RESUME VACATION

RESUME VACATION

RESUME VACATION

:: walking along the beach with Lexy near her parents' home in Lunat Bay on Risa ::

:: drops her bag in the front room of the Acacia farmhouse, looking around slowly, taking in the normalcy of it all. ::

:: is wearing a bikini with a kimono-style cover-up, a pair of lace-up gladiator sandals, and a big sun hat walking hand in hand with Kate ::

:: also dressed in a bikini, but with a traditional gauzy sheer Risian cover ::

:: squeezes Lexy's hand as they come to the general area :: Lexy: It was about here, was it not?

:: smiles brightly from under the brim of her hat :: Kate: I think so!

:: makes her way through the living room to the windows, looking out at her mother who still doesn't seem to have noticed her, headphones in and fruit basket in hand. ::

:: follows behind Emily, somewhat apprehensive but would never show it ::

:: flies around above her parents' high-rise just outside Starfleet Headquarters. Having returned from Betazed, she gushed her adventure to her mother, but with her mother off to work and her father typically away as an ambassador, she just takes in the might of Starfleet's establishment in the distance and reflects on her journeys ::

:: stops and turns, placing herself in a similar position to where they were five years ago ::

Suzuki> :: probably off climbing alone somewhere ::

:: grins, shrugging. She looks around at all the plants hanging from the ceiling, admiring each of the many mismatched chairs and tables :: Doc: She's probably picking those for us, we are a bit early. Best not to startle her.

:: stops as well, following Kate's lead ::

Ethan> :: is currently sprawled out on the floor of their house, playing with their year-old german shepherd while Ryleigh is at the stove, working on something for dinner. :: Soleil> :: she barks excitedly, trying to nip at her owner's hands in a total playing mood ::

:: smiles and just waits, looking around the place ::

:: turns Lexy to face her and looks down at her wife, remembering the emotions of that day ::

:: the Acacia family farm was clearly built up over time, nothing matching or new, but it all works together in a beautiful sort of quilt. The Doctor perks up a bit, gesturing to the window as her mother finishes filling her apple basket and spots the pair. She breaks into a light jog to make it inside, ecstatic ::

Janessa> :: drops her basket and jump-hugs Emily :: Emily: Kiddo!

::: puts on his most charming smile as he waits to see Emily's mom's reaction to him ::

Janessa> :: fluffs Emily's hair, much to the Doctor's chagrin. She then turns, focusing on Doc with a sharp eye and a small smirk, assessing him. After a moment she extends a hand for a handshake :: Doc: Navarro, was it? :: Emily rolls her eyes ::

Janessa: Call me Doc, señora. :: shakes her hand ::

:: smiles up at Kate :: Kate: It was here that you changed my life, Kitty.

Janessa> :: returns a firm handshake, pleased. She uses one hand to pull him into a half-hug, giving him a few pats on the back :: Doc: Aha, you are cute! Where are you from, South America?

:: smiles at her through suddenly moist eyes :: Lexy: And you changed mine, Rosie. The both of us, hesitant to bring up our feelings for one another beyond our friendship...

:: buries her face in her hands ::

:: settles down on the couch, tucking her legs up underneath her to use Ethan as a pillow; Soleil was sleeping at the base of the furniture as some show was playing, just taking advantage of no shift or potential for emergencies to arise to take time for themselves ::

:: laughs and returns the hug :: Janessa: Spain, señora. But close enough.

:: getting misty at the sight of Kate getting misty :: Kate: I'm so glad we did!

:: softly :: Lexy: Me, too. Now... I wonder if we have gotten any better at this after five years? :: leans down to recreate the kiss ::

Janessa> :: releases him, turning her attention back to the apples. She grabs the basket and begins carefully feeding apples into a machine near the kitchen that presses them :: Doc/Emily: How was your flight?

Janessa: Er.. good.

:: throws her arms around Kate's neck and throws herself into the kiss, far more passionately than she had the nerve to do five years ago ::

Janessa: I told you he's a pilot, right? :: she muses ::

:: thought the flight was rather dull, since he wasn't flying ::

:: looks down at all the homes in the residential area as she soars above, the perfectly manicured lawns, the sweeping grey architecture, and the overall idyllic scene. It was a culture without poverty or even currency, where provisions of every kind were abundant, and people in general enjoyed their occupations. It was a good age to live in, and she was happy to be a part of it ::

Janessa> :: chuckles, seeming to find some private amusement in that :: Doc/Emily: So, Doc... tell me about your family.

