With hurried steps, Kian made his way towards the greenhouse. He was already late, and how was it so cold already? He always underdressed, the greenhouse was warm, naturally (ah, another way to describe warmth to M!), and with that in mind he never seemed to have the appropriate amount of clothing on.

He zipped up his “retro” styled bomber jacket with exclusive padding, in hopes of making him a little warmer at least. The sleeves were a shiny navy colour and the body of the jacket was jet black with the slightest sheen. It sported a bright red zipper in plastic down the middle and it was one of Kian’s treasures as he liked to call them.

It was a jacket from Universe 892, or well, he was told that’s what it was. He couldn’t know for certain of course. But Bargain Brick’s owner Joe swore that at least ten percent of his goods were from 892. Ten percent! Show off…

Michael never understood his brother’s fascination with Universe 892. He would always ask why he couldn’t just be happy knowing his place in his own universe. Kian would explain that it wasn’t a matter of belonging to 892, but making that connection, a connection that the people living in 892 couldn’t even begin to dream about being a reality. 

That’s what intrigued him. That’s what kept him up at night, that along with thinking about things old Joe used to tell him about as he showed off the things from 892 in his store.

‘You know that’s just a selling point to make people want to buy his crappy old junk, right?’ Michael kept saying. Kian always scoffed at his suggestion. Sure, it could be possible he was lying about the origins of the things he was trying to sell off… But more importantly, It could also be entirely true. And Kian preferred to think the latter was the correct answer, mostly for his happiness sake and to make that hole in his wallet burn less.

Kian rushed into the large building in which his brother worked along with Sildi. Her fascination was rocks and dirt and the occasional water samples. After one too many ‘Hey Sil, would you say the proof is ROCK solid?’, Kian was no longer allowed in her part of the lab.

He quickly hurried through the corridor, his hands stuffed in his pockets to keep them warm, nodding to other various co-workers along the way. When he finally reached the greenhouse, he pulled the door handle open with such force that the windows shook violently. He took a deep breath and closed the door behind him, unzipping his jacket. He grinned.

“It’s party thyme!!” Kian called out and snickered to himself. “Party thyme, I’m a genius,” he chuckled and took off his jacket, hanging it on a tall cactus-like plant that stood by the door. “Hey there, lookin’ sharp!” He continued with a big grin, gazing out over the rather large space filled with all kinds of vegetation, from flowers, to greenery, to bushes, to trees and roots. 

“Seriously? With the puns? Every day?” Michael said as he appeared behind Kian.