Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Dasca’s Apartment- The Comfort of Friends

Posted by Civilian Astrid Rousseau (Chief Justice) in Dasca’s Apartment- The Comfort of Friends

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Dasca’s Apartment- The Comfort of Friends
Posted by… suppressed (12) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

A smirk pulled at her lips. “Oh, I have a long history of it, that’s for sure,” Eela said, shaking her head. “If I’m just talking to you as my friend, I don’t mind admitting that I have quite the temper, especially when I perceive injustice. And then, after my accident, the changes from the brain injury have made me more… impulsive. I’m fully prepared for Cort and Elema to lock me in my office when we do get news, just so I don’t do anything stupid that I would regret. Or maybe not regret.” She had had enough of that already lately. “All I do know if that I will need to have some excellent ways of relieving tension, even if it means extra physio in the days after.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Astrid didn’t hold back the laughter, letting the warm giggle bubble up into a full laugh. She could imagine the need to lock Eela away until her temper subsided to something more manageable. While Eela looked put together and wise, she could tell the other woman had a fiesty nature hidden behind the more calm and cool exterior. “I definitely try for a more zen way of life, but I am glad to have friends that have more of a “spicy” nature. If you ever need a voice of reason, I am your lady.”

Rousseau, HotJ

Eela chuckled. “Spicy. I like that description. Feels about right. I think I always was, but I became so timid in my personal life over the years, but it’s been nice to let the real Eela breathe. But yes, I need trusted voices in my life.” She gazed at Astrid for a moment and just smiled. “I am glad you and I got to know each other better, Astrid. Friends are a precious resource around here and I am glad I count you amongst them.” Despite the grief and confusion and anger recent events (both with Dash and Cory), she was still surfacing as a stronger and more vibrant version of the woman who had arrived determined to do something good on this colony. In the end, it was more like Oed forced her to shed the veneer and be herself. Anything less and they probably would have rejected her, if not right away, then over time.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Astrid smiled warmly. “I am too Eela. I have been so focused on my career and my siblings wellbeing, that I really did not focus on friendships much. When I came here, I knew I wanted a personal life but I found it quite hard to get started; something I had not anticipated. It feels like I am finally starting to make a solid life here. Joseph and his wife, Lord and Lady Duroc, and now you all seem to find me worthwhile to spend time with. I cannot tell you how it warms my heart and fills my soul.”

Rousseau, HotJ

“I completely understand how you feel. Coming to Oed, letting people in a bit… I found a sense of family again I’ve been dearly missing since I left Starfleet. Actually, no, not just a sense f family, but true found family.” Eela beamed at Astrid. “And I daresay we’ve added another to the mix.”

Breathing out deeply, Eela felt more relaxed. Yes, she was still grieving and that would go for awhile, or however long it took, but in this moment she felt comforted and supported. “Thank you for coming to see me. I really appreciate it. I don’t know what the days and weeks ahead look like, but I know moments like this will sustain me.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Astrid nodded solemnly, understanding how hard it could be after what Eela went through, to find her peace again. “Well, it seems as though I have done my job very well and the judiciary is working like a well oiled machine. I have more time, though I have been working on a new research paper on the complexities of Star Fleet and Civilian law integration for places like OED V. I have not quite figured out what angle I want to take with it so its just a lot of information sitting there with no purpose.”

Rousseau, HotJ

Eela smiled. “Sounds like a much needed topic, especially given that though our situation might be slightly unique here on Oed, the times when civilian and Starfleet jurisdictions intersect are not rare and they certainly have varied complications.”

She smirked at her new friend. “But just in case you find yourself mired in information for too many hours, know that you’re always welcome to call me. I might not always be free, but when I get home from the office, I do try to spend my time doing things that are not work related. A challenge, I know, but it seems like a valuable one.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“I have yet to learn that one.” She grimaced a little, knowing how real it was that she didn’t even try to keep work at work. “If I am not at lessons with Duroc’s security or Karlson and his wife, I am at home, working on .... well… work. I really should get more hobbies and friends.”

As Astrid brought her cup to her lips to sip once more, she laughed a bit, then sipped. “Besides shopping that is. I love fashion. However, I can often do that without ever leaving the comfort of my back yard.”

Rousseau, HotJ

“Nonsense!” Eela said, her hazel eyes glittering. “Half the fun around here is going to play dress up at some of the little shops. There’s a fantastic boutique that does semi-formal and formal wear and that’s where I found not only that gown I wore at the gala, but also the dresses I wore for the bachelorette auction and the subsequent date with Dash.” She chuckled. “The only downside is that it’s hard for me to go in anonymously unless I really want to put in the effort of wearing a wig and trying to disguise myself. Most of the time I don’t bother, and know my interactions with shop staff might end up beign slightly different than that of others.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Astrid grinned conspiratorially. “Sounds like you need a bodyguard! I shall happily take that post. I love shopping. I really do. One of my favorite things to do is find what looks to be the most hideous thing on the rack and see if it really is that bad on. Sometimes I have been surprised and sometimes not, but its always fun to do. Shall we go shopping soon?”

Rousseau, HotJ

She sucked in a breath and nodded slowly. “I think once the dust settles and the investigation requires less of me, then that might be just what I need.” Eela gave her a small smile. “We’ll definitely have to make plans.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“I am a bit of a fashion lover. Truly, I am. I love classic pin up style outfits from the 1950s that regain popularity about every 100 years or so. A good pencil skirt suit made with excellent fabric with a blouse that really accents the colors just makes me happy. Add a beautiful pair of shoes and I am in heaven. I can’t imagine wearing a uniform ever. Give me color and fun any day.”

