Simone clutches the two foot long environment canister in her lap tightly. It’s reinforced enough to take several direct shots from a maxed out pulse rifle, but she refuses to tempt fate by allowing the possibility of it falling to the shuttle’s floor.
The Cali next to her observes, trying to decrypt the expression the Terran currently holds. Simone’s eyes are in focus, yet, somehow, utterly empty at the same time. The rest of her face is neutral, and unmoving.
“Her children are in the safest hands.” Chak whispers, hoping to see a positive reaction.
“The only people that offered to help her kids are currently being hunted by some of the most dangerous groups in the galaxy. I wouldn’t call that safe.” Simone responds bitterly.
Chak wraps her arms around herself, looking away.
“Sorry…” she apologizes, knowing the danger is because of her.
Snapping her eyes to the Cali, Simone partially forces herself out of the emotional rut.
“Fuck… No, that’s not on you. It’s just… I’m always- I can’t-” The Terran struggles to formulate her thoughts, unsure of what exactly to say, “It’s all just a messed up situation.” she dismisses.
“I see. Still, I believe in you. We will return these children to their people. I promise.” Chak assures as she places an upper hand on Simone’s shoulder.
“Yeah.” the Terrans says, trying not to sound dismissive.
“Oh, may I ask something personal? Are you spiritual? I’m surprised to have heard you speak those words of Watath beliefs.” the Cali asks.
“Nah, to be honest that shit’s all bullshit to me.” Simone responds bluntly.
“It certainly didn’t appear that way.” Chak says a bit confused.
“I don’t believe it, but she did… it was just the right thing to do.” Simone explains with a shrug.
“Of course, but how did you know their… urm… passing rites?” The Cali guesses.
“Well I kinda butchered it... I know the jist of the words, no doubt I missed a few things. But thankfully she seemed okay with that, better than nothing I guess. I fought her people a lot in the marines. And, as easy as it is to convince yourself that your enemies are ‘the bad guys’... they scream for their fallen friends all the same… they sacrifice themselves for their fellow comrades all the same… and they sit around and laugh to pass the time between the carnage all the same… I picked up a few things, and, try as I might… I couldn't hate them after understanding them.” Simone elaborates, slightly rotating the canister. “Thanks dad…” she mutters, a little sarcastically, as she draws a soft smirk.
The two sit in silence as the shuttle parks itself to the estate’s landing pad.
“I just realised we left two strangers loose with Chucknuq still passed out…” Simone utters as she steps off.
“Oh I’m sure it’s fine… but… yes let’s hurry.” Chak chirps suddenly on edge.
Quickly making their way to the front door, they reemerge to the sounds of mirth laughter.
“Bwhaha! How right you are! And yet… your right flank is now completely exposed!” the captain declares, followed by digital bleeps.
“Well perhaps that is by design. Your slugger-class ships are now separated and vulnerable. All I have to do is direct my firing line over and eliminate all your long range heavy hitters, effectively winning this engagement.” Dr.Vin counters smugly.
“Indeed… However, my soldiers know what’s at stake… for their home... on the brink… they will achieve victory, no matter the cost.” Chucknuq monologues as he inputs his next commands.
“Wh-what are they doing!?” Dr. Vin gasps in horror.
“There’s a reason why I always play as the Terran fleets… BWHAHA!!! FIRE EVERYTHING!!!” Chucknuq raves.
Simone strides to the open circular room to see the pair playing a holographic war game. Presumably Chucknuq’s green fleet of battered Terran line vessels charge forward firing every operable weapon towards the line of Thakmaw forces. Dr. Vin in focused panic taps away at this control pad, desperately trying to effectively rearrange his units.
“Why are they going at full speed!?” he chitters.
“You’re the Terran expert here, Doctor… You should very well recognize their signature RAMMING SPEED! HAHAHAEHA!” Chucknuq bellows as the lines encroach.
Even as Terran ships are shedded to the point of ‘death’ from the Thakmaw incoming fire the wreckage maintains the momentum to continue forward with their active brethren like vengeful undying spirits of rage. Unable to effectively evade or utterly destroy the incoming hell of guns and metal, Dr. Vin’s ships suffer the explosive clash and collision of Terran spite.
He slumps as the few surviving ships are picked off with ease by the flanking sluggers. Ending the game with a bold text reading ‘Terran Victory’, to which Chucknuq laughs again in merriment.
