[IC] Shattering The Crystal Silence - Closed

[Afina]

Mor Of Altenia Tower

Silvia ordered one of the Basics to pull up everything they had on the Brax'Na and the Jun'Krama as she waited for the men to return to the Tower Mor. Sitting back in her chair she quickly through everything they had, which admittedly was not much. What was there painted a rather ugly picture of their views on women and talents. This only acted as an accelerant on the fury that had started since their little catalyst of a conversation in the elevator. Slow, deep breaths passed anger lips that belonged to a petite form trembling with rage.

"Like hell I will be looked at like some piece of meat for the taking or a trophy to mount and hang on a wall," she growled under her breath. Hearing Gaia come in and let her know that she had taken care of the injured talent only received a slight nod from Silvia as she sat there. Leaning forward in her chair slightly, arms resting on each armrest, hands slowly clinching and then flexing over and over again; trying to figure out just how she was going to handle the entire situation before a cold curl came to her lips. Resting back in her chair she took a deep breath and awaited their arrival to unleash the hellstorm she had planned.

As they entered she did not bother to look at them at first, simply raising her hand for everyone in the room to shut up and waited the silence that quickly followed, once they had finished their explanations. Taking a deep breath as her fingers tightened around the end of the arms rests before she pulled herself forward to the end of the chair; sliding forward slowly and then rising from her place. Pushing a few strands of hair out of her face before she turned to face them, her eyes darting back and forth between Ailen and The Jun'Krama; trying to decide which one to lay into first.

"You know," she began in a flat voice as she turned to address The Jun'Krama having made her choice. "I've read about your kind. So before you utter one more word in my tower I think I need to lay down some ground rules. You see where you come from what you said may not have been an insult, hell it may even have been a compliment but," she continued before taking a long pause, her hardly covered rage becoming apparent before she spoke again; this time in a furious tone. "But where I come from what you said was as insulting as if I had suggested that you should be bent over and ass screwed by Tristan while singing the praises of Talents everywhere!"she snapped.

She had not bothered climbing in a chair to speak to him this time, rising slowly from her place standing in front of him until she was eye to eye with him. ""I hope we have cleared up any questions about what's appropriate to talk about here," she spat before turning her attention to Ailen and slowly moving herself over to him; looking him dead in the eye with the same volcanic wrath.

Grabbing him by the collar on either side of his neck and pulling him a touch closer, her eyes that were usually a deep blue seemed to swirl; a rare side effect caused by heightened emotion fueled telekinesis that few had seen. "And you!" she hissed before yanking him close and kissing him deeply; her lips pressing forcefully to his. After a moment she broke the kiss, the wrath seeming to leave her eyes but her tone remained the same. "Will have dinner with me tonight," she finished before letting him go and lowering herself back down to the floor.

Turning she made her way back to her chair and sat down while she took a deep breath. The entire room frozen, not sure exactly what to think of the situation. Her blowing up was expected and most had braced themselves for it, but the kiss was completely unexpected. Craigs hand covering his mouth as he just stood there wide eyed. Looking over at the new arrival Silvias demeanor quickly changed and she smiled slightly at him. "Welcome to the Altenian Tower."

[EWillden]

Karras, Jun'Krama

He was going to make a outburst right back at her but he stopped himself and lowered the finger he was raising and then just shrugged. I deserved that... Okay these people respect their women a lot more and don't talk like he did. He would have to get used to that if this relationship was going to continue. Would bite if this friendly confrontation turned to a outright fight. He sighed and nodded to her accepting her terms. If he had to be more politely and talk so bluntly he would for the sake of his people. He deserved every bit of her wrath. He was a little nervous when she rose up the way she did ,but it was not as bad as he expected. What happened to Ailen was a bit surprising. Did women like the type of stuff he said. He did kind of defend them in a way in the elevator. He smirked, and felt now Ailen owed him. He knew the man liked the new Leader but he had no balls to say it. Maybe a cheesy compliment or two perhaps ,but no woman would respect a coward. That's why he stood up and took the blame partially. Not for Ailen's sake.... fuck him for all he knew. He stood up for his actions cause that would be what a man would do. The girly boys of this tower might let someone take the fall for what they did or said but a real man takes responsibility for his actions.

Ailen

If Ailen's face was red in the elevator from the embarrassing question in the elevator it was even more so now. He did not know how to take what just happened. When she approached and rose he expected the same treatment as she gave to Tristan or the idiot in that transport that brought her here. Even more so when she grabbed his color and lifted it. He even closed his eyes to brace for the impact or what she would throw at him. What he did not expect was to feel her soft lips against his and the following words. "You will have dinner with me tonight" He stood there frozen still even after she lowered herself and went back to her chair. His fingers touching his lips. What?,... no this is not happening, I must have passed out on my way up the elevator or something. She did not just kiss me. He thought. He pinched his arm with his metallic arm and felt he did not wake. No this is real, she kissed me, but why? I said nothing in the elevator that would warrant a kiss....right? He thought scratching the side of his head and tapping his chin. No I did not, all I said was such things were not openingly said the way he said it to him. Something like that would not move 'her' in that way. Was it defending female's in general. No it shouldn't have. It wasn't even that good of a line. It was lame and yet she kissed him and wanted to eat dinner with him. His eyes going to her and he thought even deeper. She must be planning a even bigger punishment. She is going to sneak something spicey in his food or something. No way is this actually happening. He shook his head a little more worried then he was coming up the stairs. His arm did not ache anymore though,... weird. She just kissed him that's it. No magic at all. At least I did not feel any magic, unless she is that good at hiding it.

He simply moved back to his seat to find that basic still loading files to the computer and into the drive. He then looked to see his file back on the pile and looked back to her. She read it?... was that why she kissed him? Pity?... no from what he saw, she did not pity anyone. Well unless that person warmed up to her in a certain way. He made her laugh here and there but nothing big. The wine wasn't that strong so she wouldn't be feeling its effects. He shook his head again. Best get back to duties and do something. Get his mind off of it. Wonder what kind of food she will serve. He never went on a date... never had time for it. Why he always shrugged it off when the women didn't care for his compliments. Why the fuck was he so special to her. One moment she tells me she has no time for such crap and then next thing she kisses me? The line is said back there wasn't even that good. Pretty flower was cheesy as hell and would make the common woman just roll her eyes. Then again Silvia was different and not like most women. He began to feel weird now as well. He looked back to his folder and then pulled his crystal out. This is your doing isn't it Ellaina... even after death you take care of your older brother. He sighed and then looked back to Karras almost forgeting him. "Sorry forgot all about what went on... so are you pleased with the shipments in schedule?"

Karras nodded and smiled. The man acted like he got hit with a stick or something. There was a term the tower people used he couldn't think it. Love maybe. I mean he himself did fancy certain women in the village more then the others. Who wants to mate with a women whose features are something you want to barf at. "Yeah,.. everything is fine. Um you don't need me for anything more,... I will see my way out. Don't worry I remember the way out." He said. He left the room and entered the elevator taking it down. Ailen just nodded and sighed. Placing his hands at his side. Well shit now what do I do.....

[Afina]

Tristans Quarters

Tristan had pitched his usual hissy fit once Craig left and tried to get the guards to release him but they had no intention of following their ex-Tower Lead unless it involved snapping his neck. Growling under his breath he made his way to his com and tried to use it to contact GTC but it was to no avail, Craig had made sure to override everything and Silvia had already been set as the new Tower Lead until his tribunal. Taking a deep breath he tried to focus and use his Talents to throw things around the room but even that didn’t work. The head of security had done his job. Down in the infirmary it was a system used to keep talents from waking up from an injury and lashing out mentally or on prisoners to lower their chance for escape.

Tristan huffed and sat down on the couch in the main room. He knew he needed to get out and make contact with someone in GTC, someone specific but he couldn’t do that from here. Only way was to be able to get out of his quarters. Leaning back a cold smile came across his features as he thought about the ones he knew were loyal to him in the tower. He figured that they would take care of things and he would be out soon enough. Wouldn’t that surprise the little princess who was now in her pristine tower.

