Chapter Text
The hardest part during the beginning stages was getting a safe habitat for Grace. Rocky can vividly recall the pure stress and frantic energy throughout every Eridian involved in the project. Creating the perfect atmosphere and artificial sunlight to keep Grace safe and happy was somehow more stressful than pilot training him was.
“Grace needs a day cycle and night cycle.. light needs to gradually increase for two hours at the start of the day to signal to him the start of morning.” Rocky explains for what feels like the 1,000th time.
“You have stated this- but you say 24 hours of light but then say the light is gradual for two of those hours and then fades off again later..?” Another scientist questions him. Rocky resists the urge to attack the nearest wall “yes.” He vents air in a rapid huff, a social trait he’d picked up mimicking Grace's frustrated sighs on the Hail Mary “gradual light is ideal. If it’s too sudden it will cause distress and affect his sleep! Please review my data before asking stupid questions!” He stomps a claw on the ground and leaves to review construction on the dome.
His Grace, after much prompting and reassurance, finally picked what kind of outdoor climate they want for their habitat. Despite how much Grace insisted he “didn’t need much” Rocky knew for certain that whatever they did needed to be large and as close to Earth as they could make it for the best possible outcome on Grace's physical and mental health.
If the existence of that room of screens was enough to go off of it was clear how important Earth's environment was for humans to stay well and happy. Grace indicated he was happiest on Earth's beaches by the water, so that’s where he would be. The laptop Grace gave him was working overtime to assist with the development of this particular part of the project.
Creating the Artificial waves and fog was one of Rocky’s favorite parts as an engineer to help construct. Finding ways to lower the temperature of the water enough was incredible work and watching it all come together made it worth every moment. They’d chosen an earth beach to replicate based off of data provided by Grace, which was whatever beach image Grace openly admired the loudest. It wasn’t hard to figure out that Durdle Door would be the most enriching environment for Grace.
The rock formations, the fog, the smooth stones along the shoreline, every last detail was accounted for and approved by Rocky himself. Everything had to be perfect especially in such a short window of time. Grace was in a temporary enclosure that was far too small for a human to be confined to for extended periods of time.. and he did not trust the air filters of that tiny enclosure to sustain him for so long.
Humans require an atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen and small amounts of other important variables that need to be balanced properly to prevent respiratory distress and this was heavily stressed in every thrum during the project. Every Eridian entrusted with access to this project has undergone extensive training and attended many educational thrums to ensure that nothing would be miscalculated when it comes to air quality within the biosphere.
Rocky put on his xenonite suite and walked along the shoreline watching the water as the waves crashed along the shore, making sure the waves weren’t too harsh or too soft. It was perfect. The rocks under his claws were just the right texture as he walked from all the data he’d been collecting. “Whats the status on dome construction?” Rocky question the nearest construction worker on site
“Is nearly finished!” They’d happily reported “beginning final construction on the human house! Waiting for your approval on materials selected for the windows” they scuttled across the rocks “come inspect” and so the painfully long process of building continued through the rest of the day and much to Rocky’s satisfaction things were finally beginning to move more smoothly…
Until it came time to begin the final details on earth landscaping.. Rocky was thankful Grace had chosen a beach rather than Earth's forests as it was now becoming Rocky’s greatest frustration to get Eridians greatest minds to create plants and foliage for the more distant edges of Grace's enclosure.
Rocky was incredibly grateful for the few specimens of earth's plant life aboard the Hail Mary. At first the botanists of Erid worked on creating hybrids from Erid’s native foliage until they were specially engineered to survive in Earth’s atmosphere, this was an almost completely impossible task until Rocky introduced Earth's plants to them. Within the week they’d finally had more plants to choose from for the enclosure to help filter the air and add more visual noise for his Grace to be happy.
Finally as it all came together and had been tested and inspected another several times, now came the task of introducing Grace to his new home. This monumental moment came with great preparation and planning. It was important not to overwhelm Grace with too much at once to avoid any stress or leaking, Rocky does not like Grace leaking as much as he insists it is sometimes the good kind of leaking.. Grace is dehydrated enough as it is he needs to retain his water!
