The Ones On The Ground (sequel to The One Who's Fallen)

Chapter 19

Raven's smiling dopily as Lilly settles into her lap with a large yawn, cuddling against her and not seeming to mind Raven's leg brace.

"Why do you know sign language?" I ask curiously.

"You know I'm a Zero G Mechanic, right? Or I was on the Ark? Well, some of that included working on or near really loud machines, and we would have to wear protective ear stuff so we didn't go deaf. That's why. It was actually my idea. Before me, they just wrote down what they wanted to say or went to a quieter room so they could have a conversation. Plus, there are quite a few deaf of partially deaf people on the Ark, most of which made it down, and I know they don't really get to have as many conversations as other people, so I would sign to them and stuff."

"That's really sweet." I say.

Raven hums, softly petting the sleepy puppy in her lap. Lilly lets out a soft huff and snuggles up further against Raven, her little eyes drooping closed.

"Can we have her?" Raven asks, looking up at her girlfriends with wide, hopeful eyes.

Luna and Anya both have soft expressions as they look at her. They exchange a look and it's Anya who answers.

"Yes, we can."

Raven's entire face lights up with happiness and even though I can tell that normally she would be leaping up and hugging her girlfriends, but she doesn't want to dislodge the puppy in her lap.

"The three of you will be the owners?" The worker asks. Raven nods, looking up at her warily. "Alright. You two can come with me. I will need your signature later, miss..."

"Reyes. Raven Reyes." Raven replies.

"Really? A James Bond reference?" I ask, amused.

"The name's Bond. James Bond." Raven says in a terrible accent.

"Alright." The worker says, looking confused by our conversation. "If you want, you can take her home today. It's just a little more paperwork. You two, follow me. I'll tell you about what Lilly will need and how to take care of her."

Luna and Anya nod seriously and follow the worker as she explains Lilly's preferred diet. Another worker comes back and stops in his tracks when he sees Lexa and me.

"Um. I am supposed to assist you, Hedas." He bows his head. "What can I help you with?"

"We would like a puppy and a kitten." I answer. "But preferably ones that are strong and can defend themselves, so we don't have to worry about them."

The boy nods. "I think we have some options for you. Um, we can look at the cats first. Usually they're harder to pick."

We nod and he leads us over to the cats. A couple stare out at us with uninterested expressions and others continue wrestling around in the pen, while most of the ones in the cages eye us carefully. There's one kitten that for some reason intrigues me, in a cage. It's eyes are a warm green and it's fur is black with some brown mixed in.

"Why is this one in a cage?" I ask.

"Her? Um, I'm not exactly sure. But usually it's either because they're aggressive or prefer to be alone. Something like that. Um, the other worker is the expert on cats." The boy says nervously. "But there isn't a warning label on her cage, so if you want I can put her in that empty pen and you can see if you like her and she likes you."

"Sure, that would be great." I say.

He opens the cage and gently lifts out the kitten, who seems irked that she's being held. She mews in protest and bats at his hands as he takes her to the open pen. Lexa and I get in and he sets her down, staying in the pen with us.