"So, what's your deal?"
It had only been a few weeks since the Aurora launched, but goodness did Solace feel the loneliness that space travel brought. He didn't know anyone on this ship, and so he'd wandered through the corridors - the cafeteria being full of friend groups - for somebody he could talk to. Somebody alone, so that he didn't have to worry about being pushed out of the conversation.
Earphones in, sweeping the floor, Solace had found what he'd hoped would be a new friend. And how right he was.
The man he'd asked took an earphone out as to show he was engaged in the newfound conversation and shrugged. "I don't have one. I'm just the janitor,"
"Aren't you meant to be on lunch break?"
"Probably? It's too loud in there, though. Can't listen to my music,"
"Whatcha listening to?"
The janitor chuckled. "Rocket Man. Elton John. I know, I know. I made a whole playlist before we left,"
"I wish I'd done that. It would've filled the silence a bit,"
"You don't go in the cafeteria much either?"
"Not unless I have to. Just to pick up lunch and extras for Jonesy,"
"Jonesy?"
"The cat,"
"Ohhh... Like in the film. Is he actually called that?"
It was Solace's turn to shrug. "Probably not. It's what I call him though, and he answers to it - though, he'll answer to anything so long as I'm holding food,"
The man laughed. "Always the way. So how about you? What's your name?"
"Solace. Yours?"
"Ryley. It's honestly great to meet someone on this damn ship. Sweeping these halls on my own was getting real dull,"
"Are you actually gonna take a break? I don't mean going to the cafeteria. Just stop sweeping for a couple minutes. I accidentally bought more food than I needed,"
"Sure. I've got this earphone, if you want to borrow it. It's clean enough, right...? I don't have anything to clean it with," Ryley inspected the earbud closely, wiped it on his clothes, then passed it to the other man.
"You're not diseased or anything, it'll probably be fine. Besides, a couple days in the infirmary saves me from doing my job, right?" Solace grinned and put the earphone in his right ear. "Man, I haven't listened to music in ages now... Weird to say, huh,"
The pair of new friends took a seat in the wide corridor, backs pressed against the wall. "So... You had food?" Ryley reminded.
"Oh, yeah. Any preference?" The two bags of freeze-dried food were laid out in front of the pair. Both were taken, one by each man.
"I'll eat anything. Besides, do you even know what's in either of them? I know they both say they're food but I've always questioned it,"
"At least the desserts are decent,"
"Oh yeah. Can't imagine what I'd do if they got rid of those," they both laughed at the janitor's comment.
A few minutes of silence passed as the pair ate lunch before Ryley spoke up again. "So, what's your job here?"
"I'm technically just a passenger, I'm not a member of the main crew. But I know some physics stuff, so they come to me if they need something calculated. Usually if they can't do it, or can't be bothered to,"
"So you're smart, huh,"
"Not when it comes to normal things. I can do mathematics but can't easily make friends. I wasn't smart enough to bring headphones with me on my trip, or make a playlist. So I guess being smart doesn't really mean much,"
"I guess you're right. Never really thought about it that way. Oh, I think your little friend smelled our food and came running,"
And so he had. Jonesy had rounded the corner and was slowly approaching the pair. "If you think you're getting any of my food, you can forget about it!" Solace reached out towards the ship's cat, teasing him. "You can have a treat, though,"
Ryley watched as the cat came closer to accept the treat. "I see him around sometimes. He helps me whenever things need fixing - well, I say he helps... he just lies in front of whatever I need to work on, and will not move until you pet him enough,"
"Oh, yeah, a real nuisance, this one. Lucky he's cute and deserves the pets,"
Jonesy had finished the treat and was now investigating Ryley. "Real lucky. I don't have anything for you, kitty. Get your paws away from my pockets,"
"I bring treats with me all the time. You can get them from the cafeteria, if you ask nicely,"
"I can get in there anyway, I'll probably swing by and pick them up when it's empty,"
The music playing in the shared earphones faded, a harsh ping of a notification replacing it. "Break's over already?" Solace questioned, pulling Jonesy away from the janitor and into his arms. Ryley nodded and stood up, PDA in hand.
"Yep. They want me in the seamoth bay. Probably have to turn something off and on again. Thanks for lunch, see you around?"
"I hope so. Thank you for the music. Don't let me steal this from you," the physicist handed the earbud back to its owner after standing up himself.
"Take care, alright? You and Jonesy,"
"You too, Ryley. Good luck with the Moths,"
"I think I'll need it,"
So... Ryley and Solace meet, and are quick friends. Hopefully all goes well and they don't lose their desserts or anything like that... :P
(This took me ages to write and I couldn't even format it as I'd hoped, but I think my writing was ok and I hope you do too!)
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