A quiet beach and the surf....<Open Tag>

[Jacob Marconi]

He was pleased and decided he would spend it getting in some time on that beach on their holodeck. He is three hours of time reserved and intended to use it. He tried to recall the last time he took any time for leisure and couldn’t recall it. He sighed and decided to take a shower and get some beach appropriate clothing and just relax.

As he made his way back to quarters he summoned Jallia and Annika and gave express instructions he was not to be disturbed unless the station was under full scale attack or they were being sucked into a one of the multiple black holes they sat in the gravitationally stable area of having disappeared. He hit his shower up and took his time getting to the holodeck. He had brought a cooler full of ice. A glass. No less than two bottles of rum, Dark and Light rum, and more than enough mixers for him to spend his three hours of time soaking up some artificial sun on an empty beach listening to the surf and letting the artificial breeze blow across his tired body.

[Setsuna Meioh]

Setsuna took in a deep breath as she noticed the holodeck reserved. She rubbed her temples as she wondered what he wanted in there for three hours. The program was different from his usual. If she was truthful, it gave her pause while her curiosity was sparked.

She called Annika to her side as she questioned more on the nature of the program. While the AI accepted her commands, she found that Annika was rather uncomfortable as she stated the captain was not suppose to be disturbed. It seemed as fate allowed her to drop in on his alone time. Gods knew he had done it often to her. She liked the idea of being on a beach for a little while. The battle had taken a lot out of her.

She went to her quarters as she changed into something less formal as she grabbed a book on old legends. It was tucked under her arm as she went to crash the solitude of the captain. It would not be as if a conversation would develop between them. There was research she wanted to do as something sparked when she was fighting. She didn't bat an eye as she noticed him with a cooler full of drinks. She sat down at least a meter or so. She cracked open the book, hoping to confirm what her gut was telling.

[Jacob Marconi]

The beach was nice and not having any type of real responsibility for the next three days would do them all a world of good. He had set up the beach chair and umbrella like his mother used to do and was now more than happy to let the trinary suns work their magic on his tired body. He had always enjoyed this system and had hoped to take someone there one day. He stopped as he pushed those thoughts away. He Jacob settled into the beach chair and sighed. He was glad he had reserved this time several month ago. It was after all a good time to use it. He had planned on using it whether they had went on the mission or not. He needed a break and this was that break.

He didn’t even comment when the doors slid open to admit Setsuna. There was plenty of space and she deserved a break as much as anyone else after the battle. He would just let the time tick down and then return to normal duties. She had a book which was a good choice for the beach. He felt himself smile as he thought about how he had seen families the last time he visited the vacation spot this program was modeled after.

He took out a bottle of water and drank some before he put it on top of the cooler. He wasn’t going to begrudge Setsuna any time here. It was meant to be enjoyed. He wouldn’t have even chased off the others if they showed up.

“You want something to drink? There is water, soda, and a few adult beverages for when the sun gets low.”

He was feeling like he wanted to take a swim. He stood up and took off his shirt started walk toward the water.

[Setsuna Meioh]

Setsuna paged through the ancient book. She took in a deep breath as something about their enemy ate away at her. She paused at a certain story. The drawing was of strange being covered in gears on a humanoid body. Her eyes closed as the memory of her father reading it to her and sister flooded her mind.

Out of the corner of her mind, she saw a figure just to the right of her. A sigh escaped her lips as her sister appeared next to her. It was hardly surprising since they were close to her domain. The mission was rough around the edges as she allowed the children to escape. Her fight was lengthy however she came out on top. What should have been a cake walk, seemed to take its toll on her. The beach was a nice to read and remember.

"You don't always have to lurk in the shadows. The question is, what do you want here?" She talked underneath her breath.

"I wanted to give you fair warning, the time is soon for the gathering."

Setsuna was about to respond when the captain offered her a drink. Her sister had disappear as well as moved her closer. She sighed as she tucked a loose strand. She blinked a few times as she pushed those words to the back of her mind. Her face was neutral as she grabbed for a water.

