Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Governor’s Home - TMODJ (PRISM)

Posted by Civilian Karilan Massat (Owner, Quill and Parchment Books) in Governor’s Home - TMODJ (PRISM)

Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Governor’s Home - TMODJ (PRISM)

(snip)

Karilan was a light sleeper, and when Eeela began to move, they awoke and watched her closely. Just as she was about to wake her was when Eeela sat up and Karilan wrapped their arms around her and began pulling the blanket down. “Eela! Eela, it’s okay! You are okay! It’s me! It’s Karilan! You are safe!”

Karilan

But Eela was frantic, as if she was both too inside her body ad entirely out of it at the same time. She couldn’t make sense of anything other than the pain and terror that lingered in her mind and body.

Hyrushi burst into the room and moved to Eela’s side of the bed. He didn’t speak, he just set his hands on either side of her head and, for the first time since he had known her, he opened his mind fully to her and smothered her mind in all the nothing his vast power would allow without harming her.

Her hazel eyes focused and she finally was able to take a proper breath, though is shuddered through her body. Tears still streamed down her eyes.

Inside of their consciousnesses, there was nothing. It was just white, with the two of them standing face to face. Kenzo looked at her and smiled slightly. “You know you could have just called for me. I was right outside. You didn’t need to go to such lengths just to get my attention.”

Kenzo

In this space, Eela could breath more easily and this space felt strangely familiar. It was almost a physical manifestation of the strange connection they formed. Eela would guess that it truly came into play that night of sushi of sake. It was a safe space they had carved out where nothing else could interfere and it was strange luxury on the chaos that was their lives. “What can I say, I’m a dramatic woman,” she said, feeling the smirk that not even her mind could generate. “I hate that you have felt what he felt now. And sleep and I are not going to be friends for the next while either.”

Coming to the doorway of the bedroom, Caridee wore a frantic expression and looked at Karilan. “What happened?!”

~Eela & Caridee

Karilan sat on the bed wide-eyed. “I- I don’t know! One second we are asleep, the next she is freaking out and throwing a fit! And then he just rushed in and grabbed her head and suddenly both of them went still.”

Karilan

Caridee nodded. “They still have a residual connection through the canar. I want to say it will continue to dissipate over the next few hours, but this was an unusual use of it, so I can’t be sure.” She moved around to Karilan’s side of the bed, letting Hyrushi and her mother do whatever it was they were doing.

She rested a hand on Karilan’s shoulder, exuding warmth and calmness. “It was likely a nightmare. Her body and mind are still processing and trying to reconcile events. It will probably take time for that reaction to go away.” Caridee understood what could happen if it persisted and her clinical mind was already working on a list of things to do and keep an eye out for.

In the white, Kenzo shrugged. “I have felt far worse. Do not concern yourself with feelings bad about that. But I am sorry that Mr. Jones’ last moments were as they were.” He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, both inside and in the physical world. “When the guilty party is found, I will need your assistance not doing anything… rash.” Hyrushi said.

Hyrushi. Governor

But Eela did feel bad. It was a sensation she wouldn’t wish on anyone, something she had felt in different ways herself over the years. His admittance drew her attention away from the guilt she felt and in an instant she too had to stuff down that fury that currently was aimless. “Same,” she said softly.

Breathing deeply both in the real world and this manifestation, Eela was more at peace. “I am okay now.”

“Very well. Your daughter and Massat are with you.” and the white blanked out and suddenly they were in the room.

When Kenzo had released his hands from her face, Eela blinked and the room came into focus again. “Thank you,” she told him, gratitude and affection radiating off of her.

“No thanks necessary, Captain.” Kenzo said.

Of course they were, but Eela understood. She also conveyed that they would need to talk about all of this sooner rather than later. There was a lot to go over. For now though, she brushed his mind briefly.

Shifting back into her spot on the bed, Eela took in Karilan and Caridee before reaching out to Karilan. “I’m sorry to worry you. Bad dream and a re-experiencing all in one go.”

“It’s something we’ll have to keep an eye on,” Caridee said gently. “You still have the medication you use when you can’t sleep?” Eela nodded. “Good. Use it for now until this initial period has passed. An aversion to sleeping will only make everything more difficult.” Not to mention make it more likely her mother would develop PTSD. Maybe they couldn’t prevent it, but the more Eela faced things head on and dealt with each symptom as it came up, the more likely it was she could get through the next few weeks and months she would come out the other side better off than she might have otherwise.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Hyrushi, Governor

Karilan put an arm around Eela and said “Not worried… just startled. But now we know, and we can deal with it as it comes better if there is a next time.”

Karilan Massat

She sighed and looked out the windows, noting the sky had dimmed. How much time had passed? Had it really been most of the day already? But she still felt exhausted, like a wet rag that had been wrung out.

“I need to get up,” Eela said.

“Okay,” Caridee replied, moving back to the other side of the bed. “You just need to be careful,” she said, holding out a hand to help. “Are you hungry at all?”

Eela shook her head. “Not really.” Never mind the fact that she really hadn’t eaten much since Kenzo’s omelet this morning. Taking Caridee’s hand, Eela pulled herself to her feet, mindful that she wasn’t wearing her brace right now. She was still dressed for the day and everything felt so… off. But standing on her own two feet, she could take a deeper breath. “I don’t know what to do, where to go right now. A part of me feels like I should go back to my place and sleep and see what tomorrow brings. Goodness knows there’s going to be enough continuing chaos.”

Caridee scrutinized her mother. “Regardless of what you decide, I don’t want you alone. I don’t necessarily have to be there on hand, but I do want to be able to monitor your condition and I want someone there if anything is off. Your manifestation of Kuskaaritz is rare enough that I don’t want to take any chances.”

“Well at least I keep things interesting,” Eela deadpanned.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Karilan spoke up without hesitation. “I can stay with you. Nothing really going on at the shop for another few days. I’ll go home, pack a few things, and meet you at your place. That work?”

Karilan Massat