Private Footprints in the sand

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

There was a few laughs from Guilia and Jesse looking at Seren as she gave a nod. "Maybe, I like it, a man should have a plan and if being a god to a pre-hyperspace culture is it well I guess more power maybe. Totally hard to say strive for higher ambitions." Jesse said it as going out to the fire pit there were better places for them to sit and be able to eat as Ginger, Etain and Ru were there with them. She could see Mari rotating it and she had sliced off a piece as she held it to show it was nicely slow cooked. "Perfection." She said it while she cut off some more pieces and put them on skewers with grilled fruits and veggies that they had been able to get for everyone.

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren followed them out at an unhurried pace, dusting the last of the stone grit from her hands as the scent of cooked food reached her. Her glowing amber eyes moved over the gathered group, the better seating, the firepit, and finally to Mari, turning the meal with obvious pride.

The sight alone was enough to ease something in her posture.

"…Then I am relieved divinity can wait until after dinner," she said calmly, glancing once toward Mugen before returning her attention to the food.

A faint trace of amusement touched her features at Jesse's encouragement.

"Though I suspect most gods begin with followers who are less skeptical than this group."

She stepped nearer the fire, the warmth meeting the cooling air pleasantly, and studied the skewers Mari was preparing. The grilled fruit, vegetables, and carefully carved meat drew a more immediate and practical interest.

"That," she said after a brief pause, "appears considerably more convincing than worship."

Her gaze settled on the sliced portion Mari had declared perfect, and for once, there was no dryness in her next words, only honest appreciation.

"It smells excellent."

She moved to sit with the others, composed as ever, though now with unmistakable satisfaction.

"I would be glad to assist in reducing the supply."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Marri looked at her. "Only if you smile and share a story with us." She held the skewer there for a moment out towards her and then pulled it back with a smile on her face. "Peer pressure! Peer pressure!! Peer pressure!!!" She said it with a look but wasn't making a big deal to withhold it or tease. Giving it over. "But come on, Seren you don't share. Everyone knows about Mugen's love of stories and guides, or Ginger's love of blondes with tattoos. My love of red heads and we have Ru and Etain who well they love private time away from all of us." She said it and the two of them were there as the woman held up a bottle. "You know it also one more week and we might have some basic booze from the fermenting fruits."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren accepted the skewer when it was offered, her glowing amber eyes settling briefly on Mari before drifting across the others as their attention gathered around her. She did not answer immediately, taking a small bite instead, more to give herself a moment than out of hunger, the warmth of the fire and the quiet weight of Varin behind her making the situation feel less like an interrogation and more like something she could allow.

"…Peer pressure is an inefficient tactic," she said at last, her tone calm, though there was a faint thread of dry amusement beneath it, "but I will concede that it appears to be effective."

She shifted slightly, settling more comfortably where she sat, then let her gaze rest briefly on the fire as though drawing the memory up from it rather than simply recalling it.

"When I was younger, there was a garden at the monastery," she began, her voice even, though softer now, less guarded. "It was not large, but it was carefully maintained. Not for consumption or display, but for reflection. Everything within it existed with purpose, including a section that was not meant to be disturbed."

Her fingers adjusted lightly on the skewer as she continued, the motion absent but steady.

"The plants there were…delicate. Rare. They required precise conditions to survive, and I decided, with what I believed at the time to be sound reasoning, that they would benefit from being rearranged."

A faint, almost reluctant warmth touched her expression.

"They did not."

She let that settle for a moment before continuing, her tone smoothing back into something more reflective than dry.

"I spent several days attempting to correct the damage before anyone noticed, convinced that if I applied enough effort, I could return everything to its original state."

Her gaze lifted slightly, meeting theirs again.

"They noticed."

This time, the hint of amusement was clearer, though still restrained.

"I was assigned to tend the entire garden for a season, under supervision, with explicit instruction not to improve anything unless directed to do so."

She took another small bite, then finished with quiet clarity.

"It was…instructive. I learned that not all problems benefit from intervention, and that patience is often more effective than correction."

Her gaze moved between them once more, composed again, though no longer distant.

"That is the story you requested."

A small pause followed, then the faintest trace of dry warmth returned.

"You may now return to discussing each other's preferences in significantly more detail than I required."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse looked at Seren and took a bite as Mari spoke. "I mean I was looking for something that ended with and then I was streaking but that is a way to do it. Glad you didn't stick in a monastery. Without you we wouldn't have had as much to help with here." She said it leaning back as she was eating with the large redhead and offering a nod. Jesse looked over at her. "See peer pressure works, proven effective in social situations and playgrounds across the galaxy. Next we are going to get you to smoke in the locker room just you watch or we'll finally be able to communicate and we can prank call some some rrandom people. AAsk them if their food storages are running."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren listened as Jesse spoke, the corner of her mouth shifting just slightly at the suggestion of how the story could have ended. Her glowing amber eyes flicked briefly toward Mari, then back to Jesse, calm but not entirely untouched by the humor.

