2023-10-09: How It Should Be
- Log: How It Should Be
- Cast: Maya Jintek, Emalya Zamana
- Where: Gallia IV
- OOC - IC Date: 0097 10 09
- Summary: A scouting trip on Gallia IV presents an excellent time to talk, too.
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
Maya had scored the jackpot. OK, well, maybe it wasn't part of her official duties as an engineer and pilot,
but getting to go on a 'survey' of an alien world, and what's more, being one of the first people to actually do so was
just incredible. It might not be as official and directed as some of the other expedition members, but at least
according to others in Nergal this sort of thing was important - important enough that in the corporate newsletter they
were actively encouraging this of the crew and had a few suggested times if people wanted to do this together. Besides,
recreational photos had a habit of sometimes becoming important cultural relics! That... was kinda embarrassing now she
thought about it, admittedly.
Instead of her phone this time, she'd obtained a proper camera that would be able to take much higher quality
images, along with a few other odds and ends like a tripod and a lunchbox. She was going to be out there for a while,
after all! The base camp on the planet was still very busy as people set up things like shelters and other prefab
buildings for research, security, and even recreation. Before setting off, though, she made sure to go to one of those
meetup points in case there were any others going exploring. While there weren't any listed dangers asides from the huge
Macross wreckage, this was still an alien planet, and there was safety amongst others. It'd also make for a more fun
journey!
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
Emalya Zamana, on the other hand, doesn't have an especially important mission at the moment; she was first getting some rest, since she was one of those crew who stayed mostly awake during the Jump. After that, taking notes and logistics, falling naturally into her old secretarial role...
But when she heard that there was exploration to be done, she was excited, and here and now--
"Miss Jintek!" Emalya says cheerfully, noticing her at the meetup point. "I see that you have your camera--are you going out exploring?"
Emalya is a tall woman, faintly blue-green, obviously a full-blooded Meltrandi. She is in security clothes, complete with a weapon at her hip, but isn't dour at all.
"Please, allow me to accompany you! I will protect you from any dangers that crop up, and I think I am fairly good company! Ha ha ha!"
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
The woman looked up at hearing her name to see one of the Meltrandi aboard the ship calling out to her. She still wasn't the best with the names of everyone aboard the ship, but this was one person she did recognise. "Oh, Ms Zamana, yes!" Maya responded, delighted to have the pleasure of her company. Everyone else seemed to have a good impression of her, and she cut a striking figure with her blue hair and tinted skin. Being half Meltrandi herself, they shared the distinctive pointed ears. "I'd love to have you along! The more the merrier, right?" She was certain she'd be safe in her hands.
"I figure we just head out in a direction and see where that takes us. On the plus side, since the planet's tidally locked, as long as we keep the sun to one side we shouldn't have too many problems with navigation." With these kinds of planets people could only reasonably reside on the narrow band between the light and dark side, so the star was always on the horizon, giving Gallia IV a kind of eternal dawn or twilight. "One thing I do want to try and find is a hill with lots of flowers on it. I get the impression that the Captain would find that terribly romantic, and it'll be something nice for her to see when she feels better. Is there anything you're hoping to see?" Maya asked as she hefted the tripod, ready to head out into the wilds beyond the camp.
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
"Wonderful!" Emalya beams as they establish their plan. She hasn't gotten to meet most people on the expedition yet, since they were largely asleep while she was awake, but Maya she remembers wanting to get to know a little better.
"This is true," the older woman thinks about navigation. "Ah, so you are thinking of Captain Misumaru! I think that would be lovely. But what I wish to see..."
"I am hoping to see a bit of water, I think. But I will enjoy whatever we find I am sure. It is nice to have a new planet to explore!"
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
"Water, huh? That would be something... I'm not sure if you saw pictures of the planet, but while there aren't any oceans, it did look like there were a lot of small lakes." Maya remembered looking at the planet and thinking it looked almost pockmarked with lakes. "Maybe they even have fish in them!" She might not be a xenobiologis, but the idea of discovering new alien lifeforms sounded incredible. Although it'd probably end up being bugs, wouldn't it? Those seemed highly likely.
As they walked, occasionally taking some photos of whatever random thing caught their eye, Maya decided to strike up a conversation with the Meltrandi. "So, Emalya... is it OK to call you that? Have you been to many alien worlds? Is it different looking at them now versus back then?" She wasn't sure how old the other woman was, but she knew enough to know that she wasn't born on Earth, meaning she'd been in the invasion fleet. What was it like to have had one perspective of the universe replaced entirely with another?