:: eagerly kisses her wife, the five years having also infused far more passion into her kiss ::

:: sighs, shaking her head. This was what she'd warned him about.. ::

Janessa: Well, let's see... I have four sisters and three brothers, so a big family.

Janessa> :: raises an eyebrow :: Doc: You're about in the middle?

:: nods :: Janessa: Sí. But I was never overlooked!

:: after the kiss finally fades, she sighs contentedly while smiling into her eyes:: Lexy: Thank you, Rosie, for the best five years of my life. Despite the various hells we have been through together.

Janessa> :: chuckles, finishing up with the apples and setting aside the ones she's leaving intact. She mixes the apple juice with another juice she'd pressed that morning, a tropical fruit from Betazed that would be fresh on Doc's mind. She offers the fruit juice to the two, dropping a few ice cubes in their glasses. :: Doc: So why Starfleet, for you?

Kate: Thank you for the same. Truth be told, though it's nice to have a break, I'm really looking forward to just getting back to our everyday lives, our quarters, our jobs, Anna...

Lexy: I know! We spent so much time away, or at least it feels like we did...

Janessa: For me? To be a pilot. :: thankfully takes the drink with a dip of his head :: Gracias.

::Wanders around Atlantis' corridors, feeling invigorated after his adventures within the Forest's of Terra, but finds himself lonely amongst the silent minds and empty halls.:: Self: Where are Lanteans?! Compterter! Find the Lanteans!

Janessa> :: pours her own drink, sitting down in one of the chairs in the living room. The living room and kitchen were completely connected, with lots of mishmashed furniture in between. :: Doc: So you'd just as soon fly a freighter, or..?

Janessa: No señora. I immediately went for the high performance spacecraft—fighters. Landing my job on a Sovereign class was... an excellent bonus.

:: takes her own drink and makes a circuit around the room to look at the plants, or maybe unwind. There was nothing she could say to stop the grilling, even if she wanted to.. and it was a bit cute. ::

:: samples the juice and smiles, remembering it ::

::Rushes along, following his scent through the ship, and finding the current hub of many smells to the transporter room.:: Comp: Compterer, find the Lanteans?! The Lady Of The Sky. ::Doesnt note a transporter chief.::

Janessa> :: gestures to the juice :: Doc: What do you think?

Lexy: In the meantime, with the time we have here, at least what we are not spending with my parents, what would you like to do?

:: sits down next to Doc, offering a small smile ::

Janessa: It's great, gracias! I had this juice on Betazed.

Kate: There are two main things I love to do on Risa.

<TR_Chief> Amber Sun: Do you mean, you want the computer to find the crew? But specifically Commannder Kuari?

::Turns his big head slowly, and smiles a toothy grin.:: TRC: Yes! The Dragon Of The Skyward Wind!

:: purses her lips expectantly, regarding Lexy with a mischievous glint in her eyes ::

Janessa> :: grins and nods :: Doc: Milaia fruit and apples--a marriage of Earth and Betazed, a bit like me! :: she laughs, clearly pleased with one of her favorite jokes. Emily groans. ::

Kate: You, and snorkeling. :: ducks away, giggling ::

:: laughs, genuinely ::

:: having known that was coming, she joins in the giggling ::

:: swats playfully at her bottom :: Lexy: Where would you like to snorkel this time?

Kate: Oh, you're the expert!

Janessa> :: there's a ding in the kitchen, and she perks up. She turns the oven off and pulls out the roasting vegetables that had been making the kitchen smell good. She tosses them all in a bowl and sets the bowl out, along with a couple forks. :: Doc: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

:: chuckles, but Emily did warn him about this job interview :: Janessa: By then I would hope to be eyeing the rank of Commander, perhaps in line for commanding an aerospace group, or even a ship's executive officer. But who knows what the future may bring?