"…I suspect the monastery would have objected to that variation," she said evenly, though there was a faint thread of amusement beneath the words.

She took another measured bite, then added more quietly:

"Though your version does seem…memorable."

At the mention of peer pressure, her gaze settled on Jesse again, steady and unbothered.

"It appears your thesis is supported by evidence," she acknowledged. "Though I would caution against overgeneralizing the results."

Then came the rest of it.

Her expression did not change much, but there was the faintest narrowing of her eyes.

"…I will decline the smoking," she said calmly. "As well as any attempt to impersonate supply officers for the purpose of amusement."

A brief pause followed.

"However," she added, with the slightest hint of dry warmth returning, "if communication systems are restored, I will consider more… constructive uses."

She glanced down at the skewer, then back to them.

"Preferably ones that do not result in disciplinary action."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Was that a joke... holy force gods the princess Leia Organa is turning over and over in her grave now. Jesse was looking at her with a smile on her face though.. she loved it and Seren had just helped seal the deal. "Well I suppose we can do it your way but only because I am sated from the hunger pangs for now." SHe said it and took a bite as Mugen was checking the kiln that had gotten more of the ore added to it. "We might be able to do more soon, if those ships are good and we can make a few pieces which will help. We got this and what we don't got we will figure out long before we face the greater dangers. Maybe just think of it like a summer camp, you go for three months."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren listened as Jesse spoke, her glowing amber eyes lifting with a faint, unmistakable glint of amusement that had begun to surface more easily as the evening wore on. She took another measured bite before responding, as though considering the premise seriously, even if the conclusion was already forming.

"…If this is a summer camp, then I believe we were all misinformed about the level of comfort provided," she said calmly, her tone even but threaded with quiet dry humor, her gaze drifting briefly over the kiln, the rough structures, and the scattered evidence of their efforts before returning to Jesse. "Though I will concede that the curriculum is considerably more practical than most, given that it appears to include survival training, structural engineering, resource management, and what I can only assume is an elective course in theological ascension."

Her eyes flicked toward Mugen for a fraction of a second, the implication left to settle without further emphasis, before she continued.

"It is, in that sense, a well-rounded program, even if I do question whether the promotional materials accurately reflected the experience, as I do not recall enrolling in manual labor as a primary activity, nor in group bonding exercises conducted under the persistent threat of starvation."

A faint, unmistakable smile touched her lips then, subtle but genuine, as she glanced back toward Jesse and the others.

"Though, in fairness, the company has exceeded expectations, which does compensate for certain…environmental shortcomings."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Hahaha she laughed a little at Seren's assessment of the situation and she had to laugh a little more. "Well that is one way to go about it. I prefer to just look at it for the chance to get to know people you likely never would have known and here we all get a chance to not have to worry about our pasts. We can start new." She said it and Etain poked her head up from where she was relaxing with her husband. "Ummm excuse me princess. I enjoyed our life... I have pretty things and lots of food and have you ever been in a deluxe sky car there are eighteen cupholders able to be used... I had to buy excessive amounts of drinks just to fill them." That got a laugh from Ru and Mugen as Jesse looked at her. "I will make you a cup holder Etain... I will make a hundred and put them around the camp just for you."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren listened as the exchange unfolded, her gaze moving between them while the laughter carried easily through the group. For a moment, she simply observed, the firelight catching along her features as she took in the contrast between Jesse's optimism and Etain's very specific priorities.

Then, unexpectedly, she laughed. It was quiet at first, more breath than sound, but genuine all the same, the kind of reaction that slipped past her usual restraint before she made any effort to contain it.

"…Eighteen cupholders," she repeated, a faint shake of her head following as the absurdity settled in. "That does seem…excessive."

There was still a trace of amusement lingering in her expression as she looked back toward Jesse.

"Though if this is the standard we are now expected to meet," she continued, her tone smoothing back into its usual calm with a thread of dry humor woven through it, "then it would seem we have a considerable amount of work ahead of us."

She shifted slightly where she sat, then added, more lightly now:

"I will assist." A small pause followed, her eyes flicking briefly toward Etain. "Though I cannot guarantee we will reach eighteen." The faintest smile returned, subtle but unmistakable. "We may have to settle for…functional abundance rather than luxury."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

The woman seemed to be looking at them for that and she nodded. "Fine but only because it is important." SHe looked at herr husband as she spoke. "Should have went for private villa or water bed." It was a joke and Ru was laughing with her as he spoke. "I'll make you one of those if you want but we'll need to get the things from here first." He said it and Jesse looked at him. THe man was casual about everything she had seen and not in the bad way. He worked hard but he just didn't let things bother him in many more things. "We'll see about it Etain, you are demanding but if you bring more stuff and we can get a ship who knows."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren watched the exchange with quiet amusement, the tension of the situation easing just slightly at the easy back-and-forth between them. It wasn't something she saw often, that kind of warmth woven so naturally into conversation, even here.

A soft laugh slipped from her before she could stop it, her head tilting just a fraction as she looked between Etain and Ru.

