Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Aug 10, 2021 3:15:29 GMT
[Devra Kul - Kerelia - Hiking Trail]Devra took another drink from her water bottle while Judy retrieved her padd. Stepping over to look at the pictures, she gasped with delight. "Oh what precious darlings!" she cooed. Infants had always been her weakness. It was a shame they didn't stay in that stage for longer, but it truly was a blessing to watch them grow.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Aug 10, 2021 3:46:39 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - LZ-2]"They're little charmers, these two, and with their parents so busy with them, we've gotten some more time with Lawrence's first three as well."Judy returned her PADD to her backpack. "If you'd like a proper introduction, you can swing by next time Max and I babysit."Judy enjoyed few things more than showing off her grandchildren, and even if a picture was worth a thousand words, a face-to-face encounter was worth a hell of a lot more.
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Aug 10, 2021 21:49:05 GMT
[Devra Kul - Kerelia - Hiking Trail]"Perhaps I will," she replied thoughtfully. After taking another drink of water, she sealed the bottle and stuck it back in her pack. Now that she had caught her breath, she was eager to see more of the view that awaited. "Well, shall we?" Her muscles complained slightly as she put the straps over her shoulders once more, but it was nothing to deter her from continuing.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Aug 10, 2021 22:15:12 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - LZ-2]Judy used a branch to steady herself as she stood up, and then began to walk. The trail continued to climb, and the view improved. "This here, this spot on this ridge, is the best view you can get of the colony, unless you fly over it," Judy pointed out on their left, motioning at the small houses of the colony below, between the trees. She then gestured to the right. "At the bottom of that valley is the creek that flows out of the lake we'll be visiting. We're going to meet it soon enough, at the top of a waterfall."The little ridge they were on (these were low-lying hills, not mountains) curved inland towards the creek, and the trail did too.
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Aug 10, 2021 22:30:20 GMT
[Devra Kul - Kerelia - Hiking Trail]Devra's gaze followed the indications, and she moved a little towards the respective sides of the trail to get a better look at what lay below. "I take it you found this trail just exploring?" She asked curiously. The other woman did strike her as the type to just pick a direction and see what she found.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Aug 10, 2021 22:47:38 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - LZ-2]"Well, yes and no. The story is a lot more amusing than you'd think," Judy answered. "This area was surveyed by foot during an early expedition led by Sir Doug Zaman, the local El-Aurian eccentric. Sir Doug had the misfortune of slipping and falling at the base of the waterfall, so it's been dubbed 'Doug Fall'," she explained. "This specific route, however, is one that Max and I stumbled upon - the stumbling being metaphorical in that case. We picked a direction to walk, and then just found the fall and the lake."A punchline came to mind. "I think I was the first one to swim in that lake on purpose."
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Aug 10, 2021 23:25:50 GMT
[Devra Kul - Kerelia - Hiking Trail]Devra smiled whimsically as she tried to imagine what it had been like back then. While she didn't think she had ever met Sir Doug Zaman, she had met quite a few El-Aurians. "I'm sure Sir Doug will be telling that story to colonists for centuries to come. With more embellishments added every generation." Perhaps she would be around long enough to hear the first couple versions of it.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Aug 11, 2021 0:02:36 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - LZ-2]"He will for as long as he sticks around, at least," Judy replied. "El-Aurians tend to wander."The trail continued, and soon enough, the fall - about 10 feet tall - came into view, and the lake below it. "This little path down to the lakefront is a bit tricky, but we'll leave by a different trail, so we don't need to climb it."The path down was narrow, steep, and winding. Tricky going down, but surely exhausting going up. "Did you bring a bathing suit?" Judy asked, as she surveyed the place.
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Aug 12, 2021 20:05:01 GMT
[Devra Kul - Kerelia - Hiking Trail]"Sounds like a good plan to me," she agreed, eyeing the steep trail warily for a moment before turning her black eyes to the breathtaking few. "Yes! Already wearing it." Her daughter had reminded her at the last minute to replicate one, and she'd decided it would just be easier to wear it beneath her shorts and shirt. While she had gotten accustomed to wearing clothes in general daily life, it hadn't occurred to her that the same would likely be suspected while swimming.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Aug 12, 2021 21:02:52 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - LZ-2]"Clever. I'm doing the same thing," Judy replied. "When we were on Earth recently, Max and I picked a lot of trails with some water on them, so it's second nature."Granted, the couple didn't need swimsuits around each other, but in public places, it was better to be prepared. "I have to say, it's great that you're accommodating our human norms of modesty like that. We have a new ambassador on the station who couldn't care less."Judy led Devra down the trail, short and steep as it was. "Not that I'm particularly bothered by nudity, myself, but the sentiment matters."At the bottom of the trail, besides the lake, there was a picnic table, presently vacant. The water itself was a beautiful aquamarine color, about thrice the size of a swimming pool, and of similar depth.