“Enjoy it while you can you little wench, your rule here will be a short one,” he said with the same cold smirk playing on his lips.

Mor Of The Altenia Tower

The room just stood there, watching what was going on; most of them not believing what they had seen. Once the Jun’Krama left, a few started chuckling while others just went back to work trying not to seem affected by the situation. Craig on the other hand lost it and he couldn’t help himself. He was a jovial man as it were and seeing his second in command get so flustered over what Silvia had done had just made a good day great. Walking over to him he slapped him on the shoulder as he leaned back against a desk; crossing his arms he smiled at Ailen. I think she likes you, Craig said telepathically; opting for this way of communication instead of speaking out loud. He didn’t want to incur her wrath but it crossed his mind to try if it got a kiss. Choices choices.

Silvia shook her head at the people and turned her attention back over to Gaia. “You did good,” she said as she motioned for the nymph to come over and sit down on the arm rest of her chair. “Thank you for taking care of that. If you could for the rest of your shift head down to the infirmary and do your regular rounds with the children. I am sure they could use some good company. Just bring me the files from the infirmary in the morning,” she said before directing her attention to the new comer and perking a brow.

He seemed to be rather hyper which was odd to her but after a jump that was just sometimes how people acted. It was different for everyone. Silvia would get moody, Marx would be tired, others would vomit, some got restless and needed to walk off the confinement. Trying not to think too much on the matter she rose and walked over to him. “Transfer from Bast’I,” she said as she looked down at her portable consol. “Hrm, seems you are one hell of an engineer. That’s good. We are going to need you to help with a lot of repairs out in the field,” she said before looking back up at him.

“You will be assigned to the Crystal Mining Engineering and Repair Division,” she began. “The Brax’Na main Crystal Shaft is in need of reinforcement and the Harmonizers are out of alignment. If we get a storm in it could cause a sonic resonance catastrophe and send the Singers into a psychotic state. So tomorrow you will go out with Ailen to assess the damage and begin repairs,” she said before looking over at Ailen and Craig and perking a brow. What are they up to? she wondered to herself before walking over to them.

“Ailen, once the files are transferred please bring them to my quarters so I can set up a com with the GTC to make sure they are received to the right people. I also want to send duplicates to Earth Tower, I trust them there so I know if anything happens to the original sent file we will have back up,” she said before smacking Craig upside the back of the head. “You, stop,” she said in a warning tone. Craig smiled and nodded before walking off and getting back to his duties. Silvia was about to say something else when two women walked into the Mor looking very confused.

“What happened here?” they said in unison; two slender women in scantily clad outfits that looked to have been made from GTC uniforms but envisioned. Silvia perked a brow, they looked similar to Ailen but shorter with blue hair and more distinct features. Craig coughed and walked over to Silvia.

“Silvia, may I introduce Gemini and Gemine; our resident T-2 pair for the tower. Girls, may I introduce our new Tower Lead Silvia,” he said to them. The women looked at each other confused before looking back over at Craig. “Oh, yes, what happened? A lot actually, Tristan is in lock down due to him being him,” Craig explained and the pair seemed to have an understanding fall over their features.

“I see,” they said in unison. “We got the call and got back as quick as we could and ran up here. Is there anything we are needed for now?” they asked.

“Yes, actually, can you take over Tower Mor for me while I settle in? I haven’t yet had the chance,” Silvia said and the women smiled nodding their heads.

“Of course,” they said before making their way over to the Lead Chair, one sitting down and the other having the pair seat rise from the floor next to it and then joining her twin. “Shift length?”

“Twelve hours. I will settle in and relieve you in the morning,” Silvia said before running her hands through her hair and looking back over at Jeremiah and then to a Basic. “Please show him to his quarters. He can begin in the morning. Ailen, please retrieve him in the morning and make your way to the Brax’Na Village to let the Jun’Krama know you will be in the Crystal Shaft,” she said quickly. The Basic nodded and made his way to the elevator and awaited for Jeremiah to join him.

[EWillden]

Ailen
Ailen looked to Craig and sighed. "The thing is, I don't know what I did to make her like me, in that way." He said through the same channel, until Silvia came up and broke it up telling him about the files. He nodded and then looked to he basic at his desk. "Your too slow, get up... I will do the rest. Go fix me some coffee if you want to help me. Two cubes of sugar, this time. Last time it tasted like you dumped the whole bag in it. Also go easy on the cream okay." He said to the man. The Basic nodded and walked off to the coffee station to do it. He then used his real hand to scan the files, while his artificial one did the typing. The speed in which the files were scanned it was greatly increased. He wanted these all done and fast before this 'dinner' happened. I swear she is just fucking with me. Then again you never know. Still don't know why she decided to like me more then anyone else. A tier 1 who can't even use a black crystal. What kind of tier 1 woman would go for someone like that. He might as well be a t3 or 2 with as useful as he is. He then imagined his sister punching him in the arm at his negativity. He shrugged it off though. I couldn't even save her, that's how pathetic I am. Yet here I am, getting invited to a tower leads quarters for dinner. Yeah, I doubt she likes me in that way. Besides, Tristan ain't gone yet. I will worry about distractions such as love after he is on the prison planet.

He already had half the files done before the boy came back. He took the coffee and took a sip. "Now that is a cup of coffee,... go relax some where, infact. Go have a soda on me,..." He said handing the boy what would look like a coin that passed as currency. He needed this job as a distraction. Something to get his mind off of things that were not important at the time. He never had time for girl friends and family..... family,... perhaps that's why she died. I had not time for her so he forced her to look around on her own. Perhaps if he spent more time with her she would still be alive. He would never forgive himself for that. With all the work he put in to get her sent here to live with him and he only managed to spend a few dinners with her. Ailen sighed, and I am a depressing mess of fun. Another reason for someone like Silvia to have no interest in me.

He had to be quick in finishing these files though. Pretty soon he knew the twins would be arriving after the news. He did not trust them for some reason. He did not know why either, he just didn't. It was like a gut feeling that he had. He took another gulp of his coffee and as he was finishing up with the files, sure enough in came the twins. Named after a greek consolation in earth's history. How fitting. He quickly scanned them in and then plugged in the drive and transferred them over to the blue crystal flash drive and then erased the files on his computer. He then shredded the physical ones. Once it was all finished he pocketed the drive. When this dinner would come about he would hand it to her then. Right now that would feel like forever. He then gave a nod to Silvia as she was telling him about the new arrival and picking him up. "Yes, Mam.... get some well earned rest. Me and Craig have this covered. Especially now that they are here."

Jun'Krama

Karras made his way down the elevator and to the bottom floor. When he got there he stepped out. People watching him as he did. He could smell their fear. These people where not in the luxury of using crystals. Just regular workers going about their job. They had every right to be scared seeing as his past visits always left him with a mean attitude. There was a few security forces moving about eyeing him as well. Holding their rifles like they were something big. He had to snort and waved them off. Nothing but piss ants, the lot of them. Ailen was too, he was just a bigger one, right bellow Tristan. Silvia had more balls then he did and she was a woman. Once he exited the gates he tossed the chanter to one of the guardsmen and then climbed on his horse. He simple spat on the ground and then took off. He was ready to deliver the good news to his people. He would not mention Silvia being a woman just as of yet. Not until the supplies came in and the people where happy enough to listen. He still felt like a few of his own kin were hiding something. He just wished it wasn't going to cause his tribes extinction.

[Goldeagle1221]

The walk to Jeremiah’s room was quick and mostly silent. A few times during the spanse the walk nearly turned into a jog, but Jeremiah managed to reign his explosive energy back in and into other means of movement, such as wild gestures to passerby and quick, nearly alien salutations to those who made eye contact through his mask.

