The Magnolia Blossom by Ensign Tomarys Dalonega and Ensign Neyel Jurlak (my NPC) Tomarys watched the monitor in front of her silently, but still with a ton of questions in her head picking at her. Yes, that had been Cdr. Skyler that she had seen placed in the brig. The commander didn't seem to stay very long, before she was quickly hurried out. And seeming with a few apologetical looks from some of the guard. New to the ship, Tomarys couldn't say that she knew exactly all the ins and outs of the ship politics. And seeing what had just happened, Tomarys knew she didn't want to be apart of it all. A slender digit reached out and pressed a bottom on the console, as the ensign made the screen began to change slowly and allow her to view different parts of the ship. All seemed calm now. And Tomarys wasn't too sure if she liked the idea of the boredom and the safeness of the peace that it brought. Glancing up at the chronometer above her desk, Deran could see that her shift was over. She shrugged her shoulders slightly, and then stood up from her chair. It seemed just in time, as Ensign Merek took over. She gave him a slight nod and then headed out of security. Walking thru the corridors of the Avalon, Tomarys's long stride took her quickly to the aviary. She stopped glancing at the doors that led inside the garden atmosphere. A dark brow slowly pushed up as she looked inside at all the greenery. The ensign turned her willowy form and walked thru the opened doors and into the green space. Instantly, she could feel the humidity of the space cling to her skin and the fragrance of the flowers and green plants fill her nostrils. Tomarys smiled and walked further inside, allowing the doors to close behind her. Tomarys could not believe her eyes as she found a lone, yet small, Magnolia tree standing in the garden. She walked over to it and reached out to let her fingertips run along one of the ivory petals of a flower that hung at the edge of a limb. Her mother loves Magnolia trees. So much in fact that there were three in their front yard very prominent "hmmm, Mother, this tree could sure use your touch. It is just so short," Tomarys said out loud. It was like her words were spoke to console the very tree that someone did care. "Being short is not really something bad" came a voice around the bend of the grouping of trees and bushes. Tomarys stepped back from the Magnolia tree and then moved slowly around the bend to see who was talking to her. And then stopped when she saw a woman smiling up at her. The woman herself was very petite, probably about 5'4". Which wasn't necessarily short, but compared to long and gangly Tomarys it was. The woman had brown eyes so dark that they almost seemed midnight against her dark honey colored skin. Her hair was so stark against her coloring, for it was an ivory white much like the Magnolia blossoms. "I didn't mean anything by it, just that.." Tomarys glanced over at the small Magnolia tree and then to the woman. "Just that the ones back home are so much taller." The woman's smile was warm, showing she was not in the least offended. "I took no offense, only reminding you that incredible things can exist in small frames," the woman stepped forward and offered a hand to Tomarys to shake. "I am Ensign Neyel Jurlak and you are?" Tomarys reached out and slid her long fingers into the warm hand of Neyel, "I am Ensign Tomarys Dalonega, security. It is nice to meet you." As Tomarys took Neyel's hand, there seemed something even more special about her. Just in her eyes, Tomarys could tell that this Neyel was very different from anyone she had met before. "Nice to meet you as well," Neyel said in a smooth almost melodic voice. As she slid her hand from Tomarys's the air between them seemed to waver slightly. Until Tomarys could see the air changing into an ivory blob for a moment. And then the blob changed into a Magnolia blossom before her. Tomarys looked at the hovering projection of a Magnolia blossom and reached out for it. But, her fingers slid thru the blossom only making the projection waver slightly. She pulled her hand back, still looking in wonder as the projection disappeared. Neyel grinned as she watched Tomarys's fascinated gaze on the psychoprojection. "Always remember, even the smallest organism can change an entire galaxy. If only to make it smile," Neyel replied. Tomarys returned her grin and chuckled, "I guess your right. I stand corrected." Neyel laughed, letting her eyes dance around the garden and then return to Tomarys. "I believe you do."