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“Slate!” Feldspar yells, jumping onto Slate's back, knocking him to the ground.
“Hey! No fair! You snuck up on me!” Slate shoves Feldspar to the side, turning so his back is on the ground before Feldspar gets back over him.
“You deserve it for pushing me into that trap last week!” Feldspar is shoved off Slate and lets Slate pin one of his arms in the brief distraction.
“That’s different! You knew that trap was there.” Slate scrambles on top of Feldspar and quickly pins his other arm.
“Whatever! Is the launcher done yet?” Feldspar asks excitedly as he kicks Slate’s legs, putting him off balance enough for Feldspar to get his arms free.
“No. I still can’t get a launch mechanism that isn’t too heavy to aim.” Slate answers, unphased by the topic change, still fighting to keep Feldspar from shoving him to the ground.
“But you promised it would be done by now” Feldspar whines, shoving Slate against the ground and using an arm to press his chest down.
“Well, it isn’t! You want to help me work on it?” Slate asks, fruitlessly pushing against Feldspar’s pin.
“Of course!” Feldspar springs off Slate and jumps up “What do you need?”
Slate, still on the ground, yanks Feldspar’s legs, pulling him down, and climbing onto his back in the moment of surprise. “I win!”
Feldspar struggles for a few moments before Slate backs away and stands up. “Well, now I don’t wanna help you.” Feldspar says, voice muffled from his face still against the ground.
“Yeah you do.” confidently, Slate holds out a hand to Feldspar which he quickly takes.
“Got me there.” Both of them laugh as Slate yanks Feldspar to his feet and starts leading him away.
---
“Whatcha doing?” Slate asks, lying down on the grass beside Feldspar.
“Stargazing,” Feldspar answers. “Imagining what space must be like.”
“Well, you won’t have to imagine for long! I’m gonna build you a spaceship and you’re gonna really see what it's like!”
“Yeah? What will the spaceship be like?”
Slate falls silent for a moment with thought “It’ll be made of wood so it’s light and have a big engine so it can go really fast.”
“How fast?”
“Fast enough to outspeed the planets in their orbits!” Slate holds a hand towards the sky and trails the path of Giant’s Deep as it moves across the sky overhead. “If the pilot is good enough to fly it that fast.”
“Of course I’m good enough!” Feldspar yells, sitting up on his elbow to look at his friend instead of the stars. “What else does the ship have?”
“The whole top is glass so you have a really good view of all the stars.”
“That’s perfect. How does it land?”
“I don’t know yet! What are you gonna find in space?”
“I’ll find all sorts of cool things.” Feldspar drops off his elbow onto his back. “I bet the Nomai built lots of technology on the other planets.”
“You’ll have to tell me all about it.” Slate shifts against Feldspar’s side, resting his head on his shoulder.
“Yeah! And I bet there are all sorts of scary monsters around Dark Bramble. But what I want to find the most is cool materials I can bring back for you to build with!” Feldspar wraps his arms around Slate, shifting slightly until he’s comfortable.
“I’ll hold you to that.” Slate closes his eyes and starts drifting to sleep.
“You won’t have to.” Feldspar falls asleep.
---
Feldspar sighs with his usual overdramatic tone as he sits down at the campfire beside Slate.
“Training tiring you out?” Slate asks, grabbing a marshmallow from the tin next to him.
“Yeah, but it can’t be much worse than all that building, your hands look like you got too close to ghost matter.” Feldspar grabs Slate’s free hand, examining the burns and scratches.
“Metal and engines aren’t friendly, but they’re fun to work with.” Slate laughs, flexing his hand in Feldspar’s grasp. “Have a marshmallow, bet I can roast mine better than yours”.
“You're on” Feldspar grabs a marshmallow and starts carefully positioning it on a stick. “So how’s my ship going?”
Slate knocks an arm into Feldspar’s shoulder “You mean my ship?”
“No. My ship” Feldspar laughs “I’m the one flying it after all.” He carefully moves his marshmallow stick over the flames.
“Alright then how's my training going?” Slate moves his own stick over the hot coals near the base of the fire. “You can only use it because of the ship I built.”
“Ok, ok, how's your ship going?” Feldspar leans against Slate, his marshmallow stick shaking slightly as he laughs.
“Really well, I lost some progress early on to an unfortunate explosion, but I know how to not make it explode now!” Slate carefully examines his marshmallow before lowering it back over the coals.