His room was rather usual. The walls were unpainted grey metal, and the floors of equal make. There was a fluffy looking bed and numerous consoles for him to tinker with as well as a sliding door that assumingly lead to a small corner of a closet for his things.

The door slide closed behind him with a whoosh and the silent, smiling man stood there alone, duffel bag in hand. He tossed the bag gently onto the mattress, the sound of a few things clinking together cutting the stale silence of the room.

He lifted a wrist and played with a few buttons on his suit, and with a soft whir the engineer mask folded down into the chest of the suit and he took in a long deep breath. His cheeks were now clean shaven, and his curly hair was trimmed.

A white smile rode on his lips beneath clear green eyes with massive dilated pupils. He shivered as a shot of enjoyment randomly crawled down his spine and within a few moments and a couple more button presses he was out of the heavy suit all together and sitting on his bed in an engineer's blue jumpsuit, rifling through his bag.

His muscles flexed under the expanding fibers of the suit that pressed tightly against his biceps, engorged by the drug. His fingers were nimble and quick as it sorted through his things, folding clothes and placing them in the closet. He the gun he took from Jose under the stack of pants and assorted all his tools and equipment on the shelves of the small space before getting to the last item: the joy.

He juggled the bag in one hand as he looked around the room, placing himself back on the bed. He was still good, his high was going to fade in an hour or so, but he was still safe from withdrawals for at least three or four more hours. Jeremiah knew not to double up, and so he decided it was best to count and hide the precious pills.

With an unending intoxicated smile he pondered the best hiding places, standing up and searching everywhere in his room. It took him a while as he checked and double checked each area he thought of. He even put himself in the shoes of a detective tasked with finding his drugs just to make sure they were in the best possible spot, and after nearly an hour of thinking, with the powerful ecstasy of the drug beginning to fade, he opted to hide it in the shell of one of the computers that were lined on the single bar like desk of his room.

After safely hiding the drugs and taking note of the amount, he figured in his head that with twenty six pills he could survive for about eight days without having to find a new supplier, although he wasn’t quite willing to hold off until time was running out to do so. His smile started to tame into the common expression of a thinking man, his muscles had deflated back to an average size, and what moist sweat that had silked his skin due to the intoxication dried up, and left him in the odd stage in between the extreme high and the withdrawal.

It was in this rare spare moment he would think about quitting, maybe even confessing to his addiction, but he simply waved it off as crazy talk, he knew the danger of Joy, but he knew how much more dangerous it was to quit. Besides, he liked Joy, it made him feel good, it made him feel invincible, and what man doesn’t want to feel that?

Behind his closed doors he managed to hear the muffled moan of a person in distress. He figured he had time to kill before fixing his high, so he grabbed a small bag of tools and his engineer’s key and walked out of his room.

He quickly spotted the problem. A woman a little older than him was elbow deep into the wall, a cold white panel of metal cast aside as she fooled around with loose wires and a large circuit.

“Problems?” Jeremiah said as he dropped his bag to the floor beside her, slowly slipping on working gloves. The light haired woman turned to him with a frustrated look about her face, she was pretty, but something about her face told Jeremiah that there was more to the story than that. He knew that look from somewhere.

The woman yanked her hands from the hole in the wall, a gold band glistening off her left hand. Jeremiah nodded to himself, as if patting himself on the back for his clever instinct. She huffed a hot sigh and nodded, forcing her lips into a red line, “my door won’t open, it just fizzes, and I tried to… ugh.. I don’t know… my shift is over and I just.”

Jeremiah put his palms up, giving the woman a confident look, “no further explanation needed, how about I take a whack at it?”

The woman shrugged and gestured to the panel, “all yours.”

Jeremiah squinted as he reached into the hole while the woman watched with folded arms. He immediately saw the problem, and noticed her tinkering caused more harm than good, but he kept it to himself as he started to strip a wire for splicing. The silence was a little awkward and so he looked over to her, confident in his ability to work without looking. He gave her a friendly smile as his green eyes flickered back to the panel for a moment, “I’m Jeremiah by the way, engineer.”

“Hannah, basic,” the woman said almost in a dull fashion. Jeremiah laughed and started to strip another wire, “don’t sound too excited.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just, I mean it’s called basic, how exciting can that really be,” Hannah gave a cynical grin that hid some frustration. Jeremiah shrugged as he continued, “make it as exciting as you want. The way I see it is basics and engineers are replaceable, Hannah's and Jeremiah’s on the other hand… well the world can only take so much, am I right?”

Hannah gave a tiny laugh and unfolded her arms, “I suppose you are right.”

Jeremiah nodded while biting his lip, working carefully not to zap himself with the live wire he was handling. After a flash of electricity there was a small whir in the walls. He smiled at his work and started to pack the wire’s back to avoid future complications. He looked back at Hannah, the frustration had left her brown eyes and a look of contentment seemed to wash over her at the sound of the whirr. Jeremiah smiled, “I’m sure your husband would agree. There is only one of you, so why not make the best niche for that one of you possible, no matter what your given title is. I say make your own.”

Hannah smiled, “my husband would agree, he is an ambitious man. Are you married?”

Jeremiah gave a nervous chuckle, “no… no I’m not.” He slammed the panel shut and started to replace the loose plate of white metal back on the wall. He wiped his gloves and turned to Hannah, “all fixed.”

Hannah pressed on her door and it whizzed open. She looked at Jeremiah and gave him an approving nod, “hero of the day.”

Jeremiah saluted her, “any time, Ma’am.”

[Afina]

Mor Of Altenia Tower

Silvia perked a brow at Ailen when he responded to her. He hadn’t used that term at all since her arrival, why the change she wondered to herself. Shrugging she turned; beginning her way out of the Mor before stopping and turning to look back over to Ailen. “It’s Silvia, not ma’am,” she corrected quickly before stepping into the elevator and making her way to her floor. Craig looked over to Ailen and shook his head slightly."Why does it matter why? Enjoy it," He said telepathically before going back to his work.

The elevator opened to a small foyer with the doors to her room on the other side. Stepping in she entered her code and the doors slide to the side giving her access. Stepping in she looked around and tilted her head, slightly impressed with the lay out and size.

On Earth, high ranking talents were treated no different than a Basic; even her surrogate mothers quarters were not grand and she was the Tower Lead for Earth. Silvias room back on Earth was down with the Singers since she spent her free time in the mines and did shifts as a harmonizer to help locate crystals and calm sonic storms that would rip through. Looking around all she could think of was how many people could actually live on the floor that was now for her and her alone. “Oh well, if we have to take in refugees at one point I know where to put them,” she muttered to herself as she walked from room to room.

She had a living area, dining, three bedrooms, a kitchen and two baths plus various rooms that were empty for a Tower Lead to fill with personal décor or whatever they wanted. Sighing she spun around on her heels once she located her gear and was content it was all there before making her way right back out of her room, with a clip board and pencil in hand, and started wandering from floor to floor and area to area; starting with the docks. As she made her way through the Tower she would meet people, shake their hands, asking their names and about what they did there, even inquiring if they had family in the tower and if there was anything they needed.

Most were completely shocked that a Tower Lead would even mingle with the commoners, but once she gave them a few moment they would warm up to her and talk openly with her. She would jot down their names and what they needed before making her way to the next area. Some couldn’t take talking to her or had their doubts before just walking off. Silvia huffed and grumbled under her breath but she let it go, figuring after so long working with Tristan as Lead they were apprehensive. One even told her to go the hell away which she just smirked too and informed them she would be back tomorrow after her shift to ask again before walking off.

The security pair that had been laughing earlier in the day while watching the Jun’Krama and Ailen in the elevator were now glued to the security monitor watching Silvia wander around the Tower, seeing her give the dock workers a hand moving some heavier items when they were tired with her telekinetic abilities, and even opening a panel on a land traveler and asking for tool before she fixed an issue with the crystal drive that controlled the power system to the small transport vehicle.

