[center][h1]The Giftening Part 1[/h1][/center] [center][@DearTrickster] - [@Rtron][/center] [i]*Tap, tap tap*[/i] Serena knocked lightly on Dex’s door. [color=hotpink]”Dex? You in awake there? I have something I want to give you.”[/color] She called, glancing back to make sure nothing had happened to Del. Sure enough, he was still floating patiently behind her, omni-ropes tied around the box that he carried. It was a store box, as Serena didn’t have time to make it a proper gift with wrapping and such, but it did the job and hid what was inside. Her head pounded lightly, but the water she drank seemed to be helping. She had woke up earlier in the day, cursing everything and anything. Last night was mostly a blur of lights and drinking, with only a few small memories coming through. Much to her delight, however, all of her gifts had finally arrived and she could start delivering them. First was Dex, which was why she was knocking on the Turian’s door. She knocked again. [color=hotpink]”Hello? Do you want me to just leave it out here?”[/color] Dex squinted at the door from her bed, long legs bent up to accommodate for the short bunk. It had been a little bit since she beat a quick retreat from Haze and Vellios, she wasn’t expecting Serena. Dex had assumed she’d be nursing her hangover for the rest of the day. Her strange mood had ebbed considerably since her retreat. “[color=007236]One second, leave what?[/color]” Dex moved, her little space held no real personal touch. She carried everything she needed digitally, a few wet clothes hung up along some pipes. A pile of snack packet papers were in the wastebin. While her armour was collapsed at the foot of her bed. The door opened and Dex leaned against the frame looking down on her. “[color=007236]Hey Serena. What did you need?[/color]” Serena craned her neck up to look at the Turian, suddenly embarrassed. She looked down as her cheeks flushed, hands clasped behind her back. [color=hotpink]”I’m bringing gifts to the crew, and noticed that your room didn’t have any particular personal touches, and I remembered that you’re from Taetrus.”[/color] She mumbled, kicking her feet slightly. [color=hotpink]”So,”[/color] She waved Del forward, and the drone dutifully moved forward and gently set the box down. [color=hotpink]”I got these.”[/color] As Del moved away, Serena opened the box and pulled out two plants. One was a brilliantly blue bush of flowers, seeming to stretch towards the light now that they were free, set firmly into dry soil. The other was less brightly colored, set in marshy soil. It was a small, scraggly, cluster of dark green leaves, and they seemed to shrink from the light. [color=hotpink]”I can’t pronounce the names, but I’m assured that one is for aesthetic and the other has many medicinal uses. I didn’t know what you’d prefer, so I got both.”[/color] As Dex merely stared at the plants, Serena became more embarrassed. [color=hotpink]”You’rerightstupidideaI’lljustgokeeptheplantsifyou-”[/color] She began to retreat backwards from the turian. Before Serena could make a run for it a long arm caught her by her sleeve. “[color=007236]No, it's a lovely idea.[/color]” Dex said quietly, staring at the plants. Her organic talons brushed through the soft petals. “[color=007236]Used to cut these back as overzealous weeds when I was a kid. The undergrowth was always so persistent. Felt bad because as invasive as these flowers were they were pretty.[/color]” “[color=007236]Thank you, Serena.[/color]” Dex looked to her, warm hums of content vibrated through her sub vocals.”[color=007236]This is a bit of home I didn't realize I missed.[/color] Serena looked up cautiously as she was stopped, smiling slightly as Dex spoke. [color=hotpink]”Everyone needs to carry home with them. Something to remind them of a good time, especially when things are shit. I’m just glad I could help you with that.”[/color] Dex saw that Serena was acting rather cautious, did she think she was lying or putting on a polite face? “[color=007236]Of course, really Serena, thank you. I love them.[/color]” Dex pulled her into a one armed hug, her sub vocals still humming away. [color=hotpink]”Good.”[/color] Serena replied, her voice slightly muffled. [color=hotpink]”For a second there I thought I was bringing up bad memories for you.