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 Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2022 1:40 pm
Lyndin Comtech Commodore, at your convenience, I'd like to arrange a chance to speak with you. -Cadet Nessaela
A good cadet would follow orders without questioning them, but she hadn't ... why? It was because after all this time there were questions that she had on her mind about various things. Sure they probably wouldn't concern her lowly status as a cadet but at the same time would it not be better to get things off her chest instead of bottling things deep down?
Going back to staring at the blanket and the tear that had been created the only proper thing that she could do was try to repair the damage that she had made worse by pulling at the edges. A needle and thread would be needed in order to sew the gap closed and even as Nessaela made plans to acquire such primitive tools and research the method in which to apply the solution to the problem did a knocking sound echo throughout her room.
Staring at the blanket Nessaela left it in order to admit the one that she had asked to see into her own little sanctuary.xThe Space Cauldron I imagine Nessaela's room would have some images from various astronomy texts and websites from her studies at DCU adorning the walls. She's taking an astronomy course in order to see if humans might know anything else that they, the Vanguard, don't but she likes posting the various sectors of known space on her walls. It grounds her and she feels soothed by the sight.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2022 1:18 am
It wasn’t hard to find Nessaela; her GPS indicated she must have been in the house, and Lyndin was already there. He imagined that she would prefer a private conversation and he had been installing an upgraded security feature when he got her message. He hadn’t seen her yet, and logically, she’d be in her room, so as soon as he pushed the panel back into the wall he made his way to her room. His knock was solid but courteous. Polite. When she opened the door, he smiled politely. He was dressed in his uniform, but without his cape; it tended to get in the way when he was working on projects, so he’d left it hanging up back at the residence he stayed at. “Nessaela. I was hoping to speak with you, too. Is now a good time for you?” He couldn’t help but take in her room after she opened it, but it seemed to have his approval; his glimpse was brief and he held her gaze.
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Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:49 am
At first Nessaela was left to wonder just who would have been wanting to talk to her after her little outburst that had occurred. Her eyes closed for but a moment as she imagined what she would have done differently before realizing that to attempt visualizing such a different outcome was still nigh impossible. There was nothing that would have prevented the same scenario from playing out. Even as she admitted Commodore Lyndin into her personal quarters did she had at least a little common sense to look down at the floor for a brief second before raising her gaze to meet his own.
The reaction from Lyndin's words asking if this was a good time to talk or not had Nessaela momentarily shifting her weight from one foot to the other before she moved. It was very obvious that in this room there were only two places for an individual to sit and even as the cadet wondered what seat to offer to her commodore did she pull out her desk chair in order to allow Lyndin to pick which seat to choose: the bed or the chair.
Her gaze then moved to one of the multiple posters that she had hung up to give the walls some much needed colour in an effort to ground her emotions. "Now is just as well as any time I believe Commodore. First, and I need to get this out, I wish to apologize for how I acted during our briefing earlier. It was not befitting a member of your Vanguard."
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2023 11:43 pm
With her permission, Lyndin stepped into the room. He examined it only briefly, and said nothing of the decorations she’d chosen. He was not here to judge such things, and she was of far more importance to him than her walls. He closed the door behind him for privacy, but he did so gently and politely. Her bed was more private, so he bowed his head and offered a word of thanks as he took a seat in the chair. “I appreciate that. Self-reflection is an important tool I think we could all benefit from. I am proud of you for taking the time to consider the situation and review it. I won’t deny that I was disappointed in a great many things at the time, but the support we have for each other is important to me. I don’t want a fractured team. I want us to be able to look past our flaws and empower ourselves and each other, and to come together and be stronger for it.” He didn’t seem mad, and while there was a tiredness to him, he seemed as though he’d taken some time to rest since she last saw him. “You were–are–all under so much stress. It’s bound to manifest somehow. We don’t have the same resources here that we do on Velencya. And Earth comes with so many issues we didn’t have back home. How are you doing today?”
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 3:11 pm
Nessaela had watched as the Commodore chose the chair that she had pulled out to sit down upon and she in turn returned to a seated position on the bed. The cushion sank a little in response and she gave herself a moment to reflect on what was said before nodding slowing. Her green tresses spilled into her face and hastily she tucked the more troublesome strands behind her ear. This was such a strange situation having the Commodore in her room but she had asked to talk with him and here he was.
"I can't imagine what it was like to have so many of us unaccounted for and out of communication for the period of time that we were away for. I hadn't had time to reflect on what had happened before we were having the impromptu debriefing. I know now that we were all under pressure, but, and I have to add this: things that were said in that atmosphere might have made things worse instead of better."
Here Nessaela glanced down towards her hands. She'd felt like her abilities were lacking in relation to those others around her. She had not really any of her energies to studying other options that would be viable for the Vanguard.