The first step of the plan was helping to prepare Grace for what comes next. Grace wasn’t in the best state on arrival and would need to be carefully transported to his new environment to prevent physical distress. It was also important that the mode of transportation didn't piss him off.. and apparently he’s “fine” and “doesn’t need a wheelchair for gosh sake Rocky” and “doesn’t need to be carried like a child” or something of that nature.. as frustrating as it was to make sure he was safe it was also equally as important not to make him feel incapable of independence. Independent nature is very important to humans and their sense of self achievement and self worth, Rocky finds this trait inefficient for Grace's care plan.
And so with all data considered came the task of very slowly walking in an EVA suit to the entrance of his new home.. This task took many thrums in advance and a large quantity of mobile lighting solutions to help illuminate the way to his new home through the great dark world that is Erid. Many temporary walkways needed to be built along the path there to help keep his journey on somewhat level ground and away from any narrow tunnels.
There was also the trouble of knowing where on Erid’s natural food chain Grace would sit so they could best protect him from any native wildlife on Erid’s surface as most of Eridian society was in tunnel systems and well developed communal areas structured on its surface for recreational gatherings. Many of Erid’s strongest were stations on all sides of his journey to protect Grace. The operation was historical and by this point resembled a parade through Erid’s terrain.
Upon arrival Grace was thoroughly exhausted by the journey which proved useful in avoiding any overwhelming introduction to his new home. The lights inside were in their night cycle to reduce any overwhelming reactions as Rocky and Grace’s immediate care team of only Four Eridians got into their xenonite suits to bring Grace into his habitat.
Once the air had been cycled and the system beeped its signal Grace was stripped of his EVA suit and guided gently to his bed. Adrian helped him to lay down as Grace tolerated Adrian’s assistance better than others.. gently laying his aching body down and adjusting his legs on the newly crafted mattress. Tucking him under his quilt and trilling gentle notes of reassurance to help sooth him.
Grace responded well to this as he’d exhausted himself out of his usual frustrating human nature, letting out content sighs and curling under the blankets. He was soon falling into a much needed rest. His exhaustion was not necessary and could’ve been easily avoided had he accepted the assistance that Rocky truly wanted him to have. It was unfortunate how his exhaustion played in their favor in the end with reducing any poor side effects of “too much at once” as Grace tended to be prone to extremes when it came to overwhelming data.
Grace had much exploring to do once his first night cycle was complete. Rocky decided it best to spend the first few day cycles by his side just to ensure he was content through all the new changes. There was a collective feeling of relief throughout Erid as the most historic project in their history was finally complete. It was all worth it.
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Grace was slow to rise the next morning. Curled under his blankets and irritable the more the light began to shine through his windows.. it was only after the light became too bright to reasonably ignore that he’d finally stirred from his sleep and discovered the room he’d fallen asleep in when he’d arrived. He sat up quickly which startled Rocky who was watching from the foot of the bed “ROCK!” He grinned “you made me a house?! I hope you didn’t make me a mortgage too- wow!!” He gasped as he admired the room around him.
Rocky tilted his carapace “yes. Is your house. What mortgage queestion?” He tapped softly on the bed as Grace laughed “don’t worry about that-“ he teared up in awe as he threw his legs over the edge of the bed with a big stretch. Rocky was very happy to see him so comfortable with his new home “you like? You are leaking!”
Grace chuckled “happy tears rock, I promise.” He pat the top of his carapace over the xenonite “come on give me the tour!!” He grinned baring his human teeth at him in a smile and Rocky chirped a happy note as he hopped from the bed and began excitedly showing him around and pointing out all the little details he’d put into everything.
The tour took up much of the day with breaks for graces scheduled mealtimes much to the humans disdain.. he’d rather explore than take time to sustain his body it seemed. However inconvenient it was Rocky was strict when it came to his care plan especially when it came to his feeding habits.. after seeing him almost starve grace was thankfully not too stubborn if Rocky stressed the right points to him. Guilt tripping proved very effective in getting his friend to eat and not be stubborn.
“When do I get to eat real food again?” Grace spooned more of his vitamin infused sludge “I’m sure I’ve gained enough weight to handle something that’s not slurry mush” Rocky made a sour note “not yet. Grace follow refeeding plan.” He stomped a claw “important” this earned Rocky a predictable dramatic groan “rock you’re killing me here”
“No Rocky not killing” he huffed “helping Grace not starve. Very different” “I’m being sarcastic.” Grace frowned. His frown deepens when Rocky chirped out his own version of laughter “ha ha…” he grumbled in reply “you’re so funny Rocky..” he droned “I wanna try these fabled me burgers..”