"Handy that you thought ahead. I am guessing that you are staying here for awhile. Enjoy your swim."

[Jacob Marconi]

Jacob shrugged at her as she complimented his thinking ahead. He had planned on spending three hours here. He would have done it in his chair, swimming, and lounging after a swim. He wasn’t going to begrudge her being here and reading. He threw his shirt on his chair and jogged toward the water. He was happy to be doing this and having this time. The troops were up to nothing g destructive so he could have a small reprieve from his duties. He really didn’t believe he would ever find rest until he died. The water, for simulated water, felt great. It seemed to sooth his aches and wash away the weariness from his body. He swam for about twenty to thirty minutes swimming out a ways and coming back. This type of physical exertion was nice. He looked back and noticed she was reading and he had a flash of a quiet life with a woman. She certainly wouldn’t agree but another woman may have once. He pushed it aside as he eased up out of the water and walked back over to his chair.

“Must be a good book. Anyways how do you Tellis V? I used to visit here after missions. It was nice to relax.”

He grabbed the towel off his chair and patted himself dry and sat back down in his chair after retrieving a bottle of water.

[Setsuna Meioh]

Setsuna's eyes read the story over and over again before flipping to another. She read until the words blurred together as beads of sweat dripped down her back. She arched her back as she stood up from her position. She was wiped her brow as the words from her sister and the stories in the book spelled trouble for them all. She would double check against the timeline, however her instinct was correct than Death Phantom was not their only problem.

She glanced out as the captain walked back to the chair. A quick swim would help cool off her darker skin. Her shoulders shrugged as he asked a question. An interesting thought passed through her mind as she wondered if he was trying small talk. It would truly be the first time. Though in time, she had a feeling they would be at each other's throats.

"Legends are interesting, more following my gut with a bit of research. As for Tellis V, I have never been. I didn't leave the system, never had the chance. I see why you enjoy it here. What was it like when you were there?"

She took off her over-shirt as a cool breeze danced along her skin. She stretched a little more as she walked towards the edge of the water. The liquid felt nice on her toes, yet stayed where she was.

[Jacob Marconi]

He could agree that legends did give you a peek at the past and when deciphered you could make sense of what the writer was trying to describe. He was about to ask but decided not to pursue that line of inquiry. She asked about Tellis V and what it was like when he visited.

“It had more people. Families on vacation. Younger people looking for a vacation fling. Newlyweds. Just a bunch of different people of all races looking for some relaxation or fun. I went because I like the beach. The only place most people let their guard down.”

When she put her book down and removed her shirt he figured the conversation was over and left it at that. He picked up his water and took a drink as she stopped just at the waters edge. He wondered what was wrong? Had he not programmed the water temperature right. He took a seat and watched her. She was beautiful in a way most women would envy. She had an ageless quality to her. The best aspect was her personality and her tenacity. He let his head rest on the back of his chair. He called out to her.

“You know that the see on Tellis V has a super volcano that keeps it at a constant temperature year round. It allows all manner of fish and sea creatures. They even say that nearer the volcano some ancient creatures still survive as the planet is four or five billion years old.”

[Setsuna Meioh]

She nodded her head as he spoke about the beach and the people there. She would often look upon various people through out the ages acting exactly as he had described. It was curious to watch people do almost nothing while laying out in the sun and splashing in the water.

She took a step deeper into the water as she understood what he found appealing. She snorted at the thought of the captain relaxing. It was an odd thought for how often he was a stick in the mud, for a lack of a better term. It was not to say, she was just as unyielding. There was a time in which she was not as serious. Alas, those times are no more as she became stiff and emotionless since the fall of her home.

She turned towards him as he mentioned a little more about the planet. It was interesting that the captain knew so much about one place. She placed her hand on her hip as she chuckled.

"It would not surprise me that such creatures exist. There were a few of those on Earth as well. They lived deep beneath the surface waves. I understand why you were so fond of the place. Maybe you will be able to visit once again after peace comes."

