starr nodded and took a step back then smiled softly. "I left your amulet on your bedside table for when you are strong enough to shift again. It should hold you to whichever form you choose until you decide to change. That includes the wolf, though there isn't much I could do beyond that."

He nodded. So it will not shatter like the last one? And I should be able to shift while wearing it yes?

"Correct, you will only shift when you will it. "Starr said and smiled

He nodded. Thank you Starr. I owe you a debt of gratitude i'm not certain I can ever repay, but thank you. He bowed his head, which looked rather comical on that long neck.

Starr smiled at him then shook her head. "I like to do things for my friends, now go and rest. We wouldn't want to be walking around and get the babises sick."

Merith blinked, looking over at the Creator with a puzzled but wondrous expression. "What do you intend?"

~~~~~~

The fox spirit suddenly bounced excitedly. "Ah, an ethical question. A moral question. A philosophical question." Quinn was ultra-giddy now. "Miz' Vanessa said Philosophy is a heavy part of the Entropium culture. So... Maybe I could help? Vanessa won't be upset at me skipping class if it's to pursue philosophic debate..." She giggled like a child who successfully stole a cookie.

Babies? Oh... right, Asher had mentioned hatchlings. More children on board. Matt must be delighted.

He nodded again. He had no intention of resting, but he was going to try to avoid contact with those who weren't already ill.

Thank you Starr. There was no point lecturing her about taking risks when things had worked out okay, besides, he was rather too grateful to her right now to be mad at her for the shuttle incident. I'll let you get back to whatever you're doing.

Asher smiled slightly at Quinn's enthusiasm. "I don't think help is required, exactly. The sad truth is that people create and abuse life, and it's going to happen whether I approve or not." He scrubbed the counter busily.

Starr chuckled softly and looked to the screen. "Thinking and watching old movies." She said then shrugged. "Mostly thinking on if I chose the right paths"

Right paths? What do you mean? Kay asked.

"I could...theoretically 'reset' her mentally back to what she was to be orignally. I could also add the original fail safe I made so at she would be able to store bitter memories and not be effected as near as bad."

"In life. I was offered a way to free the star dragons, but it would mean that the owners would have tech that would do the same things, without our conscience." Starr said