* 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝑪𝑰𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 .ᐟ

we have to practice losing everything. we are deer， we are headlights. we are the road where they collide.

oh . I see . . . ( that does make some sense . a shrug, still giving laika those gentle pets . mostly to calm her own nerves . ) I’m Taylor because my parents named me Taylor . when I was born, that’s the name they chose .

// omg I didn’t even realize . . . WHO TF NAMED ERIDIAN LAIKA AND WHERE CAN I FIND THDM BC IMMA BEAT THEM UP RN

( that rumble caused her hand to gently move back and forth, almost like stroking a cat’s back . it’s gentle and calm, so they don’t startle each other . ) my name ? it’s Taylor . Laika’s a good name . did someone give that name to you, or did you pick it yourself ?

⠀ you usually insult an entire species when you compliment somebody.ᐣ ( voice gruff 、vaguely amused. there’s a long 、jagged gash down the back of his right calf 、and the majority of his left arm is gone entirely. still 、he’s strong … remaining steady and sure-footed. ) ⠀

( after a few minutes, a hand slowly drifts from her book to rest on top of her carapace . very gentle, not moving unless allowed to . ) and what’s your name ? ( using her other hand to shift her bookmark and close the book entirely . )

oh 、it's a nickname —— lai. short for laika. ❪ thumb resting between book's pages 、attention now fully on the eridian tucked against his side. ❫ humans give each other nicknames 、but some already have short names. it's what friends do.

not at all 、i was just reading —— feel free to sit. ❪ lips quirking into a smile at the eridian's equivalent to a sigh 、such weird little creatures. he'd have to add that to a list of notes. ❫ as long as you're happy 、lai.

❪ book set down 、peering over to the eridian situated next to him. ❫ comfortable?

( the book in front of her face is slowly lifted, just enough to peek at what’s going on . oh god, it’s so cute, she can’t move now . . . simply going back to reading her book while occasionally looking to make sure she isn’t dreaming . )

' Faulty model ?? A model of what ?? Research of what ?? ' 「 She's staying patient, trying to fully understand everything, trying to help in any possible way . 」

' Model ?? Engineer ?? ' 「 Seems she came in at a time . 」 ' Wait, what exactly* happened ? ' 「 She felt bad if she just packed up and left, leaving the Eridian to figure it out by herself . 」

[ he sighs as he speaks. ] it's my knees and back, mostly. erid's gravity is 20 m/s², compared to earth's 9.8 m/s². that's almost double the gravity my body was evolved for. there's really not much that can be done other than pain management, i guess.