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 (17) 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

She wanted to tell him she wouldn’t make him angry anymore or disappoint him, but she knew she would. No matter how hard she tried, it would happen. She wasn’t Revna. She couldn’t calm people and understand them and help them heal. She wasn’t Runa either. It didn’t matter what kind of trouble Runa got in to, she could control a room and make people thank her for irritating them. Her sisters made people laugh and relax and be happy. Ragna only ever made people mad.

She loved her sisters, she wished she was like them. They loved their history as much as Ragna did, but they were able to live in a modern world. Ragna didn’t fit. She didn’t belong in the modern century or an alien world where no matter what she did, she offended someone. She tried really hard not to, but she always seemed to misstep.

At least here if Seamus wasn’t sending her away, she would be out of the way. She knew people would come to the domes to work with Seamus, but that would the other two. She could stay here. She didn’t mind her own company. “Thank you for bringing this here. I don’t deserve it.”

Ragna McKenzie, Herald

Seamus’ eyes flashed and he took a deep breath before speaking. “Lass… Ragna… love… I think it’s time ya pulled tha stick outta yer arse and learn to live.” He stood up and looked down at her. “Millions of miles. Hundreds of individuals and thousands of man-hours to move this place here. Months of work gettin’ it exactly right so you would FINALLY have a place to really call home. And the best you can do is mope and say ‘Thanks I don’t deserve it’?! What the actual hell, Ragna? Are ya so damn done with life that you cannae find joy in anythin’?” he asked, his voice raising as his anger began to burn. “I have worked my ass for ya, wife. Ta try an’ give ya something ta be excited about… ta look forward to.” He gestured broadly around the dome. “Do ya nae see, woman? This is our home… on our land… and we get to live out our days here as long as we want! We get to make this place… this land… into something special. We get to MAKE history… nae just record it!” He dropped his hands to his sides and shook his head. “I woulda thought that would have sparked your fire… I guess I was wrong.” and he turned and walked out the door. And as the door slid closed… she heard far off thunder.

Seamus, Try As He Might-He Keeps Missing The Mark

Ragna was shocked by his anger. She truly was. She loved it, the house, the garden, the land. She was truly excited about it and grateful for what he’d done for her. She also knew she had been a terror and horrible to him. She’d meant what she said. She was humbled by the fact he still did this all for them despite how horrible she’d been. She hadn’t meant to belittle it. Why could she never say or do anything right? She’d made him angry again, and she’d only meant to express how much all this meant to her.

She went out the door after him. She didn’t know how to make it right, but she wanted to. She heard the thunder and winced. “Seamus?” She didn’t see him. There were no woods or game trails to follow. She didn’t know where he would go or even how to start looking. The other domes maybe? The thunder rumbled again and she accepted that the pain would come.

She looked for him again, but didn’t see or hear him. She left the door open and lit the fire. She threw Lady’s Mantle, Shepherd’s Purse, and Thyme from the dried herbs into the flames. She knelt in front of flames and breathed in the scent. “Mother Frigga help me. Teach me to be a better wife. I didn’t mean it that way. I didn’t, but it doesn’t matter. It only matters how he took it. Teach me so I can be better.” She knelt bybtheir hearth and prayed for guidance. Ragna knew it was up to her and that vary rarely did the gods actually intervene, but maybe if she prayed and focused and thought long enough she would figure it out. Then she would cook, though she didn’t know what yet. She would learn how the domes worked and she would grow their garden and she would make sure the clan was provided for. But first she had to figure out how to show Seamus how much this house meant, everything he had done. Her words were always wrong, so she would have to find a way to show him.

