Remnants of the Earth

Most times Sparrow would dream of a view like tonight. The sky was clear, the stars visible through the top of the dome untouched by the filthy smog that usually blocked the view. Yet despite it she felt nothing but sorrow as her eyes scanned the galaxy spread out above her. The night was quiet, the dome streets at a seeming standstill due to the events that had transpired. Even just outside the flight bay was silent as everyone was inside, all the reinforcements called in with their faces buried in a stack of paperwork or glued to a screen. Perhaps she to should do the same, staring at screens hoping for some kind of a response. However, no matter how hard she tried Sparrow’s focus was elsewhere, locked in on the sky above as Pixie’s heart wrenching whines reverberated through her as he also looked above. All she could do was lean against her landed skid, sitting just outside under the stars. Pixie knew he was up there somewhere, even a dog able to gather that someone was missing and that he was up there… somewhere.

With each blink Sparrow found herself reliving it, running through every scenario that could have saved him if she had just acted quick enough. He was there, and then he wasn’t. They were a complete squad, and then they weren’t. All in the blink of an eye her world was turned upside down for what felt like the millionth time. It was her own fault, expecting life to stop dealing hard blows and that for once things would go as planned. For the second time she found herself screaming for him, reaching out for Grisham as he was carried away with her not knowing if he was going to live or die. The second time she watched the closest thing she ever had to a father ripped away by the hands of fate.

”There was an accident…”

Drawing in a deep breath Sparrow hissed, fighting back tears she had already cried a thousand times over as she relived her conversation in Solarta earlier that day. She was so angry with herself, so angry at Grisham, so angry at this fucked up world for taking from her time and time again. She wasn’t sure what was worse. There was this emptiness in her chest, yet it was familiar in the most painful way. But Yavul, the deafening silence she received when she broke the news hurt her far worse. Just looking into his eyes felt like someone was reaching into her own chest, ripping out the beating heart that kept her alive. She saw in those few moments what kind of lifeline Grisham was for him, and she had just told him he may never have that lifeline again.

”He was just fixing a tiny malfunction. He was supposed to be clear and then… it was like it came out of nowhere…”

”He… he’s gone and we don’t know where he is or if he’s even alive.”

”Yavul, I’m so sorry.” the only words that she could muster in the pen dropping silence that filled Yavul’s office after she broke the news. The sound unnervingly similar to how she felt after her crash. That silence of literal nothingness but your own breath, your own blood coursing through your veins.

And that silence resided with her the entire flight home. Even as the world continued to move around her all Sparrow heard was silence. Her own thoughts the only company she kept up until now. Even Vaas didn’t exist despite him being right there with her the whole time. Looking back over at Pixie another tear fell, running down past her chin to her neck. He was still whimpering, looking to the sky for the Hellion that never came back down. The Hellion who on any other occasion was the first to greet him.

“Pixie stop.” The massive black canine only looking at her for a brief moment before returning to staring at the sky, his chest jumping with each whimper as he cried for Grisham.

“I said stop Pixie” her voice sterner, shattering the silence of the night. “He’s gone! He’s gone and for all we know he’s de-…” She immediately stopped herself, unable to finish the statement as if saying it would make it truer. More tears dashed down her cheeks while Pixie went back to crying to the sky.

”Your veneer is cracking….” Grisham’s words resurfacing from a not so distant memory as she pulled her knees in, curling into the smallest form she could manage. “I’m only cracking because you keep fucking trying to die on me you old ass hat.” Her words mixed between sobs as she spoke to the man who wasn’t even there. The lack of reply only assuring her of his absence.

The reality that he really was gone started to hit. There was still so much she needed from him, so much she wanted to learn and in turn give. In a way she felt cheated, fucked over by life yet again. There was that chance of him missing so much, all the things that Sparrow had dreamt of sharing with him over the course of many years. She wanted him to see her love, to know that he was a big part in her happiness. She wanted him to walk her down the aisle, give her away to the life that he had guided her through. She wanted her future children to have it too, the man who was always there offering a hand when needed.  She wanted them to see how amazing of a person Grisham really was, to experience it just as she did. Was it greedy to want both Grisham and Seiteki there? She needed them both, yet it seemed like one was constantly being dangled in front of her by a string ready to be snatched away at any moment.

