Posted by Nicole Cline in Side-Sim Letters Across Space

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade V’alura Belmont (Chief Science Officer) in Side-Sim Letters Across Space
[snip-ity-do-dah]

Seeing Solal’s name in her (seemingly) never ending lists of communications never failed to brighten her day. She always read his messages first, and often thought about her reply while responding to her simpler correspondences. V’alura began to suspect that school and school memories were a difficult area for Solal. It would be easy enough to divert their conversations away from the subject.

Solal,

You’ll be the first to know the results. Even before my beloved cybernetics department (whom I will admit, to you, are my favorites). If you’re feeling up to it, I would appreciate a short essay of your perspective on this project. You did not know much about A.I. or predictive A.I. models prior to the start of our research. I think our final report would benefit from your experience in learning about this technology and what you’ve learned while working on the project. Again, only if you want to, so no pressure.

And on personal anecdotes. . . I know what you mean about France. I lived in Paris for six months, and the people seemed more friendly and open when they thought I was human. There were several people I almost considered friends suddenly become withdrawn when they learned of my mixed heritage. They made snide remarks about my Vulcan ancestry and I am not ashamed to have cut them out of my life. I loved Paris and the French countryside, but I did not always love the people.

Do you play any instruments? I play the piano and guitar myself. I learned piano from my mother and guitar from an ex-boyfriend while I studied at Julliard. Though, I am ashamed to say I have not practiced the guitar for several years now. As for music I do appreciate the classics, but in my heart of hearts I will always be a country girl. Please do not judge me too harshly for that.

With love,
V’alura Belmont, CSO, USS Ark Angel
[V’alura’s electronic signature here]

Lt. Jg. Belmont, CSO

V’alura,

I will most definitely write a report of my experience learning about predictive AI for the final report. I’ll do it when I have the time, but it’ll be done before we submit the final report. If you have anything else you need me to do, do tell.

Paris is a poor representation of France as a whole, however the judgementality of the people persists throughout the region. If you ever have a chance, do visit France’s other cities. I am surprised you pass as human, that is something I cannot do.

As for instruments, I play the violin. I have since I was very young, and since extracurriculars were required at my school, it was a good thing to fill that slot with. I play mostly classics however I have become experienced enough I sometimes play my own songs. Do you still play piano?

Sincerely,
[His electronic signature is here]
Lt JG Solal

~ Lt JG Solal, USS Ogawa

There was something comforting and powerful in reading Solal’s messages. Though they had many differences, there were just as many similarities. Not many people understood what it was like to be a hybrid. Caught between two different genetic templates and cultures, with seemingly no lasting piece between the two sides. Even to this day, V’alura struggled against her nature. Times when her emotions raged like a violent sandstorm, and her daily struggle against her own biology. The basic act of touch, so deeply personal and comforting to humans, had to be carefully calculated and planned ahead. All so that her mild touch-telepathic abilities caused no harm to herself of anyone.

Solal,

I definitely plan to return one day. An old friend lives outside of Nice on a vineyard, and has always maintained that I was free to visit whenever. Now I must ask if you’ve ever been to New York City. New York was my home for a long time and I miss it dearly. So many people of every nationality, race, and background make their home there. You could find food from across the universe and I could gush for hours about the museums, theaters and art galleries. My apartment was above a bakery and coffee shop, which, I hope I don’t need to describe how amazing that was.

Depending upon how I do my hair and makeup, and if I use colored contacts I could appear as fully human or fully vulcan. Which was very handy for my acting career, I’m sure you could imagine. I do have the classic vulcan pointed ears but they can be hidden by hair or a little editing magic.

That’s awesome that you play the violin! I love the sound of violins, though my own attempts at playing the violin were what I would charitably call painful. I broke the first violin I attempted to play (completely on accident, I swear!) and then broke the strings on the second. The third I managed to get a sound but at the cost of my teacher’s hearing. As to whether I still play piano. . .

[Attached is a visual recording. V’alura is seated before a grand piano centered on a broad stage. She is dressed in a soft, and fuzzy purple sweater and comfortable black slacks. Her hair is tied up into a lose bun with stray stands framing her face. There are lights shining down from above, making her appear haloed in soft, white light. V’alura smiles at the camera and begins to play Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Her playing is soft, gradually picking up in complexity and strength, showcasing her technical skill. Then, easing back to simplicity and softness, but no less emotive as she plays the final notes. V’alura ends her recording with another smile to the camera, soft and warm.]