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Aug 13, 2021 2:58:58 GMT
[Devra Kul - Kerelia - Hiking Trail]Devra followed Judy down the trail, choosing her steps carefully so as not to slip on the steep terrain. "I imagine them being a diplomat makes the situation a little more delicate and complicated," she answered thoughtfully. Politics always made things more complicated. "Though I do believe it is easier for us Betazoids to be accommodating of other people than most species. When you can actually feel the discomfort of people around you, you're less inclined to continue doing whatever caused that emotional reaction." It was something she had learned very quickly after leaving her homeworld. Many people didn't want to offend others by saying they were offended, so it was easier to just pay attention and adjust behavior accordingly.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Aug 13, 2021 3:30:27 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - LZ-2]Judy sighed. "If only all the people of the galaxy had that kind of sensitivity."She propped her backpack up on the picnic table, took out a towel, and then began to undress. "I'm guessing you know the political culture of Romulus, the way the grandees seem to relish the misery of others; as far as we've been able to learn, the Talorian upper echelons are similar."There were, of course, differences, but that illustrated Judy's point well enough. "What's more, Ambassador L'Sho is a political appointment - a military man, not a career diplomat, and quite resentful of the Federation and us in particular."Judy was now down to her bikini, a lavender-colored number with darker purple flowers printed on it. The pattern was, perhaps, a nod to her friend's profession.
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Aug 13, 2021 4:22:12 GMT
[Devra Kul - Kerelia - Hiking Trail]Devra also began to unclothe after taking another drink from her water bottle. "The Federation has had decades to learn about the Romulans. The Talorians are still quite new to us, yes?" Considering she hadn't even heard about them until Jovireh's first mission, that seemed to be a logical explanation. Her own swimsuit was a solid, deep purple one piece, with a short floral print skirt attached to the waist. She considered Judy's description of the Ambassador as she took another drink. "I hope I'm not overstepping any bounds by saying this, but perhaps you'll make more progress with him if you treat him as a military man, rather than a diplomat or politician." Her husband had been a scientist, and even though he had represented the Empire in various conferences, he always preferred to be treated as a scientist. Since the comparison had already been made, Devra could understand how this L'Sho might resent being treated as his new position normally required, especially if it hadn't been his choice.
Tag Judith Eastman
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Aug 13, 2021 5:07:50 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - LZ-2]"If only it were that simple."Judy made her way to the water, moving slowly with her poor glasses-free vision. "As far as we can tell, and we do indeed know rather little about the Talorians, but we believe the Talorian military is a political entity, and L'Sho in particular was among the leaders in their public life. So he's not just a military man."She stepped into the water, until she stood waist-deep in it. "To make matters worse, he was sent here because he was disgraced, and that, because our crew - on my orders - took action without asking his permission to save the Talorian homeworld. We were successful, but we'd overstepped not just our authority but his as well, which put him in hot water."Judy advanced deeper into the little lake, until she was neck-deep. She let the water wash over her. "So, as you can see, it's very complicated."
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Jovireh Velal
Security & Tactical
[TI18]
Posts: 2,609 Likes: 55
Rank: Senior Chief Petty Officer
Position: Chief of Security/Tactical
Species: Betazoid/Romulan
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Post by Jovireh Velal on Aug 14, 2021 19:05:22 GMT
[Devra Kul - Kerelia - Lake]The Betazoid listened as the other woman explained the situation in more detail. It seemed crude for someone to be punished for someone else not asking their permission to do something... But it certainly wasn't her place to comment on how another species did things. They probably saw it as a failure to assert his authority... Which spoke volumes about how Talorians as a culture viewed the Federation, if not everyone else in the galaxy. She followed Judy into the water, pausing every few steps to let her body adjust to the cool temperature. It definitely felt good after getting so warm from exercise. When she was just a little more than waist deep, she spoke again. "There's still a big difference between commanding troops and being neck deep in politics. While his position may have involved both, it's entirely possible he preferred one over the other. Regardless, he's clearly accustomed to being in charge. That alone must make it a more difficult transition for him to suddenly be in a position where he has no actual authority. No real say in what happens around him. If you're able to find out - and appeal to - which side of his former job he enjoyed the most, it might be easier to start building some bridges." Of course, it was difficult for Devra to say for sure, considering she had yet to meet the man. Though now she was definitely intrigued, and wondered if it would be possible to arrange an encounter, 'accidental' of course.
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