Kialu



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    [What does hand flex mean, question?] Rocky asks from where we're huddled together on the floor, watching the 2005 adaption of Pride & Prejudice.

    "It's uh—" I hit pause, search for the right word. "Have we had yearning in the vocab yet?"

    ——

    or: two years and seventeen days after reaching Erid's orbit, the climate control in the biodome breaks

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    01 Aug 2026

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    "Rocky did not understand human names and titles when we met. Eridian names longer, give information on Eridian's home, associations, skills." For the first time in ages, he positioned two of his arms together, forming the design that Grace thought of like a family crest, a single design bisected.

    "You should teach me to read those before we get to Erid, so I can be polite." As Grace considered the linework, already picking up on some vague ideas from the shapes in Rocky's carapace, something else occurred to him. "So… I picked 'Rocky' because your outer shell looks like stone."

    "And for inspirational story of athlete who defeats human system of poverty to become great champion. Eye of the tiger."

    "Retroactively, yeah." Grace bent at the hips, getting to Rocky's 'eye' level. "So what'd you name me?"

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    27 Jul 2026

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    “Grace?"

    Grace shakes his head, bringing himself back into the moment. “Sorry, Rock. What’d you say?”

    “What Grace want for birthday,” Rocky repeats himself, tone more insistent this time.

    “Y’know,” Grace says, deciding an unrealistic idea is better than no idea at all, “I think I want a hug from my best friend. If you can figure that one out, you’ll never have to get me another birthday gift again.”

    “Rocky will continue to get Grace gifts anyway.” Grace flushes at the declaration, which he does not want to address. Rocky is quiet for a moment after, tapping his claws on the ground in thought. And before Grace can tell him he was just joking, don’t worry about it, just make him some xenonite barbells so he doesn’t lose these muscles so fast, Rocky is perking up and skittering to leave the room again. “Rocky know how to get Grace gift! Will take some time. Late gift. Will make up for it next Earth year.”

    (Or, the one where Rocky's birthday present to Grace ends up getting a little out of hand.)

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    26 Jul 2026

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    “Grace promise to be very calm about many things immediately,” Rocky said, his voice low and serious. “Grace promise now.”

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    22 Jul 2026

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    “Hold still, lovely alien,” the Eridian croons, snapping a claw closed around the hem of my cardigan. “♫♬♩ will be so gentle, yes.”

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    20 Jul 2026