Touching his cheek Phineas groaned. Rubbing his finger and thumb together he inclined his head toward the Captain, frowning.
"The test, darling. Just do the test."
She fluttered her lashes at him, all innocence. The little minx. Instead of doing as asked she was using her TTD to kiss him while he was unaware. Catching his reflection in the glass he saw on both sides of his face there were half a dozen near perfect lip prints in mauve. If his colleagues saw him now they'd laugh about it for weeks.
"Something wrong, my sun and stars?" She asked, fingers laced demurely patting her foot on the floor.
"The sun is a star too." Phineas muttered as he rubbed the lipstick off his face. Her reflection pouted.
"You're supposed to say 'moon of my life'.
Every day was like this. She was always teasing him in one way or another. The Captain never flaunted their growing relationship but didn't hide it either. Sometimes when he was working she'd be waiting for him, pressed to the glass wall and trace a heart with both fingers in the condensation left by her breath. Other times she'd look at him like he was the sexiest man in the colony begging for his favor with her eyes.
Still, true to her word they were borderline chaste. Even when they spent time at her Byzantium flat and the bed was large enough for both of them she only ever cuddled up to him. More often than not she would wake him in the dark when his dreams troubled him. Or he'd awaken for no reason and content himself watching her. The best part was when he departed, much as he loathed it, and murmured a goodbye. At first he thought this was not enough to wake her but every time she'd return with a whine of protest, a sleepy 'see you later' or 'love you'.
That last one was his favorite.
Both of them hated to sleep. Sleep was a waste of time anyway, the Captain often said. "I already slept seventy years, I have stuff to do!"
Yet most of the stuff was slow, meandering. Quiet moments. She did her best to share them with Phineas. Sometimes he forgot how much she missed out on.
Sometimes he forgot how much he missed out on.
Sure, if Halcyon faced another crisis The Captain would handle it, guns blazing. Phineas was more than happy that she fought more with words and reforms these days for then she would return to him safe and sound. Even if she did ridiculous things like find a guitar to strum and sing Bubbles a song she made up about the cystypig's name. Bubbles at least seemed to like the extra attention.
The Captain often sang when happy. Phineas encouraged her to sing if only for that reason. She wasn't bad per se but often chose songs well out of her range. Halcyon was badly in need of culture. The musicians, poets and painters that had awoken from their long slumber surely had plenty to angst or moan about but their hands and strong backs were needed for now. In their free time they could work their true craft.
Power was placed back into the hands of the people. The Captain considered herself a worker the same as any of them. She took no credit for the shift or even thought herself a person of influence. But like as not she was Halcyon's darling. On those awful long days when they were apart Phineas and the Captain exchanged messages. He looked forward to them and tried always to answer quickly. They were sometimes rambling, often funny, and always endearing:
[To: Welles, Phineas V.]
[From: Frost, Kenna K.]
Phin Phin,
I'm gonna call you that whether you like it or not!
Met with Minister Clarke today. He's excited that the corporations are in talks for rolling out new policies involving fair wages, health insurance and days off. Chairman Rockwell was there too. Clarke said he never saw someone sweat so much in a cool room.
The bigwigs are understanding now that happy workers are productive workers. I proposed they have some kind of incentive for hard work besides breaks and useless medals. We met the shuttle with the new workers. A lot of them are botanists and Clarke thinks they can help Ms. McDevitt with the food problem. Terra 2 is looking the most promising- I remember reading somewhere that volcanic soil is supposed to be very fertile. Maybe we've been going about it the wrong way. Just so much shortsightedness. I think the people were excited to go to space. I know I was.
I don't know about any of this. You, Sanjar, Zora and Adelaide are going to be the game changers. I just shot some people and said a few things that are true.
Anyway, how are things with you? On clear days on Terra 2 you can see the Hope in orbit. People keep expressing interest in meeting you but all I can do is ask. Minister Clarke especially but he's always super busy.
I miss you! Pet Bubbles for me!
Yours,
KKF
PS. Sometimes I say my initials aloud, they sound like static KKKKKFFFFFF.
PPS We should have a candlelit dinner sometime. I saw it on some serial once and I thought 'I wanna do that' Just never found anyone special enough. Until now.
Okay really signing off this time!
XOXO
[From: Welles, Phineas V.]
[To: Frost, Kenna K.]
To my dearest Kenna,
My name doesn't lend itself to nicknames very well, does it? Phin is the usual diminutive but that brings to mind a dirty faced youth on adventures not some dried up codger.
The corps are going to fight tooth and nail against these policies- you know that. Rockwell will be chief among them and his treatment at your hands will be his rallying cry. I know you have everything well in hand but I ask you to please be careful in that nest of vipers in suits.
