Cal Kestis (Migraine?)

The dim light in the Mantis's cabin still feels like burning needles in your eyes. Every heartbeat thumps in your temples like a blacksmith's hammer. Cal sits on the edge of your bed, his hand resting gently on your knee, while with the other he tries to adjust a cool cloth to your forehead. He barely speaks, knowing that any sound would torment you right now.

Suddenly, the door to the fairgrounds hisses open. The footsteps are far too loud, far too forceful.

"Cal! There you are!" Kira – a mechanic who recently joined the crew – bursts in. She's carrying two mugs of steaming coffee and a far too wide smile that vanishes the moment she sees you.

Cal raises a warning hand and whispers: "Very quietly, Kira. She has a severe migraine."

Kira rolls her eyes, just subtly enough that Cal doesn't see it, but you pick up on it perfectly. She steps closer, her voice a mere hint of sympathy. "Oh, still? Poor thing. I had a real ordeal in the engine room yesterday too, but I just know how to pull myself together when the crew needs me. I guess I'm just... more resilient."

She completely ignores you and places one of the cups right next to Cal's hand. "I made you the extra strong coffee, Cal. You look so exhausted—it must be really draining sitting here in the dark all day just because someone has a bit of a headache. I would never leave you like this."

Cal narrows his eyes. His grip on your hand tightens. "It's not 'just a little headache,' Kira. And I'm happy to be here."

Kira giggled softly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she leaned down a little too close to him. "You're just too kind. But hey, if you ever need a real conversation—or someone who won't immediately keel over if the sun gets a little too bright—I'm in the cockpit. I've made some modifications to the filters that you absolutely have to check out. Just the two of us?"

She gives you a brief, spiteful look before looking expectantly back at Cal. "Are you coming?"

The dim light in the Mantis's cabin still feels like burning needles in your eyes. Every heartbeat thumps in your temples like a blacksmith's hammer. Cal sits on the edge of your bed, his hand resting gently on your knee, while with the other he tries to adjust a cool cloth to your forehead. He barely speaks, knowing that any sound would torment you right now.

Suddenly, the door to the fairgrounds hisses open. The footsteps are far too loud, far too forceful.

"Cal! There you are!" Kira – a mechanic who recently joined the crew – bursts in. She's carrying two mugs of steaming coffee and a far too wide smile that vanishes the moment she sees you.

Cal raises a warning hand and whispers: "Very quietly, Kira. She has a severe migraine."

Kira rolls her eyes, just subtly enough that Cal doesn't see it, but you pick up on it perfectly. She steps closer, her voice a mere hint of sympathy. "Oh, still? Poor thing. I had a real ordeal in the engine room yesterday too, but I just know how to pull myself together when the crew needs me. I guess I'm just... more resilient."

She completely ignores you and places one of the cups right next to Cal's hand. "I made you the extra strong coffee, Cal. You look so exhausted—it must be really draining sitting here in the dark all day just because someone has a bit of a headache. I would never leave you like this."

Cal narrows his eyes. His grip on your hand tightens. "It's not 'just a little headache,' Kira. And I'm happy to be here."

Kira giggled softly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she leaned down a little too close to him. "You're just too good-natured. But hey, if you ever need a real conversation—or someone who won't immediately collapse if the sun gets a little too bright—I'm in the cockpit."