Stark Industries [all day]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was back for his last shift at his job and was making the most of his time (and his last paycheck) by putting together a small mountain pile of electronics that he was going to take with him when he left.

You know, just in case he needed them in space with Ender.

He'd just started feeling a little bit maudlin about things coming to an end and how much he'd miss it here when kumquats rained down from the ceiling.

...maybe he wouldn't miss it all.

Comments

[endsthegame]

Getting smacked on the top of his head by a kumquat while poking his head into the store was not, technically, the most impressive moment of Ender's life. "Kuso--!"

[momslilassassin]

"No, kumquat," Ben said with a tiny smile. "Ho, kreetle."

[endsthegame]

"Does the island hold a grudge?" Ender asked, apropos of... everything, and glanced up at the ceiling before he slipped in. "I'm going to need more than an umbrella for this."

[momslilassassin]

Ben reached under the counter and tossed him a helmet. "You'll look stupid but you won't get brain damaged."

[endsthegame]

Ender snorted, but he pulled the helmet on anyway.

Hey, he'd never been particularly afraid of looking stupid. "Thanks."

[momslilassassin]

Ben grinned. "I'm big fan of your brain."

[endsthegame]

"And my brain appreciates you keeping it safe," Ender said, a little dryly, and went up to the desk with the bag full of sandwiches.

[momslilassassin]

"Thank you," Ben said. "Does lunch go well with citrus?"

[endsthegame]

"Have you been taking the kumquat apart?" Ender asked.

He did not sound like he was joking. It was Ben. It was possible.

[life_inshadow]

Tara was still sleepy from having stayed out a little too late the night before, but it wasn't going to deter her from checking in with Ben before they both left the island.

The kumquat shower, however, almost did.

"Hi," she said, brushing fruit out of her hair. "Uh .... does it rain fruit in here a lot?"

[momslilassassin]

"Well, yeah," Ben said, "but they're not really that tasty."

[momslilassassin]

"Weirdly, yeah," Ben admitted, tossing her an umbrella. He was wearing a very stylish (yeah, not really) bicycle helmet. "Come on in!"

[life_inshadow]

Tara twirled the umbrella, then propped it over one shoulder with a little laugh. "I just wanted to say hi before we both leave," she said. "And see how you were. I didn't know to expect random kumquats."

[dollpocalypse]

"Oh, good," Topher said, sticking his head inside. "You weren't eaten by a tiger."

A kumquat landed on his head and then rolled to the floor.

"...what."

[momslilassassin]

"Just one of the perks of working in a shop on this island," Ben said with a wry smile. "When do you take off? Ender and I leave Thursday."

[momslilassassin]

"I don't even ask any more," Ben said with a shake of his head. "And no, I wasn't eaten by a tiger, a dinosaur or a goat."

[life_inshadow]

"Monday," Tara said, and that kept feeling way too soon. "Seemed ... better not to draw it out."

She raised her eyebrows. "Does the ship leave Thursday, or do you get time off first?"

[dollpocalypse]

"I'm pretty sure the goat was friendly," Topher informed him. For whatever that was worth. "Why'd you leave, anyway? You missed the part with the jungle."

[momslilassassin]

"I think the ship leaves Friday," Ben admitted. "It'll be a quick transition but I think we're both ready for it."

[solo_sword]

So how bad was the hangover?

Of course Jaina had to tease. Also, she was bored.

[momslilassassin]

"I told Ender I'd be home by two," Ben replied with a tiny smile. "He's not a drinker."

[life_inshadow]

Tara nodded. Quick transitions were usually easier.

"And then you're out of touch for a couple months after it leaves, right?" she asked, trying to remember. "From Ender it sounded like the ... time jump, or whatever -- you can't exactly text people during it."

[dollpocalypse]

He had noticed that, Ben, yes. "But... jungle."

Everyone loved a good safari adventure, right?

[momslilassassin]

Bad, Ben replied, but I didn't end up with a tattoo, a haircut, or a weird pet, so I think it's a good night.

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "At least that," he said, looking regretful. "No one's ever traveled like this in Ender's dimension before. We don't know how our time will line up with Fandom's, or anyone else's."