The Once And Future Queen

Posted on Thu Jan 14th, 2021 @ 1:15am by Executive Officer Jake Ford & Chief Helmsman Eden Bowers

Mission: Mission 12 - Railway
Timeline: MD03
1046 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Eden came up beside Jake, of course in the wrong bodies she was quiet taller than him and that particular fact felt strange but she let her mind touch on it and then let it go again. "So . . . I think that went pretty well. I mean, they don't really know how we normally act and I didn't tell anyone that I saw any blibbering humdingers or anything. That's a plus, right?" She really felt the need to have someone tell her that her performance wasn't terrible which was unusual for Eden as she generally didn't care what anyone thought of her.

Jake smiled - an awkward, almost unfamiliar expression on Liha's face - as he saw who it was. Although Gregnol towered over him the knowledge that it was Eden in there was of some comfort. "You did fine. Keeping it simple seems to work. It just looks like we're being cautious," he agreed. "How do you feel about going to dinner with this Kaylin woman? Think you can manage?"

"Yeah, I'm not the best at making conversation but Gregnol is a man of few words anyway so it sort of gives me an excuse not to say much. And it might be a good opportunity to learn about them which I'm sure will be very interesting to anyone in the room. Please tell me you're coming too?"

"Actually no," Jake shook his head. "As much as I want to - and probably should be - there, it's the Captain and XO only. That's you and Liha, for now." He tentatively touched her on the arm, which still felt weird. "You'll be fine. I think Jeassaho will try to come along and keep you safe. Just do what you have been doing and everything will be fine, okay?" He wanted to hug her. At least, he wanted to hug Eden, not this giant man in front of him. All-in-all he was feeling very conflicted about the whole thing.

She pouted, which was quite the expression on Gregnol's face. But eventually she nodded and let out a small sigh. She wanted things back to the way they were. So okay, things weren't always normal around here anyway but at least she was in her own body and had her own job to do which was simply flying this ship. That seemed so simple to her and things were way too complicated for her liking. "After this is over do you want to have dinner with me?"

Jake paused. "Do you mean after you finish up with them? Or after we're all fixed and back in our own bodies and everything? When...if things go back to normal, then of course I will. While we're like this..." he indicated Liha and Reuben's bodies. "I guess we'd have to be careful."

"Uh, I guess after after everything. I wouldn't want to disrespect anyone's bodies or anything. Though it is just dinner, wasn't going to do anything past that. I just miss talking to you, that's all." Eden shrugged. "I always felt like I could tell you anything."

And there she was. Underneath the body of the gruff-looking man, there was Eden. Her insecurity and anxiety just creeping through. Jake wanted to hold her tight, and pulled the big masculine body close. "I know. I know it's hard, Eden. We'll get through this. Somehow." He did his best to smile comfortingly - a look almost certainly alien to Liha's face. "I'm always here for you."

Though the hug was awkward with the wrong bodies, she took comfort in the strength and meaning of it all. A small smile crossed her lips after a moment and she sprang back. "I just had the best idea. Let's find us an unoccupied room. I want to play a game of hopscotch in Gregnol's body. It's got to give you a laugh."

He actually laughed then and there. "I'd ask if you're kidding, but I know you really aren't." He paused. "Maybe I'll have to give it a try in Liha's!" he added, following her.

It was as if she were a child again. For the first time in days she left any anxiety behind as she pushed aside furniture in order to have a place big enough to do this. Then she set down smaller objects since she had no chalk to use as lines. "Do you want to go first?"

"Ladies first...oh, well I guess that would be me." He managed another smile. "Okay, but watch how we go..." he hopped and skipped a few paces, almost toppling at the end of the small track Eden had laid out. "Woah. I guess Liha's balance is better than mine, but with these..." he motioned to his chest. "I guess I'm still getting used to it. Your turn!"

She couldn't help but burst into a bit of giggles over what he'd said. Eden had much less luck than him. She felt all clumsy in this body, but the thought of watching Gregnol do this was making her giggle yet again. "Do I look ridiculous?"

Jake couldn't help but laugh at the sight, a strange sound in Liha's voice. "Completely." He held out his arms as Eden in Gregnol's body tumbled a little, managing to catch the much larger body despite his small size. "Turns out Liha is pretty strong," he admitted. It was strange to feel this way, their bodies reversed and yet somehow their connection still so strong. "I'm glad you convinced me to do this with you."

"Me too. I can't see Gregnol give up, but I don't see how he walks around with these big feet of his. I miss my little feet." She shrugged. "Still, it was good for a laugh. Walk me back to my quarters?"

"Hey, you're the man right now," he smiled. "You should be the one walking me back to my quarters," he replied, sticking a tongue out at her.

"For company not protection. I'm pretty sure Liha could probably whip Gregnol if she wanted to." She shrugged. "But if you don't want to walk with me . . . "

"Hey hey hey!" Jake slipped Liha's arm around hers. "I'm not Liha. And you're not Gregnol. Of course I'll walk with you."