Paperwork - Scale

"A day laborer! A blasted day laborer! They want me to marry a worker caste!" Blackfire shouted as she paced back and forth, sneaking a bite of pancake every so often. When done she kept pacing, walking by Zac long enough to give him the empty plate.

"If you know enough about earth, you should know we don’t have a worker caste." Zac commented as he placed the plate in the sink to join the others.

He and Layla had already finished. Blackfire and her drama was taking just a bit longer, even with her speed eating. Zac was still put off by how fast they vanished. Woman could really eat though with a mouth like that, maybe that made a bit of sense.

“Oh if that’s what you tell yourself at night, knock yourself out.” Blackfire replied, with a glare but a bit of a twisted smile on her face, “But really, the more I learn the more downright insulting this whole 'marriage' becomes. A common worker married to me, Queen of Tamrean?” Her voice raising once more.

"Starfire…." Layla started, looking up from her coloring book. She had brought it with her from her room, just in case.

“I know of my sister you little Spawn!” Blackfire cried as she slammed her hand on the table, leaving an imprint, “I do not require your input about family power matters!”

“Well who did you expect to get married to?” Zac asked as he turned from the sink, hoping the question would attract her ire.

“No one!” The alien spat, before tapping an index finger against her cheek, “But given that I’m ****; I would have expected someone of my own status or local equivalent.” She paused to give him a look that could melt steel, “Even though you’re human and thus, below me to begin with, I thought it would at least match me to someone higher on the food chain.”

“Like who?” Layla asked, finding this a bit more interesting than her book. Too bad Blackfire was a meanie though.

“Someone way above your father’s paycheck.” Blackfire said with a wave of her hand, “A person with power money and influence. Someone in politics, a CEO, or perhaps one of those oh so handsome actors. I’d have at least a pet to show off then, not this!” She said pointing a finger at the man.

“Your father in contrast is rather plain and such a match is unbecoming if not degrading.” She finished with a fold of her arms, and a bit of a spark in her eyes before adding, “Well, at least he has muscle tone. I’d have broken one of those other men by now.”

"Well excuse me for being so plain." Zac said with a roll of his eyes, "And hey when you have enough padding to help absorb some hits, you tend to bounce back faster."

Blackfire's eyes roamed over his body, slowly taking in the details. Zac felt like she was gauging him as food and well..., that idea was a little bit worrisome. Given how easily she ate, how wide COULD her mouth get..., no if they were bonded like she said, Blackfire wouldn't take the risk right? Still being judged like a steak was a bit uncomfortable.

"...What padding?" Blackfire asked as she held her hand up to her chin.

Zac tapped his stomach with his hand. Weird it didn’t jiggle like he expected it to. He looked down and saw his belly was gone. Well, still there but he lost a couple sizes. It wasn’t a washboard set of abs but was about back to how he was before his trucking job. Curious and worried, he looked over the rest of him. He seemed a little more trimmed than before and his back felt better than ever. More importantly, Zac hesitancy looked at his arm.

A piece of rebar had ripped a part of his arm late in his construction career. While the damage had been all light tissue, it was enough to leave a pretty bad scar just above his elbow and slow his work speed. That mark was gone now, not even a tingle of pain when he touched the area. Layla gasped when she realized it was gone too, she’d seen it enough times.

“Dad your arms healed!” The girl shouted as she pointed it out.

"Yeah..., I should be glad but... kinda freaked out that I'm healed like this." Zac muttered as he looked over his healed arm. "Wait... did anything happen to you?" he asked to Layla.

"I don't feel any different." the little girl answered quickly before pointing at Blackfire, "But I don't know about her."

"OH Please. Why mess with perfection” Blackfire said as she spun in place to show off her figure, “Can’t fix what isn’t broken…., Oh don't you roll your eyes at me you little spawn!" Blackfire cried as she pointed a finger at the young tot who wasn't buying it.

"Could you at least take this a little serious?" Zac asked as he held a pair of fingers to his temple.

"Hrphm." came the answer with a fold of her arms, "I'm a peak specimen of my kind, thank you very much. Now granted, I do feel a little... stronger I suppose. More energy, more spring in my step. Hmm, I wonder if I can get another dose of this; put me over my little sis finally." Blackfire cackled as her hands charged with energy.

"Star's friends would pitch in to stop you though." Layla offered as she sipped her juice.

Blackfire growled as she spun back to face the child, her eyes started to glow violet again. It was somewhat funny to see his daughter just take jabs at this cartoon villain... but at the same time better to try and keep her in check enough.

"We're getting off track.” Zac interjected as he stepped forward to help get attention. He thumbed towards Blackfire, “So if you didn’t set up your contract, who’d did? Do you mind if I go take a look at the paperwork?"

"Fine... knock yourself out. It won't help you to know other than clarifying things." Blackfire said with a shrug as her glow faded away, her body floating just a bit backward, “Though I suppose an informed minion is better than a confused one.”

"Thaaaanks.” Zac grumbled before walking up to his daughter. He gave her another pat on the head before pulling her into a small hug.

“Listen Layla stay here. And just don’t ... touch anything. Besides the fridge, you can get icy pop." Zac told her with a wave of his finger.

“Okay dad!” Layla said with a nod.

Icy pops were a favorite of hers and Zac knew it was a comfort treat. She was a smart girl and while curious was probably overwhelmed here. She shouldn't do anything reckless. Better to look at the paper work fast though.

