Snippet #2454417

The two spent the rest of the night observing the comet and taking notes- shape and size guesses as well as noting any changes in position. Mister Yamin was so caught up in the discovery of an unpredicted comet that shared the telescope with Hadyn for the rest of the night, provided he could help take notes. They discussed not only the technical aspects but what Hadyn thought it could mean astrologically. The older astronomer even encouraged her to include her interpretations as a small section of her report, for when the morning came, something so important would be reported directly to the director of astronomy.

As the sky began to show signs of lightening, the brunette stood and stared down at the sheets of paper on the desk covered in the fevered scribbles of discovery, some of which were in the older man’s far more careful handwriting. She sifted through the sheets, making sure all of the information was there, that they hadn’t left anything out.

“I’m sure you covered everything,” The older man stood from where he’d been sitting in the chair positioned at the viewing lens. He moved to her and started sorting through the books and papers on the desk as well, pulling out his own books and journal to put away.

“Thank you so much. I might have missed this if you hadn’t allowed me the use of your scope,” Hadyn thanked him as she compiled her papers into stacks according to relevancy.

“And you wouldn’t have shown up if it weren’t for some phantom noise,” He teased lightly. Both of them chuckled a bit at the joke, but Hadyn knew she’d heard something. She was thankful she had, because Mister Yamin had a good point. After all had been sorted out, Yamin walked her down the hall to the director’s office. He offered to see the director with her, as a witness to her discovery, though Hadyn insisted it was unnecessary.

Finally they reached the door; Hadyn took a breath and knocked firmly but politely upon the door. Luckily, they had not beaten the director there, as his voice called from behind the door for them to enter. Papers in hand, Hadyn peeked into the room for but a moment before holding the door open for her aged colleague.

“Greetings, Miss Everett, Elder Yamin,” The director greeted them from where he had small stove set up, the teapot atop it indicating he was preparing tea. The director looked a little younger than Mister Yamin(Elder was a formal term only the Director ever seemed to use), but his demeanor suggested greater age. Though she may have wondered how many cycles were under the director’s belt, she daren’t ask.

“Good morning, Director Janesca,” She bowed slightly. Yamin bowed as well.

“What can I do for you?” Janesca crossed to his desk.

“Sir, young Everett has made a discovery!” Yamin bragged with a smile on his face. Hadyn’s face stiffened a bit; the man was simply too kind.

“Oh?” The director looked at Hadyn.

“Director, sir, I’ve spotted an unpredicted comet,” She revealed.

“An unpredicted one? You found no mention of this comet in the archives?”

“Not a one, sir. No mention of the comet, at least,” She thought of the sign in the nebula. She then proceeded to answer all of the director’s questions regarding how she found the comet, where it was, and about the shape in the nebula. He seemed particularly intrigued by the journal she’d found the pattern’s mention in.

“With as little evidence as this, few would have continued to observe the cloud,”

“I just felt drawn to it, I suppose,” Hadyn admitted. “It has interesting astrological implications, too,”

“You do have a certain track record with astrological interpretation…” The director stated, his eyes on Hadyn’s report, which he was currently flipping through.

“I suggested she include her interpretations in the report,” Yamin pointed out.

“I see it here, but perhaps Miss Everett would like to tell me herself,” Hadyn stiffened a bit at Janesca’s suggestion. But she swallowed her nerves and proceeded.

“The first, most obvious thing to point out is the comet itself; comets are usually interpreted as signs of immense change. Most documented comets are followed by events that trigger widespread change,” Hadyn started.

“That is one of the more widely believed superstitions, yes,” The director observed.

“But its position may give some clues as to the nature of this change. It’s positioned in the nebula that rests directly over the border between the Chasm and Volstack- directly between the constellations of Peregrinan and Psarus. This puts it between the domains of the Traveler and the Author. The Author is known to write not only its own history but to direct the life around it, and Peregrin is a cardinal sign. Both point to change as well.

The comet’s location also tells us that the change will either pertain to the region it’s over, or the change will occur within the region it is flying over. “ Hadyn took in a breath then added, “I was perplexed over it until the comet appeared, so I’m still mulling over it myself. The report is probably a bit more eloquent at the moment,”

“Of course, you’re probably tired. You two have been working through the night, after all. I had the luxury of arriving later that you two tonight,” He gave a businesslike smile and continued, “I’ll have this to the Director of Research as soon as I can, who’ll pass it to Lord Ivagio when he returns from his business within the next couple of days,”

Hadyn’s eyes widened a bit with shock. She knew higher positions like the Director of Research reported directly to him, but… “I didn’t think this would be important enough to be passed so far up,”

“A summary of all our research reaches his desk inevitably, but when we make a discovery usually the whole report is sent as well.” He repeated his smile, “You’ve done well, Miss. Everett. If you continue to do so, I’m sure you’ll be a true asset to this department and to Alzeran,”