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Hold Dear the Studious and Invariant
Beginning to Appreciate
Doppler's Point of View
Tonight, of all nights, I just had to leave my compass out on deck.
I had to be quiet; quiet as a church mouse as it were if I was going to pull this off. It was one o' clock in the morning and way past the curfew the Captain had very wisely instituted for eleven. A lights out due to the rowdy behavior of the crew a few nights ago. They had just enough time to wrap up main duties, chat and wind down before heading straight to their bunks below deck. The only ones to be out were the late watchmen and the helmsmen. This practice, however, involved me, though I just couldn't possibly see why since my best work can only be done in twilight. Sometimes I think that woman just does that to get on my nerves, but I wasn't planning on being up here long. Just grab the compass and head straight back to my quarters. As simple as that. Maybe a stop by the galley to pick up some purps for a late night snack wouldn't hurt either.
As I crept along I could not help but be memorized by the vast oceanic quality of the ethurium. Looking through my telescope from Montressor compared with seeing it first hand were two very different experiences. So armored in it was I that I hadn't noticed the first step to the stairs off the bridge. Luckily, I caught myself on the railing, but so much for quiet. Hopefully, no one heard that. I looked down at the stateroom but no movement came. Mr. Turnbuckle turned to look at me. I ducked down low, being I was already down here anyway. If he saw me he obviously didn't care or, if anything, was too tired to care for he turned right back to his duty. Oh well, Mr. Snuff would be up to relieve him of his duties soon and I had a better rapport with the flatula then our current helmsmen, so best to just stay out of sight for now.
Creeping down the stairway I was reminded of my childhood antics. I remembered crawling out of my bed at around eleven when I was eight or nine and sneaking past my brothers, then my sisters, and finally my parents. Ha, my sisters were always the hardest to pass especially Cassandra, my oldest and dearest sister. Of course, all my siblings were older than I was.
She used to say, "Delly, what are you doing up this late?"
I would always answer, "I have to use the bathroom", and try to throw her off.
But that would never work because she would say, "Right. The bathroom would be that way", and point down in the opposite direction.
"Well, I wanted to . . ." I would start but she always finished.
"You wanted to go outside and look at the stars. I know Delly, but it's too cold outside. I'll tell you what, let's get some cookies instead."
Those were some good times, but I needed to get back on track. However, I couldn't help but laugh a little out loud at my favorite sister. It was the cookies I was always after along with watching the stars. I guess, in a way, she knew that.
Amelia's Point of View
"That's odd, I could have sworn I heard a noise come from over here," I mused stepping further out onto the main deck. However, upon reaching the spot that I had heard the sound no one was present. Amelia, old girl, you're losing your touch . . . or have I. I noticed the familiar red coattails leading down to the galley and smiled slyly to myself. It seems that canids can't ignore that call for seconds. Wait until Arrow hears this, telling me the doctor was being nothing but submissive indeed. Oh well, a quick reprimand and we will send the wayward astronomer off to bed. Mmm, now should I just confront him immediately or shock him when he comes back out with his prize. Catching him with his hand in the cookie jar would be a whole lot more fun, so I chose the latter and waited just outside the galley entrance. I waited patiently for what seemed like hours, but no sign of him coming up was given. What was he doing in there, cooking?
"How odd," I whispered as I quietly descended the stairs.
Doppler's Point of View
Blasted prups! The fruit had escaped my grasp and hid underneath the first table on the way out. Now, I was crawling around on my hands and knees all over the ground trying to find the confounded things, but it is so dark I can't see but the outline of certain objects. I also need to talk to Jim about his janitorial duties; they're less than stellar down here. Ah, wait there they are. I quickly grabbed them. Just as I did I heard something from above. Was someone coming? I tried to look up from my previous position and saw nothing. Oh well, maybe just my imagination. I stood up and walked out of the galley only to be hit by the strong sense that someone was behind me. On turning around though I could not make out anyone. I decided it was time to just gather my stuff and go.
Amelia's Point of View
"How in blue blazes," I said as I whirled around to see the doctor exiting. The nerve that he would hide or something of that nature and then nonchalantly walk out as if I wasn't here. I had mistakenly thought he was in the kitchen area when I did not see him in the mess. Even in this dim lighting, I could see detail in the utmost quality, but I had no idea he was underneath a table. I quickly made my way to the stairwell and climbed up, looking for the evasive culprit only to find him moving around the second mass behind the galley. So he wanted to play games, well we'll see if he likes to play by my rules.
Doppler's Point of View
Oh, it was like trying to play hide and seek with my astronomical equipment and unfortunately, I was losing. Ah, wait. There you are. I grabbed my stuff which included the compass I so desperately needed. Suddenly, I felt the vibrations of boards underneath me that almost gave me a heart attack. Seven days on this ship and I still wasn't used to the feel of the Ehterium currents. I wobbled over to the large mass and steadied myself on it. I had better head back to my quarters soon or else I'll be in trouble. If the Captain found me she would be furious or would she just be smart. Probably the latter, she isn't one to lose her temper out loud at least.
