h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

* Eli enters the lounge from the garden, where Lucy and he have been spending most of their time. He sees Kyra, pacing and looking like a caged tiger. *

* Eli smiles at her as he walks in. *

Feeling restless, are you?

*Kyra nods and flops down on the nearest couch*

I want to get out of here.

*She hates being confined inside - there aren't even any windows in this place*

* Eli nods slowly. *

I assume you're not talking about leaving Rigel?

* He smiles at Kyra. *

You should talk to Tav. She can help you set up observation windows for the places and people you want to follow.

*Kyra nods*

If I see her.

*She has the feeling Tavaron is avoiding her*

*She gets up and continues pacing the room*

* Eli nods. *

Feel like joining us in the garden? Have you tried the low-G lawn?

* He walks over to the kitchen as he says this, to get Lucy, Frankie and himself something to drink. *

*Kyra follows Eli into the kitchen, nodding to answer his first question*

I don't think so.

* Eli loads three glasses, two pitchers - one with water, one with fruit juice - and Frankie's drinking bowl onto a tray and picks it up. *

You should try it, then. It's great fun.

* He smiles at Kyra. *

Might even chase the boredom away for a while...

*Kyra nods, though she doesn't feel like being silly at the moment*

*She sticks with Eli as he leaves the kitchen and heads back to Lucy*

* Eli places the tray on a low table when they reach the lawn. Frankie looks up lazily and wags her tail as she sees Kyra. *

* Lucy is floating about a metre above the lawn, slowly turning somersaults in midair. She curls up to pick up speed, and then stretches again to decelerate. When she sees Kyra, she halts herself and smiles. *

Hi Kyra. Feel like trying this?

* She stretches her legs down to the ground and pushes herself towards the edge of normal gravity. Elegantly, she lands as if she's just made a slow motion jump and walks over to the table, where Eli has just poured everyone a drink. *

*Kyra looks at Lucy in wonder, then looks doubtful*

I dunno ... I might not be able to get down.

* Lucy laughs. *

You don't think we'd leave you hanging, do you?

* Eli chuckles and hands the glasses round after placing Frankie's bowl on the ground. *

If all else fails, we'll throw you a line...

*Kyra smiles*

I might deserve it ...

How do I get *up*?

* Lucy smiles at Kyra. *

Just walk in, or jump in. Don't kick off with too much force, though, or you'll find yourself floating a bit higher than you'd bargained for...

*Kyra walks into the area Lucy indicated, and pushes off from the ground, feeling apprehensive. When she starts floating she scrambles to get a purchase on something, and fails, of course. She struggles for a few seconds, clawing at the air. Frankie barks in excitement and runs to join her. Kyra has somehow managed to turn herself upside down, and when she sees the furry projectile diving at her she puts her arms in front of her face. Frankie jumps at Kyra and looks comically surprised when she loses all control. The two of them spiral out of control, and Kyra bursts into giggles*

* Eli and Lucy exchange a smile, before moving to the edge of the lawn. Staying out of the low-G zone, they each stretch out a hand and grab hold of the floaters to stabilise them. *

* Lucy holds one of Kyra's ankles and bently stops her spinning, while Eli grabs Frankie's front paws and pulls her towards him, carefully lowering her onto the ground. *

* Lucy smiles at Kyra. *

Want to try a controlled spin now?

*Kyra grabs at Lucy's arm, still giggling*

'Kay ...

* Lucy smiles at Kyra and stretches out her other hand, grabbing Kyra by her shoulder. *

I won't push too hard, in case it doesn't work. You should be able to control your spin by adjusting your position. Ready?

* With her one hand she pushes Kyra's shoulder downwards; with the other she pushes her legs upwards, with about the same amount of force. *

*Kyra curls into a ball and spins alarmingly fast. She loosens up and slows down again*

Wow ... okay, wanna stop now.

* Lucy chuckles and once again stretches out her arms into the low-G field, catching Kyra's outstretched hands and stopping her rotation. *

* Once Kyra's floating horizontally, she slowly moves her arms upwards, making Kyra's feet tilt towards the ground. *

Can you get out on your own now?

*Kyra manages to make herself move forward and touch the ground. She hastily steps out of the low gravity field and staggers slightly before catching herself*

Huh, next time I think I *will* tether myself to something. Dizzy ...

*She moves towards the benches and sits down*