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Location: Planet Gran Canaria, Omega 49 System
The day was clear and pleasant on the Canaria surface. John Holliday was out and about in his front yard walking about his grounds when he noticed coming in for a landing on his space port was a Conference class Gunboat. He looked at his pocket watch in confusion.
"I'm not expecting anyone," he said to himself, watching the ship engage it's landing thrusters. He only shook his head in confusion. He began a steady walk to the landing ship, not realizing just how far he had to go. As he walked, Grady drove up in his Estate vehicle and drove him to the port. At Doc's request, Grady went about his business as there was another Estate truck at the port.
The ship finally settled to a landing and shut it's main engine down, the steam of the cooling landing thrusters filling the air. Then, the main door opened. As the pilot stepped into the doorway, a slight grin began to grow on his face. He knew the walk, he knew the outline and his gut told suspected. When she pulled her helmet off, her long, black hair fell to her shoulders as she flung her head enough to get it from her face. It was his beloved Midori, home at last.
She was as excited as he was. Dropping her helmet, she ran to him and jumped into a full embrace just about knocking him to the ground.
"Oh, Dahlin', you are finally home," he spoke with much joy. He then put her on her feet and held her back a bit, "let me look at you." He did so, just scanning her with his eyes as she spun in place for him and then returned to his clutches.
"I wanted to surprise you, Honey," she said, "so I never called ahead."
"It's the kind of surprise I like," he answered through his smile.
"You like my ship?" she asked him, motioning to it with her hand.
"Well, at least now I know where those transfers went I sent you," he answered. "Let's look her over."
With that, they walked around the ship which was freshly built in a Zoner shipyard. The paint was unblemished and new and the cockpit had the new ship smell to it.
"Very nice," he said in approval.
"I buy good armor," she explained, showing the extra armor on board. "I think more defense than anything."
"And it's so good to have in radiated environments like the Omega systems," he added.
"A simple weapons package too. Wisely picked," he finished.
"I not fighter like you, John," she said.
"Dahlin', I don't care much for fighting anymore, you know that. If I must, I will but only then will I do so," he explained.
"So, have you thought of a good name for it?" he wondered, scratching his chin. "Every good ship needs a name."
Midori stood in thought, staring at her new ship. She agreed with him but couldn't think of one.
"It is a shame," she softly declared, "I can not think of one."
"Well then, think about it for awhile. When you do, we'll christen your ship proper like, with champagne over the nose," Doc said.
With that, he walked her to the truck and after a smooch, he opened the door, let her in and headed to the Estate.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"Starving!" she declared, "rations are old after a couple of days travel.
"That they are," agreed Doc, "that they are."
"My father says Hi to you," she added. "I saw him on the way home."
"I trust your folks are well?" inquired Doc.
"Hai," she replied, "They are fine. They just wonder when they will get to see you again."
"Depends where travels take me, Dahlin'," he answered.
"I am just dying for a shower," said Midori as she entered the mansion.
"Go take care of yourself and I'll get something for us to eat," he answered, again getting a smooch out of her before they headed off to do their respective chores.
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Location:Planet Honshu, Honshu system
Kusari Space
In the midst of a run into the Omicrons via Kusari, John Henry Holliday made a stop on planet Honshu to meet with Kenji Sato, the father of Midori. John's time was short but still he made time. Together with Kenji's wife, Mikiko, they dined over a fish lunch at the small fishing village at which they lived. Being a fisherman, Kenji mastered the art of cooking it. He knew John didn't like sushi so he made it special.
"Thank you for stopping for a visit, John," said Kenji with a smile, "you are always a welcomed guest."
"I thank you for your hospitality, Mr and Mrs. Sato," answered John, still always respectful of Midori's parents. Then, Mikiko put her hands on Johns and commented with a smile, "No Mister and Mistress. Kenji and Mikiko, please." Kenji nodded his approval.
"Very well then, Kenji and Mikiko it is," he answered.
They then dined over a lunch of fish, rice and local vegetables, all of which were home grown. It had been some time since John had eaten such good food on a long trade run. With a partial mouth of food, he pointed at his plate with his fork and commented, "this is outstanding. Very good."
