Family Business.

~James gazed at the virtual representation of the Obelisk class freighter displayed before him. ~


~A frail Ni Kunni elder stands restlessly by his side as he inspects the specifics of the design.~


Hygelic Adal > “Is she not everything I promised?”


~James nods in the affirmative.~


James Syagrius> “It appears to be.”


~The Ni Kunni takes on a mild expression of shock and offence.~


Hygelic Adal> “It! She, is not an it, you dim witted barbarian! It wounds me that you would doubt she is anything less than what you requested.”


~James leans back from the display, giving the Ni Kunni a slight smile. ~


James Syagrius> “If I find out she is refurbished, I will have Remie slit your venerable throat.”


~The Ni Kunni gives a slight smile, and then nods. ~


Hygelic Adal > “What will you name her?”


~James speaks without a pause to think.~


James Syagrius> “Miser's Fancy”.


~The Ni Kunni frowns, shaking his head. ~


Hygelic Adal > “A silly name for such a finely crafted ship.”


~The Ni Kunni waves his hands in the air as if dismissing something.~


Hygelic Adal > “But enough business!  How is my daughter?”


~James stands.  Walks to a small table and pours golden fluid into a glass. ~


James Syagrius> “My wife is fine thank you and she has invited you to supper.


~The Ni Kunni beams with perhaps genuine delight.~

“Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall”

~The near ballistic arch of measured steps carried him swiftly to his desk. ~


~No thought was given to the gray sea, shrouded by a troubled sky, seen beyond the shimmering wall that usually moderated his pace.  Today they were perfect complements to his mood.~


~James sat at his desk both simple and opulent.  An omnipresent display snapped into existence, hovering translucent above the desk. ~

“Display channel log ADVOP YC113.09.”

~James leans forward in his chair inspecting the data. ~

“Play data start timestamp 05:17:05, audio only please.”

Why do I say please to this computer?

“Dasun > I didn't say he changed, at all.”

“Dasun > Anyways, I have been active for too long today and some rest would likely be a good idea.”

“Syagrius > You always do that.”

“Syagrius > Avoid the situation."

“Dasun > You're not free from that fault yourself, James.”

“Syagrius > Really?”

“Dasun > I believe you chose not to get into something earlier, but you seem to always be able to get into a conversation about Kyber and the Nation. But as I said I am going inactive now, fly safe.”

“Robspierre > um, whhat was that all about?”

“End playback”

~James leans back in his chair, his hands joined fingertips to fingertips.~


~He slowly swivels the chair to face the shimmering wall, and the growing tempest beyond.~

All That Remains.

She walks quietly by the door of his study.

He is listening to it again. 

How many times had he followed this mournful ritual?

Was it something he did only when the remembrances of home coerced him, she didn’t know?

She supposed it didn’t matter; his reaction was always the same.

 ~A calm female voice~

“Video Transmission Date: YC110.6.3”
“From: Robert Syagrius."
“Do you wish to replay this message?”

 ~A quiet older male voice~

“Yes.”

~A young eager male voice~

“Hey dad, got your message.”
“There is really nothing for you and mom to be worried about.”
“The riots here are not as bad as the news makes them out to be.”

 ~The young voice laughs~

“Caldari are a hot blooded people that’s for sure.”

“But Sgt says tempers over Malkalen and all.”
“It’s our own hot heads we need to worry about.”
“We are being reassigned from Tovil District in the morning.”
“I can’t wait to see you two, mom is cooking right?”
“Anyways please ask her to cook!”
“I gotta go.”
"I will see you next week."
“I love you dad.”

~A calm female voice~

“End of transmission.”
“Video Transmission Date: YC110.6.3”
“From: Robert Syagrius."
“Do you wish to save this message?”

~A quiet older male voice~
“Yes.”

 ~A calm female voice~

"Video Transmission Saved."

“Video Transmission Date: YC110.6.3”

“From: Robert Syagrius."
“Do you wish to replay this message?”

 ~A quiet older male voice~

“Yes.”

 ~A young eager male voice~

“Hey dad, got your message.”

Mourning Muse.

It was early yet and the household was still.

The gentle patter of sleet upon the window had awoken her.

Lellah, the daughter of Hygelic watched her sleeping husband.

She remembered her father’s time worn lament, “How fickle fate was with the lives of men.” She understood now.

His visits home had grown far too infrequent.

Even his body wasn’t the same.

Oh he was conscientious enough to keep the clone age appropriate, but still not the same.

When you have been lovers for as long as they had, you know your partner’s body like a familiar landscape. A scar from a mishap climbing for Uellarion blossoms, a burn from a campfire ember, a mark of passion, gone.

But still, he was here now.

~She sighs softly, reaching out to touch his exposed leg.~ "I am your helpmeet, your respite; I will keep this empty house, I will not shun my oath."