17. The Warmth #2
Outside of the music, Charlie had also taken to spending more and more time with Orion, talking about Earth and anything she believed was worth mentioning for Coalition archives.
The number of actual species that were on Earth, the concept of national parks and why humans set aside land specifically to not build on it, which Orion found both beautiful and baffling, and even what kinds of natural resources were naturally available.
Surprisingly, the Voxlink didn't require much translation when it came to the elements she could describe to Orion.
Though they were named differently, their components were the same of what the Coalition used as reference.
"You said it's called Latin?" Orion asked one afternoon when they were talking about science.
"Yes," Charlie responded. "A 'dead' language on Earth now because no one uses it to communicate, but so many words in multiple dialects on Earth derive from Latin, including most scientific and medical field subjects and studies.
So, no one communicates with it anymore, but I would guess that almost every human on the planet uses it everyday since it's still widely used in those ways.
" Orion had been writing all this down and noting it on his datapad while nodding his head as he listened.
"This is all fascinating, Charlie," Orion said as he finished up his notes before looking up at her.
"You really think the crew will be interested?" Charlie asked, not for the first time, regarding the upcoming Earth Night. "I mean, it's happening this week. And, no offense Orion but, you're a librarian. You love this stuff."
"It's true, I am assured I'm your best audience," Orion said, laughing.
Charlie smiled at the truth behind his words. "It is in just a few days."
"That it is."
Charlie leaned back in the chair Orion had designated as hers. She laid against the cushion she found attached to it just today, something she suspected Orion had added in between sessions to make her more comfortable.
"You know, I have been looking forward to this more than I care to professionally admit," Orion said. Charlie's eyes snapped up to him.
"Really?"
Orion nodded. "Really."
Charlie smiled.
They both turned their heads when the sound of footsteps approached, showing Reyna and Torvax walking in. Orion got up from his seat, Charlie following suit.
"Good afternoon, Captain," Orion said. "Torvax," he added, inclining his head.
"Chief," Torvax returned.
"Afternoon, Orion," Reyna said.
"Torvax," Charlie said, and he bowed to her. "Captain." Reyna's eyes found hers, and Charlie watched as a smirk played across the Captain's lips.
"Earthling," Reyna responded, the corner of her mouth continuing to twitch.
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Still not apologizing for the Caravan thing."
"And yet I live with the wound." Charlie smirked, thinking the Captain could probably cause an entire infantry to go thirsty with such a dry wit.
"Captain, I'm actually glad you stopped by," Orion said, pulling both Charlie and Reyna's attention.
"Can I help with something?" Reyna asked, moving directly into Captain mode with exquisite precision.
"Actually, I think I'll let Charlie tell you," Orion said, turning his eyes to hers. Charlie looked back at him, definitely mimicking that 'deer in headlights' look she'd tried to explain to him during yesterday's session when discussing roads and highways.
"Me?" Charlie asked, trying her best to communicate with her mind to tell Orion she had absolutely no idea what he wanted her to say. He was an alien, after all.
"Well, I thought it would be best to tell the Captain about our planned event in a few days." This time, Orion winked at Charlie and, gratefully, she got the idea.
"Oh! Yeah, of course. So," Charlie began, turning back to Reyna. "Orion and I have decided to put together a little event. We're calling it an Earth Night. This week."
Charlie watched something move across the Captain's face, realizing it was interest, genuine interest, the kind that softened the line of her jaw and made her eyes warmer.
"Really?" Reyna asked.
"Yeah," Charlie confirmed. "I mean, basically, I'd share stories about Earth with whoever wants to hear them, play some of the music Tavi is rapidly getting into the ship's system, and just, share a night where the crew gets to hear about where I'm from.
" Charlie looked over at Orion. "Orion's been helping me organize it. "
Reyna's gaze moved over to Orion, but then returned to Charlie.
"That sounds wonderful, Charlie."
"Yeah?"
"I mean it," Reyna began. "The crew has been different since the music system launched. Lighter and happier. And I think giving them the stories behind where this music comes from in context would be something truly special."
Charlie felt something bloom in her chest.
"I agree, Captain," Orion added.
"And I," Torvax said. Everyone turned to stare at him.