Zac gave her another small hug before walking down the hallway. He got about halfway back to the bedroom when he realized he wasn't alone. Blackfire was lazily floating a few steps behind him. Zac wasn't pleased by the extra company.

"Look, you don't like me so you don't need to come along. In fact could you just stay behind after all, someone as great as you could easily keep a little girl out of trouble.” Zac grumbled, not bothering to look at her.

"Hmmm. Let me ask you a question then. Do you want me here to annoy and belittle you the entire time.... or do you trust me enough with your daughter?" she asked, shifting her hip to the side.

"....Stay where I can see you." Zac said after thinking about it for a bit. It was easier to just deal with her alone than get Layla involved.

"Like you could actually **** me.”, the Alien mocked with a laugh, “But your spawn is... exhausting. I can see how you two are related. Besides seeing your reaction to the papers in depth will be far more entertaining." Blackfire explained as she floated along side him.

"Oh I'm SO glad I can be amusing for you. Should I just put on a jester's cap and do a little jig too?" Zac asked, marching forward.

"Perhaps you would look better in tights yes... nice colorful ones that going 'ding a ling'." Blackfire said with a grin and a small wiggle of her fingers.

Zac grumbled as continued on, not bothering to give her an answer.

Soon the pair were back in the master bedroom, if one could call it that. Blackfire busied herself with inspecting the computer in the room while Zac checked the paper work again. This time more in depth than before though given the insanity of the moment, just browsing though them was understandable. He found all the records connecting them togheter now, all the rights to the ship, that blood/life pact which was worrying, and...

"Wait Mining permit?” He asked out loud when he came to one page.

“Most space faring civ’s will flag far distant asteroids or other bodies to tap them for resources. It can be years or decades though before they get to them though. Even then, they can be rather protective about what they view as theirs. But at the same time, if you get the minerals fast enough..." Blackfire explained before Zac waved it off.

"Got it got it. ..., So wait did you do mining?" He asked turning to her.

"At times... yes. But probably not the way you're thinking." Blackfire replied, not bothering to look up from the computer.

"Claim jumping then." the human thought, not wanting to start another fight.

Everything Blackfire had said thus far seemed back by the paperwork in front of him. At the very least, everything involving Cupid. But there were a few things to pick up about his new wife.

For one, she was not rich. In fact, while her money was in space bucks or whatever, Cupid had combined their total amount into one account. Some conversions had to be made but Blackfire only had maybe another few months of pay in her part of the account. No rich planet to tax or insane loot from villainous plots. She must have been on a down swing. Bringing that up would just lead to another argument though. Instead something more... distracting.

There was a printout explaining some sort of 'wedding gifts' to the pair. The ship was to be their new home, but these were supposed to be something to make them..., either more compatible or make the new living arrangement easier.

"Hey...., Hey!" Zac called before walking over to the computer Blackfire was still working at, "What are you doing?"

"Seeing where we are. This machine is linked to the bridge computer so I booted up navigation." Blackfire explained, giving him a long deadpan look, "....Do you even KNOW where we are?"

"Do you?"

"Of course you don't." Blackfire answered, not bothering to take the bait. Instead she just clicked a few times with the mouse or input device.

A flash of light erupted from the screen, making Zac back up just a bit. Once it dimmed an image seem to float out into the room. Some sort of 'hologram' if Zac recalled his fictional terms. It looked like he was standing inside a large galaxy map. Small motes of light passing him slowly by or running over his skin. Reminded him of those do it yourself light maps you did as a kid.

"We're over here, or just past it." Blackfire said, shooting a small beam past Zac's leg. Close enough to make him dodge.

Her little highlight was low and close to the floor, off in a corner. Tad worrying.

"Okay.... so where's.... Earth if you don't mind?" He asked, turning back to look at her.

"Here." She said, with a click of the device. A small mote seemed to glow green near the middle of the room. "And my goal is up here." another click, and another mote lit up, a bright purple. It was closer to the opposite wall when compared to the first one, and far higher up. "I believe your people call it Vega."

"Vega huh...," Zac muttered as he looked over the three points, "So how far are we talking about to get home?"

"863 Light years."

......

"Excuse me what?"

"Eight Hundred, and sixty three, light years. And that's to YOUR home, my own will tack on more distance." Blackfire grunted, as she folded her arms, "Complete other side of the Galaxy... really now did they think that would..."

Zac just tuned this out as he processed this. He wasn't smart, not in sciences at least but even he knew the distance was insane. How long would that take to get back home? It took Pluto about two hundred years just to make it around the Sun..., wait. This wasn't his reality anymore.... or if it was he wasn't working with the same rules anymore. This ship and Blackfire too, Cupid wouldn't strand them in the middle of no where even if there was some kind of space port outside.

"So... wait... before you have to deal with a panicking minion..., how long is that gonna take to get back?" Zac asked, trying to keep his voice from cracking.

"Hmmm..., " Blackfire clicked a few things into the computer, double checking, "With this hunk of junk.... about three months? And that's if we use the good fuel each time. AGH... the prices on gas..." she complained as she fell back into the chair.

The more things changed..., at least he and Layla weren't STUCK out here. But given that he was on a ship, with an Alien, and the ships outside; he must have been ported to the DC Universe. Wonder if he could get in touch with the Green Lanterns..., they were kinda space cops right? Only heard about some bad movie about that character, and he doubted Superman or Batman could hear him all the way out here...., what other supers could he try to find?

"Now... you wanted to ask something?" Blackfire said, narrowing her eyes towards him.

(Author note) I have... NO idea how to measure certain galaxy places or other things, bear with me.