[/color] She cocked her head letting Serena go, thought for a second and sighed. “[color=007236]My bad, all that emotion was in my sub vocals. I keep forgetting that other species can't hear them.[/color]” Serena hummed for a moment. [color=hotpink]”You know, I could probably fix that. Create something that would pick up on subvocalization. It would vibrate and be able to translate the information allowing you to communicate to other species without having to constantly explain yourselves almost like the elcor but on a smaller level obvious because you don’t rely entirely upon smells that most other species can’t even register much less differentiate between-”[/color] Serena suddenly cut off her excited babble with a small grin. [color=hotpink]”Sorry. Got excited.[/color] “[color=007236]I love them, they're going to make my bunk smell less like old volus breathing apparatus. At least… that's what I hope the smell is.[/color]” She said now flashing a grin and a wink. She scooped up the other plant walking inside her bunk, looking around for a good place to put them. “[color=007236]I can probably hang them up here. Catch some of the fresher recycled air.[/color]” [color=hotpink]”It’s probably all the sex you have in here without venting the room.”[/color] Serena looked up where Dex was pointing. [color=hotpink]”That should work. I probably set up something where they recycle their own air and can be placed anywhere, given enough time. Buuut, this is probably the simpler solution.”[/color] Dex laughed at Serena, “[color=007236]Yes because [i]fresh[/i] recycled air isn't the least bit strange.[/color]” “[color=007236]Why are you so nervous?[/color]” Serena paused, then the realization dawned on her. [color=hotpink]“Ooooh. Very funny.”[/color]She shrugged with forced nonchalance at Dex’s question. [color=hotpink]”I didn’t want to screw this up. I like making people happy, not making them feel worse about things because I made a mistake.”[/color] She shrugged, making herself try to appear casual about it. [color=hotpink]”I screw up a lot, so I try to make those things I really care about screw up free.”[/color] Dex smiled and shook her head at her, “[color=007236]You can relax, even if I didn’t like them I would have still managed to be polite.[/color]” [color=hotpink]”Oh thank you that makes me feel so much better.”[/color] “[color=007236]You’re fine Serena, although you can’t rely on liquid courage now with Firuzeh on board full time.[/color]” Dex commented, patting her shoulder. Serena frowned in confusion. [color=hotpink]”Liquid courage? Firuzeh? What are you talking about?”[/color] Dex stared at her for a few moments then her mandibles spread into a big grin. “[color=007236]You don’t remember a thing about last night?[/color]” [color=hotpink]”Not much. Tanya promising to help me with Barat and build a mech for a robot fight league if we ever beach and there’s one. Drinking. Why?”[/color] Serena’s eyes grew wide. [color=hotpink]”Oh god did I do something stupid like flirt with a krogan or something?”[/color] As Dex’s grin only grew wider, Serena only grew more worried. [color=hotpink]”Dex! Please tell me I didn’t make a fool of myself.”[/color] Dex threw her head back to laugh, “[color=007236]You’ll find out, I’m going to message Tanya and ask her not to say anything. Oh Spirits… that is amazing.[/color]” Serena’s apparent horror pulled more chuckles out of her. “[color=007236]You’re not going to hear what happened from me, not even if you beg.[/color]” [color=hotpink]”Dex what did I do. Dex answer me. Who is Firuzeh? Did I do something stupid? DEX.[/color] She pulled up her omnitool her eyes twinkling with mischief, sending off a message Tanya. [b][color=007236]Don’t say anything to Serena, she doesn’t remember a thing![/color][/b] Dex dragged Serena out of her bunk, “[color=007236]You’ll find out in due time, my youthful lightweight friend. Thanks for the plants, they’re great.[/color]” [color=hotpink]”Dex! I brought you gifts and you treat me like this? [i]Who the hell is Firuzeh and what did I do with them.[/i]”[/color] As she was drug out of the room she rounded on the turian, glaring up at her. [color=hotpink]”Answer me!![/color] Her only reply was cackling and a closing door.