They'd been surveying the planet for several months now, the haven-worlders and their human friends. The planet was more than sufficient for colonization, that seemed to be sure, but they wanted to see how the changing of the seasons played out in full. Sitting within the large shelter base they'd set up, the humans feeding more wood into the fireplace they'd absolutely insisted on building into the design of the base, the captain had an odd feeling of peace as they relaxed on the lounger by the window. Springtime rain was pattering on the roof, the crew and scientists were talking, some playing games of dice, the crackle of the very well contained fire which brought extra warmth into this place. They realized they felt... content tonight. This place felt like... well it felt like home. From when they were young. A rainy night like this? Made them look forward to when this place opened for colonization and they could bring their family here. -- Anon Guest
Sometimes, there's absolutely nothing wrong with a newly-discovered world. It's almost inevitable. The hazards encountered, planet by planet, result in solutions. Problems solved generations prior in other, harsher environments make the milder ones far more amenable. Sometimes, a world is just right. In this case, just the right amount of challenges to make it a perfect 'tough love' colony for level two Havenworlders and a relaxing resort world for their Human counterparts.
They still had to test it for a year. Most of the planetary climate was temperate, but there was always the chance of seasonal surprises. The atmosphere was both breathable and fragrant, the edible flora and fauna plentiful and easily farmed. Life on the new world was good. The Humans did insist on adding a fireplace to the communal space of the habitat, but that was Humans for you. They'd do the strangest things for the most nonsensical of reasons.
The logic of it came at last during a rainy evening with nothing better to do. The Humans were playing one of their more complicated games involving dice, mathematics, and making things up with varying degrees of hilarity. Thork was huddled up with their nestmate under one of the fluffier blankets and listening to the fire crackle and the rain patter against roof and window alike.
This was the Human concept of 'cozy'. Things were not perfect, but they were at an achievable level of comfort where closeness was a part of the equation.
"I'm putting down buttons to mark the trail," said one of the Human players.
"My Goblin's picking them up," said another.
The entire table of Humans burst into laughter.
"Okay. That's one inspiration for acting in character," chuckled the game runner.
"It's a good thing some of us picked Keen Mind as a character trait," said another player.
"Too bad my character doesn't trust yours."
"Yet."
Some people were baking with the new flora they had recently farmed. Some were reading quietly. Some, like Thork, were just cuddling up to their best-beloveds and letting the time tick by.
It was rare that planetary surveyors like themselves had an abundance of time to spend. Most of their occupation was filled with finding obstacles to surmount or problems to solve. The time here was rare, and peaceful, and nobody wanted to upset things by pointing this out.
It was a time of Ma. The time of pause, and blankness, between other events. It was a time with nothing important to do. It was a time of unimportance.
Grex was steeping some tea. Yuuk had apparently fallen into a doze by the fire. Human Jef had sprawled out on the couch and two of Thork's nestlings had decided that ze made an excellent heat pad and were snuggled on top of hir. In a collection of minutes, Human Reis and Lofa's cake experiment would be done and nestlings, Humans, and Rexxio crewmates alike would be crowding the kitchen to try a sample.
Life, in the moment, was good.
They had nothing to do, and they were going to enjoy it.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / Scovad]
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