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 Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 1:56 am
Jo and I went to Durem after work. Took the train. I looked awful. People were staring at me and I don't know why. We went to the salon there. The stylist, Vanessa, was very understanding and gave me a nice cut. It's shorter in back and longer in front now. She went with the way I cut my hair and made it look nice. It... does look pretty, I guess. I look like Uncle Vilden.
Jo is upset. Very upset. Very twitchy. He doesn't like not being able to hear me. I don't like not being able to hear him, either. I don't like not being able to hear anything.
Ma tried to explain why she did what she did. I... guess I understand. But I'm still mad.
I don't think I've ever really been mad before. But I'm mad now. I'm mad because I can't hear and I can't sense and how do I know that everyone isn't lying to me?! I can't sense anything and it's horrible. I can't go out like this. I won't go out like this!
...Ma said I need to. She said I need to get out and get used to the quiet.
I have to... learn to function like everyone else does.
I don't want to.
It's... hard. This isn't going to magically make me talk.
But there really isn't anything I can do about it.
It's not fair. Life isn't fair, I know, I know. But it's still not.
But... the more upset I am, the worse Jo gets.
I can't do that to him. I just can't. Even... even if I'm mad or upset or scared... I still need to smile for him.
That's going to be the hardest thing.
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:51 am
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 4:38 am
Sketched this at breakfast. Luna caught me and tensed up while I was working. She's obviously uncomfortable with both her hair and her vulnerability without her ability. I almost said "only means of communication," but I forget that she's not only fluent in sign language, thanks to Jokeph, but she can also write. Perhaps they'll both have to "share" Zohar-- Jokeph's Nightmare.
This has been extremely difficult on all of us. Jokeph has become impossible to deal with, and I've had to "leave him to Luna," as it were. Luna has become uncharacteristically moody and withdrawn, but that's to be expected.
Watching her frustration reminds me of my own childhood. Sure, I'm an empath. I'm enough of one to communicate well with the Porcelain, and I can sense what Luna's feeling most of the time. But that's because they actively project their feelings. Or used to, in Luna's case. If it weren't for the projecting? I'd be "perceptive." But hardly empathic. I can sense confict and tension, and joy and pain, but vague feelings? Yeah, right!
And it was frustrating growing up, unable to sense in others what they sensed in me. It was easy for me to be lied to, and boy, was I ever. I was the butt of just about every class prank.
I suppose it's almost... silly in a way, that I'm glad for this. I see a lot of Vilden in her -- now, more than ever now that her hair is cut short and obviously dark. But mostly in her mental strength and her demeanor. She's... definitely a Keth.
And I see a bit of Yeu in her. She may have my eyes (but not the color), but when she buckles down and puts her mind to something? She's her father's daughter. She has that same seriousness to her when she's studying, same manner of calling bullshit (Eyeroll...), and even the same gleam in her eye when she's found something interesting.
Honestly, though? I never really saw much of ME in her, aside from the eyes and hair color. And even those she grew out of.
But now? When she glances at the man who's sitting by the window and staring into space? She gets that same look of frustration that I did. When she tries to communicate with her mind and fails, she snaps her fingers like I used to. I don't think she even realizes the parallels.
Is it wrong to be relieved to see my daughter suffer like I have?
I don't know, but... well... at least this is finally something I can help her through. I don't think it's wrong to be relieved for that.
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 3:34 pm
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Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:33 am
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Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:01 am
"Hey."
Luna glanced up from her book, a questioning look on her face as she raised her gaze to meet her mother's.
"Can I sit?" June's hands signed as she spoke; a habit she took to when dealing with Jokeph. It was how she was able to keep from getting rusty. Besides, it was a good habit to have.
Luna nodded, dog-earing the page she was on and setting the book aside before gesturing to the empty cushions of the living room sofa.
June tentatively sat on the couch, leaning against the opposite armrest. "I just wanted to let you know..." A pause as she considered the best way to convey her thoughts. "I'm proud of you."