"I'd be lying if I said I am alright. Truth is I'm starting to feel as if maybe this mission was too much for me. I don't know if I'm contributing to anything that we are trying to accomplish. How can I tell if I'm helping the Vanguard succeed?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 8:02 pm
“You being here helps us,” Lyndin answered. His voice was gentle, but firm, like he wasn’t just saying what he thought she wanted to hear. He cared too much about the Vanguard–about Velencya–to give lip service about anything so serious. He didn’t comment about whatever stress or alarm had risen at their disappearance and unreachability, but he seemed calmer and more put together now that they were back and accounted for. “You were all chosen because I saw something in you that I thought could grow from this mission, and because I thought you all had something to offer here. If you are ever feeling overwhelmed, you can come speak with me. We’ll work it out, we can figure out an action plan for you. Since you’ve been on Earth, what have you been researching? Have you found things you enjoy doing?” he asked. Earth was full of distractions, but he didn’t think they were all bad. The goal was to find Caedus and retrieve his starseed, but if there was any other way to save Velencya, maybe they could find it here on Earth.
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Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2023 3:47 pm
There was a time when Nessaela would have glowed at being told that her presence helped the Vanguard, and by the Commodore himself seemed to be a high honor indeed. That was then though. Now there was conflict. Even as she digested all that the Commodore was admitting did Nessaela doubt a little. In the time that the Vanguard had arrived on Earth and settle in was Nessaela only focused on the tasks that had been given to them at first. She'd done her best to gather the energy that would have been needed to work the machines that they'd brought along. But then that turning point on the hill had happened: and everything had changed from then on.
There was remorse in her gaze when she glanced back up at Lyndin before thinking about what she enjoyed doing or had researched. "I don't know if finding out what the humans know of the universe is anything that is of value to the Vanguard. It doesn't solve our current predicament here on Earth. Yet I feel drawn to these pictures that adorn the walls here."
Did she enjoy anything? Well there was certain company that she liked to keep amongst the Vanguard but it probably wasn't what the Commodore meant. Her expression turned thoughtful and while it wasn't anything like what others were focusing on, Nessaela did have something that she did at random times. "I do find human interaction interesting. I don't know why but trying to understand the smallest of nuances between two or more individuals interacting together is fascinating. I guess the other thing I have enjoyed is learning how to swim. Considering that wouldn't be feasible on Velencya I don't know why I enjoy it so much except it feels as if when I'm in the water - anything troubling me seems to disappear."
It wasn't perhaps the most overwhelming of research or enjoyable tasks that one could admit to but if she, Nessaela, was still being helpful with her presence then would the Commodore find a way that she could use her skills to find a task to work at?
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Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:33 pm
Lyndin listened intently. He watched her as she spoke and nodded along, and almost even seemed to have the shadow of a smile on his face when she answered. “The humans are certainly lacking in their scientific knowledge of the universe. But there’s something else about them that I find fascinating, too. I can’t blame you for your interest in them. They have their flaws, but there’s something about them that I find interesting. Earth is a beautiful world. I wish you could see Velenia in its prime.” He sighed, partly sad and partly wistful. There was no shortage of love for his homeworld. He could wish that one day they could see it, experience it, in all the splendor he remembered. “I’d like to give our people their world back. I’d like you to have a world like Earth, somewhere that’s ours. Something that’s safe.” He was quiet for a moment and then reached for his pocket and withdrew a small pack. It was light in his hands and he held it like it was a treasure–and to him, it was. “You know, they found seeds. In that strange world you were all whisked away to. Velenian seeds. I think they might be viable. It’s strange, to have a part of home–like this. Something I thought was lost to time.”
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Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2023 1:31 am
Nessaela sighed as the satchel of seeds was brought back out. She had briefly watched the Commodore handle them earlier during the little meeting that all Astrayan abductees had held and that she had stormed out from. To learn that they were still viable was an interesting fact. But still, botany wasn't her strong suit. As much as she had learned on the topic it wasn't something that sparked a desire to learn more about. Could that change? There was a whispering doubt that spoke of it not changing and she bowed her head. "I remember seeing the seeds during the briefing earlier but is it unusual for the seeds to have remained viable for this length of time?"
There was a moment in which Nessaela had to admit that the Commodore was correct in one of his assumptions: the one where humans didn't seem to much about the universe. Even after just a few classes the cadet had made that unhappy discovery. She still continued to attend DCU though even if the instructor wasn't as knowledgeable as he thought he was. What Nessaela was really after was time utilizing the telescope. She'd get her turn, eventually, but until then it was a waiting game.
"I heard how you talk about Velenia, sir, and I'm hopeful that we can all go back there one day," here Nessaela paused before pushing forward with the rest of her thought, "but is it feasible?"
The unspoken thought that was ricocheting in Nessaela's mind that wanted to be blurted out would have followed added more onto the question asked but she tamped down on the impulse to add, when we have to murder one of our own?