<TR_Cheif> ::Rubs his head.:: Amber Sun: Oooooh.... oooh kay then. ::Types away at his console, pinging the commander's commsignal.:: She's near the Starfleet Headquarters area in San Francisco. She is several hundred metre above the Earth though. So... ::Puffs.:: I can put you down in the residential area, and you'll probably see her. Honestly, I've never been asked by a Bear to find a Dragon.

Well... :: puts a finger to her lips, pretending to think, but she knows precisely where she wants to take Lexy :: Remember that beach I took you to five years ago, the one only for native Risans?

Janessa> :: thinks about it, seeming content. There's a beat, and it seems like the interview might be over. She continues, :: Doc: You said Spain, where in Spain?

TRC: That Ok! ::Smiles, his canines looking particularly prominent, as his quills jostle on his head.::

Janessa: Do you know Navarre?

<TR_Chief> Amber Sun: Gonna push the buttons now. ::Activates the transport, and watches the Bear vanish in blue twinkles.:: Self: This ship man... just gets fucking weirder...

Kate: ......the nude beach?

Janessa> :: smiles lightly, nodding :: Doc: My sister lives in Ovideo.

Kate: The place we went after we shot guns?

:: looks genuinely surprised :: Janessa: Well, small world, as they say!

:: grins :: Lexy: Yes, that is the one! There are some great sights under the water there too, you know.

:: seems surprised :: Janessa: What? Which one?

:: gives Kate a dubious grin ::

Kate: That's the reason you want to go, sure, uh-huh.

Janessa> :: seems surprised that she's surprised :: Emily/Doc: Janice, she moved there a few years ago because she liked it.

:: returns the grin, but nods :: Lexy: It is true!

::Emerges amongst some houses and appartment blocks, as he rematerialises. He looks around the area, feeling a strange sense from the place. He'd never been in an actual City before, and the noises in the far distance made him uncomfortable. But he shrugged it off and looked to the sky, making calls with his beary roar.::

:: flies along, serene for a while, but just as her thoughts turn towards the planet they were stranded on and a distant, uncomfortable feeling of a room full of radiation, she hears a unique sound very much out of place on Earth. She looks down, her ears pricked, attempting to locate the source. She dives far downward towards the sound, but she's unable to pinpoint the location, continuing to look around ::

:: rolls her eyes playfully :: Kate: Fiiiiiiiine. Let's go!

:: almost cheers as they head off to her parents' house to get their stuff ::

Janessa> Doc: Small world, eh? What did you think of Betazed?

Janessa: It is indeed, señora. As for Betazed, I had a wonderful time! Betazese is beautiful, as is the culture there. Emily was a wonderful guide to it all.

:: after a quick stop there, and a transport ride, they arrive ::

::Plods along, sniffing at the air, and following his other senses. Decides that the best bet is to get high up, so he inevitably decides to climb up a wall; and onto the roof of a small house. And begins roaring again as he stands up on his hind legs.::

:: surreptitiously hands Lexy one of her extra forehead ornaments ::

:: stealthily puts it on her forehead, feeling like an imposter ::

:: whispers :: Kate: I'm culturally appropriating.

:: smirks and whispers back :: Lexy: You are native by marriage now!

:: turns her head sharply as another call draws her to one side, and she flies closer to a row of single-story houses. After another call, she finds the source, and is alarmed to see Amber Sun on a roof! She flaps hurriedly and comes in for a landing ::

::The bear clearly stands out, against the light blue house. He looks up to see Kuari, and wvaes happily with his paw.:: Kuari: HHHHHEeeeellloOOOOOOOOOOOooooooo

Janessa> :: sighs softly, obviously agreeing with that :: Doc: Yeah.. Betazese really inspired the traveler in me. :: she muses :: I have tons of photos, if you're interested~

Janessa: I have plenty of my own, but gracias, señora. :: hopes to politely deflect the photo album of a place he just came from ::

:: bellows back brightly and lands at the other side with a mighty flare and flap of her wings :: AmberSun: AmberSun! What are you doing here on a roof?

:: walks with her out onto the beach and sets up their stuff in a nice spot ::

Janessa> :: seems a bit disappointed :: Doc: You sure? The Vulcan temples have some really wild architecture.

:: looks around to see how many other people there are on the beach ::

Kuari: Looking for yooouuuu! ::Grins.:: I find! Needed to get high though. ::Sniffs the air.:: Luckily, no Anger Deer here.

