The Space Station floated in the endless expanse of the galaxy, its metallic surface reflecting faint glimmers of starlight. Beyond the observation window, space stretched on forever—a sea of black punctuated by shimmering constellations. Saiphee and Vantheos sat together in the quiet lounge, their conversation drifting as naturally as the stars outside.

“Saiphee,” Vantheos began, breaking the silence, “what’s the first thing you’d do if we ever made it to Earth?” His voice was light, casual, but there was an unmistakable curiosity in his tone as he sipped his tea.

Saiphee leaned forward, resting his arms on the table as he considered the question. His dark eyes reflected the faint glow of the stars outside, thoughtful and steady. “If we made it to Earth…” he echoed, his voice low. “I think I’d want to study its life forms. Its ecosystems, its creatures… and, of course, its humans.” A faint smile tugged at his lips. “They’re fascinating, aren’t they? A species so fragile, yet so persistent.”

Vantheos grinned, his cyan eyes gleaming with excitement. “I’d like to meet them. Actually talk to them, learn how they think, how they live. I mean, how often do you get the chance to interact with a species so… different from us?”

Saiphee arched an eyebrow, his expression tinged with skepticism. “You make it sound like you’re planning to walk up and introduce yourself. You do realize we’re not exactly… inconspicuous?”

Vantheos laughed, leaning back in his chair with an easy shrug. “Of course not. I wouldn’t just blurt out that we’re not from their planet. I know the rules, Saiphee. I can be discreet when I need to be.”

“Discreet?” Saiphee repeated, a hint of amusement in his tone. “You? I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Vantheos smirked, undeterred. “You’ll see. I can blend in. Charm them, even.”

Saiphee shook his head, a quiet laugh escaping him. “You’re impossible.”

For a moment, their eyes met across the table. The playful edge to their conversation faded, replaced by something quieter, something unspoken. The stars outside reflected in Vantheos’ bright gaze, and Saiphee felt a strange tug in his chest, like gravity pulling him toward something unfamiliar and unexpected.

He quickly looked away, his fingers idly tracing patterns on the table’s surface. “Just… don’t let your enthusiasm get us into trouble,” he muttered, his voice softer now.

Vantheos noticed the faint flush in Saiphee’s expression but didn’t comment. Instead, he turned his attention back to the window, his tone taking on a reflective edge. “You know, it’s funny,” he said quietly. “We’ve spent so much time exploring the stars, but I’ve never really thought about what it would feel like to step onto a planet like Earth. To be somewhere… so alive.”

Saiphee glanced at him, his usual guardedness softening. “You’ve always been drawn to the unknown,” he said. “I think you’d thrive there.”

“And you?” Vantheos asked, his voice gentle. “What about you, Saiphee? Do you think you’d ever want to stay on a planet like that?”

Saiphee hesitated, the question catching him off guard. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I’ve always been more comfortable observing from a distance. It’s… easier that way.”

Vantheos nodded, but his gaze lingered on Saiphee, a quiet understanding passing between them. “Maybe,” he said after a moment. “But sometimes, the best discoveries happen when you step a little closer.”

The words hung in the air, their meaning deeper than the surface conversation. Saiphee felt his chest tighten, a warmth blooming there that he couldn’t quite name. He didn’t respond, letting the silence stretch between them as they both turned their attention back to the stars.

It wasn’t a grand moment, but it didn’t need to be. Something unspoken was beginning to grow between them—slowly, quietly, like a seed taking root in the endless expanse of space.

And for now, that was enough.

The Space Station drifted in the infinite expanse of space, its metallic walls softly glowing under the ambient light. Saiphee and Vantheos sat across from each other in the quiet lounge, their conversation meandering as it often did in moments of stillness.

“Have you ever thought about cutting your hair off?” Vantheos asked suddenly, his tone light and teasing. He leaned back in his chair, hoping to shift the mood to something more casual.

Saiphee paused, then turned his head slightly, his long, straight lilac hair cascading over his shoulder like a silken curtain. “No,” he replied simply, his voice steady. “I like it this way.”

