LtCmdr Jovenan – Sharing the universe with you
Jovenan
((Astrometrics, Deck 9, USS Artemis))
Jovenan: Computer, move to Rubicun III, scale 1 to 10 million. ::to Silveira:: This is the part where you might get a bit of motion sickness, you can close your eyes if you start to feel unwell.
Vitor held her tighter. They began to move, hurling through the galaxy at speeds higher than available with any known method of propulsion, barring maybe Q’s finger-snap. In reality, they didn’t move a bit – the holographic universe around them was, or rather, the individual holographic objects moved from side to side or along the edge of the simulation, creating an illusion of movement. Knowing that didn’t change the feeling; during the first times Jovenan had experienced this, her stomach had felt like moving and she had clenched her muscles. Over time, it had become much more tolerable, but as they came to halt near a virtual planet, she looked at her boyfriend, holding her from behind.
Jovenan: Here we are. Are you still okay, love?
Silveira: I am, I am very good. It was awesome.
She smiled and turned to the planet. Its oceans glimmered in the light of the star, Rubicun as it was known to the astronomers, and the multitudes of green forests and plains reminded her of the calm moments alone, exploring the eskers near her home; it was not the physical planet itself she had issues with. She tried not to be obvious with searching for something in the orbit – the Edo God was not part of the holo-programme, but subconsciously, she still looked for the transuniversal station. She then extended her arm, pointing at a point down on the planet
Jovenan: See that area between the sea and the large lake? It’s too small to see, but there’s a village near one of the smaller lakes. That’s where I was born, and where my parents and all the many siblings still live.
Her smile was difficult to maintain. He had asked her to share her fears, doubts and secrets, and she considered letting it all come out. Eventually, she decided against it; all in good time, and she didn’t want to turn her nice surprise to him to talk about even more of her mental complications. It wasn’t, after all, like she herself knew what to think of the world and its inhabitants.
She had left from there as soon as she had got permission to – she had had to apply for a permit to leave! – but had returned soon after she had figured the universe hadn’t been as welcoming as she had thought. She had tried again, and after graduation from the University, visited there briefly, only to leave for the Academy and never again return. It was obvious that whatever ill-feelings between her and the world were held, it was all in her part. Her family would welcome her back if she ever came; it was her who didn’t want to go.
She thought of all the things she wouldn’t have experienced if she had stayed. The stars, the marvels of the universe, the strange planets and all the peoples and cultures. Vitor held her tighter – he was one of those things. She sighed restfully. He’d be there when she was wanted to tell him more.
Silveira: Thank you for showing it to me.
Jovenan: Thank you for liking it.
He gave her a kiss to her cheek. As he was holding her from behind, she couldn’t show her appreciation and affection by holding him tighter like he repeatedly did, but instead, she rested her head against him, hoping he’d like the closeness as much as she did.
Silveira: And you thought you couldn’t surprise me. I love this. I couldn’t have imagined anything better than having all the space around us.
It was funny to say that when they almost all of their time in a spaceship, surrounded by all the space, and even now, they were in a holographic space in a ship in the space. Still, she agreed. Here, there were just the two of them, safe and comfortable, and the endless field of stars. She chuckled a little.
Jovenan: I’ll have to come up with even more surprises for you, then. And not be so insecure about if you like them.
Silveira: And where do you want to go now? Or have you already traveled all over the galaxy without me?
Jovenan: A little, yes. But I can’t say I’ve really seen it the same way without you.
It might have been a bit cheesy, but in a way, it was also true. The Astrometrics and its low-gravity bubble were scientific instruments, so were all the astronomical data they had stored in their computers. Jovenan’s use of these resources was mostly scientific. Although she sometimes stopped just to marvel the wonders they were studying, most of the time was spent with professional detachment in mind. It was genuinely different to lay there with someone holding you, someone you loved, and look at the universe for the sake of its beauty.
Silveira: Response
Jovenan: How about we go see something beautiful? Computer, Eagle Nebula, 100 light-year distance to Sol’s direction.
Again, the galaxy whirled past them, and the thousands of light-years went past them like a moment. The nebula grew larger until it almost engulfed them entirely. They were surrounded by the myriads of young stars and the clouds of dust, illuminated by the stars that formed in them. Near the middle of their view were what remained of a spectacular cloud trunks, the feature of the nebula that had caught the attention and the imaginations of many cultures across the Federation. Some knew them as the Fingers of the Great God or the Hand of the Universe. Jovenan had liked the term the humans’ had given them: The Pillars of Creation.
Silveira: Response
Jovenan: It does look prettier when you can just be there and watch it. ::pause:: Thank you for coming with me. And thank you for having just the right words, even when I feel insecure or like I’m not good enough. I really want to surprise you in the way you do.
Silveira: Response
Taking support from his arms and his body, Jovenan partially turned around and gave him a kiss to his cheek. Looking at his blue eyes, diving into their depths, she pulled herself closer again and kissed him to the lips. When they parted, she smiled and whispered him.
Jovenan: I really loved the dolls.
Silveira: Response
She then turned again, facing the bright clouds and the fields of stars, not busy, not stressed, resting comfortably in his arms for a while longer.
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Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11