Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Laying Cornerstones

Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Laying Cornerstones

Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Laying Cornerstones
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Ragna stood outside and watched the busy street. It was time to go back and face Seamus. If they were home, she’d have dinner in the pot and be weeding the vegetable garden with Angus and Aurora waiting for Seamus to come striding out of the woods. She was going to have to find a way to forget she missed their home. It was lost to her now. She sighed heavily and took out her PaDD.

I’m on my way back, Seamus. -Ragna

She liked to walk, she was fit and it felt good to just move. She walked all the way back to the Seven Palms. She smiled and waived politely to the people at the desk. She waved her bracelet at the panel and waited for the lift that took her all the way to the penthouse apartment.

Ragna McKenzie, Herald

The lift opened and, once she was inside, began to move up and up… and up. And up some more. Past their floor and stopping at the roof.

The doors slid open and Seamus stood at the base of the stairs that led up the roof-top shuttle pad… on which sat a shuttle with it’s engines powered up. Seamus looked at her as he had when she left. With love… but with a hint of disappointment. “Ragna. Come, wife. You no longer live here. It just doesn’t work, no matter how much we have tried.” and he gestur3d up the stairs to the shuttle’s open hatch.

Seamus McKenzie

Ragna stared at the shuttle, her eyes flickering to Seamus but didn’t meet his eyes. There was no fire in hers, no fight. Just shame and acceptance. She removed the access bracelet and set it in his hand as she passed him silently. She wouldn’t fight him. She deserved this and more. He’d be happier. His life would be peaceful. She would not shame him further by making another scene. She went up the stairs and into the shuttle without argument.

Ragna McKenzie, Herald

Seamus followed her and took a seat next to her. The shuttle’s door closed with seemingly thunk of finality. Seamus looked at her as the shuttle rose and began heading out over the city.

“Ragna… you know I love you more than my life. I have sailed storm swept seas… fought kin and mercenaries… readied myself to be cut down just to see you one last time. All of this I have done and would do so again without hesitation.” He took a breath and sighed heavily. “But asking you to come here was a mistake. A lily cannot grow in the desert.” The shuttle banked and out of the window… was the spaceport.

Seamus took her hand and squeezed it. “This… all of this… has been my fault. I should never have pulled you from your home. And for that, my darling Ragna McKenzie… I am profoundly sorry.” The shuttle dropped down into the air traffic approaching the spaceport. Myriad vessels were landing and far below could be seen individuals disembarking and making their into Oed. Far fewer, but at this moment poignantly visible, we’re the few vessels taking those who wished to leave away.

“Ragna… please know that what I am doing I do because I want you to be happy. More than anything… I miss your smile. And your fire. And it is killing me that I have helped to quench it.”

Seamus McKenzie

“Don’t Seamus. Don’t take the blame. I could have said no. I should have. I thought I could do it. I was wrong. I’ve shamed you and your clan.” It wasn’t hers anymore, she understood that. “I tried… I thought I did… either way, it wasn’t enough.” She wouldn’t cry, oh but he could see the tears, and it wasn’t pride that held them in check. It was for his sake. “I won’t argue. If you want a divorce or wish me to go back and live exile I will. Whatever you decide. I’ve done enough damage. I love you though I never did it right.”

Ragna McKenzie, Herald

Seamus squeezed her hand as the shuttle moved towards the spaceport… and then kept going past it. They left the confines of the city and the shuttle accelerated greatly. Seamus was quiet for many minutes and then spoke. “Divorce? Exile?” and he shook his head. “You’re daft if’n ya think I’m ever lettin’ go of you.” The shuttle banked hard and far below, in the middle of the vast barren landscape that was the remains of Oed’s surface… were three bright lights. The shuttle slowed and began to descend, finally landing at a small platform. The hatch opened and Seamus got out, never letting go of Ragna’s hand and almost literally pulling her along. The walked down the stairs the packed earth ground and were standing outside three enormous, transparent, geodesic domes connected by enclosed walkways. Two were dimly lit up from the inside, but the inside of them was covered in condensation so seeing inside was impossible. The third, however, was lit brightly… like midday. And through the transparent walls stood a structure… a low building with a turf roof. A rough hewn fence contained a few sheep. Past the fence was a large garden, well maintained and truly impressive in its health. The building was made of stone and was a perfect example of traditional building. Whoever did this, did it by hand and with no noticeable modern tools. The stonework was uneven, but done in way that just seemed right.

