Log:Nature of Science

Nature of Science

OOC Date: August 1, 2019
Location: Stardust Coastline, Arisnar
Participants: Zandra naMuriel, Aryn Cole

White Sandy Beach - Stardust Coastline, Arisnar

A sun-drenched angelic beach. The sunlight glittering on every grain of sand, the beach idyllic, white and fresh. The beautiful, big blue ocean's waves are crashing against the cliffs to the north and gliding up toward the sand, with the local avian life joyfully flying around in circles in the air here and there.

The white sands of the stardust coastline stretch to the north and south, with the southern direction, eventually leading to a small community of private homes and a commercial area. To the north are the rocky canyons and mesa cliffs, with a petrified forest beyond that, where deadly predators stalk.

Here though, this stretch of beach is like a heavenly sight to behold (to most people at least). The calming waves of the ocean bring a soothing sensation and the warmth of the daytime sunlight heat the sands beneath one's feet.

Alongside the beach, the Skywalker Academy stretches out towards the water with support struts holding the facility even and level as its partially built out over the water like a dock.

It was nearing mid-day outside the academy, and one student found her solace in the ambiance of the beach. Surrounded by rich warm gusts of wind and the sounds of waves and wildlife, Aryn felt immersed and dipped fully into the living force. There was a balance, an enriching sense of belonging where nothing felt out of place.

Seated upon the white sands, Aryn was barefoot and wore only the green and brown robes of an initiate. Her feet were oriented toward the water where waves brushed over them with each gentle pass. Aryn was seated just far enough back that the rest of her remained safe from the wet grasp. Her hair was left down, bright blonde and free to be played with by the wind. She trained her gaze ahead, watching a gull as it floated seemingly motionless upon the wind.

Zandra has been back and forth from the resistance base to the academy here, as have most of the young Jedi-in-training. It's another balancing act among many, one that is to some degree easier than others. She has just finished up working with some of the younger students, quietly offering them what assistance she can, as they practice, and now finds herself with a bit of free time.

She heads out to the beach, hoping to get brave. Well, Zan says that, but only to herself. As she heads along the white sand, the wind gusts blow her robes gently, but her hair is till up in those ever-present braids. She pauses when she spies someone else there, and then continues forward, skirting the edge of the water, but never letting it touch her feet at all. "Aryn, good day," she says as she nears.

Hearing her name, the young Doctor twists her head toward the direction of the familiar voice. "Ah, Zandra. You look spirited today. I hope you are well." Aryn patted a patch of sand beside her, gesturing for the Jedi to come join her if she wished. "I've been basking in the sun light and sounds of nothing. I believe my ears are still ringing from the battle yesterday." Aryn's left side is facing Zan. It's the side of her face that is touched most by the light. Zan may notice the scar upon the other woman's face, an angry line carved over her eye and down her cheek a bit.

Zan changes the direction of her steps slightly, and heads over to settle by Aryn. She tilts her head a bit, and then asks, "Battle? I heard that you were investigating some crazy thing that likes to eat people." She pauses, thinking for a moment, and then adds, "Yes, that is accurate, I think. Anyway, I did not get in any battle, personally. I hope you and everyone else who was in such a battle are okay?" She relaxes as she settles, but back far enough that not even her feet get wet. Her gaze goes out to the water and then back, then out again before returning to Aryn. "Mostly - are you okay?"

"We were locating a downed pilot from the Resistance's sortie on a First Order frigate. He crash landed in the jungles of Rodia, a planet rife with bounty hunters and malcontents, not to mention wildlife that prefers to kill and eat whatever it comes across. Count yourself lucky to have avoided such an adventure." Aryn manages a smile, keeping her head turned toward Zandra while she idly combed back through her own hair.

"Everyone got out alive, thankfully." When Zandra asked about Aryn's hunt for the dark entity, she turns her gaze out toward the sea. "That seems to be the question on everyone's mind. I believe I'm okay, I'm just so exhausted. Tracking this parasite down and destroying it has become a priority for me, but it's been a stressful one. I don't sleep much anymore."