“Stupid name” Rocky chastised “come up with better name.” He jabbed a claw into graces side. Grace yelped and pushed his claw away “stop! That tickles I hate that!” He laughed.. and then paused worriedly as he’d realized in a slow horror that they’d never discussed tickling before.
“What is tickle question..?” He tapped. Grace froze “um.. none of your business you don’t need to know-“ Rocky reached a claw back to his side and jabbed again and chirped gleefully at the resulting spasm of laughed “R-roOCK!! NO!” He wheezed and stood quickly retreating away from him. “No!”
Rocky was very amused “I stop if Grace tell me about it” he raised his claw threateningly and was incredibly pleased with the frantic lesson that Grace was soon teaching him this incredible new strange fact about human reflexes. Rocky loves the new blackmail tactic. “If Grace refuse eat Rocky teach Erid about tickle”
Grace was utterly horrified “Rocky… that’s evil. You can’t be evil rock..” Grace tried to reason. “Rocky not evil Rocky help Grace.” He trilled out more laughter much to Grace's misfortune. “You’re the worst..” Grace pouted “I’m telling Adrian you’re trying to blackmail me again”
The two continued their bickering back and forth through the rest of Grace's mealtime. The daylight cycle gradually coming to a close soon leading Grace and Rocky into his new house where they now sat on the floor as Grace now discovered a box on the shelf that contained a box of Eridian crafted recreation of the human card game Uno. Grace was quickly teaching Rocky how to play as he shuffled the cards.
The deck was crafted with special raised edges and Eridian symbols to indicate the color to any Eridian players and the human numbers in the center of the card remained the same. The cards didn’t have any color to save the engineers any embarrassment if there were errors in crafting a deck of cards with a spectrum of colors only perceived with eyes they did not possess. Grace didn’t mind the changes in the classic card game whatsoever.
It became dangerously competitive very quickly. the more Rocky adjusted to the game the more Grace began to lose every round and soon Grace was very passionately engaged in screaming and slamming cards. Rocky was very amused as he continually ragebaited the poor human with far too many plus fours. “Amaze! Grace draw four more cards again! Rocky love love love uno!”
Grace huffed, irritated “how do you keep getting those?!” He drew four more cards “this is ridiculous” Rocky resisted the urge to laugh “no not ridiculous. is Uno..” Grace glared “don’t…” Rocky feigned innocence “don’t what, question?” “Rocky you have got to stop pretending you don’t know what I am talking about.” He played another card slamming it harder than necessary onto the top of the pile “Rocky not know what Grace means!”
“You are so lucky I don’t swear…” he seethed “one of these days I’m going to get you!” Rocky chittered the laughter that he’d been holding back “Grace so easy to annoy, statement.” The resulting crashout from Grace made it all the more amusing. In the end the human board game was a perfect enrichment activity to help stimulate his human as the day wound to an end.
After the passionate game came to a close Grace was beginning what would soon become his nightly routine. He’d begun his nightly oral hygiene ritual and changed into his newly crafted pajamas from a drawer stocked full of the new soft clothes. The collection of pajamas was Adrian’s idea. Grace greatly appreciated the housewarming gift “whoever engineered this is actually my favorite they’re softer than anything I’ve ever slept in!” Grace praised “I want a blanket made of this stuff for my birthday”
Rocky happily displayed his jazz hands “will tell Adrian you like them! Now Grace sleep. Statement.” Grace crawled into bed with a soft smile which was soon interrupted with a yawn. “Not gonna argue with that! I’m exhausted.” He settled easily into bed “Grace frequently argue…” Rocky adjusted the blankets before settling at the foot of the bed.
He rolls his eyes “yeah well not this time.. you really never let me live anything down, huh.?” Rocky shifted “no. Always remember Grace's bad choices.” He teased fondly “Grace make many bad choices” Grace yawned again and rubbed at his eyes “yeah whatever rock, love you too” he smiled softly “goodnight”
“Goodnight, Grace. Rocky watch”
Grace was soon fast asleep, safe and cared for. Rocky considered his first day in his habitat a monumental success.