Ragna was dragged along. Despite her height, Seamus’ stride forced her to almost run to keep up. She didn’t protest. She just took in the domes. She knew that had been the plan. Seamus would work in a controlled environment to test out different ideas for helping Oed grow. Despite the condensation she could make out plants inside. “You’ll do amazing things here, Seamus,” she whispered. She was proud of him, it’s why she came with him - so he could.

Seamus put an arm around his wife as a warm, dry breeze blew across them. He pointed to the environmentally-sealed door in the side of the dome.

“Welcome home, my love.”

Seamus

She didn’t understand. She had a headache making her sick. This wasn’t the result of weather changes or divine lessons. It was sadness and heartbreak and self-chatisment. Which Ragna was an expert at doing. “Home?” She recognized the house of course. He had brought it and rebuilt it, stone-by-stone for them. Was the point that she would never see it again? Or was he leaving her here to stay out of the city. She had done so much wrong, how could he possibly want to stay. She could never make it right. “You… brought the house?”

Ragna McKenzie, Herald

“Aye, lass.” he said softly. “No way would I drag ya halfway across the galaxy and not wanna keep ya happy. I’m sorry it took me so long. Woulda had it done weeks ago if it wasn’t for the damn Vren present making everybody bonkers.” He took her hand and walked her to the door. “This bit’ll be a might different. Environmental seals. One door outside, one in. Both cannae open at once. So you go through…” and he led her inside and the door slid closed. They were in a small entryway with another door in front of them. A bright, purpllish light filled the space. “Decontamination. Give it a sec.” and then the light vanished and the inner door opened…

It even smelled like their home. The only thing missing was the salty wind from the coast. Seamus looked at her and said “I finished it yesterday. Your stuff is already inside.” A large, muscular arm encircled her waist. “I love you, Ragna. I hope this can bring you a bit’a peace. I know happiness is asking too much.” he said with a sense of resignation.

Seamus

“You aren’t responsible for my happiness Seamus. I am.” Uncle Oddvar had ground that into to her. People did things but shenwas responsible for her own actions and reactions. No one else. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” The resignation in his voice broke the dam to her tears and she sobbed. The journey on the ship over had been exciting but scary. It hadn’t been bad really. Ragna had thought if Oed was like that she would do okay. But she kept failing and getting into problems. And she had that temper, which only got worse because she was stubborn and never told Seamus what was wrong.

Ragna McKenzie, Herald

Seamus didn’t say a word. He just scooped her up off the ground and held her to him. He started to slowly walk towards the house, and soon the door opened and they walked inside.

It was exactly the way it had been in Scotland. From the offset fireplace to the dried herbs hangingvfron the rafters to the water pump by the sink. Seamus had been meticulous in bringing the house to Oed. He laid Eagna in the bed… their bed… and then knelt on the floor next to her. “Wife… do you remember that first night we spent together? The storm that raged and you called my name. Remember, my love?”

Seamus

Ragna blinked at up at him as he laid her down. The blankets smelled of him. His soap and the forest and the salt air. Her breath shuddered roughly and she swallowed once. She nodded, “I remember it every day.”

Ragna McKenzie, Herald

“And do you remember the promise that we made each other? Unspoken, yeah… but we made it. That we were together now and forever. One. And no force in the universe could tear us apart.” He leaned in and kissed her gently. He then opened his eyes and looked into hers. “I love you more everyday, Ragna… and no way would I ever let you go.”

Seamus

Her hand rested along his red bearded cheek. “I love you Seamus. You are my world. I know I drive you crazy, I make you angry, and I’ve disappointed you. I really try not to. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I do. I would always choose you, in a thousand lifetimes, but you deserve better.” It would take her a thousand to make up for all the horrible problems she caused.

Ragna McKenzie, Herald

He slowly brushed her hair from the side of her face and said “Better? Nae… there be no woman in heaven or hell that is better or more deserving of all the love I will ever have than you.” He kissed her softly… gently… and then slowly pulled back and looked at her. “Aye… ya do dr8ce me crazy. And aye… ya do make me angry. But ye ‘ave never disappointed me, Ragna. I’ve been disappointed in some of yer choices… but never in a thousand million lifetimes could I ever be disappointed in you. Not ever.”

Seamus