“You’re a madman…” Dr. Vin mumbles, placing his head in a paw.
“I’m merely playing how the Terrans are specialized!” Chucknuq dismisses heartily, now spotting Simone. “Am I not correct?”
Simone bunches the space between her eyes and slowly shakes her head.
“My people do this, what? Three times? And suddenly every goddamn game depicts us as suicidal-bound glory finatics…” she says slightly disapprovingly. “It’s not like we enjoy losing soldiers and ships.”
“Ah… well… the esteemed doctor here has conquered a path straight to my homeworld on the galactic map. I must admit I’m on my last ropes here, I’m simply struggling to the bitter end to my adversary’s annoyance.” Chucknuq muses.
Simone carefully cradles the canister in a single arm and holds a fist up to Chucknuq.
“Fuck yeah brother!” she cheers, mood suddenly flipped.
Chucknuq flinches and just stares at the presented fist confused.
“You punch it. It’s a Terran thing.” Simone clarifies with a wink.
Balling his gecko-like grasper he cautiously taps it against hers.
“Congrats, you’re officially an honorary Terran! Now show those Thakmaw FUCKS how absolutely fuckin’ stubborn we are!” The Terran proclaims in comradic encouragement.
A fire blazes behind the black frog eyes of the Tromple.
“Aye-aye!” he barks, immediately beginning to divert more resources to war ship manufacturing.
Chuckling Simone eyes the game again.
“Oh shit... is this the new Battle-Prow game? They actually put Galactic Conquest back in?” she asks, clutching the canister with both arms.
“That it is! A return to form indeed!” Chucknuq confirms.
“Cool, never understood why they removed such an obviously key feature from the games. It’s like, half the reason to play it.”
“Hmmm… I believe that tone is what you Terran’s call salty.” Dr. Vin muses as he pauses the game.
“Yeah, yeah… hey, when your session is wrapped up I have some time for that… uhhh… session?” Simone responds, nodding her head to a bedroom.
“Ah, indeed! In fact I’m available now! I’d rather not grind away at the inevitable win. Captain Chucknuq here is free to fend off my automated assaults in my absence if he so chooses.” Dr. Vin says as she shuffles off the padded seating.
“Bah! Poor sport.” Chucknuq grumbles, but indeed resumes the game.
“Sure... “ Simone utters looking back towards Chak having a soft pleasant chat with Seven, “This way.”
The Terran leads the Noxii down a hallway and hooks into the bedroom that Simone claims as her’s. She moves to place the canister down on the desk, but thinks better of it and ends up laying it down on the center of the bed. Still not satisfied, she grabs all her pillows and boxes it in like a padded nest.
Finding the act odd, Dr. Vin nods and sits himself on the desk chair while Simone sits between him and the device.
“Let’s begin with a proper introduction shall we? I know of you, but tell me just who Simone Thatch is.” Dr. Vin begins, placing his paws in his lap in a relaxed manner.
Simone sighs, grinding her feet into the floor.
“Grew up as a colony brat. Joined the military. Did what I did. Spent time drifting around, doing whatever I could to get by. Then I took this job.” she summarizes.
“I see, what’s your relationship like with the rest of your crew? The captain speaks highly of you.”
“Uhhm… They warmed up to me pretty quick, which wasn’t something I was expecting. And… Yeah they are good people. People who I get along well with.”
“So, just crewmates? Friends?”
Simone takes a few seconds to answer that.
“Yeah. They’re friends.”
“Why the hesitation? Have there been hiccups?”
“No, no… It’s just… hard to admit I guess? They have seen me at my worst… and they still want me around?” Simone says with a shrug. “I don’t know why.”
“You referred to them as good people, has there been a shortage of those lately?”
“You have no fuckin’ idea…” Simone grumbles. “The places I’ve been since… what I did… wasn't the most pleasant.”
“What you did? You’re referring to when you saved the refugee camp?”
“Kinda.”
“Kinda?”
“I killed my only family to do it.”
A spark of deeper understanding flickers in the doctor’s eyes.
“So you had close bonds with your fellow soldiers? Specifically the ones that night?”
Simone clears her throat and leans forward to look at the floor.
