rhinestated

“ ——A true pioneer should clear the way for all mankind, instead of jumping into the abyss first, never returning. ”

' unfortunately, between medical and an assortment of personal issues, their attention has been taken for an extended period of time. however, they may show their face soon. '

saria, expressing feelings: kristen, drops saria from space:

flashback- silence: WHY WON'T YOU TELL ME EVERYTHING. saria: you're not ready.

Silence couldn't deny that she found Kristen loathsome. For many, many reasons, the once-head of Rhine Lab was a person that she could never find common ground with. She wouldn't even give it the chance, had she still been on this planet. But she wasn't. And it was that that saw Silence sat beside Saria one quiet night, the Vouivre's eyes downcast and her mood low.

Silence couldn't forgive Kristen. But could she forgive herself, if she spoke only hatefully of the person that Saria had spent so much of her life with? The person that she had built the very laboratory that Silence now found herself working to make better?

"About Kristen, I mean," She fidgets briefly, "I don't... Actually know her. Just what I've experienced, some of what I've read. So... I want to learn. To hear it from you. So that I can..."

Be better. For everyone. But, especially, for you.

Though years have passed since that day, there were still moments where Saria could be found staring at the skies with little to say other than how beautiful it was. It would be followed by a reluctant and near silent sigh as they would prop their chin onto the palm of their hand, then rest their eyes for a moment. Their tail, already hanging low, would reach the floor, still and flat. Its spikes smooth against the body, feigning harmless. Though its point failed to follow in suit, jagged as it had been before. 

Reports rest against the desk, completed and waiting to be sent off. All in all, there was little need for Saria to be sitting here in wait. There was little purpose in it, which was a very contrary thing to ever busybody Vouivre.

Even their breathing had slowed, and they had blended easily with their surroundings under the dim lighting, echoing the rumors of how statuesque the Vouivre could be - a cutting figure, as imposing and as solemn as a gargoyle. 

Though they noticed the moment the doors had opened, Saria hadn’t moved, instantly recognizing there wasn’t any need. She wasn’t a threat. Still, Silence would be able to hear a quiet breath of air leave the Vouivre as she took a seat nearby - on their desk.

It was enough to draw their attention, shake them out of their rut and look towards her, at her. Then, there would be the slightest of twitch, a curl of the tail, as Silence mentioned her name. 

Of course.

—Of course,  the Liberi would know. 

Even after all this time, there would always be moments where they would be acting this way over her. It was a topic they’d generally avoided behind closed doors when it came to personal matters. The Vouivre was well aware of what the world - and Silence - thought of the Perro, and they understood why. They knew just why they should believe the same, but it’s … still difficult to place into words. Just as Silence would hold a place in their heart, just as Ifrit would, just as Muelsyse would — just as every other part of their little makeshift family, a part of their heart had gone that day.

Any other time, Saria would have evaded the topic. 

( It would be easy enough to: listing reports that Silence must have already read, rattling off things Nasti, Justin Jr., or any of the other directors would have said. Their eyes shining bright, ever captivated by the woman’s charisma, despite all her misgivings. It would resolve nothing and keep whatever emotions they had locked up as they always did—as Muelsyse has yelled at them more than once over, as everyone had, truly. )

But, Saria didn’t, not this time.

The Vouivre could sense the hesitance in Silence’s form; there was none of the usual dislike or hate. It was an open and honest. There was space for them to think and choose their words at their own pace, a far different cry than the usually highly spirited sense of ‘distaste’ the Liberi had for her.

Perhaps, it was that bold and curious mind that earned Silence her current role that bade her to pursue this topic. If that were the case, it would be difficult to deter her in the end.

" Then I would advise you to choose another target for your mischief. Dr. Kal'tsit is hardly one to tolerate your pranks, as calculated as they are. "

Leaning back in their chair, Saria lifts her attention from the latest report, setting down her pen to get a good look at the Doctor. A gentle sigh leaves her lips as she takes in the commander's form. No doubt, the state of her disarray was from the attempt.

Though, somehow, there is something... that catches her attention a little more than usual.

Pushing the chair back, the Vouivre stands. A few quick steps is all they need to tower over her, and, carefully, Saria reaches out to adjust her clothing properly—smoothing out wrinkles, brushing away the mess. Somehow, Zarina always manages to find a way to look dangerously attractive, even while technically messy.

It reminds them of a certain someone, and it has them sighing all the same.

" — a jetpack. "

She repeated, flatly.

Where in the world did the doctor come up with such an idea that they'd been the one to influence such a line of thought? Was it because of that particular incident? The one they were still cleaning up after?

" You will have to take that up with Kal'tsit, and, perhaps, Closure." The Vouivre added eventually. Though they did not shake their head, there was one in their tone and their choice of words.

A part of them should have expected such eccentric behavior after having worked with one another for years now, but, somehow, she'd managed to find a new way to surprise them.