“Well at least it exploded early. I guess? That’s not reassuring, honestly.”
“Don’t worry about it, since when has the Fearless Feldspar been worried about things like safety.” Slate laughs, tossing an arm over Feldspar’s shoulders. “How’s your training been going?”
“It’s exhausting but I’ve been making a lot of progress. Gossen’s never taken it easy on me and he sure won’t now.”
“I wouldn’t want him to. Space is dangerous no matter how good a pilot you are, and the hatchlings would be heartbroken if something happened to you.” Slate takes his marshmallow off his stick, looking at it critically.
“You can just say you’re worried about me.” Feldspar raises his stick to compare his own marshmallow with Slate’s before lowering his back over the flames. “I know everyone worries, Chert keeps following me to training, and I’ve seen Riebeck asking Gossen how it’s going, not to mention Gabbro.”
“I know it’s easier said than done, but they shouldn’t worry too much. There’s no Hearthian as capable as you.”
“Only because I have you by my side.” Feldspar leans against Slate, forgetting about his marshmallow as it catches fire. He quickly extinguishes it.
“Guess that means mine’s better.” Slate laughs, taking a bite of his marshmallow.
“What do you mean, I like them like this.” Feldspar takes a bite of his own trying to hide the slight look of displeasure.
“That may work on the others, but not me. Just admit you can’t roast marshmallows and I’ll roast one for you.”
“Alright, you got me.” Feldspar tosses his burnt marshmallow into the campfire as Slate slides another one onto his stick.
---
“So, launch tomorrow.” Slate says matter of factly.
“Yeah.” Feldspar’s voice sounds closer to a sign than speech as he responds.
“How you feeling?”
“Alright.” Feldspar paces around the launch site, barely looking at Slate.
“Care to elaborate?”
“This is what we’ve wanted since we were hatchlings, and now I can’t stop wondering if it’ll be worth it or not.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about that.” Slate sits down leaning back against the log by the campfire, gesturing for Feldspar to join him.
“Why not?” Feldspar asks, reluctantly sitting down beside his friend.
“Because even if it isn’t what we wanted, we’ll still be partners. We can find something else to want.” Slate tosses an arm over Feldspar’s shoulders.
“You're right. You always are.” Feldspar laughs, leaning into Slate.”It feels silly to worry about that now that you’re here. It’s space for hearth’s sake, I’m sure it will be better than we ever imagined.”
“Now there’s the Feldspar I love. Try not to miss me too much out in space.”
“I never could stay sad long around you. Now how are you feeling about the launch?”
“Nervous.” Slate shudders and Feldspar pulls him closer. “About you going out into space alone, and about being down here without you.”
“I wasn’t worried about you alone down here, I know you’ll look after the hatchlings for me. Plus Gabbro is old enough to help now. He’ll be Chert and Riebeck’s favorite in no time.”
“You’re right, you’re right. We’ll be fine down here. I’ll still worry about you though.”
“Don’t. I trust you more than anything, I trust your ship more than anything. I couldn’t be safer up there.”
“Promise you’ll be safe?”
“Always.” Slate takes a deep breath and tucks his head into Feldspar’s shoulder and takes a few moments to breathe before poking his head back up, prompting Feldspar to speak again. “I’ll play the harmonica, your favorite song, and I’ll radio in when I can.”
“You better. I’ll wind my music box every night. Give you something to play along with.”
“We’re saying all this like I’ll be gone for years. Chances are I’ll be back within a few days.”
“And I’ll wait for you right here at the launch site.”
“And you’ll be here for the launch in the morning right?” Feldspar asks.
“You’d never ask that if you weren’t worried about the launch. Not looking forward to all the attention?”
“Yep. That’s most of the reason I can’t sleep.”
“How about we sleep under the stars like we did as hatchlings?”
“Yeah. That sounds perfect.”
---
“Feldspar to ground. Can you hear me?” Feldspar’s voice sounds through the crackling radio.
“Unfortunately.” Slate teases “What did you break this time?”
“Nothing! And quite frankly I’m offended that you think that’s all I radio in for.”
“Then it’s a pleasure to speak to you. It always is. How’s space?” Slate laughs.
“Everything I ever wanted. Giant’s Deep is beautiful, and loud. If you want any science information you can ask Hornfels, I don’t want to explain all that again.”
