<b><div style="text-align: center"><a class="link link--external" href="http://fav.me/d46cgv2" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">David "Maze" King</a>​</div></b><br/><br/><br/>As David's thoughts began to drift from the vid he was watching towards one of the many arbitrary musings he so often thought of, there came a buzzing from the doorway and the telltale burst of static that signaled the intercom having been activated, a feminine voice chirping directly into his ear as a backup, just in case the occupant could not hear the doorbell for any reason. The only person who ever seemed to talk to the hulking mass of flesh was Fancesca, and sure enough it was her voice that came through to David over his thoughts.<br/><br/>Five minutes..... it wouldn't do to keep what felt like his only.... what was the word..... companion? Acquaintance? Colleague?- waiting for him, especially since being primarily on the Science team, she had a job to do that was quite urgent. Without a word of confirmation- David figured she would've bolted by then, so she wouldn't have heard either way- he rose from his bed, throwing the portable vid-player onto the duvet cover as he rooted around in what used to be his father's footlocker.<br/><br/><i>Damn it... you should be here for this.... why did you have to die, Dad? Why wouldn't the Captain do anything about it....</i>he thought as he searched through his father's things. He soon found what he was looking for- a simple cloth pouch not unlike a coinpurse, with a length of leather chord at the top to bind the pouch closed. He knew his father was waiting to give this to him, but he never got the chance. Now, as the ship that generations of the Kings had called 'home' was at it's final destination, did it only feel right to open his father's trinket bag.<br/><br/>Inside, David found naught but three things- two would be mundane, but the final one had meant a lot to the family. First, there was a simple set of sunglasses- aviators, he surmised, from the various vids he and his father had watched together as David was growing up. These would help with the unknown sun, in order to adjust to a new planet with a new atmosphere. The second item was a length of polished silver chain with a solitary steel dogtag adorning it like a medallion. On one side it was pitted and scarred, as if something or someone had chewed upon it. On the other side, it had a single word engraved into it in heavy script, the lettering seeming as though it had been etched into the tag's surface. It read 'Onyx'. As to the meaning of this word, David could not recall, but he was certain in due time it would come to him.<br/><br/>The last item would not help the timid giant in any way, but it was something his family had kept in their bloodline since before David's ancestors had boarded Hope in search of a new planet. A ring of pure jade, in the form of an Ouroborous, inlaid with gold between the scales and richly amber-colored miniature topaz stones inset where the eyes would be, the gems themselves having been cut in a marquis style. Whoever had created this ring was obviously proud of the workmanship, as even though the trinket was centuries old, it looked to be brand new. The heirloom was of high quality and value, but only to the King family did it hold significance.<br/><br/>"The Ouroborous, the snake devouring it's own tail, is the sign of the Alchemist. It is both a symbol of futility and a symbol of the neverending eternity that is the human spirit. As a chef, this ring is why you are who WE are, David. Your passion for the craft, yes, it plays into it, but our family exists for one purpose..... To find a way to break the unending chain of misery, and shine some light and happiness into the lives of those around us. To show love where there is none, from the poorest pauper to the richest King. You are destined for greatness, my son. Though you may not know it yet, there is something within you, a light that cannot be extinguished, a beacon of peace that in time, will draw those to you."<br/><br/>These were the words David's father had told the young giant as he began to sleep, every night, for almost 17 years. It was comforting to think that, even to the last minute, his father had believed in David, believed that his son would not only make his family proud, but also find the peace he sought.<br/><br/>Slipping the heirloom onto his left ring finger, David quickly made his way to the ship's exterior. As he did so, he tried his best to avoid others, the stigma being that the Troll- as he was insultingly referred to by the less kind-hearted crew members- was not fit to be near 'normal' people. On his way outside, he saw a lone woman standing outside one of the rooms. He paid her no mind- David being who he was, he tended to keep to himself- but as he approached to try exiting the ship for the first time, a man he couldn't identify- a Soldier from the look of his uniform- came up to the female, holding her close in a show of affection that made David both terrified yet joyful. If love was to be found even during an event horizon such as this, maybe there was hope to be found somewhere.<br/><br/>Donning his sunglasses and the dogtag his father had left him, David did he absolute best to avoid the couple, squeezing himself against a wall and keeping his head down and away from the two, for fear he should be stopped and questioned, or worse yet- berated for some reason or another. Goodness knows the massive being didn't have a mean bone in his body, so the very thought of confrontation was almost panic-inducing to David. As he passed the two and prayed nobody would say anything to or about him, he stood with some trepidation at the access hatch to the airlock, his massive hand hovering over the button, the giant trying to mentally prepare himself for whatever it was that lay beyond on this strange new planet. The very concept of a heavier atmosphere or momentary lack of oxygen hadn't even crossed his mind- something David would soon come to regret- but as he stood there, fear and excitement mixing within him as his hand refused to obey his brain and open toe hatch, he couldn't help but have a singular final thought.<br/><br/><i>I wish you were here, Dad.</i>