“Dammit!” more sobs as Sparrow tried to wipe them away as she tilted her chin to the sky. “You’re always fucking trying to be a hero or something! Why did it have to be you to fix it!? Why couldn’t it have been me!? Why didn’t you tell me to pay closer attention or something!?”

As she continued to yell rage began to take over, lifting Sparrow back on her feet as she kicked at whatever was unfortunate enough to be in her path. “You’re always being so fucking mystical and heroic! Well let me tell you ya’ old fuck, THIS IS NOT A LESSON I WANTED TO LEARN!”

“Yeah! You hear that!? I DIDN’T WANT TO LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH YOU DYING!” she paused, her chest moving with angry breaths as balled fists fell to her sides. She continued to look above, as if somehow her screaming would reach him and he would hear every single word and respond… but nothing.

“Why… why did it have to be you…” Angry words began to fall, her voice breaking more and more with each curse coming from her lips. “Why are we not laughing around the table for a mission well done right now? Wanna know why? It’s because you had to go flying off into space…” Again silence as Sparrow’s front began to break. She had to gather herself, to put everything back together before she started falling apart all over again.

“Well let me tell you something Grisham Alberich! When I find you, you had better hope and prey I don’t kill you before Yavul does! You hear me!? Yeah you better be fucking scared!” And as if Grisham could see her from some distant telescope or something Sparrow reached down and grabbed the nearest thing, which happened to be one of Vaas’s wrenches, and she chucked it into the sky. “BE SCARED!”

Hell or high water she was going to help find him. He wasn't getting off that easy and god forbid she gave it less than her best in locating him.

A while ago, a time that seemed so distant now Aspen wasn't sure how she even remembered. A memory she thought had dissapeared with most from the beginning, a page from a book she thought long ago burned. She remembered sitting at the rail station, watching as people arrived and departed. The hustle and bustle as everyone just walked past her. All she wanted then was to be invisible, to evaporate into the space she felt like she wasted. Or maybe it was just that she wanted to feel something other than the lull of a life she was forced to live. Was it so different now? She was one of them this time, stepping off onto the platform just trying to get where she needed to go. This time she had somewhere to be, someone who wanted her there, people who noticed.

Even if it was only a day ago that she graduated Aspen found herself sorting through so many scenerios just like how she felt at the rail station. It was a sense of freedom, a sense of not being bound by her parents or the ATC's expectations anymore. She could feel the change within herself now more than ever as she looked at the view from the hotel balcony. There was no fear of what people thought of her anymore. When this change happened Aspen didn't want to admit. If asked she would say the ATC got it out of her and in a sense that was a partial truth. The real truth though lay in her hands, clutched like the lifeline that Aspen had made it into. Vaughan's music player, Aspen's fingers carefully grazing each button as she stared off into what was Adstreia. Even if she didn't know him all that well she knew she had to remember him... she would always remember what they did to him.

A soft buzz before Aspen reached into her pocket, pulling out the new Com she had been issued.

"From Pilot Echo Brookes: - WHERE ARE YOU AND WHY DIDN'T YOU COME TO MY APARTMENT!?!?!?!?!?!?!? ARE YOU OKAY!!!!!!!??"

Rolling her eyes at this point had become almost impulsive. Havanah's overbearing nature was beginning to become too much. It wasn't that Aspen didn't love her sister, or that she didn't want to see her. It was more that Aspen wanted her week of freedom, not only from the ATC and her new assingment, but also her sister. Leaving without even telling her she had graduated was the only option she had, every runaway needs a headstart.

"Death is iminent. The benches in Margad got me too soon. It was a short life... you can have my toothbrush." Sent.

It would be a lie to say her own response didn't cause a flash of a smile to cross her lips, so short lived by the several buzzes that followed it. There was no time to argue with Havanah now and so Aspen set her Com on the ledge, watching it illuminate with each message and missed call she would read another time. With knees pulled into her stomach, the neck of her sweater covering her nose, she had somehow managed to make herself quite comfortable in the little metal chair. Aspen was sure if it were possible get the hotel bed out onto the tiny balcony she would try. Then again something about being balled up like this had always been comforting to her in the past, and it seemed that it still was now.