“Fair enough. Things are pretty good down here too. Chert left for Brittle Hollow recently and Riebeck is working hard at his training.”
“How’s Gabbro?”
“Doing well, he’s being a good sport about all the building he has to help out with, but he really wants to get back into space.”
Feldspar laughs. “Tell him I miss him and I want him to make sure you don’t let anything important explode.” Slate sputters indigently through his laughter. “What about Gossen?”
“He’s doing great. Riebeck’s training and the mining in the Zero-G caves have been keeping him busy.” Slate answers, “What about you? Any big plans up there?”
“Yeah actually, that's the biggest reason I wanted to talk to you.”
“Should I be worried or excited?”
“I think excited. I decided I want to explore Dark Bramble next.” Feldspar declares.
“I’m definitely worried, nothing new there.”
“I’ll be fine. I always am.”
“I know, I know. Just make sure you come back soon. I have something really cool to show you, and I miss you.”
“I miss you too, and I can’t wait for whatever you're working on down there. As soon as I’m done with Dark Bramble, I'll come home. If you promise to wait for me at the launch site.”
“I promise.”
“Good. See you then.” Feldspar sounds cheerful as the radio goes quiet.
---
Feldspar lies on his back looking at the mass of thorny vines above him. “I’m sorry Slate, I don’t think I’ll get home anytime soon.” He listens to the distant crackling from his broken ship.
“My ship got bitten by an anglerfish and is totally busted. I barely got out before it started shooting electricity.” Feldspar breaths through the crack in his visor, smelling the fuel that leaked from his suit.
“In my panic to get away from said anglerfish, I hit a vine and the thorns cracked my visor and put a hole in my suit.” He tilts his head to look at the small plants, providing just enough air to keep him alive.
“I got to an anglerfish skeleton with enough small plants to keep me alive. I probably shouldn’t be talking to you right now. You can’t hear me, all I’m doing is wasting oxygen. But I don’t have the strength to do anything else.” Feldspar lifts an arm, and drops it quickly again, any movement feels like it’s through molasses, only speaking feels worth it.
“I might die here, or I’ll be stuck here until someone gets brave enough to explore this far in. I hope you don’t grieve for me too much, I don’t want all that attention.” Feldspar’s gaze wanders to his harmonica, left on the ground after he dropped it while setting up camp. His eyes get too heavy to keep open.
“I hope someone else gets to use whatever cool thing you wanted to show me. I hope Riebeck keeps training, I hope Chert finds what he’s looking for, I hope Gabbro is happy, I hope Gossen doesn't blame himself. I mostly hope you don’t wait for me at the launch site for too long.” Feldspar reaches for his signalscope at his side, he passes out before he can detach it.
---
Slate scans the stars from his bench at the launch site, looking for movement he knows he won’t be able to see. “Feldspar. Something tells me you aren’t coming home anytime soon.”
He feels the wood below him, cold and rough. “I don’t want to lose faith, but you didn’t leave me much choice. I hope you prove me wrong.”
Slate feels the smooth metal of his signalscope at his side. “I’ve been listening for you every night, Esker and Gness have been too. I hope whatever happened to you wasn’t too painful.”
He listens to the campfire crackle beside him. “Don’t worry about the others, I’ll watch them. Gabbro already gave up hope that you’re alive, he’s been helping Chert and Riebeck. Gossen won’t really give up, but he agrees it's best to assume you’re gone at this point.”
Slate feels the warm fire in front of him, and the cold night all around him. “We’re holding a mourning ceremony tomorrow night. I hope wherever you are is peaceful enough that you won’t mind all the attention.”
He moves from the bench to lie down on the cold grass. “I guess I don’t have to wait for you at the launch site anymore, I know you would want me to move on, even if you are out there somewhere, but I can’t just yet. I hope you aren’t too mad about that.”
Slate reaches for the music box at his side and starts to wind it. “The music box doesn't sound right without your harmonica, but if you are out there somewhere you deserve something to listen to.”
He sets it down and listens to the quiet notes, not looking away from the night sky. “I really miss you Feldspar.” Slate’s eyes stay open until the sky brightens.
---
“Slate! Slate!” Hornfels yells, running down the steps to the launch site.
“Hornfels? What is it?” Slate asks, looking up from the signalscope he was tinkering with.
