Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in Side Sim: Friends and good food -what else does one need?

Posted by Lieutenant Faye Calloway (Mission Specialist) in Side Sim: Friends and good food -what else does one need?

(snip)

“It changes you,” Faye said softly. “The violence. The fear. I don’t know what it’s like to live through an occupation, but I grew up with those that did. The fear of that happening to us is a lot of why we fought back, regardless of how murky it made things for the politicians. I know they were trying to keep a tenuous peace, but it felt very much like we were considered collateral damage. It’s hard to come out of that level of… devastation unscathed. As hard as it is, I think the place I’m coming to right now is that I am one of the few that survived so I am someone who can tell their story. Not the cut and dry one those who hated the Maquis liked to share. But the real story, about the real people. Like me. Like my mom. And on your side, like your mother and grandmother.” Faye scrutinized Kiama for a moment but held the next thought that came to mind and took a sip instead. Progress!

~Faye Calloway

“It does,” Kiama nodded, her voice as soft as Faye’s. “When I think back to that time, what I remember most is not so much being afraid, but how helpless I felt and that everyone tried to keep all the information of what was going on away from me. Today I can understand why. They wanted to protect me. But my mind formed it’s own imagine of what going on based on the things I did see and hear. And to a certain degree they were probably worse than the truth.” Sighing softly, she shook her head and then reached with a slightly trembling hand for her glass and drank a large mouthful; suddenly wishing she had opened the bottle of wine after all. Which of course meant that it was a good thing that she hadn’t.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

“We are our own worst enemies,” Faye said softly, a part of her aching for Kiama. She knew where her friend was at and could tell Naim hadn’t yet reckoned with those feelings. Not truly. But it would come soon enough. It always did.

“What about a good memory from that time? Did you learn anything about yourself that you are proud of, or glad happened even if it was hard?” Faye asked. It wasn’t just about shifting the tone of the conversation, but true curiosity.

~Faye Calloway