:: the beach is not very crowded, but everyone is quite nude ::

Doc: She's been to almost half of the Federation planets. :: she agrees ::

:: looks around, confused :: AmberSun> No, no anger deer here, none that I know of. :: looks at him again, cocking her head :: Why are you looking for me?

:: self-consciously unties her kimono cover-up and folds it neatly on the blanket ::

Janessa: That is impressive, I must admit. Would you like to see pictures of the galactic center? We :: smiles at Emily :: have been there.

:: finds herself uncharacteristically hesitating to disrobe ::

Kuari: Amber Sun lonely. Atlantees is quiet. People are not yet home. Went on adventure alone, but need company. Cannot find the Eduda. So find the Lady of the Skies instead! You not like the Hooooomanz, or the other two legs. Make Amber Sun more comfortable. ::Smiles.::

:: starts to remove her bikini top, then notices Kate's hesitation :: Kate: What's wrong?

Janessa> :: puts her photos on, setting a slideshow to play on the main television in the living room. It seems she mostly likes plants, skylines, and buildings juxtaposed against nature. Each photo lists where it's from and, sure enough, it's all over the quadrant. :: Doc: I'd love that!

:: starts to talk, then stops, then starts again, somewhat embarrassed ::

Lexy: I, uh... I think it comes from having to survive with no clothes for days before finding that house.

:: thinks aloud :: Doc: Do you have those downloaded? Do I?

:: smiles, charmed by AmberSun's sincere words and unique way of speaking :: AmberSun> Well, I would be happy to spend time with you. We haven't really had much time to do so. :: looks down at his feet, and at the roof :: Let's get down first, though. This is someone else's territory, but the street is public. We can walk down the street.

Emily: I do! :: pulls out his mobile and flicks them over to the projector ::

Kate: .....that makes sense. We... we don't have to do this if you don't want to.

Janessa> :: oohs and aahs at the photos as they scroll across the screen. :: Doc: You're lucky, in that regard. There's a lot of things you can only see in space.

:: smirks at Doc, wagging her eyebrows slightly. It seems he's passed his job interview. ::

::Looks around.:: Kuari: Okay! Walks to the edge of the roof, before disappearing down quickly, head first.::

:: shakes her head and takes a deep breath :: Lexy: No, I know what it is, and I want to move past it. :: takes off the sheer cover, but doesn't fold it ::

:: flaps lightly to the street ::

:: undoes her bikini top and folds it, putting it on top of the cover-up ::

::Is still clambering down, but the uncomforatble looking climbing position doesnt seem to phase the Salbjorn; before he finally lands on the ground.::

:: watches AmberSun for a moment, then casts her eyes around blindly in thought, trying to recall her past study of the crew manifests on previous visits to Earth as he approaches :: AmberSun> Have you ever been to Starfleet Headquarters? I don't remember.

Janessa: Sí, we see some amazing sights, that is for sure. :: smiles back at Emily as he watches the slideshow ::

:: Lexy's confidence bolsters her past her hangup, and she follows suit with her emerald green strapless tied top ::

:: at least her apparent confidence, but she knows her wife, and knows she's out of her comfort zone ::

::Shakes his head.:: Kuari: No First time here on Earth.... Second time. I went on adventure! I find Emperor Trees and Anger Deer, and I caught and ate a bushytail!

:: covers her chest with an arm, but uses her other hand to wriggle out of the bottoms, which she folds as well ::

:: takes another deep breath, knowing she will not have to survive here, that this is for fun ::

:: then slides down the bikini bottoms and steps out of them ::

Kuari: Bushtail boney, but taste good!

:: looks up a moment before the door opens, getting up to go hug her younger sister as she comes through the door. Torinessa, the youngest sister, is a small, fragile little thing, so despite her excitement Emily is quite gentle about her hug, as is their mother. ::

:: grins, stepping back :: Doc: Tori, Doc. Doc, Tori.

:: stands and offers a hand to Tori :: Tori: A pleasure to meet you, Tori.

:: thinks on AmberSun's words as they begin to walk, side by side, down the street, and her officer's mind can't help but consider the laws regarding AmberSun's hunt, and is reminded of the many rabbit-like creatures she had to hunt for a year :: AmberSun> You have had quite an adventure. Was the Anger Deer a dangerous foe? Tell me of it!