Another thought crossed Aspen's mind as she readjusted, releiving the pressure of the metal chair in some places. She was curious how Viktor and Soleas felt being free like this. Did they do the same thing? Did they feel what she was feeling now? Aspen gripped the music player again, narrowing her eyes at the idea. Vaughan never got the chance to feel like this.

Hours passed as Aspen continued to hold the music player, her thoughts running back and forth as she tried to sort out how she felt about all of this. There was however one question she was determined to find the answer to...

Did anyone deliver pizza this late?

Mia scooted closer to the table as she listened to Evan explain himself. When he began she was curious if maybe the heat was getting to him. Not only did he keep flushing red but now apparently had a cough. If this continued a trip to medical would surely be in his future.

"You can call me Ladybug if you want... or Mia. But I don't really like Tamia." Mia shifted in her chair, crossing her legs over one another while ducking her hands into her lap.

While Evan's explanation was clear enough, there was one part that struck Mia as concerning. 'People like you are my everything for what I do.' Did he know about her arm and leg? Or perhaps he just meant pilots in general. Even so, he was a pilot as well, so complimenting every single pilot would also mean he was complimenting himself.

As she sorted everything out Mia couldn't help but let her smile falter. It wasn't that she was ashamed of having artificial limbs, or that she looked down on anyone who had one. It was all for the simple fact that no one liked explaining that they blew themselves up. It was embarrassing, and worst of all she hated how some people used to look at her for it. She grew up with the looks... the 'that poor girl' or 'she's so brave' glares from across any room. In the beginning, her dad was the worst offender, constantly doting and telling her how strong she was being. In reality, all Mia ever wanted to say was how the tables should actually be turned. Her father was the strong one... dealing with a kid like her all on his own.

It was because of all of this Mia swore she would never be the reason for someone to look at her like that again. She didn't want to be pitied and sure as hell didn't want to be the constant reminder of something that was lost.

"I don't think any career among pilots is more important than the other." Mia averted her eyes, locking them on a napkin holder on the next table over.

"I may be in a squad but you are just as important. If it weren't for you our Commander would be walking around with one arm." Instinctively she balled her right hand into a fist in her lap. "I can't imagine how awful that would be." She smiled again, scrunching her nose trying to shake the mood that had just overcome her.

"So tell me about yourself, Evan. Where are you from?"

Leaning back again Mia watched as Evan explained himself. He sure was adorable, using a coaster as a napkin like that. It wasn't often she got to just sit back and enjoy the company of someone like this. Usually it was all pretty quick flirting followed by a quick trip to the sack. Not that she minded that, but this was for sure a refreshing change of pace for her. Just her, sitting with a strange man casually chatting.

"Yep!" she chirped, bringing her hands down to her lap. "Pilot Cardinal Tamia Rhianu of the Solarta Valkyries! ARROOO!!!" Only a few heads turned in the restaurant as she howled, not nearly as long or as loud as if she were in the company of a fellow squadmate. If it were another Valkyrie she was eating with more heads surely would have turned.

"Also if Solarta is too hot for you we have tons of pools! And I'm sure you've noticed most of the official buildings are air-conditioned. Probably doesn't help that you're wearing such heavy pants."

Without warning Mia stood up from her chair, pulling at the edge of her frayed shorts. "Thin material like this is best." She moved to the strap on her tank top next, weaving the thin strip of material through her fingers. "Same goes for the shirts."

After her little demonstration, Mia sat back down, scooting the chair back up to the table with the usual smile on her face. "So you are here to fix Yavuls arm right? Do you like fixing broken pilots?"

It would have been too easy for Dez to keep Warden Kittypants going, saying something that would undoubtedly get her into more trouble. Then again, who would that help? Everyone else already seemed to be in some kind of gloom, well except for Chickenman, so pissing off their 'Captain' probably wasn't a good step to take at the moment.

He still hadn't answered her question about the air ducts, she was curious if this 'Meeting Place' had any. Wasn't the first time she had been threatened like that, in truth she kinda got excited about that kind of stuff. All of it gave her something to add to the list, things that made her skin thicker and kept that delightful personality intact. It was easier to piss people off if you knew that was all you were good at.

Moving on.

