slow drift

(see notes at the bottom)

in the dark of their cramped ship, the two sisters huddled next to each other on their makeshift bed. tira struggled to keep her eyes open, concentrating on the streaks of light that flitted by the window. distant stars. misu had spent most of the day excitedly pointing out each and every star and planet and galaxy they had passed; and trying her best to read the info bubbles that popped up on the screen. now, the toddler laid splayed out, head hanging halfway off the edge of her unfolded chair, a trail of drool making its way to the ship's floor as she slept

tira sighed, would be quite a while until they reached their assigned planet. tira rolled over to get a better look at the mechanical ticker on the console. it slowly counted down:

...065020 ...065010 ...064951

she accidentally banged her shoulder into the the side console, turning on the overhead light misu's eyes fluttered open

mhm...t-tira...there yet...?

the toddler couldn't manage much else before her head lulled back onto her fuzzy chair

tira winced and rubbed her shoulder. then she gave a big sigh. clicking the light off she settled back into position, spooning her little sister. but just think! in a little time they would have a whole big planet to explore, all to themselves! ... that wasn't quite true, there were the intelligent aliens which they had been given a brief lesson on. but tira had been too nervous and distracted to remember much. what were they called? the aliens looked oddly similar to themselves, that was one thing she definitely remembered. she had asked why, but never got an answer she understood. oh! and the second important thing -- to stay hidden. they were very, very dangerous. though maybe that should've been the first, considering it was practically screamed at her until the instructor's voice was drilled into her brain.

she laid very still. hoping to drift back to sleep again. it was then that she felt something warm on her lower thigh. she squeezed her eyes shut. but as she felt that warm spot grow on her bloomers she shuddered. misu had turned and wrapped her arms tightly around her sister's waist so it was hard to turn without waking the girl again. tira reached down to feel her thigh, the cloth under her hand was undeniably wet.

she couldn't restrain the urge to jump.

AH! GROSS!

she shook her thigh, loosening the smaller girl's grip.

AHH! stooooopppp shaking meee!! ( ꩜ ᯅ ꩜;) 

misu's eyes fluttered open as tira struggled to stand up on the woobly makeshift bed. tira pushed the button for the overhead light and her sister yelped and shut her eyes again.

misu whined

whats going onnnn!?

tira pointed to a dark patch on her side of the bed where the accident had happened. misu poked at it

oooh! you peed the bed...

misu retreated to her dry side and shifted uncomfortably.

you know it was you!

no....

tira looked down at her bloomers

yes! and it's on me too!

tira made several bleh sounds as she struggled to get them off as fast as possible.

wasnt me...

misu pointed an accusing finger at her struggling sister and there was a hint of a whine in her voice. tira stumbled off the bed and threw her bloomers to the floor.

we both know you're lying, see?

she lifted her long shirt, showing her panties — a light blue pair, a bit loose around her legs, with a white scalloped hem — fully dry.

misu looked up and down and to the side and back again, clearly caught in her lie but unable to think of a way to get out.

aha! gotcha!

the little girl flopped back onto the bed and shut her eyes. she started to make exaggerated snoring sounds.

misu how can you sleep like that?? (° ‸ °);;;

carefully tira reached out to touch her sister's bloomers but quickly pulled her hand back

ack!

it was time for her to be a responsible big sister it seemed! she studied each button, dial, and knob on the console. it had to be there somewhere. maybe? the instructor had said that the ship would take care of all their needs while they were on this mission.