Welcome to Gaia! ::

“Nayda,” Lyndin greeted, already standing attentively by the pod. He’d been tracking her coordinates and arrival time, so he’d already been in the area. At first, he kept a safe distance from the landing spot; while uncommon, it would have been unfortunate if some slight miscalculation wound up with him crushed beneath her ship.

The landing was always a bit disorienting; he expected it might take her a moment longer to run her checks or compose herself, and in that time he’d crossed the distance between them.

Lyndin looked much the same as he always had, perhaps just slightly more tired, but this wasn’t anything concerning. Too often did the Vanguard lose themselves in a project and forgo rest. Lyndin was invested in his work and, close to a breakthrough, of course he wanted to push through.

Nayda’s arrival was a pleasant, and necessary break.

“How was the trip?” he asked, both to assess her condition–and ensure there was nothing worth being concerned about between here and Velencya.

Exhaustion clung to Lyndin like a second skin, but he carried himself proudly. Firstly, because it was in his nature. Secondly, because he was glad she was there.

“I’m sure that will be greatly appreciated. Quite a few of us are rather homesick. It will be a very welcome comfort, I’m sure.”

But, with formalities out of the way–or close enough–he figured it was time to move into the harder part of these conversations. “I am sure the Council explained to you that there were going to be some peculiarities on this mission. ”

Of course they would have, they always did. They wouldn’t send anyone down here that wasn’t prepared to be here for a while.

It was an unfortunate reality, and one that Lyndin hoped was going to change in the near future. He wanted to think that they were getting closer, that it was only a matter of time, but–

There was no evidence. Only hope.

“...I will need to get the uncomfortable information out of the way first. I am sorry to burden you with bad news. I wish I could give you time to relax and enjoy this world. Being on Earth is a big change. We have a safehouse here, and there’s a room ready for you. If you’re hungry, we’ve got fresh food here. I can get you set up so you can rest and relax and go through all of the information. But I want you to have time to ask questions now, too. And, there are a few things I wanted to talk to you about personally. Primarily, the main reason for this mission.”

He knew the Council would have given her vague answers, only what she needed to know. That they were on a long-term mission of vital importance with an unpredictable mission end date–the general idea, but no specifics. So, he’d rip off the bandaid. “Velencya’s Core is failing. This isn’t a simple mission. We’re trying to find a way to save it. Or, restore Velenia. Both, ideally. But I’ll take whatever will keep our people safe.”