The human was both engineer and bodyguard aboard a ship of havenworlders. In their down time, they enjoyed both knitting and crocheting. They had an old blanket that they'd kept from when they were a child and, when things went bad, it comforted them after the event had passed and the enemies were defeated. A way to calm themselves. Having an idea, they began to make small, soft, blankets, one for each of their havenworlder crewmates. After all, why should they be the only one to have something to grip when things went south? -- Anon Guest
Picture in your mind a handmade blanket. Someone, in a year long past, had not only spun the fibre with care, but also plied it, dyed it, then knitted it into an object made to warm a very small child. It has also been loved. The small child teethed on a patch of it. Sucking and biting and gnawing until there was a hole, which was patched by kind adult hands, knowing that the child loved that blanket.
It has been laundered a billion times. Stained by sundry mishaps. Ripped by accidental tension. Repaired by experts and amateurs alike. It is Human Juud's lifelong treasure, and has gone with them everywhere. This is their Snuggie, and it is their little piece of home and family that they take with them. Sometimes, Human Juud will talk about it as if it is alive. This is not surprising. Humans are famous for pack-bonding with inanimate objects.
It shouldn't be that surprising that Human Juud had learned how to make fibrecraft items for himself. He was, after all, out on his own without any other close family members to help him fix Snuggie when parts of it went the way of all material things. If there is any part of Snuggie that has been there since it was made, you could call that a miracle. But it is the nature of Snuggie that is the point. A material source of comfort and succour in rough times.
Yes, even the toughest of Space Marines has a comfort item somewhere. Something they could not possibly be without for emotional reasons alone. This particular Human may be arguably tougher than a Space Marine, since he is one of the Wild Humans from the Edge, but that doesn't stop him thinking about the Havenworlders in his care. They are fragile, they are scared, and they all depend on Human Juud to help them feel safe.
There's only one Human aboard the Festive Scrap Pile. Not enough Juud to go around. Therefore, when Juud next had shore leave, he went shopping for HavenSafe yarn and busted out the crochet hook. Thereafter, whenever Human Juud had a spare moment, he was making loops with a small tool and using thread that they could fit in a small locker in his livesuit.
The crew of the Festive Scrap Pile initially dismissed this as nervous displacement activity. At least until the first one was completed. This occurred as a surprise for Companion Mim.
"I gotcha something," said Human Juud. They were holding something behind their back. Suspiciously, with both hands.
"Is is going to explode?" said Companion Mim, who was a little too familiar with Human nature.
"No, this is good for you. I made sure." The thing behind Juud came out into the open, and was a folded item that looked like a blanket. "This is a cuddle rug. I made certain it's tactilely rewarding without being dangerous. When things get tense it'll help you relax. Y'know. Just like Snuggie. Only for you."
It was, indeed, mostly harmless. There was a weight to it, but not an oppressive one and, once Mim unfurled it, ze saw that it could provide a comforting hide or merely cover hir while ze rested. There was an odd warmth to it that wasn't necessarily inherent in the actual fabric. It was warmer than it should have been.
"Where are the heat units?" Mim wondered. "This should not be as warm as it is..."
"Oh," said Juud. "That's the love that made it. It's in every fibre of the thing. Handmade is always warmer because it's made with love."
This made no rational sense to Mim, but it was explanation enough for Human Juud. Further research would reveal that it was explanation enough for all Humans familiar with handmade fibrecrafts. And, weirdly, it was true.
It was the warmest blanket that Mim had ever owned, and never too hot to use.
This held true across the crew. Medik Jas had the next one, then Captain Friss. After that, the crew recognised the signs and had heard the mystery of the Comfortably Warm Rugs, and now watched the squares coming out of Human Juud's hands with eager anticipation.
Now there is a ship full of handmade blankets. At least one per crewmate. They are worn and washed and have come across mishaps that are associated with living in or with them. They are being loved.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / bdcollins]
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