"Domo arigato," answered Kenji. The talk over their meal was mostly small talk, to include John's talk of just how horrible Synthe paste and rations were for traveling which got a good laugh out of Kenji and Mikiko. But, once lunch was finished, he got to the point of why he purposely stopped to see them.
"Kenji, Mikiko," he began, giving a final wipe of his mouth with his napkin, "I came to see you for a reason. I suspect you may know why. I have fallen so much for your daughter. I get sick when she's gone for her many day trips. My home is lonely without her and she just makes me complete." He then pulled out a small box and opened it, "I had this made in Rheinland by a fine jeweler, supplying the gold and diamond myself. With your blessings, I would like to ask you daughter's hand in marriage."
Kenji looked at the ring, which also had a matching necklace. The ring was a full 2 carat diamond on a pure gold ring. He was in awe. Mikiko admired it as well. She tried it out for herself, holding it up high to see it in the Kusari sun. Then, she carefully removed it and placed it back in it's box. Doc, slightly sweating in a case of nervousness, could only listen as they turned to each other and began speaking their native tongue.
"He will make a fine husband," she said, "I approve."
"Hai," Kenji responded to his wife of 35 years, "I agree. I will tell him."
They then both looked at an obviously nervous Doc and with a smile and a bow of the head, he gave his answer. "We approve. You have our blessing. You are a good man."
"But do come to visit more often," added Mikiko, waving a motherly finger at him.
John was all smiles and so full of himself that he couldn't speak. Finally, he gave a response.
"This means more to me than you can possibly imagine," he said with a slight emotional waver to his voice, "Domo arigato, both of you. And yes, Ma'am," he said taking Mikiko's hand, "I will stop here more often."
After visiting a few minutes more, Doctor Holliday headed for his ship. As he started boarding, he noticed the old stencil on the ship's nose, "Mary Kate." He then patted the ship where the writing was.
"I do miss you, Mary, but it's time to let some of my past go," he said out loud to himself. "Time to change the name of this old ship to a friend that can't be replaced." He then boarded his ship and initiated his launching sequence.
"To Honshu control, this is Dr. John Henry Holliday aboard the Marshall Earp requesting take-off clearnance," he called over his headset.
"Marshall Earp you are clear for take-off. Safe travels," was the reply.
With that, he resumed his route with that new man feeling.
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Location: Planet Gran Canaria, Omega 49 System
Tombstone Estate lakeside house.
A quiet night on the Estate which was perfect for John Holliday and Midori as they decided to spend an evening away from the main house by the side of the north end lake. He was finishing setting the table when Midori came out. She dressed in her fine dinner gown of white and red. Kusari pearls adorned her wrists and neck. Once again, as he had so many times before, he stopped what he was doing to admire. He smiled before he spoke.
"It never gets old, Dahlin', this making me feel I am not worthy of you," he said, "Radiant. Simply radiant." She turned in place with a smile of her own, her long, black hair flowing down her back. He then pulled her chair out to seat her and did so. He then excused himself.
"I will be right back, Dahlin'. I need to go fix something," he said. As he walked behind her and into the bathroom, he closed the door. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled the small box out and opened it, looking at the ring he had made for her. He then looked into the mirror and adjusted his bow tie.
"John Henry I sure hope you know what you are doin'," he said to himself. He stood for a moment and after looking at himself he then said, "Yes, John, you have never been more sure in your life. It's now or never, Boy!" He put the ring back in his pocket, opened the door and headed to the table.
"Are you OK?" asked a concerned Midori as he walked by.
"Nevah bettah!" he declared. "Nevah bettah!"
He then opened the bottle of Gallic Wine that was on the table and began pouring her glass.
"I would like to toast......us," he said as he poured. She only looked up at him with her usual smile.
"Did anyone ever tell you that your smile lights up a dark room?" he asked her.
"No," she said sheepishly, "you just saying that."
"No, Dahlin'," he answered, "I mean it. You do."