Dot. Dot. Dot. Luna's hands worked stiffly as she responded; she genuinely wasn't expecting such a statement. What? Why?
"Your handling of all this." June was signing faster now, her face breaking into a smile. "You've been doing extremely well. And I'm proud of you for it."
No, I haven't. Luna lowered her head as she signed. I cried on Elle. And--
"And then you collected yourself and found ways to work around it," June interrupted. "You didn't hide from it. You didn't shut down. You didn't become a total pain to live with." A wry smile at that last part. "You handled it a lot better than most adults, you know."
Luna smiled faintly, eyes meeting her mother's once more. Really?
"Better than I would have," June admitted.
No!
June snorted. "Yes."
Really?
June thought on that a while. "...Maybe a little better. I told you I didn't handle being 'deaf' very well, remember? I probably would've been worse if it happened all of a sudden."
Luna hesitated as she mulled it over. Thank you, Ma.
"What for?"
The nice words.
"Hey, I meant them!" There was a hint of indignance in June's voice.
I know! It's just--
Another snort. "Yeah, I know. But you needed to hear them. You know... you never really needed encouragement before." June hugged her knees to her chest, forgoing the signing for a while for the sake of comfort. "It's good for me to do my job for once."
Luna's smile grew teasing. What job?
"Watch it, baby. I brought you into this world--"
And you can take me out just as fast. By now, Luna's hands had become more expressive, giving her last words a sing-song quality to them.
"And don't you forget it."
"Heheheh," Luna giggled quietly.
"I hear a la~augh..."
It never failed. Although Luna's hands flew to her mouth to stifle the laughter, it still burst forth in an unstoppable torrent until even June was infected with the giggles.
"Feeling better?"
A nod.
"Are you still sore about your hair?"
Luna shook her head slowly. Elle likes it.
"But do YOU like it?"
It's cute... Luna trailed off thoughtfully. And I could get weaves or falls if it really bothers me.
"Hey, now that's a thought!" June sat up straight, pointing at Luna. "Now that would be CUTE on you."
I could get blue or--
June made a face. "Oh, LUNA, no. Couldn't you get something a little less... garish?"
It's MY hair! And my money, too. Luna punctuated the statement by folding her arms across her chest.
"Oh, fine, fine. Be Blue-head, scourge of the Keth house."
Mother!
"Just..." June sighed. "Just be smart about it, okay? And no dyes!'
Luna frowned. Why not?
"Because it'll ruin your pretty hair!"
It's my hair!
June relented. A LITTLE. "Nothing permanant!"
Ma--
"No! Not until you're an adult."
Luna sighed loudly. You just SAID I--
"I know what I said." June waved her hand. "But acting like an adult and being an adult are two different things. And if you're serious about wrecking your hair now, you'll be serious about it in two years when you're eighteen. So no permanant dyes!"
Pout. Fine.
"Jeez, listen to us," June snorted, leaning back on the sofa. "Arguing like a mother and daughter. I mean, I know we ARE, but still." She paused, staring at the ceiling thoughtfully. "...I kinda like it."
Luna rolled her eyes. Because you're winning.
June thought that over. "Yeah, you know...? You're probably right." With that, she rose from the sofa. "At least I've got two more years of automatically winning arguments."
Another eyeroll.
"...You know that's not totally true." June ruffled Luna's hair affectionately as she passed by. "Now if you'll excuse me, the lasagna isn't going to make itself." One last pat. "Thanks for listening." With that, she disappeared into the kitchen, but not without one final parting shot.
"And remember! No permanant dyes!"
