Private Old Friends

[Delila Castillon]

Fondor | Remembrance Center


Being out in the deep black reaches of space often meant she didn't keep up with all the latest news in the galaxy. It wasn't until she set foot back on Fondor did Delila find out the planet was under the control of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Delila had fought against them before and was uncertain if there was some type of...warrant?bounty? out on her but the vessel was allowed to land. Perhaps having Xin on the registry helped, she wasn't sure. Perhaps the CIS no longer cared about what happened so many years ago. She had left the boys behind, wanting to do this on her own. Xin and Skreech at the market was most likely a mistake but it was better than having both of them hovering over her shoulder.

Boots crunched on the gravel as she entered the Remembrance Center. Under each flame were the remains of Omega Protectorate or Omega Pyre soldiers, typically those who had been higher ranking or had died in some valiant way. A few milled around the space she was in but nothing of note. Delila imagined many of the visitors were here for a history lesson or a day out to stretch their legs, much like one visited a national monument. Delila had been meaning to visit for years but life had other plans. She probably wasn't ready until she point anyway.

Head was down as she stopped at each marker to read, intent on taking her time in the space.

 

[Anemone Nivalis]

Le sigh.. She hated places like this. They reminded her of things she felt never should've happened. But, of all people, she knew they were necessary. After all, she was here.

Fondor was a place Anemone knew well.... Okay, she used to work at a massive hospital on the planet for a while and she knew it well. But, that in turn, made it her home for a while. She had gotten to know a great many people during her time. In truth, it made her wish she hadn't run off on her own volition. No one had pressed her. No crazy, life changing, dramatic event caused her disappearance. One morning the talented surgeon was just gone. No explanations given. No notice of departure or return. But that's not what this is about!...Yet!

Anemone had been on world with a friend of hers for nearly a month now. This was the third time she'd found herself at the giant memorial. The question of why was a constant in her mind, but the answer stood out to her like a red dot on white paper; she felt guilty. There was this feeling that if she had stayed, she could've helped. This line of thought, honestly, made no sense. Anemone had all but separated herself from fighting forces during the time period, of her own accord, no less. How could she help armed forces physically when she was no longer associated with them? And yet, the feeling of regret lingered. No, it felt as if it were fresh to her. Like the first time she had lost a patient. In fact, she had carried that feeling with her all these years, and now she felt as if some of these lives lay on her shoulders.

Her eyes were lost on one of the name below on of the flames, drowned in thoughts and images of the face that went with the name. Anemone rose her hand just high enough to level the flame, the heat reaching out to her palm as her head shook side to side just slightly. "Oh, Masellis...I should've known you'd find a way to do something crazy.."

 

[Delila Castillon]

Anemone Nivalis

Several rows down from her old friend, Delila certainly knew the pain the woman was experiencing. There was a guilt about sending or leading so many into battle while she still lived. Those much younger than her had died and for what? The Protectorate had folded, the Confederation of Independent Systems held the planet, and for the most part the galaxy was in turmoil. Didn't seem as if their hard work and loss was for any good, any progress. Many would disagree with her, such as Corek, but age had tempered her slightly. Experiences had given her new perspectives.

Finally she looked up from the marker she was standing at, observing the few milling around the space. Eyes narrowed at the sight of a woman talking to a marker, having a full conversation from the looks of it. The woman was familiar but it was hard to tell so far down. Perhaps it was someone she knew or perhaps it was the wife of a fallen soldier.

Either way, Delila started to crunch across the small pea gravel as she made her way closer.

 

[Anemone Nivalis]

A small grin crept over her face, lips curling to hold back a small chuckle. After all, she didn't want to disturb anyone who was doing the same as her. This was a memorial, a place of healing and remembrance. The boisterous laughter from the former military Captain would draw more than just the ire of those around her. Perhaps that was why she just barely managed to hold back her laughter as she remembered her lead engineer.

"I bet you got the hydro-spanner caught in the propulsion systems again, huh?" Now, this soft chuckle slipped from her lips. Not that it was her intent, but she couldn't help it. Having an engineer who was a bit clumsy was, after all, pretty entertaining. But even that wouldn't make her smile last forever as a heavy sigh took her. Anemone leaned her head back, eyes fixating on the ceiling above. It seemed....so far away. Like everything else in the galaxy, like everything she had been through. It was, at this point, she began to ponder if it was ever worth it. Why did she ever join the Republic Military? Why put herself on the front lines just to watch others die? Above all else, she had an oath, one that she had taken years younger, and still lived by its saying. Do no harm.

So....why did she feel as if she was the biggest harm that had befallen so many of those she had met, who now lay breathless.

She was their Medic...
She was their lifeline...
She was their best, and sometimes, only hope...
So why did she feel like she failed so miserably?..

Delila Castillon

 

[Delila Castillon]

Anemone Nivalis

Delila drew closer, careful not to fall over any headstones or monuments that were jutting out of the gravel.It would be her luck that she would trip and fall face first into someone's dead relative and even more of her luck that said relative would be in attendance trying to pay their respects. The redhead was in a few paces of the woman now, back still turned and possibly still having a conversation with the departed.

How to interrupt? It wasn't any day you could meet someone who genuinely appeared to have either been a part of the Protectorate or a family member? Perhaps there was no proper way, just...interrupt.

"Excuse me Miss, you know that soldier?"