Zan frowns at that, but she sits quietly for a long moment. "I can imagine there's a lot to worry about," she says soberly. "And it is rather a frightening sort of topic, isn't it? If there is anything I can do to help, please do let me know. I'd be happy to do so." She shrugs, as she thinks for a long moment, considering the situation. "I heard a bit about that mission and that there was at least one crash landed pilot. Did we rescue all that we know about? Or do we still have to go back?" she asks, following both tracks of the conversation easily.

"I will let you know if something comes up." Aryn glances toward Zandra, realizing she is seated away from the water. It was a peculiar detail to notice, but she kept it to herself. "Yes, we rescued Ek-Shiik, and Merek and Calevaro were found after the battle. They spaced themselves. The only other pilot to go down was destroyed when his craft sustained too much damage."

"I am sorry to hear that," Zandra says soberly. "I'm glad that Captain Lintra and everyone is very good at making sure we are well trained for such battles." A pause. "One day I might be the one waiting on that rescue." She makes a bit of a face, at that, and then she adds, "But it does seem that I have a lot to learn, and maybe I'll never get there. Just when I think I'm finally ready, there's something else to learn. It's a bit disheartening, if that makes sense? Do you find the same thing?"

"Learning is a matter of perspective. Me? I'm a lifelong student. Learning new things is a passion of mine, and sometimes.. the best way to learn is to teach others what you know. Captain Lintra is one of the most remarkable pilots the Resistance has. If she keeps finding new things to learn, it's because she's used it before and saw the value of understanding it." Aryn brushes her hair back thoughtfully. "It's a real treasure to be around so many extraordinary people. Resistance heroes, each of them pillars of strength for the cause. You could write books about the things they know and have done. Maybe one day we'll be like that. You an ace pilot, revered and respected. I can see it now."

Zan laughs softly, and then she shrugs a bit. "I can dream," she says a little wistfully. "But for now, I'll settle for being a pilot that can actually be useful." She takes a breath, and adds, "And I do think I am getting there, believe it or not." She smiles then, amused. If she's noticed the scar, she's not going to comment about it, it seems. Though as the water comes close, Zan inches back a bit, making sure to stay out of it. "Me an ace pilot and you? An ace doctor?" she asks, curious. "I think you might already be there."

"Maybe an Ace student. I like that better." Aryn smiles. She notices Zandra inching back from the water more. "Does the water make you uneasy?" A small wave washes over Aryn's feet again tickling slightly with small grains of sand.

Zan pauses at that question, and then she sighs, staring at it. "A little. I grew up on a ship, so this is rather big." She pauses and then adds, "Not as bad as water planets in general, but so much water in one place seems to be unreal." She thinks for a moment and then adds, "And you know what? I kind of like the ace student idea. Is it okay if I go for that as well?"

"You don't need my permission. Be what your heart desires." -- "I could understand the hesitation about the water. I grew up on D'Qar, what we call New Alderaan now. There's a freshwater sea, misty and dark blue. I used to feel so insignificant in front of its big waves. It's easy to be intimidated by it, /especially/ when you can't see what's beneath you!" Aryn giggles. "We have small fish in our lakes that nibble you under water. It's not uncommon for someone to just start laughing because they're ticklish!"

Zan nods her head. "I was there, on D'Qar - I guess New Alderaan once." She pauses and then adds, "but I didn't get to go to the sea, freshwater or not. The fish actually sound interesting. They don't bite too hard do they? I mean, are there fish big enough to eat us too? I guess probably there are, but - there are probably such fish in this water too." Zan pauses to take her boots and socks off, setting them carefully to one side. She gives Aryn a long look and then she says, "If something nibbles my toes, I'm more likely to shriek and run off to the safety of my ship."

"No, nothing big like that on D'Qar. For as lush and beautiful as D'Qar is, it's lacking in wildlife. The biggest fish I've seen was about 1.4 meters I think. My brother caught it with a reinforced sea rod when we were out on our family's boat." Aryn watches Zandra free her feet and she smiles. "The ones that nibble back home don't hurt. They just tickle. It's common for people there in Bastian to farm these small fish to use in spa treatments. You stick your feet in the water and they get all the deadskin off. It's kinda gross to think about, but fish gotta eat too!" Aryn makes a comical /get sick/ face. "If you ever want to take a trip home with me, I'll treat you to the experience. We'll go together."

