Posted by Civilian Runa Siff McKenzie (Teacher) in Somewhere Between Here and There

Posted by Civilian Capall McKenzie (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in Somewhere Between Here and There

Posted by Civilian Runa Siff McKenzie (Teacher) in Somewhere Between Here and There
Posted by… suppressed (13) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Over the weeks the days on board had turned somewhat routine. There had been no more fights or divisions between the clan. Well, no divisions anyway. There was no way to avoid disagreements and arguments when you threw people together into a cramped space. The Beck was huge, but it was still a flying tin can, and even with only half the ship full, space seemed to shrink some days.

Runa spent most of her days helping teach. The other half of her days she was on the comms or working on projects for the Oed school system. Runa had created a routine of story time at 1900 every night for the children. It was something that would be easy to continue, no matter how harsh the land was. Everyone was welcome, and most came, children or not, because gathering together was reassuring.

Today though there was no school, no children, no pressing needs that needed her attention. That’s what she told herself anyway. She was carrying knots from her shoulders down to the small of her back. First she was going to soak in the hottest water she could stand, and then she was going down to see about their four legged clan members. Cpt Grek had helped them move things about, and they now had plenty of room to exercise and ride the horses. That meant they were calmer and there was less behavior issues. Stormwhite was still being a pain in her arse though.

Runa

Capall came into their bathroom as she soaked. “Sit up. Lean forward.” he said; and when she did he began rubbing her shoulders and working out the knots. “It’s about time you took a break. You’ve been going non-stop for weeks. I thought that was my job.”

Runa leaned forward and grunted as fire raced through protesting tissue as Capall forced the knits out. It was uncomfortable but once the muscles released it was so worth it. “Nope… both… our… jobs.”

For his part, Capall had been immersed in virtual simulations, computer coding, and programming equipment so it was ready the moment they landed on Oed. The holodeck training and classes had been a huge success, and the clan was already practicing in rhe Oed V holo simulation constantly. And with the help from the unexpected House members, the simulations and virtual classrooms were running almost constantly.

Capall

The biggest surprise was Caitlyn. She was excellent at ‘roughing it’ and outdoor cooking. Her training program was a hit. She was also inadvertently a huge motivator. She put people to shame. When others started complaining about how hard the work was, how difficult, how primitive, or they couldn’t do it (usually out of laziness or misguided frustration) it came out that Caitlyn was blind. But she was there every day, working just has hard, faster, and more accurate than most. Runa knew Caitlin hadn’t said anything, but if one paid attention to details they could tell.

Ashran and the others had been a huge aide to helping people adjust. They had been living a lot more simply than even the Edmans were used to. They integrated slowly at first, but now they were constant participants. The children, all of them, were amazing and accepting of everyone.

Runa dropped her head forward, stretching out the back of her neck. “How’s… your… hiss… arm? Kirsten take care of it?”

Runa McKenzie

Capall had been working with the ship’s crew moving things to make room for the animals and he had twisted his arm and shoulder. “Better.” was all he said as he worked further down her back. “I’m going to start working with Nimbus now that we have the room. And I think I may pull Stormwhite into it, as well. Give him something to concentrate on besides being locked up in the ship. Thoughts?”

Capall

“It would be good for him. He’s always been high strung, from the day he was born. And he’s smart and has a wicked streak. Knows who can and cannot handle him” Runa groaned, but it had mouthing to do with his hands on her back. “The Norns are laughing at me. I gifted Stormwhite to Seamus as a joke. Now, I’m stuck with the crazy beast.” Runa sighed as a particularly tight k ot suddenly released. “I think it would be a good idea. I haven’t had time to work with him as much as he needs, and the more people who handle him, the better.”

Runa

Capall nodded behind her in silent agreement as his fingers found a particularly hard knot between her shoulder blades. “This isn’t going to feel good. I’m sorry.” he said.

His thumbs dug into the knot, squeezing and rolling it to stimulate blood flow to the tissue underneath. Years of wrestling had inured him to the pain, both giving and receiving, of massage and working out strained and sire muscles.

Capall McKenzie

“It’s okay.” Runa grunted as her shoulders thrust back and her back arched some at first anyway before she was able to force herself to relax. Runa wasn’t the athlete Capall was, but she’d had her share of falls, bruising, and torn muscles from years of riding. Runa was quiet as he dug into the muscles. The only indication of discomfort was deeply held breaths that were released slowly.

