Cosmic Cows
Do they wear boots?
Emerging from Stu’s apartment was a bustle of activity as inhabitants evacuated the Solar Solarium. There was an interesting blend of frantic individuals mixed with the calm less concerned looks from Stu’s neighbors.
Blendburg Borough, Stu and Roz’s neighborhood, was considered less desirable real estate than that of the Solar Solarium. The Borough had almost no views planet side or celestial. This section of the station was lower rent where a blend of service workers, merchants and artisans called home. It did have one benefit the other sections did not, the Borough was not exposed to cosmic impacts.
The Solarium, while not as diverse on an economic level compared to the Borough, did contain an eclectic mixture of people from all walks of life. As in its name, the Solar Solarium’s main function involved the use of solar energy. Alternate functions of the Solarium included the cultivation of plant life for human and animal consumption. There was enough room for a herd of cattle, providing meat and dairy to the diet of La’zen residents.
The gravitational mass and rotational patterns of the station allowed for the collection of gasses above the Solarium giving a micro- atmosphere to the exposed surface of the station here. The presence of an atmosphere allowed for the cattle to graze in celestial space. After considering it, one might be concerned about the cows' exposure to radiation in the meadow. However, the ranch, long past the experimental phase, had become a proven source of protein — something in addition to the atmosphere may prevent the cows from prematurely cooking.
Traveling upstream from those pouring into the Borough, Roz and Stu found it was increasingly difficult to make their way to the Solarium. They were about to start walking in single file when suddenly a push from behind bumped them apart.
As they looked up to see their assailant, they were able to make out a white smock flailing behind an individual hastily clearing the way towards the Solarium. After the figure rounded a corner, the displaced crowed started filling back in the gaps of the traveling smock’s wake. Realizing this was an opportunity to get through the crowd quicker and not draw attention to themselves Roz and Stu hastened to catch the white smock.
Adding to the theatrics of the moment, Stu shouted, “Hey! No apology?” and the two set their speed optimal to keep behind the sprinting figure and not get slowed by individuals correcting their own balance.
After several sprinting moments the crowd was thinning. Speed was picking up and it was evident that most of the inhabitants of the Solarium had migrated into the Borough.
Clopping of oversized footwear could now be heard belonging to the smock running in front. Boots, thick and floppy, were stomping faster beneath the smock; an odd choice for sprinting down halls of the station and looked to be more suited for cleaning up a chemical spill.
Now a trio, they ran through the station rounding a final corner, only to pull back quickly to avoid running into a closed bulkhead. Well, Roz and Stu pulled back quickly, the sloppy boots and smock slammed straight into the now barred accessway. They had reached the boundary of the Borough.
What could now clearly be identified as a man picked himself up, dusted off and instantly started hitting buttons frantically while kicking the door with his rubbery boots.
Roz approached the man, placing her hand on his shoulder saying, “Are you okay? It will be okay. Don’t worry there won’t be an impact on the station. What you are worried about will still be there when the portal opens.”
“Tis not the station I am worried about!”, exclaimed the man, “Stella is out!”
“Stella?” Roz inquired.
With a sob, “I left her out to graze, Mais pour quoi fair? Wit all th… l’agitation s’urely la belle will destroy le jardin!”
Zip plunk... Stu without hesitation had removed the ventilation grate next to the sealed portal.
Continuing to sob with eyes rolling to the ceiling in a plea and gangly arms flapping to further express his desperation, “Stella-la-cow is out!”
Roz looked at the man more closely suppressing a chuckle but could not stop letting loose a smile. The gangly features in conjunction with his oversized boots, floppy white coat and she just noticed oversized glasses was too much.
Patting the man on the back she stated, “I’m sure your Stella is fine, if you want to come with us we are going into the Solarium.”
“Ah, oui! Yes!”, after a second an expression of concern was seen on his face, “u-u-think is safe?”
“Let’s just say we have a pretty good inclination that there is no fear of a cosmic collision.”
With that an exclaimed smile formed on the man’s face. The man clapped Roz on the back and extended his hand to shake, “Phillippe, I’m very happy to meet you. Have you heard of Chez Phillippe? You are welcome to my restaurant, my home anytime.”
With an endearing grin at Philippe, Roz replied, “I might take you up on that offer. But for now, you may want to carry those.”
Roz pointed at the footwear on Philippe and then backed herself into the access tunnel that Stu had provided.
Not quite what I was thinking, but creative for sure.
Better, but not sure I’m not sure I like this one.
I really like this one, but I kind wanted her eating a vegetable garden.
Uh, this one is a bit scary
I like it, not really thrilled over the carrots, but kind of conveyed what I like.
Apart from, that weird split moon and endless forest in the background, perfect!