They had done a good job with the room, and he wanted to reward the pup with something more interesting then cleaning. She had told him that her telescope had been set up in the top tower - a good place for such a thing - and they both agreed it was about time he taught her in the inner workings of it. After all, it had been his for many years before the Warlord had battered for it.

A glance up at the sky confirmed that it was growing late, and he glanced down towards the small pup. "Lead the way, then." He said, making a moving motion with his paws as he grinned down at her.

Mercury has quickly become a friend of Andy’s and, when he heard about the telescope being set up, he agreed to teach her the inner workings of it. Pale blue eyes sparkle in the dying light of the day as she looks up to the tall warrior, tail wagging as he tells her to lead the way.

With a grin, the girl starts the trek through the castle, up stairs and out onto the balcony where the telescope sits. Moving to sit beside the delicate machine, looking upon with love as she says, “Here it is.” A small paw gently reaches out to touch the side before she turns her attention back to Mercury, ears perking up as Andy waits to hear about it.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Mercury followed after the small wolf as she led the way through the castle. Careful to hope slowly up the steps so as not to overtake her. He grinned at the familiar sight of the telescope, and seeing her fondness, knew it had moved on to a good set of paws. Another generation to cherish it. He settled down beside her, and it.

“Alright, have you been shown the basics? How to move it and change the magnification?” He asked, feeling out how much she knew already. He intended to not only teach her about the machine, but about the stars as well. With her interest, he had a feeling she already knew a few. Perhaps they could swap stories about the stars?

Looking at Mercury, the pup’s tail wags as he asks about her knowledge and she happily says, “Oh yes!” A purple paw lifts to point at a set of dials, saying, “The top one makes the scope magnify and the other one helps bring it into focus. And these” Andy’s paw gestures at two larger dials on the side, “move it up and down, and left and right.” Tail wags lazily behind her as she looks to him, happy to have someone as interested in the stars as her.

Andy looks at the telescope before looking back to Mercury. With the fondness of a child speaking about their cherished hobby lacing voice, the girl asks, “Do you have a favorite star Mercury?” A moment of hesitation passes and she adds softly, “Is there one named Zee?” Her mother had taught her of the heavenly bodies and she wonders if there is a star out there with her mother’s name. That would be her favorite star.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Mercury leaned in and listened carefully as the pup detailed the workings of the telescope. He was impressed with the breadth of her knowledge. Good. The Warlord had been listening when Mercury explained it all to him. At her question he smiled in a way that creased about his eyes, smiling with the whole of his face. Yes, he did love the stars. “My favourite would be Polaris, also known as the North Star. It’s one of the most important stars in the night sky, and forms of navigation centre around its existence.” He explained. At her hesitation, and following question he swallowed. He reached out a paw and placed it over the childs.

“There is no star named Zee, but theres a beauty to the stars, Andromeda. You can look at them, discover something of your own, and name it” he said softly.

Mercury seems impressed with her knowledge of the telescope and Andy’s tail wags happily behind her. A smile is on her lavender lips as she asks about the stars and the warrior is quick to name Polaris. Nodding in agreement, she looks up toward the night sky before hesitating and asking about a star named Zee. His answer is expected but, when he speaks about naming her own, the girl’s pale blue gaze turns to him and a small smile grows on her lips.

With determination in her voice, she says, “Then that is what I’ll do! I’ll find my own star and name it Zee.” Andy allows her gaze to roam back up to the stars as the sun’s light fades from the sky and their twinkling faces begin to make an appearance. After a few minutes she says, “Sirius.” Gaze darts back to Mercury and a grin appears as she says, “That’s my favorite star. Sirius, in the constellation, Canis Major.” She recites the information she knows about it, a smile never leaving her purple lips as they talk.



"Andromeda Fatalis"