Gan gave Poppy the gift of silence, allowing her the space she needed to sift through her harrowing memories. The sadness etched into her youthful features was a deafening echo, stirring empathy within Gan, despite his own lack of personal experience of losing close friends. He found himself pondering the depth of Poppy’s grief with a sort of sorrowful admiration. Such profound pain was a stark testament to the deep bonds she had forged with her now-deceased crew members. His own company had been limited to Pelve and the occasional holographic communication with Elo.

  The silence stretched between them, becoming an almost tangible manifestation of the shared understanding of their isolated existences. Finally, Poppy found the strength to break the silence. “So where is it you’re from?” she asked, her voice a delicate balance between curiosity and caution.

  “Elluria, a planet in the Andromeda galaxy,” Gan replied, his voice ringing with a faint echo from the translator.

  Poppy’s eyes widened, a spark of amazement flashing within their soft brown depths. “That’s... almost beyond comprehension.”

  Regaining her composure after the initial surprise, a surge of curiosity enveloped Poppy. “Can you describe Elluria for me?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with an eagerness to explore the unfamiliar through Gan’s narrative.

  Gan was momentarily taken aback. He paused to assemble his thoughts, embarking on a mental expedition to capture the true essence of his home planet in words.

  “Elluria... is a cornucopia of natural marvels. It’s bejeweled with vast emerald forests that extend beyond the horizon and vibrant oceans teeming with diverse life forms. Our cities are sculpted into the mountainous terrain. They’re testaments to our innovative technology while symbolizing our dedication to coexist with nature in harmony.”

  As Gan’s description unfolded, Poppy’s face lit up with pure fascination. “That sounds like an absolute wonder. It’s a dream of mine to witness such breathtaking beauty in person.”

  Gan gifted her with a small, genuine smile. “Perhaps one day, Poppy, you will.”

  Their conversations wove together, creating a complex web of shared insights and experiences. Poppy regaled Gan with stories of her family, painting a vivid picture with a heartfelt fondness that Gan found both intriguing and foreign.

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  “You know, my dad always used to say, ‘A problem is just a solution in disguise,’” Poppy began, a soft smile gracing her features. “He was a stickler for rules, but he had this unique way of making everything seem like a fun challenge. And my mom... well, she could out-live the sun.”

  The spaceship seemed to warm at her words, the cold, metal interior absorbing the heat of her affection. “And my little brother, Timmy,” she continued, her eyes brightening, “he’s always inventing some new gadget or other. Says he wants to be just like his big sister one day.”

  Gan chuckled at that, imagining a miniature version of the fiery and determined woman before him. As she continued to narrate, sketching the outline of her life back on Earth, Gan found himself both captivated by her strength and resilience and moved by the palpable loneliness that mirrored his own. Her stories painted a world that differed from his own, yet it was their shared isolation that formed the thread connecting their vastly different experiences.

  As their conversation drifted towards Gan’s own family, the Ellurian found himself at a loss for words. He did not know a family in the traditional sense, and his past was but a faint shadow in the recesses of his mind. The only thing resembling familial ties was his relationship with Elo, a role that he had only recently associated with something akin to paternal guidance.

  Poppy tilted her head, her eyes scanning Gan’s face as he spoke. “Is it normal for Ellurians to not remember their families?” Her voice was soft, curiosity lacing her words.

  Gan paused, mulling over the question. “I don’t think there is a ‘normal’ in this context. I didn’t have a familial unit like humans do though other Ellurians did. As for the lack of memories...” He shrugged, his gaze unfocused. “It’s something I’ve been trying to figure out myself.”

  A silence fell between them, not uncomfortable but reflective. Poppy’s eyes held a mix of understanding and empathy. “Well,” she said, “no matter where we come from or what we remember, our experiences shape us. The past might help explain who we are, but it doesn’t define us. Maybe you’re just meant to make your own path, Gan.”

  His features softened at her words, a feeling of gratitude washing over him. Here, in this alien craft, floating in the vast cosmos, he was no longer alone. He had found an unlikely companion in a young human woman whose strength and compassion seemed boundless. Despite their differences, they had become allies, navigating their respective loneliness and shaping their individual paths in this uncharted universe.

  Despite the stark divergence in their pasts, Gan felt an unanticipated bond forming with Poppy. They shared the reality of solitude and the yearning for home.

  As the artificial twilight cast its shadow across the ship, Gan sought the sanctuary of his escape pod. His mind hummed with the flurry of the day’s revelations, a cocktail of trepidation and optimism pumping through his veins. He arrived at a profound understanding: the universe, contrary to his previous belief, wasn’t as isolating as he had thought.

  Gan isn’t alone. ?? Poppy and Gan come from different worlds, but their shared isolation has brought them together.

  But will this connection last?

  What do you think happened to his memories? ?? And how do you think this new bond will shape his journey?

  favorite, rate, or leave a review—it helps more than you know! ?? Thanks for reading, and see you in the next chapter!