05-07-2025, 04:31 AM
Morad chuckled softly, his thumb continuing its gentle caress against hers as she giggled about her "amateur" certification. The sound was warm, intimate in the quiet of the cove.
"An amateur astronomer, are you now?" he teased gently, his eyes crinkling at the corners with affection.
That delightful giggle. She has no idea how charming that humility is, especially paired with what I’m certain is an exceptionally brilliant mind.
"Somehow, Amila, I have a feeling your 'amateur' insights could give seasoned professionals a run for their money. It's wonderful, though, that you found such a passion for the stars, especially Earth's. Another beautiful layer to you I'm getting to see tonight."
Ameen leaned back a little himself, content to simply be there with her, their feet breaking the still surface of the water. He felt her shift slightly, then lean against his arm. It was a natural, trusting gesture that sent a fresh wave of warmth through him, deeper than the simulated Mediterranean air.
She trusts me this much. It feels… right. More than right.
He instinctively adjusted, making her more comfortable, his arm coming to rest lightly around her shoulders, drawing her just a fraction closer. He followed her gaze upwards. She was right, of course. Even in this carefully constructed idyll, the faint, almost subliminal web of orbital traffic was a given in modern skies – a constant reminder of the bustling Solar System they inhabited.
Then, her voice, soft and tinged with a wistful note that tugged at something in his chest:
"Could we go back in time again? Before humans started going into space."
Morad turned his head to look at her, her profile illuminated by the faint starlight, her eyes still fixed on the heavens. The simplicity and purity of her request were captivating.
Why not? That will add value to what has been a very special night...
"Amila," he murmured, his voice thoughtful, "that is… an inspired idea. To strip away the centuries of… progress," he chose his word carefully, "and see the unadulterated majesty of the night sky as our most distant ancestors did? Absolutely."
He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Computer," he commanded, his voice clear but soft, not wanting to break the spell of the moment. "Refine current celestial simulation. Maintain current geographical location and season. Regress temporal visual settings for Earth orbital and atmospheric phenomena to pre-spaceflight era – target approximately 2000 BCE, minimal ambient light pollution. Display unfiltered galactic panorama."
Good. That should give her the pristine view she’s imagining.
Ameen settled back against the boat's cushions with Amila still nestled beside him, his arm securely around her.
"There," he whispered, his gaze already lifting in anticipation. "Let's see what the universe truly looked like, through your eyes."
== Tag. ==
"An amateur astronomer, are you now?" he teased gently, his eyes crinkling at the corners with affection.
That delightful giggle. She has no idea how charming that humility is, especially paired with what I’m certain is an exceptionally brilliant mind.
"Somehow, Amila, I have a feeling your 'amateur' insights could give seasoned professionals a run for their money. It's wonderful, though, that you found such a passion for the stars, especially Earth's. Another beautiful layer to you I'm getting to see tonight."
Ameen leaned back a little himself, content to simply be there with her, their feet breaking the still surface of the water. He felt her shift slightly, then lean against his arm. It was a natural, trusting gesture that sent a fresh wave of warmth through him, deeper than the simulated Mediterranean air.
She trusts me this much. It feels… right. More than right.
He instinctively adjusted, making her more comfortable, his arm coming to rest lightly around her shoulders, drawing her just a fraction closer. He followed her gaze upwards. She was right, of course. Even in this carefully constructed idyll, the faint, almost subliminal web of orbital traffic was a given in modern skies – a constant reminder of the bustling Solar System they inhabited.
Then, her voice, soft and tinged with a wistful note that tugged at something in his chest:
"Could we go back in time again? Before humans started going into space."
Morad turned his head to look at her, her profile illuminated by the faint starlight, her eyes still fixed on the heavens. The simplicity and purity of her request were captivating.
Why not? That will add value to what has been a very special night...
"Amila," he murmured, his voice thoughtful, "that is… an inspired idea. To strip away the centuries of… progress," he chose his word carefully, "and see the unadulterated majesty of the night sky as our most distant ancestors did? Absolutely."
He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Computer," he commanded, his voice clear but soft, not wanting to break the spell of the moment. "Refine current celestial simulation. Maintain current geographical location and season. Regress temporal visual settings for Earth orbital and atmospheric phenomena to pre-spaceflight era – target approximately 2000 BCE, minimal ambient light pollution. Display unfiltered galactic panorama."
Good. That should give her the pristine view she’s imagining.
Ameen settled back against the boat's cushions with Amila still nestled beside him, his arm securely around her.
"There," he whispered, his gaze already lifting in anticipation. "Let's see what the universe truly looked like, through your eyes."
== Tag. ==