Part 12: Family Matters

Far From Home (Isol's Theme)



: I mean, it's always going to be there. I can go see it whenever I want.



: That's accurate, but... I don't know. Maybe it's the last three days of rowdy celebrating that's gotten me feeling all loose and relaxed about things lasting forever, now.

: And the selfish concept of 'eh, I'll just do it tomorrow' has been something of a... lasting attitude all throughout humanity's history, to be fair. You can't tell me that Ghians don't know the meaning of the words 'lazy' or 'procrastinate.'



: Although the distinction is that we're cooling down on a war that nearly destroyed your world. I would think that an occasion like that would kick you in the rear to start doing things you always wanted to do – like seeing the Earth.

: I think, in that case, the lesson we should be taking away is that everyone is reacting to the good news differently.

I disagree with you there, Ezra. Isol's right. You never know what you have until it's gone, and just because you took note that something is still there doesn't mean it will be forever!



: I meant on, like, an individual basis. Yeah, we're all getting drunk and hooking up with strangers, but besides that. Everyone's doing that, but everyone is also doing different things.

: Look, I haven't even said what it is I planned on doing. Can I at least get that far?



: Don't agree, don't agree, don't agree... don't disagree, either...

: ... Like I was saying, I feel like there's going to be more than one opportunity to see Earth whenever I want. We Earthlings have a saying about things 'being in our backyard,' and that's what Earth is: something that's in my backyard, and I can see it whenever I want.

: But you know what I don't think I'll have many opportunities to see?

: What's that, Ezra?

: Ghi. Ghi and its star.





: Why wouldn't I? Ghi and its people are close friends with Earth. Hell, I don't need to look any further to exemplify that than you, Isol: you made the three-year trip yourself just to vacation there. The least I could do in return is look at it through a telescope.

: ... I... was just...

: ...shocked that you'd want to lay your eyes on Ghi rather than your own world when awarded the chance.



: I guess I shouldn't take what you say on Earthling conduct on granted going onward.

: What, you thought I was lying?

: I thought you were exaggerating.

: I won't tell you not to do what you want should you look through the starseeker. Although, take it on a Ghian that was raised on Ghi and has seen Earth: Earth is nicer looking.

: You know, maybe that's another thing about why I don't want to see Earth. It was just torn apart after thirteen horrifying years of extraterrestrial war. Maybe I subconsciously don't want to see my 'birthplace' all ruined and destroyed like that.



: In a saturnine way, it's akin to seeing your guardians in a wrecked and hurt way. No one wants to see their rike or their kier in a shocking way.

: ... Sorry, I'm not as caught up in your language as you are in mine. Our what?

: It's alright; it's not like you're residing on Ghi.

: You would call your 'dad' your 'rike' on Ghi and its standard language. And you would call your...

: Your, uh...

: ... I know the word I want, and yet I can't....

: Mom? Mother?

: Yes, that. The likewise word in Ghi's standard language is 'kier,' though I wouldn't think you'd know that should I say it.

: The next time this exact context comes up, when you need to talk about someone's mom, use the word 'doyenne.' Ghians should be able to pronounce that word.



: It usually means 'a woman that's highly respected or notable in her field.' It's not exactly the best substitute for the word 'mother' but if you were to say 'your doyenne gave birth to you and raised you,' the context would be enough for a person to get by with.

: Keep in mind, though, it's a pretty uncommon word, so you might get asked for its definition.

I'll say. This word sounds positively medieval, or at least, highly noble. Ezra was busting out the thesaurus for that one.

: ...

: I wish, on each other's sakes, that the word 'doyenne' really outlines 'a highly-regarded lady,' and not an uncouth thing instead.

: What, you think I'm lying to you for a giggle?

: It's occurred earlier. It could occur again, on all I know.

: Haha, well, it's honestly a pretty common prank. There are stories of people getting words tattooed on their body in a different language, and they're told it means 'strength' or 'valor' or something, when it actually means, like, 'fart-sniffer' or whatever.

: Trust it or not, there's an analogous trick done on Ghi and its countless languages.



