Lt Cmdr Josh Herrick: Why, Hello There (Part 1)
Mark P
((Hubra ka pakla’, Xingala Druman, Seytoxal; Time Index: Following Promotions))
Josh had spent the last hour looking at different sculptures in what the UT had loosely translated as the Garden of Ice. There were several elaborate pieces, and he stopped at an elaborate one which caught his eye.
The carving depicted a dragon-like creature with fire starting to erupt from its mouth, its flame directed toward a lone figure wielding a weapon. As Herrick leaned in to read the digital placard, it automatically translated to Federation Standard.
This piece, Firepower, was painstakingly crafted by the Royal Prince of Zayox, ‘Alzhier, the 140th.’ His father, the King of Zayox, had commissioned this piece to recognize a pivotal moment in their planet’s history. Native beasts had hunted the people of the land to the brink of extinction. When these foes approached the castle, the previous king had abdicated his throne in the face of apparent defeat. The vacant leadership spurred ‘Alzhier, the First,’ to step in.
Alzhier, facing insurmountable odds, had the remaining soldiers retreat. They executed multiple sneak attacks for several years until they eventually turned the tide. The Beasts of Zayox have not been seen since, and as a reward for their victory, Alzheir was crowned King by his soldiers. This item will be displayed until their 2000th anniversary, which will occur in one day.
???: It looks like you sprung a leak.
Josh turned to the voice and found a man, hand outstretched in his direction, offering a cloth. The individual in question stood out starkly against the white surroundings, his purple complexion reminding him of the Butler’s violet accents.
Herrick: A leak?
The man nodded, gesturing to his own nose. One of the signature traits in the Herrick family was a drip that seemed to cling on for dear life at the tip of their proboscis. He dabbed the kerchief against his nose and then felt awkward, unsure if he’d expected it back.
??: ::smiling at the man’s self-imposed paralysis:: You can keep it. (beat) First-time here?
Herrick: Yeah.
??: What brought you down to Hubra ka pakla’ of all places? I can’t imagine it was simply a desire to stare at ice for hours.
Josh countered the man with his same question, along with raised eyebrows.
Herrick: What brings you down to the Garden of Ice?
He didn’t trust himself not to butcher the native name, instead letting the UT carry the load.
??: I’ve already seen what Seytoxal had to offer; this was the last main attraction. I figured I might cross it off the list before returning home.
Herrick: Which is where exactly…?
??: A nearby system. (beat) I’m Feredo, by the way.
The man wore a confident smile, and Josh took him in for several moments as he debated how much to share with someone who seemed to be light on details.
Herrick: Josh. And, home’s not too far.
It was a subtle transition, Earth losing the honorary title of home in favour of the ship now in orbit above it. He motioned to the sculpture.
Herrick: What’s your take on this?
His new acquaintance rested his hands on the bar, which separated the crowd from the art.
Feredo: Well… to me, it suggests that despite the hellfires that can surround one, individuals can pull on strength from within to overcome their challenges. Overcoming a challenge doesn’t mean responding in the moment. (beat) That, and while cowards still might make the history books, they won’t be fondly remembered.
Josh blinked a few times at the rather in-depth analysis. He’d been admiring the piece's technical skill rather than the story being conveyed.
Herrick: You see this figure here ::pointing to it:: Only one or two other sculptures get down to this level of detail. The patience, commitment and experience; I doubt this was a one-shot-wonder.
The two of them stood in silence, Josh imagining himself in the artist's shoes, growing frustrated from countless failed attempts until they finally had a finished product they were proud of.
Announcement: Thank you for visiting Hubra ka pakla. The time period for your ticket has now elapsed. Please make your way to the exit to allow the next batch of visitors to enjoy the gallery's icy splendour.
Feredo: It was nice meeting you, Josh.
Josh gave the man an appreciative nod, both a silent goodbye and a gesture of appreciation for the small talk they’d shared. As Feredo turned towards the exit, the intelligence officer noticed a curious ring of light on the man’s temple.
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OOC: I've checked in on both my scenes and the writers are busy chipping away, so I'm just popping this guy out in the interim.
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Lieutenant Commander Josh Herrick
Intelligence and Second Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)