Popular Post Alieth Posted February 7, 2023 Popular Post Posted February 7, 2023 Another one of those sims I had delayed putting here! @Tahna Meru is a marvel at writing her character, deep, thoughtful, she is able to go back to details from months ago creating a delightful continuity in the story and a wonderful sense of progression and growth. Watching her develop as a writer and an officer has been a privilege, and I think she's going PLACES. Even more so if she continues to write with @Bryce Tagren-Quinn , a rising star for me too, meticulous and beautifully described. These two girls have worked a great scene together, give us more of these two together!   ((Cyrithra Forest, Palanon))  A quiet hush fell over the campsite as the Admiral and First Officer took the makeshift stage.  Reynolds: Midnight approaches, so if I can steal your attention for a short while before we ring in the new year.  Neathler: Don’t worry, there will still be plenty of drinks after we’re done.  Reynolds: Those of you who’ve been with the Gorkon for a while know I like to start my presentations with one of the hardest ribbons to receive…  Ribbons, medals, and promotions were passed around to the gathered officers, accompanied by words of praise for their actions. Meru always found awards ceremonies awkward, no matter how they were dressed up (or, in this case, dressed down). She understood them; it was important to recognize the work of the crew, and the ribbons could be encouraging reminders of what you’d done and survived. But it was kind of like getting a souvenir from the trauma gift shop. She cheered anyway, for her friends and comrades, because strange as the whole thing was, they earned this celebration. Ena’s award brought a particular swell of pride, though the younger Bajoran wasn’t there to receive it, and Meru made a mental note to congratulate her friend as soon as the night was over.  A lightshow lit up the sky as the presentation drew to a close, marking midnight and the changing of the year. “Happy 2400” blazed across the night, accompanied by the joyous cheers of her shipmates, and she raised her nearly-empty cider in a toast, as she saw others doing.  Loxley slipped away in the aftermath, probably going after the fresh desserts, and Meru turned back to Bryce.  Tagren-Quinn: I suppose—I guess there’s no question if it’s Binch or Finch now.  He smirked, teasing, and Meru made a face of awkward discomfort that further scrunched up her nose, before giggling.  Tahna: Guess not.  Tagren-Quinn: Have–have you heard of a New Year’s resolution? Do Bajorans have a tradition something like that?  She shook her head.  Tahna: No, I don’t think so. I’m not super familiar with the tradition—it’s a Human thing, right?  Tagren-Quinn: On Earth, some will commit to goals like weight loss or being more devout in their religions. A personal goal, a behavioral adjustment deemed important enough to focus on, to improve upon. It’s not something that I’ve historically done but I think—I think this year, it should change.  He seemed conflicted, almost pained. After a moment’s pause, the expression faded, turning to sturdy resolve. The light from the campfire made his eyes look that familiar, bright, youthful green once more.  Tagren-Quinn: Never been good about opening up with folks and that’s worked against me. For a time, I felt much like my El-Aurian ancestors, though—aimlessly drifting, nomadic, not really belonging anywhere—but after tonight… I am—thankful for the community here, gathered around this camp, and for your friendship. I am not sure how that really rolls into a resolution but it’s a thought I just now had.  Meru nodded. It was a rare moment of openness, and she wasn’t quite sure how to react. No witty remarks sprung to mind, all the encouragement she could offer seemed shallow compared to the genuine honesty he’d just expressed. So she smiled, and nodded, and before she could think of something appropriate to say he continued.  Tagren-Quinn: Any–anyway, the mug’s getting a little empty and that cider's calling. Can never have just one mug. What do you say? Another trip to the tables, maybe congratulate some of our comrades along the way?  She smiled, grateful to bring some levity back to the conversation—and regretful. She wasn’t the best at handling big emotions like this, she never had been. Just because it was easier to switch to something lighter didn’t mean that was the right solution, and at some point compartmentalizing could turn into flat-out ignoring.  Tahna: Yes, we can’t let the cider run out! That would be a tragedy. Congratulations to you, by the way. First Contact is big!  Tagren-Quinn: Response  Her free hand fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve as they walked back toward the tables, and her mind drifted back to the idea of resolutions.  Tahna: We don’t have New Years resolutions, but I guess it’s kind of like a renewal scroll.  Tagren-Quinn: Response  Tahna: Yeah, I mean, it’s a completely different holiday, but it’s the same idea. You’re burning your past problems, making yourself and the world a better place in the days ahead.  And they did have a campfire, though it was entirely the wrong holiday and culture. She could imagine throwing her troubles onto the fire, walking into the new century a better woman. There was no reason, beyond the calendar, that you couldn’t toss your problems on a fire multiple times a year if it made you feel better.  Tagren-Quinn: Response  Tahna: For my New Years renewal scroll…  She cracked a grin at the newly hybridized tradition, though it faded as she considered. There were plenty of things she regretted about the past year, and most came from a place of defensiveness and fear of getting hurt. She wasn’t sure she was ready to share that tonight, but…he’d been honest, hadn’t he? Risked vulnerability? So it was only fair.  Meru took a deep breath before continuing, her eyes fixed on the tables ahead.  Tahna: I tend to avoid things just because they might end badly. Like– like my mom. We haven’t spoken in… ::She stifled the urge to end there and change the subject.:: We don’t see eye to eye, or get along, but I wish we could try to. I’ve just been too scared to even begin fixing that relationship. So, I’d burn that unnecessary defensiveness.  She mimed tossing something into the fire, and laughed lightly to break the tension.  Tagren-Quinn/Any: Response  5 1 Quote
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