His Life Continues

  Mar continues to travel… Looking for flowers and things to show to Flint. He’d had another run in with Rose during all this… And it had gotten intense.

  He flinched at the memory and touched his shoulder. It still throbbed with pain and memory. A heat rising up to it and the limb locked. Unable to move. He clutched at it.

  The memory burning behind his eyes. The whole memory… which lead to him smiling.

  ‘A quiet grass land interrupted by a teleportation beam and a wild hiss. Angry and cruel. The air shimmered with a heat.

  Rose.

  He whirled his spear hardly blocking the strike of the scythe.
  again
  again
  again

  He was being shoved down and back. And… eventually, pinning down. His spear shook as he held the blows back, till a brittle snap and a mind numbing pain. His shoulder BURNED. He writhed, which worsened it as Rose smiled.

  He refused to scream. But the held back voicing of his pain stung his throat.

  Fangs bared, “Jusst like when we were ssproutsss, huh? Floran, winning and gloating. You, losing and in pain. Ah, makesss Floran feel young.” She twisted the scythe in his shoulder, it burned. He could smell flames and burning flesh and plant matter.

  His left arm was stiff and unable to move, but the right felt around jerkily grabbing the broken spear. And without much thought, he thrust the broken thing forward, stabbing deep into Rose’s leg of flesh.

  She howled and her scythe burst to flames and dug deeper, “Fighting back, little war god~?”

  He screamed.
  And the world went green. Then black.

  He woke up on the Pirates ship, the medic sighed and calling him a moron. Hao called for Grapevine, and she burst in. Lunging into a hug which Mar dealt with but it hurt. And Grapevine pulls back, calling in…

  Flint.

  Flint’s hug was a soft warmth, a comfort. The Novakid pressed his forehead to Mar’s. Grapevine leaves while making a pretend disgusted face. Hao gives Mar permission to leave and head to his own ship.

  Flint takes Mar home… to a trashed ship. The two clean, Mar only being allowed to handle smaller tasks, due to his injury. The ship wasn’t fully cleaned by the time Mar was too tired to move, so he took Flint to the bed and both flopped on it… resting. Fingers laced together, heads pressed close.’

  He still smiled still… he found that odd considering most of the memory was scary. But it had ended with Flint and him… close and holding hands. Flint’s company was amazing and he always looked forward to it. He dug into the ground a little deeper as he was distracted.

  And his hand brushed against something.
  A rough and pitted surface.

  His hands wrapped around it and pulled it free of the dirt. Turning the bulb around in his hands he tried to figure out what it was… a voice in the back of his head whispered but he… couldn’t quite understand…

  But the bulb was dry and felt loose in his soft grip. So he beamed up. Planting the bulb in better soil, planting how it felt right.

  It was odd that he couldn’t figure out what sort of flower or plant it might be. Nothing came to mind and he tried looking it up. Maybe it was because it was old and damaged.

  He made sure it didn’t feel neglected.

  It wasn’t  picky bulb, he found out. It would take almost anything as long as its soil wasn’t dry. So of course, he kept the soil at a good level of moisture. He quietly talked to the bulb everyday while tending it. Talking about his day, about the bulb, about other bulbs, about Flint.

  He fell asleep around it one time… Cradling the large pot. And woke up to a tiny sprout.

  Not that he could tell what the heck it was. The small leaves on a rounded… stem?

  Another day…
  Another accidental nap.

  And the sprout grew.

  And he woke up. Staring at it.

  “…Floran hasss ssseen thisss sssort before.”

  The blue colored sprout giggles.

  Giggled.

  It giggled… And waved… tiny… arms…

  “…Floran… found a Floran? A Floran baby. Like the onesss from home.” Not all Floran grew from the ground he had been told. Almost numbly, he held a hand out to the tiny hands that reach for him.

  Giggling, the small thing wiggled leaning over the edge of the pot to pull on the hand… gripping the pink thumb, and biting it!

