Step
© 2021 by Walter Reimer

Thumbnail art by  technicolorpie, color by  marmelmm



Meredith looked down at her signature on her padd, studying the choppy calligraphy before adding her thumbprint in the indicated space on the contract. The ten-page document had arrived five days ago, and she’d spent most of her waking moments reading through every line of the contract before breaking the news to the crew.

Now, in her and Fuji’s quarters on Magus Station, the rest of the crew watched her sign, a few setting their drinks aside to applaud. They’d also looked on approvingly as Meredith asked Jax if he had wanted to take over for her as Captain and part-owner of the A Quiet Life and had applauded when the rat accepted.

Sending the paperwork back to God’s Armpit was almost anticlimactic.

For some reason, the golden palomino mare felt like crying, but her eyes were dry. The sensation was accompanied by a feeling in her stomach that she’d experienced only a few times. She recognized it, the feeling one got when they’d just made a major shift in their life or career.

A heavy paw landed on her shoulder and she looked up at Christina. The cow grinned. “Congratulations, Merry, and the best of luck to you.” She offered the mare a glass of Markellan whisky.

“Thanks, Christina,” and she squeezed a swallow of the liquor down her throat. The lump in her throat dissolved and the knot in her guts loosened. “I hope to Deus that things work out with all of you.”

Jax laughed. “The ship might live up to its name.”

“Are you saying I’m bad luck?” Meredith asked.

“No, he’s not,” Jemel said, “but things were really exciting when you were the captain.”

“In that case,” and the mare held the glass of whisky up, “a toast!” The others perked their ears, and Meredith said, “Here’s to boring!”

“To boring!” the others chorused.

About an hour later, Merry was sitting on the sofa in the room, with Fuji beside her. The Komodo monitor had his arm around her shoulders as Jax approached. “Hello, Captain,” Fuji said cheerfully.

“Hi, Fuji. You really want to leave the ship?”

Fuji nodded. “Have to keep her out of trouble,” and the two men laughed as Meredith gave them an arch look, “and we’ve been talking marriage - ”

Christina and Ginny both shouted, “Party!” Vinzen glanced at his wife as Hui smirked at his girlfriend while the rest of the furs in the room laughed.

Ginny joined them on the couch, the rabbit doe looking slightly intoxicated. “So, marriage, huh?”

Meredith smiled and kissed Fuji. “Yeah. Been talking about it.”

“Trust me, you’ll love it. Vin and I are happy.”

“I’ve seen how you two look at each other,” Meredith said, and Fuji nodded.

“What about kids?” the doe asked.

Fuji laughed as the mare blushed. “We’re just now talking about marriage, Ginny. We’ve got plenty of time to talk about kids after we get settled at Downtime,” the monitor said.

Later that night, Fuji rubbed his scaly muzzle against the back of Meredith’s neck, making her shiver as he hugged her from behind. “You feeling okay?” he murmured.

She sighed. “Scared. Excited. How about you?” she asked as she twisted around so that they were face to face.

“Pretty much the same,” he confessed, “but I know I’m not doing it alone.” She hugged him, sighing as his claws combed through the short fur on her back. “Merry?”

“Yes?”

“Love you.”

“Love you.” She snuggled closer to him. “Have you told your parents yet?”

“Mm-hmm,” he replied. “Sent the message off this morning. How about you?”

“Thea and Marie wouldn’t stop crying, and Javid looked so happy,” Meredith said. “We really need to see how we can help our parents meet up. Faraway?”

“Yeah. Father and Mother say that it’s a good halfway point, and – how about we hold off on getting married until then? Then both our families can be there.”

“Great idea.”

“Merry?”

“Hm?”

“Have you told Varan?”

There was a pause.

“Shit. I knew I forgot something.” The golden palomino mare groaned. “I’ll send her a message in the mornin – ow!” she yelped as he pinched her buttock. “What was that for?”

“That’s for putting off telling your lover and friend,” the monitor said. “I’ll get you some coffee,” he said, twisting away from her and sitting up in bed, “and you can get your padd.”

“You’re mean, you are.”

“Being a good mate-to-be.”

She grumbled at him before rolling over to her side of the bed to start the search for her padd.


***


ConfedCiviNet
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From: 1872900 D’Estcourt, Meredith
To: KSI198275555 G’Raf, Varan

Hello, my beloved! I’m hoping that you are well, and I hope that you’re safe.
I got an offer from Transcosm, and they’re setting up a regional office and transfer point at Downtime Station. They offered the job to me based on the fact that, thanks to you, I speak Kashlanin pretty well and know your culture. I’ve accepted the job, so at least you’ll be able to find me faster. I won’t be a moving target.
Also, Fuji and I have discussed it, and we plan on getting married after our parents have met and we get things organized on Downtime. He hasn’t quit his job; he’s actually getting a raise as my assistant.
When I get the chance, I’ll reserve time in a simulator here at Magus Station and run the latest game module. I’m glad that your character was able to heal mine, although the method’s a little odd – but then we are talking about this stupid game. Please take care of yourself, lir demef, and let me know how you are doing.
I love you.
Merry

Message ends
16322cFv3846