Torinessa> :: offers a hand, giving a handshake that's as firm as it can be for a stick bug :: Doc: And you. :: she nods to him, then to the others, Torinessa and Janessa heading towards the kitchen together to finish up food for dinner, as well as cutting up the remaining apples for what will become a pie. ::

:: kneels and digs in their bag, pulling out their breathers and fins, handing Kate's to her and heading for the water, too self-conscious to be out of the water much longer ::

:: smiles lightly as they go :: Doc: Ah, yeah.. she's, the quiet one. :: she reminds him ::

:: starts as she's handed her gear, but then smiles — everything is alright — and follows Lexy to the water ::

:: nods, remembering ::

:: splashes into the surf as they reach it ::

:: ushers him towards the table as the other two women begin setting out food. She sits down, grinning :: Tori: So! How's school?

Kuari: It was big! Had great horns, and it roared like me! It reminded me of memories in the great cave. Tales of Dukes of Deers, in the South Continent. But it was so big, had to climb up the Emperor Tree for safety. Had to wait for the sun to arc towards dusk before it went away.

:: and feels a bit better; her native waters are warm and welcoming, brushing away the memories of the cold rain ::

Torinessa> :: sighs :: Emily: It's alright.

:: splashes into the water to cover herself as quickly as possible, pulling on the fins and inserting the breather ::

Kuari: Then it came back, after I caught the Bushytail!

:: dons her gear and ducks underwater as soon as it's deep enough ::

:: follows suit ::

:: raises an eyebrow, giving Tori a look. The younger sister eventually cracks, admitting :: Torinessa> Emily: I invited my boyfriend to this dinner a few days ago and.. we're now no longer on speaking terms.

:: inhales sharply :: Tori: Yikes.

:: presses a button on the breather and miniature shield appears over her eyes, keeping the water out, and she talks through their comm :: Lexy: Ready?

:: winces ::

Janessa> Torinessa: Well, boys suck. :: she gives Doc a look like, you know what I mean though ::

:: is fascinated by AmberSun's story, wondering what the Anger Deer was, and realizes she's still quite alien to the world of Earth, not familiar enough with its fauna to identify it. She's also drawn to AmberSun's history :: AmberSun> Dukes of Deers...I would have probably climbed a tree, too! We are very different, you and I. You are heavy and strong, but I am light and not as strong and flee more easily.

:: shrugs and nods ::

:: nods, giving a thumbs up sign :: Kate: Ready!

:: swims out toward the reef; she wasn't lying about the undersea view here ::

:: gets up and rounds the table to rub her sister's back, then offer her a hug. Janessa finishes setting out the food and the family sits down for dinner, a bit of a mood in the air but the girls obviously trying to enjoy each others' company. ::

:: swims as well, though not as fast - she's not as strong a swimmer as Kate ::

:: the warm water flowing over her skin makes her feel even better about the situation, reminding her how much she likes to swim nude ::

Torinessa> :: nods as Janessa babbles about the beginning of their visit :: Doc: Oh, yeah? I've been to Spain as well, to visit my aunt.

Tori: Yes, your mother was telling me that she lives there. Not far from where I am from, overall.

:: is distraught, wondering how she is the only one who didn't know about her aunt in Spain ::

Kuari: But Amber Sun not a fighter. Me make friends. The Anger Deer did not want to be friend. But that is how Amber Sun find Eduda, and KuuArree, and the Lanteans of the Skyship Atlantees.

:: after a short swim out, a colorful reef is visible with a lot of marine life of all colors and sizes, perhaps only an average of 6 meters down ::

Kate: Oooh!

:: drops her head, her nose almost touching the ground as she walks along on all fours :: AmberSun> Of course. My parents are not fighters either, and sometimes I forget, as I chose a path of...studying defense. You would make a good fighter, though. You would be a difficult enemy for me, if we were not friends. I'm glad we are friends, and that you are peaceful like we are. :: offers a toothy grin to AmberSun ::

Lexy: See! I told you! :: laughs ::

:: laughs too ::

:: starts darting about, looking into holes and crevices for more reclusive animals ::

:: swims down, looking at the coral structures with interest ::

Janessa> Doc: So all of the vegetables were grown here. :: she muses proudly, gesturing to the glass wall overlooking the lush farm :: I say there's nothing like the real thing.