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
"I did! I know it is something of a tall order," she says of the water features. "But that would be nice. I do enjoy fish. For looking at as well as for eating! My son keeps fish."
Emalya is fond of exploration; she got to do it on Earth, and now--
"Yes, you may call me Emalya. May I call you Maya?" Then, she considers the question. "Not many; I was brought into being not long before the war with Earth, so I did not participate in many other campaigns... though I would not have been in a position to appreciate them if I had. No, I did go to one other planet, with the Macross fleets, before they were recalled to the Earth Sphere. It was very beautiful, though much wilder than Earth."
"...it is very different from how I first saw Earth; I am looking not for enemies or useful structures for battle, but simply beauty and interest. The difference is... I believe they say it is 'as noon and day.'" Pause. "No, that is not it..." She frowns thoughtfully.
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
"Yes, Maya's absolutely fine." She said, enjoying the ambience of the twilight and wind as she listened to the
woman talk. It was something that she'd noticed she'd made a habit of - talking to Zentradi and Meltrandi about the
before and after. While she had vague memories of her dad, and stories about him from her mum, his loss made her
inclined to try and learn about him via proxies like this. Although rooted in tragedy, nowadays it was because she was
genuinely interested in the Meltrandi side of herself. Or Zentradi, depending on how you saw it.
Maya giggled a bit at the fumble. "I think you're looking for 'night and day' there. I can't imagine what it's
like to go through such a shift. From a life of soldiering, to motherhood and enjoying things for the sake o- whoa!"
Maya trod on what she thought was solid ground, but her foot just went straight down through it into a small hole.
"Owwww... I'm OK, but ouch." Maya groaned a bit as she pulled her foot out. "Huh... it looks like there's more of these
holes here." Now that she knew what she was looking for, it seemed like there was a thin layer of leaves in conspicuous
locations on the forest floor. 'I wonder what those are...'
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
"Maya, then." It is a pleasant day out; Emalya is glad to have the feeling of the wind on her face, after the trip. She's grown used to living planetside, or at least, on colonies that simulate it well when not.
"Night and day! Yes, that is it." She smiles. "It--" She is immediately in action, moving to catch Maya unless stopped, before she can jar herself too hard. "...Holes," Emalya wonders. "...Odd. The leaf cover is not consistent..."
She frowns, thoughtfully. "...I had been going to say that I did not come to motherhood immediately, of course. I enjoyed simply living life for a while. But I became eager to try human 'family' for myself."
She pauses, then, since that's enough time for Maya to have settled herself. "Are you all right?"
She kneels down to pick up a fallen branch. "We can use this to check ahead of us for further weak points."
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
"Thanks for the catch." If Emalya hadn't been there, she might have twisted her ankle or fallen to her knees, or maybe even onto her face. Or fallen onto the camera. THAT would have been bad. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just..." Maya checked on her foot to confirm, "...Yeah, just a little sore. And surprised. No scratches or anything." Come to think of it, hopefully there wasn't some sort of strange alien bacteria that could cause infections here, like some of those old sci-fi TV shows seemed convinced were everywhere. That was one discovery she could go without.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." She said, referring to the stick, before she took some photos of the holes, both of the area and of the hole she'd stepped in. "Maybe some sort of creature made them?" They weren't large in width, but it looked like they had some depth. Still, they weren't so dense that they couldn't navigate through them. "My mum said to wait until I was at least 30 to have kids. Not that I even know if I want them or not. How is your family, anyway? You said your son has an aquarium?" Maya asked as she stepped carefully through the field of holes, not noticing a rustle in the leaves of one of the hidden holes.
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
"Of course! I said that I would look after you." Any of those would've been bad. As would strange alien bacteria... "Yes, I am also surprised. Holes in the ground are to be expected if there is fauna, but leaf cover in this pattern is strange."
She waits for the photos, and then uses the stick to prod ahead for further patterns. "Yes, perhaps..."
"That is a good advice! I was thirteen," she says. "But I was the human equivalent of thirty, I think, given that I had been an adult for all of those thirteen years. It is fine to not have them, but I found the experience very rewarding. But of course, you want to give yourself time to enjoy your life with your partner first if you have one! Or more, I suppose. Whatever is your jelly."
A pause. "My children are well. They are back on the Fleets. My son has an aquarium, indeed! And a wife. My other children have not yet married, but are living good lives. ...My husband passed some years ago." She is somber for a moment, but shakes her head. "But I am alive, still! I--"
Pause. "Hold," Emalya says, extending an arm. "...Over there. A rustling in the leaves."