Ragna McKenzie, Herald

Outside, Seamus was walking through the plants in the dome. It looked wholly unorganized, as a proper forest should, but to the discerning eye it as laid out in a grand design that allowed for growth and biological diversity but still allowed for cooperation between species. Most of the plants were native Oedian flora that had been grown using the Vren medium. Without that, this place would look like a lot of seedlings. But with the medium, they were actually maturing full-grown trees in a matter of months, and other, smaller plants in a matter of hours. He stomped through the foliage and cursed and muttered. Then he heard the thunder. “Damn it… she’ll think it’s real.” He didn’t want her to work herself into a migraine, so he turned and headed back. He opened the door just as Ragna finished her prayer, hearing the last words and it made his heart feel like it was in a vice.

“Ragna…” he said and moved to her side and knelt by her. “I nae want ya ta change, love… I love you as ya are. I just want ya tae be happy, lass… to love your life as much as I love you. You don’t need ta be better fer my sake. I wouldn’t give you up in a thousand lifetimes. I just want ya to better for you. I miss you, Ragna… and I dunnae know how to bring back the woman that tried ta walk through the storm of all storms just to prove a point.”

Seamus

Her mouth twitched almost in a smile. She had, as much to prove a point as to run away from him. But Ragna understood how things worked there. What was right and what was wrong and how far she could push. She knew what to do when she was wrong, even if she didn’t want to admit it. “Nothing makes sense here Seamus. At,” she started to say home, but this was home, “On Earth I knew what to do, what the rules were. But everything here is backwards. I went to the grocery amd this poor woman was knocked over and this horrible man accused her of stealing. I told him it was the boy who had run off and she had nothing to hide stolen items in and check. I gave him a description of the other woman and everything. He told me I wasn’t allowed back. The woman was so frightened of the man that I offered to buy her a coffee and a pastry. She accused me of trying to manipulate her and make her owe me favors.” She didn’t even know what she did wrong.

“Last week I was trying to find the administration office for agricultural office to deliver vetrinary records. I couldn’t read the sign and was trying to translate it. I didn’t know I was standing in the way. This man yelled at me to move. I apologized and moved out of the way. He started cursing at me and calling me names. When I kept apologizing he grabbed me and shook me. I couldn’t even understand what he was saying. I wanted to hit him, but I didn’t. Ypu worl for the government, I didn’t want to make it worse. A guard arrested him but asked didn’t I know better than to be nice to a… Zald or something. The police came and I had to give a statement and then have my arm treated. The police told me to be careful who I was polite too. It doesn’t make sense.”

She looked around the house. “This makes sense.”

Ragna McKenzie, Herald

Seamus stood up and then bodily lifted her off the floor. He turned and set her gently into the same chair she had occupied when the storm had triggered the migraine that led to… well… everything. “Ok, first of all. The thunder outside is artificial. But we will have rain inn a few minutes. And wind. And lightning flashes. But it’s all artificial. I designed it simulate a real open-world environment. Both fo rthe plants and animals… but also for you. So, no worries about your noggin, love. You’ll be fine.” He took her hands in his and looked at her intently. “Second. You have lived a sheltered and steady life up till now. Up to this point you have had the task of being a Herald to only those that you understood, and who were like you. But the galaxy is a vast and varied place, my love. Humans are not the standard, and the grand tapestry of life doesn’t acquiesce to your small island, my medium sized island, or either one of our customs. Our job, as leaders of this clan and protectors of our way of life, is too make sure that we are the bridge, Ragna… between the Old Ways and the new worlds. But we can’t be a bridge unless we connect to both sides. Your connection to the Clan and the ways of our people is solid… unbreakable, even. But a Herald is someone who can hold onto her own sense of self while learning and delving into the ways of others. Part ‘a that is getting in the mix with strangers and learning their ways so you can teach the clan about them. Right? Isn’t that what all the great Heralds in history did? Learn about others, help the clan learn, and become stronger with that knowledge?” He sighed heavily. “And the species the cop told ya about. Not Zald, Zaldan. They look human but have webbed hands and feet, that’s how you tell ‘em apart. They view courtesy and politeness as a social construct meant to hide one’s true feelings. They see it as phony, so by being apologetic you actually insulted them.” He sat back on his heels and looked at her and smiled a truly caring smile. “Ragna… you just have to learn that we aren’t the bar to judge others by. We have so many new cultures and species and customs laying right here at our feet. I wish you could see this as the great gift it actually is. It’s just a gift you have to actually put in work for.”

