Overworked [Old Version]

[Emil stumbled down the stairs. He muttered to himself about how they’re going to be the death of him one day before finally reaching his destination. What was he doing there? As the blond stood in the doorway of the burner room, that question echoed in his mind. Suddenly, steam erupted from one of the pipes, as if to answer him. He knew fixing the pipes wasn’t what he originally meant to do, but he might as well take care of that since he made it all the way down here.

There was just one problem. He had no tools to fix it with! Laughing, he held his head in his hands, wondering how he could’ve made such a careless mistake. He must have forgotten them when he... What exactly did he do last? He tallied all the medical supplies by hand, set out some food on the kitchen counter to thaw, or at least he thinks he did, he went by the gym to fix…what was it he meant to fix? Was there anything to fix? The events of the day jumbled into mush. All he knew for sure was that he’d been running around the ship so much, he could qualify for a marathon. The tools were in the burner room! Recollection smacked the lieutenant captain in the face, as did his own hand for almost going around in circles. He groaned as he walked back down the infernal staircase.

Back in the burner room, he handled the wrench carefully, not for precision’s sake, but because he wasn’t really sure what he was doing. A burst of steam nearly missed his face, and sent him tumbling backward on the floor with a yell. As he rubbed his face, the door slammed open. Jun towered in the doorway, followed by the rookie ranger Leon. Both looked frantic.]

Jun: I heard a scream!

Leon: Emil, are you okay??

Emil: I’m good!

[Though he said that, he couldn’t muster it in himself to get off the floor. Jun helped him up to his feet instead. It surprised Emil how concerned they looked. All traces of the breezy surfer were gone and replaced with someone much more alert and vigilant. It reminded him of his brother. Emil felt bad for making them worry, but also wished he could change his own demeanor that easily. Meanwhile, Leon cautiously made his way toward the steam.]

Emil: Hey Rookie, don’t get too close to that, okay? Nearly melted my face off...

Leon: Ah, don’t worry, I was just taking a closer look! [pointing at pipe] Were you trying to tighten that bolt?

Emil: Yeah…[laughs] I know a goofball like me shouldn’t be anywhere near this stuff, but I don’t know when to quit. [sheepishly] I don’t even know if I really know how to use this wrench!

Leon: Me neither, actually!

Emil: O-oh really??

Leon: Nope!

[Emil exhaled a sigh of relief.]

Jun: I could show you guys, if you feel like it.

Leon: That’d be great!

Jun: I’m gonna run by my dorm to pick up my gloves real quick.

[Jun trotted out of the room. Emil absentmindedly stretched his arms, yawned, and then slouched over.]

Emil: I know it’s bad, but I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t know how to wrench things! I thought it was something so basic, everyone knew. [chuckles]

Leon: Don’t worry about it, Emil! Besides, even if it was, we’d be glad to help you out!

Emil: Aaaah, you don’t have to do all that...But thanks!

[Jun mozied back into the room a few minutes later, wearing the standard Interstellar Forces teal gloves. Their jet-black hair swished back and forth over their right eye which gave them the carefree look Emil was used to.]

Jun: Let’s get this party started. Rox is going to kill me if I burn myself because of this but--

[Bending backwards, Jun limboed under the steam, before springing back up on the other side.]

Jun: [dryly] Tadaaa.

[Emil and Leon clap]

Jun: [bowing] Thank you, thank--

[They suddenly drew back, having almost bowed head-first into the steam.]

Jun: First lesson of wrenching. [pointing at the steam] Don’t do that!

Emil: Noted!

Jun: Were you trying to, like, tighten this bolt orrrrr….?

Emil: Yeah!

Jun: Okay, so….Actually, I should be on the other side. I’m gonna walk back around to the other side like a normal person.

Leon: Is there a way we could turn off the steam?

Emil: Oh yeah, that would probably cut down on a lot of the almost-dying going on. I thiiink it’s that valve over there?

[Leon hurried over to the valve to turn it. Steam stopped pouring from the pipe. Afterwards, Jun instructed the other two step by step on how to use a wrench, even letting them try it out for themselves.]

