Ch. 1.15: The Birds and the Bees

“I wasn't expecting to have this conversation with you so soon,” Polaris admits, “I thought I could put it off for a while. She’s stalling—this is going to be uncomfortable. The triplets stare at her, wide-eyed.

“So you are pregnant?” Solaris breaks the silence, “you’re going to have a baby?”

“Yes, I’m pregnant. Probably just a few weeks along, but you’re going to have a little brother or sister.” Or both, she shudders at the thought of having another set of triplets.

Ch. 1.14: Crux-Pollynation

Polaris wakes up early in the morning, before the sun has even risen. Her nausea has been replaced by ravenous hunger. She opens the fridge door, but is quickly overwhelmed by the smell of rotten food—some leftovers have gone bad. She spins around and rushes to the bathroom.

Ch. 1.13: Routine

 Spooky Day quickly approaches, and Polaris and the Bee Brood prepare for it by carving jack-o’-lanterns. Luna grimaces as she scoops the guts out of a pumpkin.

“What, too gross?” Polaris laughs.

“This is the definition of gross, mom. Why are we doing this?”

“Because tomorrow’s Spooky Day! We have to get in the spirit, Lulu,” Polaris wants to give her children normal, human experiences.

“It’s icky. And what’s the point,” Luna mumbles, “someone is just going to smash them.”

Ch 1.12: F*ck Honey; Use Violence

Crux fakes a yawn as he emerges from his room. “What is it, Lyra? You startled me awake.”

“Yeah, I don’t think we woke you,” Lyra scoffs. Crux blushes.

“We’re sorry to interrupt you and Polaris. I know you were enjoying yourselves,” Lily smiles, “but Lyra and I discovered something.”

“A big fucking problem,” Lyra clarifies, “we discovered a big fucking problem.”

“You keep using that word…”

“Seriously, Crux. This is some grave shit.”

Ch. 1.11: Try a Little Tenderness

While the triplets were staying at Luke’s loft, Crux invites Polaris to have dinner with him at his home. It’s a cool night, and clouds cast a hazy shadow over the desert. Crux’s house is two-stories and contemporary; Polaris is suitably impressed. The interior is largely monochromatic, with the occasional hint of color. Unseasonable rain drums against the many windows, producing an uneven tempo that echoes through the cavernous house.