Star Trek RPG - Mission #4: "Codex Aelyrr"

[choie]

When Kylah hears Velir's touching explanation of finding her using her zither, she looks down, her eyes glazing with tears--both from his ingenuity, his knowledge of her, and the realization that that was the last time her zither would 'play' for anyone.

She fights back her emotions and lifts her right hand and rests it on the table, near his, so her smallest finger brushes against him. Perhaps it was not wise, after all, to meet here. How can she express her gratitude and sorrow, or explain the shameful truth, without breaking down?

"I could not tell you the truth because it reveals me as a coward." Her voice is almost a whisper. She cannot let anyone else hear. And she is certain she is about to shatter the fragile peace between her and Velir. "You may find it worse than what you already thought of me. Except... except it is not a personal betrayal, as you feared. I would never do that knowingly. Even..."

Kylah does not continue with her sentence. Uttering Jan's name would be fatal, and he will never believe her. She remains still for some time, trying to formulate the right words, but in the end she knows nothing will be right.

"Telling you this will put my career in jeopardy but I do not dare ask for your confidence. I have not earned it." Staring at their hands, she is aware how close they are now, physically. Soon, she is certain, he will not want to associate with her. "I went down to Anubis, and brought my zither and clothes and jewelry with me, because--because I knew there was a good chance I would not return to the ship."

[general_urko]

Graham shakes Peller's hand enthusiastically, and is equally effusive with his thanks.

"It's perfect--Peller, is it? You really saved my ass here--I owe you one, anytime...This is...perfect...I'll take good care of it, I promise."

Once done with Peller, and now having some semblance of a plan, Graham realizes he needs to respond to Nia's message.

Meet me outside the Arboretum at 1930, he sends.

He knows it's later than she offered but he knows he's behind getting things together...

[Elendil's Heir]

Peller says, "No problem. Glad to help. Just get it back to me in the next day or two, all right?"

[general_urko]

After further re-assuring Peller, Graham curses once he's left: should've asked if he likes whisky. This is worth giving the basket back with one of my personal stash...

He quickly focuses on the task at hand, which is assembling food and drink suitable for an old-fashioned Terran picnic. Blanket, candles...

And I need a tricorder, to download some music...like accordion trattoria stuff, corny, but...well I hope Nia likes it...

He hurries off to get a tricorder and to visit the galley: Plan A, see what they have that's really human made...baguette? Cheese? Olives? Pate? Plan B...rev up the replicator. And Chianti. We need Chianti...

He leaves his quarters then spins around to shower quickly and then rush off on his errands...

[CatInASuit]

Rangin listens carefully to Kylah not fully understanding what she is saying. He had never known her to be a coward before and could not understand why it would affect her career? Surely the events of OCIII would have been worse than the trip to Anubis. But then she says she might not have been returning to the ship. He tries to comprehend the meaning she is aiming for but it slips beyond his grasp.

"I...I don't think I understand, why wouldn't you come back to the ship?" Rangin's lack of comprehension is obvious, but his quiet voice is audible only for Kylah. "I have never taken you for a coward; you have always been brave, perhaps foolhardy on occasion, but not a coward. You asked for my confidence before and it was freely given." Rangin skips over the part where she told people after wanting to keep things quiet about them.

"I don't see how it is any kind of betrayal and I don't see any reason as to why you would leave? Were you given an order or a new commission by someone in private, did your Guardian decide you were required back on Elas? If that is the case than I am so sorry that my last words to you were so harsh, but I wish you had told me, I would have understood?"

Rangin shivers in his seat at the thought of those final moments and then thinks of the the gift she had given him. "Is...is that why you gave me that gift, to try and say goodbye?"

[choie]

At his question, Kylah is forced to look up at Velir. "No," she says, feeling hollow. "It was not to say goodbye. Very much the opposite--at the time." After girding herself, she continues. "I do not think you could understand why or how I felt I had to leave, unless I explain fully. I must tell you what I did, in proper order... it is how I have rehearsed it, the only way I will be able to get it out.

She swallows and forces herself to go on, dropping her gaze again. "I sought out that bar... it could have been any such seedy place... because I needed help. I did not want my financial activities to be tracked either by Starfleet or my Guardian--our treasurer informs him if I spend 15,000 credits or more. So I knew cash would be best for such transactions, and it seemed likely that a bartender in that sort of establishment would know someone who would exchange my credits for cash, no questions asked. And then I could escape.