“Craig, you gotta see this shit,” one of them said before motioning over to the monitor as Silvia replaced the panel and wiped the grease from her hands on her pristine GTC uniform. “I never saw Tristan do that!” he said leaning back in his chair.

“I don’t think I have ever seen Tristan anywhere but the Mor or his quarters, I doubt he even knows where the repair division is,” the other said with a laugh. “She’s different I’ll give her that.”

"She certainly is," Craig said as he watched the monitor and crossed his arms over his chest.

Silvia smiled to the rest of the workers before grabbing her clipboard and taking notes on things they needed, even personal things to help make the stay in the tower a bit more pleasant for them. One of them offered her a drink to share with the group and she just pulled up a crate and sat down; laughing and joking with them as they pulled up a seat around her crate and telling them stories of things that had happened on Earth. Silvia let herself enjoy the talk, it felt like Earth felt, like home.

Vehicle Repair Division

[EWillden]

Ailen

Ailen after he was done with the files and destroying everything that a loyalist to Tristan would take. He doubted anyone, even the twins, liked Tristan. He was just being extra cautious. Anyone in this room could very well be in Tristan's pocket. He then heard a commotion from the two people in front of the monitors. He took in what Craig said, he was right I should just enjoy the moment. While it lasted. He moved to them to see what they were looking at. He then saw that they were now spying on Silvia. "You know,... if she ever found out you two were watching her she might think you two to be perverts. Let me just say I saw the last pervert get thrown out of her transport she arrived in and then threw him back in it." He said rather seriously, hiding back any form of a smile. He was fucking with them but it would be fun to see how they reacted to that. "I knew she was different the moment I went to go collect her. The way she listened to what I had to say and the way she talked. I knew she would be a lead a tower deserved, like ours. Tristan,.... he just isnt serious about this job. He thinks it's just something to go through before he advances up the ladder or something. Then again that's his race for you,..." He said. He then leaned in looking into the monitor. "She sure is something though,...." He said.

He then realized what he was doing and rose back up. He then looked around the room. Everyone looked rather happy. He liked that,... moral has quickly risen sense her take over and looking back at the monitor and seeing the faces of those who interacted with her. He then back handed Craig's shoulder and gestured to their staff and then to the people in the monitor that she passed by. "Look,...isn't it nice to see everyone in better moods, the tower should never be a place someone dreads to go to. With her here, moods have gone from hate and sorrow to joy and happiness. This is how a tower should be run. If only I had a black crystal I could run a tower like that, hell I would....in fact when ever a T1 would come to be trained by me, I would teach him or her how to really run a tower. You do not run a tower by making everyone hate your guts. You make them like you and enjoy working under you." He said. Yeah if the signs of being hit by cupid's arrow hadn't shown itself yet, they were now. He liked Silvia, that kiss only pushed him more over the edge. He just didn't see no way a relationship could work. Not until things improved. Not until every trace of Tristan was gone.

He sighed and looked about. He then looked to Craig. "Hey can you give me something to do while I am not doing anything?... Seriously, this dinner thing has me on edge and I want to kill the time until it comes around." He asked Craig. The worse thing he feared was family. What ever was made from a relationship between him and Silvia. Would leave kids with super sensitivity as well. It pained him just thinking about it. Then again they could always adopt...

[Afina]

Mor of Altenia Tower

The two security men gulped slightly at the thought of Silvia finding out, their eyes widening slightly as they looked over towards Ailen. Craig just chuckled and kept watching as Ailen went on and on and on about the Tower and such. As he spoke about running a tower his smile faded slightly. He knew about Ailens sensitivity to black crystals and he hated the thought of losing his second in command. Ailen was great at his job but he knew the man could handle a Tower even better. Then another thought crossed his mind and it caused his antenna to flicker slightly as he listened to Ailen and watch Silvia on the screen.

Silvia was still in the transport repair dock and she was spinning around and dancing something reminiscent of dances he had read about on Earth before the fall out, what was it he wondered as he tried to remember. Folk dance, he remembered finally. Seemed she was teaching the workers and while they really shouldn't have been taking such a long break Craig wasn't going to say anything, they needed this. They needed to see a Talent, especially a Lead, as someone who was just like them.

If you hadn't known she was the Tower Lead, at that moment you wouldn't have guessed. She was laughing, dancing and carrying on with grease all over her uniform, hands and even a streak down her cheek. Craig was half tempted to run down there and join, perhaps when Tristan was gone he would. Looking back over to Ailen became slightly glad for the man being sensitive to black crystals suddenly. "Yeah, but if you ever did find a crystal you could lead a tower with you'd have to leave that," he said telepathically to Ailen as he pointed to the screen as Silvia lost her footing and instead of catching herself with her abilities she let herself tumble to the ground laughing hysterically.

[EWillden]

Ailen sighed and nodded to what Craig said. He was right, if I had my own tower I would lose the chance to even be with Silvia. He supposed it all depends on whether or not she is actually interested in him or just simply fucking with him when she kissed him. He sighed as he looked to the screen. She is having so much damn fun, and I am standing here doing nothing. You know what,.... fuck it. "You know Craig?... call me on the comms if you need me." He then proceeded to exit the mor and into the elevator. He did not know any dance moves, but he would embarras himself for her sake. He then clicked the buttons and headed down towards the docks... damn it Ailen. You just had to go and fall for her didn't you?... why did she have to kiss him like she did. Once the elevator doors opened he walked out and proceeded to the hangar bay. He looked about at the workers. A lot had gathered to see what Silvia was doing. A few tried to work while others wanted to join in. He noticed one worker was having problems with something. It was one of the cranes. He was moving one of the containers and the crane was having problems. Something that they needed to have replaced and repaired but not the parts to do so. He decided he would join her after he helped out. "Where you moving this thing?..." He asked the man.

"Oh,.. uh Ailen, um over to the side over there." He gestured a little nervous at the 1st officers appearance. Ailen looked to the location and then back at the box. "I will stand by while you move it... don't worry if anything happens to it I will catch it." He said. The man nodded and began moving it. A little less nervous now with Ailen there. Ailen stood in position ready to catch it if it fell. He did not see a pair of engineers who were walking under said path. Then it happened. The cable snapped and would have crushed them. Ailen moved his arms up as quick as he could catching it. The sudden catch caused the two engineers to throw their bodies to the ground and turn to see what had happened. What they saw was a container being moved. It was heavier then Ailen expected. What was in this damned thing. He looked to the two engineers. "What the fuck are you doing gauking,.. get the fuck away!" He barked. He then began to move the container as the two got up and ran out of the way watching Ailen work. Ailen got it to it's location and dropped it. He sighed and looked around. That took a lot out of him. He smirked and almost laughed. To think I thought I could lead a tower. If it was hard to move that, catching ships would be out of my league. He then felt the pain in his arm return. It was intense this time. As if using his powers put a strain on it. It was really intense too, far more painful then it usually was. When he looked to it, he saw he was bleeding around the metal shoulder. He cursed and looked to the engineers. "What,.. don't just stand there, go grab a med kit or something." He said. He looked back to his arm and he knew what it was. It had been so long sense he used his powers that his arms were not used to the pressure. Especially his artificial one. He sighed as he winced at the pain. Ailen you idiot,... He felt himself collapse to the floor. His locket hitting the floor. He didn't pass out from the pain. He just stared at the ceiling. The cold floor felt pretty good right now. You came down here for fun and now look at you.

He began to laugh for some reason. He did not know why but he did. That was fun though despite it hurting so bad. Who knows maybe he would draw enough attention to get Silvia to pop on over and heal me with that magic of hers. She will have to teach me that sometime... beats the pills. He sighed as the engineers came back. "Um sir why are you laughing?.." They said to him. He looked to them and shrugged.
"Beats me..." He laughed again at his chosen words. "Sorry I barked at you guys, just didn't want you getting hurt." He said. He then looked to his crystal. If he had not come by when he did. This accident would have cost two engineers their lives and wreck that of a crane operator... he smirked. Your long gone and yet your still looking after me. He the looked to the two engineers. "Hey can you do me a favor?.. see the chick over there with the blue streaks and covered in grease.... hide the med kit and go tell her the situation. If you do I will make sure a box of chocolates get lost on there way out and sent to your rooms." He said. They looked to each other and shrugged.
"Okay sir... if thats what you want." The one engineer went to go put the med kit away, while the other ran towards Silvia.