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:48 am
Survey Time! Part 1: The Basics 1. What is your full name? Luna Edae Keth 2. Where and when were you born?December 14th, in Tsu-Tsu's room. (Sorry!) 3. Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)June Keth and Yeu whose-family-name-none-of-us-know. Ma runs a coffeehouse, and she's fairly warm, if a bit insecure. Good at just talking to. Daddy... I'm not so sure of. I think he's an archaeologist, but he's away all the time. 4. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?Boyan is my big brother, and he's the dreamy, romantic type. Very grandfatherly and a bit of a "space cadet". Ying is my big little sister, and she's way different. Very energetic. She loves to fight and take apart the kitchen appliances. She's also a major history nut. 5. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.I live in a two-story house with Ma, Jo, Ying, and, when he's home, Daddy. It's fairly modest. Big enough that we get our own rooms, but small enough that we're all close together. 6. What is your occupation?Jo and I both take care of the plants at the Sprouts Nursery on Main. 7. Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.We-ell, let's see. I'm 5'5, average weight, small waist, slightly large hips. I've got Ma's figure. I'm fair-skinned, have brown eyes and my hair is darkening to a dark red-wine color like Uncle Vilden's. My hair is fairly short -- chin length -- but I like to put in clip-in hair wefts of all sorts of textures and colors. 8. To which social class do you belong?Middle class. 9. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?I'm not all that in shape, I guess? I get winded pretty easily. 10. Are you right- or left-handed?Right-handed. 11. What does your voice sound like?I don't talk much, but Ying says that when I sing, I sound like Luna from Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete. 12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?"Hihihi!" 13. What do you have in your pockets?Right now? Some lint. 14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?Hehehe... besides talking telepathically? I sit upside-down in chairs when I'm feeling drained. And I like to space out in the backyard with my face in the dirt. And when I'm feeling, um, really drained, I like playing with childrens' toys. Part 2: Growing Up 15. How would you describe your childhood in general?Normal for an extraterrestrial? Hee! 16. What is your earliest memory?It's more of a feeling than an actual memory. But it's the feeling of being warm and safe. 17. How much schooling have you had?Well, let's see. Preschool through the end of elementary was done on Neilan. I skipped middle school, and I've been doing dual-enrollment with the Academy on Neilan and Gaia University. I'm getting high school credit from Neilan, and college on Gaia. 18. Did you enjoy school?It was all right, I guess. When I wasn't being treated like I was special needs. I like going at my own pace better. 19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?Commander Lillian Haladet has been coming down to Gaia to teach me to control my mental abilities, but Uncle Vilden's been giving me a lot of good advice. 20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.Tsu-Tsu! I never really knew him too well, but Boyan would tell me all about him. He's strong, wise, and a wonderful father and grandfather. I wanted to be just like that. 21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?Very well! 22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?A Porcelain. 23. As a child, what were your favorite activities?Gardening, mostly. 24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?I was extremely friendly and outgoing. 25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?I didn't have any enemies, if that makes sense? I had too many friends to name, but the common theme was that they were all comfortable with my manner of speaking. 26. When and with whom was your first kiss?Elle, and... well. Outside on the way home from the Clinic. I think. 27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?Yep! 28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.Well, I'm going to say this just once, so listen carefully, okay? I'm an alien. And I became an alien when I was... born that way! Hee hee! Really, though, I really am. It's really weird to say that, but... I fit the definition, right? My race comes from another planet, right? Therefore... I'm an alien! Part 3: Past Influences 29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?Weirdly enough? Getting my empathy and telepathy blocked. 30. Who has had the most influence on you?I guess Commander Haladet. She always seems to pop in to throw some chaos into my life. 31. What do you consider your greatest achievement?I don't think I've done it yet! Can I get back to this question? 32. What is your greatest regret?I don't really have any regrets. 33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?Oh yeesh, I don't know! 34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind?Nuh-uh. 35. When was the time you were the most frightened?I don't remember what happened, but I do remember the fear. 36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?Growing breasts? Heh. 37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?I don't think I would. 38. What is your best memory?I couldn't pick a specific one. I really couldn't. 39. What is your worst memory?Getting a needle jabbed into my arm. Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions 40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?I like to look on the bright side of life! 41. What is your greatest fear?Becoming invisible. 42. What are your religious views?To be completely honest, my family adopted the Jewish faith in order to blend in. But the general belief structure is sound, and I do follow that. But I also know the nature of God and our existence. It's a bit too complicated to explain here. 43. What are your political views?Oh, bah. Politics here are so silly. On Neilan, things are so much simpler. 44. What are your views on sex?I'm not really all that interested. Emotional closeness is more important than physical closeness. 