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
It could be hard to remember that originally Zentradi and Meltrandi were decanted full grown. In more ways than one. She nodded as Emalya talked about her family, unable to suppress a grin at her use of the word 'jelly'. It was sad to hear that her husband had passed away, but at least it sounded like everything else was going well for her. "I don't-" She started to say, when she immediately halted at the command and gesture from the other woman. Maya looked in the direction indicated and she saw it as well. The leaves were moving indeed. Just a little, but that was not the wind.
She waited to see what was going to become of it as she slowly raised her camera, ready for whatever it may have been. Sure enough, something poked its head out of the leaves. It was small, with short red fur and a pointed, rodent-like face. Two black eyes and short, pointed ears rounded it out. It looked incredibly cute. No sooner had Maya snapped a photo, however, did ANOTHER one bolt out from one of the other holes, this one larger, and it dove into the hole of the first one, bowling it over as both of them went back down. "Wow... do you think anyone else has seen those before?" Maya asked, fascinated by the small creatures.
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
Emalya doesn't realize that she should've said 'jam'. It's fine. She would explain more, but suddenly there are more direct concerns at hand. There, the little creatures. As Maya takes pictures, Emalya looks sharply, examining the adorable creatures with a serious expression.
"Perhaps the people who came here before?" Emalya wonders. They did not get to save those people, but even so. "But perhaps not even them. It is a significant sight..."
"But we should avoid chasing them. Wild animals can be dangerous when cornered, I am told. It is something to report at least, yes?"
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
Maya waited to see if the creatures would pop their heads out again, but it looked like it wasn't happening, at least not immediately. "Yeah, you're right. Even something small like a cat can be really dangerous, and we know nothing about these little guys. Besides, we might be disturbing them. The rest of the expedition is going to LOVE them, though!" At this she thought for a moment before adding, "We should probably also make sure to remind people to be careful. These guys look ridiculously cute and I wouldn't be surprised if someone tried to take one as a pet or something. Take only photos, leave only footprints." That was asking for trouble, definitely. Although admittedly maybe the scientists would want to have a proper look at them in a more responsible way.
As they continued, the land started to incline up, though it wasn't so steep as to cause much extra exertion. What was of more interest was that it looked like the treeline was starting to thin out here. As they got closer, it soon became clear why. It seemed that over here was what looked to be a large pond! It was set in a slight depression, and there appeared to be a lot of bright wildflowers growing on the other side, right where the light of the planet's star shone down on. A small splash in the water indicated that there was something in there, too! "I... think we just hit the jackpot!" Maya exclaimed, just staring out at it and forgetting about her camera for a moment.
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
Emalya would like to see more of them too. But maybe not immediately. "Yes, to all!" Emalya smiles. "...Probably that, as well. They are very cute. But cute things are dangerous sometimes. This was so when I was raising children as well..."
A pet. Hmm. "That sounds like a saying," she says, of take only photos and leave only footprints. "Is it? I am not familiar."
But as the land moves upward, Emalya comes along--until they overlook the pond, with the wildflowers. Emalya's eyes light up. "Ah!" she says. "So we have!"
"Very good work, Maya! We have found what both of us hoped for!"
She leans forward to peeeer down across all of it. "Such lovely flowers..."
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
"Oh dear, I take it your children were a bit of a handful?" Maya said, laughing a little bit at the image of
Emalya struggling to fend off an army of babies. Underestimate children at your own risk. "And yes, it is - at least
it's something my mum always said when we'd go to the beach and I wanted to bring home shells. Crabs might want to use
them as homes, or there might be something else living in them, so you shouldn't disturb them." Now that she was a
little older and wiser it made a lot of sense.
"Oh, that's right, photos!" Maya fumbled with the camera at the reminder that yes, this is indeed what they
were looking for. It really was beautiful. The colours were a bit different from that on Earth, whether because of the
Gallian suns or the flora itself, but all it did was give it an intriguing fey quality to it. She made sure to take
several photos and even set up her tripod, too. She was no photographer, so it took her a little bit, but the young
woman was pleased with the results. "You know, this would be the perfect spot to have a little picnic!" She hadn't
brought a blanket, but she did have some sandwiches and biscuits, and sitting on the alien ground sounded absolutely
fine to her.
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
"Ah, ha, a bit! I had little idea of what to do with them," she says fondly. "I had to ask a lot of neighbors many things..." Then she nods. The beach... "I see. Yes, that is sensible. We are out in their home."
Photos! Emalya waits for Maya to take the photographs, and marvels a little longer in the meantime. She does, of course, keep an eye out for any other wildlife, just in case--but spots nothing. Yet.