"Doctor!" I nearly jumped out of my fur when I heard my name come so venomously behind me. I whirled around to see the Captain, ears low to her head, hands folded behind her back, eyebrows dangerously low and blazing green eyes pricing my soul. If looks could kill, I was nothing short of a dead man. Why was she so angry? What did I do? My mind rattled off defensively but with slight hysteria.
"Why were you avoiding me, sir?" she questioned firmly. I was blank for a moment. Avoiding, I didn't even know she was there.
Amelia's Point of View
I was expecting a look of guilt, or shame, even a look of disappointment but what etched itself across the good doctor's face was confusion; pure bewilderment.
"I'm sorry, Captain, I had forgotten some things and I came up here to retrieve them . . . I didn't mean to go against the cur. . ."
"Doctor, just answer my first question, please?" He seemed not to understand and pointed behind him as if to illustrate his first statement.
"No, I didn't see you. I didn't even know you were behind me."
I looked at him closely taking into account the sheer honesty of his voice. I would know if he had any falsehood in his answer, for even just knowing him for seven days he was a horrible liar. His eyes also didn't object to his statement, but how could he not of known I was following him.
"Sorry," he apologized again as he readjusted his supplies. This is when I noticed the purps. He must have noticed as well as he looked down and blushed, knowing he was caught. He looked back up with his reddened face and I couldn't help but forgive his antics.
"That's fine, Doctor," I said calmly and slowly allowing my face to reflect my voice. He seemed to relax as he allowed his ears and eyebrows to come down slightly. He smiled warmly and allowed his posture to straighten. His relieved position didn't spark any suspicion in me and in fact, I was going to jest with him. He must have been blind if he couldn't see me, but he froze. I could not tell if he was fascinated or hypnotized or even if he was looking behind or at me.
"Doctor, is there something wrong," I asked but did not receive but a vacant stare for an answer. I could now tell he was looking at me. What did I have something in my teeth? I tried again this time with a sharper voice, becoming tired of being the center of attention.
"Doctor!"
That seemed to do the trick as he quickly turned away, startled, and looked back up at me.
"Sorry . . . Captain," he said meekly before clearing his throat.
"What were you looking at?" I asked. He paled in what I guess was shock as if the man wasn't anticipating such a question after staring for so long. Honestly, I have never witnessed anything stranger as he tried to utter a response.
"I was . . . was just looking at the . . . Celeste Nebula."
I looked at him oddly, knowing there was falsehood in that one, before turning around to indeed see the Celeste Nebula far out, only appearing as a blue, grey wisp in the distance. Though he was an astronomer and very much admired the heavenly bodies, I saw nothing that would captivate attention, especially since a spectacular view could be easily attained by a spyglass or a telescope in the good doctor's case. Thoughts of what he was really looking at ran through my head but were stopped by the doctor's quick voice.
"Well, it is late so I better hurry on back to my quarters. Good-sight, Captain," he said, practically running off while trying to correct his verbal error, "Good-night I mean, good-night, Captain."
Before I even had a chance to respond to him or his behavior he was gone. I supposed I'd never truly find out and decided to turn in myself, knowing I had a long day ahead of me, but still I was wondering, thinking. What could that man have possibly been staring at?
Doppler's Point of View
My heart was racing and I could feel it crossing the finish line of my throat. I was breathing so rapidly and shallow that I thought I would never catch my breath. What was that? Why? 'Pull it together, old boy,' I told myself but I was so embarrassed, so flustered, so upset that my insides were spinning. I felt childish for running off but I couldn't stay. I closed the door behind me still breathing irregularly. Her eyes, her brilliant green eyes were still in front of my vision. I felt crazy, I must be crazy.
"I've looked at her before, a hundred times. Well maybe, not a hundred, but . . . but never like that!" I exasperated to myself. I felt drawn to them this time. Yes, the occurrence of looking at a woman and being attracted has happened to me before and even looking at the . . . the captain, she is beautiful after all. What am I talking about? Oh, I can't deny that she is, but looking directly into her eyes with a dazzling, starry backdrop was . . . obviously too much for my senses, that's all, right? Maybe I should go to bed earlier, that's it. I was merely feeling the delusion of the moment, I was fine now. After all, she is the Captain of the ship and feline, let's not forget that, oh but, my, is she lovely . . . No just a Captain. Just a Captain.
I just need to rest, maybe play a bit. I reached for my cello case when I noticed the time again. What was I thinking? I didn't want to disturb anyone, especially Mr. Arrow who was above me, I think. I instead walked over to my drawer and laid my coat, vest and shirt, and trousers upon it before crawling into my cramped bed, leaving my shoes next to it. Unfortunately, I was having trouble pushing all these thoughts back into my mind before I could rest. I would have to read my Bible in the morning, however before I slip off into sleep, God please give me two things tonight, peace and wisdom. In your Son's name, Amen.