Maybe it's my completely justified paranoia but I know the Board - reforming or not- wouldn't be above a few political assassinations even after all that's happened. Though I think the power vacuum left by Sophia Akande's absence -the true iron fist of Halcyon- has left most of them vulnerable. They know we stand a better chance if we work together, even if we must grit our teeth to do it.
I would like nothing more than to mingle with the men and women who stood their ground in the face of the Board's tyranny, It would be a tremendous honor but I'm no good in public as you saw at the reception.
Don't sell yourself short, darling. You are an oasis in this desert, you led the charge- I merely take credit in unleashing you upon the world and setting you on your path.
We will have a chance to spend time together soon. I think Bubbles misses you. She sits by the door sometimes. I will give her extra pets for you.
Utterly yours,
PVW
PS. You are so easily amused, dearest. If I tried that I'd probably spit everywhere. Bad idea.
PPS If we can find some candles, I'm all for it. I'm taking precautions regardless. Fire extinguishers will be within arms' reach.
PPPS What are the Xs and Os about? If I have to replace your keyboard again I will give you such a pinch. You can't blame Bubbles this time either.
[From: Frost, Kenna K]
[To: Welles, Phineas V.]
Dearest darling sweetness Phin Phin,
Okay fine it will be a private joke. Kenna doesn't have any cute nicknames either. I'll accept things like magnificent queen of the stars, goddess of the cosmos and champion of Halcyon instead. No autographs, please.
At least you gained some knowledge- I've been a popsicle so long, yesterday I forgot what a wrench was. If Parvati could have heard me she would have fainted. Speaking of Parvati! She and Junlei moved in together! Maybe we should send them a gift?
A new doohickey! That's what I called the wrench. The...the THING! It's next to the STUFF! Those are technical terms, right? I'll think of something. I'm open to suggestions.
Anyway, you did great at the reception. I recall I told you I was barely holding it together. Next time if you can you should be my date. Or maybe I have ulterior motives and just want to be danced with! Oh ho! But in all seriousness if you are up for it I'd love for you to go to the next snooty party I'm invited to. If it doesn't work out we can just leave. But you don't have to go, no pressure.
Okay FINE we will use precautions around open flames. I have class A, B, C and D extinguishers and I know how to use them. I can't wait until Thursday! It's Tuesday night and I can't sleep for thinking, wishing it was Thursday and we can be together.
Oh yeah, the Xs and Os is like, an old love letter custom. They represent hugs and kisses, I think? Don't know which is which.
I forgot the last message but I got sent tossball tickets! I have four so of course I have to bring Felix and Max so I was wondering if you wanted to come. I still have no idea what it's about but it could be fun, plus Max has been busy lately and I think he would enjoy the break. Felix has been doing okay in Edgewater but Max thinks he'd be better off on Groundbreaker. I'm not so sure. It's not for me to say, really.
Gonna try to get some shut eye now. Dreaming of you.
-KKF
XOXO
PPS KKF, kkf-any? Cacophony? That would fit. My brain goes weird places when I'm tired.
[From: Welles, Phineas V.]
[To: Frost, Kenna K.]
My beautiful queen of the endless sea of stars, light of my life, my angel of Hope. Need I go on?
I can't say I'm surprised Parvati and Junlei got that serious. Good for them. A housewarming gift, I'll have to think about that. You and I might as well cohabitate as much as you leave things at the lab, my absent minded dear. Speaking of which for the love of all that is lawful STOP leaving your brassieres here, I know you do it on purpose.
Oh yes the doohickey. It's a crucial piece of equipment as is the thingamajig.
I suppose I could be your arm candy for the evening if I can tear myself from work for an evening. I make no promises but we can discuss details closer to the date. One must be danced with at all costs. It's technically Thursday now as I write this, well past midnight. At least this time tomorrow your spot on the couch won't be empty.
Tossball game, oh. As fun as that could be with you, it means facing my old nemesis- stairs. Plus crowds means lots of noise equals cranky Phineas.
I'll be counting the hours until the Unreliable docks.
Ever at your side,
Utterly yours,
PVW
XOXO
[From: Frost, Kenna K.]
[To: Welles, Phineas V.]
To my rebel genius, my darling,
I'm not a poet, alright?
I got your message as soon as I got up. I'll see you later tonight but I can't wait!
Oh so that's where that bra went. Shit. Sorry! Maybe I am doing it on purpose as an excuse to come over, did you ever think of that?
Yes please be my arm candy! Awww I'm disappointed but I understand if you don't wanna go to the tossball game. I made the mistake of mentioning I had one more ticket but I think I'll go with Celia's suggestion and take Sanjar. He's not keen on the idea either but he works so hard he deserves an afternoon off. Now poor Vicar Max has to babysit all three of us.
Gotta refuel then I'll be on my way!
Can't wait!
-KKF
XOXO