  He blinked. That was normal. He knew that, he’d worked with the little Sprouts before while back home. He let the adorable blue little baby chew on his hand, tiny pricks of pain as little fangs found skin.

  It took a moment more, but the little Floran, using the hand she was biting, pulled tiny legs from the dirt, some roots still clinging to the little blue limbs. He still watched semi-lifting the little one to his lap.

  “…Floran’sss going to call you Blue.“

  Blue giggled more, still biting on Mar’s fingers. Even as he stood and carried her around. Pacing mostly. He couldn’t take care of a sprout! He was dumb; he hadn’t recognized the bulb, he worked in the sun till he passed out. He wasn’t safe; Rose could come at any moment. He was a terrible influence; he was FRIENDS WITH PIRATES for crying out loud.

  “Floran issn’t right to take care of you…”

  The Sprout simple chewed… gnawing. Eyes big and bright. Blue, so blue….

  He called some people on the S.A.I.L. Said pirates said no, no baby sitting. He called a few of the merchants he was friends with… and they too, said no.

  So then he called Flint. Sitting among his flowers, watching the little sprout lean towards the flowers, babbling at them. He couldn’t help but smile as the sprout babbled at the flowers… and lightly batted at leaves and petals. The sprout was grinning so big, Mar forgot he was calling someone.

  Just so lightly enchanted by the little Floran.

  He had forgotten he called anyone. He was babbling along with Blue, grinning as she would shriek happily when brushing her tiny fingers against a plant. Squealing and waving her arms even more, excited! 

  Her little blue fingers reaching for green leaves that curled down as Mar laughed. And seemed to shake her tiny hand. The plants were all so soft for her.

<><><><>

  He had answered the call. And was leaning against the wall just listening to the call play. Mar’s cheerful laugh and voice bringing a bright glow right to his chest and behind his brand. He hung up after a moment, he had some.. authoritative folks to loose and then he could visit. Hear the laugh in person.

<><><><>

  He sat there with her for hours, only getting up to get the little one something to eat. Subconsciously, he supposed he decided to keep the baby. But he held the small one close and cuddled the cooing little thing.

  He hardly notices the way the plants seemed to be flourishing right at this moment.

  Of course, he did move on a bit. Having to baby proof parts of the ship. Which took a very long day to do. He had to get the baby a bed, he had heard it wasn’t the best idea to keep a little one in the bed with you all the time. Cause rolling over was dangerous. So he got a crib for the little Blue.

  Not that every time he went to sleep, he’d wake with the little Floran resting on his chest and stomach. Every time. So he caved. And got a healthy sleeping schedule, all due to a child.

  Usually it’s not like that, he’s learned.

  Healthy sleep, a bit more eating, and someone to care for. It was a good long time. And Floran, at least his sort, grew physically quick in order to survive; but still, almost a year had passed.

  It was while carefully trimming and tending her flower that he heard the teleport go off. He sat still, carefully fussing with her flower still, but eyes glancing up.

  He nearly jumps up with excitement! He hopped a little, startling Blue. Who, seeing a new figured, squealed. Hopping up and away from Mar and rushing the glowing blue man. Tackling his legs. Headbutting him right in the knees. Down he goes. Managing to fall back instead of forward, a loud clang sounding as hands and back hit the floor of the teleporter.

  “T’at’s a new greetin.’ ouch.” the buzz to the words were still perky, “An’ jus’ who might ye be?”

  The little Blue floran trilled at the glowing blue sun man. 

  He nodded. “Aye, and good ta meetcha’ too, lil’un.”

  Mar finally processed the happenings and was over hugging Flint now. A clinging hug as he spilled all that had happened while the Novakid had been away.

  After the hugging and information dump, he made tea for himself and Flint. The two sipped it as Blue messed with some toys on the floor between them. Giggling and grinning.

  “She takes after you. Jus’ look at the smile~”

  A slight buzzing laugh as Mar blushed into his mug of tea.