45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?I suppose I'll have to cross that bridge if I come to it. 46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?Torture another being for their own pleasure. 47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?Well, duh. 48. What do you believe makes a successful life?Doing the best you can. 49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?Hehehehe, I'm a little TOO open. I don't have ANY control over it. 50. Do you have any biases or prejudices?I'm a little biased against people with violent tendencies, even if they try to suppress them. In my mind, WANTING to do harm to someone else for no reason is almost as bad as doing it. 51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?I don't know. Circumstances haven't forced my hand on anything. But I'd prefer not to hurt anyone else. I wish I could say it was because harming others is wrong and immoral, but I'm not that noble. The reason is because I would feel it just as badly as they would. 52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?I would gladly die for many someone elses at once. But if it was my life for one other life, I would die for my family, Elle, and Jokeph, if he'd let me. Part 5: Relationships With Others 53. In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how?I treat everyone as I would like to be treated. That's just common sense. 54. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?Jokeph. I bind him to reality, and he and I share a bond that goes deep beyond friendship and family. 55. Who is the person you respect the most, and why?Uncle Vilden, because he's always with a smile on his face, no matter how bad things are. 56. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people.Elle's my best friend, and more. I couldn't really describe her in words. 57. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person.Elle. 58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.love or Love? 59. What do you look for in a potential lover?The connection. 60. How close are you to your family?Very close. We have to be, you know? 61. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not?Not yet, but I would love to someday. Call it maternal instinct! 62. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?Elle. 63. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?Jokeph is my guardian, and he swore to protect me. 64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you?Oh wow, I don't know. I don't want to think about it. 65. Who is the person you despise the most, and why?I don't despise anyone. 66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?I hate conflict! 67. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?A little bit. I can't help it; when I know what everyone's thinking, I always want to be the one to bring all those thoughts together. 68. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?Ooh, not really. Too much noise gives me a headache. 69. Do you care what others think of you?Unfortunately, yes. When I learn to muffle others' thoughts, negativity will hopefully not stab me as hard as it used to. Part 6: Likes And Dislikes 70. What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?Gardening. Hands down. 71. What is your most treasured possession?The bracelet Elle gave me. 72. What is your favorite color?Pink! 73. What is your favorite food?Oh wow, I don't know. Hot chocolate isn't really a food, but with mint flavoring and just a hint of irish creme... mmm! 74. What, if anything, do you like to read?Weirdly enough? I like science fiction. I blame Uncle Vilden. 75. What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)?Um... disney movies... 76. Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit?Oh, ew! No way! I might drink once I get older, but right now, I can't really afford to have my mind altered at all. 77. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?Studying. 78. What makes you laugh?Ying. 79. What, if anything, shocks or offends you?Verbal abuse in a joking fashion is pretty offensive to me. It's just like, if you don't have anything nice to say, why say it? 80. What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself?I'd window-shop on the internet. 81. How do you deal with stress?Cry. 82. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?I can plan to be spontaneous? Hee. 83. What are your pet peeves?People who are obviously upset but insist nothing's wrong. Part 7: Self Images And Etc. 84. Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?Wake up, have breakfast at the cafe, shopping, work, unwinding, dinner, homework, sleep. I get a little testy when my "groove" is thrown off, but I think I can adapt. 85. What is your greatest strength as a person?My empathy. 86. What is your greatest weakness?My empathy. 87. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?I'd like to be able to talk. 88. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?Depends on what time of day it is. I'm extroverted in the morning and daytime, introverted in the late afternoon and evening. 89. Are you generally organized or messy?Somewhere in-between. 90. Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.Mind-reading, sign-language, and singing... and speaking, piano, and video games. 91. Do you like yourself?Yep! 92. What are your reasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons...)Huh? 93. What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?To be the best person I can be. 94. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?I don't know. It's pretty obvious Commander Haladet wants me in the Agents... I'm a kinda tempted to take her up on it. Uncle Vilden says I'd make a great liaison. 95. If you could choose, how would you want to die?In my sleep. 96. If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.I'd tell everyone close to me how important they were to me, transfer the funds in my bank account to Ma, and just... enjoy myself. 97. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?Making people smile. 98. What three words best describe your personality?Quirky, Enthusiastic, and Inquisitive. 99. What three words would others probably use to describe you?Quiet, Eccentric, and... helpful? 100. If you could, what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice...)Huuuuuuuuuh?
