The Calm Before The Storm

[outpostcook]

 Something's been bothering Kinner. There's a visible unhappiness in the little cook's expression, even beyond his usual gruff attitude. He sits in the Plaza, thinking, for once not manning his fish shop. He's going after the Thing soon, and he's not completely sure what to make of that. He knows exactly how dangerous the alien is. Even if the Thing where he'll be going isn't exactly the same creature, it's close enough. In some ways, it sounds even worse. But he can't give up with lives on the line.

He's got a better idea of what to expect than most, but that's a small comfort. After all, the Thing incapacitated and devoured Kinner alive, without much of a fight. This time he'll be better armed and better prepared, but still. He's not exactly thrilled about facing the creature, even with help. And, he realizes with a hint of sickness, he'll be putting his new friends in danger, too.

Kinner, when push comes to shove, isn't scared to look death in the face, and it's Palmer's world, but it's everyone else he's afraid for. Horvath. Alex. Blaze and Ghost. Prometheus. Cricket. Cricket most of all, since the others have magic or other quirks to protect them. Cricket doesn't. Kinner would rather he die than Cricket.

At the very least, he won't make an easy meal this time.

"Have you ever had somethin' you didn't want to do," he finally asks, voice trembling a little, "but you had to do it anyway? Were you scared?"

Comments

[slicksalesman]

"Ah," Mr. Slick sigh a deep sigh as he sat down next to Kinner; looking quite serious. The salesman noticed the unhappiness on his expression.

"I gotta admit I had to in order to help save my wife. I was mighty scared, but I had no choice but to react,"

[outpostcook]

"Sometimes you've gotta take action to protect folks you care about," Kinner says, looking up to see a familiar face. "It's easier said than done."

The cook shuffles over, offering a place. "It sounds like you had to face a similar situation yourself."

[slicksalesman]

"Very true," he nodded in agreement as he looked serious; sitting down where Kinner had offered him a place to sit, "It was mighty scary. My wife had been trapped in a cave and the only way to get to her would be through a narrow openin'. I am claustrophobic, but there was no one else that would've helped her in time,"

Mr. Slick looked seriously again at Kinner.

"Ah, are ya...are ya alright?" he asked, looking quite concerned, "Anythin' ya like to talk about?"

[outpostcook]

Kinner nods, looking over to Mr. Slick. "I'll be facing the creature that killed me, or at least something similar to it. It's to help a friend of mine who's in trouble, so I've got a good thing to fight for." Kinner's sure he's doing the right thing, but it's still a frightening prospect.

The cook sighs, shuffling in place. He can't help but be a little anxious. The Thing is a dangerous creature.

"I'm glad things turned out all right for you and your wife."

[slicksalesman]

"Oh," Mr. Slick looked serious as he stared at Kinner for a moment. He remembered the previous conversation they both had about The Thing, "I must admit that it sounds mighty frightenin' to meet such a creature, even if it's to help yer pal. Is that what's troublin' ya? Ya don't hafta answer if ya don't wanna,"

He gave a small smile.

"Thank ya. It was mighty scary, but I managed to do it and saved her. I still didn't get over my claustrophobia. It's a huge nuisance I wished I don't have..."

[outpostcook]

Kinner nods. He doesn't have any problem mentioning the creature, even if he's not exactly looking forward to seeing the Thing again. He wonders if the creature will remember him. It isn't the same Thing as the one in his world, but he knows Things have psychic abilities. Even if the alternate Thing doesn't know who he is, it will.

He's pleased Mr. Slick was able to rescue his wife.

"Yes. I can't say I want to do it, but my friend has people back in his world that are in trouble. I feel like I've gotta help."

[slicksalesman]

Mr. Slick bit his lower lip as he looked serious when Kinner nodded. No wonder he looked so troubled. Even though he never met The Thing, what his new friend had described had already made him quite nervous and scared.

"Ah, I understand that feelin' of wantin' or the feelin' to need to help someone out when they're in trouble," the salesman nodded, "As for the creature, do ya think it will have the same powers and everythin' as The Thing? Maybe, and hopefully, the other species of its kind is weaker and easier to defeat?"

Mr. Slick knows it's a stretch, but it's wishful thinking that Kinner won't get into huge trouble...

[outpostcook]

"I hope so. It's got all the same abilities, though."

Kinner isn't so sure it'll be easier to defeat. Palmer's Thing sounded every bit as dangerous as the one from his world, if not even moreso, and Copper's test hasn't been tried yet. He hopes it does, and he trusts Copper.

He explains the situation a little more. "My friend was attacked by the creature, and he hid in the Nexus to get away. However, he didn't feel right leaving the other members of his crew behind. He thinks there's still time to help them. His Thing's more like a disease, while mine was more like a solid creature with a true form."

[slicksalesman]

"Um, so it has all the same abilities as the one ya know?" Mr. Slick nodded thoughtfully as he fiddled with his moustache, "Let's hope it is much weaker,"

The nebulanian listened intently as Kinner explained the situation, looking a lot more serious. His antennae drooped.

"Ah, it's quite a dire situation," he admitted, "I also find it odd that The Thing that yer friend and the members of his crew had encountered would be different compared to the one ya knew...is it 'cos it's some type of mutation or somethin'?"

He rubbed the back of his neck as he looked embarrassed.

"I gotta admit that I'm not really good when it comes to biology and science, so my guess might sound mighty silly,"