  “Ya gonna let ‘er stay, right? I kin… try and be around more if ya need the help.” It would be difficult, but he didn’t want to just… leave Mar now. Who would be handling two lives now.

  “…Like Floran can let her leave. Floran doesssn’t know where sshe could go. Floran only knowss ssshady people or busssy people.” His eyes sparkled as they watched the baby Floran, “Bessidesss… Floran doessn’t think Floran could let go.”

  Flint watched both the flower folk, watching Mar’s soft gleaming eyes and peaceful smile and Blue’s perky grin and playing hands. “Dun think I could either.”

  And with that, it was more or less settled. Blue was apart of the family now. Thankfully, she took easily to Flint’s frequent comings and goings. She was always happy to see him when he got back.

  And Flint liked to get back to Mar’s ship and be tackled by two lovely flowers!

  Often on days when he returned, Blue would be allowed to stay up late. And Mar would play the drums, a gift from Flint, tapping away a beat and the little one and Flint would wildly dance.

  Still, something began to nag inside of Mar.

  Blue looked like someone. The more her flower bloomed the more she looked like someone at the edge of his thoughts. But he pushes the thoughts away. Till, for the first time in ages and with Flint and Blue near him, he had his nightmare.

  Queen.
  Looming over him.

  He looked at Blue.
  That nagging feeling…

  He laughed to himself, nervously. Then shook his head. If Blue had any connection to Queen, it didn’t matter. She hadn’t come for the little sprout yet, she probably never would. He hugged closer to the little Blue. And also hugged closer to Flint.
  Closing his eyes again against the beautiful blue light.

 <><><><>

  So many wonderful days. Sad days when Flint left and happier ones when he got back. Till, one day Grapevine randomly showed up. Happily announcing that Flint could pretty much stay put unless called and warned to leave by her or Sar. 

  They questioned it of course, but she just smiled.

  And so they had time. Time to just… have quiet moments and laugh. Flint got to be there when Blue caught her first hunt -a dust bunny, which she spat right back out- and also to be there for the new crop of nightmares Mar seemed to be having.

  Blue grew a bit taller, stole Mar’s shirt at one point. Forcing him to fix that one and get a new one. Blue tried to steal Mar’s skirt pieces too, but that was a no-no.

  Blue had a “birth”day. A full year old, according to what would be the earth count. Mar smiled at thoughts of the year, as he quietly decorated for a small celebration.

  The first bit of celebration was just on the ship, cake and a few small gifts; songs and dancing. But one of little Blue’s gifts was a trip down to explore. Mar hadn’t taken her anywhere wild yet. Just to.. markets and farms. But now? He and Flint would take her somewhere quiet. Without danger. An uninhabited Lush Planet.

  Down they go.
  Beaming down, hands all held. Blue between them.

  And the exploring starts!

  Flint is cracking open crates as Mar looks for plants and things to craft with. Blue goes between the two before running off. Mar quickly following. Before hearing a… familiar sound.

  And gets a familiar feeling.

  He dashed for Blue, grabbing and picking her up right as someone’s face pushed though the lush forests foliage. Sharp fangs; narrow black eyes, and a bird shaped necklace. He knew this dust colored Floran.

  “MARSSS?” a hushed and harsh rasping whisper. But somehow loud. Too loud.

  He flinched. “Mercury..?”

  Mar’s throat burned. Tears or bile? He stepped back as Mercury stepped forward. Flint came running up behind him. A hand straying to Mar’s shoulder, covering the burn lightly so the pink Floran couldn’t hurt it.

  Blue held Flint’s leg. Mar was scared, more scared then at snakes or at falls. This must be bad…

  <“Marss? It’sss really you! Floran wasss told you were dead, gone, rotting in an Ape ssship! But here you are!”> She jerked back and made a sound off into the woods, calling off her hunt.

  <”Rossse ssaid there were sstrangersss and evil thingsss on thiss hunting ground, but it’sss jussst you! And… thisss glowing man, and a sssprout. You have a ssprout?”>

  He nodded numbly.

