Look - up in the sky...!

[thespaceopera]

Suddenly, the SS Pathstone and the SS Golden begin to move on their own... slowly, calmly, they drift to two different points, a certain distance apart, away from the other ships of the fleet. Then, just as slowly, they turn to face each other.

And that is all the warning there is before the engines engage -- full speed ahead.

Like a pair of rockets, the ships torpedo toward each other, perfectly lined up for a head-on collision, and there is nothing to stop them. No matter what buttons the crews press, no matter how much they might panic, nothing is going to stop the inevitable. Any other ships watching will not have time to attempt any sort of interception.

CRASH!!

As if to shield spectators' eyes from the horrors of ships colliding in space, there's a blinding light upon impact -- and once it gradually fades, the results can be clearly seen by all: There is no wreckage. Nothing is broken. But where there were once two ships... now there's only one.

One ship that is... very clearly made up of parts from the SS Pathstone and the SS Golden, but somehow seems well put together, at least!

-----------

On the bridge, the crews of the SS Golden and the SS Pathstone arrive, along with the usual pop! of Atroma confetti and ridiculous jingle music upon a successful shuffle. Sitting in the captain's chair is a round cake, just large enough for everyone to have one slice. There's a single candle, and the following message scribbled on top in yellow icing:

"Congratulations - SS Goldstone!
Happy Fusion!"




... What, did you think you were going to die? Sorry about that.

Comments

[noprophecies]

[. . . smol captain where did that cake come from. He looks to be in one piece, though, and that's a good thing, so she reaches out to help get the confetti out of his hair]

Are you all right? It means to put things together, I believe.

[throwsdown]

[He's in one piece, and so is this cake, so... win-win.

He lets her fidget and clean his hair as he talks with wide, attentive eyes.]

I'm okay! But I'm just real confused! 'Cus I guess they did put things together, but I dunno how they did it, and maybe it was magic — like magicians! Did you ever see the magicians who can cut people in half and put them back together??

Maybe it's like that...!

[noprophecies]

[she gently ruffles his hair one more time before she pauses, eyebrows drawing down in confusion]

I . . . beg pardon, they do what?

[she knows of magicians, but she's never heard of them cut people in half wtf]

[throwsdown]

They saw 'em in half! They sit in a big box with their feet and head poking out and they get put in half! And then the magician, he pulls the two boxes apart, and the person's alive and stuff, and then they put them right back together!

[He almost drops the cake, trying to make a show of his hands, but recovers.]

Magic.

[noprophecies]

That - magicians do that?

[she reaches down to steady the cake as well, eyes wide at what she just learned]

Goodness . . . I will have to ask my friend about it. He is a magician.

[throwsdown]

Whoa!! You have a magician friend?!

[The cake bounces with his eagerness.]

Who is it?! Do I know 'em!?

[noprophecies]

[small child please, she reaches to steady the cake again]

I - do not know? Have you met Kaito yet?

[throwsdown]

[He shakes his head.]

Nuh-uh! They're crew on a ship here? I wanna see some magic tricks!

[noprophecies]

[n-no . . . how can he make her smile so easily when their ships almost crashed and she nearly had a heart attack.

This isn't fair]

Mm, they are. I will ask him? He likes to show off, so I do not think he'd turn me down.

[throwsdown]

Thanks, Miss Tempest! I think that'll be so cool.

Maybe you can be his cool magician assistant!

[noprophecies]

Me? I don't know if that would be a good idea.

[throwsdown]

Why not? I bet you'd be really great!

[noprophecies]

[. . . she kneels down and motions him closer as if she's about to tell him a very important secret]

Do you remember our talk about adopted families?

The magician is my little brother. That is why it's not a good idea.

[throwsdown]

But that means he'll be even more careful not to really saw you in half!

[SEE EVERYTHING'S GREAT.]

[noprophecies]

[THAT IS NOT GREAT AT ALL she wrinkles her nose in an effort not to laugh]

As talented as he is, I am not letting him saw me in half.

[throwsdown]

.... You're right.

[He looks real focused for a moment, remembering something, hand on his chin.]

I saw what happens when it's not magic. It's bad, real bad.

[noprophecies]

[. . . jesus christ.

Immediately changing the subject, yep]

—mm, so we will have to make him show off his other tricks, yes?

[throwsdown]

[Smart lady.

He practically sparkles, though.]

That'd be real great! You'll let me know if he says he will, right?

[noprophecies]

[oh thank the gods]

I will let you know as soon as I do.