|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2022 8:09 pm
Caelyna loved sunrises of course. They were special and beautiful, and she would treasure the memory of her first Earth sunrise forever.
But, she found, she loved sunsets even more. Nights on Earth were much more quiet than their hectic days, and the sunset--a little later every night now, since Earth's days were not carefully regulated machines, and instead grew shorter or longer depending on the planet's cycle around its lovely, warm sun--heralded the coming of the quiet eve.
She had wound her way on a long walk from the house she shared with her fellow Vanguardians, to a quiet park, and through to the very hill where she had seen her first sunrise.
Now, quietly, she stood, arms folded behind her back, and watched the sun set. And she knew that she was not alone--whether by coincidence or design. She turned, and smiled.
"Good evening, Commodore," she said. "Always a pleasure to see you."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2022 8:35 pm
Lyndin did not seem to spend much time on Earth, above ground, unless necessary. Most of the time, he was busy working in his designated space in the Dark Kingdom. He wasn’t there out of a desire to be so, it was simply the most convenient place to tend to his experiments and studies. He could have come up to see the changing seasons, or to admire the way day turned to night and vice versa, at any time, but he rarely had the opportunity to do so when it was only for his own indulgence. Caelyna made it easy to appreciate such things simply by being in the right place in the right time. He’d first gone to the house to meet up with her; that was far less nerve-wracking than asking her to come visit, anyway. She was easy to find, and her welcoming smile warranted the one he returned. “The pleasure is mine, Caelyna.” His eyes flickered from her face to the colored sky. “Do you watch the sunset often or is this a special treat?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 18, 2022 12:50 am
"As often as I can," Caelyna admitted. "There isn't always time, in the evenings, and sometimes I just miss my guess about when it will be, but if I can...." She sighed. "I like how the Earth sounds at night."
It was probably a little silly. She should probably feel silly, in some way, for saying it. She, quite simply, did not. And Lyndin had never made her feel like her occasional indulgence of girlish sentiment was stupid, or worth feeling embarrassed by. Especially not now, if he was asking if she sought out sunsets.
"I think," she said, carefully, "that it's very worth seeking out the beautiful things, here. For as long as we're on this world."
Lyndin spent so much time in the Dark Kingdom, and that was such an awful, unpleasant place, full of awful, unpleasant, scheming people. It weighed on her, even if she knew she was only a Cadet and it wasn't really her responsibility to worry after her Commodore. She couldn't help it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 22, 2022 8:42 am
Lyndin seemed to think this was a good answer. He didn’t need to contemplate it for very long before he was nodding. “Don’t ever lose that way of thinking, Caelyna. I think it will be important in the future. Not just for here, but for everything. You just can’t let it distract you. Beautiful things must be protected. Things like this,” he looked at the sky and let out a long sigh. “I want every Velencian to have this. I want them to have a home. I want them to have beautiful things. But.” Silence, for a moment; there was a weight in the air. It wasn’t uncomfortable or unpleasant, just heavy with importance. “I can’t do something like that alone. I need help. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and you keep coming to mind. I think we need a bit more structure. A bit more focus. I think you’re ready for a promotion, but I don’t want to force it on you. I’d like to hear your thoughts on it, first. Are you happy with how things are now, or do you think you would be comfortable with more responsibilities?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 30, 2022 2:12 am
Caelyna nodded. They were on a mission; she couldn't let herself get pulled away from that. Couldn't forget that although Earth was lovely and vibrant and alive, it was not their home, and she needed to work to restore that home.
She let the silence hang, but his next words surprised her.
"Sir?" Her tone was a little wondering, and more than a bit stunned. Caelyna had to admit, she hadn't been expecting it. "I, ah. I mean, I would be incredibly glad to accept, it's just...I suppose I hadn't considered it. But I would be glad to take on more responsibilities, and to continue assisting in our mission however that I can." She paused, for a moment.
"And...even if I'm a little unsure as to whether or not I'm ready? That you believe I am makes me think that I will be able to find a way to rise to the situation."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2022 1:35 pm
Lyndin watched her carefully as she processed his words. Finally, he nodded. “I think it’s within your realm of capabilities. I am glad that you have such trust in me. I know that this isn’t how we’d do things back home, but if we want to get back there…” He was quiet for a few seconds, because getting back alone wasn’t really the problem, so he corrected, “If we want to save our home, we need all the advantages we can get. And, I trust you. I think you have room to grow, but you’ve proven to me that you’re capable, and hardworking. I know you won’t let me down.” He knew how important this was to her. “It is a greater burden, but it is a great privilege as well. I am sorry that we can’t have a traditional ceremony, but if you trust in me, give me your hands.” He held his outstretched hands, ready to take hers, and waited patiently. “I will share with you Velencya’s blessing.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:40 am
It was....a lot, Caelyna thought. To know that she had the Commodore's faith, that he believed in her enough to want to give her the additional responsibility of becoming a Corporal. But she definitely couldn't respond to such an expression of faith in her by backing down, or anything stupid like that.
"I understand," she said, "and I will live up to your faith in me." It was not an option. She would.
So she put her hands in Lyndin's, taking a breath.
"I'm ready, Commodore."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2022 3:15 pm
There was something on Lyndin’s expression that was noticeably relieved. Like he’d prepared himself for this and he was ready as much as she was. He smiled, gently. Reassuringly. He took her hands and held them, one of hers in each of his own. He inhaled, and relaxed. If he’d had any doubts, they were gone. A few seconds passed before the wind picked up around them–slight, but noticeable. Refreshing. His eyes began to glow; it was faint at first, but as they grew in power, so too did the energy around him. Something that almost felt like an electric warmth danced over his skin and over to hers. It wasn’t painful. It felt like home, in a distant way. The electric hum that radiated from Velencya’s core. Lyndin was a part of Velencya as much as it was a part of him. His connection to it gave him the unique ability to feel the world. And, for a moment, she could, too. Velencya’s blessing flowed through him and sparked something in her. A power that was always there, it just needed to be tapped into. The badge she wore on her belt and chest flickered. No longer a cadet, she wore the marks of a Corporal now. The crystal in her weapon hummed with newfound power, but it still needed to be processed and upgraded so it could be properly harnessed. Beyond that, her uniform didn’t change. Her appearance didn’t. But she did. The Vanguard were Velencya’s chosen, and he had chosen to extend its blessing to her. The wind faded. Lyndin’s eyes returned to normal. “There you are,” he said, with pride in his voice. “Corporal Caelyna.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2023 1:37 am
There was something inhernetly reassuring, just in the act of holding Lyndin's hands. Although Caelyna knew now that he was not as perfectly strong and steadfast as she had always believed, he was still someone she admired greatly, and someone she trusted, and his faith in her and the steadying comfort of his presence meant that she really did feel as if she was ready for anything.
She hadn't been sure what to expect from a promotion, but....
It felt warm. Like coming home. Feeling Velencya's power surge through her, as the wind caught her hair and almost threatened to tug her braid loose from its tie, and make her stronger, better, more than she had been before...
Yes, this was what she wanted to do. What she needed to do. Who she needed to become, to best serve her people.
"Thank you," she said, softly. "I will take this power, and do whatever I can with it to find a way to save our home."
When she got back tot he house, she would have to tinker with her weapon. Alter it into something stronger. But that could wait.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
