It's Never Easy

Posted on Thu Dec 16th, 2021 @ 5:07am by Colonel S'er'in'e

Mission: The Archan Job
Location: Holodeck 2

S'er'in'e's training only got harder the more time he spent using the programs left to him by the Overseer. She had made her position very clear and her Guardian's made it obvious that he'd lost an edge he was once known for and it was a demand that he get it back. Working on reflexes and agility, hand to hand in single and group engagements he knew it would be a long and difficult path before him that he must walk. The more he trained however the more he came to realise that the Overseer and her Guardians were right, he had let himself lose his edge, he had let alien ways take a more prominent influence on his life. While Samanthia was safe from the glare of the Overseer it was to be expected that punishment in some shape or form be met by S'er'in'e, and met he did.

Even as he tried and rewarded with yet more painful blows from his holographic opponents it served to steel his nerves at the task before him. Things would never be normal again that much he knew, all that was left was for things to be better and stay that way lest he have to endure these training sessions over again. While it was clear he'd held onto some traditions such as bowing to females it was obvious to him that through an effort not to cause harm through contact he'd lessened himself and held to it, something which the Guardians were quick and rather painfully reminding him of. Caitians be default don't like to be touched, scent is a key component of Caitian lives and as a result the contact of others that scent is imparted onto him. It could be something as simple as a hand shake, or accidental like bumping into someone or brushing past them exiting a Turbolift, but it was done.

In an effort to gain acceptance he'd let slip the standards expected of him in an alien dominated military, alien at least to him. Caitians are regarded as fierce warriors, natural predators, a sight to behold naturally and one to fear when roused into action. S'er'in'e was left to wonder, just how much of that applied to him now?

He was aware that Captain Von was supportive of his training, it after all was a benefit to her as it was to himself and while the encouragement was welcome it also served as a reminder as to how close he came to being force marched off 332 back to the Homeworld. Von and S'er'in'e had been through much, from being stranded on a planet, injured, with few supplies and also hunted to the attack in the hanger, he even purred for her once, a rare gift indeed. As he trained he wondered how different things would be had he not left the Homeworld and even as he thought he knew he wouldn't change anything, to do so would change the very fibre of who he was today.

He could feel the sweat running under his fur, the aches of exertion and the pains of wounds, clearly there were still rough edges about him that the training programs were ever too eager to pound out of him, one way or another. He pulled on his long gown, his hands ached, shoulders too, his fur in all kinds of mess with it pointing in all manner of direction in dishevel. The walk home though uncomfortable was mercifully brief, the doors opened and Samanthia was out as was their Daughter. As the door closed behind him sealing him within the sanctuary of his home he looked around the main room, a comfortable mix of Human and Caitian decor but his eyes pulled to his claw prints. He took down the latest one and after looking at it for a moment he turned it over to see the date upon it, it had been a while ago, how things had changed when he looked at his hand and then at the print to see the difference.

Placing the print back in its place he walked into the bedroom, there he stripped off his attire and walked into the bathroom where the shower he hoped would sooth his aches and ease his body from the ordeal he'd just undertaken. The water on he stepped in and instantly felt it slip between the strands of his fur and help cool his skin for it was not a hot shower he needed, but a cool one. Standing with head down and his hands against the wall he let the water do its work, it would take a while he knew but it would always feel better getting to that point. He cleaned his fur and rinsed it thoroughly to make sure all of the soap had been washed out. He dried himself using three of his large towels, huge in comparison to Human ones. Without adorning clothes just yet he brushed himself from head to toe and then sharpened his claws. This was much easier without anyone around watching or peeking on him as it often distracted him from the task. Using a mirror he made sure that his fangs were still sharp, presentable and properly cleaned. Ears next and then between his fingers followed as his routine of cleaning continued from one step to the next.

If he was tasked to being a true Caitian again then he had best look the part.

Once all was done he donned a two piece vest and pants set that was comfortable yet permitted freedom of movement at the same time. Clad in family colours again and with it bringing a sense of tranquil peace he needed something to eat, food was fuel and of a frame his size the need was often plentiful.