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Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:24 am
Okay, I'm in awe over here.
Ever watch your kid make unbelievable leaps and bounds over a relatively short period of time? No? Yes? Maybe?
I've watched Luna go from an impossibly sweet girl to an independent young woman.
All right, I should just... okay. I mean, on one hand, I'm going to miss that sweet little girl. But on the other, it's amazing to see how much of her behavior had been dictated by outside influences. Luna couldn't take the feeling of disappointing other people. So she always did what she was asked, regardless of whether or not she wanted to, or even agreed with it.
"Luna, you're a bright girl," I always told her. "I know school is hard for you, but you can do this." And she would. If she couldn't have sensed my expectations... would she have told me she didn't want to?
She stayed out all night looking for UFOs the other night with Elle. She knew I liked her to get some sleep, but she was having fun. She even teased Elle! Gently, of course, but still! She's never done that before!
Commander Haladet has been stopping by on a daily basis in order to check Luna's progress. Her empathy and telepathy has been coming back, and Lillian's been teaching her how to control it and filter it. Luna always was a fast learner.
She's doing so much better now. And I think... maybe all of this... watching her suffer and flounder under all this stress I heaped on her... maybe it's all worth it now. And I think she realizes that. She's her own person. She's not bound by outside influences now.
She was always "my daughter". "My child". "My little girl". But now, watching her, I don't see that anymore. Instead, I see "Luna".
And I'm proud to have her as a Keth.
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Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:40 am
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Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:55 am
June knew something was wrong the second her elder brother stepped foot into the café. His presence alone wasn't enough to clue her in; he often stopped by for a cup of Anqui tea-- a Neilan favorite.
This time, he wasn't smiling.
"Something up, Vilden?" June asked quietly, leaning over the counter. "What's wrong?" He was ALWAYS smiling. Even when things were bad. June couldn't remember a time when he WASN'T smiling. Something had to be horribly wrong.
"Where's Luna?" He asked flatly, voice dropping to a whisper.
A long pause. "...At her girlfriend's. ...Why? What's going on?"
Vilden sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I need to talk to her ASAP." He then leaned forward until his elbows were on the counter and his forehead resting firmly on his upraised hands. "They want to draft her."
They. The Agents. The elite force of the Neilani military, of which Vilden himself was part.
"You've gotta be shitting me!" June spat, throwing a dirty rag to the floor in anger. "They were going to give her a choice! Nobody's been drafted in fifty years! Who the HELL do they--"
"Sssh!" Vilden hissed angrily. "Lower your voice."
THAT caught June's attention. "What's going on, Vil?"
"The flying saucers are going on," Vilden whispered. "Don't tell me you haven't heard of them. They're all over the damn place." He paused to take in a deep breath. "Command is saying we need more operatives."
"You mean Commander Haladet is saying we need more--"
Vilden shook his head. "No. The orders are coming from higher up than that."
"The government?"