[Afina]

Mor Of The Altenia Tower

Craig just laughed to himself as he heard Ailen and turned to watch him head out. Good for you man, he thought to himself before walking over to the security post and telling the two sitting there to go take a break. He sat down and proceeded to watch what was about to happen but he wasn’t going to let the rest of the Tower see. He didn’t know what Ailen was going to do but he was too curious not to watch for himself. Silvia was dancing and laughing with the crew as she had been the entire time; enjoying herself and it seemed that the crew was finally having a good time. She knew it couldn’t always be like this but she knew that people needed time to release tension; especially after everything they had been through with Tristan. She had read what happened to Ailen and it saddened her to think he went through so much just because someone wanted to act like a God. She wondered how many more she would read about when she reviewed the records before she sent them to the GTC.

She was about to start another story when an engineer approached her and told her what happened to Ailen. Looking over to him her eyes widened slightly and she simply vanished from her place; everyone surrounding her took a step back and started to look around frantically. Before they had a chance to turn around she had already reappeared kneeled next to Ailen. She had just thrown and caught herself half way through the repair dock in the time it took the rest to blink. It was unheard of that a Talent could do that without aid or preparation but Silvia had managed without a second thought. It quickly changed the mood, they were seeing her as one of them but now she was shown to be a truly unique T-1. Sighing she looked at Ailen and rested her hand on his forehead; seeing the blood she cringed slightly

“What have you gone and done to yourself?” she scolded before another engineer went and explained what happened. Looking up at the broken cable her eyes narrowed. “Tristan…that bastard is responsible for this,” she muttered as she looked back down at Ailen. “Just hold still,” she said softly as her hands moved down to his shoulder. Closing her eyes for a moment before opening them once again, they had gone blank, a white haze covering them as she stared off into nothingness. A warm tingling sensation seemed to flow from her palms, similar to earlier but this time it flowed much deeper. The bleeding slowly ceased and then the sensation changed to something cool. It was hard to explain but it seemed to flow through the artificial limb and repair the mechanics itself.

It took a few minutes but Silvia did not move, seemingly frozen in time as she let her mind work. A long breath passed her lips and she coughed slightly as her eyes fell shut. Shuddering slightly she took a few long breaths as she sensations faded away before her eyes opened; once again looking as they always had. Leaning down close to his face she tilted her head slightly and smiled. “That should do it but I wouldn’t recommend walking for a bit, you’ll just end up flat on your back,” she warned before rocking back on her knees and standing. “You,” she said pointing to an engineer, “and you,” pointing to another. “Move him to my quarters for now. The Lead Empath is out for the night and I rather not wake him,” she said as she dusted off her hands.

They nodded and helped Ailen up, moving him quickly to the elevator. Silvia looked down and saw the locket on the ground, perking a brow she picked it up and opened it, looking it over for a moment before closing it and sliding it into her pocket. Turning Silvia followed them into the elevator and pressed for her floor. She knew she could move him herself but she didn’t think it would put out a good image. Everyone just froze in their place, some with hands over their mouths. Part of it was because of how she moved instantaneously, part of it was how she looked and the healing and yet the rest was worry as a few drops of blood fell from her nose. Silvia taking note of it quickly wiped it away with the back of her sleeve paying it no mind.

“You think she is okay?” one of the women asked that had been with Silvia during her time in the repair dock.

“I hope so,” a man answered as he watched them leave.

[EWillden]

Ailen closed his eyes for only a second, her hand pressing upon the area. It felt good as the warm sensation from her hand began to close the wounds and spot the bleeding. The touch of her hands on his forehead really made him enjoy this moment. Her hands where soft odd enough. With as much work she puts them through. He sat up as it was all over and nodded to her. Great, I am basicly out of commission for awhile. Although now he was getting to spend that in her quarters. He looked to the two engineers and gave them a wink as they were making it to the elevator. It wasn't exactly what he planned out but it will do. This even worked out even better. That speed though, I know it was just like shooting vessels here and there ,but it was so fast that it looked more like teleportation or some shit. That was a interesting trick. He began to look at his crystal and sighed. I need to get back to using my powers more often, so that shit like this doesn't happen. He never used them like he did back there. His mind was prepared of course. Instant catch, no problem, It was the strain of the energy going through his arms. He looked over at a passing surveilance camera and smiled. He wondered what Craig thought of this,... he would likely think he was clever taking this route. Now you get her all to yourself in her room, yeah thats really great ,but I can't take advantage of it in my state. He then noticed his neck was feeling a little less empty and when he looked down he saw that his locket was gone. He stopped and looked around, he saw it in Silvia's hands and the blood coming from her nose. This made him frown.

Did that happen because she tried to heal me?...Perhaps it was launching her self out and catching herself in that quick instant. He now felt rather guilty. He didn't even come down here to help that crane operator. He came down here to laugh and play around with Silvia. Now he suffered a big enough energy that he can't stand or walk properly and she has blood coming from her nose. Although if he hadn't come,... the very two technicians carrying him right now would be dead. He smirked and sighed. I suppose it is a okay trade. Plus something good was actually going to come of it.

[Salrynn]

Meanwhile, despite everything that is happening Gaia is starting to get really stressed and needed some relaxation, she decided to go back to her ward; to see the kids again, she knows that they will be happy to play with her again and even get comfort from nymph. Knowing what to do she travelled to her ward and quickly opened the door to see them…

‘IT’S EMPATH GAIA!!!’ they all shouted, some getting up to hug her and cling onto her, which made Gaia’s smile widen. Sitting on a bed of a girl named Sophia she noticed her hair was all tatty ‘Sophia; sweetie?’ Gaia asked softly ‘Would you like me to sort your hair out??’

‘Oh yes please! Empath Gaia!’ Sophia would answer in glee, Gaia nodded slowly before looking under Sophia’s bed for her suitcase and opened it to obtain the little girls hairbrush; it was so pretty and very feminine!

Gaia flew to get behind Sophia, pushing her along slightly, unfortunately Sophia had a broken leg and she cannot move much so it was really helpful of Gaia to do that. She then started brushing her hair, Sophia clearly enjoyed it and felt like she needed it badly.

[Afina]

Transport Repair Docks

Silvia stood there as the elevator doors closed and it made its way to her floor, once the doors opened she led the engineers that were helping to move Ailen into her quarters and directed them to set him down gently on the couch before thanking them for their help and escorting them out. The door sliding back into to place she pulled the locked out of her pocket and took a deep breath. “You did good Ailen, had you not been there we could have lost people tonight. Thank you for that,” she said as she slowly turned around. The expression on her face was anything but happy though yet there wasn’t anger in her features either; when she looked at him there was sadness. “Though next time you decide to manipulate a situation I suggest you chose people that are trained not to broadcast their thoughts when under stress,” she said quietly as she stepped over to him and rested the locket next to him, another drop of blood falling from her nose.

Stepping away from him she wiped it away with her sleeve and looked at it, that’s when the anger set it. What she did to help him didn’t have to happen. He could have easily been taken to the infirmary but at the time she didn’t know that. She saw someone injured and pushed herself too far to help them, to help him. She had not known what had occurred until after she tended to his injuries; the engineers nervous over what she had done to help him made their thoughts broadcast the bribe and the hiding of the medic kit. “The reason I had you brought here is because you saved those workers down there,” she hissed. “So they would not see what happened next,” she continued in the same tone. “But if you ever manipulate another person in this Tower for your own personal gain or deceive me again I will have you transferred off world faster than I moved down there, do you fucking understand me?” she snapped.

