2024-03-08: The End of One Path, and the Beginning of Another

• Log: The End of One Path, and the Beginning of Another
• Cast: Yuliana Kafim, Regina Everhart
• Where: The Silent Castle, Kaffeklubben Island
• Date: 2024-03-08 (ICly October 0098)
• Summary: After sheltering in the Silent Castle, Regina comes to a decision about her future. Perhaps even hands which are only good at fighting can learn to cook and pet a dog. Yuliana promises to protect her peaceful life, even as she leaves the violence of her orbit.

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<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.

        When Yuliana asked her wife to retrieve her, after the battle for the Ptolemy, it was not only herself she wished to save; she asked her wife to bring with them their allies, left bruised after the battle. And of course they offered Regina and Chris their hospitality, warm guest rooms for their rest and the use of the stables to fix their machines. The attentive staff are, at least, now all quite cognisant of what they're doing, and well-paid for the effort.

        (The enthralled are... elsewhere. Wander not down the servants' passageways; the crypts and catacombs which lie beneath the Castle contain nothing of worth to see. Certainly Yuliana has no need to see them.)

        But their guests are seen to; there is no need for Yuliana to fuss over them overmuch, even if, of course, they get to meet the children before all is said and done. Yuliana does spend time with Regina while she's here, of course -- but Regina will note that Yuliana leaves for a fortnight, going off for... 'treatment'.

        And the tenor of the place does change, when Yuliana isn't here, but that doesn't mean it's totally empty of life. Regina is able to meet her mother, Sashenka, and her father, Tri Darma; with them are the children, Maksim and Makar, seven and five year old boys respectively. They have terribly many questions to ask Regina about her piloting, with all the pointed innocence of children. Luckily, Sashenka was a diplomat before she was thrown under the bus, so she's able to redirect them before they do anything terribly rude.

        Noted Normal Guy Parminder and the cyborg Wendy make her acquaintance as well, of course -- and Parminder is a riot, even if he's really kind of a terrible person, but Wendy is at least nice and pleasant enough to have a cup of tea with.

        Yuliana isn't gone forever, either. How could she leave her wife alone? On hearing they're hosting Regina, naturally she goes to find her -- and she'll find the head maid, Guanyu, already checking on her.

        "Hey," Yuliana says, smiling, as she appears at the door of the sitting room. "Everything good?"

        "It is, Mistress," Guanyu smiles, in turn, as she turns to nod to her. Her black uniform has green trim, with emerald tassels on her shoulders. "Shall I fetch you some tea?"

        "I'd appreciate it," Yuliana says, stepping in to find a plush lounge to sit down on. Of course a tiger pads in after her; why wouldn't Sokrova follow her around like he was worried she was gone forever? Guanyu... does not look terribly shocked there's a tiger in the room, as she leaves.

        (This is a much better prospect for Guanyu than her fate in the REA, even with the sick detailing; her sister was Hua Lian, and she kept getting threatened to keep her in line. It just wasn't safe for her, there, any more. The Republic decided she was a dissident, regardless of her feelings.)

<Pose Tracker> Regina Everhart has posed.

In the wake of the battle and Celestial Being's effective dissolution, Regina has given much to think about. Without them, she is left... adrift, but thankfully, due to the shelter provided by the Kafims, that is only so in spirit. They've given her a place to recuperate, to think without fear of scraping by the day-to-day while she gets her feet back underneath herself, and for that she finds herself grateful.

She's met Yuliana's wife, of course, and this isn't her first time visiting the Silent Castle, but she had no clue that Yuliana's world had grown so much since her last visit. Regina is not much of a conversationalist, but she is polite - patiently meeting the children's questions and gratefully accepting Sashenka's steering of the conversation. And she meets Parminder and Wendy - the former being a fascinating puzzle to wrap her head around with such vast differences in conversation style between them, and the latter quite pleasant.

And now today, Regina waits in the sitting room - but she doesn't have to wait long, as soon, Yuliana appears.

"Yuliana - and Sokrova," Regina greets - appending the latter as she sees the tiger trail in after her. She offers a polite nod to both, before her attention focuses on Yuliana. "Welcome back. I trust all went well?"

She trails off for just a second, before continuing.

"...I would like to thank you, for the hospitality your family and your people have shown me this past month. Without it, I fear I would have been... rather lost."

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.

        "It's going well enough," Yuliana says, of her treatment, smiling. "Unfortunately, it does take me away from home for stretches at a time... but right now, it can't be helped." Elisa endures it, so Yuliana can, too.

        She frowns as she settles in, a tentacle scratching Sokrova's ruff absently. (She has those. They're normal. Don't worry about it.) "Yeah... it hasn't been easy, after it all fell apart. And it'd be even harder for you, right...?" Yuliana had a support network outside of Celestial Being, but for all she could tell, Celestial Being was Regina's support network. "But if that man wants to say we'll have no place in this world -- we'll just make our own places. He has no right to deny us."

