Displaced

Posted on Sun Jan 4th, 2026 @ 11:49am by Captain Addison 'Rico' Leyton & Civilian Teevs Dosivi

Mission: Season 6: Episode 6: Conglomerate
Location: Deck 25: Living Quarters Deck
Timeline: MD4
1955 words - 3.9 OF Standard Post Measure

The door to the temporary quarters hissed open and Teevs entered. It was too quiet here. Their old quarters had a subtle hum from the ship that was now absent. Sometimes, Kerilia would be listening to music or doing something that helped disturb the silence, but with her staying at the school until the attacks were over, the air in the quarters remained tense. He couldn’t remember the last time he was the sole occupant of anything, and it was unnerving. At least he had been able to collect a couple personal items to make the space slightly less... plain. Kerilia had taken her favourite stuffed animal with her, but the photo of him and Kerilia remained on the table. He set his rented helmet next to it before standing by the window, pressing his palms into the windowsill as he stared out into space.

Outside, Addison approached the door to Teeves' temporary quarters. She hadn't had the chance to really talk with Teeves since the attack. She pressed the door chime, hoping he was home. She was worried after hearing he had volunteered to help put the Marines.

Hearing the chime, Teevs took in a steadying breath before turning to approach the door. Thumbing the controls, his expression changed when he saw it was Addison. There was relief, as he was always happy to see her, but also a hint of concern behind the gentle smile he mustered. "Hey," he greeted, stepping aside in case she wanted to come in. "How are things?"

"Been busy but I'm doing good, thanks," she said as she stepped into the room upon Teevs stepping aside. "I just wanted to see how you were doing the temporary quarters. "

The quarters were, frankly, depressing without any of the personal touches. They were smaller than the ones Teevs and Kerilia had been living in, with basic furnishings designed for functional existence over environmental comfort. They were certainly not set up to welcome guests. "Well, it's... intact," Teevs answered, trying to find a positive in it. The temporary quarters did have a functioning front door, after all. "I actually haven't spent much time here. I've been busy helping where I can and really only come here to sleep or take a break."

Addison looked at Teevs. It didn't take a telepath to see that he didn't like the place. "Well," she began. "You and Kerilia are welcome to stay with me. I can always sleep on the sofa." She was unsure about actually offering the arrangement but she had offered it and if anything it would allow her to see Teevs more often.

Giving her a smile, his hand brushed hers. "That's generous, but I don't want to impose on your space. Besides, this isn't permanent." As disappointing as it was to have to cancel their lunch date yesterday, it was unfortunately necessary. The ongoing repairs across the ship had stolen some of everyone's time. Teevs glanced around the bare room, eyes lingering on the table for an extra second before he looked back to her. "It's not too bad, it just... lacks personality."

"Then give it some," she shrugged, smiling as her hand grasped Teevs' hand. She took her pilot wings off with the other hand. "Here. It's not much but it's a start. Maybe I can move one of my plants from my quarters in here as well."

Teevs looked down at the insignia she put into his hand, feeling warm from her affection. This must be those butterflies Orin had mentioned. "Plants would help make the space less dreary, wouldn't it?" He thought aloud with a wink. "Thank you, this is very kind."

Ever since they decided to try casual dating, Teevs had been cautious about showing affection, spending hours understanding when certain things were appropriate for Humans. This moment checked all the boxes, so he decided to go for it and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before looking at the wings again. This was still fairly new, so he was trying to not get flustered by something so simple. A distraction would help... like where to put her gift. Looking around, he chose to put it next to the picture on the table, gently leaning it against the holo-image emitter he had repaired for Kerilia.

Addison took a few steps, following Teevs. She felt for him and Kerilia. None of this could be easy on them. She gently wrapped her arms around him. "You know I'm here if you or Kerilia need anything. "

Her presence and warmth were soothing. Teevs covered her hands with his, using his thumb to slowly stroke the back of her hand as he shifted into her embrace. "Of course I know that," he replied affectionately, gaze lingering on the photo. A couple seconds passed before he sighed, the kind of breath that only came from stress. He wasn't sure what he needed right now, but maybe voicing what was on his mind would help.

"I think this is the most concerned I've been since coming aboard," he admitted. His tone was soft, but it did little to hide his tension. "I've seen how well this crew can handle danger, but the Galtonians won't stop. Nobody has done what the Elysium has, so it's unknown what will happen in another attack. I'm just... worried that all of the preparation we've done won't be enough." His fingers curled around hers for reassurance as he let himself open up to her. "Then there's Kerilia. She has been spending all her time at the school because she's afraid to be trapped in our quarters again. I hate to see her this way and wish I could take that fear away."