Vilden's eyes began to take on a faint glow as he looked June directly in the eyes. "Higher." That word had a distinct edge to it; as if it were being spoken by two people at once.
"You mean--"
"We need Luna Keth," Vilden answered coolly. But at this point, he wasn't just Vilden anymore. He was Vilden and more. Vilden and the entity sharing his consciousness. His link to the voices no Neilani dared disobey.
Except June.
"Find someone else."
Vilden's expression didn't change. "We cannot."
"Oh, come on! You've got a waiting list for this sort of thing!" June slammed her hand on the counter with a loud bang. "Compatabliity. Does that mean anything to you? You've got at list of people to be specific replacement hosts!"
Vilden shook his head. "...This is different. We have selected one of Us..." a pause. "...For her."
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 10:32 pm
So long without so much as a peep. I'm sorry. It's just been so hectic. Between this merging with Liechi and Halloween, it's been one adventure after another.
The full experience with merging felt like it took several hours, but from what Uncle VIlden told me, it was only a few seconds.
Seconds.
Liechi is just as new as I am. Young. Inexperienced. And very eager to interact with Gaians and Neilani alike. With her, I can speak, but the words are always hers. Not mine. For ease, I've asked her to keep quiet.
I am in constant contact with the Agents now, thanks to Liechi's bonds with the Others. It makes things very... strange, to say the least. But simpler.
Halloween was an indignity, as every orifice I knew I had (and a few I didn't) ended up on the business end of a probe at some point.
But the training continues, harshly enough for me to sprain my right knee. And harshly enough to make me sick.
Now that I'm out of action, I've been sent to cooperate with a group called the "Believers" in order to gain information...
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:38 am
June didn't often give much thought to the mail coming into the Keth house. Of course, there were the bills. Letters from parents, grandparents, great-grandparents... Eh? Great-grandpa Keth was still alive and kicking? That was news to June.
Packages to Luna. Well, of course. Now that she was an Agent, there were handbooks she needed to memorize, gear she had to familiarize herself with... June remembered when Vilden began his training. He locked himself in his room with Gaian rock music thumping through the walls until four in the morning or June threatened to beat his skull in with his own sports trophies. Whichever came first.
But a long, flat envelope from the Neilani Academy System? The hell was that all about?
If it were physically possible, a pair of bite-sized consciences would've popped up on June's shoulder.
"Open it! Maybe she's been expelled!" The little Devil-June would've said. "You deserve to know what's going on with your child's education!"
"But think of her rights!" The angel would've piped up in a comically squeaky voice. "She's nearly an adult! She's eighteen! You shouldn't be opening her mail!"
"Aw, shaddup!" The devil would've interjected. "If it's something bad, that little crotchnugget wouldn't say a word!"
"Don't you call her a crotchnugget!" The angel would shriek.
And while they hypothetically grappled on June's shoulders, she proceeded to tear open the envelope with the utmost care.
The stiff paper inside slid out with a minimum of effort, a gold seal in the corner catching the light before fluttering to the table.
And right there, in blackletter.
"Neilan Academy System. Luna Edae Keth, having completed in a satisfactory manner the regular Course of Study as prescribed for the Secondary School Department is entitled to receive this Diploma by order of the Board of Education. November 10th, 2006." June paused to let that sink in. "Yesterday."
She hadn't heard of any graduation. Especially her own daughter's! It was Luna's day off work, yes, but she'd just stayed at home, what with her sprained knee. But even with a sprained knee...
"Luna!" June's voice was louder than she intended it to be. She was irritated. VERY irritated. This was probably the most important milestone of any young person's life, and not only did SHE miss it, but her own daughter missed it by CHOICE!
Luna hobbled down the stairs, trailed by Jokeph. She knew full well that her presence was most definitely required for this discussion.
"Luna." June's voice was even now. Almost cold. "Your diploma came in the mail."
Oh! Luna seemed only slightly startled. That was fast.