: ... We got a little distracted, didn't we? We were talking about me looking through the telescope.

: Indeed. Although that's hardly a 'wrong' thing to occur, is it? Or an unusual thing?

: ... Hey, Isol. Tell me a bit more about your visit to Earth.



: Just... no, I'm not after specifics. I just want to know what it's like.

: I learned recently that Earth will be visible through this telescope starting on Friday, and yet, my first impulse wasn't to start making plans to come back during the weekend.

: We can see the Earth at the week's end, you said?

: Oh, yeah! I learned that just the other day, actually. I think the forecast to see it is still posted up here somewhere.

: And now I know, too. I could take the occasion to see it again, in that case.

: Anyway, the more I think about it, it feels kind of, I don't know, silly, maybe, that an alien like a Ghian has been to Earth and I haven't. I feel like... like you live in a house I used to live in, and I'm asking about how the house is now, except I never actually lived in it.

: If that makes any sense.

: It's okay that it doesn't.

: I can't say the identity on the continent or the country I stayed at. I went to a location called 'S'ain', in a continent called 'southwestern Euro'e.'

: Spain, in Europe, yes.

: It's always a good thing when I get the enunciations correct adequately that Earthlings can understand.

: In truth, Earth's... 'quality' is accurately denoted in Galilei.

: The look; the sensations; the sights and odours... the sky is azure on Earth, just like it is here. The water doesn't taste unusual. You likely know that the dirt, the grass, the trees here on Galilei – they were all either raised on Earthling seeds, or are Earthling in origin.

: Galilei attains Earth's essence quite well. At least, with what little on Earth I underwent.

: ... The distinction, though, is that you don't need air cleansers or generators to endure on Earth. Day and night are not constructed. The weather is not ordained.

: There is a quality that Earth has that Galilei, with all its technology, can't recreate. They could reconstruct S'ain here in Galilei ingot-on-ingot, and there would always exist a thing, an unclear and tenuous thing, that would stay unequal.

: I can't elucidate on what that thing is, 'cause I don't know how. Ghi is additionally alike to Earth than Galilei is, in that sense.

Much like how earlier Ezra was talking to Carla about the city streets' vibe changing when Carla asked, Isol hits on a similar note. Just because something replicates another thing doesn't mean it's the true thing. There's an element of authenticity, or at least identity, that a place or a person puts out. If you were to copy a work of art paint drop by paint drop, could it really be considered the original?

: Sounds like a place I should consider visiting myself, then. To find out in person what thing is missing from Galilei.

: ...

: They'd say that, on returning to Galilei, you would carry a section on Earth with you. That Earth would stay with you eternally and that she, a tiny section, would always stay with you.



: Is that a bad thing?

: No.

: And I'd do it again.



*The music fades out.*



: What's weird on it? Taking calls is a task that the codex was designed to do.

: You know what I mean, Isol.

: I think you Earthlings would call that a 'dad joke.' I think I would excel at telling 'dad jokes.'

: Dad jokes aren't exactly the height of comedy. You'd lose a lot of friends for it.

: Well, aside from all the dads, I'm sure.

: Haha, noted: attain dadhood, then the dad jokes.

: So, are you going to answer it, or...?

: You know, I totally blanked for a second, there.

: ...! Speak of the devil, it's from my dad!



: Wait, why Satan? Is that an Earthling saying?

: I'll tell you later, I really need to take this.

: Yes, indeed.

*The screen flickers to a phone call.*



(Ezra's father's first few lines are spoken.)



: I could say the same to you! Have you been losing weight?

: I've been gaining it over the last three days!

: Which is good! I've lost a lot of weight since we last spoke a few weeks ago. I've been so stressed here that I lost two pounds every time I took a dump.

: Hah, classy.



: Tell me it's been the same with you. Your mother and I didn't put you on a moon one-point-six billion kilometers away just for you to keep your nose pressed against some tablet once we've won.

: Dad, I can promise you with absolute honesty that I've been acting like a damn fool these past three days.

: Atta girl!

