Author Topic: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)  (Read 57074 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Ozu Saya

  • Chief Engine-Ears
  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Honoured Member
  • **
  • Posts: 2401
  • Ozu Saya
  • Awarded in January and July to the player who writes the most engaging posts. Awarded to players who demonstrate consistent high quality posting skills. Awarded to the player who has greatly improved since the last awards ceremony. Awarded to players who go above and beyond what is asked of them. Awarded to Players who have been with the Fleet for one year.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #15 on: December 05, 2018, 08:58:07 am »
[Judy's Parents' House]

That's wonderful, Kyo said. I'll pray for a healthy mama and baby. And grandma, he added with a grin. Can't have grandma gimping around when there's family to take care of.


Kyo's eyes went to Saya on Judy's other side when Judy asked about lunch and meeting her parents. He'd quickly decided that it was best practice to allow her to make decisions about socialization. He could always go find someone to spend time with when he wanted company, but since Saya was far less sociable, he didn't mind letting her choose whether she wanted to partake or not.

If you wish us to, Saya responded, directing her answer to Judy while thanking Kyo for his consideration with a quick glance and nod. We hadn't intended to intrude for too long, especially showing up with an extra person and a pet, but we have no other plans today. We are taking that hike tomorrow that we'd been planning before the mission to Egypt.

Vulcan-Bajoran Hybrid; 5'2"
Domen Kyo: Bajoran; 6'6"
George Hugo: Human; 6'6"
Eviess Aihai Annhw: Romulan-Human Hybrid; 5'

Offline Judith Eastman

  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Loyal Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6462
  • Literally Heartless
  • Awarded to the player whom the CO feels is worthy of recognition. Awarded to those who demonstrate an ability to convey the action of combat. Awarded in January and July to the two players who are the best team. Awarded in January and July to the player with the most humorous posts. Awarded to the winner of the bi-annual crew choice poll.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #16 on: December 05, 2018, 12:39:24 pm »
[Judy's Parents' House]

"You're really not intruding," Judy answered. "You full well know how much I enjoy your company, both of you."

Finally, Judy checked her message. After a moment, she dialed to her mother.

  =/\= Hi, mom. You're on speaker,"  =/\= she said, to make sure her mother didn't say anything embarrassing.
  =/\= "Guests with you?  =/\= Judy's mother asked.   =/\= "I'm Diane, little Judy's mother. Judy, should I get us chinese from that one place you really love?"  =/\=
  =/\= "Up to our guests,"  =/\= Judy answered, and motioned to Saya and Kyo to answer.
Academy Civilian Instructor


"I promised, but I never promised to keep the promise" - Levi Eshkol

Offline Ozu Saya

  • Chief Engine-Ears
  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Honoured Member
  • **
  • Posts: 2401
  • Ozu Saya
  • Awarded in January and July to the player who writes the most engaging posts. Awarded to players who demonstrate consistent high quality posting skills. Awarded to the player who has greatly improved since the last awards ceremony. Awarded to players who go above and beyond what is asked of them. Awarded to Players who have been with the Fleet for one year.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #17 on: December 05, 2018, 10:36:49 pm »
[Judy's Parents' House]

Hello,
Hello, Saya and Kyo echoed each other in their greeting to Judy's mother.

They glanced at each other around Judy when she put the decision to them about food.

I have never had Chinese food, Saya said with a small shrug.

Nor have I, Kyo agreed.

I am willing to trust Judy's recommendation, as long as there are some vegetarian options.

Kyo nodded in agreement and both of them turned expectant gazes on their host.

Vulcan-Bajoran Hybrid; 5'2"
Domen Kyo: Bajoran; 6'6"
George Hugo: Human; 6'6"
Eviess Aihai Annhw: Romulan-Human Hybrid; 5'

Offline Judith Eastman

  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Loyal Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6462
  • Literally Heartless
  • Awarded to the player whom the CO feels is worthy of recognition. Awarded to those who demonstrate an ability to convey the action of combat. Awarded in January and July to the two players who are the best team. Awarded in January and July to the player with the most humorous posts. Awarded to the winner of the bi-annual crew choice poll.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #18 on: December 05, 2018, 10:57:09 pm »
[Judy's Parents' House]