Jun: Sweeet, you guys got the hang of it pretty quickly!

Emil: All thanks to you, Jun! [wink, thumbs up]

Jun: I think I’m gonna go grab a bite to eat. You two joinin’?

Leon: I think I’m gonna go to the gym!

Emil: Weren’t you there earlier?

Leon: Yeah, but I figured with as much free time as I have now, I should do what I can to be in tip-top shape! I wanna make sure I’m ready the next time I use the flying gear!

[Emil had no idea what exercising would have to do with flying with the jet armor, but he didn’t ask questions. With a quick salute, Leon headed out of the room]

Emil: [cupping his hands] Don’t overwork yourself, Rookie! 

[He felt like he meant to tell Leon something. It didn’t come to mind, so maybe it wasn’t that important.]

Jun: What about you, Emil? I haven’t seen you sit down all day. Why don’t you, like... take a load off for a while, man?

Emil: You know… maybe that’s not a bad idea.

Jun: [giving thumbs up] Niiiiiiice.

[The two of them made their way back up the staircase with little problem. Emil can’t remember why he had any animosity toward it earlier. He chalked it up to overreaction.

To tell the truth, he’d been feeling a little sour lately. He didn’t like it. This mission needed a good start, that good start needed a good crew, and that good crew needed good morale from a leader who was in a good mood! Since his brother wasn’t planning on showing his face any time soon, Emil had to be that guy. He didn’t mind! Pumping people up was something he considered to be one of his best traits, but that became difficult after taking on so many jobs. He could always ask Lorenzo for more help--he was much better suited for most of this--but Emil knew his brother was already under a lot of stress and doesn’t want to add more to his plate. Furthermore, Emil knew the captain was too afraid of their crew venture out among them, even if he won’t admit it to himself. How Emil wished his brother would give them a chance.

Speaking of their crew, two of its members were already in the kitchen when he and Jun arrived. Roxie’s head snapped toward the newcomers, while Aiden only expended enough energy to make a quick glance. They sat across the table from each other. Aiden slouched, resting his chin on his hands. Emil couldn’t tell if his expression showed extreme boredom or mild interest. In contrast, Roxie looked as chipper as ever; even her curls were bouncing!]

Jun: [nodding] ’Sup?

[Emil snapped out of his daze and realized he hadn’t said anything to the others yet. That wasn’t like the enthusiastic lieutenant captain they knew. He feared they would find out something was wrong.]

Emil: [tired] Heeey guys! How are you all doing on this fine day...or night? Hard to tell in space.

[Oof. That sounded way more lethargic than he hoped. So much for enthusiasm.]

Roxie: Hi Junzie! Oh, hi Emzie! Glad you’re okay!

Emil: [laughing] Emzie?

Roxie: Yeah, I thought it was cute! I’m still trying to figure out a nickname for Aiden, though. How about Kelsie? Since your last name is Kelly?

Aiden: ...No thanks.

Roxie: [snapping] Darn. No worries! I will not cease until I find a nickname for you befitting of your stature!

[Emil sat near Roxie, while Jun took the last of the leftovers out of the refrigerator and set them on the empty counter. He turned his attention to Aiden.]

Emil: That reminds me. [to Aiden] Back when I didn’t know your name, I thought of you as the Shooting Star, cause in the jet armor, you’d go so fast that you looked like one.

[Aiden snickered.]

Emil: [laughing] You don’t have to laugh! I know it sounds corny!

Aiden: You got that right. But you said you were like, what, 14 when you first saw me?

Emil: Yeah.

Aiden: [scratching beard] Yeah, that’s about the level I’d expect for a 14-year-old.

Roxie: Well, I think it sounds great! If you guys don’t like it, I’ll use it for….something. [ominously] Someday…. 

Emil: Knock yourself out!

[Emil tapped his foot repeatedly. Chatting was a refreshing change of pace. He’d love to continue but he felt like he should be doing something else. What was it, though?]

Roxie: Emil?

Emil: [caught off guard] Huh?