[Jacob Marconi]

He watched her as she waded into the water. He wasn’t staring or leering just kept a casual eye on her. He was always keeping an eye on people and understood she was very capable in various situations. He just didn’t want her to nearly drown on a holographic beach while he sat idly on a beach chair. When she spoke of there being similar creatures on Earth he smiled at the info and sat up a bit. He wouldn’t have minded seeing those creatures.

“It was a wonderful place to visit and get your head right. I usually did so after several missions. It was a good place.”

When she said that he may be able to visit again he sat back and shook his head. He still retained the Tabulan Death Fortune Scroll in his office. It spoke of the events that would lead to his death. It seemed that what he had done for a comrade and out of respect and mutual acceptance of their cultural beliefs was coming true.

“I may but right now this will have to suffice. Life usually has a way of putting us where we need to be and have us doing what we need to do. What we are meant to be doing is enjoying this beach.”

He knew that he may not be the best person but soon enough he may have to make a choice and it wouldn’t be today. His only choices were going to be water, soda, and booze with some snacks mixed in.

“Hey when your done in the water I have some snacks in the cooler as well. Please help yourself.”

[Setsuna Meioh]

Setsuna snorted which sounded almost like a laugh of sorts. It was unusual to have the man show a philosophical side. She kicked the water as it swirled away from her. "I see you have a way with words, once again. I can understand the need to unwind after such a mission. I am just pleased that no one was seriously hurt in the end."

She let her train of thought stop there. She knew that their enemy would not rest, neither should they. It was something she was not going to push at the moment. The children needed to be children. No one should have to witness death of their family in such a cruel way. Even though she was the last bit of their past, she knew they needed to be pushed forward. The time would come when she faded from their memory which is why her nickname of the Ice Bitch helped.

She sighed as she exited the water, letting the sand coat her feet. Thoughts of the future were pushed from her mind. Fleetingly, she wondered if he would remember or even care that she didn't exist any more. She moved her spot a little closer as she drank some of her water. She pulled out some nuts and cheese.

"Thank you." The meaning of those two words were left hanging in the air. She sighed as her eyes drifted out into the artificial horizon.

[Jacob Marconi]

“You’re welcome. It’s nice to share this with someone. I used to think that having this was a treat and treasure. I know that sharing it adds some joy to another’s day.”

He drank his water as the quiet lapping of waves on the shore helped pull more tension from his body. He wondered if she was the right person to tell this. The dream was strange. It had six people in it. A woman made a choice. The choice was the right one but it also caused sadness to be brought to people. He found that the choice also gave him a renewed purpose but the overall feeling was he wouldn’t like the dream’s outcome and the pain it caused others. Setsuna would see for the first time the internal struggle he was having with something. She was used to the same stone face and clipped words with the intent to push her away. He decided to ask her and see if she was receptive to hearing about it. There was more but he didn’t want go over unless she was willing to hear about it.

“I’ve got a question for you. It actually me seeking your opinion on something. It’s kind of personal and you being the only other person I consider my peer I was wondering if I could tell you about this dream I’ve been having lately?”

He waited to see how she would answer and react overall. It was the first time he had been open with her. While he waited he drank his water and placed the empty bottle in a trash bag he had brought. He dug in the cooler and pulled out one of his supplements.

[Setsuna Meioh]

Setauna let her eyes glance out the corner of her eye at him with the response. She felt a change in the air between them, unsure how she felt about it. A deep feeling of care and wanting threaten to burst from the depths of her frozen heart. She pushed her bangs out of her eyes as those feelings were locked back up. There was little room for such nonsense. Her sister would be proud as she returned to her normal state of being.

"I am pleased that my crashing your personal time has not been overly obtrusive. It has been nice to have time to reflect in a peaceful environment."

Her eyes scanned across the horizon as her breathing was even. She sipped her water as her vision blurred out. A maroon aura faintly glowed around her as the image of the gate faded in and out. Images flashed across her field of vision. The eyelids slowly narrowed as she started to hone in on a few. The time was coming in which The Gathering would start. A shadow figure came into more focus as her torso leaned closer.

