Back in her room, Magnolia sat cross-legged on her bed, a crystalline tablet resting on her lap, casting a soft glow across her face as she scanned the list of requests. She handles ship needs while everyone else handled their personal needs or wants. Each entry revealed a blend of practicality and eccentricity: extra rations, medical kits, backup navigation modules… and then, there was a line for milking cows, chickens, and cloning pigs. She stifled a laugh, shaking her head at the thought of turning Wildflower into a floating farm. Still, she’d asked Wildflower to reconfigure hydroponics to make room, but the idea of animals roaming among their advanced tech felt surreal.
Maybe they could create a managire for animals they found on their adventures.
Beside her, In-Su sprawled lazily, one arm tucked behind his head as he watched her eyes dance between the holographic list and the tablet screen. He seemed seconds away from abandoning the quiet scene in search of livelier company when Magnolia reached over without looking and began absently running her fingers through his hair. Instantly, his restlessness settled, and he relaxed into the gentle rhythm of her hand.
“Your room’s better than mine,” he muttered, half-serious. “And your bed’s more comfy.”
She smirked, glancing at him briefly. “You like any bed that isn’t yours.”
In-Su grinned, unbothered. “Can’t argue with that.” He closed his eyes, savoring the easy warmth of the moment. “So, how's the order coming along?”
Magnolia tilted the tablet so he could see, pointing to the line for farm animals. In-Su’s eyes popped open, and he burst into laughter. “We’ll be the only crew with an interstellar petting zoo.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“I think they’re worried about going so far out.” She sighed, though a smile tugged at her lips. “Can’t blame them. None of us have been this far before.”
In-Su nodded, looking at the stars displayed on her holographic skylight. “Guess it doesn’t matter how many worlds we’ve seen. When it’s the unknown… it still feels like the first time.”
"It does," Magnolia murmured, turning back to her list. Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "And this one is going to be a long one. What other animals should we surprise them with?"
In-Su’s grin widened. “How about a goat? They’re useful, low maintenance… and would probably drive Lee and Han a little insane.”
Magnolia chuckled. “A goat it is. Maybe a few rabbits, too? Something tells me they’ll appreciate fresh meat as much as the milk and eggs.”
In-Su nodded, laughing. “Next thing you know, Wildflower’s going to feel like a farmyard. Think he’ll mind?”
“Oh, he’ll adapt,” she replied, patting the bed as if comforting the ship itself. “Wildflower has his ways.”
Magnolia returned to her list, fingers tapping deftly over the tablet as she placed orders to be delivered by morning. She prioritized items for immediate delivery, sorting what could be easily acquired locally, what might be better sourced from another world, and what they’d need to hunt down themselves before they left the system. She smiled at the way merchants responded to the Tova name and the sight of the Wildflower's insignia; even the most stubborn vendors knew to move quickly when either one was involved.
Satisfied with the bulk of the list, she leaned back, stretching. “All set—mostly. Just need to see what we can gather ourselves before we go.”
In-Su gave a mock salute. “In that case, shall we make the rounds tomorrow, Captain of Acquisitions?”
“Absolutely,” she replied, smirking. “Prepare to charm the entire market.”
““Do you think it’s weird that Joonie won’t tell us where he got the map?” In-Su asked, crawling up the bed to sprawl beside her. He propped himself up on an elbow, studying her face.
Magnolia shrugged, barely looking up from the tablet. “He’s Joonie. He’s always keeping secrets.”
In-Su huffed, rolling onto his back with a sigh. “I know, but… this feels different. Like he’s keeping something bigger than usual.”
Her eyes flicked toward him, and a soft smile touched her lips. “It’s his way. Besides, you know he’ll do anything to keep us safe.”