01-09-2026, 04:29 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-09-2026, 04:34 PM by Hallowette Maxas-Darl.)
Light years and the time in between had done little to settle the feelings that had been roiling in Hallowette's pagh since the end of the mission.
There had been ups and downs, victories and set backs, but in the end - the way things had ultimately concluded - she felt hollow. Not in the performance of her peers, or the decisions of the command staff, or even in how she had conducted herself on her first honest to Prophets mission... Just in how ultimately they hadn't saved anyone. Hadn't provided anyone any succor or shelter. Just an impossible decision that was always going to end the way it did, no matter if they had been there or not.
Hally had spent some time in the United Kingdom during her five years at the Academy, and she had always enjoyed it. England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland all. They were all much alike, but also distinctly different, and her linguistic ear had very much enjoyed listening to the different languages here. Most didn't use the UT on Earth (why would they) and in the last century or so, there was a resurgence movement to bring back languages that had almost been lost, so from the widely spoken English, to Cymraeg, Cornish, Gaelic and Gaeilge - all natives among the isles here, to even languages that originated outside the isles such as Punjabi, Romanian and even Vulcan and Bolian - this confederation of countries was a wellspring for someone who loved spoken words like she did.
She had decided not to attend the get together here once leave was granted, and had intended to visit Cardassia to see her Father and his family, but at the last minute all travel into the system was suspended due to some internal issue, and she had nowhere to go. She had a friend on Bajor that had invited her to visit, but Aeryn had been adamant that she needed to spend time with the crew - that they all had experienced the same trauma, and while Aeryn hadn't said it exactly like this, Hally realized as part of Artemis - a bridge officer now - she had a duty to them - and herself to try giving healing together a try.
So it was that she had spent the last couple of days here among the tranquil peace of the Lake district. She had been impressed by how much it reminded her of her youth on Trill. She'd wandered the countryside, camped the night before last by herself, stargazed and wrote to her Dad. The time alone in this place had been cathartic, and this morning she had woken feeling more herself - more complete than she had in weeks. She had gone into the local village, gotten a shower and even a bit of a makeover. Red curls cut short, her nails done and even a massage. She had even treated herself to a new sundress, a fashion choice she had very rarely made, almost always wearing something more functional - but for whatever reason it spoke to her.
The new her. The one that had survived her first Star Fleet mission, the one who had flown a vast Starship into battle, that had put her training to the test and lived to tell the tale - but more importantly - hadn't failed the people she had come to care about and call friends.
The light blue of the sundress swayed about her as she strolled up the hill towards the gazebo plaza, and she smoothed the linen fabric absently as she went. Her lanky form barely filled the thing, her long legs ending in barefeet, though she carried light off-white sandals in her off hand. The wind blew warmly here, her new shorn hair tussling in gentle currents of the air, and as she crested the top she saw the gathering of people in the distance. For a moment, a spike of anxiety pooled under her pouch, but it quickly faded as she realized EVERYONE HERE IS A FRIEND. Even Pearson, the security officer with the mouth and high opinion of himself was off milling about, playing futbol with some local children and stealing glances at Ardanna.
She suddenly felt a wave of something she hadn't expected. Joy.
She had missed these people. Missed them more than she realized she both would and could. She began to make her way over, the smile on her face uncontained, and the faint awkwardness fading as she grew closer.
"Hi guys." she said happily as she was within ear shot, her UT turned off in the style of the locals, her own light accent having a slightly lyrical quality where each syllable seemed to flow seamlessly into the next, all delivered with an airy, raspy finish. "It's good to see you." The smile turned to a grin as she gave a wave, and then noticed a familiar grumble in her stomach. "Something smells amazing!"
==tags== (I know it's long, I just started and the muse took over. It's good to be back)
There had been ups and downs, victories and set backs, but in the end - the way things had ultimately concluded - she felt hollow. Not in the performance of her peers, or the decisions of the command staff, or even in how she had conducted herself on her first honest to Prophets mission... Just in how ultimately they hadn't saved anyone. Hadn't provided anyone any succor or shelter. Just an impossible decision that was always going to end the way it did, no matter if they had been there or not.
Hally had spent some time in the United Kingdom during her five years at the Academy, and she had always enjoyed it. England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland all. They were all much alike, but also distinctly different, and her linguistic ear had very much enjoyed listening to the different languages here. Most didn't use the UT on Earth (why would they) and in the last century or so, there was a resurgence movement to bring back languages that had almost been lost, so from the widely spoken English, to Cymraeg, Cornish, Gaelic and Gaeilge - all natives among the isles here, to even languages that originated outside the isles such as Punjabi, Romanian and even Vulcan and Bolian - this confederation of countries was a wellspring for someone who loved spoken words like she did.
She had decided not to attend the get together here once leave was granted, and had intended to visit Cardassia to see her Father and his family, but at the last minute all travel into the system was suspended due to some internal issue, and she had nowhere to go. She had a friend on Bajor that had invited her to visit, but Aeryn had been adamant that she needed to spend time with the crew - that they all had experienced the same trauma, and while Aeryn hadn't said it exactly like this, Hally realized as part of Artemis - a bridge officer now - she had a duty to them - and herself to try giving healing together a try.
So it was that she had spent the last couple of days here among the tranquil peace of the Lake district. She had been impressed by how much it reminded her of her youth on Trill. She'd wandered the countryside, camped the night before last by herself, stargazed and wrote to her Dad. The time alone in this place had been cathartic, and this morning she had woken feeling more herself - more complete than she had in weeks. She had gone into the local village, gotten a shower and even a bit of a makeover. Red curls cut short, her nails done and even a massage. She had even treated herself to a new sundress, a fashion choice she had very rarely made, almost always wearing something more functional - but for whatever reason it spoke to her.
The new her. The one that had survived her first Star Fleet mission, the one who had flown a vast Starship into battle, that had put her training to the test and lived to tell the tale - but more importantly - hadn't failed the people she had come to care about and call friends.
The light blue of the sundress swayed about her as she strolled up the hill towards the gazebo plaza, and she smoothed the linen fabric absently as she went. Her lanky form barely filled the thing, her long legs ending in barefeet, though she carried light off-white sandals in her off hand. The wind blew warmly here, her new shorn hair tussling in gentle currents of the air, and as she crested the top she saw the gathering of people in the distance. For a moment, a spike of anxiety pooled under her pouch, but it quickly faded as she realized EVERYONE HERE IS A FRIEND. Even Pearson, the security officer with the mouth and high opinion of himself was off milling about, playing futbol with some local children and stealing glances at Ardanna.
She suddenly felt a wave of something she hadn't expected. Joy.
She had missed these people. Missed them more than she realized she both would and could. She began to make her way over, the smile on her face uncontained, and the faint awkwardness fading as she grew closer.
"Hi guys." she said happily as she was within ear shot, her UT turned off in the style of the locals, her own light accent having a slightly lyrical quality where each syllable seemed to flow seamlessly into the next, all delivered with an airy, raspy finish. "It's good to see you." The smile turned to a grin as she gave a wave, and then noticed a familiar grumble in her stomach. "Something smells amazing!"
==tags== (I know it's long, I just started and the muse took over. It's good to be back)