He then poured his glass. At this point his nerves were getting the better of him. His wine poured, he put the bottle on the table and took her hand.
"Miss Sato, if you would stand, I would appreciate it," he softly asked. Confused, she stood up before him.
"Before we drink this fine wine. Before we eat one bite, I have something I want you to have," he explained with his voice starting to crack. He then produced the box from his pocket and with his voice wavering a bit, he opened it to reveal the 2 carat diamond. Her mouth opened in surprise as she took it from the box and looked at it. Her eyes welled up as she looked. She knew what it was about and what she was being asked. In her surprise, she never saw John take a knee before her. She tried to speak but could not as tears of joy began running down her cheeks. On his knee, John spoke through his own emotion.
"Miss Sato, I cannot live one more day without you. I can't fathom life without you so I would be honored if you would be my wife. Miss Sato, would you marry me?" he finally asked. Still unable to speak, she looked down into his eyes and began nodding and smiling as she did through her tears. John then stood up, "let me help you." He took the ring in his left hand, her left hand in his right and slipped it on her ring finger. She then stared at the large diamond sitting on her hand. Finally, after many minutes of her inability to respond, she said in her soft, wavering voice, "Yes, John Henry Holliday, I will be your wife." Finally, they embraced and just held on. As she held him, she kept her hand where she could see the diamond. For the first time since his mother's death, he found himself in tears as well. Then, they just stood holding hands.
"I just thought you should know that I had lunch with your parents on Honshu today," he confessed. "I did it to ask for their blessing, which they gave me. I just wanted it to be a secret."
"My father like you," she said, still staring, "he told me so many times. I glad you asked him first. He see more honor in you because of it."
He then turned and took the wine glasses, handing one to Midori. Then, they held them up and toasted one another.
"To you, Miss Sato," he began and paused, unsure of what to say. Finally, he just said, "for saying yes."
She then followed, "And to you John Holliday, for asking." They then clinked glasses and drank.
They then had their dinner as they had planned. As they ate, she constantly looked at the new diamond adorning her finger. He noticed but only smiled when she did. The discussion, of course, was a wedding.
"I guess we have a lot of work to do," he said, "Where? When? Guests? All that."
She then looked at him with a gentle expression, "John, I don't want to wait long, even if it means it is just us and whoever marries us."
"Then, Dahlin', I guess we have more work then we thought," he responded, "but tonight belongs to us." They would slow dance to soft music on the dock that night before turning in, never letting go of one another.
The next several days would be indeed busy. Even with his sense of commitment, he still was a diplomat with many issues to be worked.
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Location:Planet Gran Canaria
Omega 49 System
Having spent a day running some trade, renderring medical on Freeport 11 and Lividia Shipyard, John finally returned home, anticipating a quiet evening with his fiance. Entering through the front door of his Estate, he found her not to be in the house. "Odd," he said softly to himself, looking around. Then he went to the back door which overlooked the acreage and many of the gardens that Midori herself had planted. Walking out, he continued scanning until he found her, kneeling in prayer before a Buddha statue in the special circular garden that she had made just for her meditation.
The Circular Garden itself had many varieties and colors and was well kept. Before the statue was a rug in which she would sit cross-legged for her meditation. Today, she was dressed in a black and white kimono and her usual chrysanthemum in her hair. Out of respect, Doc kept his distance. He watched for awhile and he slowly began a walk to where she was. Still, she was in prayer when he got to where she was and she paid no mind to him as she was in deep concentration. Standing a few feet behind her, he saw a picture of a young Kusari Naval officer propped before the statue. He then backed off out of respect but had a look of puzzlement about the picture. Finally, finished her meditation, Midori stood and turned to him, giving him a welcome home hug and kiss.
"I didn't want to disturb you so I stayed back," he told her.
"You did not," she answered. She also saw the look of puzzlement about John's face.
"Is something wrong?" she asked with a look of worry.
"I was curious as to who is the picture of?" he inquired.
She then sighed and hung her head, putting her hands together before her. John, now more concerned, took his right hand and placing a finger under her chin, lifted her head up so that he could look into her eyes which were welling up.
