Groovi scrubbed the table down. She had finished a nice breakfast, and was prepping to start her day at the palace. The apartment was feeling empty with Khazal on her interplanetary journey. There was also no prospects for dating, either.
Groovi went off to work, when she was stopped by one of the palace guard. "Her excellency wishes to see you," the female guard told her. Groovi nodded, and made way to the throne room.
Penny was sitting on her throne, scrolling through her tablet. She had a look of despair on her face. "Your excellency?" Groovi came forward. "You summoned me?"
Penny gestured for Groovi to come forward. "I have some news," she started. "Crele is sick."
Groovi did a gasp. "What happened to her?"
"I just got the news," Penny went on. "She has seen a doctor. It is some sort of degenerative neurological condition. They do not know how to treat it."
"Oh, Penny," Groovi moaned, looking ready to cry. "Can you not do anything?"
"Hon, I would do anything for her," Penny said. "You know that. I can ask the palace doctors to try to dedicate some time for research." She sighed and looked down. "She's up in the mountains, in her little cabin. She's not showing major signs now, but...it could get worse." She placed her tablet down. "I would like you to go visit her."
"Oh, I would like that," Groovi replied. "But what of my duties here at the palace?"
Penny waved her hand. "We can cover for you. Please do not take that as an indictment of your abilities." Penny smiled. "This is important. Crele was a great friend to all of us, and she was brave in saving Grandfort. Take a week and see over her, okay?" Penny gazed right into Groovi's eyes. "Let me know how she's doing, okay?"
Groovi ran up to Penny and gave her a huge hug. "I love you, Penny."
Groovi was packed and ready to go that afternoon, and a shuttle was made available to transport her to Crele's remote cabin location. It was a Boccan hour flight to the mountainous spot.
The shuttle pilot landed and helped Groovi with her luggage. "I shall return in seven days. Feel free to summon me sooner if needed." He re-boarded the shuttle and lifted off.
Groovi looked around at the scenery. The desert stretched out before her down below, but the hills had fine grasses and trees growing. They were at an elevation where the temperature had dropped, and the rains happened regularly.
Groovi followed the map along the trail. She saw a copper-coloured
lasmet
, a vulpine creature with soft fur. The creature scampered away once Groovi got too close.
She came up on the cabin. It was humble, but it looked comfortable. There was a stream of smoke coming from the chimney. Groovi could hear the sound of something whacking. She went in back to investigate.
There she was, cutting up wood with an axe. She was clearly not the type to want to use a laser saw. She probably liked the workout for her muscles too much. Her red skin glistened in the sun. She was dressed in her usual sleeveless top and grey stretch pants. Despite not seeing her in nearly fifteen years, she still looked hulking and athletic.
"Crele?" Groovi stepped forward. She hugged herself, unsure of what Crele would say.
Crele chopped the axe down into the stump, then turned around. She let out a huge sigh as she wiped the sweat out of her eyes.
"Little one?"
Crele looked ecstatic. She shouted out in glee and charged forward with her arms stretched out. Groovi stood there and let Crele scoop her up in her large arms. Crele spun the tiny woman around as she laughed and whooped.
Crele set Groovi down and looked her over. "By the goddesses, you are still as beautiful as I remember you!" She tousled Groovi's hair. "You have cut it short! Oh, but it looks gorgeous on you!"
Groovi giggled, then Crele took Groovi's duffel. "Come to the house," Crele offered. The two of them marched in.
Groovi was taken by surprise by the interior. It was quite modern, despite the rustic look of the outside. Crele took the duffel to the bedroom. "Did you do all of this yourself? I mean, building the cabin?"
"I had some help with the electrical systems," Crele called out from the bedroom. She then marched back into the living room. "Self-sustaining, and it is cozy."
"How are you making a living?" asked Groovi.
"I have taken up metallurgy," Crele explained. "My shop is close by. I make specialized swords, certain machine parts, and thruster casings. A shuttle comes by once a week to pick up my wares, and supplies are dropped off."
"Do you not get lonely?" asked Groovi. "I would want to be around people."
"I get to town on occasion," Crele replied. She took Groovi's hand to get her to sit down on the couch. "I just do not care to be around people often these days." She touched Groovi's leg. "I want you to know that I am not angry about you and Fiona."
Groovi sighed in relief. "I was worried that you had a grudge against me!" The two of them shared a laugh. "Well, it was tricky, because I wanted to keep her at a bit of a distance. Khazal was so young when she lost her mama, and I did not want her to think that she was to be replaced."
Crele fiddled with her fingertips. "I apologize for my outburst to the two of you."
"I had forgotten about that night," Groovi said. "Oh, I believe we had all had too much to drink!"
"Still, it was a terrible embarrassment," Crele went on. "I should have been more supportive of you and Fiona." She looked down for a while. Groovi could sense her pain, and touched Crele's shoulder. Crele took Groovi's small hand into her own. "I loved you all."
Groovi leaned over and gave Crele a hug. Crele let herself sniff Groovi's hair as she rubbed her back. Groovi sat up, rubbing at her eye.
"Tell me what has happened to you," Groovi said.