"That is why I needed the money, Velir. I wanted to give up my duties, break my oath, and abandon everything I hold dear. Including you."

A tear falls onto the table and she wipes it away, embarrassed. "As for why... Things have been so bad on the ship. In my brief time here, I have already engendered so much animus, from you, Collins--although we had made some peace before I went on shore leave--Graham, Ferguson, all those Security officers... and then there was my reputation, the lies told about me and Lord Fastolfe and even Mr. Palver...

"But most of all, I could not face what had happened with you, in my quarters, the night before... I had degraded myself. I just wanted to obliterate my existence from Starfleet, from my own family. I wanted to be anonymous. Forgotten."

She shakes her head. "Even then, I was not sure I would flee. I just wanted the option. In fact, shortly after I received the money, I had reason to change my mind. When I spoke to Lt. Thalen asking for more time, he was so generous to me. Even Cmdr. Vargas was, as well. And you--I thought I could make things right with you. I felt renewed hope for the first time in a long while. On my way to meet you, I passed a shop with beautiful blown glass items, all sorts of animals, and I immediately thought of you, so I went inside. After I found something that seemed perfect, I hurried to meet you. But when I did--"

Her words are choked off. She knows he remembers what happened next; there is no need to repeat the ugliness. When she speaks, her voice is hoarse and weary with resignation. "After that, I gave up. To be on the same ship, knowing you were there, that you wished we had never met, and that I had ruined everything... I could not bear it. I understand it was a cowardly act. But I was weak. And stupid and naïve and... everything that led me to seek assistance from the wrong people. They betrayed me, just as I did Starfleet. I was tricked and captured and robbed and beaten and abandoned like garbage.

"So despite my wish to disappear and no longer be a concern to anyone, I ended up needing your help, and that of everyone on the ship whom I'd deserted. I am sorry." Her eyes squeeze shut and now she covers her face with her hands, too wretchedly ashamed to see Velir's reaction. "I am so sorry."

[Ajay]

In the main galley, Mr Johnson is happily dishing out the evening meal and keeping on eye everything going on. It's reasonably busy and he is occupying his time handing out a few drinks and quietly chatting to a couple of people over a few personal issues they wanted a friendly ear for and didn't want to visit the Ship's Quack.

[CatInASuit]

Rangin listens with ever increasing horror at Kylah's tale, of what she had thought and why she had tried to...tried to run. He still couldn't comprehend it, why would anyone want to not just go AWOL but desert Starfleet. It just isn't something that he could fathom, especially from someone kile Kylah. And yet, she had had enough reason to not only consider it, but to actively attempt it.

"I...I don't know what to say," is all he can stammer out quietly at Kylah, but even as he does, he reaches out with one hand and puts it on her shoulder before squeezing it gently. In some ways, he feels partly responsible for her current actions, his actions had led to her thoughts. In fact, if he hadn't blown up at her, the last time they had spoken on Anubis, none of it would have happened. She would never have attempted to run, never been injured, never gone through being alone.

However, one little voice in the back of his head reminds him that none of this would have happened if she hadn't lied to him and obfuscated her intentions in the first place. The trust that had been between them is, although not gone, in pieces, though unlike her zither it could be put together in time. Trying to think over the situation and rush into something had only led to problems before, he needed to think. She had tried to desert, it is something that is just...wrong, unthinkable, any single reason would be better than that. Kylah had given plenty of reasons as to why.

"Ok, Kylah, I've heard...enough." The term may be decisive, but his voice behind it is wavering. "I can see why you did it. It was wrong, but understandable and if I had been a better friend it wouldn't have happened." He drops his hand back to the table. and wraps it back around the coffee cup trying to warm the cold feeling in his hands despite the warmth of the Crew lounge. "I'm also not sure how I feel. I hadn't realised what you were giving up that night and took it the wrong way, please forgive me for that." Degraded herself, Kylah had said and Rangin could only think that she is not as experienced as he had assumed she was and he felt all the more ashamed for it.

"I need some time to think, to try to understand, because my mind is a whirl currently and I want to work out what I am thinking before I stumble into saying or doing something stupid again. I don't want to do that and hurt or lose you as a friend and I've come too close to that too many times over the last few days." Rangin looks across at Kylah hoping she can understand, but not knowing what she wants of him. "We also have a lot of truths to catch up on. Can we do that as well; I still hope at some point you might tell me what really happened on OCIII with Jan, if not now?"

"What do you think?"