"Midori, Dahlin', what is wrong?" he quietly demanded.
"The picture," she slowly muttered, "it is of my late brother, Kentaro. He was killed two years ago in the war with Bretonia. Today is that anniversary." She then went silent and began to cry. Doc could do nothing more than hold her tight and console her. He only said softly, "I'm so sorry. I didn't know."
When she finally composed herself, they sat on a small bench in the garden where she finally talked about Kentaro. She described him as a proud man who was very bright but also overly daring.
"He was a fighter pilot," she explained, "fighting the Tau campaign is all we knew. He and a his wingman took on a Bretonian fighter wing alone. They killed four fighters before they were destroyed. His remains were never found."
John was silent, unsure of what to think or say. He just sat with an arm around her, trying to be as re-assuring as possible. "You would have liked him, John, and I know he would have liked you," she said.
"I know," he softly nodded, "I know we would have. I am curious though, this happened and you have never once hinted at any hatred of Bretonia, rather, wanting to befriend it."
"My father teach us as children," she began, "that no matter how badly someone wrongs you, hatred is bad, that it take a better person to overcome it. I never know what he meant until we learned of Kentaro's death. It was hard on us all but I remembered what father teach us. I don't hate Bretonia. What I hate is that they fight over turf. I hope one day to be able to sit at a table where Bretonian and Kusari diplomats make peace."
John nodded his approval, "that is sound advice. I wish my father taught me that. He taught me about hatred of the Yankees during the American Civil War. As it turned out, my best friend was one as were his brothers."
"Wyatt?" she asked.
"Yes, Wyatt," he answered, "And his brothers."
They then stood up and faced one another. He then promised, "One day, Dahlin', you will be there as the Ambassador's wife. Book it!"
"Of course, I am good friends with Grady," she said with a smile.
"Yes, Grady is a good man. I'm glad you two have found common ground," John responded smiling.
Together, arm in arm, they retired to the Estate House for the evening. The picture of Kentaro Sato was left before the statue, the smiling officer watching over his sister's gardens.
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Location:Shasta Station, Baffin System
Ambassador's Office
Malcalypse, taking a leave of absense for some deep religious reasons, left the good doctor in charge of Autonomous Zoner issues until he returned. Accordingly, with a load of deuterium in his hold, he left the Estate to spend his fill-in command time at Shasta which he felt was his rightful place during this time. It also gave him an excuse to finish his office there and too render much needed medical and dental service to the station personel. Besides traders stopping for a load of amulets or just passing through, it was a very quiet place which for those in worship was just fine.
Each night he would chat with Midori for a few minutes before retiring for the evening and througout his day he often looked at her picture on his desk. To keep his mind in good spirits, he would spend some time at the bar either having a few drinks with station personel or amassing extra credits at the card table. That was one old habit he refused to give up and made a health sum doing it. He also kept a running log to keep track of each days events. Always attentive to detail, it would make his debrief to Mal that much easier upon his return. On this night, he sat at his desk with a glass of Gallic Wine wearing a comfortable night robe. Putting on a pair of reading glasses, he began his entry:
In such the short time I have come to know Malcalypse, I didn't figure I would be the one he would entrust with the clan in an absence. I guess I should be honored and I am greatful for his faith. Cid's Claw made my life a little less boring and helpful by patrolling the system. It was my first real chat with him. An honorable fellow as he also has taken to keeping an eye on Midori while I am out.
*takes a sip of his wine and continues*
The more I look at rosters and clan paperwork, the more confused I get. I can only wonder how Mal keeps it all straight.
*looks at a list of names*
Tis' a shame when a few good folk are let go but I guess it must be done. To those who have been let go, I do wish the best for them. Of course, another eventful day in the Omicron Delta system. Those Keepers never quit and through infection have a Liberty Navy Cruiser helping them. I found it very surprising yet honorable that a group such as Ronin would step up and help out as they have, making repairs and supplying fuel. As they stood ready to fight today for a base that wasn't even theirs, I dispatched the Freebird Delta to stand with them. Between the Ronin, the Delta, the OSI and the Order and Bounty Hunters going after the Nomad threat, they never got near the base. I'm hoping that one of these times the Keepers give up on the base but I somehow doubt it.