Scanning the room Dez noticed that Candyman had gotten up, leaving his stuff in a chair that was absolutely calling her name. It was practically screaming at her. "Come sit in me Dez. Come swivel me to your heart's content and all will be right in the universe!" And who was Dez to deny a simple chair such a request?

Moving across the room she made sure to gently place Candyman's things on the console once she reached the chair. After that it was game on as she crawled into it, curling her legs up before pushing off. It was an added bonus when she reached for her Com and uncovered an uneaten cheese poof in her pocket. SCORE!

God life was great sometimes...

Evan,
   Hey! So you really haven't been back to see if they put up more mistletoe?! I bet they have. They even started putting them up here! What are you up to?

-Mia

In his embrace Sparrow withdrew back into the cluster storm that was her mind. Such a heavy talk with such powerful emotion behind words and hidden thoughts intertwining themselves with more words.. more thoughts. So many thoughts spiralling out of control and crashing into one another. The Hellions, Vaas, that damn lizard. Mayday Mayday Adstreia flight bay. All of it playing over and over again in a neverending loop. Would it ever stop?

Moments that had long passed torturing her every time her eyes closed. Sparrow was a slave attempting to claw her way out from a heartache that was tearing at her core. One moment she was here, with him, with her family. The next, she was back spiraling towards the ground faster than she could control. She was losing her grip on the fine line between reality and illusion.

Creases formed as Sparrow tried to push it all back, lock it all away in the crypt she had barely managed to keep shut as it was. Vaas was here now, and right now they were talking about taking whatever they could get. He was never going to give up on finding a way for them to be together. But what if he never did? What if they were in fact destined to love each other from a distance for eternity?

'Sure thing Pilot Echo Anderson, I'll get right on that.' The solemn programmed voice that was the pilot assist program looping at the back of her mind.

"No..." a whisper as Sparrow buried her face into his shoulder, squeezing her eyes even tighter at the hope of making it go away. Now was not the time to fade, it was not the time to get sucked back into the warped version of hell her conscious had created. She had her own demons to fight here, with Vaas, and she was willing to do whatever it took to stay put.

Again she pulled back, this time reaching down to pull the black fabric from around her torso. Vaas's hands placing little issue as she snaked it up, pulling the shirt from over her head before discarding it to the floor.

Distraction time.

__________________QUICK STATS
Name: Jasmine Harte
Age:18
Gender:Female
Species:Human
Ethnicity: Aedolian
Height:5ft 9in
Occupation: Stage 4 Candidate
Residence: ATC

__________________IN-DEPTH STUFF

Physical Description:

   Im too lazy to type this out right now so just look at the picture lol.

Personality:
   While silent when it comes to words Jasmine is one of the most expressive people you will ever meet. It is quite easy for her to show what she is feeling simply by looking at her facial expressions, not to mention the always present energy of whatever she is feeling radiating off of her.

   Despite being a mute those who know Jasmine personally could easily say she is quite headstrong. She never fails to let someone know how she truly feels whether it be by projecting those feelings or simply reaching out via Telepathy.

   A great way to get on her bad side would be treating her like an entitled brat. Although born and raised in the upper caste, Jasmine does not see herself as better than anyone else and will be quick to remind you of that should she have to.

Fun Facts:
-Just in case you missed it, Jasmine is mute! Born without the ability to speak Jasmine has never uttered a single word. She is also not capable of laughter, wailing or screaming. Her most common means of communication are by either Facial Expressions, Telepathy, Sign Language, or Empathy.
-The Harte family owns and runs the Harte Corporation. They are most commonly known for their ties with the Aedolian Military as a subcontracted company in charge of the railway systems. Yes, this means they make the majority of decisions including travel schedules, rail maintenance/expansions, AND THE FOOD.
-Jasmine is the second in line to the Harte empire. Her older brother currently is training to take over some day.

Magic/Abilities:
Telepathy- A master at reaching out to others via Telepathy. Her range is impressive, to say the least and also hard to ignore. If Jasmine wants you to hear what she is thinking... chances are you're going to hear it.
Telekinetic- Absolutely awful. Just a sad excuse for a candidate when it comes to moving objects.
Empathy- Another psionic Jasmine is quite proficient with. Along with Telepathy Jasmine uses Empathy on a regular basis in order to allow others to know what she is feeling. It comes as second nature to her to the point she hardly even has to think about what she's doing when projecting it.