Roxie: Your hair looks less poofy than usual.

[How odd. His afro usually maintained itself without that much picking throughout the day. He felt it for confirmation.  It didn’t feel that much flatter, but maybe he should’ve taken his comb with him.] 

Emil: Oh really? I haven’t had a chance to look at it recently.

Roxie: I meant metaphorically speaking.

Emil: What??

Aiden: Get used to it. She’s been speaking in riddles all day.

Roxie: Wait, I don’t remember telling you any riddles! It must’ve been hyperbole, since I tend to exaggerate things for--Anyway! Emil, what I meant to say is, the hair of your heart is less poofy.

[Emil glanced at Aiden for hope of an explanation, but he only returned a look that said “I told you so.”]

Emil: Y...You mean my chest…. hair…?

Roxie: No! Why would I even know that?? I meant--

Jun: She meant you seem tired lately.

Roxie: Yeah! That’s what I was saying! 

Aiden: Then why didn’t you say that instead of--you know what? [shrugs] You do your thing.

Roxie: Thank you~

[Chuckling at Aiden and Roxie, Jun sat at the end of the table with a freshly heated up lunch.]

Emil: Aww man. I guess I didn’t do a great job of hiding it, huh?

Jun: I mean...We did see you almost fall down the stairs earlier.

[Emil could feel his face flush with embarrassment. From this table, there was a clear view of the staircase. Deciding to laugh instead, he opted to cover his face in dramatic shame.]

Emil: I can’t believe you saw me at my lowest moment! My image is ruined~

Roxie: Don’t give up hope! You can rise from this, like a phoenix from the ashes! But I also meant to tell you that me and Mia organized the medical supplies so that they’d be easier to keep track of next time!

Emil: O-oh! Thank you so much, Roxie. Tell Mia I said thanks too! Really, that’s so kind of you guys, I-I’m kind of at a loss for words...!

Roxie: Awwww, any time! And about counting the medical supplies--I’ll handle it next time if you want. The infirmary is my domain as well! I will protect it with my life! And that way you’ll have one less thing on your hands.

Emil: Roxieeeeee, you’re too kind! But I’m not sure I wanna put all the work on you. Would you really be okay with it?

Roxie: It’s just the infirmary! You can have the rest of the ship, still.

Emil: Hmmm…..You know what? I’ll think about it!

Roxie: [saluting] Aye-aye, lieutenant captain! By the way, did Rookie ever get to ask you his question?

Emil: Huh? I don’t think he asked me anything earlier, but my memory hasn’t really been “reliable” lately, so maybe it just slipped the ol’ noggin.

Roxie: I think Jun and Leon were going to ask--

Jun: Slow down Rox, I think I wanna save it for when Leon gets back.

Roxie: Oh! Good idea!

[A little while later, a thud can be heard coming from the direction of the gym. It finally occurred to Emil what he forgot to tell Leon.]

Emil: [running toward the gym] Oh shoot oh shoot ohshootohshootoshoot!

[His suspicions were confirmed when he got to the scene. A big hunk of the chest machine had fallen, missing Leon by the skin of his bucked teeth. Emil originally went to the burner room to retrieve the tools needed to fix it properly after noticing it was a little wobbly. It all flooded back to him but he was too late. The weight of his mistakes almost crashed down on someone else’s head.]

Emil: Rookie, are you alright??

Leon: Yeah, just a little shaken up, but I’ll be fine!

Emil: [facepalming, horrified] Oh man, I am so sorry for not telling you about that, you could’ve been--!!

Jun: Oh good, you guys are okay! I’m gonna get a major workout with all this running around. You guys know I’m too old for this, heh.

[Emil looked behind him to see that Jun, Roxie, and a straggling Aiden followed him to the gym.]

Roxie: [highly concerned] Is everything alright?? Leon, you’re not hurt, are you?

Leon: I’m fine, I’m fine!

Aiden: What’s this toolset doing over here? [to Leon] Did you mess something up?

[Aiden picked up a toolset over by the broken machine. It was the same one Emil had been using earlier.]

