Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron - WWTD?
Is'Kah Xiron
((Aelvarai Selav, Aelkuun))
Three officers had landed at a research site, with Ensign Zol already taking photos while Commander Ada assessed the situation. Is’Kah had joined them as it had been a long time since zha had a chance to explore new things without the chance of death being at least 30%
Zol: Ne'Tatkret, could you tell us about the history of this temple and the Va’tsekeluai’ra clan?
Ne’Tatkret: Of course! The Va’tsekeluai’ra clan migrated to this part of the world thousands of years ago. K’tsélai clans are typically semi-nomadic, moving between a particular set of islands and hunting grounds with the seasons. Many are still this way even today, actually. They were pushed here, we believe, after losing a conflict over the richer waters in … that direction. This is a temple they built after they settled in. It is dedicated primarily to Selai’vel.
Ada: Impressive that these structures have lasted this long. What caused the water to rise, or rather, the complex to sink?
Is’Kah: Fascinating. Does that deity still affect parts of your culture today?
The way Ne’Tatkret looked at the temple, and then the headshaking, told Is’Kah that there really wasn’t a deity.
Ne’Tatkret: Hmm. Selai’vel is not a… deity, per se. You may have heard that we named our moon Selai, right, and our species calls itself K’tsélai? The closest I can think of as a way to describe it is that Selai’vel is the force behind the tides and all the cyclical motions of the sea, as represented by the moon’s own cycle. We are born from the ancient tidewaters, so it goes, and the tides rule our lives from birth to death. The Va’tsekeluai’ra wouldn’t have called it Selai’vel, as that’s the modern name we use for the concept, but it would have sounded similar.
Zol: Response
Is’Kah: Is the Va’tsekeluai’ra clan still in existence, or have they been absorbed by another clan?
Their guide, Ne’Tatkret, waved over at two crew members.
Ne’Tatkret: Sort of. There is a clan with the name and they claim the lineage, but as far as historians can tell from records and stories passed down the ages, the Va’tsekeluai’ra were forced to scatter after a particularly strong storm season. They would have been absorbed by other clans in the region or died out. When our species settled Qareluun, the big continent you flew over on your way here, the Va’tsekeluai’ra made a comeback as one of the river clans. Those two are members of the clan here to watch and claim anything they deem as culturally significant enough for the clan’s personal treasures. ::pause:: If you ask me, I think the modern Va’tsekeluai’ra are castaways that claim the name and history for the ready-made group identity. It wouldn’t be the first time it has happened.
Zol: Response
Ada: What about this is most pressing to you, Ne'Tatkret?
Ne’Tatkret: This is actually not the lowest level of the temple. We’re about at the middle of it. There are murals and tools that were left behind in the deepest parts of the temple that we’re just now getting to. Today’s tasks are actually to go in there and assess the structural integrity for later retrievals.
Is'Kah: As a former engineering officer, I can assist with that assessment.
Zol: ?
Ada: Then I'll start there. ::She turned to Is'Kah:: Are you comfortable with splitting the away team, Is'Kah? And which one of us will you accompany?
Is'Kah: I would prefer to keep everyone together to ensure nothing happens, yet the area has low risk. If you wish, then I will remain with Ensign Zol.
Zol: ?
The K'tsélai researcher tilted her head at Is’Kah’s comments, eyes drifting to the phaser at zhen hip.
Ne'Tatkret: It is completely safe here, I assure you. We have devices placed around Aelvarai Selav that keep away the local predators and no weapons are allowed in the temple itself for both historical and safety reasons.
Ada: Fine, fine, we won't split the party. Ne'Tatkret, are you in any rush? At any rate, I'll get my wetsuit on.
Is’Kah pursed her lips, wondering whether Azura simply wanted privacy or something else as the human headed for the shuttle. Deciding it was none of zhen business, zha focused on the K'tsélai researcher.
Ne’Tatkret: No rush at all. Will you two need to go in there to change too? The wetsuits we have are stored in that box over there. If it’s locked, ask that one for the key.
oO What would T’Ama say here? Oo
Is'Kah: Thank you for the suits. For future reference, is there a place where we could have a little privacy?
Zol: ?
Ne’Tatkret: Very well. Those trees hide the shower stalls and toilets if you need them. We can go to the harp tower when you are ready or just go straight inside the temple. Are your tools waterproofed?
Is'Kah: They are.
Zol/Ada: ?
Ne’Tatkret: Oh. Good. Let me know when you three are ready and I will take you.
The petite Trill hybrid gave a slight bow of gratitude.
Is'Kah: We will meet back here in ten minutes, then?
Zol/Ada: ?
Nodding, Is’Kah headed over to the wetsuits. It took a few minutes to find one zhen size. Rather, almost correct.
Is'Kah: I will be right back, Ensign.
Zol/Ne’Tatkret/Ada: Response
Nodding, Is’Kah entered a shower stall and quickly changed. The suit was tight, almost too tight. After spending a few moments to try to get it to it properly, zha gave up and brought zhen uniform and boots out. Placing them close to the suits, the petite Vulcan hybrid looked for gloves.
Thankfully, there were a pair, and after slipping them on, zha slid zhen communicator behind the back of zhen hand. After spending a moment to figure out where zhen phaser went, zha strapped it to zhen forearm.
Is'Kah: Ready, Ensign?
Zol/Ne’Tatkret/Ada: Response
Is'Kah: Now, we just need Azura, and we’ll be ready.
Zol/Ne’Tatkret/Ada: Response
Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron
Chief of Tactical and Security
USS Valkyrie, NCC-76418-A
R240101I14
Pronouns:
She/Her (Player and Character)
Zha/Zhen (Character)