/takes the huntress out back and buries it (jan mingle pt. II)

[scrubscrub]

Who: Anyone on the SS Huntress! Crew and visitors.
Broadcast: N/A
Action: SS Huntress
When: More of January! We got three new crew mates and it will be messy.

IT'S ANOTHER MINGLE FOR OUR EVER-EXPANDING SHIP.

Also, we need an update on how well Koala is doing at pinball.

God, help this ship.

Comments

[princessia]

[ The unfamiliar voice gives her a start, jerking her hand away from the flower vase she had just set up. She folds her hands in front of her. ]

It was... from my room. Jove sometimes gives me flowers to decorate my room with. I think she got it from a planet that the fleet visited before.

[beardstrokes]

It's very kind of you to leave it for this place.

[ This ship of . . . breaking things. ]

[princessia]

[ Hopefully it will be a very lucky flower in the midst of all the destruction that may take place here. At least the ship is still flying...

She offers the tiniest of smiles for a moment. ]

I just wanted to leave a present for my old ship.

[ Even if she really dislikes one of the current captains... ]

[beardstrokes]

Well, it was very kind of you.

[ He glances at the vase. ] I'll try and keep an eye on it for you. Just in case.

[princessia]

[ It's no longer within the safety of her personnel room, so that would be a good idea. She doesn't know if she'll find a nice terracotta vase like this one again on another planet. ]

Oh! Um... thank you. If it's not too much trouble for you...

[beardstrokes]

It's not. I'll be sure to keep a judicious eye on it.

What's your name?

[princessia]

...Elize Lutus. I'm part of the Pathstone crew now. [ She looks up timidly, with a small tilt of her head. ] And you're...?

[beardstrokes]

Obi-Wan Kenobi. I'm the pilot for this ship. I'm a new arrival.

[ Though he wonders if he qualifies as new, now that they have more people on board. ]

[princessia]

[ He's new to her, at least. She hadn't seen him before she transferred from the Huntress not too long ago. ]

Obi-Wan... [ She repeats his name, like she's trying to commit it to memory. ] So you're piloting this ship with Han?

[beardstrokes]

Yes, though I doubt he really needs my help there.

[ Han is very particular about how he pilots the ship. ]

[princessia]

Oh...

[ A slight tilt of her head. ]

So what do you do if you're not the one piloting?

[beardstrokes]

Myself? I meditate. Focus on my exercises to improve my body and mind.

[ He's also a self-appointed peace keeper, which is a good thing. ]

[princessia]

Meditate?

[ That's not something she hears about often. ]

What kind of exercises?

[beardstrokes]

It is when you clear your mind and focus on a state of inner calm.

As for exercises, I do simple ones to improve flexibility and muscle strength.

[princessia]

Oh...

So does meditating help when you're feeling angry or upset?

[beardstrokes]

It does. I find I'm less angry and upset if I let go of my feelings.

[princessia]

...Is meditating something that I can do too?

[ Because she sure has been feeling depressed lately. ]

[beardstrokes]

Of course, if you'd like to. It's certainly not an activity limited to myself.

[ Though this is one of those rare times someone actually wants to try it. ]

[princessia]

[ She drops her arms to her sides, giving them a nervous sway. ]

Um... okay. Can you show me how?

[beardstrokes]

Of course. But let's not do it here.

[ Glances at the kitchen. ]

This might not be the best place for it. If you would follow me?

[princessia]

Yes, sir.

[ Lead the way, Obi-Wan. ]

[beardstrokes]

[ He takes her to a small observation deck, close to the pilot's navigation center. Obi-Wan locates a small area for them to sit down.

First he takes position and then gestures for her to sit down as well. ]

[princessia]

[ She glances around awkwardly for a moment, then nods, sitting down. ]

Now what?

[beardstrokes]

[ He smiles briefly at her confusion. Then he closes his eyes, explaining softly. ]

Now . . . we close our eyes. Inhale gently. Feel yourself in the universe. You are unique. Important. Your feelings are important.

But when you hold onto them too long, they hurt. Cause suffering. Remember your feelings and where they came from. And let them go.

[princessia]

[ It sounds all strange to her, but she's going to try. She shuts her eyes, inhaling. She's quiet for a moment, but starts to scrunch up her face in concentration. With the feelings she has, her thoughts bring her back to Cullen, a man from another world who wound up becoming her adoptive father. His departure from the fleet still feels recent, fresh in her mind.

Holding onto her feelings too long might be what she just did. She's opening her eyes again, starting to feel a little misty-eyed. ]

I-... I don't think I can do this.