Thread: Song of the Stars: Exploration of the Senses & the Universal Language (Glad & DA)

Historian's Note This story takes place approximately 5 years prior to 'Countless Stars, Unending Possibilities' as well as within the same setting. Just another year at the Inner Sanctum's Academy of the Artsfully funded and run by the Illuminati elite on the lush yet, at times, dangerous planet Hemeraat least that was what Elanna Halsey kept on telling herself every day since the beginning of the academic year. It was her sixth year at the academyan 'extended stay' as those of the Illuminati upperclass sometimes called it to help rationalize the extra time allotted to earn any kind of degree or certificationand she was beginning to wonder why she'd even bothered. Nearly a month had passed and she felt no closer to achieving her goals than she had when she'd arrived, yet again, for that fifth and more than likely final year. Then again, she'd made many achievements and was held in high regard by her 'family' for her young age given all that she'd managed to accomplish. Her efforts had far been fruitless, yet... why did she feel so empty, like her purpose had yet to be truly realized? It was a question Elanna asked herself often, almost every day when she woke up in the morning. She especially wondered it every time she completed a task, made mark on her set goals. Goals that ran deeper than those set by her professors at the academy. Then again, those true goals were unlike most... As she moved to stand up, pushing her slight body up and away from her bed situated in her room, she walked across the floor toward the room's far end. Her feet were bare and quietly she padded toward the window so she could peer outside at the lush and intriguing beauty that was planet Hemeraone of the Illuminati's most inspirational planets, home of their finest art school, its indigenous inhabitants those of great mystery and wonder. The school itself was safe enough, protected by a barricade that kept anything that might be considered a threat outside its walls. Though such instances were rare on the paradise, the school wanted to ensure all of its students and employees were safe while residing on its grounds. The thought made her chuckle knowing where her own loyalties lied. As she silently stood there, she could behold the beauty from her window, which overlooked the forests and other darkly beautiful terrain of the peaceful planet she'd been more or less calling home for the past several years. On the other side, she knew the majestic beaches laid in wait, the wondrous waves crashing upon white sandy shores. But those shores would indeed have to wait for she had other things pressing on her mind. Elanna brought a hand up and began twisting her fingers through her dark curls, her mind wandering a bit as her blue eyes fixed upon the green trees in the distance. She thought on an assignment she'd been given by one of her professors. One that seemed rather heavily involved though was a requirement for one of her classes. She hoped it didn't detract from her 'other goals', those secret goals she didn't speak of to anyone, those that she kept to herself and strived toward for her 'family' while trying to earn a degree at the academy... She heaved a sigh in that moment. It was a good thing that she loved music, that she held such passion for it. Sometimes it was the only thing that got her through the day, helped her keep focus and her center so that she wouldn't lose sight of why she was even there in the first place. Why she was there... As Elanna's fingers began to comb through her long, chestnut tresses, she reminded herself of why she was thereto recruit for the rebels. Just then, she could feel the bile rise. How she hated the Illuminati and all that they stood for. Their cruelty had far extended itself into too many corners and was ever reaching further, seeking to destroy everything just so that it could gain the power and the upper hand. They had to be stopped and if she could play an active role in that... she would do so, even if it meant sacrificing her life. After all, it would be for a worthy cause because wasn't a better life for all worth more in the long run? She thought so. Letting out another sigh, Elanna looked away from her window, her blue eyes staring at the cold tiled floor beneath her feet. She needed to get ready. Her 'assignment' was waiting. A part of her was giddy to embark on it while another felt held back. Her professor had instructed that she assist a fellow student with his thesis project. It involved helping him read older pieces of music that had been found, the notes written on parchments so old that they could not be placed on any devices for translation or scan-lation. She had to admit the idea of being able to see such music was beyond amazing, something she'd dreamed about seeing as one of her passions was in fact musicit was one of the reasons why she was there, though not her primary reason. She just hoped that by working with another, it wouldn't become cumbersome and bog down her efforts on her true mission at the academy. The last thing she needed was a distraction from her ultimate goal. Still, to be able to see such things and possibly more... it was the chance of a lifetime and she knew it, though she found it curious that she'd be needed to assist in such a task. However, who was she to question what her 'assignments' were? Right then, Elanna mumbled softly to herself, her hands moving to rub at her arms. Elanna walked over to her dresser and picked out something decent to wear. Not wanting to show any support of the Illuminati yet not wanting to give away her true affiliations, she chose a brightly colored gown of blue, one that reminded her of the oceans on her home planet of Heliospity that she hated what had become of her home world. It fitted her perfectly, accentuating her hourglass shape. To help give her smaller breasts lift, she wore a corset like most of the middle and upperclass girls and women. The garment lifted and squeezed them together, making them all but enticing to the casual onlooker. Once ready, she grabbed her bag, making sure it had all that she'd need within it and began making her way to the private study room in which she was supposed to meet her 'assignment'.