Chapter 180: Reifying
Long into the night, Kir talked to Sam. About Noir. Caroon and Namosa. Their baby.
There was a lot of shared heartache, but in the end he felt that there was a much better understanding between them now. He promised to do everything he could to look after them and their child.
Kordia made a similar promise, but Stella very loudly made no promises, which for some reason brought a quiet laugh out of Sam.
After Sam departed for their room, Kir, Kordia, and Stella shared the same bed, continuing to talk.
Kir learned that Stella had been able to tug on Sam’s emotions to get them "over the wall" as she put it, while Kordia provided the right words.
"It was a bit harrowing, feeling all that," Stella said. "But you know... it kinda feels good, helping them out. Like they’re a younger sibling or something..."
"Are you saying we’re like family now?" Kordia asked. "I think the pod analogy is... not enough..."
Stella sighed. "I don’t know what we are. Especially not with Rain and Rena gone and... well... I was hoping to get to know them a lot more. And you and me still got some catching up to do..." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"Ground rules," Kordia said in response.
"Right. Right," Stella sighed again.
Since Kordia mentioned the pod, Kir had wistfully thought about what would be the right analog for their relationships.