Vantheos raised an eyebrow, his cyan eyes glinting with a mix of curiosity and amusement. “It’s so long, though. Soon, it’ll be trailing behind you. Yours might even be longer than Quartz’s by now.”

Saiphee chuckled softly, a rare sound that caught Vantheos’ attention. “It might be,” he admitted, his tone lightening. He brushed a strand of hair away from his face, his smile faint but genuine. Slowly, he was beginning to enjoy these moments with Vantheos, something he hadn’t expected when they were first paired together.

Vantheos’ gaze shifted, catching the faint shimmer of Saiphee’s earrings as they swayed gently with his movements. The intricate design caught the light, reflecting faint hues that seemed almost alive. “Those earrings,” Vantheos said, leaning forward slightly. “Do they ever get in the way when you’re working? They look... delicate. What are they, anyway?”

Saiphee blinked, his fingers instinctively brushing against one of the earrings. “These?” he asked, tilting his head. “They’re my Origin.”

“Your Origin?” Vantheos repeated, confusion flickering across his face. “What does that mean?”

Saiphee frowned slightly, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied Vantheos. “You don’t know what an Origin is?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Vantheos shook his head, clearly puzzled. “No. Should I?”

Saiphee’s expression softened, though the confusion lingered. “That’s… strange,” he murmured, almost to himself. After a pause, he spoke again, his tone quieter now, as though explaining something sacred. “An Origin is a symbol of where we come from. These earrings are my connection to my ancestors… a reminder that my lineage began on the planet Jupiter.”

“Jupiter?” Vantheos asked, his voice quieter now, touched with awe.

Saiphee nodded, his fingers brushing the earring again as if the touch grounded him. “It’s more than just tradition. On this station, our Origins are part of who we are. They represent the planets our ancestors called home, the legacies they left behind. Everyone wears something to honor their Origin. It’s… important.”

Vantheos leaned back, his expression thoughtful. “I see,” he said slowly. “So what about me? My ancestors were from Uranus. What should I be wearing?”

Saiphee’s eyes widened slightly, his lilac hair falling forward as he leaned closer. “If your Origin is Uranus, you should be wearing a diamond pendant,” he said, his voice firm. “It’s the symbol of your planet.”

Vantheos frowned, a faint crease forming between his brows. “I don’t have one,” he admitted. “No one ever told me I needed one.”

Saiphee straightened, his concern deepening. “That’s… unusual,” he said, his voice carrying a note of worry. “Everyone on this station has their Origin with them. It’s more than just tradition—it’s how we’re recognized. Without it…” He trailed off, his gaze searching Vantheos’ face.

“Without it, what?” Vantheos prompted, his tone quiet but insistent.

Saiphee hesitated, then sighed. “Without it, you’re… incomplete. It’s not just about tradition—it’s about belonging. Your Origin connects you to your people, to your planet, to this station. It’s part of who you are.”

Vantheos looked down at his hands, his usual confidence faltering. “I didn’t know,” he said softly. “No one ever explained this to me.”

Saiphee’s expression softened further, and he leaned forward, his tone gentler now. “It’s not too late,” he said. “You can still find something that feels right. A pendant, an accessory—something that connects you to Uranus.”

Vantheos looked up, his cyan eyes meeting Saiphee’s dark gaze. For a moment, there was only silence between them, the weight of the conversation settling like a quiet hum in the air. Finally, Vantheos nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Maybe you could help me,” he said.

Saiphee’s lips curved into a faint smile of his own. “I think I could do that,” he said.

The quiet bond between them seemed to grow in that moment, the distance between their worlds narrowing just a little. As they sat together, the importance of their Origins—and the connection they were beginning to form—felt as vast and enduring as the stars outside. Saiphee’s mind wandered for a moment, but something tugged at him, and he looked up at Vantheos, his expression suddenly serious.

“Oh, right,” Saiphee said, his voice dropping slightly, taking on a more sober tone. “What did Madam Ilya tell you earlier?”

Vantheos, who had been leaning back in his chair, shrugged nonchalantly, his lips curling into a half-smile. “About the mission, mostly. Nothing too exciting. She’s… well, you know how she is. Always serious and a little intimidating. Honestly, I don’t know what everyone’s so afraid of.”

