Welcome to Gaia! ::

Naeria

Naeria flushed farther as her whispers and recording setup caught the attention of some of the others. The consensus seemed to be affirmative on keeping a record on Earth's sunrises, though, and so with a stoic nod, she flipped through the settings on the ComTech screen and then began taking a video of the fading stars.

She was not quick to talk the way some of the others were. In fact, she ducked down behind her screen and watched the sky from there, but while she watched, she also listened.

She listened to the odd buzzes and chirps in the distance that had caught her attention at the meeting the night before, noting that they seemed notably different at this time of day and glad that the recording would pick up on that, as well. It would be good for comparison purposes, later. However, she also listened to the musings of her companions.

When there was a lull in the conversation, she murmured, "The humans likely have their own database of weather patterns and repeating natural events. It could be beneficial to research that and see if it's accessible."

Her research on the planet indicated that they'd had primitive records even at the time of the last mission here, and that had been many of their generations ago.

Almost as an afterthought, she added, "My body seems fine."

Gavaen


As Fae-Fae beckoned, Gavaen followed his long-time friend to see what Vyn had crafted. Gavaen admired Vyn's dedication and reverence for the Commodore - to hold such unfaltering loyalty to any one person and thing was surely the sign of a great passion within, and though they were a people of vastly repressed individual interest, it was an individual's passions that helped their society progress, no? Could Vyn's reverence seem a bit extreme at times? Yes, but he also found it entertaining and endearing. Much like the sight of his fellow Vanguardian placing the rudimentary flower crown upon Fae-Fae's head.

"It is impressive what you have been able to make with such few and foreign resources!" Gavaen praised, although he knew it would mean a mere fraction of what it would have coming from the Commodore.

Gavaen, like the lot of them here, also admired the Commodore, but as a role model. A goal to work to - becoming so capable, respected, accomplished... But at the same time Gavaen also knew he was much more of a follower than a leader, and to become like the Commodore would be to change who he was.

To fae-fae's question about their vitals, he paused to consider himself; He had awoken with a slight stuffiness that had gone away shortly after rising, and had ignored the itchiness in his eyes up until now when he actually stopped to focus on it.

"I think there is something in the air that is irritating my eyes, but it is nothing unbearable. Perhaps it is because of the abundance of plants...."

Aliez didn’t press for more conversation when Andreiya nodded at him. He thought that recording the sunrise would be a good idea -- just in case the Commodore or even King Caedus wanted to get a chance to review their findings.

“Yes, research is good,” he agreed with Andreiya and Caerynn, and then smiled softly at Gavaen’s enthusiasm. Maybe they were all just nervous and excited about this strange new world. The Commodore and Commanders couldn’t fault them for that, could they?

Vyn’s attempt at making flower circles -- crowns? -- seemed like it served no purpose other than for aesthetic, but then again, Vyn tended to over fixate on anything to do with the Commodore.

But while Fae-Fae and Gavaen spoke to Vyn about his new creation, Aliez turned to Fangnyl who seemed nervous and was standing a bit away from the rest of them. He understood the anxiety, for he felt it as well. He was still feeling unsettled after landing the previous day.

“Are you unwell, Fangnyl?” Aliez asked with a concerned frown. This was supposed to be a wellness check but it was clearly a ruse to see more of Earth’s wonders. “I have extra energy with me in my Stone if you need some,” he offered.

Itztenoch

The idea of being at a planets mercy, of its axis around the sun and whatever natural phenomena it had been granted by the elements present in its formation. The mystery of tilt and wobble and delicate gravitational balancing act between earth and the pull of its bright moon. Tenoch smiled at Gavaen , a soft thing for the wonder of it all.

Marveled at the space they held there in the quietude before dawn together, as a group, and fought down the edge of uncertainty it brought. The knowledge that this would be their first sunrise together. He wished it to be one of many, wished that the event would arise like promised so he could quell any unknowns with the sight of such a thing, take it all in with his own eyes.

Caerynn and Valnyr already taking notes, seeking the knowledge and substance of the place, mingling with the others. As more fielded in Tenoch felt himself relax a little. Found a space in the grass to just sit and breathe - to stare off into the distance of the endless sky as he pulled and pet at tufts of the lengthy green vegetation beneath his palms - frowned at it for its different textures. Some itchy blades that cut, others soft and wet - covered with odd dew droplets that seemed to make the space he sat very cool indeed.

"I hope this is the first of many of these. The sunrises..." a group venture - one more thing to build bonds over, and to bring home with them upon their return.

The emotional openness that Fae-fae displayed, much like his own, was what had brought them together as friends. His own parents had always been.....embarrassed by his demeanor always trying to correct him and teach him proper social etiquette. Gavaen, however, did not demonstrate an understanding of what was a proper level of expressiveness in the privacy of home versus that expected of one in public. So if Gavaen could not differentiate the two, they would raise him as if they were always in public! It seemed the most logical approach. But then their little sunshine child had made a friend of Fae-Fae, and to say they had Big Frowned at this would have been an understatement.