        Sokrova chuffs, and ambles over to Regina, headbumping her leg with his vast head. He is a very big kitty, but he's never been anything but tame. He's not thirsting for blood, just attention.

        "As far as I'm concerned," Yuliana says, smiling to Regina again, "you'll always have shelter here, if you need it. You've saved my ass enough times, right?" And she laughs, fingers lifting to veil her lips in a show of modesty which doesn't quite fit her soldier's speech.

<Pose Tracker> Regina Everhart has posed.

"I am glad to hear it." Regina replies with a nod - and then another quiet one, as Yuliana admits that it takes her away from home. "...Yes. It is well that you are making the effort."

Yuliana settles in, scratching Sokrova with a tentacle. Regina doesn't even flinch.

"...Yes." Regina admits. It's true - Regina has always been more of a... solo actor. Celestial Being was the first time she'd found herself among likeminded people. Without that, now...

...Well, that's something she's been thinking about.

She nods, though, in agreement.

"...I agree. He was a horrible man - and he is gone. He no longer has any say in our future." She replies. Sokrova headbumps her leg - and he is indeed a very big kitty, all the better for drawing one's attention. Regina reaches out to pet him, a gentle scratch behind the ears. Yuliana smiles, and Regina offers a small smile in return.

"Thank you. And you, I - we've both had our fair share of excitement, haven't we?" Regina replies with a nod. "...I will remember. But for now... I would not wish to impose on you and yours any more than I have. I-"

She starts, frowns, and considers her word choice before finishing her thought.

"I believe it is time for me to find my own way in this world." She says.

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.

        Sokrova rumbles happily, flomping his chin onto Regina's leg. He's not allowed on guest's laps (being that he is, in fact, a touch over two hundred kilos), so this is about as good as it gets for tigerkind.

        "A wretched man," Yuliana agrees, as Sokrova absorbs all that attention.

        She tilts her head, though, when Regina talks about not wanting to impose. "I understand," she says, sympathetically. And she has concern touched by familiarity, for Regina, as she asks: "But... what will you do, Gina? What is your way, now VEDA's forsaken us?"

<Pose Tracker> Regina Everhart has posed.

Regina continues petting, pleased to provide the attention. She doesn't often have the opportunity, but she does enjoy the company of animals.

Yuliana understands, and offers sympathy - but she has concerns, too. What is her way...?

"I do not know, yet." Regina admits readily. That was the conclusion she had come to. "But... I think it is important for me to find that answer."

She goes quiet for a moment.

"I chose violence in the name of peace, and through violence, I sought the legacy of the dead, guided by a machine. Whether it is Aeolia Schenberg or my mother...I see now where that path leads, when the living give themselves wholly to the purpose of the dead when they have nothing else to tether themselves to." She shakes her head. "...You have your wife and your people. The crew of the Ptolemy have each other, even now. I do not know Christina well enough to say, but she must have her own connections, as well... If I were to continue down this path, I do not see myself meeting an end much different from Corner."

She shakes her head, after a moment.

"...I said before that my hands are only good for fighting. I still believe that, but..." She looks at her hand, currently gently petting Sokrova. "...If they are capable of this much, as well, then they may be good for other things, as well. Perhaps I will focus on cooking. That is... something I enjoy."

She did enjoy that time Ujico gathered her and the Castle's staff to cook for everyone. She wouldn't mind having that experience again.

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.

        Regina would know, by now, of Sokrova's gym -- an entire hall converted into a big cat's play area, with platforming challenges and foliage and boxes and even a heated pool. If she expressed interest, why -- she would have even been able to involve herself in changing the configuration of those platforms to give him interesting new challenges!

        (They do that on a regular basis to make sure he doesn't get bored. He's an inside cat, after all.)

        Yuliana listens, though, as Regina works throug her uncertainty. Violence in the name of peace... in the name of the dead... and where that would lead, for someone who has no one.

        "Not just anyone could take down a GN-X in a Flight Alto," she says, at length. "You might say your hands are 'only' good for fighting, but you know -- you're damn good at it." Yuliana sighs, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "People like you and me are talented at that sort of thing, you know? Just taking someone and -- tchhkkt," she makes a slashing motion, across her throat.

        She leans back, on the couch, gesturing with that hand. "But just because you're good at something," Yuliana says, because she isn't actually trying to make Regina feel bad, "that's not the only end you may choose. I've been learning how to live with myself... I was never very good at it, but I guess I'm making progress, anyway. I don't think it's so bad to live peacefully..."