Zan freezes just short of putting her feet in the water, balanced with them in the air two inches above. "Wait. People pay credits to let fish nibble their feet?" she asks, sounding entirely incredulous. "Is that - for real?" She has a hard time believing it, honestly. "How - but seriously, just why?" And then she shakes her head. "I don't know about that - I've never been to a spa, that might be too advanced for a beginner."

Zandra surprises a laugh from Aryn, who lays back and draws her arms over her stomach. "...oh, I needed that.-- Yes, it saves the staff time from having to scrub your feet. Plus it's just one of those fun, unique experiences I guess. People pay credits for all sorts of things though, little nibbly fish isn't the most outlandish I've seen." She sits back up and curls her hair back. "We can go at your own pace. Back home, I'm treated a little.. differently." She shrugs. "You know me as Aryn, or Doc. Back in D'Qar? It's Lady Aryn. I even have a retainer, a soldier who follows me about to ensure I remain safe." She shakes her head. "That's the nature of Alderaanian politics though."

Zan tilts her head, as she considers that. "It must be quite an adjustment from that to the resistance or here,' she observes. Probably about as big as Zan's, though in Zan's case, it's from the other direction. "I can't imagine that - it seems like something from a holovid, if that makes sense? On the ship I grew up on, it was just family. And we didn't land except to supply up and trade goods - so mostly it was a pretty small enclosed space." She finally lets her feet drop to touch the water, cautiously, ready to pull them back out in a flash if it hurts. Which of course it doesn't, so she leaves them there. Though every time waves slide over her feet, she flinches a little. "At least we did get to spend some time planetside, so mostly I'm okay on planets. But - sometimes great big bodies of water still trip me up."

"There's no shame in fear and uncertainty. It is just as natural as breathing. Like the clouds above, those emotions drift away and what's left is nurtured to grow one way or another, all beneath their shadow." Aryn reaches out and cups her hand over Zandra's. "I am glad for you. To have such a connection to your family is rare in this age. There is a lot of pain in this galaxy, but even small sacrifices and displays of courage shed a little light in the fog of uncertainty that surrounds us." Aryn nods toward her feet finding the water and smiles. "It's funny the things we inspire others to do. Be with me long enough, Zandra naMuriel, and I will have you swimming." She squeezes her hand gently and laughs.

Zan gives Aryn a somewhat dubious look and then she laughs. "It probably would be good, but I don't know if I will ever learn that," she says. She listens to all that Aryn says, and she nods. "It is true though. Each fear and uncertain reaction is an opportunity to grow and learn, if we can reach through and past it. Understand it, and let the emotion drift off to - do you think it actually goes somewhere? I'd hate to send it accidentally to someone else."

"Some people believe in fate. Believe emotions are the maps that lead us through life. Our interactions tied to some great big machination that has everything figured out. I believe fate to be untrue, because even the truest believers will look both ways before crossing a street." Aryn shakes her head. "No, but emotions are contagious. And we are linked subconsciously whether we want it or not. That is the nature of science."

Zan pauses at the serious answer, and then she chuckles. "I suppose it is," Zan replies softly. "Certainly it seems to make more sense than many others, and you're right about fate. It has some loopholes so far as it goes. I guess even if one worships the Force, there's a bit of that. It's never entirely - " wave comes by and Zan is concentrating on the conversation and doesn't even think to flinch this time. " - easy. Just whatever outside force you're depending on, you still have to do the work."

"Right. As I understand it, the force is a current with which we've a dock to. We can step out and see the state of our surroundings, feel the air, and even detect a storm on the horizon, but it is not something we will see our fate through. Using the same metaphor, if you jumped into the water, you have no way of knowing where the current might lead you. Thus, we have the mystery of the Force." Aryn smiles.

Zan nods, with a bit of a smile, before a somewhat larger bit of water comes through and she pulls back again. "Right," she says, looking very thoughtful. "I should - I think I need to go spend some time thinking about that. It's a very interesting metaphor." She finds her socks and boots, scrambling into them. "And I've probably distracted you enough. I'll let you get back to your - sun basking."

"Be well, Zandra. I look forward to our next conversation." Aryn waves and turns her attention to the sky again, sighing softly and leaning back on her hands.