Rousseau, HotJ

Eela grinned. “Oh, I never minded the uniform. I had fun with clothes when I was off duty, though I will say it’s been a wonderful adventure since it got here. I fully believe clothing can change how you feel about yourself and I have definitely used it both as a revelation and armour when needed.”

“I definitely agree. If I am ever feeling down, I get into the outfits I most feel beautiful in. If I am feeling less than confident, I put on my most professional wear. I like to find unique pieces. I love fun patterns as long as they don’t blind me. I am more delicate in style than bold.”

“As for our shopping excursion, we’ll have to pick a day and have Cort put it in my schedule. Otherwise, it’ll never happen,” she said with a lopsided smirk.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“I will have my people call your people.” She said with a laugh and sipped her tea, finishing the first cup.

Rousseau, HotJ

Eela studied her new friend for a moment before a smile crept onto her face. “Want to see one of my little hobbies?” It was something she had picked up again and had just puttered with until this new idea had come to mind. Now it was this tiny bit of secret joy she had shared with almost no one.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Curiosity piqued by the almost secretive nature of the question and attitude, Astrid laid down her almost finished cup of tea and leaned forward. Her eyebrow raised in quizzical way and then she smiled conspiratorially. “Absolutely. I love a good hobby.” There was a sense of joy in her that she was coming to earn a friend like Eela. It had been a long pushed away goal that finally was coming to fruition. Perhaps now she was really finding her own place.

Rousseau, HotJ

Eela set down her own cup and rose. “Come, I’ll show you. It’s in my office.”

She led the way back through the apartment, around and past the kitchen to the first open door just before the main hallway she had led Astrid past initially when she had arrived.

Stepping inside, Eela beamed. “Picture just plain walls and windows, a solid floor, and a big desk on the right wall.” A new sit/stand desk that appeared to have wooden legs stoo in the corner, giving her work options that supported her back.

The two interior walls were filled with more of the same recessed bookcases as in the hallway, but at least one of them had a biometric lock on it. The windows still let in light, but had floor to ceiling transparent bookcases with a rolling ladder and track to get to the higher shelves. There were small cubes around the room on the walls, also transparent, where pieces of importance were singled out and displayed. A framed handwritten poem was inside one of the transparent cubes on the wall behind her desk. Another contained a model of a Sovereign-class ship.

But perhaps the most eye catching part was the spiral staircase that led down to a reading nook with more books and a cozy chair.

Eela stepped over and rested a hand on the railing, peering down. “When it’s not in use, I can have a transparent floor covering block the opening so I can walk over it. Karilan also set it up to not only be a safe room, but the stairs are on tracks, so if I’m having a bad back day, they’ll carry me up no problem,” she said, looking back at Astrid.

The office was certainly impressive. It seemed Eela liked natural light around her as much as Astrid did and she appreciated the intelligent design of the room. IT definitely got her mind going about different touches she might incorporate into her own space. She took her time taking in the room while Eela moved around. She was curious about what hobby Eela might have picked up, but ones home says a lot about a person and Astrid liked getting to know more about Eela.

She moved to one of the transparent shelves and crouched only slightly to grab one of two light coloured wooden cases. She brought the first over to her desk and lifted the lid. Inside an interior tray were little compartments filled with not only paintbrushes and small paint tubes, but also little glass jars. She lifted the tray and set it to the side. Underneath were sheets of watercolour paper with what looked like colour swatches. Eela pulled the top one out and set it on the desk. There were different shades of browns, greys, and greens, plus a dark earthy red and some muted yellows.

“So, on and off through much of my life, I’ve dabbled with water colours. Most of the time I’m not aiming to do more than let myself relax and enjoy the way the paint interacts with the paper and how the colours intermingle. But I learned years ago about making my own paints. It’s not really hard, but there are some particular considerations for getting a quality paint.” Eela lifted her gaze from the page and focused on Astrid, her hazel eyes lighting up. “You can make pigments from a lot of different things, including ground up rock. And so I had this interesting idea come to mind to use materials natural to Oed or that others have brought here and make paints from those. They would be uniquely Oedian. And then I my mind got really ambitious and thought what if a bunch of Oed citizens all had a square sheet of watercolour paper and got to use these paints to do their own little painting and then we assembled them like a mosaic into a really large mural. I was thinking of pitching the idea to the Arts Centre as part of the renovations I’m supporting.” Eela sucked in a breath. “It’s such a whim but it feels like the right kind of whim for Oed. Or am I being silly?”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

The Chief Justice returned her attention from the room to the small wooden case. Her eyebrows shot up, and though she was surprised, she didn’t think she should have been. Besides the fact that the palette suited Eela’s taste in colors, it seemed very much like something she would do… if Astrid was any kind of judge. Her fingers traveled over the dry swatches and she smiled. “I think you are a beautiful and complex person Eela. Its an excellent idea. How incredible is it that you made your own paint?” There was a mix of excitement and awe in her voice as she took in the depth of the colors she too found to be some of her favorites.

“It is not at all silly. It is magnificent! You really do undervalue yourself.” Astrid remarked, looking up at Eela and finding she heard the truth ring through her words. Where did such an automatic reaction within someone come from? Eela was talented, intelligent, wise, and yet she didn’t seem to value herself in the way someone with those attributes should.

Rousseau, HotJ