  =/\= "You're having Chinese, then,"  =/\= Judy decreed.   =/\=
"Make sure you get some vegetarian dishes, and don't forget the Kung Pao chicken."  =/\=

  =/\= "Oh, you picky, picky child," =/\= Diane admonished, even as she made a mental note to satisfy both the needs of Judy's guests and the daughter's own wants.   =/\= "I'll be by in 15."  =/\=
  =/\= "Thanks, mom. Love you."  =/\=
  =/\= "Love you. Buh-bye."  =/\=

After hanging up, Judy looked at Saya and Kyo and felt a need to explain the force of nature that was her mother.
"She's basically me on steroids," Judy said. "That, with a fondness for embarrassing stories about my childhood. Now, do we want to move to the living room and check out Saya's pictures, or bring down more of my albums?"
Whichever choice Saya and Kyo made would require Judy to get up, so she did, using her arms and the cane to do so. It wasn't easy, but she did it.
Academy Civilian Instructor


"I promised, but I never promised to keep the promise" - Levi Eshkol

Offline Ozu Saya

  • Chief Engine-Ears
  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Honoured Member
  • **
  • Posts: 2401
  • Ozu Saya
  • Awarded in January and July to the player who writes the most engaging posts. Awarded to players who demonstrate consistent high quality posting skills. Awarded to the player who has greatly improved since the last awards ceremony. Awarded to players who go above and beyond what is asked of them. Awarded to Players who have been with the Fleet for one year.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #19 on: December 05, 2018, 11:05:03 pm »
[Judy's Parents' House]

Saya stood, Kyo following, and said, We should move to the living room at the very least to check on the animals. They've been quiet. That generally does not bode well. I can go out and get the storage cell so that we can look at it. If you have a computer terminal conveniently located.

She started out of the room to get a head start in checking on Alieth and going to the car.

Kyo waited, allowing Judy to move first, and commented, I can carry down some of your albums if you want.

Vulcan-Bajoran Hybrid; 5'2"
Domen Kyo: Bajoran; 6'6"
George Hugo: Human; 6'6"
Eviess Aihai Annhw: Romulan-Human Hybrid; 5'

Offline Judith Eastman

  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Loyal Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6462
  • Literally Heartless
  • Awarded to the player whom the CO feels is worthy of recognition. Awarded to those who demonstrate an ability to convey the action of combat. Awarded in January and July to the two players who are the best team. Awarded in January and July to the player with the most humorous posts. Awarded to the winner of the bi-annual crew choice poll.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #20 on: December 05, 2018, 11:26:18 pm »
[Judy's Parents' House]

"Third shelf from the top, all the way on the left," Judy directed Kyo to the albums. "There are two more of them."
These bookshelves were almost full of books, a mixture of fiction, non-fiction, and high school and college textbooks. Along the edges, there was a collection of little knick-knacks collected over the course of Judy's earlier years.

As it happened, one specific book caught her eye - her Calculus I book.
"That thing," she recalled, pointing at the thick book, "that thing was the bane of my existence in my junior year of high school, but it's a great self-defense weapon."

With that, Judy showed Kyo the way back out to the room they'd started out in, where the corgis sat waiting for the treats that they thought long overdue. They'd happily spent the time teaching Alieth to jump into neatly-raked piles of leaves (it was that time of year, after all), but Saya's footsteps drew them back inside.
Academy Civilian Instructor


"I promised, but I never promised to keep the promise" - Levi Eshkol

Offline Ozu Saya

  • Chief Engine-Ears
  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Honoured Member
  • **
  • Posts: 2401
  • Ozu Saya
  • Awarded in January and July to the player who writes the most engaging posts. Awarded to players who demonstrate consistent high quality posting skills. Awarded to the player who has greatly improved since the last awards ceremony. Awarded to players who go above and beyond what is asked of them. Awarded to Players who have been with the Fleet for one year.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #21 on: December 06, 2018, 03:09:45 pm »
[Judy's Parents' House]

Agreeably, Kyo went to the book shelves and retrieved the two albums Judy had indicated. He chuckled at her reminiscence about the calculus book, commenting, I would imagine! Did you ever have to use it for defense?