Relationships:
Mother, Father, and Brother - All alive and well.

History:
   Born in the heart of Haviah, Jasmine has lived there her entire life. Unfortunately, with her birth and the lack of making any noise when crying, Jasmine's parents quickly realized their daughter was born a mute. A harmless birth defect to her vocal cords making it impossible for Jasmine to ever utter a single word.
   Growing up without a voice in the public eye was never easy on Jasmine. Most citizens perceive her as a stuck-up snob not only because of her family name but also because she has never spoken a single word when asked a question. It is not public knowledge that Jasmine cannot speak, her parent's not seeing it as something that should be shared for the world to know.
   Jasmine is also the first psychic in her family, though it was known at a young age Jasmine was an empath. Around age 4 Jasmine's parents began to notice first that when Jasmine was upset, they felt upset. As time went on it became clearer and clearer that the silent little girl was projecting her emotions onto others. Fast forwards a few more years and Jasmine had already mastered how to reach out to others via Telepathy or Empathy along with sign language.

As his own lips brushed her neck Sparrow rolled her chin exposing the tender flesh, strands of mohagany slipping over her shoulders as she reveled in the moment. If only they could be like this all the time. Just here, enjoying each other for all it was worth with no care on who would see. Unfortunately, her thoughts began to wonder and once pushed back thoughts re-emerged.

Sparrow recalled her heart to heart with Vaas at DoSaM. Telling someone, anyone really, how much they truly meant to her was a big step. And of course, she was able to lay it all out there for him so that he would never question how she felt again. But since then neither had really had more than just a few moments alone. It was such an important moment squashed together in a matter of minutes.

"Vaas..."

Despite how much she hated it Sparrow pulled back, pressing a hand to his chest to push him away. They needed to talk, they needed to figure out where to go from here. Most importantly, they needed to do it while Grisham was miles upon miles away.

Instinctively her eyes flicked to the door again. All it would take is one wrong step, one bad miscalculation to ruin everything. Sparrow could lose the only family she had ever loved, the only man that ever made her heart beat this way (sorry Neeko), the only place she truly felt was ever a home. Everything that ever mattered to her could be gone in the blink of an eye.

Sparrow could feel her heart jumping in her chest. It felt as if she were choking on air, her throat closing in and muscles tightening at the very thought of losing Vaas and everything else she loved. She would never be able to choose. The Hellions and Vaas, both holding a special piece of her heart. Not to mention the daunting disapproval from the only man that ever made Sparrow feel like she could make someone proud. Grisham had time and time again given her chances, taught her lessons... he never gave up on her. Yet being here with Vaas was a direct way of throwing all of that into the garbage.

Worst of all Sparrow knew that Vaas would feel all of this. With their bond, he would see just how torn she was about everything. She felt guilty, knowing that she loved Vaas so much yet struggling to ever think of picking him over her family. In a perfect world, she would never have to choose, but Aedolis was far from that.

"... are we going to grow old loving each other at arm's length?"

Just as she pressed her finger to the screen someone bumped the table, causing Mia's attention to flick upwards. Turns out someone had just sat in the chair next to her and was obviously in some form of mood.

Unacceptable.

As he whooshed the menu from front to back it caused the hair on her forehead to flip up and then back down, her bangs brushing her nose in the process. Did he really not see her there? Usually, Mia stood out among the Solartan's, her pale skin and bright hair such a contrast to the usual solar acclimated attributes the natives carried.

With the tilt of her head, Mia tucked her bangs back behind her ear, about to speak up when the man let out some kind of statement before pressing his face into his hand. Some may have found all of this rude, except Mia was actually quite entertained by it. So entertained in fact she let out a light giggle before leaning forwards in her chair, folding her hands beneath her chin as she studied him.

"I actually think it would." She laughed, scrunching her nose at the stranger. "Solartans run on bacon, burgers, and grease. Didn't you know?"

Look at her go! Mia was so proud of herself that she was able to make a joke that sounded somewhat normal. She was well aware that for those that did not know her it was hard to understand her sometimes.

"But if you can't handle it I happen to know they make a great barbeque chicken salad here."