[[Backsim]] PNPC Lt. JG Rhodium Wells - Queen Bee is Passie?
Teayl Thorn
((Forest clearing, some distance from the Farm, Endicronimus V))
Rhodium crouched at the edge of the hollow, the xeno-botanist's gaze softened as she watched the slow, radiant patterns ripple across Millie’s dome. She glanced up at the towering canopy above them, then back to Kel.
Wells: This forest is old, even for me. It knows how to cradle dangerous children. She chose well, and so did you. ::glancing at Kel::
She straightened, offering Kel a little shrug.
Wells: And… I am sorry about your shuttle, Commander. She did not mean to break it.
Kel: ::smiling:: Kids. What can you do?
Om-Zora: Response
Rhodium brushed her hand over a nearby tree trunk. Taking a moment to appreciate its immense age and the energy it took to create a living organism so large and old. A misty, crooked grin on her face. Soon, the tree and many other things in this clearing would die, converted into food for Millie’s growth, depending on how big she got. It was sad in a way, but it was also the way of things. Life. Growth. Change. The Xeno-Hauticulturalist was slightly concerned that Millie's prolonged dormant stage in the tree in the Ronin Arboretum and then her rocky descent to the planet might have stunted her growth, but only time would tell.
Kel circled the juvenile Star-Jelly before looking between Om-Zora and Rhodium.
Kel: I think we should let her rest for now. Tomorrow I'll get a team down here to clean up the shuttle and set up some equipment so we can keep an eye on her growth.
Millie’s glow flared erratically, red pulses skimming across her dome like a warning light.
Wells: ::head tilting:: Oh. I don’t think she likes the idea of you taking her passie.
Om-Zora: Response
She grinned back, amused at Kel’s questioning look.
Kel: You mean she likes it there? The Queen Bee is now some kind of decoration for a child's room?
Wells: ::shrugging:: Close enough. She’ll suck all the energy out of it and probably convert the hull to useful matter for herself. But she should be fine without it. You can take it or leave it, up to you. But she is probably gonna remember this. And you don't want an angry adolescent Cosmozoan lifeform hunting you down one day to convey their displeasure about childhood trauma. Trust me on that!
Om-Zora: Response
Kel: That's not going to go over well. Sounds like a problem for tomorrow Kel.
Wells: Ah, the art of delegating responsibility to one's future self.
Om-Zora: Response
Kel: What do you say we beam back to the Ronin. I have some Saurian Brandy hidden in lab 4 if anyone's interested.
Skipping over gleefully like a forest sprite, silver hair sticking out in every direction from the rough landing, Rhodium slipped her arm through Kel’s and gently tugged at Om-Zora’s yellow plumage, drawing them closer together.
Wells: Oui! Come on, Om-Zora! Count me in, Kel, and you can tell us about your host's first wife! Also, who is Rox? And why will she rip off Mr Poagie’s lobes! And what is Captain Niac like these days! Oh—and chérie—how do you keep your feathers so bright and soft? Is it diet? Grooming? I must know.
Om-Zora: Response
As they made their way back toward the battered Queen Bee to await transport, Wells continued cheerfully interrogating them, her voice echoing through the trees—while behind them, Millie’s glow settled into slow, contented pulses.
[Tags / End for Wells]
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Science Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
As simmed by
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14