| abstract | - Fountain Square - Plaxton City: Caspar The huge buildings in the background threaten to take over this small patch of green that is the center of Plaxton City. A stone fountain -still in place from another time- sits in the center of the square. It depicts a young woman looking into the sky. Water flares around her and bursts into a star pattern ten feet above her head. The inscription at the base of the fountain is written in the aging language of a more romantic time. 'Farewell, for all journeyers that leave this place shall always return to call it home.' Lush trees now dominate the square, shading the area from the dusk sky above is cloudy with patches of clear spots allowing you to see the sky behind them. Deep rich reds, oranges and browns fill the branches, seemingly setting the trees afire with color. Patches of well-maintained grass surround the base of the trees, allowing space for visitors to relax or picnic. The central, most famous area of Plaxton City seems to become more and more park-like with the frequent additions and maintenance. Lynae has her hands clasped behind her back as she stares towards the horizon where the sun is slowly rising behind a glorious display of clouds dancing before the breeze. She tilts her head slightly, feeling the sun warm on her face as she speaks in a quiet aside towards Dareus and Kiare, "The sun is coming up," as though they wouldn't have already noticed. "It feels appropriate that we see the sun rise this last time, here, on Caspar." Heading out one of the clothing stores, looking far less like a military surplus borrower. Heading towards the center of the square, he's carrying Just having been in one of the clothing stores, Dareus looks far better than the last few days; not happier mind you; but better dressed; less like someone who bought his wardrobe at a CDU surplus clothier. He smiles, half way, and nods, "We'll be back soon enough, don't worry about that." He puts his arm around Kiare gently, "You have the money and my other stuff stored still? The only thing I'm taking back is my clothes...maybe I'll come back with less than that; but oh well." Standing over in the middle of the square, right smack dab in front of the statue is Maris Becton in civvie clothing. In fact, she's so unrecognizable out of uniform that only those who know her well would know whom she is. The woman's eyes are fixated on the stone figure before her, so much so that she doesn't notice much of anything else around her. Kiare nods, and nuzzles his cheek, "I have everything and it's all safe. I'll be safe. You know they're going to come question me. But I'll make sure that someone is there, someone you trust." Lynae makes a point of leaving Kiare and Antoine to have some quiet time together, as they have more things to say to each other than can be said. Her face remains turned towards the rising sun, though she has already noticed the presence of the one who is more sister to her than any blood kin might have been. Her blue eyes scan the area again, sweeping over the few people at this time of the hour, noting the positions of the security personnel of course before she takes a few silent steps towards her sister and speaks in a quiet voice, "I'll never entirely understand planet dwellers, but the sunrises and sun sets are really quite something." Dareus nods quietly, "I'd prefer Captain Webb, or even Captain Shadow...maybe that will help some before I end up being back here." He wraps his arms around her gently and looks at the sunset as well, before smiling. "Don't worry, I'll be fine, I shouldn't be gone more than a few weeks. The Kangaroo courts never take long in the Empire." As the sky gently darkens, he looks towards Lynae, "Almost ready to delve into hell?" He laughs slightly at that thought, although it's not really funny; more like realistic, depending on who they first meet. Hearing the all too familiar voice of her sister, her soul sister, Maris visibly releases a heavy sigh of relief and closes her eyes. Without turning around to look at Lynae nor even opening her eyes to see her, she replies in a very quiet tone that only the two would hear, "I beg of you, if you are not here to have me escort your return then leave now before you are caught. I do not want to be the reason for your capture if it is not your wish. I cannot bear to see any harm come to you." Kiare smiles up at him and nods, "One of them, I promise." She touches his face softly and gaze up at him, it hurts to let him go, but she knows she has to let him do this... for them, for their future. "I love you, don't you ever let that go." Lynae response to Antoine's question is a simple, "Yes," before she turns her attention back to her sister's profile, only glancing out of the edge of her field of vision, so intent is she on observing the rising sun. "I am ready," she repeats aloud to Maris. "We come of our own accord, under our own power, willingly and without struggle or resistance to return to face the charges of the Empire," she says in a clear calm voice. Dareus smiles, and kisses her, "It'll be all that keeps me alive in COMPNOR's hands, and others, of course." He sighs slightly and turns his head; some vertebrae popping gently back into place, probably moved around more due to stress. He double checks that his pockets are empty, and that he never put his blaster into his holster, which is his usual habit; before he starts to head over towards Lynae, "Only a little while and we'll be back. A hell of a lot less medals and fanfare; but alive, at least." That part, is still his own concocted theory; but then again, why else would he be stupid enough to do this. That much can be seen on his face as easily as someone reading today's news on a data pad. Nodding a little, Maris finally turns slowly to face her sister. Yet, instead of having a smile and being glad to see her, she has a bit of a frown on her face. Voice still quiet, yet the now approached Dareus could overhear, Maris says, "I'm so sorry, Lynae. I ... I wish there was some other way to do this. But please know that I will do everything I possibly can to assist you through this. I will stand by you and support you." A pause as her frown deepens and she seems to be struggling with her thoughts as she organizes her next series of words, "If you should perish, then I will as well. If you are discharged, then I will retire and go with you. If you remain, and you wish me to remain, I will. I am here for you for you are my sister." Kiare hugs herself as she watches him walk away, fighting to keep the tears from her eyes as she tells herself she has to be strong for this. She can't fall apart, she has to be steady and she forces a smile onto her face, "I love you Antoine." Her voice soft but it carries to him, fortunately without the tremor she feels in it. "I have no wish for you, nor anyone else, to do as a result of this. This is why I return, to avoid a senseless war between the Empire and the Caspian’s. I have come to respect them, as a people and as an ideal, enormously. Should this mean my death, then what is the value of one life, if war may be averted. I do not seek death, nor does Antoine, yet it is the only constant companion that we know in life. As a doctor, this is the one thing that I believe, the only absolute in life," Lynae says quietly, simply, her voice calm and even. "I would not have you throw your life away, Maris, but I would welcome you if you choose to join me should I be allowed to retire." Dareus smiles slightly, as her turns back to look at Kiare. That face, was easily recognizable for anyone who served with him; the same face he had on before ever climbing into a flight suit, or loaded up a battle rifle on some suicide mission. False military bravado; easily recognizable. "I love you too. I'll see you soon. I promise." He sighs and clasps his hands behind his back, quietly adding to Lynae, "I hope we're doing the sane thing...I know it's right; but that's a whole different set of dice." Maris has always been more emotional than Lynae, so seeing Lynae's 'cold' side doesn't surprise her in the least. Frowning, Maris quietly says, "My life is nothing without having you in it, Lynae. You know that you're the only reason why I have stayed in for as long as I have." Her eyes shift to the statue before she nods slowly, "Yes, I know what you mean about the Caspian’s. In the small amount of time I have spent here, I've never felt more at home. There are good people here." A very long pause before she looks to Lynae and then to Dareus asking, "Are you both ready and are you positive this is your wish? There will be no going back once we start to leave."
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