"You're interested in stories and music, Torvax?" Charlie asked.
"My species is efficient. Structured. Data-driven. That does not mean we don't like fairy tales," Torvax said sternly. Charlie chuckled.
"That's his way of saying, 'yes,'" Reyna added.
"So, you'll come?" Charlie asked.
"I shall be there," Torvax answered.
Charlie turned to Reyna. "And... will you be there?" Reyna's gaze captured hers again, and Charlie leaned forward slightly, anticipating the answer. Somehow the idea of Reyna not being there made it feel smaller.
"I wouldn't miss it," Reyna said. And then she smiled at Charlie, that same real smile with a slight twist that Charlie had seen the night in the galley. Charlie realized it was the one Reyna gave her when it came from her, not the Captain.
Something about knowing Reyna would be at Earth Night while Charlie shared stories and information and music, felt like something akin to giving the entire crew of the alien ship a glimpse into Charlie's soul.
"I'm really glad you're going to be there," Charlie responded, the truth coming so easily.
Reyna studied her, her gaze lingering.
"You'll be sure to let me know the exact plan? I need details."
Charlie nodded. "I'll send it over to your datapad."
"Soon?"
The look on Reyna's face made Charlie linger. Maybe Reyna did want to be there as much as Charlie wanted her there?
Huh.
Charlie turned and grabbed her datapad off the table.
She went to the screen that stored all the events and tasks she had on her schedule, including the ones she still had to finish for Cael.
She found the entry for the Earth Night, clicking on it and selecting to share it with Reyna.
She finished the steps, placed her datapad back on the table, then turned back to the group.
Reyna's datapad made a small chirp-like sound. She pulled it around and began tapping buttons.
"Does now work?" Charlie asked, a slight tease in her voice. Reyna's eyes looked up at Charlie, her face still bent over the datapad. She looked back down at the screen, tapped a few places, and then let the datapad return to her side.
"Now's perfect," she responded, just before Charlie's own datapad made the same chirp-like sound. Charlie chuckled.
Reyna turned to Orion. "I originally came in here to see how everything was going with our resident Earthling here," she said, indicating Charlie. "But I feel this new information has given me a good idea of just how well everything is going."
"Couldn't be better, Captain," Orion replied.
"Good to know," Reyna said. "So, I'll see you both on Earth Night?" Orion nodded.
"It's a date," Charlie answered. Reyna blinked once before a warm smile spread across her lips.
"It's a date."
As the Captain and Torvax left the library, Charlie recognized she felt warmer and lighter than she had in weeks.
Later that night when Charlie was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, she replayed the interaction she'd had with Reyna today in Orion's library.
It was the way knowing Reyna would be at Earth Night made the event feel different.
Somehow more real, like it mattered more because she'd be in the room.
But that's just because she's the Captain, Charlie told herself. Having the Captain there validates the event. No longer a 'lowly planet' event.
Charlie knew this was a perfectly logical explanation and accepted it immediately.
But later, in the dark, her excuses started to run out.
There were two reasons not to reach for Reyna. Charlie had gotten quite good at lining them up, thank you very much.
The first was the chemistry hallway, and a hand pulled back, and Charlie left that one there.
The second was that, even if she reached, and on the completely alternate world she'd have to live on for Reyna to reach back, they were headed straight for her home planet, the shuttle with Earth's coordinates in it.
Charlie understood that nothing could happen after she was back home.
Not a message, not a signal, not one damn word.
Two walls now stood, paired together, both blocking the same path. She'd built the first one at thirteen and the universe had given her the tools to build the second one.
They were strong, sturdy walls. Made of Grade-A materials.
So, all she had to do was not knock on either.
Right?
Nope.
And so Charlie went to sleep content, going on to dream about gold constellations against a sage-green backdrop.
The first Earth Night was decided to be held in the library.
Once decided, Orion prepared the space over a few days, rearranging chairs into a loose semicircle and adjusting the lighting to something warmer and brighter than the library's usual dim studious setting.
A small area was cleared near the front where Charlie could talk, with space around her to stand or pace.
Orion seemed to know she might need that option available.
The one and only negotiation had been about food.