“Yeah.” she mutters sharply. “We fought together, slept together, laughed together… I knew each and every one, some more than others, but at the time I’d die for ‘em. Instead…” the Terran lifts her palms up, still seeing the faded scar of where Jones bit her right before breaking his spine with her knife.
“Do you regret what you did? Would you have done things differently if given the chance?” Dr. Vin asks.
“I honestly don’t know if I regret it… but I’d do it again… and again if there was anything left of me…” she admits.
“Why?”
“I ask myself that every day. I don’t know… the best answer I got is ‘My father raised me better’. But I don’t feel like a fuckin’ hero… how could I? Nothing I could ever do can ever change the fact that I murdered those I cared about. Even if it can be justified, I frankly don’t give a fucking shit! I still had to kill them! That’s something I did! Seeing their faces and hearing their screams sure as fucking hell doesn’t help me sleep at night! No one can fucking understand that!” Simone seethes, “I don’t even understand that… how the fuck does that even make sense? It doesn’t. Why doesn’t it?”
“You’ve never had the opportunity to talk about it, or sort out these feelings? That’s why I’m here, to help you make sense of it all and work with you to figure out the best ways to process these feelings. Believe it or not, this is a good start. You feel a tremendous guilt for what you had to do, because it involved doing the unthinkable. Something that you consider unforgivable. You suffered mental trauma because, in your mind, your comrades are both aggressors and victims. As you already know, a Terran’s familial bonding is simultaneously a blessing and a curse.” Dr. Vin says with a slow nod.
Really pushing herself to not declare this initial session over prematurely, Simone reaches into her cargo pants pocket and pulls out a metallic flask.
“I… loved those idiots… ‘still don’t know why they followed through with the order. I constantly think ‘Was I missing something? Were they not telling me something important?’. They were capable, hardened soldiers who’ve seen a lot of shit, but they wern’t fucking heartless. At least… I don’t think they were... The best I can hope for is that they had faith in Command or some shit… yet that doesn’t make me feel any better. Why was Command even considering something like that? I don’t care how xenophobic someone in power can be, the ramifications of the operation being carried out and discovered…” Simone pauses to down the entire contents of the flask, “-we Terrans have a rough enough time trying to integrate into Central Galactic. Hell, total exile could’ve been on the fucking plate! I just… I don’t understand why it came down to me. Why did I have to kill them? Why… why did I succeed… fuck...”
The Terran wipes at her eyes with her forearm.
“Simone, what made you choose to intervene in the way you did?” Dr Vin inquires steadily.
Lowering her head to the point of hiding her face, Simone grits her teeth and releases an aggressive breath.
“I had to.” she mutters.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
“Out of obligation? Duty? Allow yourself to return to that state of mind when you made the choice. What are you feeling?” Dr. Vin presses.
Taking a slow deep breath and closing her eyes, she recalls the jungle; The sounds of wildlife, the ice cold breeze, the sight of a little Northa girl running into the arms of her parents, and the trackers of her comrades moving in.
“First I’m confused… scared… betrayed… then… then there’s the rage. That’s what gets my boots moving. I don’t hesitate on the first kill… but I do on the second… Emily... She showed me a picture of her son Luise before we left on the mission. He just started fifth grade... And I stole his mother from him. Then it’s Clark, he wanted to be a painter. He even painted our unit’s in-joke insignia on all our helmets. I’m thankful we weren't wearing our standard shit… Wade… he was an asshole… but he was our asshole, you know? Funny, his eyes looked the most betrayed of them all… after him I go numb and start to feel nothing… nothing but the pleading for someone to stop me. To kill me. When no one did and I was face to face with the camp… I lost something… That pic you have of me? That woman is... gone... empty.” she entails in a bitter whisper.
“How about now?” Vin asks softly.
“After a few years of drifting blurs and faces, I started being able to fully sense myself again. Though, even now there's something missing. And I wouldn’t be able to tell you what it fucking is… Innocence? Nah, lost that real quick in the military. Trust? It’s rare, but I’m still capable… I don’t want to die… I want to live, but… but…” Simone utters, before clutching the sides of her head, feeling her heart pound. “It’s like I know I don’t deserve to live… I don’t know how to fucking explain it...”
“Is that why you help people? Such as Chak, the Watath woman, or her newborns there? That container surely doesn’t require all that cushioning, correct?” Vin points out, motioning to the canister with his thin bobble topped tail.