With love,
V’alura Belmont, CSO, USS Ark Angel
[V’alura’s electronic signature here]

Lt. Jg. Belmont, CSO

V’alura,

The first time I visited America was to go to the Academy. The only city I have seen or lived in was San Francisco, in student housing. My family did not take many vacations, my parents are both doctors, dedicated to their work, and rarely left for long enough to go somewhere. I was focused on school, anyway, during my later schooling years.

You are a very good piano player. The video clip you sent contained several advanced techniques. I prefer the violin for its sound more than anything. I quit playing for a few years and got back into it more recently. I have no videos of my playing, not yet. As for your acting career… Why did you join Star Fleet? Was your acting career not successful?

Sincerely,
[His signature is here]
Solal

~ Lt JG Solal, USS Ogawa

“Eat up my lovely ladies,” V’alura said. She dropped one fat dubia roach into Lady Vengence’s enclosure. The tarantula darted quick off her web and killed her roach in one strike. A second roach dropped into Lady No Mercy’s home. Her dear OBT lived up to her name and killed her dinner with lightening speed before vanishing back into her well-webbed burrow. “Excellent kills as always my lovely ladies. I shall leave you two to your meals.”

From the replicator she ordered a large, steaming mug of decaffeinated tea and curled up on her overstuffed lounge chair. On her PaDD was Solal’s latest message, which she read once settled in. V’alura wasn’t surprised that Solal saw so little of America. San Fancisco was lovely, don’t get her wrong, but it couldn’t hold a candle to her beloved New York or the rural and wild open plains of Wyoming. Though, she was also terribly biased.

She had hoped Solal would send a recording of his own playing, but it seemed she’ll have to wait a while longer for that. Then. The question. V’alura’s hand trembled slightly, gently sloshing her tea within the mug. The question everyone wanted to know. V’alura stared over the rim of her cup for a long moment. Ever since she first announced her departure from acting to enlist, many people asked “Why?”. V’alura declined dozens of interviews. Gave vague answers or easy, simple lies. “I wanted a change of pace,” she’s said. Or, “I’ve always wanted to explore space.”

Then there were the fan theories. So many theories, speculations, and discussions across message boards, forums, fan sites, and news discourse. V’alura Belmont, famous actress, suddenly quits acting. The truth surged within her like a great and ugly boiling ball of tar. Sticking, choking her from within. V’alura sucked in a deep breath, clutched her mug tight to hide the way her hands trembled. One deep breath, then two. She stared at the movie posters hanging from her wall until the frantic beat of her heart eased.

V’alura wanted to confess the truth.

V’alura quit acting because she grew to hate it. That every moment on set during the last three seasons of Endless Black was like torture. She was so miserable that she accepted a quick solution in a form of a new and experimental drug. That quick solution turned into an addiction that nearly ruined her. An addiction that will never truly go away because her brain was capable of near-perfect memory. V’alura enlisted in Starfleet because she wanted to put entire galaxies between her and Earth and her old life. V’alura quit acting because she was a screw-up. A coward.

With shaking hands she shut off her PaDD and gently set aside onto the coffee table. V’alura felt too raw to write a reply tonight. Not, while the ugly within her raged and clawed like a wild beast. Tomorrow, she promised herself. Tomorrow I’ll write my response. V’alura went to bed without finishing her tea and slept fitfully.

Two days passed before V’alura found the strength, and the courage to write her reply.

Solal,

San Francisco is lovely. I enjoyed my time there as well during my Academy stint. Did you ever head north into the mountains? The skiing up there is fantastic. If you do ever find yourself back on Earth again (and have time to spare from France) I could recommend you about several dozen places to try and visit.

And to answer your question about my acting career. My career was quite successful. My performances gained me nine awards and over a dozen nominations. I reached stardom by age thirty with no role or genre beyond my reach. I was praised for my ability to portray a wide and varied performance across multiple genres. So why did I throw it all away? Because I grew to hate it. I hated acting and I hated myself for allowing that to happen. Working the final three seasons of Endless Black was like torture. At least I wasn’t the only one miserable.

I enlisted in Starfleet because I wanted to put as much distance between me, Earth, and my old career as possible. It was an entirely selfish reason. Not that I do not enjoy my Starfleet career. I am happy with my work and happy to serve aboard the Ark Angel but that doesn’t change the why. I hope you do not think less of me because I place great value on your correspondence and our friendship. There is more to the story, but I am not ready to tell it. Not yet.

With care,
V’alura Belmont
[V’alura’s electronic signature here]

Lt. Jg. Belmont, CSO