“The hatchling just told me Feldspar’s alive!”
Slate’s tools fall from his hands, he doesn't hear them hit the ground. “That can’t be right. How do they know? They haven’t even launched yet!”
“I- I don’t know” Hornfels stutters, “The hatchling couldn’t really explain but it makes sense! We’ve heard his harmonica coming from the Dark Bramble seed here and if it links up to the main thing then Feldspar could be alive in there somewhere.”
“And if anyone could survive in there, Feldspar could. So how do we get him? What’s the plan?” Slate stands up, eyes darting around, eager to do something to help.
“The hatchling said the anglerfish in Dark Bramble are blind, they hunt by sound so-”
“You need me to build a silent ship” Slate starts, cutting off Hornfels. “Who’s going to get him? Gossen” Hornfels nods.
“Got it, I’ll start now. How long do I have?” Slate asks.
“The hatchling said Feldspar isn’t in active danger where he is, but it isn’t nice so, get it done as soon as you can safely.”
“On it. Give me a week” Hornfels nods, walking away as Slate grabs paper to start a design.
He looks up at the sky, Bramble Hollow barely visible in the distance. “I’ll get you home soon, I promise.”
---
Slate hears the blowtorch in his hands go quiet. He shakes his head to clear it.
The sky goes dark, he looks around. He can’t see the sun. He sets down the partly modified engine, he has to get back to the village.
Bright blue light shines all around him. Slate’s gaze snaps to the sun, quickly expanding towards him in a burst of bright blue. He knows what this means, for him. For Everything.
“I’m sorry Feldspar.” The light consumes him.
--- Alternate Ending ---
Slate paces the launch site, watching and listening for any sign of the ship Gossen left in not long ago. He remembers the ship is nearly silent as the sound of it hitting the launch pad causes him to jump in surprise.
The lift starts to descend. Gossan is supporting an emaciated figure with a scarred face. Slate recognises him immediately. Feldspar surges forward, jumping down when the lift is still a few feet from the ground. Slate hugs him, he feels Feldspar’s weight against him.
“You’re back. You’re ok.” Slate says. He isn’t sure if it’s to himself or Feldspar.
“Yeah. I’m home. You waited for me.” Slate guides Feldspar to sit down on the bench by the campfire.
“I promised I would. How are you doing?” Slate asks, lighting the campfire as quickly as possible and sitting down beside Feldspar.
“Alright. I found ways to survive. Being back is a lot, I haven't tried to move that much in a while.” Feldspar leans against Slate. “It was lonely up there, but it was peaceful.”
“So what happened? How did you survive?”
“Anglerfish attacked my ship, it started shooting lightning, I got out in time but hit a vine and damaged my suit.” Feldspar shudders, Slate puts an arm around his shoulders. “I found a spot with enough plants to breathe, planted my emergency seeds and passed out. I didn’t think I’d wake up.”
Feldspar pauses, breathing in the rich Timber Hearth air. “I got enough food from my plants and whatever bugs flew by. I was exhausted all the time at first, that's why you didn’t hear me for a while.”
“Well I’m glad you’re back now, everyone will be really happy to see you.” Feldspar sighs. “But we can stay here for a while until you get some strength back.” Slate hands him a marshmallow.
“How’s everyone doing?” Feldspar slowly puts his marshmallow on a stick and moves it close to the flames.
“Decent. Gabbro, Chert, Riebeck, and Esker are out right now, Hornfels is letting them know to come home now. Everyone got over thinking you were dead alright.” Slate puts his own marshmallow on a stick and lowers it over the coals.
“Good. Gossen said you took it the hardest.” Feldspar says, Slate laughs, nodding slightly.
“And who did you miss the most while you were stuck?” Slate asks. Feldspar laughs, hesitant and unsure, like he hasn’t laughed in a while.
“You. I’m glad to see you again.”
“Feeling’s mutual. Everyone else will be glad to see you too, but they can wait a while.”
“Good, as much as I want to see everyone I still feel like I might pass out if I tried to walk.” Feldspar examines his marshmallow, he takes it off the stick and tosses it into the fire.
Slate laughs, “What was that for? That one looked good!”
“I’ve always liked yours better anyway.” Feldspar says, setting his stick down next to him.
“You’re lucky I missed you so much.” Slate laughs harder than he has in a while as he takes the marshmallow from his stick and hands it to Feldspar.