Seamus

“I know it is, Seamus. I do.” She wasn’t Revna, she didn’t know how to talk to people and not offend, to put them at ease. She just upset them. No one explained about the Zaldan. Just told her she had insulted the man when she asked. “Look.” She reached for her satchel and took out a PaDD. She gave it to him. It was full of notes. About people and things she had seen on the colony and even the merchant marine ship. Questions about interactions she had observed, words she had over heard that the UT didn’t translate. Notations about things she saw in more than one species, and the like. Questions were scribbled all over the pages of things she wanted to know. None of it was judgemental, just curious. Like the notes of an archeologist, which she was.

There were even notes about the work crews and special food, cultural, and environmental considerations for them. There were notes about Oed’s history and important people and events. It was clear she was fascinated by it, and there were even the beginnings of reports that she would share. But she had no idea if her observations were correct or wrong. She was trying to learn and do right by the clan, even if she was lonely and felt isolated, she loved her clan and would do right by them. Somehow her execution was just off. “Every time I try to talk to someone I just make a mess of it. That’s not an excuse, I know I have to keep trying.”

Ragna McKenzie, Herald

“Maybe thats the problem. You think you are gonna mess it up from jump. You aren’t gonna be Revna and be able to just talk with people. You won’t be like Runa and be able to distract people and make them intrigued with you. You spend so much time comparing yourself to those two… and I dunnae know why. Because of the three, you are by far the most genuine… the most intelligent… the most compassionate… and the most dedicated. Not to mention the most beautiful and desirable.” he added with a wink.

“Don’t say that. Revna is wonderful and so is Runa. They are intelligent and kind and loyal and dedicated.” Ragna compared herself to them a lot. She adored them. She wanted to be like them. She never wanted a twin, always someone in her business, but she adored her sisters.

He thought for a moment and then said “Have you ever thought about asking Revna about different species? She has the most experience, and she knows the tricks to keep ‘em straight. And then, once you got the foundational knowledge… then you get to be Ragna and meet people as yourself. Standing tall and proud and saying “I am Ragna McKenzie, and I dunnae know a damn thing about you… but I wanna learn.” and he laughed. “I mean… there isn’t a species out there that doesn’t like talking about themselves… right?”

Seamus

Ragna bit her lip and stated past him to the fire. She hadn’t asked Revna because she didn’t want Revna to think she couldn’t do it. That she couldn’t do the job given to her. Revna had never been anything but supportive. Except when Ragna had begged her to call their marriage vows null. Revna had told her she had to wait. Revna had been right.

No one compared Ragna to her sisters except herself. She didn’t want Revna to be disappointed in her. She wanted Revna to be proud. She could do it on her own, just like Revna did. (She was stubborn and unrealistic about how Revna gained her knowledge). Seamus was looking at her expectantly. “I guess I should I ask her.” It hurt her stubborn pride to say it.

Ragna McKenzie, Herald

Seamus’ eyes narrowed at his wife and he said “Huh… I see it now. I’m sorry I missed it before.” He stood up and went to the door and opened it just as the ‘rain’ began to fall. A cool breeze came in carrying the scent of the water. “Do you know how I learned to do all of this, Ragna? Build the house, make the medicines, the furniture… how to live this way?” He stared out the door a long time. “Trial and error… an ‘a LOT of reading. But there was always somethin’ missing…” and he turned and looked at her. “Knowledge is meant to be shared… not just given. If I had someone around that I could have tapped to show me how these tings worked? I’d have jumped at it. Because learning is a social thing. You have done so much on your own, my love. Learned so much by putting your head to it and just doing it. But now you aren’t just learning your history… your clan. So talk to her. She has the knowledge you need.” He walked over to her and looked down and grinned. “I bet you that she is happy you ask her.”

Seamus