“Are you sure there’s no way to return?” Kuepper asked Ahndeon again and the Alale sighed. The two had this same conversation twenty minutes ago. As soon as Kuepper fulfilled his part of the deal with Alexiselia, he’d started to bombard Ahndeon with questions.

“I’ve already told you, the only ship that could return you to Earth is under construction. The ID10-34T won’t be ready for another hundred years,” Ahndeon sighed and pushed Kuepper and Tsumaki out of the dome building.

“But I won’t live that long!” Kuepper protested. Ahndeon just shrugged then locked the door behind the pair.

Kuepper walked into the middle of the Andyvion flowers and sat down with a pout featured on his face. Tsumaki chuckled and made their way to sit down with him. “I can’t stay mad with these stunning flowers around me…” Kuepper grumbled and picked one out of the ground.

“They're beautiful, just like you,” Tsumaki smiled. Kuepper was a little shocked at the unexpected show of affection but was happy nonetheless. “I have an idea,” Tsumaki said and pulled them both to their feet. They pulled Kuepper with them until they stood at the edge of the mountains’ cliff. “Drop the flower,” Tsumaki whispered and leaned their head on Kuepper's shoulder. “In memory of your troop.”

Kuepper wasn’t sure at first and doubted if this would be a proper way to pay his respects to his crew. Even so, with a hint of doubt still present in his mind, he felt like this might provide some sort of closure. Kuepper’s slender fingers gently dropped the flower and sent it off the edge of the cliff. For my troop... Kuepper thought and a stray tear ran down his face followed by several more. Tsumaki was quick to embrace him, and cradle Kuepper’s head in the dip of their neck as he silently cried. Kuepper watched the beautiful flower float carelessly down and hummed in approval when it finally disappeared, now buried in the falling snow. Kuepper’s thoughts echoed in his head, May your souls rest in peace and be blanketed by my love, like my Andyvion flower blanketed by the snow.