She looked over her shoulder at him, “You’re magic.” It was painful but a relief when the knot released. Her shoulders slumped forward and she rolled her head slightly. “We’ll have to make sure Donald posts a schedule. They all need work and we should have more than enough people to make sure none of the horses get over looked.” Runa knew she had neglected Soble too and though the mare was calm and even tempered she needed out of her stall too.

Runa McKenzie

“They did that yesterday.” he said as his fingers moved further downnand started on her lower back that was still under the hot water. “And I think all the kids are going to start working with the animals once or twice a week. That will help them get exercise, I’m sure.”

Capall McKenzie

“It will be good for all of them. And now with more room they can take lessons if they want. Susie is really nervous about it. Ashran is going to bring her up to see them tomorrow.”

Mostly things were going well, but Runa could tell that some were not taking to space travel well. Especially some of the children. There was nervousness and their routines had changed dramatically. She hoped working with the animals would relieve some of that.

Runa McKenzie

Bump

“It will help all of us, I think.” Capall replied. “Anything we can do to lower some of the anxiety will ripple. And maybe once we can get that under control a bit, we can make more headway on garnering some kind of administrative organization. We need to get it at least a little formalized so people know who to ask for what.”

Capall

Runa nodded. “The sooner the better, and we need to make sure we have a mix from both clans. Stop divisions. And the six of us can’t handle it all ourselves. There is too much and too many people.” The water was starting to cool and all the work he did on her back would be for naught. “Should we go riding? Or is there something else we should do first?” She stood as the water cascaded off her and stepped out of the suken tub, reading for a towel.

Runa

Capall had a way of looking at his wife that was both respectful and lecherous all at the same time. “Oh… I have some ideas.” he said softly and handed her a towel… albeit a hand towel… and he grinned.

Capall

Runa looked at the towel and would have had a hard time hiding her grin if she had tried to do so. “Oh, I bet you do.” She gave him a look that was both loving and teasing. “Now how am I supposed to get dry with this? I can’t possibly reach everywhere with this.” She sighed, and grinned at him over her shoulder holding the towel back out to him. “You’ll just have to help.”

Runa

“If the lady insists.” he said and took the towel from her…

=/\= Mr. McKenzie, sir. This is Lachlan McTeague. =/\= The speaker was one of the newest members of the team that would be using the holosimulator of the land for one of the first full cycles. =/\= We need you in the simulator. =/\= Capall’s eyes had been closed for a few hours, but they flashed open when the communications terminal activated. =/\= What’s going on Lachlan? =/\= Capall asked. =/\= It’s the two Edman brothers. Sander and Olav. They decided that they don’t need to help get the gear unpacked and setup. They said, and I quote, that ‘that should be the work for a woman.’ I’m telling you, sir… there is gonna be a whole heaping helping of trouble if you don’t get down here. =/\=

Capall grunted and said =/\= On my way. =/\= He looked at Runa and said “What can you tell me about those two?”

Capall

Runa heard ‘Edman brothers’ and cursed. She knew who was scheduled for the simulator. Those two were nothing but trouble. She was already dressed by the time Capall asked the question. “Trouble. Always have been. Gave Kirsten and Ada a heap of trouble when they were in school because they were ‘adopted’ clan. Drunks and touchy feely when they are. Ragna put ‘em in their place a few years ago for talk like that. None of the women will go near them. When they came of age, Da and Uncle Oddvar sat them down and told them to straighen up or they would be kicked out of the clan. That they couldn’t hide behind their parents anymore. They have toed the line since. Now that Da and Oddvar aren’t here, they seem to be feeling at their leisure.”

Runa

Capall nodded and stood up and got dressed… oddly enough in kilt and short-sleeved shirt instead of his normal pants and long-sleeved ones. He pulled on his boots and walked to the door, waiting for Runa to join him before walking out and heading to the holodeck… but not before making a stop at the lower decks where the animals were kept. “Just a sec.” he said and walked inside, coming back out with a something wrapped in a white towel.

They walked into the holodeck and Capall said =/\= Computer, pause program. =/\= and everything froze. “Sander and Olav Edman! Come ‘ere! I need to talk to you, please!” he called out to the room / simulation.

Capall