*takes another sip of wine and scratches his nose*
I also received a report from Commander Matok regarding the Bretonian Privateers. He spoke with a Carruthers in Tau-31 and made some understandings. I have hope for the crazy Klingon as his diplomatic abilities aren't so "in-your-face" as they once were although he's still got a nasty temper on him. Beyond that, just casual reports of Tazmaniacs running their routes. Until tomorrow, John Holliday out.
With that, he took his wine glass and walked over to the window that overlooked Planet Eris. Docked a short distance on the base was a Borderworlds DL freighter. He stood silent, letting his mind just wander and finally after several minutes, took a deep sigh. Holding up his glass, he said, "Good night, Midori." He then finished the wine. Setting the empty glass on his desk, he locked his office and went to his quarters to retire for the evening.
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Location:Shasta Outpost, Baffin System
The Ambassador was again at his desk, finally getting towards the bottome of the paperwork pile he had began a few days before. For whatever reason, he didn't mind as he was taking a load off away from Mal so that he could focus on Council issues. In as much as he didn't mind the work, it also made his eyes heavy so he took frequent breaks. At one point, he stood up for a stretch and as he did, he noticed a Conference class gunboat preparing for docking sequence. Curious, he turned his com back on and no sooner had he done so when it alerted him.
"Ambassador Holiday, this is docking bay nine, please respond," was the voice.
"Docking bay nine, this is the Ambassador. What is going on?" he asked.
"Mrs. Holliday is landing. I just thought you should know," replied the com.
"Very well," he answered, "have her escorted up to my chambers." He then chuckled to himself and called back after a short delay, "and she's not Mrs. Holliday just yet."
After about 20 minutes, the door whistle sounded. "Come," Doc spoke with some volume. The door opened to reveal his bride-to-be in her flight suit and her escort carrying a bag. With a big smile, she walked up to hm and embraced him, "Ohh, John, I miss you when you are not home."
"Likewise, Dahlin', Likewise!" he replied with a kiss.
He then took the bag from the escort who just happened to be the same lad who was in his office a day or so before. "Thank you, young man. I will see that you are commended for your work," Doc said to him. With a thank you and a nod, the escort left and the Ambassador turned his attention to his bride-to-be.
"I do like the sound of Mrs. Holliday," Midori said with a smile, her hands on on his shoulders.
"As do I, Dahlin'," he answered, "as do I. Listen, I'm starving and the cafe here is rather nice. You up for some dinner?"
She nodded, "I hungry too." She then stepped back, scanning her man in his robes.
"Why I never see you in these robes?" she asked. "Those are very, very nice."
"I guess because I don't wear them flying," he answered.
His robes were black with orange and flowed over his back and down to the floor and were actually quite comfortable. Midori ran her hands over them, feeling them out. She liked what she felt and for a moment felt like she was already an Ambassador's wife. She smiled as she felt them.
"I want you to wear these when we marry," she said.
"But your father..." he began.
"Never mind my father," she interrupted, "I will handle him. If I want you in your robes, he will agree."
He didn't object but was actually rather pleased when he answered, "You do know that you will score some points with Malcalypse in my wearing them at our wedding." She only nodded her understanding.
"Speaking of Malcalypse, I spoke to him in my ship getting here," she answered, "he was chasing after someone."
"His chasing someone wouldn't surprise me. I'm sure I'll find out about it later," he answered.
With that, Midori freshened up a bit and changed into a flowered red kimono as the Ambassador put his final signature on some paperwork. She put her hair up as he handed his paperwork for proper delivery to a courier. As he turned, he again saw radiance.
"Awesome, my Dahlin', Simply awesome," he said. She just smiled and answered, "gurache" with a bow. With that, he took her arm and escorted her to a corner booth in the cafe for a nice dinner.
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Location: Planet Gran Canaria, Omega 49 System.
