OTP Ask Game: ChertFels!!
Sorry it took so long!
Answering in one go to not spam the feed :3
Long post below👇
@kirtini Asked:
11 for all four categories!!
Firsts: If they have one or more hatchlings, what is the first one's name?
Haha, this is a spoiler for the latest chapter of Satellite. Chert and Hornfels are indeed expecting a hatchling :3
I am loathe to give away their name before I post the next chapter, though 😅 Let's just say it starts with 'F'...
Intimacy: How much time do they like to spend together? All, barely anything, or something in between?
It's a mix with these two. They're both pretty dedicated to their work because they enjoy what they do. Of course, Chert being an astronaut means they aren't even on planet much, but I do imagine they are in regular radio contact with Hornfels on those occasions (this will change quite drastically for a while following their hatchling's hatchday).
Then you have Hornfels, who seems to take 'workaholic' to a new level with how they apparently 'live' at the museum (Slate) and are 'never seen anywhere else' (Spinel).
So my reckoning is that they are most likely to spend time together when they are working together, perhaps when doing surveys on planet, reviewing charts and data together, and the odd shared meal. Basically, they're a "working couple" hehe.
I do think Chert will try twisting Hornfels' arm into going on a date every so often, even if the excuse is 'stargazing' (which they both enjoy anyways). They were also really keen/excited to go on the OWV campout with their partner (despite being heavily gravid at the time).
Imagine sweet quiet nights outdoors chatting by the fire, or lying together on a blanket under the night sky out on the plains... (the latter of which may or may not have lead to the situation that got Chert gravid haha)
Communication: Do they ever say things just to start a discussion (or argument)? Why or why not?
Oh, these two will talk loads about their shared love for astronomy and space, as well as their scientific observations. As an astronaut Chert also has a fresh perspective to offer Hornfels, which I can imagine Hornfels listening to raptly. Chert will also enjoy listening to Hornfels ramble about their own theories and conclusions based on their physics knowledge.
As for saying things for the sake of arguing, I don't see them having that kind of dynamic. Chert my rib Hornfels about their seeming marriage to their work, though 😏
Preferences: What is their favourite light to see each other in?
They both appreciate each other's awe and wonder for the beauty that space embodies. But I think Chert's attachment to astronomy is at least somewhat based in emotion, whereas Hornfels' is more along the lines of scholastic curiosity.
Chert specifically admires Hornfels' dedication and level-headedness. Hornfels admires Chert's enthusiasm and conscientiousness.
Thanks for asking, Tini 💕
@gem-is-still-bored Asked:
6 and 8 for Preferences!!
6. What is their favourite physical trait of each other's?
Chert loves Hornfels' hands, particularly watching them working with measuring tools and telescopes. And they think Hornfels' freckles are cute :3 (there's also their little tushybooty)
Hornfels likes all of Chert, but especially their big expressive eyes and warm smile ☺️
8. Are they each other's "type"?
Oh, yes. They're intellectual equals who find beauty in deep, vast, and unknown. I don't see them being particularly hung up on physical traits or personality quirks as much as that they share a love for space and astronomy (although, Chert definitely isn't complaining about Hornfels height!) and are pretty closely matched in their vibe/energy too (save for Chert's anxiety issues, which Hornfels helps to negate/balance out).
Thanks for asking, Gem 🙏
@beelzebumons Asked:
Firsts 1 and 5, intimacy 9, Communication 3, Preferences 6
Firsts:
How did each of them realize they were in love?
This one was cute to think about hehe.
Chert was watching Hornfels looking at the stars, and their admiration suddenly shifted to something deeper when they realized they couldn't look away from Hornfels' eyes 🙈 They went home and had a little private meltdown after realizing they'd properly fallen hard.
Hornfels no doubt sat and carefully examined their feelings and realized at some point that their affection was deeper than a purely platonic/work relationship. They did not have a meltdown, but they did start considering the possibility that they should air these feelings with Chert at some point lol.
5. Who said the big 3 words first?
Chert. They're more in tune with their emotions than Hornfels, and more open to expressing them (even if it makes them terribly anxious to do so).
Hornfels reply: "That makes me very happy."
Cue Chert having an internal meltdown thinking they'd been friend-zoned until Hornfels says they feel the same 😌
Intimacy:
9. Are they goopy and open or reserved and private?
Very reserved and private, although I don't see them shying away from quietly holding hands in front of others.
Communication:
3. Do they disagree often? About big or small things? If they generally agree on things, is there at least one thing they disagree on?
They don't disagree on much at all. There are a few occasions when their individual personalities and habits clash, but they grew up together, have worked together for years, and are both mature adults, so they generally let those slide.
I see the biggest source of contention being Hornfels' reluctance to EVER leave the observatory lol.
Preferences:
6: What is their favourite physical trait of each other's?
(Answered above 🫶)
Thanks for asking, Mist 🫂
@tacticianlyra Asked:
1-5 and 9 for Firsts!!
(one and 5 already covered above 😚)
2. Do they do PDA?
Not really, outside of holding hands or sitting/standing close to each other (that said, I do see Chert sneaking in a little cheek pinch when no one's looking... I'll let you decide which cheek 🤭)
3. Did they sleep in the same bed right away, wait a while, or never share a bed?
Sadly (?), they do not share a bed very often, because of Hornfels' compulsion to always be on standby at the Control Room.
I imagine Hornfels has a camping cot set up somewhere, perhaps in the CR itself. Chert might get fed up and share that with Hornfels when they can't convince them to leave the place haha.
4. Do they cuddle while they sleep?
Yes 😚. Chert is the littlest tiniest spoon. Although sometimes they'll sleep with Hornfels' head tucked against their chest.
9 . Who popped the question/who proposed a more serious relationship? Was it a positive on the first go?
This one is tough 🤔 I feel like they would have arrived at the decision to become partners (and later, parents) after a few lengthy discussions, and that their thoughts and feelings around the topic were quite similar (although, Chert was probably the first to suggest having hatchlings).
I'd say it was a positive conclusion first round :3
Thanks for asking 😁!!
@salamander-19 Asked:
3 / 11 / 6 / 8
Firsts:
3 . (Answered above 😁)
Intimacy:
11. (Answered above 😗)
Communication:
6. How do they usually communicate on an everyday basis? Verbally, through writing, through actions? Directly or indirectly?
A bit of everything! I mentioned above that I'm sure they are in regular daily radio contact while Chert is off planet, and that they spend a fair amount of time discussing their findings and thoughts together afterwards. I also like to imagine Chert dropping little secret codes during their radio comms that only Hornfels can decipher, and/or that they leave little notes for each other taped in the corners of reports, charts, photo samples etc. :3
When in the same space/on planet, their communication would be mostly verbal, and (maybe when there's little chance of random hatchlings barging into the observatory), through touch (Chert leaning over the back of Hornfels' chair to peck them on the cheek, or put a hand on their shoulder, and Hornfels might pull Chert onto their lap for a little smoochy smooch and snuggle 🥰).
Their communication would almost always be directly.
Preferences:
8. (Answered above 🤭)
Thanks for asking, Sal 😉
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Aaaaand done 🙌
Thanks so much for the asks!! It was fun to flesh out the dynamic between these two outside of 2 closely-aged fish with similar occupations and who happen to be expecting a hatchling together haha 💕
