The Lover's Cost

Astral Base

"No atmosphere?" Heather repeated, sipping her tea. She smiled when its warmth crawled down her throat and chest.

"Almost," corrected the queen.

Heather watched her lover gaze out the window. She hadn't touched her tea, and Heather had made it just how she liked – a hint of orange zest, a touch of vanilla, and piping hot. It'd be wise not to nag the grieving mother. The student looked aside and sipped her drink again.

"I can't crack this," Violet growled, raking a hand through her dark hair. "The same star system, but Mystearlia is the only planet here. Where could they be?"

"Pfft, don't look at me," Heather laughed. "What do I look like to you, one of those science people who randomly write equations on a chalkboard?"

"Er, what?"

"Never mind." Heather shook her head with a smirk; confusion highlighted the mistress's cuteness. "My point is, I have no idea. I really want to help, but I can't crack this either." An eruption of coughing concluded Heather's statement. She clutched her chest and nearly hacked up her lungs.

"Heather..." Violet's voice was softer than snow. "Are you okay?"

The mistress's wide eyes and small frown made Heather want to apologize and crawl away. Violet's pain was contagious. "I-I'm fine!" The young mage insisted against the protests of her chest aches. "Don't worry about me, let's worry about you. Maybe we should have dinner tonight, Mistress. Get your head out of your...head?"

"That isn't the saying," Violet chuckled, shaking her head.

"If it made you laugh, it's better than the saying," Heather replied. She smiled. The mistress's grin was contagious, too.

"I'd love to go on a date with you; it's been too long," Violet rasped. She took her teacup but didn't bring it to her lips. "But are you sure you're up for going out? You're looking...a bit gaunt."

So she noticed. Of course she did. Heather rubbed the back of her neck. "Heh, guess I'm just stealing your style! It looks so good on you, ya know?" She joked, hoping to extinguish the dark mage's worry. She changed the subject before any argument. "Fresh air will only be good for me, Mistress. Let's get some dinner and we can talk more about wherever the rebellion is."

"Wherever Celeste is..." Blue eyes fell to the floor.

Heather looked down, too. Her frown nearly hit the floor in kind. She had to get Celeste back, no matter the cost. Fueled by such newfound drive, she looked up and placed her hand on Violet's. She'd never get tired of the soft skin and delicate joints. "We'll bring her home, Mistress. Don't worry. I'm here for you."

It was later that evening when Heather managed to drag Violet away to a small restaurant on a humble world. The goddess turned her nose up and insisted upon studying for a cure into whatever unholy hours of the night she must. Such stubbornness only rubbed off on Heather and she eventually won the queen over. The pair entered the café in dichotomy – Violet sulked and Heather nearly skipped.

Despite their more casual attire, several heads turned toward the queen and gazes darted. Violet pushed her bangs further into her eyes.

Heather gulped and forced a smile. She shifted in the booth, unsticking her thighs from the bothersome seats. "Uh, let's see!" She laughed, scanning the menu. "I might just get something hot to drink again, heh."

"This morning didn't do it for you?" The queen's voice was flat, her eyes dull.

"Ha! Come on, Mistress, you know I can never get enough tea and hot chocolate! And...stuff..." Heather cleared her throat and pulled the menu over her face. She wanted to whack herself with it, what a mess this date was turning out to be. However, the image of apple pie beamed from the menu and promised hope. "Mistress, what are you going to have?"