"A water bed?" she echoed lightly, a smile touching her lips. "I think that might be the most ambitious request I've heard today."

She shifted her weight, folding her hands loosely in front of her, the warmth in her expression lingering.

"But if you manage it," she added, glancing toward Ru with a hint of playful approval, "I'd be very interested to see how you make it work out here."

Her gaze softened as it returned to Etain, something steadier beneath the humor.

"Though I think I understand the appeal," she said gently. "After everything, a little comfort doesn't seem like too much to ask."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Etain held a hand up. "Comfort is never a bad thing and desert island hooch." She said it and looked over as Mari spoke. "I told you that is secret." She said it but came around as she went and pulled something out. Near the kiln. "The sugar was the hardest part but the heat helped dry it out and with the fermentation process." She said it and the container was there sealed as she looked at Etain and tossed it over to her. "You want it, then have the first taste." She said it and was looking at she sat down. "I put some of it away to try in case we needed something disinfected but alcohol will only go so far in a crisis and we have better means to maake it now."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren's glowing amber eyes followed the exchange with growing curiosity as the container appeared from near the kiln, her attention shifting from Mari to Etain and back again while the explanation unfolded. The faint warmth from the fire caught along her features as she listened, one brow lifting almost imperceptibly at the mention of "desert island hooch."

"…That is a phrase I did not expect to hear tonight," she observed calmly, though the dry amusement in her tone made clear she was no longer particularly surprised by anything this group produced.

Her gaze settled briefly on the sealed container.

"Though I will admit," she continued, her voice thoughtful now, "the fact that you managed to improvise fermentation, preservation, and medical contingency planning simultaneously is…impressive."

There was genuine acknowledgment in the words, even if her expression remained composed.

She shifted slightly where she sat near the fire, drawing the cloak more comfortably around herself before glancing toward Etain with the faintest trace of humor returning.

"You are also considerably braver than I am if you intend to be the first to test it."

A small pause followed before she added more lightly:

"Though if it removes paint, dissolves metal, or causes temporary blindness, I believe we should classify it as an engineering material rather than a beverage."

The faint smile that followed lingered a little longer this time.

"Still…I suppose this officially confirms that we have progressed from survival camp to civilization."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

The woman held the bottle up as she opened it and there was a moment as she seemed to almost double take but didn't and took a swig as she took it back. "Oh dear... not since I snuck my neighbors dads bottle and made out with his older brother." She said it but took a second swig as she looked pained. "Feel the burn... it is good and if I burp into that fire it might be a flamethrower." Jesse was watching Etain and trying not to laugh... Mari was watching it and snickering as Ginger looked at the woman who was near her husband and he took a sniff but no swig. "Mugen.. this might be more then enough to drop a dragon."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren watched the unfolding disaster with growing suspicion, hidden behind an increasingly fragile composure, her glowing amber eyes shifting between Etain's visible suffering and the others' attempts not to laugh. The mention of stolen alcohol and questionable life choices only seemed to make the situation worse. Or better. It was becoming difficult to tell.

When Etain described the sensation as potentially weaponizable, Seren exhaled softly through her nose, the closest thing to a restrained laugh she was willing to allow herself at first.

"…That is not an encouraging review," she observed dryly.

Still, when the bottle inevitably found its way toward her, she accepted it after only the briefest hesitation, studying the liquid as though analytical observation alone might somehow lessen the risk involved.

The smell alone nearly made her reconsider. Nearly.

"If this strips the lining from my throat," she said calmly, though the faint amusement in her tone remained, "I would like it formally noted that I objected to this experiment."

Then, with considerably more courage than enthusiasm, she took a sip. The reaction was immediate.

Her eyes narrowed sharply as the burn hit, the liquid seeming to ignite from the inside out while every instinct she possessed briefly argued for rejecting it outright. Somehow, through either discipline or sheer stubbornness, she managed not to cough, though the effort was visible in the way her shoulders stiffened and her expression tightened with unmistakable offense.

A slow breath left her. Then another. Finally, she lowered the bottle with all the composure of someone pretending they had not just consumed industrial solvent.

"…I see," she said after a long pause, her voice perfectly controlled despite the lingering burn. "So the strategy is to render the body temporarily unaware of its other problems."

That earned the faintest crack in her restraint as a quiet laugh escaped her at last, small but genuine. She handed the bottle back carefully.

"It is terrible," she informed them with complete sincerity. "Remarkably terrible." A brief pause followed. "…Though admittedly effective."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse gave a nod of her head to that as it came to her turn and she breathed it in.. the scent was sharp but not nearly s bad as the taste. Based on everyone reviews. She took a drink and felt the tear ducts working overtime as she was holding it in. "Okay, I suddenly regret so many life decisions." She said it with a look on her face though when she passed it and Mari looked at it. "I told you it might not be ready... or at least it might be required to be worked for something else." Marri said it but she was laughing with it while she ate. "It might be better in a week or a month... there are other bottles and we might be able to get better things later"