Saya heard the pets coming from outside, so she waited for them to ensure Alieth was well. She laughed quietly at her pet, prancing in next to the corgis with a large leaf neatly wedged on top of her head between horns and frill, looking like a little hat. Saya left it and headed out to the car, returning quickly with the storage cell.

Vulcan-Bajoran Hybrid; 5'2"
Domen Kyo: Bajoran; 6'6"
George Hugo: Human; 6'6"
Eviess Aihai Annhw: Romulan-Human Hybrid; 5'

Offline Judith Eastman

  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Loyal Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6462
  • Literally Heartless
  • Awarded to the player whom the CO feels is worthy of recognition. Awarded to those who demonstrate an ability to convey the action of combat. Awarded in January and July to the two players who are the best team. Awarded in January and July to the player with the most humorous posts. Awarded to the winner of the bi-annual crew choice poll.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #22 on: December 06, 2018, 04:52:00 pm »
[Judy's Parents' House]

"Once or twice," Judy answered with a mysterious wink. Even someone like Saya, who knew Judy's fun side, would be startled by the full extent of her youthful misadventures.

In the living room, Judy set the album they'd previously looked at on the coffee table, and then moved to lead Saya and Kyo into an adjoining room. Half the room played host to a screen and a holographic projector array (capable of playing pre-made content, but not of running interactive holoprograms), operated by touch, voice, or by a panel along the side of the room. This was the room Judy's parents favored for movie screenings, sports, and private presentations to the politicians Diane worked with. Due to the pricey nature of the equipment, Judy was banned from having friends and liquor in there at the same time.

"This was state-of-the-art when they installed it in '61," she recalled proudly. "Back when the Galaxy Class was still a shining novelty."
Academy Civilian Instructor


"I promised, but I never promised to keep the promise" - Levi Eshkol

Offline Ozu Saya

  • Chief Engine-Ears
  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Honoured Member
  • **
  • Posts: 2401
  • Ozu Saya
  • Awarded in January and July to the player who writes the most engaging posts. Awarded to players who demonstrate consistent high quality posting skills. Awarded to the player who has greatly improved since the last awards ceremony. Awarded to players who go above and beyond what is asked of them. Awarded to Players who have been with the Fleet for one year.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #23 on: December 06, 2018, 09:31:43 pm »
[Judy's Parents' House]

Saya looked around, mildly impressed by the high-end system in a personal home. It should be more than sufficient to look at some pictures, she said as she looked for the port to connect her power cell.

Finding it, Saya plugged in the small device and watched as the screen automatically populated a list of contents by category. Using the panel on the wall, Saya scrolled through the list until she found a folder marked Pictures/Holos and tapped it. Another list appeared, this one all labeled by stardates in order from oldest to newest.

She hadn't realized exactly how many pictures her father had taken, though he'd often appeared unexpectedly with a holo-camera to snap pictures. Hesitating, she scrolled past the ones she knew were from the first couple of years of her parents' marriage (there were some even older, but she felt the need to go back and look at those by herself) and found the stardate on which she'd been born.

There was another moment of hesitation before Saya tapped the first thumbnail bearing that stardate and a picture popped up on the screen. It was a medical bay. Her mother sat up on a biobed, looking wearily at Saya's father. In her arms was the chubby baby Saya with wispy black hair and prominent nose ridges and pointed ears, hand waving as she rested against her mother's breast.

Saya trembled imperceptibly. She hadn't looked at any pictures of her parents since their deaths and she hadn't realized the impact it would have on her, even after all of the talking she and Judy had done on their trip. They hadn't chosen my name yet. They'd tried a number of both Vulcan and Bajoran names before my father found 'Saya' on a list somewhere.

Kyo could see that Saya was becoming emotional, but wasn't sure if comfort would be welcome so
he sat near her, watching her carefully as well as looking at the screen.