"Oh, yes! It would!" she agrees. "We do not have to return immediately. Would you like to stay for a while?"
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
"Yeah, I can imagine it being really difficult and strange for you, both having a baby and raising one. I'm glad you had a support network to help out. Honestly, that's probably a good thing for anyone you have. Children sound like a lot of hard work." Still, from the look of things, it was nothing but positive for Emalya. Maya was glad to see that she and the other Zentradi and Meltrandi had been able to find something more than just endless conflict. 'If only the rest of us could live up to those peaceful ideals.' Humanity still had a lot of work to do.
"Mmhmm, I think that sounds like a good idea." She said as she plopped herself down near the water. But not too
near - natural sources of water back at home were already risky to drink, let alone alien sources that might have
crocodiles lurking. "Come, sit down! I brought enough for both of us!" She had a few different sandwiches - apple and
cheese, honey and peanut butter, and also a vegemite one - although all of her biscuits were the same, golden brown
style that looked like it had oats inside. "We can eat and chat and take in the view right here."
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
"Oh very," Emalya agrees. "My husband was often surprised as well!" She smiles, thinking over good memories. "Yes. I had many friends who could assist me. It was hard work, but very much worthwhile. And it it is easier after the first to do."
Emalya certainly took to a peaceful life. In fact, she's only recently left that peaceful life, for things like this.
"Very well!" Emalya takes a seat, too, more carefully because she's got a weapon holstered at her hip. Not too near, but close enough to view. "Ah, you have much food. These do look delicious. Thank you for sharing!"
"Were one of your parents also in the War?" she wonders. "I know that in these days many of us have never seen the ships on which we lived before..."
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
"Ah, so was your husband Zentradi, then? That sounds like it would have been extra hard then!" Neither of them would have had that framework than humans would have for raising children. But then, there had been programs to help them adjust, and she had said that she'd spent time living her life prior, so maybe it wasn't as much of a hinderance as she thought.
Maya allowed Emalya to take first pick before taking a sandwich of her own. She'd started with the apple one, as she figured fresh fruit would be harder to come by later on. "Mm?" The question was asked while her mouth was full, and she quickly swallowed. "Oh, yes, my dad was, actually. I don't know much about his experience in it, but Mum said that he'd piloted a Glaug during the war. She also said that he couldn't imagine getting back into one after hearing Minmay's music." Back at the family home they had her entire collection that they'd listen to on the anniversary of his death.
"I can't help but wonder what he'd think of me, becoming a pilot myself, admittedly. It's so I can protect rather than destroy, but... well, it's still a machine of war." There was a difference, certainly, but still, it would have been nice if she could have asked him directly.
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
"Yes," Emalya answers. "His name was Kadoran Zamana. We met many years after the War. He was a part of our colony's defense force, you see, while I had given up battle." She smiles. "We managed it together. But it would have been much harder if I had still been working for their early lives."
Emalya picks an apple and cheese, too. She has similar thoughts about it. Emalya chews as she listens, considering it. "Ahh. ...Yes. I did not stop immediately after hearing the music, but once I did, I immersed myself in 'culture'. I do not regret it at all."
What would he think? "I could not say." She doesn't know him. "But I think so long as you get to choose your own path, that matters itself. ...I am unsure how I feel about it, myself. It has been many years since I have been in battle, until this past few months."
SCENESYS: TenRyuuJin Team has posted scene #434, 'Overlord: Girls' Night', at 19:00 ET on 10/14.
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
Maya smiled at hearing about Emalya's husband. "Oh, absolutely. It's lucky you were able to spend that time early on caring for your kids." Lots of people still had to work while caring for children which was unfortunate. It seemed like it'd leave absolutely no time for yourself. It was interesting hearing about the different reactions people had to experience culture for the first time, too. For some it was an instant shock, others it took some time, while others... just couldn't handle it. It was sad, but Maya supposed it was the same as some people who had been immersed in violence from a young age and couldn't adjust. It would be nice if something could have been done for them, though.
"If you don't mind my asking, what made you decide to take up arms again?" Maya glanced momentarily at the gun as she spoke. "Was it because you wanted to protect your family? Or was it something else?" A lot of Zentradi and Meltrandi had become complete pacifists afterwards, but not all, of course. What would drive someone who had experienced deculture to go back to, if not the same warrior mentality as before, to a life of conflict?
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
"Yes," Emalya agrees. "I would acquire a new job for myself when they were older, but not until then. At that point it was good to be out of my house again, though I also am happy with my time with the children."
Emalya, too, has seen some who couldn't adapt...
