Base Values

Quick Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or the world they inhabit. They were created by the fabulous people at Zombie Orpheus for their equally fabulous RPG, Masters of the Metaverse!  Be sure to tune in to Twitch.TV/zombieorpheus every Monday at 6PM PST to see more!

 

It was nice to have some quiet time to herself. Ricci, Magical Space Princess Dynamax settled into the comfortable folds of her favorite chair in the Glamatron Base Library and pulled out her notebook. She had been recording quite a bit of data of late, what with the sudden death of Galaxia, the muderous instability of Queen Lorrianna, the mass extermination of a large part of the magical space princess populaton, and the appearance of Chad, Magical Space Prince Esteban. It would be good to finally have some time to go over her notes and begin to compile them into more useable info bytes. Vega, Magical Space Princess Blackstar and Zelenia, Magical Space Princess Burgertown, Inc. had gone off to the training arena to work on their battle techniques, while Elliana, Magical Space Princess Fabulon had opted for some time in the rejuvenation center. Chad, on the other hand, had gone off soon after lunch saying that he would be napping in his quarters.

Ricci hadn’t been working for very long before the sound of approaching footsteps caused her to look toward the doorway. Chad wandered in, talking quietly to his turkey leg, and raised a hand in greeting. Ricci smiled in return and beckoned him over, shifting her papers out of the way to make room. Chad plopped into the chair across from her with a sigh and yawned.

“Did you have a good rest?” Ricci asked, “You’ve been gone for almost two hours.”

“Oh, that.” replied Chad, “I couldn’t find my quarters. I’ve just been walking around looking for it for the last hour and a half. I did manage to get a little sleep next to a potted plant I found though.”

Ricci opened her mouth to say something and then closed it again. No point. Instead she turned back to her notebook and made a few more entries. Chad surveyed the room while conferring with his turkey leg until he turned back to Ricci.

“So tell me, Roxy, are you excited for the coming festivities? It sounds like it will be quite the party!”

Ricci looked up. “Oh, the parental visitation! Yes, it should be very nice. I know that Elliana is excited to see her father and Zelenia is too. I’m not sure about Vega, she doesn’t talk about her parents that much. What about you?”

“Oh, yes. I mean, well, what son wouldn’t be excited to see his own family?” He gave a weak smile and fell silent for a moment. “Ricky, can I be honest with you?”

“Of course, Chad! What else are Sparkle Sisters for?”

“Well. The truth is, Rossi, I don’t really get along with my family. They don’t get me, if you know what I mean. And they are most certainly not going to understand this!” And here, Chad gestured to the keepstone in his forehead and the crown above it.

“You don’t think that they will be proud to know that their son is part of the most powerful defense force in the galaxy?” asked Ricci.

Chad shook his head, “My Dad just wanted me to find a lovely princess and get married. To be the prince-iest prince I could be. I don’t think that this was what he had in mind.”

“How do you feel about it, Chad? Are you happy to be a part of this? Or do you wish the keepstone hadn’t chosen you?”

“Hmmmm. That’s a good question Rexy. I suppose if I consider it, I would have to say that I am quite excited by the new possibilities that have opened up as a result of this strange turn of events. Don’t get me wrong, I love cooking and talking about the arts over cocktails. But to have a chance to be a part of something like this? It’s pretty awesome. And I really enjoy the transforming bit.”

Ricci smiled, “Well, then that should be enough for your parents right? The fact that you’re happy is all that should matter.”

Chad shrugged, “I suppose. But I know that they won’t understand it. They’ll probably think I’m wasting my time and nothing I say is going to change their minds. Honestly, I never really fit in with the rest of my family. They all understand each other so well. I always seem to be on the outside.”

He sighed and was quiet for a time. Ricci closed her notes and moved to the chair next to Chad.

“You know, Chad, my parents aren’t coming to the visitation.”

Chad looked up, surprised. “What? Why not?”

She shrugged, “They don’t really agree with my being a part of Magical Space Princess Galaxy Force 5. Before I received my keepstone, I was on track to join my parent’s government think tank.”

“Data and Analysis?”

“Research and Development for intergalactic defense systems and nuclear starship engines. See in Dynamax technology is queen, so that means that all research and invention is meant to simply advance it. You ask questions to make a better artificially intelligent vacuum cleaner, not because you’re curious. That was how my family made their name. But I like to ask questions and find things out because I like to know things, I like to understand the galaxy we live in. I like to be curious. My family isn’t like that. Then I got my keepstone and became Magical Space Princess, Dynamax and had to leave home. My parents didn’t care for that. I mean, I’m sure that they were proud. But, they always wanted me nearby and I wanted to explore. So, they don’t visit.”

Chad patted Ricci’s arm, “I’m sorry Reiki, that must be hard.”

“Oh, it’s alright.” she said, “They send letters and I go visit when we’re near Dynamax.”

Ricci looked up at Chad and smiled. The two sat in silence for a time, interrupted only by a brief whispered conversation between Chad and the turkey leg. Finally, Ricci spoke.

“I think that the hardest part is that I’m actually happy. I’m happy here, being a part of this, and I just wish that they could be happy for me too. I wish that they could be happy just because I am, even though I’m not doing exactly what they want. So, I get it Chad. It sucks when people don’t get who you are at a fundamental level, especially when they are people you love.”

Chad nodded, “Very true. But you know, Ricci, I’m happy too. And I think that I am finally doing something that I really want to do.”

“Chad! You said my name!”

“What? Oh, sorry! Richie, I’m really sorry!”

Ricci shook her head and gathered up her things. She turned back to Chad and nodded towards the door.

“Coming?”

“You go ahead.” said Chad, “I’m going to just hang out here until dinner. Would you mind swinging back this way to pick me up? Just in case.”

“Sure thing, Chad.”

“Thanks, I’m lucky to have two such great friends here with me.” said Chad, casting a loving look at his turkey leg.

Ricci waved and exited the library, leaving Chad alone with his turkey leg to enjoy the peace and quiet.