Vulcan-Bajoran Hybrid; 5'2"
Domen Kyo: Bajoran; 6'6"
George Hugo: Human; 6'6"
Eviess Aihai Annhw: Romulan-Human Hybrid; 5'

Offline Judith Eastman

  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Loyal Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6462
  • Literally Heartless
  • Awarded to the player whom the CO feels is worthy of recognition. Awarded to those who demonstrate an ability to convey the action of combat. Awarded in January and July to the two players who are the best team. Awarded in January and July to the player with the most humorous posts. Awarded to the winner of the bi-annual crew choice poll.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #24 on: December 06, 2018, 11:33:14 pm »
[Judy's Parents' House]

Judy was visibly taken by the image of baby Saya. She was small, cute, and displayed the same ridges and pointy ears; an absolutely adorable miniature version of her present self.
A present self that was clearly emotional, probably because the pictures contained her late parents. Judy had spoken with Saya often enough about the parents to tell.

Out of concern for her friend, Judy stepped a little closer and put her free arm over Saya's shoulder. She looked at the young woman with concern, and replied about the name concern.
"They chose a lovely name," Judy answered. "It's got a lovely sound, it's fairly easy to spell, but it keeps us humans on our toes on whether it's pronounced 'sah-ya' or 'say-a'. It gives you a way to check if we were listening when you introduced yourself."
Academy Civilian Instructor


"I promised, but I never promised to keep the promise" - Levi Eshkol

Offline Ozu Saya

  • Chief Engine-Ears
  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Honoured Member
  • **
  • Posts: 2401
  • Ozu Saya
  • Awarded in January and July to the player who writes the most engaging posts. Awarded to players who demonstrate consistent high quality posting skills. Awarded to the player who has greatly improved since the last awards ceremony. Awarded to players who go above and beyond what is asked of them. Awarded to Players who have been with the Fleet for one year.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #25 on: December 07, 2018, 09:20:15 am »
[Judy's Parents' House]

Saya couldn't help a small laugh and smile escaping before she replied, I've actually never had that happen. More often it's people getting the given and family names wrong. It bothered me more when I was a teenager. I would often introduce myself as Ozu Saya - family name Ozu, so that there was no question. I try not to be too irritated by it. How would someone know unless I tell them?

She swiped through the next few photos, getting closer and closer to the bio bed until the camera zeroed in on her mother's face. On the large screen, you could see the tiredness in her eyes, but also the love for her husband and child. And in the reflection of her irises, Saya's father was visible behind the camera. Then there was a closeup of her own face - round, with dark eyes that held a hint of deep purple in the brown.


***

[Later, driving back to the city]

I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't know if you'd want me to comfort you and I didn't want to make you feel awkward.

Saya smiled at him from the driver's seat. It's fine. I appreciate the thought, and I would have welcomed you. Judy and I simply became extremely comfortable with one another during our trip and she cannot seem to help mothering me somewhat. She has helped me become more at ease with my dual nature and emotions as well. In future, if you wish to offer comfort, please do. Even in company. I will not be angry, and I will let you know if I don't wish the contact.

Kyo nodded and relaxed, glad to have some parameters in which to work. He was finding that navigating a relationship with a half-Vulcan was a little tricky. Or he was making things more difficult than they needed to be. That was a definite possibility.

Vulcan-Bajoran Hybrid; 5'2"
Domen Kyo: Bajoran; 6'6"
George Hugo: Human; 6'6"
Eviess Aihai Annhw: Romulan-Human Hybrid; 5'

Offline Judith Eastman

  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Loyal Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6462
  • Literally Heartless
  • Awarded to the player whom the CO feels is worthy of recognition. Awarded to those who demonstrate an ability to convey the action of combat. Awarded in January and July to the two players who are the best team. Awarded in January and July to the player with the most humorous posts. Awarded to the winner of the bi-annual crew choice poll.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #26 on: December 07, 2018, 10:02:52 am »
[Judy's Parents' House]

"Of course it bothered you as a teenager," Judy remarked. "That's what it means to be a teenager. You get bothered by everything and anything. I'd imagine, being half-Vulcan and only one, you were a little easier on your parents than my kids were, and are, on me, right?"

With the 30+ years of distance between herself and her teenage years, Judy could see it - she was just as bad as any other teen. She really came to appreciate how difficult she was on her parents when she had the twins, and only grew more so as she raised them into their teenage years. By the time Gerald and Lawrence turned 13, Judy placed her parents on the same plain as Alexander Hamilton. By 17, the parents ranked more impressive than God.