Torinessa> :: wags her eyebrows exchanging a glance with Emily and mouthing, 'I say' ::

::Smiles a toothy grin back.:: Kuari: There are those among my people who are fighters. The ones who fought the Xovul invaders. But that it what the Neme is chosen for, of all things.

Janessa: You know, I agree! Replicated food just lacks a certain something, doesn't it? Your farm is quite impressive.

Kuari: The memories of the cave, of the Neme of ages passed... Especially the First Neme... had greeeaaaat power.

AmberSun> The Neme...must be strong in body, but also in mind. They have to be wise and also a good defender. It takes a special one to be both. :: remembers back to her encounters with Neme ::

:: waves at a crab that her light finds back in a crevice, who doesn't seem to be happy about the situation ::

:: leaves the crab alone and flits over to where Lexy is ::

Janessa> :: nods approvingly :: Doc: Thank you. It's a lot less work these days, now that everything's grown in. But we put in all those fruit trees, had to dig the little pond and create a whole microclimate. :: she draws with her finger what she's speaking about, but some of the Betazese fruit trees are clearly visible between the glass wall and the rest of the farm. ::

Kuari: That is why Amber Sun was asked to join Eduda and KuuAree. I will learn so the Neme of days to come will be stronger, so the Salbjorn will be safe.

:: is examining the coral more closely, looking at all the colorful fish as they go by ::

:: glides up beside her and points out a tiny, but colorful sea slug on the coral ::

Kuari: But also... ::He shakes his head side to side.:: Amber Sun keep Eduda safe.

Torinessa> :: nods thoughtfully :: Doc: The trees started out as tall as me when I was like, four.

:: leans in closer to see all the colors on the tiny thing ::

:: taps her mask to take a holopic :: Lexy: That one is rare!

Kate: Oh, really? Lucky, then! :: takes a pic as well ::

:: grins again and stops walking, looking AmberSun full in the face :: AmberSun> That is why my father and mother and I are here, too! We left our home, traveled far...to learn. We are away from our kind, alone, but with friends. We are very alike!

:: turns and spots a couple of larger marine mammals swimming in the distance :: Lexy: Look!

:: the mood lifts as the meal passes and topics shift, bad moods forgotten. There is a break after dinner before the fresh apple pie is done, the local treat to end the evening. ::

::Nods happily.:: Kuari: Me know Amber Sun no talk good of your language. And Translator of speech no work well with Salbjorn brain. But will learn better. Then can do more to help and learn.

:: looks where Kate is pointing :: Kate: Wow!

:: looks eagerly at the pie ::

:: smiles, that sight making the dive, feeling completely back to herself again :: Lexy: Great undersea views, like I said, yes?

:: sighs happily, finding a sense of comfort in how normal the evening has been, the nuttiness of her family included. She slices up the pie and hands out plates, sitting back down next to Navarro. ::

:: squeezes Emily's hand under the table before digging in to the pie ::

Kate: This is orders of magnitude better than holodeck snorkeling.

:: nods and begins walking again :: AmberSun> You still impress me with your ability to use physical speech. Our kind are good at mimicking other species, but the language is very different from my own. Mind communication is natural among my kind, too, but it seems to not work well with other mind-speaking species. I can tell you have practiced sound speech a lot. You have learned a lot already.

Lexy: Yes! It being real, with the unpredictability of real animal life... there is nothing like it.

Janessa> :: munching :: Doc: So there's the occasional good gene you can find that's compatible, like, completely across cultures, right? Like these apples, they have a gene from a.. :: she has to think for a second :: An Andorian.. pea. It makes them a little sweeter, and the nutrients are more complete, it's produces a bit of protein actually.

:: returns the squeeze, digging into her pie and grinning at her mother's rambling ::

:: swallows the bite, nodding emphatically :: Janessa: Is that why this pie is so good? Well, that plus the chef, sí?

Janessa> :: chuckles, charmed :: Doc: Hah! Well, you can ask my daughter about genetics if you're really interested, but there are some strange plants in this house that you definitely didn't notice.