“Your ass is perfectly capable of getting its own damn dinner, now get out!” she yelled before she stormed off to her bedroom and the door slid shut. Even though she was yelling and angry, the look of on her face was of hurt. “At least the Neanderthal was honest,” she muttered to herself; shaking her head slightly as she sat down on the edge of the bed. Had Ailen been anyone else she would have tore into him with much greater intensity, had he not saved the workers she would have fired him on the spot. She couldn’t believe that he would twist a situation like that for attention. Silvia looked down at her hands, covered in grease, spotted with blood. Both Ailens and her own, closing her eyes she sighed deeply as her fingers slowly balls up into fists out of frustration.

Up in the Mor Craig watched the situation unfold and perked a brow when he saw the med kit get hidden. “Don’t do it man…” he whispered to himself and then groaned inwardly as he saw the engineer run off to get Silvia. Sitting there he watched Silvia move and heal Ailen, staring in disbelief at her speed. Zooming in he looked at her eyes and looked even more confused. What she did was things people kicked around in rumors but he had never seen it personally. As they moved Ailen to her quarters he sat back in his seat wondering what was going to happen behind closed doors since there were no security cameras in a Tower Leads personal space. I hope she doesn’t find out, he thought to himself before going back to work.

[EWillden]

He rose from his seat. He checked his arm and twisted it. "No,... I didnt need the medkit anyways. Felt someone else might need it more. I would have been better in a few minutes." He said. "The pain was intense,... But it was nothing compared to any other pain I felt. In other words I am kinda glad your kicking me to the curb." He said as he placed his locket back around his neck. Making sure the picture was still inside. "I never wanted to have me become a distraction. Tristan maybe locked uo but he aint gone. The whole thing would have been avoided if everything had been repaired." He removed the blue crystal drive from his pocket. He placed it on the table.

"As for the dinner,... It wasnt going to work out anyways. I figured it was all a big tease anyways. I dont even know why I would even think that someone like you would have a interest in me anyways... Im a T1 who cant even use a black crystal. I am a punch line to a very bad joke. Perhaps you should transfer me... " He added. He then went to exit the room and into the elevator. He sighed and leaned against the elevator door. This was okay,... This was good. Now she had no dustractions. No T1 drop out to worry about. I can't even lift containers without bleeding around my arm. To think she had even thought of him was beyond him. Perhaps it was best I find a black crystal for myself. Even if I lose her,.... If,.... Already have. He lifted up his own crystal. He stared at it. "I would miss this thing though. Despite my uselessness...." Once the elevator stopped he got off onto his floor. He dimmed the lights and moved to the fridge. He sighed as it reflected how he felt,...empty. "I am going to have to restock you some day. The civilians get the first shipments though." He said closing it. He moved to a cuboard and saw he had a box of candy bars and he smiled. He took it from his cabnet. He then proceeded out. Now where does that engineer live?... Thats right... Floor 2. Promise was a promise. He owed the engineer that much. "Dont lose any sleep over it Silvia. You deserve someone for much more then me." He stepped into the elevator and proceeded to go down. As it went down he remembered he forgot his medicine again. "Shit... Oh well dont need them anyways. Dont even know why I take the damn things. They dont work." He said. He then looked to his arm. "If the doctors had the right stuff i wouldnt needed to take them. Never heard of a artificial limb taking this long for a body to get used to." He sighed. He realized he hadnt changet his shirt either. Still blood on it. He then remembered he did not have any other shirts. He gave all of them but this one away. I doubt blood will come out...

[Afina]

Silvias Private Quarters

”You weren’t a distraction, you were a focal point,” Silvia thought telepathically to Ailen. "And it wasn't a tease, it was genuine. I don't play with peoples emotions Ailen. That's something Tristan would do. I hoped you thought I wasn't like him. I guess I was wrong. I guess to you I am just like all the others," she added before closing her mind off to him.

To her he wasn’t a distraction or someone to tease, he was a focal point, something she could hold onto when the Talent took over, something that brought her back out of the trance like state she would be sent into when she needed her abilities the most. That state that some Talents had been locked in, after they faced the worst situations, for the rest of their lives. Silvia may have been a powerful talent but it came with its drawbacks, self-injury risked during extreme situations was common and was why so many high level talents kept themselves distanced from others. Not having a focal point made them more vulnerable and for a T-1 that wasn’t acceptable but a T-1 needed another T-1 to be a focal point and they needed to be close.

That never happened because they were never stationed together; one per tower, that was how it was. Ailen was unique. Though that had not been what drew Silvia to him. She thought he was different, not coming on to her and with what he had said in the elevator. Rubbing her hands slightly she shook her head. I guess he isn’t so different from the rest after all, she thought to herself as she stared at the floor. Sighing deeply she rose from her place and made her way into her bathroom; stripping out of her clothing and taking a quick shower to wash the dirt, grim and blood away. Wrapping a towel around herself she made her way back into her bathroom and changed into a clean uniform; this time not a common uniform meant for hard labor but one befitting a Tower Lead. Looking at herself in the mirror she groaned. “I guess this is what I am now,” she said to herself before turning and walking out of her room and making her way to the Mor after she picked up the crystal drive.

When she arrived Craig looked over to her he cringed slightly. He didn’t know what happened but he had seen Ailen leave quickly after arriving and now she was dressed as a T-1. Whatever had occurred couldn’t have been good. Silvia said not a word and made her way over to a terminal and began entering in the incident down at the docks; about how the cables had snapped because they were worn, that they hadn’t been replaced because Tristan had not done his job as tower lead, about Ailen getting injured. She left out the rest, not wanting to blemish Ailens record. Leaning back in the seat she opened a com with Earth main and entered the crystal drive into the system.

“Marx, you there?” Silvia asked as she waited for the monitor to open the com fully.

“Hey angel! What’s…” he began as he appeared on the monitor and then saw her face. “Silvia… What’s wrong?” he asked concerned when he saw the look on her face.

“A lot but I need a favor right now,” she said before she uploaded the drive and sent it over to Marx in Earth Tower. Marx took a quick scan over the files when the upload was complete, his eyes widening before nodding and transferring them to a personal drive and pocketing it.

“I understand,” he said quickly before deleting the upload. Silvia removed the original drive and pocketed it for when she would contact GTC itself. “Seems a lot has happened. Is there anything else?” he asked, knowing she was holding something back. Silvia wanted to talk to him but now was not the time. Taking a deep breath she shook her head and Marx let it go. He knew she would tell him when the time was right. “Okay Angel, if you need anything let me know.”

Silvia nodded and ended the com. Craig looked over to her and stepped closer. “Anything I can do for you?” he asked as he moved in front of her.

“Yes, assign Ailen to the Twins shift for security. You will be working with me,” she said before rising from her place and leaving the Mor without another word. Sighing deeply Craig nodded to her order and went to change the scheduling around, sending a copy of it to Ailens com in his room.

