Unity Station

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Just outside of Imperium space, a small but well equiped research station.

Unity is a joint venture between multiple worlds, hence the name. Xenobiology, anthropology and astronomy are some of the things researched here.
There's a small school, a few shops, one or two tiny restaurants and a coffee shop but generally speaking, the majority of the inhabitants are either researchers or family of researchers.

The chief of medicine is an insectoid woman named Yessalia.
Chief of security is a man named Tias.

"Wait, like... magically?" Ellie whispered. She was bad at being subtle, yep. "Or do they just make things in the science-y way?"

"Science, of course. Though there are a couple here that can use magic." Kerr said quietly. "Not the same as us, but it is magic."

"Ooooh," Ellie whispered. "That's so cool. Is magic super secret for them, do you know?" People on Vestia didn't hide their magic much, but maybe people elsewhere did hide it, she wasn't sure.
She chose some more cat food from a shelf and added it to the cart.

Kerr shook his head then shrugged "They don't hide it, but then, they're from people who usually have magic so they don't have to." He said before going to look at the litter.

"That makes sense. I guess if your species is known for magic, you can't really pretend you don't have it," Ellie mused. She put some cat food in the cart, and casually picked up a cat toy to add in too. They were supposed to focus on the essentials first, but she couldn't resist.

Kerr nodded then looked to Ellie again and smiled as she picked up a toy. He looked back to the supplies, picking a couple of boxes and bowls.

Ellie smiled back, and continued helping to pick stuff out for the kittens. She didn't often need to spend money since Vestia basically let everyone live there for free these days, so she was fine with spending quite a bit of money on cat supplies.
She totally wanted to spoil her adopted nieces and nephew!

Once they had picked out enough basic supplies, the kids were happy to look over the toys for the 'best' ones to get for the three kittens. Soon enough they would be finished with that though and ready to check out.

Ellie headed with the kids to the counter to pay for everything, grinning. "I guess next we'll need to set up a room for the cats," she told the kids once she'd paid, "Or will they be staying in your rooms or something?"

"Can we keep them in our rooms?" Kerr asked. He really wanted to and it would keep them together.

The doctor was happy enough to show Dawn around if she wanted.
It was fairly quiet here right now. Scientists didn't generally explode themselves TOO often around here.

--

Esk grunted vuagely at Ethan but kept walking. He was wobbly but stubborn enough to keep going. He didn't WANT help, he wanted to be back to normal damnit and he wasn't coping very well with the vulnerability. He should have been used to getting hurt and being useless for a while but it never got any easier to handle.

"Yeah, you can totally keep the kittens in your rooms!" Ellie said. "I mean, if your parents and siblings don't mind of course. I can't, like, speak for them because I'm just an auntie, but I totally do think you can do that." She grinned.

~~
Ethan went to follow Esk, doing his best to pretend to ignore Asher and Kay. What? He felt like Esk should have an ally against Vestia's medical staff, but he didn't want to actually look at them or anything.

Asher looked to Kay. "Should we leave them alone, maybe?" he asked quietly. Somehow he didn't think Esk wanted a three-person escort. And honestly he wasn't quite ready to spend time around Ethan yet.

Kerr smiled at that and nodded "We have our own rooms but they are connected, so the kittens can still play together." He was excited about this and helped to load the bags, keeping the carriers out.

"That's great, it'll be nice for them to keep each other company," Ellie said. "And it'll give them more room to play. Maybe when they're older, they'll be able to explore more of the ship too, that'd be cool."
She'd take one of the bags, hanging it on her shoulder so she could steady it with her arm. She picked up one of the carriers with her good hand. A little ungainly, but not too bad.

The kids picked up what they could, the heaviest stuff being sent to Vestia for them. "Yeah, it will be nice. I hope everyone likes them."

Kay watched Esk and Ethan warily, frowning deeply. He was reluctant to let Esk go off on his own, even though sure Ethan was there and it wasn't like he could personally do much if Esk collapsed anyway eugh.
He bit his lip and nodded slowly. Asher was right of course.

"They'll all love them," Ellie said sagely. "Everyone loves kittens. Are we gonna set up this stuff in your rooms before going to get the kittens, or after?"

~~
Ethan was just staying near Esk as they headed back toward Vestia, doing a pretty decent job pretending like he didn't care whether or not anyone followed. Although his occasional glance back did kind of betray him.

"We don't have to leave them if you'd rather make sure Esk gets home safely," Asher told Kay quietly. It was clear that Kay was worried and, well, that worry was completely justifiable given the situation.

Kerr thought about that, looking to Vela then shrugging "We can drop it off then get the kittens."

"Sounds good," Ellie said. She headed with the kids for Vestia. "I wonder if she expected this. She probably did, knowing us." She looked amused. "Or at least, knowing me. She doesn't know you guys as well yet."

Kerr and Vela chuckled at that, it was true and a little funny. "Well, we did ask if anyone was allergic." Kerr said with a shrug

"Yeah... I'm sure she expected a kitten or two. If she's sensible she'll realize that of course we were going to adopt at least three though," Ellie said with a laugh. "I hope she has bots that can take this stuff up to your rooms or at least that floor. She's been low on bots ever since the battle though." She frowned.

Kerr frowned a little then nodded. "Did anyone ask our relatives to make some more? Or are they too complicated to?"

"I think bots must be too complicated or something, as far as I know, nobody's summoned any into existence yet," Ellie mused. "I know the nerds are trying to build some more the old fashioned way, but that takes time," she added.

"Cool" Kerr said with a shrug. He knew it was likely too complicated for him, but he was just a kid.

Ellie nodded in agreement.

They reached Vestia's ramp at that point, and the ship's camera tilted toward them in greeting. "Hey guys! I take it you decided to get kittens, then," Vestia said, angling her camera toward the stuff they were carrying.

Kerr grinned at Vestia's camera and nodded "We are getting three of them, one each." He said happily.

"Three kittens! Okay then," Vestia said.

Tala, who had been hanging around the ramp to keep an eye out for anyone trying to board, wandered over to see what was happening at that point. "You are acquiring cats?" she asked. "They are not sapient, I hope."