Commander Gogigobo Fairhug - No Place Like Home
griz86
((Freedom Beach - Little Risa - Starbase 118))
A conversation last shore leave had led to Gogi now walking along a beach in Little Risa on his way to meet up with Haukea-Willow for a hike.
Of course, they lived on a Starbase, so weather was never really a concern and the climate in Little Risa in particular was always glorious.
It reminded the Bardeezan of home, which in turn made him wonder why he didn’t visit this part of the base more frequently.
He was dressed in a black vest and a pair of dark Green shorts and was carrying a backpack which contained some running shoes, among other things.
A warm smile spread across his face as he drew closer to his hiking companion, who greeted him with a smile of her own.
Willow: I have this terrible feeling, it might not work out, all this running. One day I’m going to explode, like an unchecked bomb.
Of course, the reason they were here was because Haukea-Willow had been struggling with her emotions of late. It was something especially difficult for someone who came from a culture where most kept their emotions (seemingly) perfectly in check.
But Haukea-Willow was a Starfleet officer. They all had backgrounds and histories, but they all also had the shared experience of being in Starfleet. It changed them. Gogi doubted anyone who served in the fleet was able to go home and honestly say they didn’t feel even just slightly like an outsider at times. Some adapted more easily than others. Some didn’t realise the change *until* they went home. And some, like Haukea-Willow, changed slowly over time so that they didn’t feel it at all at first, but then felt it all at once.
Either way, it could be a difficult experience.
They began walking along the beach. The soft, wet, hot sand moulding beneath their toes.
Fairhug: Why do you think that?
Willow: I get overwhelmed. I don’t know how to control - to enforce boundaries when individual safety is on the line.
Haukea’s hand flipped with increased vigor, an equally positive as well as negative reaction. Gogi watched, half distracted by the motion.
He considered Haukea’s statement. He had been in her position - i.e. the Chief Security Officer of a base. In his case, he had performed the role at the Embassy of Duronis II and then again on Denali Station. It was a demanding role, as they all were. Of course, as CO, security was still his biggest priority.
Fairhug: It’s not easy. There’s no doubt about that.
Willow: Yet, how can I be angry at anyone when I’m most angry with myself?
There was a pause as the Bardeezan pondered how to answer that question.
Fairhug: Security Chiefs have to have short memories in some cases. If you dwell on your own mistakes and torture yourself about them, you’ll begin second-guessing yourself with every decision that you make. You have to learn from your experiences and accept that you can’t change what *has* happened, but you can control your actions in similar future scenarios.
Turning towards Gogigobo, Haukea plastered on a grin, lightening the atmosphere around the pair of off duty officers. Gogi was glad to see it. Perhaps his answer had resonated with the Risian. Although he was surprised with how quickly the tone of the conversation changed.
Willow: The beach though sure is lovely. ::Her voice pitched up in tone, grin visibly straining neck muscles::
Gogi looked around, too. The sand, the sea, the rocks. People sunbathing, others swimming or playing beach games. It truly was relaxing just being in a place like this. It was Gogi’s kind of thing, although it had been a long time since he had been on a beach. The last time was when they had celebrated the successful completion of the crew’s mission to Bardeez, actually.
Fairhug: It’s beautiful. ::eyes settling back on Haukea after lookin around.:: What’s the plan for today?
Willow: I do know a hiking trail we could explore.
Gogi smiled again. If there was one thing he like better than beaches, it was hiking trails.
Fairhug: Sounds good to me. And you’re going to demonstrate some of your holophotography skills, right?
He gripped the straps of his backpack and shifted the weight slightly, while nodding toward the camera dangling from Haukea’s wrist.
Willo: Response
Fairhug: I can’t wait.
They continued along the beach for now. It was so easy to forget that they were on a starbase floating in the vacuum of space, rather than on Risa itself. It made Gogi wonder…
Fairhug: Is this an accurate representation of Risa? I know there is a controlled weather system there, like there is here.
Willow: Response
Fairhug: I’ve never been. It’s quite strange considering how many places I *have* been to. It seems like my kind of place, judging by Little Risa, but I bet you can’t beat the real thing.
Willow: Response
Gogi watched with amusement as a couple of kids ran past in front of them. A girl chasing a boy into the water and the two of them splashing around in a mock fight. Siblings, most likely. It reminded him of him and his brothers down at the river near where they grew up.
Fairhug: It’s definitely near the top of my list. Though I do need to go home at some point soon, too. How about you? When was the last time you went home?
Willow: Response
TAG/TBC
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Commanding Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
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