(no subject)

[onehoopyprefect]

Ford leads the way into the pod, dropping into the pilot's seat with a groan. He disabled the kangaroo circuit -- he knows exactly where he's going this time. Coordinates set, both pilot and passenger secured, he fires the ship up and they're off.

Comments

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

Arthur braces himself as they take off.

"It's been a while."

[onehoopyprefect]

Ford chuckles and reaches over to pat him on the knee.

"You'll get back into it. First time I jumped when I left here, I almost redecorated the place."

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

He smiles faintly.

"so where exactly are we going? All the way to the other end?"

[onehoopyprefect]

"Like I said, as far as possible," Ford replies with a nod. "Big Bang Burger Joint. Ever been?"

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

He shakes his head, staring vaguely at the passing scenery.

His mind, unfortunately, is still rather...elsewhere.

[onehoopyprefect]

Ford can sympathize, really he can. He's really glad that he doesn't have to actually pilot the pod so much as set the coordinates and go.

"I barely saw her at all since I got back," he finally says. "She was always so busy. I should've..."

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

He leans back in his seat, watching the stars go by.

"I'm more worried about Random," he confesses.

[onehoopyprefect]

He smiles in what he hopes is an encouraging manner.

"As long as the girl has access to a rock, she'll be all right. You got a good kid there, Arthur. Smart, strong, confident. She can handle herself."

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

"I just...never got the chance, you know?"

[onehoopyprefect]

"You will. She's coming back. They all are."

Because the alternative was unthinkable.

The craft pops out of null-time and is parked by the automated systems.

"C'mon. This place has the best milkshakes."

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

The question that hangs in the air unspoken is what shape they'll be in when they do.

Grabbing his pack, he follows Ford out into the car park.

[onehoopyprefect]

The place looks like a 50's style diner, complete with flashing neon sign. The inside is just as period, although it's quite a bit larger than the outside appeared to be.

Ford leads the way inside and gets a booth for two by the viewing window.

"So? Whaddya think?"

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

As befits an experienced space traveler, he tries not to stare.

"It's very... shiny."

[onehoopyprefect]

And it is, too, what with all the chrome edging to the tables, the barstools, the backs of the booths, all polished until it gleams.

The waitress comes over in the traditional pink outfit and white apron, the effect spoiled only by the fact of her purple skin and third eye.

"What can I get you boys?" she asks in that universal diner waitress drawl.

"Jupleberry shake and a bowl of the house chili," Ford replies quickly.

"You want that chili regular, nova, or supernova?"

He thinks a moment. "Just nova, please. I'm driving."

The waitress marks it down and turns to Arthur. "How about you, shug?"

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

He shrugs.

"I'll have the same. Just regular chili for me, though."

He gives Ford a brief look as she jots this down.

"This isn't going to turn me green or anything, is it?"

[onehoopyprefect]

"The regular? I highly doubt it. You are up on all your vaccinations, though, right?"

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

"For the sake of my sanity, let's just say I am."

[onehoopyprefect]

"Then you should be fine. Just tell me if your vision starts going blurry halfway through."

The waitress heads off to put in the order as a busboy arrives with some water so clear that the ice cubes seem to be floating in air. Ford picks up his glass and takes a sip.

"Ahh. Sanctraginan spring water. Finest in the galaxy. This place doesn't skimp."

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

He sips at his water - which really is quite good - as he looks out the window. It's rather strange seeing the destruction he's grown used to happening in reverse.

"Some view."

[onehoopyprefect]

Ford grins, watching the atoms of creation clump together and spiral outwards from the force of that initial creative thrust.

"Yeah. 'S too bad we missed the Bang itself, though. Really puts things in perspective, that. Ah, well. Have to come back sometime. Plan it out a little better so we get here in time."

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

"I'll probably appreciate it more when my mind isn't on half a dozen other things."

[onehoopyprefect]

"Yeah, I get that. Still... just being away from it all for a while helps."