[EWillden]

Ailen made it down to the 2nd floor. He looked around and exited. He then proceeded down to the man's quarters. He wasnt there,... He knew this because he opened the door and decided to place the box on a table. Thats the best I can do. He sighed and exited. His stomach growled but he ignored it. It had been growling for the past several day. If a real doctor examined him. He would have told Ailen the weakness in his arms was from not eating. It was also likely killing him. The same thoughts came over his mind. He went back to the elevator and took it back up. His thoughts even went to that. "What if it was killing me?... Using energy like that with your body lacking it may not be good for me...oh well" He said. He looked to the camera and back away. Why bother caring if someone heard him. Not like they would care anyways. "Genuine huh?... Well shit. I sure fucked that one up. I wasnt lying too much back there. I didn't need the medkit anyways. Besides,... Tristan probably cut those supplies to. 'The medical wing should have all the medical supplies needed. The medkits aren't needed.' Sounds like something he would say." He then looked to the side. Looking at his reflection. "Just my luck,... You finally found The girl and you did that.... Ailen,... The breaker of hearts. Ailen the man who can stop fighting and help out everyone. Yet when it comes to love your the biggest idiot ever... Yup that medkit will fix someone up who deserves it...." He looked back up at the ceiling. Damn this elevator is taking forever. " I guess when your charm finally works you dont know what to do with it..." He went to his pockets to grab out his medicine. "Thats right,... I forgot them on my floor. Taking those things on a empty stomach isnt the best idea either... But fuck it." The elevator finally stopped and he went back to a standing position. He then looked to the camera. "Sorry Silvia,... I guess I kept chasing love to the point I didn't know what to do when I actually caught it. When I finally touched,... It was something new. I guess those manipulations with the engineers came only out of a man's stupid thinking he could get closer. That man took the wrong path..." He didn't care if the person on the other side of that cam was just a security officer. He just said it to get it off his chest. For some reason it hurt. The confession didnt fix it though. As he left his last words were.."So thats what it feels like...."

".... To have your heart split in two" he said. He got to his door and when he pushed through he saw he had a message from the Mor. He was being moved to the Twins shift. "I deserve that..." He said. He then sat down on his couch. The pain returning. Much quicker then before. He got back up and began hunting for his medicine. He couldnt find it though. He then recalled he had it in his desk at the Mor. He went to the comm and pressed down. "Hey Craig,... Can you have one of the Basic's grab my medicine from my desk. I thought it was here but it's not. Thank you." He said waiting for a response.

[Afina]

Mor of Alentia Tower

Craig looked over to the monitor as he worked, seeing Ailen out and about from his quarters. Reaching over he flipped a switch and sent the audio to his personal ear piece so he could listen. Fucking hell, the man is trying to kill himself. Emotionally and physically, he thought to himself before the com came in from Ailen about his meds. "Right, they're on their way down Ailen," he said rising from his place as he ended the com and make a few quick changes in the computer terminal. Then he grabbed the bottle and made his way towards the elevator.

"You," he said pointing to the next highest rank security officer in the room. "Com me if something comes up, I have an urgent matter to attend to," he said quickly before entering the elevator. The woman nodded and took position as security lead for the time being.

Heading first to the commissary and grabbing some food supplies before making his way to Ailens quarters. He didn't bother knocking, just using his override to make the door open. Stepping in the door closed behind him and he looked around for Alien. When he spotted him he set the food down and the pills on a table before leaning against a wall and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Now, I wonder if you really want to die or if I just need to pull your head out of your ass," he said as he looked his second in command over. "You're off duty until further notice, I'll write it up and blame it on the incident in the repair docks but until you can get your head back in the game you're a danger to yourself and others," Craig said in a rather uncharacteristic stern tone. Rubbing his face for a minute before he decided to continue.

"And if you have something to say to Silvia, you at least owe it to her after the stunt you pulled to say it to her face," he added before turning to leave. "Now eat your damn food, Silvia already had all food supplies replaced earlier, so there is no shortage in the tower. It was one of the first things she took care of," he said as looked back over to Ailen.

"If you won't do it for you, you could at least do it for the Tower, hell do it for her," he finished before walking out and heading back up to the Mor.

Up in the Mor the Twins worked catching all the supplies Silvia had requisitioned. It was a lot and they both knew by the time their shift ended.

"Think we should?" one asked the other telepathically.

"Not yet," the other replied.

"Wait for the best moment?"Gemini asked.

"Exactly."

Silvia made her way from the Mor and back to her quarters. She didn't bother speaking to anyone on her way down and once the door slid closed behind her she went quickly to change out of her uniform and into something comfortable; opting for a loose cotton like grey tank top and some black fitted yoga style pants. Curling up on her couch she pulled her portable com into her lap and started going over what needed to be taken care of tomorrow.

She groaned slightly as she saw Ailen had been pulled from duty and added herself in as the escort to the crystal mines tomorrow, then extended the twins shift so she would have time. It wasn't a big deal, shifts could last days. Leaning back against the couch she tucked her legs under herself and rubbed her eyes. Fatigue was setting in, at least the bleeding had stopped.

[EWillden]

Ailen took the advice. He didn't like getting pulled off shift but oh well. Perhaps when he felt better he would pay Silvia a visit and apologize. He went through the food and looked for something quick and easy. He sucked at cooking,... His sister was the cook. He nodded to Craig and sighed. He was a wreck... He doubted Silvia would forgive him. It wouldnt hurt to try... He dug up some instant food and began to prepare it. Being pulled off shift of the twins made him worried though. "Craig,... You there?... Dont leave those twins alone, i never trusted them. Twins in general always freaked me out." He said. Not knowing if Craig had left or not. As soon as the food was done he let it cool some before eating. The Twins.... He blamed the old horror tapes he used to watch. The idea of two twins standing in a hall just staring at you. He shivered at the thought. Once he ate enough of it he looked to his bottle and decided to test something out. He aimed his hand at it and lifted it to him. He opened it. Perhaps I was just starving... Well shit. He took out two of the pills and looked inside the bottle... 12 pills... Shit. He finished off his meal swallowing the pills down. He then moved to the shower and stepped inside it. Only removing his shoes and pants. Along with his underwear and turned it on. He started on cold and let the blood wash off. He began to clean the hardest part of his arm and then he heard a snap and went wide eyed... "Oh for fuck sakes..." He looked at his arm and saw something had broken. His arm was now loose and useless. The only skilled technician was on leave. He cursed under his breathe. Who in this tower is skilled enough for this?.... Silvia?... Oh you got to be kidding me... It's like everything wants me to go back to her room. She probably don't even have the tools or right parts for this... He felt his stomach growl again and he cursed at it. "I just feed you, you greedy bastard." He said and turned the water off. As he dried himself... Doing so with one arm. He then put on his pants and shoes. Tripping and smashing his nose into the door frame of the bathroom breaking it. Blood came down it and he swore. He managed to put on his pants and then get back up. He found sone tissue and stuffed it in his nose. "Fine I will go apologize... You fucking happy..." He yelled out at nothing. He grabbed himself something to chew on his way there. Fiddling with his arm. He got in the elevator and pressed the button to her floor. A piece of jerky in his mouth while he fiddle with it even more. Now the show for security went from depressing to a comedy. He kept swearing every five seconds... "Wait what day is it?... Oh fuck... Thats right. Some parts on this piece of crap needed replaced." He shot his fleshy arm up in anger. "Perfect... Oh you didnt fall apart in the hangar or any other time but now... Fucking convenient.." He said. He finished the jerky and continued to fiddle with the arm. Then something else snapped just as he got to her floor. The elevator door opened and he swore once more. "Oh come on you fucking piece of shit. I swear,... Why couldnt they design you like one of those cool arms ran by crystals and shit....fucking Tristan and his shit ass face taking away the nice things... I swear,... I ever see that asshole I will shove whatever is left of this arm up his ass!" He then noticed the door was open and everything he said was likely heard. He then moved to her door and pressed the buzzer.

"Hey um Silvia,... Um I know its late and you likely hate my guts,... But um I need your help right now..." He said as he tried to hold his arm up. Then the final piece snapped and it hit the floor with a loud cling. He looked down watching the wires and tubing had split from it... He sighed and turned his back hitting the door and slid down it. Holding his metal arm in his real hand. He then sighed and felt a tear come down. He pulled the tissue from his noses so he had a easier time breathing. He rose his arm up hitting the buzzer. "Silvia,.. I'm sorry. I am probably the biggest jerk right now. Right below Tristan. I never felt this thing you humans call love. I only had something similar to it but not exactly the same. This feeling clouded my judgement and I did something stupid... Just like any man would do in a awkward situation.... I suppose I was just... Whats the word now.... Afraid?..." He said. He gulped pausing in between the tears. " I have been alone at this tower for five years now. I was never able to get attached to anything. When earlier happened. I guess I was afraid of being rejected this time. So, i chose the cheeziest method in the book,... The wounded soldier routine. I didnt mean to betray your trust... I just thought... You were teasing me like at the docks earlier. I never knew what love was so I did not know it was genuine." He said. He then let go of the buzzer and looked at his arm. "And now my bloody arm has come off." He said. He cleared his eyes of moisture.