In the background, Judy heard some corgi paw-steps moving. Was this someone at the door, or were the dogs going to jump into another pile of leaves? She didn't know.
Academy Civilian Instructor


"I promised, but I never promised to keep the promise" - Levi Eshkol

Offline Ozu Saya

  • Chief Engine-Ears
  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Honoured Member
  • **
  • Posts: 2401
  • Ozu Saya
  • Awarded in January and July to the player who writes the most engaging posts. Awarded to players who demonstrate consistent high quality posting skills. Awarded to the player who has greatly improved since the last awards ceremony. Awarded to players who go above and beyond what is asked of them. Awarded to Players who have been with the Fleet for one year.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #27 on: December 07, 2018, 11:11:36 am »
[Judy's Parents' House]

Umm, Saya hedged. I might not have gotten into the same kinds of trouble, but I wasn't an easy child by any means.

I can't imagine you causing your parents any trouble, Kyo said with a grin. I got into more than just a few fights as a kid and adolescent when others teased me about my height. I rarely won because I didn't know how to fight, but it didn't stop me from trying. And, he added. You were an adorable baby. Pretty cute now, too, Kyo said with teasing seriousness. Saya was hard to compliment, so he sneaked them in when he could.

Saya ducked her head and flushed.

Vulcan-Bajoran Hybrid; 5'2"
Domen Kyo: Bajoran; 6'6"
George Hugo: Human; 6'6"
Eviess Aihai Annhw: Romulan-Human Hybrid; 5'

Offline Judith Eastman

  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Loyal Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6462
  • Literally Heartless
  • Awarded to the player whom the CO feels is worthy of recognition. Awarded to those who demonstrate an ability to convey the action of combat. Awarded in January and July to the two players who are the best team. Awarded in January and July to the player with the most humorous posts. Awarded to the winner of the bi-annual crew choice poll.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #28 on: December 07, 2018, 05:23:50 pm »
[Judy's Parents' House]

"We might as well pre-emptively fight, then," Judy teased. "My sons are almost as tall as you are, so I know all the phrases tall people hate. And since they passed me in height 5 years ago, I've used every single one."

As she made her way to see what the corgis were excited about, Judy demonstrated.
"With your height, could you see Deep Space 9 from your backyard?"

As the words escaped her mouth, and she stepped out into the living room, Judy understood what the dogs were excited about.
"Bridge! Tunnel! No! Sit!" she ordered. "It's not your lunch!"

"Yes it is, Judy. I know all your tricks," Diane teased her daughter from across the room. She still remembered how, 40-odd years ago, the family dog had most of Judy's vegetable portions in most meals.
Academy Civilian Instructor


"I promised, but I never promised to keep the promise" - Levi Eshkol

Offline Ozu Saya

  • Chief Engine-Ears
  • Shadow Fleet Reserves
  • Honoured Member
  • **
  • Posts: 2401
  • Ozu Saya
  • Awarded in January and July to the player who writes the most engaging posts. Awarded to players who demonstrate consistent high quality posting skills. Awarded to the player who has greatly improved since the last awards ceremony. Awarded to players who go above and beyond what is asked of them. Awarded to Players who have been with the Fleet for one year.
    • View Profile
    • Awards
Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)
« Reply #29 on: December 07, 2018, 10:12:57 pm »
[Judy's Parents' House]

Judy's teasing drew a loud guffaw from Kyo and even coaxed a small giggle out of Saya. That was a good one! Kyo called after Judy as she left the room.

When Saya heard a voice other than Judy's, she closed the folder of pictures and disconnected the storage cell. She wasn't ready to let people she didn't know that far into her personal life.

Kyo stood and stepped close, offering the gentle touch he hadn't earlier, just brushing a hand against hers. Saya bumped against his side and put an arm around his waist, welcoming the contact, and led the way back into the living room to meet Judy's mother. Kyo rested his own arm lightly around Saya's shoulders.

Vulcan-Bajoran Hybrid; 5'2"
Domen Kyo: Bajoran; 6'6"
George Hugo: Human; 6'6"
Eviess Aihai Annhw: Romulan-Human Hybrid; 5'

 

RPG-D Sci-Fi Avatars RPG Initiative RPGfix RPG Initiative Fodlan Chronicles