The deep voice broke through the entire meditative as the aura, images, and door vanished. She leaned back as she rubbed her eyes. She would have to remember this room for the future. She glanced over at him with as she let out a deep sigh.

"We are peers, so to speak. I will hopefully be able to provide some insight into this dream of yours. What details do you recall?"

[Jacob Marconi]

He waited and felt a slight shift but didn’t see any of the things that Setsuna would be seeing. Once she gave him her attention he took a moment to go over the details of the dream. This was the hardest for him. He had only shared his thoughts with one other and they had been close friends. They weren’t lovers but really close friends. He had the honor of bringing her home and getting a place within the family. Once he ad the details clear on his mind he looked at her his hard features softening and taking on an age that was there but usually masked by a commanders face.

“It’s a strange one. There are six people around me. Three adults and maybe three teens or two teens and one kid. They are watching me. One of them points to me. I believe it’s an adult female. After she points an adult male extends a singular gauntlet to me as an offer. As I reach for the gauntlet the other adult female of the gathering steps forward to stop me but is stalled by the first female. As I’m about to take the gauntlet I wake up hearing whispers in Tabulan.”

He felt that last part was important because as Tabulan history related it their language was spoken by the rulers of the dead. The Shepherdess taught all her children death rites and her language to better prepare them for her guiding hand in death.

“The whisper equate to, as my Tabulan is rusty, he has made his choice. The mantle will be assumed. Something else about a gathering or collection. I’m not sure.”

[Setsuna Meioh]

Setsuna kept her face still as she listened to his dream. The details were sharp as she listened to him. It surprised her as most forgot all that transpired. There was a pause before she replied. Her finger drew a symbol in the sand as she looked up at him. It was an old symbol as she wondered if it seemed familiar to him.

"Tabulan is a culture which death is celebrated, correct? I tend to mix the various cultures from around the universe." She paused as she looked at the sand, "Does this means anything to you?"

[Jacob Marconi]

Jacob had brought a book. He had decided to brush up on his Tabulan and review some rites that he hadn’t done for a while. He had been lacking in tending the shrine to his honored dead. That one meant rest then as the second part meant curse or task depending on how you decided to interpret it. When joined with it meant unending or forever. He nodded and was glad a symbol which resembled but wasn’t her symbol joined it it meant unending life task or curse. He could deal with those.

“Yes. Those sewn together mean unending or forever task or curse. The first part means rest. When taken as they are drawn gives a lot of context to their meaning. I learned that many years ago on holiday on Tabula. They find death comforting and well most of them don’t fear it because of the Shepherdess. She only comes for the good and honored dead.”

That lacking her symbol but also lacking The Hood’s symbol would mean you were even below his notice so your soul gets to wander.

“How did you know to draw the symbol for wandering soul? That’s the exact symbol which means exactly as I just said. Unending task or forever task. I guess that is ok.”

He could live with being a wandering soul. It just meant a lot of things and the loneliness of it. The eternal wandering. It was sometimes exactly what you received for not being able to do the one thing your best friend asked you to do. Discourage his little sister from following in his footsteps. His one failure as a leader. He couldn’t squash a persons dreams. He wasn’t hated by his best friend. He said that I was exactly what she needed and she was doing what she wanted to do and it cost them the experience of her tales. It also cost them Jacob. They knew the look in his eyes after the month long Funery Rite. They priest said he bore the mark of Slovak. The touch were not meant to leave Tabula. The council of villages conversed about a whether he should be permitted to leave. It was Delias’ brother Renenko who spoke up. He said that the mark could have been from the conflict I had been in. He too bore scars that could resemble a few of their symbols as well. He also said he is not of Tabula and why would The Shepherdess or The Hood mark him. They countered with he believed and had been attending rituals and rites with them for the last ten years. He had also been tutored by Delias. He believed and could be marked. Renenko shook his head and said ask him what he wants, they did ask and Jacob said he would acquiesce to their wishes.