        She looks over to Regina, again, and smiles. "The Silent Calling has a lot of kitchens -- I can get you in contact with someone, they could get you started. It's a lot of cooking for people who don't have much to speak of, so it's not terribly lucrative... but it's not bad work. Though, you might want to stay away from the trouble NUNE's giving us..." Yuliana shakes her head, and shrugs. "Even so, it's not as if my wife and I want for money. I hope you'll accept our assistance. It's not as if there are many programs for terrorists going straight, out there... and I wouldn't want to see you in a position where you had to fight to survive, if you'd rather cook."

<Pose Tracker> Regina Everhart has posed.

Feline enrichment is very important - Regina would certainly have volunteered in helping change things up for him.

Yuliana compliments her, and Regina... lets out a small laugh.

"You flatter me. But if it were just me... Things might have been very different." She pauses, though. It's true that she had help - but it's also true that even just surviving, and not just that but holding her own, against such a superior force... She can accept the compliment, at least. "Still... thank you."

She smiles, then, at Yuliana's gesture - the sort of smile of someone who appreciates the sentiment even if the actual message makes one feel a bit awkward and isn't sure how to respond.

...But Yuliana continues. Just because you're good at something, that's not the only end you may choose. And, she makes an offer...

Regina thinks it over, consideringly. It is a good one... but as she says, there are drawbacks, too. Still...

"Perhaps... I'll accept your offer, at least for a time - until I have stabilised my footing. Thank you." Regina replies. "...But I do not wish to lean on you and your wife for too long."

She doesn't want to become dependent on them, after all - she will have to move on eventually, for fear of getting stuck in their orbit. Still - she can think of worse ways to get her footing back than spending that effort providing food for those who need it. That, too, is a path toward peace.

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.

        "Sure, sure -- but that would've held for any one of us, regardless of our Trans Am or our Abyss Engine or any other trick you care to mention." Yuliana isn't so arrogant as to think she would have gotten out of things just fine, alone, against all the forces of NUNE.

        (Not under her own power, anyway.)

        Yuliana nods, though, when Regina expresses her desire for independence. "You need to go through life under your own power, right..? I get that. Neither my Elisa nor I want to trap you under a bell jar. Not that I think you should go it yourself the whole time, either... but maybe it would be good for you to find people who aren't involved in all this." She gestures, loosely, as if to capture all of freedom fighting in her open palm.

        "Maybe... if we could commit to a peaceful life, it would be different," she muses, gaze growing distant, as it falls on the crackling fireplace that keeps this Castle liveable in the frigid North. "But I don't think it's going to be possible... NUNE keeps pressuring us, and even if I'm here for now, I have to reunite my wife with Herself eventually." Her endless eyes close, briefly. "No... I'm going to keep fighting. Maybe it's better that way, anyway... you can leave it to me."

<Pose Tracker> Regina Everhart has posed.

That's... certainly true. Regina nods. Few could say they could, alone.

Yuliana's loose gesture is descriptive enough for Regina, at least.

"Yes... What remaining connections I have are those from my time with Celestial Being. ...I need to see more of the world. Meet more people. That is not something I am good at... but that, too, is something to work on." Regina replies. She follows Yuliana's eyes, then, toward the fireplace. Committing to a peaceful life... It's true. Just because she herself steps away from the fighting doesn't mean it won't stop.

The world will keep on moving - and Yuliana has her own responsibilities, as she says. But she's going to keep on fighting. Regina nods.

"...Then... I'll entrust it to you." She says, then rests a hand over her heart. "...It was an honor, fighting alongside you. Fight well, Yuliana Kafim."

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.

        "Ah..." Yuliana finds her eyes misting. She rubs at them with a finger, smiling self-effacement. "I won't let you down," she promises her, genuinely. "I don't know exactly what will happen next... but I'll defend that peaceful life for you. Really, I was glad you were with me..."

        She chuckles, fingers curling at her lips, as her gaze drops down to Sokrova still absolutely sooking it up on Regina's lap. "I think... you ought to get a dog," she proposes, gently. "Everyone loves dogs, you know... you'll find no shortage of people wanting to connect just so they can pet him. And dogs love people unconditionally, you know? Even if you're not good at it. Many times I've leant on Sokrova... but I know tigers aren't generally easy pets," she chuckles, a hand to her cheek.

        "Things like that... will get you a good life, Gina."

        Even if it's sad to see her leave hers, with all the violence surrounding it.

<Pose Tracker> Regina Everhart has posed.

Yuliana promises her - and Regina nods, grateful.

"Thank you." She replies.

She sits there for a time, continuing to pet Sokrova... and then, Yuliana makes a suggestion. Regina looks at her consideringly, then down at Sokrova. Her brow furrows momentarily as she thinks it over and then...

"I do not quite think I could manage a tiger." She agrees - with a small, genuine chuckle. "But a dog... Yes. Yes, that's a good idea. I think... I would like that."

She's never cared for a dog before. She'll have to do some research. But learning to care for another life, and be cared for in return... that's a good first step on the path she wants to find for herself.