Challenge #01717-D256: Show of Faith

"Shhhhh." [Name] put a finger to both of their lips. "Let's just enjoy this. Things are going to be awful in a few hours, but right now I've tricked myself into thinking we can handle this. Let me bask in it." -- RecklessPrudence

The human had a mantra for everything that was going wrong. Human Steve was multitasking. Gathering and patching and applying gum and ductape as fast as their two hands could manage. The mantra was four words, "I can handle it!"

Leaking air? "I can handle it!" Minimal food supplies? "I can handle it!" Toxic air from the outer atmosphere leaking in? "I can handle it!" But it was the repeated insistance that this situation was un-handle-able that caused Human Steve distress.

After the tenth such iteration, human Steve put an upright finger over both their faceplates. Made a repetitious and rhythmic, "Shh-shh-shh-shh-shh," noise until all were quiet. Then they made a disturbing announcement. "Let's just enjoy this. Things are going to be awful in a few hours, but right now I've tricked myself into thinking we can handle this. Let me bask in it."

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