[Elendil's Heir]

Peller nods and leaves.

Graham, in a rush, finds Johnson in the Galley.

Cooper and Collins find themselves glad that the Auditorium is dark as the movie plays on - not that they're watching much of it.

[Ajay]

"Good Evening sir, what can I do you for?" enquires Johnson with a cheery smile as he eyes up the Ensign who has just bustled into the Galley.

[choie]

Velir's touch on her shoulder shocks Kylah so much that she lowers her hands to stare at him. And her senses tell her different tales about this man. His expression is muted, his features almost forced into neutrality by what must be sheer will. But his touch... it surges his emotions toward her, through her, like a sword. He is aghast, guilty, disapproving, confused, reproachful.

She knew before she told him that a man with his convictions, his loyalty toward the Federation, would not take kindly to her willingness to break her oath, shirk her responsibilities. But now, feeling his dismay... oh, it is worse, much worse than she expected.

He lets go of her--perhaps figuratively as well as literally--and uses the word 'friend' so often Kylah has an almost hysterical desire to scream if she hears it once more. Why? What is wrong with a friend? It is more than she can expect, more than she deserves. Throughout her years at the Academy, she would have been thrilled to have a single friend. What has changed?

Even as she wonders this, Velir mentions what she has dreaded--and the answer to her own question: Jan. He still wants to understand what happened with Jan.

Kylah knows why Velir's friendship is not enough. It might have been, before. Before he woke something inside her, starting the night of their dinner on Starbase 27, a tiny spark that has glowed more brightly every day. And then there had been Jan, when at last she knew what the act of intimacy was--even though that repellant night with Jan was a sham, with her body and her spore-addled mind lying to both her and Jan.

She wants to erase that, to... to make up for it, somehow. Perhaps that is what is driving her toward Velir, what allowed her to bare herself to him that night. A desperate need to substitute an obscenely ugly experience with something that should be, would be, must be tender; beautiful. To expunge the memory of Jan's hands, his mouth, his forceful weight on her, in her...

She shuts her eyes against the churning nausea just as Velir asks What do you think?

Somehow she opens them again and keeps her face still, hides all she has just thought. She knows it is not fair to expect Velir to make up for her own mistake. To accept her, someone damaged physically and mentally--broken, he called me broken and he was right--when he should have someone worthy of him.

"I..." Her voice is unrecognizable, her throat is so tight and strained. "I think you are right. You must weigh in your mind whether you can trust me again. Assuming you ever did," she adds quietly. "I know you must process what you have heard. I also know I do not want to lose you either." She cannot address Jan. Not now, not when his belief in her judgment is already so poor. "I wish I could tell you about... him. But I am not ready. I am sorry, but I am not."

Do not break down, do not... She uses every strength of will she possesses to avoid crying, and asks in a small voice: "Do you--do you understand that I still care for you? That leaving you behind was the hardest part of my decision?"

[general_urko]

"Ah, Johnson, right?" Graham asks, remembering him from the other night. "Thank god your a chef, not a comedian...I could use some expert help." He looks around the galley, not actually knowing where anything is or how it would be stored or prepared...cooking is definitely not one of my talents.

"I'm trying to put together a picnic--a really nice, old-school Earth picnic...for a friend who I don't think has ever experienced one." He sighs and shakes his head. "You probably know what the basket should contain better than I do, but I was thinking fruit, cheese, a nice bread--like a baguette, pate, that sort of thing...I'm not sure what's available that's natural and hand-made versus replicated...".

He shrugs. "No disrespect to the replicator eggheads but I think Mother Nature and guys like you still have an edge over their algorithms..."

[CatInASuit]

"Kylah. I have a small glass statue that shows me just how much you care and in some ways that you know me better than I know myself." Rangin's voice is quiet and sincere as he thinks of her gift. He wishes, as he looks into her eyes with a sad smile, that these events had never happened. "I wish I could find something which would fill you with as much happiness as I when I finally opened it."

"I did trust you, still want to trust you and hope to do so again to return the trust you have just shown me. I won't ask any questions of you further, but will be ready to listen when you are ready to tell me."

Rangin yearns for what they first had and wishes he could tell Kylah the same, but if she isn't what he thinks, it would be a disaster all over again. "I don't want to lose you either, but I want it to be right. I hope that's possible."

[choie]

Nodding and wiping away some traitorous tears that have spilled onto her cheeks despite her best efforts, Kylah whispers, "I hope so, too." The words sound dull and dead, though she tried hard to invest them with feeling. "Thank you for listening. Thank you for letting me speak."