  Flint couldn’t understand a word being said.

  The rest of the hunt, still curious as to what had been found. But Rose knew. She knew. She had a  feeling. So ran ahead. Standing tall behind Mercury. Mar backs up almost stumbling over Blue, who scooted more behind him. As Flint stepped to be slightly in front of Mar. Pistols drawn.

  Rose smiles.
  Wicked.
  Sharp.

  And lifts a horn to her mouth.
  And Mar cowers as the most horrid sound. Loud and invading and inviting.

  They couldn’t hear who is summoned, but everyone suddenly got more on edge. And it was sudden. The pale figure stood. Red eyes staring at the little group the hunt surrounded. Mar couldn’t even shiver. Not a shake. Eyes never leaving Queen. Flint’s gaze did. Splitting between the two biggest threats, pistols shifting their aims.

  “Ain’t nobody steppin’ any closer til’ I know jus’ who I’ma ‘llowed to trust.”

  Queen looks at the figure who seemed to be threatening, but she reacted more to seeing Mar and… Blue. Mar felt the shift of her weight. The tightening of her grip on her spear as she gazed at him.

  And the confusion from seeing Blue.

  He moved.
  Finally. 

  To move Blue more behind him.

  “Whhy would you call me to look at ghhosstsss, Rossse?” Her tone almost dark, with a movement no one was truly able to follow, she stabs her spear into the ground near Mar’s feet. He flinched back. Closer to Flint. Pulling Blue with him, as defiant as she was becoming of these strangers.

  Her eyes never left Mar. Till she turned, and with the slightest gesture, the hunt followed.

  Mar didn’t waste time. He beamed the group back to the ship, and got S.A.I.L. to take them far, far away. While he slumped to the cot and held his head. Hand going for his tender shoulder. Flint’s hand got in the way.

  “She didn’ hurt any of us. We’ll be ok.” The soft static in his voice soothed the rush of hissing in Mar’s mind.

  Blue pat the knees of her dad. Pat pat pat. She had been scared, but confused. And something familiar. But still. Those Floran scared dad! 

  The three stay close till Blue dozes off. They tuck her in before going to the front of the ship. Listening to the S.A.I.L. Just… listening. Mostly to news. As depressing as Mar found this, it served a purpose. They had to know where to avoid. They couldn’t take Blue anywhere were this… RUIN was.

  Mar wanted to throw up anytime they heard of another system falling to that horrid thing. 

<><><><>

  It was a while before Mar wanted to even go on a planet again that didn’t have a huge settlement on it. But when they finally did, it was a full on ship landing and repair trip. Mar went with Blue to walk, while Flint studied the damage to the ship.

  The walk was slow, and the two Floran looked at lovely flowers. And Mar froze. Foot steps. He crouched. Pulling Blue down with him, holding her to his chest. Sounded like… heavy boots. Not Floran.

  Then came the voices.

  Mar stood. A sudden motion, that pulled Blue up with him. Now clinging to her Dad.

  “Apex! Henery, Margarita!”

  The sound of Apex and boots rushed the two and Mar felt his shoulders grabbed.

  “Who are you? How do you…?” The very loud voice trail off, “Marggy Do you think could be our little pink?”

  The second, with just as loud a voice, “Floran. Where do you hail from.”

  “Metus Vescor system. Floran wasss little and got you away from the tribe.”

  “MARGGY IT IS OUT LITTLE PINK. Along with a little Blue?”

  Mar laughed. It was two people he knew. He knew these two! Finally friendly faces he didn’t have to figure out!

  So the three, four counting Blue, beings caught up. Talking about this and that. The two apex were married to each other now. And they smiled when Mar said he had a companion. Said companion joined the conversation an  hour later. And everyone was talking and laughing and content.

  And part ways soon. The Apex had business to deal with and Flint wanted to get going.

  And so.
  Back home. Back to the ship.