theattic | PSL: SPACE HOSS

Somewhat surprised, Ferus threw another look over his shoulder at Maurice, an eyebrow raised. Those were names he didn't recognise at all. And even if systems weren't named, they usually had at least a numerical designation.

"Alright", he said, as he went on ahead, spotting the speeder in the far distance and stepping easily over a particularly big root that wound its way partway up the ground. He didn't like repeating himself, more because he didn't wnat Maurice to think that Ferus thought he was dumb or something, but he did anyway. "But where's that in the galaxy? It's not anywhere near the Core, right?"

"Um..." He paused to watch the huge insect that buzzed overhead. Did he really want to go into alternate dimensions with this guy so soon after meeting him? A forehoof caught on the root Ferus skillfully stepped over and he nearly went sprawling. "I can't...I couldn't tell you. Would...you believe me if I told you that up until just a little while ago, we thought we were the only ones out here?"

He gave the two-legger an anxious smile.

Turning his head to give Maurice another puzzled look, he took the next two steps backwards.

"When you're sentient and have a spaceworthy craft? Not really."

Because ... no, not really. But Maurice seemed genuinely confused about the situation, and Ferus figured that there was no point pressing him on something he might not be able to answer - honestly, he was concussed anyway - so after another short stare he shook his head and turned around, gripping a low-hanging branch to help himself over another particularly big root.

"But alright, we'll deal with that later." He gestured ahead. "Speeder's right there."

Okay, Maurice really should have expected a reaction like that. He blinked rapidly and started following again.

"I was abducted, dude."

Did they say dude in space? Was he going to have to explain 80s earth slang? The Sagittarian's thoughts were interrupted when the speeder appeared. Maurice's ears stood up and an enormous grin replaced his perpetually worried frown. Oh man! Oh wow! That thing looked so cool! And super non-horse friendly but it was still so cool!

Maurice finally did trip over that last big root but his spirits couldn't be dampened in the presence of what was a legit space bike. Something occurred to him as he picked himself up.

"I'm an alien, huh?"

Again. Again Maurice needed a Look.

"... yes?" Ferus tried, just a touch uncertainly, because Maurice was throwing him for all kinds of loops. "You're not really human, at any rate."

At least that much was clear, for all the other confusions: that while Maurice was at least partially humanoid, he was definitely not human. Ferus, however, very much was, as were most Bellassans, and that made such things as speeders easy to maneuver.

For whatever Maurice was, they still had a problem.

Coming up to the speeder and digging through the small compartment, he picked up a small bottle of water, called a "here" and tossed it Maurice's way.

"Yes I am!"

Maurice's face changed to clearly show that he'd only just realized what he'd said as soon as the words left his mouth. He then made another face that suggested he wished he could breathe those words back in because his life had become one long story after another and suddenly he was so tired.

"Nevermind."

He caught the water and stared down at it dumbly. He remembered water. It was what people who couldn't find alcohol drank. He fumbled with the lid before turning it up. His stupid oversized body soaked it up like a sponge. It was hardly a swallow but it was cool in his throat and grounding. Water was everywhere, no matter the 'verse.

How poetic.

Oh, his head.

"Thanks. For all of this, by the way."

"It's not a problem", Ferus said easily, neatly hiding the one remaining projector while Maurice was occupied with the water - while at the same time taking quick stock to confirm that nope, he really didn't have anything here that would help this apparently-a-human out other than that.

Securing the blaster at the back of the speeder, he straightened up and pushed a hand through his hand, thinking.

The speeder wouldn't hold Maurice and any real craft wouldn't be able to land here anyway, so ...

"This would've been a lot easier if you'd crashed anywhere else", he said, not accusingly, just stating, and double-checked the fuel levels. "We have a medcenter in the city but we're a while out. I have a friend I could check with, maybe ... I don't suppose you're up to walking much more?"

"I'll remember that next time." Maurice rolled his eyes but it was obvious he didn't take anything Ferus said as an insult. It actually felt good to joke. But then the seriousness of them being out in the space boonies settled back in again.

"I wanna try."

He squared both sets of shoulders and steadied himself on his hooves.

"Let's go."

Shooting Maurice a quick grin in both encouragement and approval, Ferus climbed into the speeder and keyed up the controls. He kept the speeder at a slow pace as it glided forward, and once both Maurice and him were a few paces from that one clearing, he picked up his comlink to make a call, holding the small device by his mouth.

"Hey Wil", he said, lightly enough, navigating through the trees surrounding them but keeping an eye on Maurice, wanting to be sure he wouldn't hurt himself. With a concussion, you might easily miss some of those treacherous roots. "How far out are you from the Tangle? ... yes. Right. ... it was a pod, Wil. Our guest is a little beat up. ... No, nothing like that. Alright. ... yes. Thanks."

Pocketing the comlink, he slowed the speeder to fall back next to Maurice. "We'll get a ride from the edge. It's not too far."

Maurice was completely ready for the speeder to lift up and move. He'd seen things like it in countless sci-fi flicks, but his horsebrain was not ready. Once it booted up, the newcomer let out a little animal shriek and danced away several impressive paces before he got control of himself again.

He was just gonna...hope Ferus didn't see that.

By the time Ferus joined him at his pace, Maurice had already missed the conversation. He turned his ears toward him and brushed his mane out of his face.

"Good! Ahah, good." He had a thought and eyed the speeder. "What kind of ride? Does it have wheels?"

PSL: SPACE HOSS

COAST TO COAST

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