Posted by Civilian Cort Belanger (Executive Assistant to Lt. Gov.) in Sloane Square- Contemplations (open)

Posted by Civilian Joseph Karlson (Police Commissioner) in Sloane Square- Contemplations (open)

Posted by Civilian Cort Belanger (Executive Assistant to Lt. Gov.) in Sloane Square- Contemplations (open)
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Joseph considered the question, taking the time to finish the first half of his sandwich “I think I might, at least long enough to see things grow green again. I’ve been considering getting some land to settle down on whenever I retire, since space is at a premium on Earth and Trill me and Neema always considered settling down on a colony” He paused then smiled “I guess it depends on how much my grandchildren enjoy being here.”

Commissioner Karlson

“The terraforming would certainly be something to bear witness to, for sure.” Cort was quiet for a moment, gathering his thoughts., things he hadn’t been ready to admit to anyone else, let alone himself. “I think I can see myself staying here, you know, settling down, getting married, maybe having kids. I could see that happening here, but I’m not sure when exactly that changed,” he said with a chuckle.

Cort Belanger, Executive Assistant to Lt. Gov.

Joseph smiled “I know the feeling, sometimes it just hits you, the need or want to start a family. There’s something about Oed that I find fascinating, for me it’s the challenge of building a fringe civilization. Why live in paradise when you can create it.”

Commissioner Karlson

Cort nodded. “I definitely think there is something to that. For me though family is complicated. Are you close with yours? I’ve gone great lengths to get distance from mine.” He almost laughed given how far he was from Vega, and that he had originally joined the Federation Red Cross to get out from their reach.

Cort Belanger, Executive Assistant to Lt. Gov.

Joseph nodded slowly “Oh yes quite, both parents and in-laws. Four children five grandchildren. My brother of course and his daughter, then a whole cadre of cousins and whatnot. Although I left for the Marines the day I turned eighteen I always stayed in contact with my family. I had quite a privileged life back on Earth, I grew up in the thirties, a very calm period compared to the next few decades.” He started the second half of his sandwich “So bad family life?” He asked

Commissioner Karlson

Cort shook his head. “No, not the way you might be thinking. Mine too was very privileged. But therein lay the problem. With great privilege comes high expectations and I just reached a point where I didn’t feel the need to try to fulfill them anymore. I left home looking for space to find my own path, and it worked. Rather well.” Cort snorted ever so slightly.

Cort Belanger, Executive Assistant to Lt. Gov.

Joseph nodded “I get that, known more than a few people who did not feel that need. I suppose my meaning of privilege was somewhat different. Do you stay in contact with your family?”

Commissioner Karlson

Cort nodded. “I do. I have a generally good relationship with them so long as we keep our conversations very general and we don’t delve into personal topics. It just works better for everyone. Not that they would think to ask very personal questions but…” He shrugged. “I have a grandmother I’m more close with though. I do try to call her separately when I can.”

“You sound close with yours.”

Cort Belanger, Executive Assistant to Lt. Gov.

Joseph considered the statement as he consumed the sandwich “I suppose so, now mind you, my parents are reaching their hundred-year mark soon. But I’ve always had a decent relationship, my mother was a Marine, she took the enlisted route whereas I went through Officer training. My father ran a bar most of his life, and never really left Earth.” Joseph chuckled “They refuse to leave Earth, citing the fact that their reaching their hundredth year, I can promise you this, they’re healthier than half the residents of the Tower”

Commissioner Karlson

Cort grinned. “You know, I can believe it. And they know what they want- That I can understand too. It does seem to me that by the time you reach a certain age you’ve earned the right to have things how you like it, if you’re able. Life goals, right?”

Cort Belanger, Executive Assistant to Lt. Gov.

Joseph chortled “I’ve been at that age for a while now and let me tell you, it’s fantastic, haven’t let a Vulcan smartmouth me in ages. It’s funny how respect for the elderly is almost a universal thing” Although he spoke about being in his seventies he did not look it, it was a popular topic of gossip on Oed how he hadn’t seemed to age in the decade since he’d first arrived and even then how he hardly looked over mid fifty.

Commissioner Karlson