Posted by Lieutenant Commander Avik (XO) in Avik’s Quarters-Side Sim: Family Ties

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Avik (XO) in Avik’s Quarters-Side Sim: Family Ties

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Avik (XO) in Avik’s Quarters-Side Sim: Family Ties
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
[snip]

Day of the Anniversary

Avik walked out of the shuttle. She had requested the time off to address family matters. The captain didn’t press on the matter, much to her relief. When she stepped onto the colony planet from the shuttle, a gleeful yell caught her attention. Her head turned to spot a small group of children dart toward her. She stepped back, allowing them to slip past her. Their hollers echoed behind them as they vanished into the background.

For a moment, she envied their carefree nature. This stage in their life held little responsibility or conflict, everything so clearly laid before them. Avik inhaled before her attention turned to the horizon ahead of her. She scanned for her parental figure. He hadn’t arrived yet.

She felt her nerves shot up, but she pushed them down. Becoming filled with useless emotions wasn’t ideal right now. Not when they would be visiting her mother’s gravesite and paying their respects.

–XO, Avik, Lt. Cmdr

After about an hour, her eyes spotted his figure through the parting crowds. His eyes locked with hers before he moved quickly to her position. He dressed modestly into a tunic and a pair of pants, blending with the other colonists. He let a small smile flicker over on his lips. It vanished when he came to stop before her.

“I didn’t expect you until later. Something about ship delays for no clear reason.” He pointed out then stepped to the side. His arm swept to the side and extended forward.
“Shall we walk as we talk?”

Avik nodded as she stepped forward, her father keeping pace beside her.

–XO, Avik, Lt. Cmdr

“Only minor issues as is expected with most docking schedules. I had to remain to sort it out and make proper reports to the CO.” Avik explained as she began to step in pace with her father.

Her eyes turned to him. She naturally observed details in his face and her mind mused about certain facts, especially in comparison to humans. Physically his face hadn’t aged since she last saw him years go, but it felt different. She attributed it to experience rather than time.

“You know it’s not logical delay unnecessarily.”

He sighed, then replied, “It’s been some time since you visited. I only came to the most logical conclusion I could based on the facts.”
“Your facts were lacking proper information.”

“I’m pleased about that. Do you want to head to the burial site first or have our conversation at home?”

“Mother first, it will be hardest and allow me to formula the words I want to say.”
–XO, Avik, Lt. Cmdr

As the pair approached the site, Avik pushed down the emotional storm building up. Her eyes couldn’t stare at her mother’s grave. Instead, her sight adjusted to the left and looked to the distance. It barely helped her keep the memories threatening to mist over her control. Slow her breathe regulated itself as she strengthened her will. Even when the walls she built started to waiver and crumble.

No matter how often she came here, the pain never seemed to fade. Avik inhaled then exhaled. Her father seemed to notice as he bent down to place a small flower onto the stone.

“She wouldn’t want your past to hinder your future. She did love you after all.” He spoke to break the growing silence.

“I know, but some scars are difficult not to run away from.” Avik finally replied back.

As he rose upright, his mind seemed to struggle with the right words. His hand reached out to touch her shoulder and draw her attention to him. The hardness replaced by sadness and regret, adding to the emotional trauma she held at bay. Avik’s eyes jerked away to avoid his eyes.

–XO, Avik, Lt. Cmdr