He sighed. He did not think he would forgive her. Why would she?... After what he did... He wouldn't either. He tried to climb back up and pick up his arm. He ten began the trek to the elevator. What the fuck am I doing?...

[Afina]

Silvias Private Quarters

On the sofa, Silvia laid curled up in a ball with her com in her lap having dozed off to sleep. It had been a long day already and little did she know it was about to get a lot longer. Slowly she was roused by a series of complaints and curses coming from the main door of her quarters. Rubbing her eyes slightly, thinking she may have just been dreaming before she realized that it wasn’t the sleep talking, it was Ailen. He was the last person she wanted to deal with right then; rising from her place and stretching slightly as she prepared to lay into fully this time until she heard that he needed help. Sighing deeply she began to walk over to the door, hearing what he had to say groaning inwardly at his words. She pushed the panel and the door slid open, she looked down at him and rolled her eyes.

“Seriously man?” she snapped before leaning down and taking a look at the mess he was in. “Okay, I’ll help you but you are going to shut up and listen,” she said as sat down on her knees to take a closer look. “One, shut up with your rabble. I don’t know what the hell you think you feel but if it is pushing you to lie to someone that shit ain’t love,” she snapped as she examined his nose for a moment before placing her hands on either side and snapping it back into place, not bothering to be gentle. “Tilt your head back,” she said quickly as she turned to look into her quarters and one of her bags moved over to her and landed next to her.

“So lay off the wounded soldier bullshit and stop feeling sorry for yourself,” she added as she grabbed a medic kit she kept with her from the bag, opening it up and pulling out a small splint for his nose before taping it into place. She could have healed him to a point but right now she felt no sympathy for him. She was angry, she was hurt and she had already pushed herself too far helping him earlier. For all she knew this was another ruse to get her attention. He wanted attention, he was going to get it but it wasn’t going to be the warm and fuzzy type. If he wanted her to trust him again it was going to take a lot more than some sappy apology. Silvia was quick to give trust, but once someone broke it, it took moving heaven and hell for her to let it be repaired.

“Come on twinkle toes, get inside,” she said as she began to pick up the pieces of his arm and her bag before walking into the room and tossing the pieces like they were junk down on the table in front of the couch. Sitting down she began to look over the pieces and perked a brow. “This thing is way out dated; I am surprised it lasted as long as it has. Even the tech we have on Earth is way more advanced than this,” she said taking on a less angered voice and one that was more work related. “Let me guess, you haven’t adapted to it yet have you?” she said as she looked over to him and motioned for him to come over to her. “Come here, I need to check your link up port in your shoulder,” she said as she patted the couch next to her.

Mor Of The Altenia Tower

Craig had heard what Ailen had said and made a mental note of it. He didn’t like the twins either. They were better than Tristan but there were too many unexplained black outs in the security cams around Tristans quarters for him not to have come to the conclusion that they were sneaking him to see him from time to time. There were rumors of some relationship between the Twins and Tristan but it was mostly joked about since no one believed that anyone, even two as demented as the Twins, could be involved with an ass like Tristan.

As he made his way back into the Mor he eyed them and they suddenly froze, like they had been discussing something, before going back to work; the woman who had taken over lead security while Craig was away stepped away from the monitor. She had kept others away so she had been the only one to see Ailens break down outside of Silvias room and her coming out to help him. She decided to keep it to herself and just erase the data. She felt he had been through enough that evening, it was already all through the tower about the kiss and the accident. She felt it was not something that needed to be on record. It served no purpose other than embarrassment. It seemed thankful for Ailen that she was all business.

Craig took a seat and sat back in the chair, rubbing his face slightly. That man needs to get his shit together, he thought to himself before going back to taking care of what he was actually paid to do. Running through the logs he needed to find another second in command of security on the temp until Ailen was back in the game. There was no one on Altenia that could do the job, so he reached out to Earth since it was Silvias home planet, hoping they had someone they could spare for a few days and could get out there this evening on the next transport.

[Goldeagle1221]

“Go fish? Are you sure? I swear you said something about a queen earlier”, Jeremiah teased as he drew a playing card from the deck that sat center in the middle of Hannah’s table. She was lucky enough to have a family housing room, and her husband, Phil and little girl Kendra were joining the “hero of the day” and Hannah in a playful game of Go Fish.

Kendra giggled as she jutted a finger into Jeremiah’s side, “do you have any quuuuueeeens?”

Jeremiah jumped, his voice light and playful “aha! So you do have queens!”

Kendra screwed her face up, “nu uh! I just got it.” She whined. Jeremiah cocked his head, “are you sure you just got it?”

“Kendra baby, are you trying to fool Mr. Strong?” Hannah asked with maternal precedence. Kendra folded her arms, “but he was winning!”

“No I wasn’t,” Jeremiah said slyly, and Kendra looked up at him with wide hopeful eyes. Jeremiah laughed, “sure I may have been ahead in the game of Go Fish, but I’d say you are beating me in the game of…”

He flicked his wrist and pulls the queen of hearts from behind her ear, “queen of the table.” Kendra beamed at the idea of being the royalty of the table, “you mean princess!”

“But of course! I apologize profusely your majesty!” Jeremiah bowed his head. Phil, a balding man of reasonable build laughed deeply, “please Mr. Strong, don’t encourage her.”

Jeremiah straightened his back and smiled at Phil, his eyes wide and happy, “I’m sorry sir, she seemed to have just gotten the best of me.” He ruffled Kendra’s hair, forcing a playful scowl from the small girl.

Hannah laughed, nearly snorting, “you are a character Jeremiah Strong. Do you have any children?”

Jeremiah stuttered at the question, “no, no I don’t.”

Phil squinted, “Jeremiah, are you alright, you have rings around your eyes.”

A stone fell in Jeremiah’s stomach and he squirmed uneasily, “l-long day I suppose, I should go get some rest.” He stood up out of his chair a little faster than he should have, and his head was hit with a sudden dizziness.

“So suddenly?” Hannah asked, a sense of disappointment in her voice. Kendra pouted and tugged on Jeremiah’s pants, “you can’t go, we aren’t done playing yet.”

Jeremiah frowned and his voice sounded sad, “I’m sorry, next time.” Kendra’s pout got bigger and Jeremiah felt the stone in his stomach fester. He started to make his way to the door. Phil perked a brow at the sluggish way he was moving, “Do you need any coffee or anything?”

“N-no,” Jeremiah stuttered as a wash of cold enveloped him, causing his voice to shiver, “just rest, big day tomorrow you know. Take it easy guys!”

Before anyone could response he slipped out the door and quickly jogged into his own room. His heart was pounding but his mind felt asleep and cold. He dove quickly for the computer shell.

“Fuck fuck fuck fuck,” he chanted to himself as he tried to peel the panel off with his fingertips, turning white from strain. After a heaven sent pop Jeremiah wrestled the bag of pills from the shell and ripped it open. He shoved a shaking hand into the pile and procured a small blue pill and popped it in his mouth, sighing a sigh of relief immediately after.

He felt it hit his stomach and almost instantly he fell to the ground, gasping for air. His throat felt swollen and before long his mouth was bone dry as he gasped. The gasped turned into violent dry heaves and he slammed his fist onto the floor with a crack, trying to swallow the pain of the violent outburst. His eyes rolled in the back of his head and he collapsed like a rag doll, shaking aggressively and convulsing.

Then the attack stopped, and all he felt was a warm wash flow over his body like a tropical ocean. His mind laughed and his heart jumped back into action. His muscles burned and flexed, and a large white smile came over his face.