The Canaria sun had just set as a very tired John Holliday arrived home after being on Cambridge for almost a week tending to some severely wounded men from the attack on Freeport 1 in Omega 3. Not only was he tired, he was visibly upset from some of the carnage he had witnessed. Before he even stepped foot in his home, he met with his good friend Grady to check in on the two orphans he had taken in.
"Both are still quite lost," Grady explained, "we do our best to make sense of it and to re-assure them that they will be fine but......."
Doc could only pat his shoulder in mild understanding. "It will take time, much time, my friend," he explained, "they have lost everything. Give them time." As the two men spoke, the orphans sat with a blank look. They hadn't spoken a word since the death of their father. John noticed them and took a knee before them. But, as he tried to speak to them, he could not, totally unsure of what to say. He did, however, manage to feel their heads and necks, concerned for their health. Still, they sat silent. When John got back to his feet, he could only shake his head,
"Grady, I'll see if I can get some psychiatric help. I can't help them with that."
Once he finally did get to his own home, he found himself in the care of Midori who tried her best to break his tension with a good shoulder rub. "Please, John, talk to me," she said softly as she worked, trying to get anything out of him.
"I'm sorry, Dahlin'," he replied, "I'm just not sure what to do for those kids. It is so heart wrenching."
She then leaned into his ear, "John, if you felt otherwise, you would be less than human." Finally, he manage a weak smile, turning to her and simply saying, "you're right, Dahlin'. You are right."
She continued trying to break the tension as she worked his back hard. He just sat with his eyes closed, enjoying her touch as he tried to clear out his mind. It always seemed that no matter how bad things were, she could do it and this was no exception. Upon finishing his back, she then brought him a cup of tea.
"Drink this, John," she insisted, "it will help." Without question, he did as she instructed and found it to be quite good.
"You would make a fine medical assistant, Miss Sato," he joked with a smile, "Thank you."
She then sat beside him on the couch and curled up with him, her head on his chest as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"About the Miss Sato thing," she began, looking at the ring on her left finger, "we still must set a date. I so want to be Mrs. Holliday but you are always so busy."
He nodded his agreement, "Yes, I know and I want the same."
"Even if we do something private, we can do something public later," she hinted.
"We could do that, Dahlin'," he answered continuing to run his fingers through her hair.
"I have my dress already," she added.
There was a moment of silence as he considered what she was saying, continuing to run his fingers through her hair and running a hand down her side. He wanted to do the same as badly as she did. He also wanted the only family he had, his TAZ family, to be present. He also knew that his day-to-day events were never set.
"OK," he said softly, "it is time."
She sat up and faced him with a tear running down either side over her smiling face, "Promise me that if it is not say, tomorrow, next weekend with no excuses."
He just nodded his agreement and through the tears of her joy, just answered "Thank you."
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Location: Personal Quarters, [TAZ]Ambassador's Ark
Personal Log
We are returning home as I speak from our honey moon at the resort on Baden Baden in Stuttgart. We had a great time and enjoyed some R&R. The activities are endless and I would recommend it to anyone. I should send Orbital Spa and Cruise a good thank you.
He then looks at his left hand, the shiny, new gold band upon his finger. With a smile, he turns to see his lovely bride asleep as he makes his log entry.
I still feel strange being a new husband. I remember long ago I once said that it would never happen. Sometimes I'm glad fate is wrong. I hope Reggie Waverly feels as I do. A good woman will do us both good. It will be very nice to attend some official functions with her at my side.
He takes a sip of wine.
As much as we would like to have spent some more time at Baden Baden, we look forward to returning to the Estate as it is quite lovely in its own right. R&R is nice but we are working folks. I have Port Jackson that I must keep a watch on, Council issues and the many unexpected things I get handed to me.
I'm also going to enjoy flying the Moonstone. That was the single most fun ship I have ever flown. I will feel better in some of those hostile areas I have to venture into from now on. I'm sure by now the weapons load out changes that I ordered are finished.
The Com beeps.
"Yes," quietly says Doc.
"Mr. Ambassador, we are about ten minutes to Gran Canaria," says the voice of Nichole Schmidt.
