Oort’s first ever visit to the asteroid from which he took his senshi name had taken place in an October.

It had been a few days before Halloween, before his fourteenth birthday–

And he hadn’t been alone in that inaugural visit, had asked his senshi partner Euporie - who was also his tree climbing buddy Kirra - along with him.

Not that Euporie was his only partner when it came to senshi stuff - at least not anymore - not since meeting Tomlin, Oberon and Chara–

But out of them Oort had known Euporie the longest - had been partners with her longest - and so it had seemed right that she be the one that he had asked to come along with him.

He hadn’t really thought out the trip however - not really - and whilst he’d thought to bring along some snacks and a couple of cans of soda, he hadn’t thought to bring anything else.

He had promised himself that the next time would be different however - had promised that he would be better prepared next time - and whilst it was something that had started off as just a thought, it was a thought that had later firmed up into a private promise as he counted down the time between the school classes that he had to go to as Briar–

And when the time finally came he had been better prepared with a flashlight and some spare batteries finding their way into being slipped in with the cookies and the cans of soda.

He’d snuck in a couple of water bottles too, as well as some sheets of paper, and he had also added in some pens, an eraser-tipped pencil and a roll of sellotape to go with them - because unlike the previous occasion this time Oort planned to explore - well make that explore properly and part of exploring properly meant trying to see if he could get further than he had on the evening when he had gone with Euporie.

A map featured in his plans this time around, Oort figuring that it would help him to see where he’d been as well as act as a point of reference that he could refer back to - because he had no intention of this trip being just a one time thing–

Well okay so maybe two times was more accurate than one time, given that the planned trip was his second one and not his first - but Oort had no intention making this trip that either.

It wasn’t just because he had promised Chara and Oberon on separate occasions that he would take them, although that was part of it, nor was it just because he hoped to make the same offer to Tomlin at some point–

No it was because he found himself wanting to find out more about the place from which he took his senshi name - to find out more about a place which was in some ways his - and whilst it had taken him a while to get to this point following on from the initial trip that he had undertaken with Euporie, Oort had every intention in making it further this time around.

He had opted for the playground in part because it was familiar given that it was the usual go to for his meet ups with Kirra and in part - the greater one - because it was generally empty at night.

Tonight was no exception, the children’s playground deserted as Oort skirted it in favour of making his way further into the trees, because whilst the park seemed empty you could never be too careful and at least the trees helped to add an element of privacy.

He already had his senshi phone to hand, pausing momentarily to check the surrounding auras, but all seemed quiet - well at least as quiet as things ever got in a place like Destiny City.

It was time to go, past time maybe - because much as he may have wanted too Oort knew that he didn’t have all evening.

He focused and selected the relevant function on his phone - just as he had on that first evening, the park and the evening noises of the city slowly fading away.

Oort - his asteroid was out there.

Oort - his asteroid was waiting.

-- 732 words --