Posted by Civilian Yavia Crockett (Nurse - Sacred Heart Hospital) in Building the Woodland House

Posted by Civilian Yavia Crockett (Nurse - Sacred Heart Hospital) in Building the Woodland House

Posted by Civilian Eryn Romanov (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in Building the Woodland House
Posted by… suppressed (16) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Sharah got the call middle of the night. Centurion was heading out on their patrol and Sharah had to go. The call wasn’t a surprise, but no one was real thrilled about it. Yavia was more like a mother Dugyura who had only one surviving pup. She wasn’t happy about Sharah going, alone with no one in case things got bad. Yavia was only appeased when Sharah reminded her that both Ilena and Tandra would be on the ship with her. It was 3 days, she would be fine, and the Centurion was a small ship.

However, as soon as Sharah was gone, Yavia was typing messages away at the computer to make sure the crew would arrive to build the green house that day (she was paying extra) and to let ‘The Artist Eryn’ know as well. She would be bringing the base of the sculpture that afternoon to be connected to the water for the green house. Then Yavia called Elaine at the hospital and made arrangements to switch with her so she could be home while they worked. The crew arrived at 0700 exactly and Yavia went out to meet them. That probably wasn’t such a good idea, if Sharah was a distraction, Yavia was a tornado that stopped the work completely.

Yavia

Yavia stayed mostly out of the way of the crew. She talked to the Bolian in charge, Origg Gronin. He was a jovial person, eager to please and very good at his job. It was obvious that he liked to build things. He had also ben around to help with the deck. It gave Yavia peace of mind knowing the green house was being built by someone who knew what they were doing. He made contact with Eryn days before, and the artist would be delivering the base and pump within the hour while the rest of the crew set up the framing.

Origg

Eryn arrived exactly at the time they agreed upon, about an hour after the main crew did. She stepped out of the ground car, not waiting for her driver, and looked around. She walked right into the middle of the work, with no care of being in the way. “Vho is in charge?” It was easy for Eryn to tell of course, and she’d spoken with the man. She had even met him once when he came to the studio to examine the sculpture. He was a delightful man actually, and almost giddy about his work. There were days Eryn really hated this persona, and the lies, but today she didn’t. She had very much enjoyed this project. Not just creating to keep the funds arriving and the name of Eryn the Artist popular. This piece meant something and it had stretched her skills and awoken others she had long forgotten. It stirred memories best left lots, but they had been welcome.

Eryn

“Hey! Watch out!” one of the workers warned. The crazy white haired woman almost go her head lobbed off as they rotated a strut to get it in the ground. They took a breath and let it out slowly while shaking their head. This must be the ‘artist’. If she couldn’t pay attention then she needed to go wait in the house or her car or something. That’s all they needed was an accident, here, on this property. They looked at her and pointed with their chin. “That would be Origg Gronin, over there. The one waving excitedly to you.”

“Ms Romanov, over here. Come, come we will get started!” Origg waved rapidly and spoke the same. Anything to get her out of causing an accident.

Building Crew

Eryn walked over to the man. He offered his hand and she stared at it a long moment. What a novelty. Gran would have a fit. The idea gave er far too much pleasure as she shook the man’s had. “Vhere do you vant me to have zhe base and pump transported?”

Eryn

Origg looked about. Based on Ms Romanov’s first estimates it was heavy and delicate. He would rather not have to move it far. “This way.” He led her, as she gazed distractedly about, into the middle of what would be the green house. “Tom?” he asked the man digging and working in the ground.

A Romulan man looked up, “Almost done. Just have to check the flow before we connect the pump.”

Origg

Eryn nodded, best to check each part before moving on. The sculpture would be too massive to move easily after assembled. “I have zhe pump installed in zhe base. Do you vant zhem separate or together? Zhe base has full access doors on all sides for zhe pump and maintenance.” She had brought the sketched design and schematics for the pump. Tom seemed happy with it and felt they could place the whole thing as one unit. After he had tested the waterflow he laid out transporter markers.

Eyn commed back to the studio where the men she trusted to move her art were waiting. Soon the large metal, glass, and wood structure shimmered into place. She showed Tom how to open the panels and they placed thick protective padding around everything while he worked to connect the pump.

Eryn

Tom worked steadily and carefully. They removed one of the panels completely because he was afraid of damaging it as he maneuvered around to connect everything. “Origg, I need another hand in here.” The Bolin grunted and got down on the ground, “I’m getting too old for this.” It took both of them to get the whole system set up and working. There was a clog in part of the tubbing and a new piece had to be bought. After it was replaced the pump worked quite well. It provided both a steady water flow and a mister. The frame was constructed easily, but then supports and locks for all the glass had to be added before the installing the crystalline matrix.