Emil: Rookie, what were you doing with that?

Leon: Oh, I saw that the chest machine was a little unstable and tried to fix it!

Emil: You could’ve called me to do that!

Leon: I know, but…. I wanted to see if I could handle this myself!

Emil: Leon…[sigh]

Leon: I was going to ask you earlier if you needed my help with anything! You’ve been doing so much for the ship, it’s the least I could do! Then I remembered this machine being broken and figured I’d surprise you! ….It sure was a surprise, alright...Sorry.

Jun: [to Emil] Yeah, me and him were gonna ask if you had any chores you could hand over to us. It didn’t feel right sitting back while you worked yourself to death.

Emil: You guys really thought I was working myself to death? Are you sure you have the right guy?

Aiden: Who else has been running around the ship like a chicken with its head cut off the past few weeks?

Emil: Even you, Aiden?

Aiden: It’s not like I was gonna volunteer to work, but...I am getting bored to tears sitting around the kitchen. Plus, you’re starting to look like you’re barely holding it together.

Emil: But I’ve hardly done anything at all today! I had to get Jun to teach me how to use a wrench, I forgot to fix this machine that nearly flattened Rookie, I forgot to thaw the food out--Oh gosh!! I forgot to thaw the food out!!! See?? I’m not….I’m not really responsible or organized enough to have a real reason to be tired. I’m just a silly, carefree kinda guy, and probably just tired from pulling my weight for once!

Aiden: If by your weight you mean the weight of the entire ship, then okay. Whatever floats your boat I guess….

Jun: Yeah man, you seem a little overworked. Your brain’s all jumbled up from doing a lot lately. You’re underselling your hard work.

Roxie: You’ve been a rock carrying us to shore! You lift us on your shoulders like a titan! I think you even gave me a piggyback ride one time, but that’s beside the point! [serious] As a medical student, I can say with certainty that all this stress is going to wear down on your health sooner or later, and we all need to be strong if we want to survive this trip!

Leon: We’re a crew! It’s not fair for you to do all the work for us. If we help each other, we’re sure to succeed!

['We’re a crew.' It seemed so obvious to Emil now. This ship wasn’t just him and his brother. The others were there to help, too!]

Roxie: [pumping fist] By the power of friendship!

Leon: Yeah! [pumping fist] By the power of friendship!

Jun: [half-heartedly pumping fist] Yeah, what they said. [to Emil] But honestly, dude, just take it easy for a little while, okay? We got your back, ‘cause we don’t want you to lose your spark.

[Jun lightly fistbumped Emil in the shoulder.]

Emil: Wow, you….you guys. I guess I wasn’t wrong when I said I had the best crew in the universe! You guys really are great! I--wow, I really can’t believe you all….I can’t believe you all care so much about little ol’ me!

Jun: Ch’yeah~

Roxie: Of course!

Leon: Who wouldn’t?....Aiden? Aren’t you going to agree with us?

Aiden: [to Emil] I mean, I don’t know you like that, but I also don’t wanna see the ship crash and burn when you do, so don’t overdo it next time.

Emil: Haha, I won’t! And if I somehow do, you’re all free to tell me to sit down.

[Aiden gave a thumbs-up to that statement.]

Leon: I’ll go see if I can make something for us to have for dinner!

[Before anyone else could say anything, Leon ran off to the kitchen]

Jun: Yo, Aiden. Stay here and help me fix this chest machine thing. Roxie, I’m probably going to need your help, too.

Roxie: Okay! I should probably bring a first aid kit just in case any accidents happen!

[Roxie bounded in the same direction as Leon]

Jun: [to Emil] So, what do you plan on doing? Nothing that involves work, I hope.

Emil: Naaaah, don’t worry about it! ‘Sides, I’m feeling kind of sore anyway. I think I’m gonna chill out in the kitchen and watch some TV. That way Rookie’ll have some company! But don’t think I won’t check on you guys every so often~ [wink] Be seein’ you guys!

Jun: [wave] Later! 

[Emil headed to the kitchen, filled with love for his new friends.]