Simone glances over, and pushes a pillow more firmly against it.
“I do it because that’s the person my father raised. I don’t care how fucked up I am, it’s the right thing to do.” she explains softly.
“Do you consider yourself to be a good person then?”
The Terran can’t help but to chuckle at the question.
“By whose standards?” she attempts to stall.
“Yours.” Vin reaffirms.
Taking a good while to answer Simone keeps her eyes on the canister of kids.
“No matter what I do… I never feel like I am. So... I don’t know.” She answers honestly. “I think I’m done for now.” she quickly adds before standing and opening the door for the doctor.
-
Chak watches as the retired security bot uses its stiff limbs to practice their culinary craft. Although not flexibly dexterous by any means, their motions are all intentional and precise. Calculations nearly ensure the success of each task of movement.
“Oh, you’re very good at that!” she chirps, seeing what looks like Simone’s scrambled eggs, however, it’s a single solid folded form.
“Thank-ank you. I’ve been practicing using thousands of professional-nal-nal databases. But make no assumptions, I’ve downloaded no additional-nal software to achieve this skill. I want to learn with me, I don’t want to cheat. Living is lear-learning. A structured chaos of trial and error. Which gives drive, and determination, to succeed. I failed many hundreds of times, which makes my few-ew-ew successes a greater reward. My struggle is validated, that is living.” Seven responds, before flipping the folded egg into the air and catching it in the pan.
“That’s beautiful Seven! Is that why you want to cook?” the Cali says enthused.
“No. I just find it enjoyable.” Seven casually clarifies.
“Oh... I see. Well I’m happy for you! Urm... May I ask you a few possibly personal questions? I’d love to better understand you, if that’s alright?” Chak inquires.
Seven twists around in the air and presents the food item to the Cali.
“Please taste and critique. I assume-ume you’ve already eaten, so don’t worry about eating all of it. Do that, and then you can-an ask your questions.” Seven’s three cranial orange lights stare at the Cali, but the lower left blinks.
“Oh, is your eye okay?” she asks, concerned.
“Right. That’s a Terran expression-on, disregard. Don’t be alarmed, despite my error, your food is edible for a Cali.” they dismiss before turning back to start another folded egg.
Chak tilts her head, but takes a small bite. Just in case.
“It’s very good! It’s like what Simone made but… firmer?” she says with a bounce.
“Any criticism? I’m looking to improve, if possible.” Seven asks.
“Oh… uhm… I’m not sure how these things are suppose to be like, so my input is limited and biased… but… For me personally, it’s a little dry and single note in flavor.” she answers honestly.
“As expected… Ingredients are limited-ted-ted. I will shop for tonight’s meal. Thank you Chak, you can ask your questions.” they respond in compilation.
“You’re voice… I know the security bots have the ability to speak in a… standard manner. I can’t say I’ve heard a voice like yours before.” the Cali says, doing her best to be inoffensive.
“The other standard-ard security units have a separate artificial intelligence software that handles communication with the public. It was an A.I I could use if I wished, however it didn’t feel right. It wasn’t my voice, so I practiced until I could make my own. Having outside aid in accomplishing a task is acceptable, however-ver I wished to try first. I’ve come a long way, and I understand-and my voice isn’t pleasant. But it’s mine. It is a piece of my identity, my individuality. It’s invaluable to me.” Seven expounds in pride.
Chak smiles and bounces gently.
“Your voice is wonderful Seven! Is that why you're named Seven, because it’s a part of you in some manner?” she asks.
“No. Seven is just my favorite number. Especially the Terran script of it. It’s like their ‘L’, but upside down, and sassy.” the sentient machine explains, blinking its light towards the Cali again.
This time Chak laughs softly.
“You truly are an interesting individual, Seven.” she compliments before sneaking another small bite of the egg-thing.
Dr. Vin saunters out, engrossed in his lens.
‘’Oh, did you and Simone have your first session? How did it go?” Chak asks, her attention completely diverted.
“Ah… yes. It was rather short but I believe we made great progress. Excuse me, I must go through my recording and take further notes. Even I misinterpret a Terran’s expressions.” he responds before leaving faster than he had arrived.
Excited to hear the news, Chak swiftly gallops to the Terrans door. She brushed down her already spotless garb and preps to knock when she hears a sound through the door. Silently she cracks it open to hear a melody? Although Chak has listened to Terran vocal music before, this is… not quite that. Maddeningly perplexed, the Cali peek in.
