Welcome to Gaia! ::

Andreiya’s room was regularly kept secret. He was often flustered at the idea of sharing something that seemed so vulnerable–partly because he had become rather materialistic while on Earth, and partly because he might never be ready to explain his roommate.

Not all of the Vanguard was as open minded about such things, and he’d have been lying if he claimed he hadn’t practiced explanations for each of them in front of the mirror in the months before today. He’d made a presentation, too. Just in case words weren’t enough.

Andreiya’s room was full of stuffed hamsters and cute animals he’d smuggled in, but the room had a very cozy feel to it. He liked neutral and desaturated colors, but he had a few things that broke the mold–a lava lamp glowing in the corner, for example.

He’d turned it on to give a distraction in case he needed it.

Steve had colorful tubes that went around the room, hugging the wall and up it. Andreiya wanted him to have no shortage of space.

But, today was a meeting. He’d pulled Steve out of his ‘cage’--which was not a cage, he decided, it was just a very small hamster structure. It was meant to keep him safe, not confined, and he had so much space to snuggle up in and he never seemed to complain!

Steve was in a clear plastic ball, rolling around the room behind Andreiya when he opened the door.

He knew Naeria was coming, but he was still a bit shy. He looked over her shoulder to make sure there was no one else around, and then stepped aside to usher her in. “Hello, come in.”

“Of course,” Andreiya said, and gestured to the hamster as he ran enthusiastically around the room. The ball hit the corner of Andreiya’s bed and the hamster seemed temporarily stunned, but no more than a second later he was running in another direction–this time, straight towards Naeria.

“He does not talk much. He is quiet, but he is a very good listener. Oh, I also brought some of his favorite treats.”

He fetched a small plate from his desk and presented it to her. “I like to give him carrots because he crunches on them, but I think bananas are his favorite. You can give him whatever you like.” A variety of fruits and vegetables had been carefully cut into small cubes.

“He likes to run around, but if you sit down he will come to you. He is very friendly, and very bold. I told him you were going to be here and he has been running ever since. I think he is excited to make a new friend.”

Steve seemed brave and fearless, and stared up at the giant holding the ball with big, curious eyes. His nose wiggled. He brushed the fur of his chest as if freshening up. He ran in a circle in the ball and then stood up on his back legs to examine her.

“I am very lucky,” Andreiya agreed, with no shortage of pride in his voice. “He makes me very happy, and is an excellent research partner. I cannot figure out how he does it, but he keeps me energized and refreshed. He is very inspiring. Here, I can help you. If you sit on the ground he will run around with you. He is very loyal, he likes to be close to people. Some hamsters will run and find dark places to hide, but not Steve. Especially once he knows you have treats. The top twists off, right where your thumb is?”

He moved to sit on the ground in front of her and set the tray of food down so she could reach it easily once she joined him. “Once the top screws off, tilt the ball gently and he will come into your hand. Especially if he sees the carrot there.”

“Oh, yes,” Andreiya confirmed. “When I feel very stressed or overwhelmed, I look to him for guidance. Look at him, he has no cares at all in this world. He is a very good research partner, nothing stresses him out. I will admit, I have found myself distracted by him some times. I like to see what he gets into. I like to watch him work. But I think, overall, he keeps me very focused. He makes me want to work harder, too. I think it would be nice if the people of Velencya could be as carefree as he is.”

But, it was a heavy burden to carry to know that your world–your people–were in danger unless someone could save them.

Andreiya pressed his lips together and then said, “Portabella sounds like she works hard with you. She does not have to be your roommate to be your friend. Maybe she wants to help you because you are her friend, too.”

Steve had nothing to contribute to the conversation, but as he stuffed his mouth full of the snacks he was given, he rested one tiny little paw against Naeria’s leg to balance himself while he adjusted the food in his cheeks.

Sometimes, Steve would seem to forget where he was for a moment and would just stop chewing and stare into the distance. He never seemed stressed, but it was like his mind was wandering. It was a big world, who knew what could captivate such a little creature? Andreiya couldn't tell what he was thinking, but he liked how Naeria put it.

He knew peace.

And, if Andreiya had his way, that was all Steve would ever know.

"Not as well as I want it to go," he admitted. "But not bad. I know these things take time, but I am impatient. I knew there wasn't going to be an easy solution, but I wanted one anyway. I am going to have another report soon, I will have to send it to you. I've had great success in creating hardy plants. My current project can grow in a variety of situations, but there is still quite a while to go. I wish I could get information on Velencya's soil quality. What about you, what have you been working on?"

“Agreed,” Andreiya sighed, and leaned back a bit. “I’ve tried to get access to more data, but even the Commodore has been unable to get me the full data I’m looking for. He’s reached out to Velenia to ask if there’s more they can provide. I wish I had a soil sample. Or living samples…”

He sighed again, but the lack of full data was not enough to stop him. It was a bump in the road, nothing more.

“He has made requests to see if they can import some samples from similar worlds, but that prat of my research will depend on what they can recover and ship in. But I would be very interested to take your recommendations on mushrooms. I have read up a bit on some of your research and I think that could be very beneficial. Mushrooms are so sturdy, and they have so many unique properties. I am glad you are researching them. They’re very complex. I hope we can collaborate some day.”

Andreiya nodded, because he too could not resist the calming reprieve that came with watching Steve. The little hamster had shoved another piece of food in his mouth and seemed like he was thinking about if he could fit in another piece. He didn’t try. Instead, he began to scuttle along curiously.

“Of course. I am going to lay down so I can see him better. In a while, when he is ready to rest, maybe we will get to watch him run in his wheel. He likes to do that before he curls up and goes to bed. He is so tiny.”

And soft, and sweet, and cute.

“I want to protect him. I hope we can make this world a better place for him.”

Earth might not have been high on his list of priorities–if only because the people were so often unbearable–but he liked Steve, and this was his world, too.

That was enough reason for him to do his best here.