"...My husband died attempting to stop the colony drop during the Axis Shock. To protect the Earth, the first home of the humans who showed us such wondrous things, and then became our friends."
"I wanted to understand why he had chosen to keep fighting... and yes, I wanted to protect my family. My youngest has just become an adult. I no longer needed to focus primarily on raising them. So... I decided to help. I am wary, of joining the conflicts of the humans, but things such as this--protecting all of us--this, I am willing to do."
"I wish... to understand myself, as well. To understand whether I am to be a warrior, or whether the path I have chosen is a change from that after all."
She is thoughtful, as she returns to her sandwich, and picks up a biscuit. "...I have many feelings on this matter. But above all else, I must protect my family. The rest... it is important, but secondary."
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
As Emalya talked, Maya found herself nodding along with what she said. All of it resonated with her. "My dad died in the first colony drop on Sydney, so I am eternally grateful to all of those who fought to make sure that would never happen again." The sheer devastation caused by that was incredible. Even in the next state over she felt it. She definitely remembered that day. If it had've happened a few days earlier or later, she would have been caught up in it as well.
"I suppose I'm a bit similar to you, in that I originally got into mobile suit design to understand my dad a
bit. Oh, and idols!" Maya laughed. "I also want to protect what little peace that we have right now. And expand on it,
if possible. I'm... well, let's just say I'm not very good at singing, so I can't be someone like Minmay and stop all
the fighting with music. But she wasn't alone - if she was, and didn't have all those pilots protecting her and the
Earth, I don't think it would have had a happy ending." Someone had to be the sword and shield to hold the line while
more permanent ways of conflict resolution were sought.
Maya noticed that she'd started on one of the biscuits. "Did you know that those are called Anzac biscuits? I
made those myself, actually. It's said that those biscuits used to be sent to soldiers on the front lines from the women
back home. I'm not sure how true it is, but they taste good, especially straight out of the oven!" She sighed. "I just
hope that one day we'll be able to live lives where we don't have to live in existential threat for our survival. But
until then, we can at least enjoy things like Anzac biscuits and taking in the view of an alien planet." Even in the
middle of something as horrible as a war, there were still wonderful things, and you couldn't let yourself forget that.
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
"Idols! Ah, yes. The very idea of an entire career devoted to music in this way... It is still marvelous." She nods along, as Maya explains. "You are right," she agrees about her ideas of the sword and shield. "But it is good to sing, even if you are bad at it, I think."
"I did not!" Emalya answers. "Ah, they are very good!" Then she listens. Used to be sent...
"I would like that as well. More peaceful times... I look forward to them." She smiles. "Until then, yes. There are many things to enjoy."
She considers the biscuit, holding it up for a moment, and then soft sings, "My boyfriend is a pilot o/~"
Just a few bars of the song, and then she laughs, and enjoys the food.
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
"Oh, I still sing even if I'm not the best at it! It's fun! I'm better at playing the harp, though." Maya knew the words for the songs so she didn't stumble, and she had confidence and enthusiasm, but all she was was 'mediocre'. Fine for drinks at a karaoke bar is probably the best way to put it. Actually, that sounded like a good idea... maybe she'd have to bring it up to Yurika some time.
Emalya starting up on one of the best classics of all time couldn't be left unanswered, of course. "He glitters bright as he nosedives~!
<Pose Tracker> Maya Jintek has posed.
"Oh, I still sing even if I'm not the best at it! It's fun! I'm better at playing the harp, though." Maya knew the words for the songs so she didn't stumble, and she had confidence and enthusiasm, but all she was was 'mediocre'. Fine for drinks at a karaoke bar is probably the best way to put it. Actually, that sounded like a good idea... maybe she'd have to bring it up to Yurika some time.
Emalya starting up on one of the best classics of all time couldn't be left unanswered, of course. "He glitters bright as he nosedives~! Then revs his engine and does a steep climb~!" She sang herself, a bit louder and with gusto. It wasn't terrible at least - maybe charming in a quaint way. But she was no Minmay. "Maybe we should see if we can arrange a karaoke night at some point. Maybe have Sheryl, Ranka, and the captains be judges for a talent show?" Maya laughed at the idea. They were here to protect Earth from alien attack, and here they were eating biscuits by a pond, singing off-key, talking about ways to entertain themselves. Still, that's how it should be, right?
<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.
"Aah, an instrument! This I cannot do."
She laughs along once Maya answers her song, and does find it charming, actually. "Oh? Yes, that would be a fun thing to do. If it can be arranged I will be there!"
She noms on another biscuit, and finds herself that maybe it's how it should be, too.