JP – Lt. Ceciri Ariadust & Tri’lea Polgonz: The Forest of a Distant Star (Part 2)
Koihime Nakamura
Ceciri made an odd wave motion, and the scene blurred to a new one. The sky was alight with the particular deep blue sky before dawn, with fog descending off the mountain range that bordered where they stood. Straight ahead were terraced mountainsides, full of a violet swaying tall flower.
Visible here and there were faint red lanterns marking patterns, and elaborate banners in the flowing Cygnian script over the streets down into the white-blue city around them. Even the mag-lev stations had banners with what looked to be Cygnians in something quite like the traditional dresses of China on Earth. The mountains were capped in pale purple ice, barely visible at the edges of the fog that was spreading, and it was a chilly-but-not-cold morning, dew visible on the grass and flowers visible in some gardens, with the majority of the houses surrounded by what looked to be green grains of sand, with lines of blue here and there.
The house they were in front of was a simple single-story dwelling with visible window wells displaying an underground level; with blue shale circular tiles roofing the house, and in the distance away from the seashore towards the mountains were the typical hyper-skyscrapers of modern twenty-fourth century life, lost in the clouds above. Unlike what you might see on other worlds, though, holoart and letters seemed to be built into the skyscrapers, many with flower designs or figures of Cygnians in peculiar - most likely historical - dress. There were no advertisements, no billboards, no signage.
Ariadust: This is where I grew up, the capital of the Sea-leaf-shine Republic. ::Ceciri says wryly:: Most of us just called it the Dalenirah Republic. This house was where my birth-mother was born, in fact. She worked in some of the rare metal mines in those mountains until the accident that took her life. My other mother was a politician here, and worked downtown. A peculiarity of the Dalenirah Republic is that only those of knowing should arrive at their destination. Hence, no signs. The billboard ban is unusual, but Cygnian industry tries its hardest to pretend it’s invisible to its customers. You’ll never see billboards or advertisements outside in Cygnet or any of its few colonies.
Ceciri had forced an even tone to her voice as she explained. She had things to cover, and this wasn’t the time to get sentimental or upset, as much as she wanted to. All the same, Lea sensed faintly that Ceciri was holding back – but she knew better than to push her when there was no need. If Lea needed to know, Ceciri would tell her in time.
Polgonz: In a way that’s rather refreshing. Many Federation worlds were once ravaged by the proliferation of overt market forces – and there’s still plenty to bombard the senses with. Still, I take it this hardly means that commerce isn’t occurring on Cygnet. ::Smiling:: I’m afraid I’d probably be terribly lost there. Fortunately, I have you as my guide.
Ariadust: Well. I can’t ever go back here - my mother made herself very unpopular by being desperate. She chose to walk the twisting path, and in many ways, I think the death of my birth-mother was what led her to falling off the path of virtue. ::deep breath:: But, in truth, I wouldn’t want to return here.
Lea wrapped a comforting arm around Ceciri’s waist, standing close to her and taking in the scene. The two women took in the view together – from the nearby swinging lanterns, to the towering skyscrapers, to the distant glistening mountain peaks.
Polgonz: Will you walk with me? Show me around? Even if we can’t visit the real place, I’d like to see your home – before you took to the stars, that is.
Ariadust: I’d love to.
Ceciri gently grasped Tri’lea’s hand as they walked, headed down the path of what looked to be worn down blue stone, with patterns of white and green inlaid in it. This path led to the beach, with the thin light barely illuminating the deep violet sea. As they walked, more wildflower blooms became visible, with some faint reddish-green trees with swaying blue leaves appearing as they crested the hill. Tri’lea turned to face Ceciri.
Polgonz: Did you know her well? Your birth mother?
Ariadust: I spent a lot of time with her. In many ways, she gave me the virtues I hold deeply, and I have many fond memories of her teaching me the ways of the Goddess of the Threefold Path. ::reflectively:: I’m curious why she never mentioned I had an older sister, though. But from what I understand, it was also to protect us.
Polgonz: ::Nodding slowly:: I imagine her loss impacted you greatly, then. It must have been very hard… ::Furrowing her brow slightly:: I can understand.
Ariadust: It was. ::Ceciri sighed:: My mother was.. Never the same, and I think having to join my aunt’s merchant company just.. Made things worse. I had a rather tense relationship with her, after that, and after a while, she more and more let my aunts mother me. I was a bit of a rebel there.
Polgonz: A rebel, hmm? ::Chuckling, then commenting sarcastically:: You don’t strike me as the type…
Ariadust: Well, compared to who my mother wanted, yes.
Polgonz: ::Smiling to herself:: Well, I like you far more the way you are than the way you might ought to have been…
They reached the beach and began walking out onto the sand. A pale dim light, reflecting off the water, provided a rich blue contrast – turning the entire world into a cobalt dreamscape.
Polgonz: Have you been in contact with your sister? Do you know her?
Ariadust: Resachi? Yeah, she works in the Cygnian Self Defense Force. I met her on my last duty post.
Polgonz: Really? I should very much like to meet her – if she is anything like you, that is.
Ariadust: If she can get the leave out here, I think you should. I’m pretty sure you two would get together famously.
Tri’lea turned, once again, to face Ceciri, taking both her hands and speaking with her intimately. Her wide eyes portrayed the
Polgonz: The more I learn about you, the more I get to know you, the more thrilled I am that fate has brought the two of us together. I don’t think we ever would have met under normal circumstances, but I can’t imagine a more interesting.. worldly.. ::struggling to find words with enough value to communicate her meaning:: ..talented and.. wondrous person.
Ceciri would have liked to respond, but she was too fiercely blushing to respond as she fought to find words that fit the moment. Lea could sense Ceciri again now, their feelings mixing in the space between them, pulling them together. Their faces already close, Lea could see the blue light of the sea reflected in Ceciri’s eyes – enticing pools drawing her ever closer. Before there was time to think, emotion took over, and they shared a brief but unwavering kiss that was hard to part from.
Polgonz: ::Blushing and breathing heavily, her heart pounding:: Yes… most wondrous.
Ceciri just nodded, leaning against the slightly shorter woman as she tangled their hands for a moment. She.. could not remember her first kiss, but she knew it and her last kiss before that had been .. decades ago. And at the moment, she was still swept up in the emotions swirling between them. If she could have moments like this more often.. She could learn to love having more of her telepathic and empathic abilities. Even with the frustration they brought.
Polgonz: ::Sensing Ceciri’s thoughts:: Me too… ::Caressing her ear and cheek:: Your mind, your spirit, is just as beautiful to me.
Ariadust: ::softly:: Same.
Polgonz: Wherever we find ourselves, I’d like it to be together.
Ariadust: ::nodding, looking at the sea for a bit:: Agreed.. And now, I think the holoprogram has more space in it. I added a bit, anyway. I think we should go for a walk and watch the sunrise. Together.
END
Lt. Ceciri Ariadust
Terraforming Engineer
Amity Outpost
C239112CA0
&
Tri'lea Doyoxo Polgonz
Daughter Ascendant
Twentieth House of Betazed
V239806K11