Q&A Sessions for Beneath the Ice

Scene: What Could Have Been

A/N: I know no one asked for this, but I thought it would be fun to write some scenes of what would be happening if there were no such things as Impostors to ruin our protagonists' lives. Although some things would stay the same, others would be... slightly different. Clasher's name, for example, would be Leo instead of Clasher.

This takes place over the holidays, our protagonists' off days.

Enjoy!

(I just realized that this is close to three thousand words... sorry, but not sorry.)

Kihei, HI. December 24th, 2102. Time: 1830.

"Hey, who brought the poi?" Peregrine shouted from the kitchen. Cinnabar smiled and back-tackled her brother. He staggered around the island, careful to not knock over any food. In fact, there was so much that Cinnabar could barely tell where one dish was from another. "Stars above! Cinnabar! Is the little cousin here as well?"

"Why would we be coming on two different flights?" Petri asked, poking his head in the room. His analytic glasses must have still been in his bags. "That's simply illogical. My parents are taking the upstairs bedroom, is that alright?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Peregrine grinned, "You guys always take the upstairs bedroom. Wait, where are you sleeping?"

"The... couch?" Petri said. "I think I might stay up to analyze the sample from Polus that Luna sent me."

"Cuz, I can always take the couch. You can take my room."

Petri looked uncertain. "I couldn't do that. You just got back from the base."

"And you got back from MIRA," Peregrine replied. "I am going to drag your bags down here into my room if you don't willingly take it. And maybe damage any equipment that's in there on the way."

"Agh!" Petri shook his head and pointed a finger at Peregrine. "I swear, Peregrine, I really hate you."

"Love you too, cuz!" Peregrine called as Petri stomped upstairs to grab his bags. He turned to Cinnabar. "Your room's been untouched since you left."

"Speaking of since I left," Cinnabar said with a slight laugh, "have any of your squad mates done anything stupid?"

"You know the king tides?" Peregrine said, making a plate. "Some of the guys decided to not listen to me and Dad and got smashed. We had a great laugh after that."

"Was it as bad as the time some idiots flipped?" Cinnabar asked, following Peregrine. "Where's the lomi lomi salmon?"

"Over there, Dad got that fresh from the store," Peregrine said, gesturing to across the island. "And something big would have to happen in order to beat that. They literally were spitting sand out of their mouths."

"The kayak hit them on their heads," Cinnabar laughed.

"And rightfully so," Tau said, lumbering into the kitchen. He still had his military uniform on and his skin seemed darker that it was the last time Cinnabar had seen him. "Those crazy people. Completely lolo. We warned them!"

"With the authority of a General or someone who's seen too much?" Wren asked, coming down the stairs. "Because I personally believe that they would have listened to a military officer sooner than they would have listened to a local."

"Doctor Rhys," Tau replied, nodding. "How's my brother being with you?"

"Talking nonstop about how much he hates doing these family things," Wren said with a smirk. "I agree, honestly. Too many people."

"Again, what's this inside joke?" Peregrine demanded, handing his plate to Cinnabar. "Both of you have had this thing for I don't know how long. What happened with Uncle Arlo to do this?"