She pauses, looking at her cooled drink, and says softly, "I wish you good luck on your watch tonight, Velir."

[anyrose]

Coming up for air, Collins notices the end credits are rolling on the screen. She smiles, inwardly and outwardly. "Aw, rats." She says quietly, jokingly, "we missed the whole film. Whatever shall we do now?"

[CatInASuit]

Rangin fidgets awkwardly on the seat, aware that the conversation is coming to a close, but unwilling to want it to end like this, tired and worn. He thinks for a moment and then decides that if he is going to try and regain his trust in Kylah, then he may as well start now. Today had been a good day so far and he isn't going to let it slip now.

"Actually Kylah, I still have a couple of hours before I should get some sleep. If you don't have any further plans for this evening, would you be interested in a game of something?" He tries to sound hopeful and raises his voice slightly in anticipation. "Not cards, where the whole point is to be duplicitous, but something more collaborative where we have to work together to win the game."

Rangin drops his voice slightly and looks across at her hoping she is interested. "It's been a good day, and I want my time with you to be just the same."

[Ajay]

"Spoken like a man in desperate need of assistance," comes Johnson's mischievous reply, "well you're in the right place for good food. So, a picnic for a friend eh. Sounds like you want to go French as well, I'm sure we can throw something good together. You owe me one though."

After a few moments thought, Johnson can think of what to create. "Just a couple of questions. Who's the lucky person and how long have I got? The longer it is, the more I can make. Also, you're missing a blanket to sit on."

[general_urko]

Graham exhales loudly, partly in relief, partly in exasperation. He rubs the back of his neck with one hand. "Short of a blanket, short of time...I guess we have about 45 minutes.*" He clear his throat. "Maybe an hour if I meet her there--at the Arboretum--first with wine and candles and the blanket and you--or somebody here--is willing to bring the basket I scrounged up over..."

He shakes his head. "Then I'd owe you eve more. It's for Ni - Lt. Onn. I don't want to disappoint her, except I already have but for some help from Mahmoud to find me a picnic basket, and whatever you're willing and able to prepare..." He shrugs. "I don't suppose you have one of those old style red-checker pattern blankets? That'd be perfect."

After a pause he adds, "Uh--do you like whisky? I may have some hard-to-find bottles. You definitely don't want me cooking or singing for you. Although if a Klingon has been bullying a relative or something, I've got some relevant experience there...might be my highest and best use for a favor."


*I'm guessing time was tight but Graham's pushing the time back 30 minutes puts us about there...?

[choie]

Kylah blinks. "A game?" she says, as if not recognizing the words. In a way she feels he is already playing with her, and not collaboratively: one moment telling her he wishes them to be apart, and the next asking to linger with her. It is like a cruel child teasing a pet by offering it a treat while hovering it far out of the animal's reach.

"I do not understand what you are asking of me. I... I thought you needed time. What are you trying to achieve, Velir?" She stares at him, confused and hurt. "I want nothing more than to spend time with you. But I am afraid of having my hopes dashed if you decide to push me away again. Will I do the wrong thing, say the wrong thing? It is like navigating an unshielded ship through an array of cloaked mines."

Kylah shakes her head. "And yet... despite my fear, perhaps despite my own self-interest, I would do anything you asked of me if I thought it would help fix things. You know I would. I am so lonely for you that I cannot refuse." With an exhale, she lifts her chin to look at him wearily, pleadingly. "So tell me what you wish to do, Velir Rangin, and I will follow. I will play your game, if you explain the rules."

[Elendil's Heir]

Cooper smiles mischievously. "Oh, I don't know... I'm sure we could think of something."

Security Lt. JG Ryan Jones comes into the Galley and sees Graham and Johnson talking. He nods at Johnson and says to the Security man, "Mr. Graham! And how are you this fine evening?"

[Ajay]

Johnson sucks his breath through his teeth in that near universal sound of it's gonna cost you. "Forty-five minutes is asking quite a bit you know. But I'm sure I can whip something special up for the pair of you. Won't be too grand, but most of it will be cooked and not replicated. We can sort out what you owe some other time. No blankets mind, but I think I have a sturdy tablecloth that should do the trick, in Gingham though. But easily big enough for you both to lie on."