Origg

Eryn walked around, but mostly stayed out of the way. She removed pieces as necessary and helped move the protective padding to where it needed to be. She covered the whole thing in padding and went to get the new tubing herself. The merchant she bought it from had guaranteed the unit. Eryn was going to make sure he replaced it with something that actually worked. Origg was glad to see her leave. She was a bit odd. Beautiful work but odd. Of course after the amount of work she’d put into the sculpture he might be over protective too.

The merchant was not happy to see her. He stammered and protested and then apologized and tried to appease her. In the end he replaced the damaged piece, made a formal complaint to the supplier and returned some of her credits. Eryn grinned as she left the Plaza Exchange.

Eryn

With the pump installed and everything securely covered work continued steadily. Yavia watched from the windows. She watched as the building took shape. She would never know how to do that. TK was right she would never make it on a farm. Which was so funny because both TK and Sharah grew up on farms. She was excited to learn, but she had to admit she might be too city to do well at it. She chuckled and moved back toward the kitchen.

Yavia

Eryn stayed until the base and pump was installed. Then she went and knocked on the door. She was holding a small cube shaped box that was roughly an inch or so bigger than the span of her hand. It was an extra piece and rather than it go to waste, Eryn brought it to give to Ms Crockett. Eryn liked her. She was outrageous and spunky and full of affection.

Eryn

Yavia opened the door, “Ms Romanov, please come in. Is everything alright with the installation?” The woman had assured her working with Origg was fine. “Please have a seat. I will bring tea.” Yavia remembered from visiting the woman’s studio she had a preference for tea. Yavia had already put a kettle on just in case. She brought a tray over with an assortment and set it down.

Yavia

Eryn moved over to a couch and sat, setting the box on the table. “Eryn please. It is ba enough my staff calls me Ms Romanov. Zhere is a place for such zhings, but not here, please.” Eryn looked at the tray in surprise. There were even a few Russian blends on offer. Ms Crockett was was observant and kind. “Ah zhank you,” Eryn grinned and picked up a tea bag after pouring some of the water into a cup. Then she picked up the box and handed it to Yavia. “It vas a prototype as I practiced. I zhought it came out very vell, and zhought you might like to keep it. It is bigger zhan zhe actual blooms, and instead of water I installed a light.”

Eryn

Yavia set her cup down and took the box. She opened the box and lifted out a delicate glass sculpture of one of Hope’s flowers. Each petal was carefully shaped, curved and folded. It was tinted a delicate pink, but with a control on the bottom it lit up in a soft pastel pink. “Eryn it’s lovely. Are you sure you want to part with it? It would be a beautiful piece in your studio.” Yavia held it carefully, cupped in both her hands and grinned when the artist shook her head. “Sharah will love this. What do I owe you for it?”

Yavia

Eryn waved her off, “Nozhing. As I said, it vas a prototype and I have several. I much enjoyed zhe creation. Zhe flowers on zhe sculpture are half zhis size. I vill return tomorrow to finish assembling zhe piece. It vill take me at least half zhe day. Origg has agreed to come after lunch to finish setting up the plumbing. Zhat should give us enough time to ensure it is all vorking and you are satisfied vith the final look before your lady returns, yes?” Eryn had really enjoyed getting to use those long dormant glass blowing skills and it had taken quite a bit of time to finish the whole thing. Each flower had been hand produced and there were about 30 of them.

Eryn

“She’s going to love this. The sculpture even more,” Yavia waved toward the window facing the back lawn and the pot there. “Your model.” Yavia stood and carried the glass sculpture over to the table and set it next to Hope’s pot. “The color is wonderful, and the detail is very life like.” Yavia turned back around, “Thank you, Eryn. She’s going to love this, I’m certain.” Yavia moved back to the couch allowing Eryn room to examine the plant for a moment. “Tomorrow will be fine, I’ll be here if you need anything. Though I am certain that between yourself and Origg everything will be fine.”

Yavia

Eryn set her cup down and moved over to examine the tree. It was incredibly beautiful and well cared for. Eryn knew who the green house was for. It never did to assume that anything she was asked to do was benign, but the partners of the Vice Commander of the CCDA were known. Dr Fayth was also a known entity on the colony. Eryn also knew that kind of life that Dr Sharah Fayth would have lived. Betazed was not a welcoming place for people like her Though Eryn admitted there probably wasn’t a place that was completely peaceful or welcoming. So if she could help, in any way, to give her a sanctuary she would. “It is beautiful.” Eryn returned to the couch and picked up her tea, finishing it quickly. “I vill return tomorrow. Zhank you for zhe tea.” She left through the back door and spoke briefly to Origg before getting in her ground car and leaving.

