Upon Celestial Tiger: Chapter One

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A small, fast space yacht. The last owner named it Celestial Tiger.

Three small bedrooms (with bunks), one bathroom. Very small storage hold. combined dining/living area. Everyone's going to hate each other by the end of this road trip.

https://i.servimg.com/u/f11/19/46/08/46/small_10.jpg

Ethan looked up when Starr came out, and nodded in greeting. He hesitated, not sure whether he should say anything or not. "Good morning," he said after a bit.
Caring about people was weird, he was still a long way from being used to it.

Starr looked to him when he spoke, she had thought he was 'asleep' and dipped her head at ignoring him when she came out. "Morning." She replied softly then glanced to Tala before heading for the galley for sustenance.

Tala was still asleep, although she'd probably wake up soon at the sound of other people moving around the small ship. Yesterday had been pretty tiring for her.

Ethan went back to sort of looking at his book, although he wasn't really focusing on the words. He wasn't going to follow Starr to talk at her while she ate, that would be weird.

Swarm just kept an eye on everyone, not bothering with pleasantries for the time being. They'd learned long ago that most humanoids preferred not to have to talk much this early in the morning.

Starr found something to eat and sat down to eat in the galley just to keep the food in the one area. Without an incubator, she would be forced to go back to her eggs soon enough.

Ethan set down the book he had been reading, and Tala's ears twitched, before she woke up with a snort.

Ethan jumped.

Tala stumbled and braced herself against the wall, shot Ethan an annoyed look with ears pinned back, then went to go find breakfast. She grunted a greeting to Starr, still trying to remember how to speak Common. It always took her a bit to remember.

Starr looked to Tala and smiled a little "Hi"

Tala blinked a couple times, then cow-smiled at Starr. "Good morning. You have found sustenance of satisfactory nature?"

Starr tilted her head then nodded "Yes, I found some good food."

"Excellent." Tala helped herself to a small pile of apples, and picked one up to take a large bite from. She chewed for a bit, then said, "You are otherwise all right?"

Star paused before answering "Yeah, I'm alright" She said though even she didn't sound so sure about that. She felt physically fine, but even she knew that emotionally and mentally, she wasn't fine. Not that she wanted to say anything about it yet. She started eating again so she could finish. "I am thinking of sending the two non-viable eggs into a sun or something so the shells can't be used."

Tala nodded. She could tell Starr wasn't really okay, how could Starr be after what had happened? "The shells are desirable?" She asked.

Starr nodded "Yes, they hold magic easily, so they are exemplary in making amulets and such from."

Tala considered that. "You would not wish to use the shells yourself, because they are your own," she said, guessing.

Truth was, she hadn't thought of that and wasn't sure what to answer. All she had thought about was keeping them from being taken and used by keepers. She shrugged after a moment, still uncertain.

Tala nodded and started eating another apple. "Do as you see fit. They are yours."

Starr nodded and finished eating then got up to clean her dishes "I should get back to them anyway, They have to be kept warm."

"Be well, Starr. If you desire, we could request Rigel to construct you an incubator, as we do in the cities on Haakon for the premature young," Tala said.

Starr paused at that offer and looked back to Tala "That would be good" She said after a moment. "Though I have one or two on Vestia, so if we get to them soon, it won't be needed."

"No harm in having one more, and we're still weeks from the meeting point," Tala said. "Speak to Rigel, he will assist you."

Starr nodded and glanced around "I will, after he gets up." It was still rather early in the morning after all.

"Good." Tala cheerfully demolished another apple. "We will depart this station sometime today, I think. If you desire any supplies, it would be well for us to buy them here."

Starr nodded and went to sit with her eggs for a while, at least until Rigel got up to talk to him.

Rigel nodded and smiled "You take that and rest as well as you can, Ethan or I will fly when we need to." He said to reassure her.

"Are.. we leaving already?" Luka winced, sipping the water and cringing. "I didn't... do anything hugely regrettable last night did I?"

"No, you just won a drinking game against an idiot then we came back together." Rigel answered "And we aren't leaving yet, likely today, just not right now."

Luka frowned, nodding slowly and carefully. Her brain felt like mush. "Good... " She set her head back down on her pillow. "I.. i'm gonna... sleep more..." She smiled weakly at Rigel. "thank you.."