“We’re hitting turbulence. Please remain seated with your seatbelts on until it is safe to do otherwise.”
Lyncis double-checked his restraints and made a small, anxious sigh as he stared down at the book in his hands. He wasn’t sure what was worse: riding inside an airplane in a planet with a gravitational pull, or in a spaceship in the middle of a galaxy with no gravitational pull at all. He ran his fingers against blond hair and tried not to meditate so deeply on the matter as he embraced for the impact.
Someone plopped beside him and quickly buckled themselves in.
Well. Lyncis certainly wasn’t expecting that impact. As the ship trembled violently for a moment, he made a valiant attempt to pretend that he wasn’t thinking about dying. He made another quick, shallow breath as his fingers clutched onto the cover of his novel.
Thankfully, the violent, unsteady movement was brief. The ship stilled again.
“Sorry about that.”
Lyncis glanced over at the newcomer. Large heterochromatic eyes met his own, and he quickly looked away.
“Yes?” Lyncis asked coldly. “What are you doing here?”
“I just got up to the bathroom when that turbulence hit,” he explained sheepishly. He held a hand out. “...I’m Rzeznik. Rzeznik Silvering.”
Lyncis looked back down at his book. “You should head to the bathroom then.”
“Orders were to remain seated,” Rzeznik said, pointing up at the ceiling. He was trying not to lean too closely to Lyncis as he examined him. “So... what’s your name?”
“...Lyncis.”
“Hey! That’s a constellation!” Rzeznik said eagerly, straightening in his seat. “It’s a lynx, isn’t it? Have you ever seen it before?”
Lyncis shifted slightly. “No. I haven’t. Not yet.”
Rzeznik glanced around the ship. Lyncis observed him briefly, but quickly looked away again when Rzeznik turned to face him. “It’s a little empty here, huh? Just 8 people over here?”
“Well, we’re leaving at a fairly inconvenient time for space travel,” Lyncis said, closing his eyes tightly. He was trying not to think about the .0001% chance that their ship could crash. “And space travel is expensive. I imagine not many wanted to take the risk of leaving for an unpleasant trip.”
“True,” Rzeznik mused, pleased by the response. “I hope you don’t mind if I ask, but where are you going?”
“I do mind, actually.”
“Oh.” The two sat in silence for a moment.
Lyncis debated whether he should try and pretend he didn’t exist. That’s what he usually did to most people when he wanted to space off into his reading.
“...So, um... what are you reading?” Rzeznik asked, peeking into the pages.
Lyncis was tempted to retort, “It’s called None of Your Business!” But he was weak. Instead, he closed his book and covered the title with his hand, hoping Rzeznik would get the hint and leave him alone. “Nothing.”
The boy’s bright smile fell somewhat as he awkwardly sat back against his seat. Another minute passed by with Lyncis internally pleading that the intercom would announce that they were free to roam again.
“...Sorry for bugging you,” Rzeznik said, breaking his thoughts. “It’s kinda been a long time since I’ve interacted with anyone other than a family member. I guess I got a little too obnoxious there, huh? My cousin says I’m too much sometimes.”
He’s right, Lyncis thought, but decided not to voice this opinion. He made a soft sigh and glanced back down at his book.
“...It’s fine,” Lyncis said, adjusting his glasses. “I’m just... not very talkative, nor much of a people-person. I like having time to myself.”
“You get a little sick of it when you get too much of it to yourself,” Rzeznik mumbled. He exhaled. “Anyway, sorry again. I won’t bother you; you can go back to your book.”
Lyncis felt a wave of relief wash over him, with just the faintest hint of guilt. He couldn’t help but feel even more so as the voice overhead announced that it was safe to wander the ship again. As Rzeznik stood up, Lyncis quickly said, “It was... nice to meet you, I suppose.”
Rzeznik blinked down at him in slight surprise, but his lips pulled into small grin.
He was about to open his mouth to comment, but a rough voice intercepted any attempt— “What are you doing over here?”