Moving slowly to not disturb the embrace, he turned around to face Addison. He held one of her hands to his chest while the other settled on her waist. "And there's you. If there's another attack, you and the other pilots are probably going to try and intercept them." The concern was evident in his expression, even as Teevs gave an anxious chuckle, "I know it's your job and you can handle it. But it doesn't make me worry any less."

"I'll be fine," she assured him. "What is this that I hear about you helping out with the Marines?"

There was no immediate answer. His thumb brushed her hand, the one against his chest, as he collected his thoughts. "I... volunteered," Teevs said. His tone held an air of reluctance, "I didn't really want to. I was drafted for war when I was younger, and it's not something I'm eager to revisit. But the Galtonians won't stop, and the ship's already lost good people. I know tough odds when I see it."

The physical contact with Addison was a silent anchor against the tension in his voice. "Kerilia is everything to me. I will do anything to keep her safe, even if that means becoming a soldier again to help this ship survive."

Addison grinned at him. She knew he couldn't change his mind. But it wouldn't keep her from worrying. "Well you better be careful, and no stupid heroics." She teased to try to lighten the mood.

Teevs let out a quiet laugh, more of a breath than an actual sound. He lifted her hand so he could kiss the back of it. "Trust me, stupid heroics are the last thing I want to do," he murmured into her hand.

Addison raised an eyebrow with a lopsided grin as she looked at him. "Oh? Do tell. What sdo you want to do then? "

A quiet 'hmmm' came from Teevs as he gave her hand one more kiss, then he gently pressed the back of her hand against his cheek. "Well, what I want to do is gather you and Kerilia, take the Spheia, and get as far away from the Galtonians as possible." He gave her a little smile. "But that's not practical, and we'd probably get in trouble. So the alternative is to follow Marine orders, carry a rifle, and do my best to not get killed."

"I'm sure Colonel Azhul will make sure you stay safe. Though the sound of getting away sounded nice right now. "Well, let's spend time together here then until we have to go?"

"I'd like that," Teevs answered with a smile. A look of recognition then crossed his features, as if he just remembered something. "Perhaps we can make up for that lunch date. Well, sort of. Resource conservation. But, I have something for you."

"Oh?" she smiled at him. "Do tell, Mister."

Guiding her to the couch, he held up his hands in a 'wait here' gesture before rushing off to the bedroom. It didn't take long for him to come back with something in his hand and a small flashlight. Sitting down next to her, he opened his hand to reveal a polished, reddish-brown rock about 4cm in diameter, enough to fit comfortably in the palm or serve as a pocket trinket. "It's a tectosilicate from my planet," he explained, holding it out to her. "I acquired it during the construction of a landing pad in the town of Tafavera."

Addison looked at the smooth, polished stone. It was beautiful. She slowly took the stone into her hand. "It's beautiful. Did you help build the landing pad?"

Teevs transferred the stone into her hand and let her examine it. "I did. I was one of the geoengineers for the project. It was my job to ensure ground stability and inform the engineers of any weight restrictions. There was a vein of this that we had to clear out before construction could begin." Giving her a smile, he tilted the pen-sized flashlight toward her. "Try shining a light through it."

Curious as to what would happen, Addison took the small flashlight and turned it on, directing it at the rock.

When the light hit the stone, the reddish-brown colour gave way to vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, almost appearing like fire trapped beneath the surface. The closer the light was to the stone's surface, the more vibrant the colours became.

"Oh wow!" Addison remarked watching the swirl of colors. *That's amazing!".

Teevs smiled as he watched her fascination. For the first time since she had shown up, he wasn't thinking about the next attack, and it showed as his shoulders released their tension.

"Teevs, I can't accept this," she said, finally looking from the stone to Teevs.

That made Teevs' smile falter slightly. Did he do something wrong? Was the way he offered the gift not culturally appropriate? "Why not?" He asked gently.

"Don't misunderstand me, I love it. It's obviously special to you." She sighed, not wanting to hurt his feelings. "I dunno...I guess I don't feel worthy of it."

Ahhh, this was one of those Human things. Teevs gave an assuring smile. "You are worthy of it. I insist," he responded softly. "If I'm to keep a piece of you, it makes sense for you to keep a piece of me." Teevs then shrugged. "If anything, you could think of it as my promise to show you the landing pad."

Addison smiled. "Deal," she said softly before leaning in to kiss him.

With a gentle smile, Teevs closed the distance and met her lips. His hand reached up and cupped her cheek, and when the kiss ended a couple seconds later, Teevs lightly touched his forehead to hers. This time, Teevs was seeking comfort from the gesture rather than providing it. "I know your people will do everything they can to resist the Galtonians," he whispered. "We'll be ok."