:: swims a tiny bit away, then turns back and sees Lexy swimming, looking graceful, and she snaps a holopic ::

Kate: Ah!

:: smirks, shrugging. She does know more about that than her mother, in fact. ::

::Pauses for a second, as he thinks of how to explain it.:: Kuari: The Connection, and the... people of the Sal... were not always one people... we had different blood. Like I am to you. But this is old knowledge, so me no know how many of different blood there were. But we are now one blood. But they also had different minds, like me to you again. We learnt to bond with other minds and know their way to talk and think.

:: offers an exaggerated shrug :: Lexy: What can I say? I said the undersea views were great, and they are!

Kuari: Time is difficult though.

:: swats her wife ::

:: giggles, leaving a trail of rising bubbles as she swims ::

:: considers AmberSun's words carefully, attempting to understand, to translate :: AmberSun> Your kind have lived a long time. Are you saying, not all were... "bear-like" in your great past, or am I misunderstanding?

:: marvels at the colors ::

:: looks around at the plants as he eats :: Janessa: She has explained a few things to me, but you are correct, these plants are subtly different somehow...

::Shakes head.:: Kuari: All bear silly. ::Does a big chesty chuckle, which sort of sounds like heavy panting.:: But not same bear. It was the First Neme that joined them... or... or lit the great flame, to guide them. That part of history cloudy.

Kuari: But many of the Old Knowledge was about the Rising, the Great Defence, The Banishment of the Sky Demons.

:: does a flip above the reef ::

Janessa> :: points to a pot of hanging vines lined with white flowers. :: Doc: Those vines will produce tangerines. :: she points around at different plants, most of them types of salad greens, but plenty of very strange fruits that shouldn't look like they do. ::

:: narrows his eyes at the vines :: Hm.

:: snaps a holo pic of THAT ::

:: didn't notice the pic, but continues to playfully swim ::

:: twisting and rolling, flipping and turning ::

:: nods lightly :: Doc: A lot of the ones inside are bought hybrids, but there's a few outside that my mother created.

Emily: Well, your talent runs in the family, I see.

:: stops and watches Kate ::

:: nods along visibly, continuing to find the information interesting. She thinks she understands that AmberSun is speaking of subspecies of bear, but she's not sure, and in the end it doesn't matter just now :: AmberSun> It is good to have the history you have, what you do know is important. It unites you, and knowing the past gives you a direction for your future. I'm glad you are with us, Amber Sun.

:: attracts the attention of the marine mammals, somewhat dolphin-like, who swim up and begin to frolic with her ::

Torinessa> :: chuckles, joking :: Doc: Mixing genes that shouldn't go together is the family pastime.

:: gasps ::

:: looks around to find Lexy and waves her over ::

:: then does another flip, which the dolphin imitates ::

:: comes over, attempting to swim playfully ::

::Smiles.:: Kuari: I am glad too. ::Suddenly looks exicted.:: Could... KuuAree and the Lanteans help the Salbjorn? The Atlantees could find the Demon's Fall! ::Tilts his head at her.::

Tori: Ah! Ours is riding horses. :: grins :: Somewhat easier, most of the time, depending on the horse.

Torinessa> :: laughs at that, pointing out :: Doc: We do have horses. We should take you for a ride tomorrow.

:: the dolphins swim with them, coming in for nose rubs now and then ::

:: cocks her head at Amber Sun :: AmberSun> Maybe? You'll have to tell us more.

:: perks up :: Tori: That would be grand!

:: makes what can only be described as small squeeing sounds ::

Dolphins> :: squee back! ::

:: laughs! ::

:: snaps a holopic of Lexy playing with the dolphins ::

:: grins :: Doc/Tori: Sounds great.

Kuari: It is the place, where the First Neme brought down the Skyships! It is what taught us that the will of all can be the will of one. And with it, we can achieve all. But, it is a place lost to time, even the Memory of the Cave.

:: smiles, the thought of the adventure and helping not just Amber Sun, but his people too, exciting :: AmberSun> We will speak more of this, and see if it's possible.

::Smiles happily, and continues to plod along with the KuuAree.::

PAUSE VACATION

PAUSE VACATION

PAUSE VACATION