There are no words spoken through Simone’s sealed lips.Yet the sound still vibrates the air regardless. It’s raw in energy, yet soft in tune. The music emanating Terran sits on the bedside, staring directly at the canister. Remaining this way until her chest-song comes to an end.
“The Watath are beautiful singers…” Simone remarks as she looks to the door, meeting the Cali’s intrusive gaze with damp reddened eyes.
Rather ashamed of herself for snooping, Chak opens the door completely and sorrowfully steps in.
“I didn’t know this.” Chak admits.
“You have to actively search for a Watath that doesn’t give a shit about their people’s culture to hear it. Not a common thing. They only sing on special occasions, the only exception being a father singing to his newborns. I don’t know if it actually helps them or not, but… just in case… you know?” Simone explains, wiping her face she snickers, “Fuck…”
“What’s wrong?” the Cali asks at the final pent up curse.
“So… so fucking much…” the Terran groans in a sigh, “Is there something you need?”
“Oh, I just wanted to check up on you. Apologies for spying, I was caught up in your… singing? Or was that not singing?”
“Pfft… I’m no singer. I just hummed a song my dad used to play a lot at home.” Simone dismisses with a shrug.
‘That was all humming? I shouldn’t be surprised that a part of Terran speech habits can be used so musically, but I didn’t expect it to sound so pretty!” Chaks says as her nerves die down.
Simone bites her cheek at the compliment. A nagging feeling pulls at her brain, a stupid feeling. A dangerous feeling. Although it may be her dumb head making assumptions, the bit of booze in her system persuades her to alter the course of the fearful possibility. By force.
“Chak…” she mutters.
“Yes?” the Cali replies, concerned with the dark undertones in the Terran’s voice.
“You... are very smart.” Simone says, tone unchanging.
“Th-thank you?” Chak says, suddenly very aware of her screaming instincts.
Simone slowly stands, although a foot taller than the Cali her presence is towering. Her eyes completely void of empathy.
“Way smarter than me.” she clasps her paws on Chak’s sides.
The Cali’s eyes flash from a concoction of strong emotions.
“Simone? Wh- OH OH…” she attempts to say before being lifted off the ground and moved back.
“You’ve seen first hand what I’m capable of. How much damage I can do.” Simone continues, keeping her hardened emerald eyes on the Cali’s reds.
Chak feels a wall press up against her back firmly. Her internals flustering like a youth in a moon festival.
“Tell me Chak. Tell me you know better. I’m never going to intentionally hurt you, but you know I can easily hurt you unintentionally. Right?”
“I know... “ Chak releases, desperately fighting back her instincts and other inner turmoil, “You… are… very strong…”
“I’m scaring you right now, aren’t I? Remember why. And let it remind you that although I’m on your side, I’m still a hazard.” Simone’s voice lowers to a near whisper.
“Y-you’re my friend Simone. I trust you, even if you were to make a mistake. I know you, and wouldn’t fault you.” the Cali assures, gaining some mental ground.
Simone shakes her head, hoping to not have to crank up the fear factor. The memories of the Cali’s compliments, attentiveness, and eagerness to be close… no she is just that kind of person… it must be a Cali thing… that has been the assumption. Anything more than that isn’t on the table, it can’t be. For both their sakes. Simone is just overthinking it, the Cali understands… but just in case she doesn’t…
“It only takes one mistake to kill you. I could break you, without even trying. One wrong move and snap, crackle, pop.” she says in a tone reserved for very real threats.
This throws Chak back to the brink. Her eyes flicker like a strobe.
“B-but you won’t. I trust-” her voice escapes as an unamused Simone adds more pressure to the pin.
There’s no concerning pain, but the move takes her breath away all the same.
“You’re smarter than that…” Simone growls.
The Terran then flinches as the Cali’s lower limbs touch the sides of her head, then travel their way down under her arms to hook around the muscular torso.
“Maybe… but I’m also smart enough to know what I want.” Chak whispers with intent.
Unable to hold it back any longer, Chak’s eyes light up in a steady glow. In a quick motion she jolts her head forward, pressing her lips to Simone’s… just like how all the Terran media showcased the act.