By the time Gavaen was almost considered an adult, however, his parents had obtained permission and subsequently birthed his little brother, and it seemed they had the nice little normal child they wanted. This is what had first really finally made Gavaen realize just how....disappointed in him they were. It was then he had promised himself that he would work hard and become a member of the Vanguard! To make them see that even if he didn't fit the standard of 'normal' expected in their society, that he could still be a great member of it! And most of all, he wanted to finally make them proud of him.

While his parents had decidedly pressed X for doubt on his efforts, pressuring him to study in fields perhaps more suitable to his other talents - Gavaen was a good physical laborer and helpful to a fault! - his little brother had always encouraged him, looking up to him. His younger sibling, while everything his parents had wanted Gavaen to be, also idolized his big brother, who in turn lavished his little 'mini me' - for they looked nearly identical - in affection.

The day when Gavaen had made it in to the Vanguard had felt amazing. However, he had never gotten that 'we're proud of you' from his parents. They had congratulated him for his efforts, however it was hollow - as professional and proper as they had treated him while raising him. It was his little brother who had looked at him starry eyed, breaking public composure for once in his young life and praised him more than enough for both of their parents.

Between his little brother and Fae-fae, Gavaen was fairly content. Honestly, being on this mission with his fellow Vanguardians had felt more like being with genuine family than he could ever remember feeling. Everyone seemed to be brimming with almost uncontrollable excitement that threatened to burst even the thickest of socially-acceptable walls, and maybe Gavaen hope that with the right influence, maybe more of them could feel comfortable being a little more up front about how they truly felt, expressing their feelings without being embarrassed by them and making excuses for their emotions. And he would surely lead by example.

Valnyr afforded a quick glance down towards Itztenoch, a small smile on her lips. She could have pointed out that the sunrises here were likely to occur all the time based on their existing data, but she was at least quick to put two and two together. In this particular scenario the woman had to assume that he was referring to the mroe communal element of their gathering. It was a pleasant thought, if perhaps a touch unlikely in the long term. After all they would eventually have to return home and social norms were a thing... To pause to admire something like this? Well, she wasn't so sure that would be too well received.

That did give her pause though.

When they succeeded with this mission and effectively removed the threat from earth, when their planet began to heal, would her own people be ready to step foot on it again and take a moment to savour what they had been given? Some of them were so very focused on what it was to be them that she feared that the significance of the return of a living and breathing planet would be all but lost on them. With that in mind, did that mean that they would squander it and stagnate? Her kind were a hardy sort, resilient to the core, but with that resilience had come a necessity to follow a particularly strict code and well... It wasn't exactly easy for them to let that go.

Admittedly she could only speak for her own lineage but she did have to wonder what learning curves awaited them and what cultural shifts would occur as a result of their success. Would they too give in to their curiosity and admire what was put in front of them, would they gather together like she and her fellow cadets to admire the view in a communal sense?

...Or would they just go about their days like nothing had changed?

An internal musing if there ever was one. Given it was best not to ruin the mood she kept her concerns to herself and allowed her comrades the opportunity to simply enjoy the moment. Their work would begin in earnest soon enough and she wasn't about to take this tiny amount of pleasure away from them!

Vyn

The color in Vyn’s cheeks continued to darken as Naeria, too, stepped up like she might like a crown.

At this rate, he wouldn’t be able to finish a crown for the Commodore before the sunrise. But that was fine! He wanted to take his time when he made one for the Commodore, wanted to experiment with different methods and determine how to craft one that would be longer lasting, so that he could present it to the Commodore with pride.

And his friends, too. They deserved better than what he could give them now.

But their interest was touching. Vyn quickly finished two more crowns; once he got the hang of it, it was easy enough to thread the flowers together. He stood again to carefully place one first on Gavaen’s head, then on Naeria’s.

“I will make improvements and craft others for you once I have acquired the necessary resources,” he promised.

Aliez

“It is quite… overwhelming,” Aliez agreed with Fangnyl and looked around to see what the others were doing. Vyn was in the process of crafting rings of flowers and presenting them to the others. Fae-Fae and Itztenoch were discussing the coming sunrise. Gavaen and Naeria were obtaining the flower rings to wear on their heads from Vyn. Valnyr seemed deep in thought and Aliez didn’t want to disturb her when she seemed so peaceful.

Aliez looked to the ground where they were standing and found there were several of the flowers Vyn was collecting at his feet. He leaned down to carefully pick one, and then turned to Fangnyl to hold it up to his hair.

“This color suits you. I believe you should wear the species of this particular shade,” he said with a sage nod. “May I place this in your hair?” Aliez asked, wanting to make sure he had permission before doing so.