"Why didn't you tell me you'd finished school already? I hadn't heard ANYTHING about your graduation!"
Luna bit her lip. I was pretty wrapped up with training, Ma. I thought that was more important.
Okay, so maybe that WAS a good answer. "But... you could've gone to your graduation. I could've gone. You know I'm proud of you, Luna, but sometimes I'd like to be able to SHOW it, you know?" That, on the other hand, WASN'T a good answer.
I didn't feel up to it.
Neither was that. "You... you didn't feel UP to it?!" Sprained knee or no, the whole idea of not being "up" to a graduation was just... inconceivable!
Ma, I'm tired, okay? I've been tired all week, I think I'm getting sick, and... and of course I'm not up to it!
"But your GRADUATION!"
Is just a day! Today is a day. Tomorrow is a day. Luna sighed. Look, Ma. I took my classes by correspondence. It just... seemed fitting that... that I got my diploma by correspondence.
"Because you didn't feel up to it.
Because I didn't feel up to it.
June crossed her arms, now more annoyed than before. "I am not happy about this, Luna." Well, DUH.
I know, Ma.
"...But I suppose there's nothing we can do about it now, is there?"
No, Ma.
June heaved a long sigh. No use crying over spilled milk or missed graduations now, was there? "Luna?"
Yes, Ma?
Congratulations. I'm still proud of you, honey. Way to go. Let me go out and buy a nice frame for your diploma. So many things June wanted to say.
"...Your collar's twisted."
It was the thought that counted.
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 5:02 am
"I cannot BELIEVE you skipped out on your own grad, Lu." Vilden was, so far, the only one who found Luna's actions even remotely amusing. "But, y'know, I kinda wish I skipped out on both of mine. Bo-ring." A laugh. "You didn't miss a thing, oh-niece-of-mine. Just some stuffed-shirts talking about you being the future to Neilan."
Luna smiled weakly, holding onto her uncle's arm for support as she hobbled into the Neilani embassy. Words couldn't express how relieved she was to have someone support her decision not to go. Of course, she didn't need words. Vilden knew.
"Anyway, since you're unable to do anything physical, they're going to get you started on diplomacy," Vilden continued. "Your strength along with your abilities will make you the perfect diplomat, and Haladet knows it. She wants you on Gaia, Lu. She wants you making contact and keeping an eye on outsiders." He kept up the reassuring chatter as they made their way into the portal room, past the guards...
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT.
Luna and Vilden both snapped to attention. That buzzer only went off with an abnormal bioscan, and abnormal bioscans weren't allowed into Neilan without investigation.
"Sinclair to base, we've got an abnormal reading in Agent 310-133. Request med team."
310-133. That was Luna's designation. She felt the color drain from her face just as keenly as every stare in the room from every guard and her own uncle.
"What'd you find, buddy?" Vilden's voice was tinted with worry. Luna could hear his thoughts clearly; racing with worries about alien death plagues or blood replacement and things Luna couldn't even begin to comprehend.
"Dunno, boss." The guard who called for a medical team was frowning. "Got an abnormal scan... here. I know what it LOOKS like, but take a look at this."
Vilden leaned over the counter in order to see the screen. "What the hell is THAT reading?"
"Well." The guard swallowed. "If I were a doctor, which I'm not... I'd say that it's exactly what it looks like."
"You can't be suggesting she's--"
"Pregnant? Yes. I believe I am."
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 5:39 am
A small present is waiting for Luna in the mail, wrapped up in some sort of silky fabric and bubble wrap, plus a note.
"Dear Luna.
Just in case you're still feeling off, I made this for you. I carved it! It turned out better than I expected and I thought you'd like it. I hope it cheers you up a bit if you still feel like that... and if not, cheers you up anyway.
Love Elle."
The necklace is rough still in places, the glue can almost be seen beneath the tiny aquamarine gems and black plaited leather is used as the chain.
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Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:08 pm
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