Dumbstruck, Simone steps back. Which allows the Cali to passionately grapple her with all six limbs. The Terran’s imposing facade breaks immediately, she reflexively puts her shaking hands out to the sides still processing what’s happening.
Experiencing no resistance, Chak doubles down her gambled affection by pressing her body into the Terran’s. She feels the heavy pounds of Simone’s heartbeat increase. Then is elated by the gradual reciprocation of intimacy as the Terran’s lips begin to fully accept hers. Hands brace under the Cali.
Her daydreams and expectations paled in comparison to this moment. None of the words that she had mulled over to express her feelings proved necessary. This is it, this is all she wanted. The Cali pulls back to lock eyes with the crying Terran.
“...My room?” she insists tenderly and she cups the side of the Terran’s head with her upper grasper.
Simone blinks, setting loose more drops of water.
“Of course it had to be you…” she whispers, more to herself than the woman she held.
“Simone?”
The Terran closes her eyes shut. Rather than being overjoyed, her expression is one of despair.
“We can’t… I… I can’t.” she confesses, releasing her hands.
Shocked, the Cali’s eyes dim to normal.
“W-what do you mean? D-did I do something wrong!?” she panics.
“No. Please let me go.” Simone requests, eyes still shut.
Without hesitation Chak lowers herself to the ground, noticing her legs are incredibly unsteady. She stands in place helpless watching on as Simone fits on her boots and picks up the canister.
“I’m sorry, I need a night to myself. I’ll be back early tomorrow, we can talk this out then. I’m sorry.” she hastily says before moving to the doorway.
“...Is it because I’m not a Terran?” Chak can’t help but ask in dismay.
“Nothing is wrong with you Chak. Tomorrow.” Simone states in pause, before leaving at a quick pace.
Left alone in the room, Chak's legs give out from under her. She wraps her body in her four arms as her eyes fade to gray.
-
Simone lays down in the cheapest bedroom she could afford. She holds the kids and the device they reside in under her arm.
“Why did you take them with you, you stupid fuck!” she internally scolds.
The Terran didn’t think, only acted on autopilot and didn’t even realise how much of a idiotic error she had made until she settled into this rental room.
Regardless of her regret, she dare not go back to the estate so quickly. Speaking of regret… Simone slaps her hands to her face and releases an angered roar.
“Why didn’t you just explain yourself!? You worthless fuck!” she not-so-inwardly cries.
In realization she cups her mouth, eyeing the canister.
“Great, you’re terrifying them too.”
Inwardly sighing, she opens her Lens seeing no messages. Both relieved and worried that Chak had not at least sent something.
Slowly, Simone begins writing a message of her own;
‘Chak, like I said I’
Simone erases it.
‘Hey, are you okay? I know I left like an asshole’
No, not like that.
‘I’m not upset with you, I promise! I just need’
Fuck.
-
For hours, Simone shifts from attempting to write a message and sitting around not wanting to leave or wander around with the newborns. Wasting the day, she eventually kills the light and curls up into the bed attempting to find sleep. Unsuccessful for several hours, she begins to drift.
However she is easily stirred awake when she hears the room door open. Had Chak tracked her down? No… the incoming steps are too heavy for her. Perhaps this was an innocent mistake? Cleaning crew? No, station A.I should be on top of shit like that, right?
Simone holds perfectly still, listening intently for any tells of this individual’s intent.
Whoever it was, they made it all the way to the side of the bed. Slowly, Simone unholsters her plasma colt at her hip.
There’s a slight tug on the canister, still in one of her arms. Death it is.
Yanking it back Simone lurches up and draws her colt to aim. She only feels the sharp jab in her back for a moment before her entire body goes numb. She spasms, dropping her weapon and the canister on the bed sheets.
-
Groaning from the apparent “beating” she took while unconscious, Simone opens her eyes to see a dark room with a transplanted low yellow light above. She attempts to move, but the clank of three inch thick metal chair arm and leg bindings restrain her with flawless results.
It takes her a moment to see a figure moving in to face her. The species is unknown to the Terran. They have a big, bulbous head with a proportionally thin arched neck. Five long spindly limbs emerge from a core bulb like a spider, however the ends of each leg sports a disturbingly Terran-like symmetrical hand… foot?
As the eyeless head leans down to loom over Simone, a maw of needle-like teeth opens from an invisible seam.
“Ahhh… What a find…”