Saiphee’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he sighed, rubbing his temples. His mind raced back to his own encounters with Madam Ilya. “You don’t know what she’s really capable of, do you?” he asked, his tone almost cautious.

Vantheos raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed. “What’s the big deal? She’s just one person, right? I mean, yeah, she has a reputation, but it’s not like she’s some kind of invincible warrior.”

Saiphee shook his head, clearly concerned. “Vantheos… Madam Ilya isn’t just anyone.” His voice was quieter now, almost reverential, but with a trace of unease. “She’s considered the strongest individual on this entire station. And when I say ‘strong,’ I don’t just mean physically. She has power in ways most people here can’t even begin to understand.”

Vantheos chuckled lightly, brushing it off. “Alright, alright. I get it. She’s a little intimidating, but that doesn’t mean she’s untouchable.”

Saiphee’s gaze sharpened, and he leaned forward, his posture tense. “You don’t understand,” he said, his voice dropping lower, filled with an undercurrent of unease. “Madam Ilya doesn’t just have strength. She has complete control over everything here. If she ever decided to—” He paused, as if not wanting to say the words aloud.

Vantheos noticed the shift in Saiphee’s demeanor and tilted his head, suddenly more attentive. “What do you mean by that?”

Saiphee sighed, looking away as the weight of the truth sank in. “She could take us all down in an instant if she wanted to,” he said quietly. “I’ve seen her in action. I’ve witnessed her make decisions that change the course of everything, without even lifting a finger. No one here questions her, and no one dares cross her.”

Vantheos’ smirk faltered as he took in the seriousness in Saiphee’s tone. “You’re telling me she’s that dangerous?”

Saiphee nodded grimly. “She’s not just some high-ranking officer. She has a presence that commands total authority. Her reputation isn't just based on her combat skills—it's her ability to manipulate situations, bend people to her will. And the worst part? She doesn’t even need to raise her voice to make you understand how powerless you are in her presence.”

Vantheos remained silent for a moment, his usual playful attitude replaced by a more thoughtful expression. “Sounds like she’s got some real power over everyone.”

“She does,” Saiphee replied quietly. “The founders of this station, the people who built it from the ground up—they made her what she is. Her word is law here. If she decided to erase someone from existence, it would be done without a second thought.”

A long silence stretched between them, the weight of Saiphee’s words hanging in the air. Vantheos seemed to be considering the gravity of what Saiphee had said, his playful grin replaced by a more solemn look.

“Wow, I didn’t realize she was that…” Vantheos trailed off, trying to find the right words. “I guess I won’t be cracking any jokes about her anytime soon.”

Saiphee gave a faint, almost imperceptible nod. “It’s not about jokes, Vantheos. It’s about understanding the respect she commands. Madam Ilya isn’t just someone you want to cross. She’s not someone you want to anger, either.”

Vantheos’ expression shifted slightly as he absorbed the seriousness of Saiphee’s words. “Sounds like she’s the kind of person you want to avoid making enemies with.”

Saiphee’s lips tightened into a thin line. “More than that. It’s the kind of power that doesn’t need to be flaunted. It’s the kind of power that’s felt in the air the moment she walks into a room. You don’t even need to see her do anything. Her presence alone is enough to make you rethink every decision you’ve ever made.”

Vantheos shook his head, a small, wry smile tugging at his lips despite the gravity of the conversation. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Saiphee sighed, leaning back in his seat, the tension in his shoulders relaxing just slightly. “I hope you do. She’s not someone you can just shrug off, no matter how confident you are.”

Vantheos grinned, though his expression was now more cautious. “Alright, alright. Madam Ilya the almighty… I won’t forget.”

Vantheos couldn’t resist, his grin widening as he teased, “A.S.S really is something, huh?”

Saiphee rolled his eyes, his patience wearing thin. “Just… just say Aquila Space Station, damn it,” he muttered, clearly irritated by Vantheos’ playful jab. He wasn’t in the mood for hearing any more of the station’s sarcastic abbreviations.

Vantheos burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the quiet room. “You’re so easy to wind up, Saiphee!” he said between chuckles, clearly enjoying the reaction he’d gotten.