Eryn

At lunch, Yavia set out bread and assorted ‘fixins (as TK would say) for sandwiches and cold waters in the outdoor chiller. A little thoughtfulness went a long way. There were some attempts to flirt with her, but Yavia was used to it. It also helped that half the crew knew who else lived there. Origg confirmed that he would be back to the next morning to help the crazy artist lady finish setting up the water and piping, but they still had a few more hours before they were finished when the building.

Yavia walked out to the yard while they ate. The framing was up, taking up a corner of the back yard and leading into the tree line. They had started placing the glass for the roof, and the crystalline matrix created a prismatic rainbow effect as the light hit it. She could see Sharah working in here with the lights and colors playing over her skin and hair. Yavia was careful not to get in the way of their equipment. She returned to the house, and after refilling the water outside she moved into the den. She may not be at the hospital, but there was still work she could be doing.

Yavia

Yavia worked in the den until there was a banging on the back door. It sounded insistant and she hurried to answer. It was one of the crew. “Sorry, miss, but Ro’gnair fell off the ladder. We know you’re a nurse.”

Yavia held up a hand to forestall any explanation. She hurried into, Sharah’s room for her med kit and took the stairs quickly and outside. A quick scan showed a mild concussion, dehydration, and heat stroke. “Move him inside. The couch in the den. Then all of you drink some water.” Two of the workers lifted Rognair and carried him inside. Yavia lowered the temperature 3⁰ and wet several clothes before entering the den. She sat on the stool and placed the rags over his head and back of his neck. She set up an infusion of fluids and then administered a low dose hypo for the concussion. Then she called the paramedics at Sacred Heart to come pick him up for further care.

The ambulance left, and Yavia walked out to let them know Rognair would be fine. The foreman had called Rognair’s brother. He was going to the hospital. To the crew’s delight, Yavia insisted on giving them all a brief scan to ensure no one else was at risk of heat stroke or dehydration. An hour later, the crew and equipment were being packed up and soon gone.

---

Yavia did not want to be up the next morning. Sharah, that beautiful soul, had surprised them with a surprise date. It had been thoroughly enjoyable. She would rather stay in bed with TK.” However, Eryn was arriving early to begin assembling the sculpture of Hope. The sculpture had been a spur of the moment idea. Sharah had told her all about the little tree, Olly, and her connection to it. It was a beautiful sentiment and it brought Sharah peace. Yavia and TK had wanted to give Sharah a safe way to embrace that connection. To allow her to have that connection in her home.

It was her home. It was their home. TK had made absolutely certain they both knew it. Yavia knew, she could feel that sometimes Sharah was still overwhelmingly afraid of herself and questioned if she deserved to be with them. Those moments were getting further and further apart. Yavia hoped the green house would be the final piece to stabilize Sharah’s world. Sharah belonged with them, and Yavia was going to fight tooth and nail to make sure Sharah knew and believed it. If that didn’t work, Yavia had other plans in the making. Ones she would go through with either way.

Yavia

Eryn arrived with Massik in tow. Vonn had assignments and this was a fairly low key event for the artist It did not need his particular security. She supervised the unloading of the crates after they were transported over. She spoke briefly with Ms. Crockett and then demanded to not be disturbed while she worked. The first to go in was the trunk and branches. She tested the water flow before welding the pieces in permanently. That took a couple of hours. Then the delicate work began. Each leaf and flower had been carefully wrapped and packaged.

It had been a long time since she had practiced the skills her mother, her real mother, had taught her. It had brought back memories, pleasant ones, but ones that had to be buried deeply for her own safety. Kodek’s as well.

The glass blooms were carefully attached. Some were tiny buds, others just opening, and others in full bloom. The leaves increredibly detailed, even the veining, were added next. The final touch was the gravel in the base of the planter. The water and mister worked perfectly and the water’s movement through the glass created a beautiful prismatic effect. She stepped back and admired the work. She was proud of it. A longing to show her mother overtook her, but was quickly suppressed. Eryn could say it was a unique piece, and she had actually enjoyes creating this piece.

She had spent all day on it. The sun was nearing the far horizon when she knocked on Tenkiller’s door to inform them she was finished.

The Artist Eryn