After Ceremony (Continuation)
Now it truly was embarrassing more than her 'tripping over' that she wasn't in her uniform during the ceremony and the uncomfortable moments of the certain happening was slowly being erased from Jyn's mind, never wanting to remember it again.
Shortly after minutes of digging through every corner of her room, Jyn's uniform appeared out from a klutzy turn of her gaze and found it hanging behind the hinge of a cabinet. Shaking in complete disbelief from what she considered on remembering, Jyn sighed deeply and began cursing at her frequent memory loss. Forgetting things wasn't always an issue but for the most part, especially with her hangover still intact, it would be a much more of an understandable case. She then realized that going over this certain kind of missteps might provide unwanted delays for her preparations. Jyn was quite aware of how her friends maintain utmost punctuality and so she proceeded on prioritizing her duties first especially the current major assignment she was officially involved in.
In fact, she was overjoyed of being involved more than anyone else from her circle of friends. To Jyn, it was a dear sign of success. She then thought it was the substantial effort she exerted towards her time in the academy which earned the higher up's recognition of her potential. But there was a pinch in her mind inclining that her involvement might be some form of a misunderstanding. Jyn might often be a positive thinker but she is also aware of the negativity circling around her ambitions. What if there was some kind of error which made it possible for her name to be mentioned in the PA system? There was a small percentage in her mind believing that it might be possible or it might just happen to be some hesitant decision-making which the higher ups had carried out since Jyn was strongly a part of the other people who were included in the assignment.
Thinking of it alone, Jyn slowly took a few steps backwards to her bed and gently sat as she got close. Her eyes were gazing at a void glimpse unbeknownst to where the focus was actually headed. Her expression was pale, not a single ounce of movement from her eyebrows or anything which could possibly render some hints of emotion. She pondered about the possibilities. She pondered it deeply until her thoughts sank into the depths of negativity. What if I was a mistake? Her voice jumped in audibly through her mind. Clearly, Jyn wasn't acting as herself but it was the grimmer edge of her humanity. Something gravely familiar from what she was from the past.
Before she could continue on thinking deeply, a familiar voice intervened her thoughts. It was nothing but a mere distortion at first but as the voice continued on, Jyn's imagination slowly caught it's ringing and quickly determined it's resemblance.
Samuel?!
"I thought you promised yourself not to drink?"
Hey come on, I'm an adult now
"Really? How?"
Yes. I am. Do I need to explain further? Oh wait. of course, you're a goner. You'll never understand growing up
"And your excuse is...?" Jyn sighed, knowing there weren't any reason which could provide an explanation to the promise she broke.
"What do you want this time?" Breaking the silence of their imaginative conversation, Jyn decidedly sprung out with her own actual voice since her head was still being lingered by the headache.
Nothing, really. Just checking out if you are on your optimistic self. Today is a big day, remember?
"Nothing to worry, Sam. I'm fine all throughout. I can handle things."
Samuel's voice sighed Listen, Jyn. You can't hide everything and stay positive forever. Let me know your troubles
"I'm fine, Sam!" Jyn exclaimed, her voice was raised slightly "There isn't anything for you to worry about me. I'm fine. Do I need to repeat myself a hundred times?"
"Okay, okay. If you say so. You know, if anything's bothering you, you could....just remember what we often say to each other back then"
There was a short pause afterwards, Jyn was retrospecting carefully of whatever the words were.
"Cast the troubles away, hurray hurray!"
Cast the troubles away, hurray hurray! Both of them recited in unison which made Jyn chuckling with a mix of guilt.
"You really are a terrible person for letting me remind that horrid thing" Jyn said jokingly, striking a smile towards nothingness.
I'm glad I did. I must say, memories are brighter than the sunshine
"Wait, what? What the hell?"
Oh, nothing
Jyn sighed again with utter annoyance.
After a short while, the voice never returned and faded from Jyn's mind. Miraculously, her negative thoughts earlier were abruptly forgotten, as if it was just a blank memory she tried to recall, though mostly, Jyn would blame her headache for actually making it possible. Jyn's smile never wore off not until she turned to glance up her uniform and then suddenly remembering something gravely important. "Shit. The preparations! Samuel...you..."
___________________________________________________________________________
A few Minutes after the Departure
The alluring set of vocabulary, the delightful tone of delivery and of course, the convincing sentences of 'encouragement'. These were most of the things which Jyn liked about the well-respected man. Though most of the time, Jyn might render obvious hints of discomfort through the blunt actions of military officials, but if it would be from the likes of Sawyer, there'd be a few considerations. Admiration wouldn't be something she would shamelessly throw in. It was rather the utmost respect in which Jyn showed both directly and indirectly.
The weather wasn't a very friendly advocate. There were times when the wind breezed gently while shifting a cold shivering flicker to it's waft. And there were times when it was streaming violently, though not strong enough to send moderately heavy objects flying. Perhaps it was common in Doral, one would say so from how it was often flocked by thick grey clouds and stormy-like appearances. Jyn didn't like the typical weather for it brought a few doubtful memories of the past. But it wasn't an unyielding issue which she couldn't withstand handling. There would always be a picture coming up in her mind once a particular setting such as a stormy weather comes into sight.
Shortly after the group traversed through rough terrains and hillsides, their pace firmed into a gentle rush as few members of the group decidedly took themselves into comforting chatters. Of course, the trendsetter was none other than the captain herself, Olivia who started off bragging to almost everything about the mission and some few words of consistent laziness. Jyn, on the other hand, had been shutting herself into complete silence from the first few hours/minutes of travel. It wasn't her intention on being such, it was just that she couldn't muster up a good and convenient topic to converse. She just watched her friends do the action while she followed them along the lines.
Freddy, however, was the more intriguing one. Even for his naturally blunt atmosphere, his unintentional ways of making almost everyone crook up a smile, including Jyn, gave a much more convenient tone of comfort amid the gloomy environment and the uncomfortable weather. Every crumb of his phrases made Jyn shake her head gleefully and in some cases, chortle delightfully. It's like things wouldn't be the same without him.
Jyn took a meek gaze at Olivia and Freddy as she lent her ears to their conversations. As their chatter went on and paused shortly, Jyn took some steps beside Olivia. She caressed her shoulder while clearing her throat to catch Olivia's attention. "Hey Olive," Jyn said in a chummy tone. "Or I might as well say, Captain Olivia Celestine." Trying not to sound as provoking, Jyn toned her voice with more friendliness following up with a chortle. "How's being captain by the way? I might help you with stuffs if you needed," Jyn paused as she glanced briefly at her back. "You know, resting for a while is a great idea. I must admit, It's a little tiring to just walk up all the way through to our destination. I can't believe the academy made us do this without occupying some of their vehicles." Jyn continued, suddenly realizing that she was starting to brag as well. "And here I thought we were 'elites'. Glorious indeed." She then sighed and rolled her eyes sideways. "But I guess this might just prove that we're a much more stronger team than everybody else. Right?" Jyn's eyes slightly widened, expecting for an affirmative response.
She then pulled her gaze towards Freddy, glancing the guy carefully as she inched herself a bit closer to Olivia. "By the way, we should try and annoy Freddy. Who knows, it might be fun while we take a stop" Jyn whispered, followed by a faint, screeched giggle.