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

"Yes. Life goes on..."

[onehoopyprefect]

"That it does, despite some people's best efforts."

Their order arrives to break up the mopefest. The shakes are the perfect shade of pinky-russett, and the chili is satisfactorily hearty. Ford's comes with a special spoon and a pair of heat-resistant gloves.

He takes a sip of the shake and the cares of the moment just melt off his face. It's a shake John Travolta would gladly pay five bucks for, possibly more.

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

Arthur takes a taste of his with a satisfied sigh.

"I don't even know what a jupleberry is, but this is good."

[onehoopyprefect]

"Comes from Broop Kidron Thirteen. Indigenous there, in fact. No one's been able to successfully cultivate the shrubs anywhere else."

He takes another sip, and then dons the gloves and goes for some of the chili. His spoon hisses as it goes into the bowl, but comes out in one piece. He doesn't put the spoon into his mouth, instead tilting his head back slightly and letting the chili slide off the spoon into his mouth. The reason for this becomes obvious once the spoon is empty -- the bottom of the bowl portion is glowing hot.

Ford's eyes water and a flush of redness travels across his cheeks. The effect lasts only a few seconds, though, and he grins at Arthur.

"Oh, yeah. It's never this good at Milliways."

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

"Good thing, too. They'd have to serve it with a fire extinguisher."

His portion is every bit as good, though significantly less... molten.

[onehoopyprefect]

"Nah, that's only the supernova," he says after another bite and another sip of the shake.

"Zarquon, I've missed this, Arthur. You and me, out and about in the galaxy. Couple o' froods and their towels. Oh, that reminds me."

He reaches into the satchel and pulls out his towel. Setting it on his head, he twists it into a makeshift turban.

"Helps dissipate the heat."

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

He stifles a laugh with his milkshake. "That's a good look for you."

Taking another careful bite of chili, he chews thoughtfully.

"I've missed it too. I keep thinking I should get out exploring more. Be a bit less of a homebody."

Old habits. Hard to break. You know the drill.

[onehoopyprefect]

Ford nods, taking another bite. This one seems to affect him less.

"You should. You and Fen. Just, no hyperspace."

He goes for his shake, then stops.

"Oh! Met someone at Milliways a week or so ago. Earthman. Seemed interested in working for the Guide. Truman was his name. You met him?"

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

He shudders at the mention.

"Don't remind me. And no, I haven't."

[onehoopyprefect]

"You ought to. He seems like a good guy. Told him I'd give him a ride to the home office for an interview next time I popped down there. Should work out; he's got a zeal for it, you know?"

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

"Probably. Enthusiasm helps a lot."

He wipes his mouth on his napkin and sits back, trying not to fidget.

"I'll have to look for him when we get back."

[onehoopyprefect]

He nods. "You really should. I think you'd like him. Reminds me of you, once you got past all the 'oh my planet's been destroyed' part."

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

He makes a face.

"You make it sound so trivial."

[onehoopyprefect]

Ford waggles his head to mean, 'okay, okay'.

"I lost a home planet, too, you know. Of course, I was a child at the time and barely remember it. But still."

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

He chews thoughtfully.


"Well, we've all got a home now."

[onehoopyprefect]

"That we do," he says happily, scraping the bottom of his bowl for the last bite. The towel-turban looks absolutely sodden.

"And if you're done, what say we get back to it? Unless you want dessert, of course."

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

"I think I'll pass."

[onehoopyprefect]

"If you're sure. And, like I said, we'll come back."

He motions for the waitress, who brings their check over. Ford looks it over, then pulls out a small credit card and hands it back to her.

As soon as she's out of earshot, he looks to Arthur.

"Okay, run!"

[thelastearthman.livejournal.com]

He shakes his head as they race toward the pod.

"We have got to talk about this habit of yours."

[onehoopyprefect]

"Promises, promises," Ford mutters.