Ezra's dad is certainly much more social than his daughter! Although you're a number of years late there, pops. Ezra's a goon's goon.

: Good times like these only come around once every two or three generations. We need to make the most of them while we have them – we're very lucky to be alive right now.

: It takes a special kind of someone to live through a thirteen-year alien invasion and say that we're very lucky.

: When we were making our vows, your mother told me that she considered my optimism to be one of my best qualities.



: Yeah, tell me about it. I'm trying to decide if I want to go out to party again tonight, or if I want to start losing my hair over what it is I want to do with my life now.



: ... On and off, yeah. There was this big televised seminar from a Gen Three model about how we should 'stay the course' and 'remain vigilant,' but it's tough to want that when, you know, we could be celebrating instead.

: Try not to focus on any of that. Just live your life how you want to, at least for now.

: People like to harp on about the future – save your money for retirement; focus on your schoolwork because it's the only way you'll get a good career; don't eat that burrito because you'll regret it later.

: Nuts to that, I say.

: Your mother and I have worked as hard as we have for exactly what we earned three days ago. You've had your own nose pressed to the grindstone for when it'll be your turn.

: We've fought tooth and nail for what we have now. Damn the responsibilities; get out there and get your hair wet!

: ... Do you really mean that? You're an engineer for life-support systems meant for outer space. Did you have that philosophy when you were my age?

: No, I didn't. But this sort of peace – this opportunity to enjoy what we have now – is exactly what I was working towards when the Riklid first attacked. And now I've got it for you, and me, and your mother.





: ... Thanks, dad. I think that'll help take my mind off it, at least for a little bit.

: I'm glad I could help.



: So soon?

: Oh please, Ezra, that's something like twenty hours. That's more than enough time to clean the house by then.

: I mean, like... don't they need you on hand in case... you know...

: What, in case the Riklid come back?

: ... Yeah.

: There's a pretty low chance of that. We've been keeping our eyes peeled for any Riklid starships ever since they ran, and as far as we can tell, every last ship's left the solar system.

: If they do come back, we'll at least know with enough time in advance to mount some kind of defence. And we still have plenty of Gen Threes rolling out to soak up some of the damage.

: But we're getting sidetracked. I'll be getting home tomorrow around noon, and while I haven't spoken with your mother yet, I've gotten word that her squadron's being dismissed as well.

I can't help but think about whether Ezra's mom feels the same way as her husband or even agrees with her squadron being disbanded, being she's the soldier and all. Wouldn't she be more like Vance, concerned the Riklid may return? She's the one who's been in the shit, as it were, and it's possible she'll always be metaphorically looking over her shoulder for the Riklid... or at least, looking at the skies.

: Earth is currently further in its orbit around the Sun than Mars is, and Mars is closer to Saturn right now, so she ought to be getting there by roughly around tomorrow afternoon, thereabouts.

: Both of you? That's great news!

: Right? How long has it been since either of us have been home? It has to be coming up on...

: ... Something like ten months now, I think? I know we didn't miss another one of your birthdays.

: It's been closer to nine-and-a-half, I think.

: Well, there you go! Eden and I will be back before your...

: How old are you, again?

: I'm forty-nine, dad.

: ... That doesn't sound right to me.

: I wonder why.

: Well, we'll be back before your next birthday, at any rate.

: Anyway, I'll let you get back to it. You're young and spry; you've got more partying in you than I do, that's for damn sure, and I'm about to get back to it.

: I won't be there in time for breakfast, but what say you and I get some lunch at Cozy's when I get home? I could kill for something that wasn't made ready-to-eat in a plastic bag.

: I would have thought a software engineer like yourself wouldn't have to eat out of a bag.

: So did I! But, at the same time, it's war; we can't really afford the resources to be eating like kings and queens every other day.

: Point being, I need to eat something that doesn't have the texture of toothpaste and all the flavour of watered toast.

: Hah! Sure, Cozy's it is.

: I'm looking forward to it already!

: Love you, dad. Talk to you tomorrow.

: Love you too, Ezra. I'll see you and Eden then.

*The screen fades to black.*