"Thank you, Commander. Notify me when we're on the ground," he answered.
The Ark landed in the Canarian night. Grady was there to pick up the new couple and bring them to the Estate. Midori, still very tired, was carried inside by her husband. Grady said nothing as they retired for the evening, only bringing in their bags from the trip. Doc laid his sleeping wife in bed and covered her up. He just stood and watched a moment with a smile as she shuffled a bit for comfort. Home at last, he lay beside her and retired himself for the evening.
Dressed in a Kabuki night gown and drinking some herbal tea, she prepares for bed after a day's work in her garden of the estate.
Mrs. Midori S. Holliday, personal log:
While time away on our honeymoon was lovely, it is nice to be home. John has provided me such a lovely place, I just do not want to be anywhere else. Admittedly, the Estate House needs a woman's touch but he does keep it clean. My only concern is that he works so hard for so many others that he often forgets himself but that is his way and I have come to love him for it.
*takes a sip of tea. As she does, she catches a glimpse of the rings and wrap adorning her left hand. She smiles in enjoyment*
As part of his gift to me, John gave me one of the large, unused rooms to decorate as I see fit. He has his "Old West" room as he calls it so I will be decorating this one in Kusari fashion. I will have to make a trip to Honshu to get some items to fill it.
She sits in thought for a moment, staring off into space to collect her next though, taking another sip of tea in the meanwhile. John also told me of his chat with a Bretonian Armed Forces officer earlier today. He tried to re-assure me that no predjudice will be held against me for what Kusari has done to Bretonia but still, I fear some will. It is why I didn't join him in Cambridge when he saved the Zoners from Freeport 1. Until I feel better, I will continue to travel with him on some of his routes. Besides, we sometimes stay in some very nice places along the way.
Well, that's all for now. Sayonara.
*more to come*
Married to Ambassador John Henry "Doc" Holliday
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It was a quiet night at the Tombstone Estate. Unable to sleep, John Holliday sat quietly in his Western room looking at old pictures and memorabilia from ages past. He smiled at one of his favorite possessions, a picture of him standing with his old friend, Wyatt Earp.
"I could use you right now," he whispered as he put down the picture.
John was disturbed and uneasy having recently voted against someone he respected. It just wasn't settling well with him. Even though he poured himself a drink, he then pushed it away as his stomach wasn't in the mood for it. He was physically exhausted but couldn't sleep. Rather than keep his wife awake, he tried in some way to ease his mind. His efforts for the most part were fruitless. He then resorted to the only thing that sometimes made him feel better when all else wouldn't, writing in his logs.
Ambassador's Personal Log: I can't help but thing that the more I try to please everyone the harder things seem to get. Voting against Elder Sephardi has only made me feel worse even if my reasons were in my estimation, sound.
My encounter a few days back with the MNS- Cassus Bell gave me a flicker of hope. The ship's captain, who's name escapes me at the moment, was a good fellow to speak with. I do hope my travels include another meeting with him. He was willing to listen and even step up to a proposed table of diplomacy in the future.
He sighed and sat in though for a few moments which seemed like an eternity. With the things on his mind, he still found it difficult to write.
I really wish that those I deal with could see life as I have. The second chance at life has been a miracle that I don't wish to waste. Perhaps if only people could have such an experience they too would choose the course I have......even if my temper does flare up and get in the way from time to time. I sometimes wonder if people in Sirius or even in Gallia realize that it was a century of continuous fighting that led them all here in the first place? That they almost wiped out humanity over difference of opinion? These Corsairs and Outcasts have so much in common. I wish they could see through it. They are some of the best pilots I have ever seen, have the same background and language but have such a huge blanket of hate between them. I do believe that Elder Sephardi would do a fine job bridge building between the groups. But how, how to put it all together?
He then re-read everything he had just entered. As he had anticipated, his fatigue was clouding him and slowly taking over.
"I sometimes write aimlessly," he thought out loud as he closed his log, somewhat disgusted with himself. Never touching the glass of brandy that he had poured, he would eventually fall asleep in his chair only to be awaken several hours later by his concerned but smiling wife.
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