Instead of asking the full sentence though Nessaela glanced once more around her room at the various images of space before lowering her gaze. "I just don't know how I can help anymore. I need to find some task that would perhaps spark some interest in what we're meant to be doing but I feel hollow."
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Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:00 am
Nessaela had asked a few good questions, and Lyndin listened carefully to make sure he didn’t miss anything she was saying. “You do need to find a task,” he agreed. “That task, that purpose, is what keeps us going. Protecting Velencya, returning to Velenia, that is among my tasks. I have many, but.” He shrugged. “I’ve been an overachiever my whole life.” His passion kept him going just as much as the desperation to save and preserve his people and secure their future. “I do believe we’ll be able to go back one day. Greater miracles have happened in this universe, I think. I don’t believe that anything is impossible. I think it takes time and effort. Hard work, and the right people. And, sometimes, just luck.” He looked at the seeds again. “It is unusual for seeds to have viability when not preserved in ideal conditions. But so much of us, and our people, stem from the unusual. This isn’t the life I would have chosen for us, but I think we are doing our best. And I think there is a bright future ahead for all of us. I don’t want that hollowness to grow in you, Nessaela. I want you to find something you enjoy. Something you care about, something you’re passionate for. If there’s anything I can do to help you find it, I will. And if you need some time to yourself to try new things or search for your passion I’ll see that you get it.”
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2023 3:04 pm
Besides what she had already expressed interest in Nessaela wasn't sure there had been anything that piqued enough of her curiosity since being brought to Earth with the Vanguard to feasibly pick up as a new hobby. Would it be a weakness to admit as much to the Commodore as she wanted to? Figuring that it was best to just listen for the moment Nessaela did just that. It was becoming more and more likely that she would probably need a guiding hand in finding something that she could focus on. Perhaps if she could be assigned something to study it would limit her focus a little more.
The fact that the Commodore was concerned enough for her admitting she was feeling hollow spoke volumes. While there was still a bitter chord in her in regards to the events that were now over a year old, according to Earth standards, the fact that her Commodore was invested in helping all of them shine, even in tough times, kindled something inside. Maybe there was still something she could do. "I don't want the hollowness to grow either sir, but I'm at a loss of what I can contribute. Perhaps a period of time in which I could be able to do some soul-searching would be good. Although I am curious, is there anything right now that members of the Vanguard aren't researching that might need eyes on? Just for something that I might consider as a possible task to work on," here Nessaela trailed off as she waited to see what Lyndin might say.
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2023 7:37 pm
“But clearing your mind and taking some time to yourself might reduce stress and burnout, so I support you if you need the opportunity. I don’t know that there are any projects right now specifically that need eyes. Andreiya mentioned he might need some help with one of his projects. He’s been studying the plants here, he wants to make something durable enough to cultivate on any soil. I think he hopes to ensure we could have sustainable produce on Velenia regardless of its current condition. You like to swim, don’t you?” He seemed to be considering this. “There are caves at the reservoir. I’ve heard there are some abnormal creatures that live there. I wonder if the plant life there shares any strange qualities. If you are confident in your swimming, I wonder if there’s anything of interest there. I haven’t seen any reports on the contents of the caves. I don’t know if they could be of use to us, but if you don’t have anything better to do, it might be interesting, at least?”
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2023 2:26 am
Would her swimming skills be up for such a mission? Nessaela reviewed what she knew and what might be needed for the expedition at hand before slowing down her racing mind. First of all she needed to check her enthusiasm and rein it in. Going charging full speed ahead was certainly the fastest and easiest way to injuring herself. The cadet's gaze was thoughtful as she stared past the Commodore to a spot on the wall behind him before choosing her words carefully.
"I do like to swim. My skills are not of the calibre of say, a professional swimmer, but I would probably be able to hold my own in a cave. Considering that these caves are at the reservoir would mean that there is no danger of water levels changing abruptly as they would if these were oceanic caves."
If she were swimming it might also afford her the time that she needed to think on anything she could further aid the cause that they'd come here originally for. Returning her gaze to meet Lyndin's Nessaela gave the leader of the Vanguard a hesitant smile, "If you need someone to inspect the caves ecosystem, who can swim, then I'm thinking I'm a perfect candidate to go take a look-see. I'll need a few days of preparation time in order to figure out what I might be needing and to research anything to do with these caves."
Nessaela was already getting the bare outline of what she would need before she turned back to her leader, "thank you Commodore for this meeting. I'm not sure what I would have done had we not had the chance to talk."
Inwardly, she wasn't one-hundred percent sure that Lyndin aught to be trusted anymore. But at least with this discussion and new assignment she'd be able to refocus on what was important ... Velencya's survival and hopefully Velenia's rebirth. It was just this idea of how to see to this that she didn't particularly agree with.
The Space Cauldron possible fin? I think it works as a last post for me at least.
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