Kepler was gardening. With moss.

Clare pretended not to watch, as she had the last several days. He was trying to affect the ‘Evolutionary’ part of the Evolutionary Moss. Yesterday, he had taken a few minutes to immerse a cubby full of moss in Caffeinated Soda and Crow Feathers.

Now, he examined the results with a scowl.

Clare smiled at that. His careful treatment of the plants was always contrasted by an expression of pure grumpiness. It was cute.

The moss had survived his experiment and was now electric green. It was also growing quickly, sprawling out from Kepler’s gardening cubby in feathery swirls.

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After careful consideration, Kepler poured more soda on it. Then he added a sprinkle of tiny Blue Diamonds.

Clare sighed happily, startling when he turned around suddenly. She turned back to designing their new hallway; they’d decided to just add another circular one past the water-needle gauntlet.

He frowned, confused.

[Clare…]

Yes?

[Do you like gardening?]

Nope! Which was perfectly true. What Clare liked was watching Kepler garden.

He stared at her for a moment, but let it go.

The diplurans played ‘I Won’t Dance’ in their best big-band style. Undine harmonized with soft, melodic gurgling.

We know that music leads the way to romance, Clare sang along softly. She didn’t have a jazz voice, but no one would care. So, if I hold you in my arms—

Kepler leaned against her, evaluating her designs with indecipherable mumbles.

--I won't dance!