He takes the picnic basket from Graham's hands, holding it carefully. "You know, I don't think Nia's been taken on a picnic before," Johnson says with an evil chuckle. He notices Lt JG Jones and responds before Graham can get a word in edgeways. "Oh evening sir, don't mind Mr Graham, he's just getting Onn top of a situation."


I'll see you in forty-five, sir." he says to Graham as Johnson leaves the two Security men to chat while heading back to prepare a feast for the pair.

[CatInASuit]

"I think you misunderstand me Kylah. I'm not looking to play games with you, well no, I am looking to play a game with you." Rangin's mouth opens and shuts a few times as he tries to comprehend what Kylah has said and the garbled message he is trying to get out. Why was this so damn confusing, why couldn't he just be honest with her...well, why isn't he?

"Ok, let me start again. Yes, I need some time to try and work out what kind of relationship would make me, and to be honest you, happy. And please don't just say being with me, because that is probably going to make me run a mile." Rangin can feel the sweat beginning to gather on his forehead as he tries to find a way to express himself.

"The times I have spent with you, when we have been friends, have been most enjoyable and I would like to continue that. I thought that a game where the idea is to work together to win would be more suitable than perhaps losing at poker to you again." Rangin looks across wondering if he is just making things worse for her, if it is just another of those stupid ideas that cropped up from time to time, or if perhaps on a day when everything has gone well, it will work. "I'm hoping that it will help fix things, it's a game for trust and teamwork, and I'm hoping...well I'm not sure what I'm hoping other than it's enjoyable and we can relax in each other's company once again without us both wondering if we are going to say something wrong."


"So, have you ever heard of a game called Epidemic?"

[choie]

Kylah inwardly cringes when Velir tells her he wants what will make her happy--as long as she wants only so much, only what makes him comfortable; if she wants more he will flee from her entirely.

And what makes him comfortable is for them to be merely friends.

I have mistaken him. I have misunderstood everything. Shame floods through her, and she struggles to prevent him from seeing how crushed she is by his rejection. If this is all he can give her, there is nothing she can do. Kylah cannot force him to feel what she does--to try would make her no better than Jan or any number of the men who wished to use her. Or Elaan, using her tears to enslave others.

The thought is repugnant. And she already promised she would do whatever he said. If she wants anything from him, she must learn to be satisfied with this. Their relationship will be on his terms or there will be nothing at all.

Kylah is the daughter of withholding parents. She is used to gratefully accepting a morsel when a feast is denied her.

"No," she murmurs, her voice shaky but docile, her face a mask hiding her pain. "I have not played such a game. You will have to teach me. But I must report to Lt. Thalen in an hour or so. Will that be enough time?"

[general_urko]

Graham hardly has time to process feelings from relief and gratitude to a suspicion that Johnson is mocking Nia, and the instinct to take him to the deck then and there, consequences be damned...but Nia hasn't been shy about her...social activities...and Graham concludes it's more likely Graham is mocking him, so who cares....Or he's making jokes Nia might...might...appreciate, or at least not be offended by...

But what the hell does it matter, this evening is about me and her.

He thanks Johnson, who's already turned his back to him, and replies to Jones. "Uh, well sir, good, so far, on this fine evening...I have dinner with...a friend, later, as long as I don't foul that up things'll be great. And yourself? You seem to be in a good mood, lieutenant."

[Elendil's Heir]

"I am, yes, indeed," Jones says, grinning and slapping Graham on the back. "Living the dream on the best damn ship in the Fleet! What's not to be in a good mood about?"

[anyrose]

Collins gives Cooper a passionate kiss and whispers "Dinner first. I'm hungry." She stands up, takes his hand as he stands, and they head to the mess hall.

[Ajay]

Johnson looks around the galley and starts pulling out a few pans and bowls and checking the oven is up to temperature. So, what to make for Nia and Ens. Graham. Despite the comments, he is still going to put together a fine spread - enough to be filling, but not so filling as to ruin any apres-picnic activities they may be considering.

First things first, check to see what dough was left from the day because he isn't going to be able to magic fresh bread out of thin air. Hmm, not that much, so it's going to be mini baguettes instead. Neatly pummelled into shape and then slammed into the over, Johnson turns his attention to what was next. Being lizardine, Nia would definitely prefer some meat to go with it, and Graham was the probably kind of person whose idea of a picnic was steak and chips. What was it Graham wanted? Pate? He would have to replicate that, so would else did he have. Looking at what had been served for the evening, there were at least three types of meat he could season and do bite size pieces of. That would be a little over the top, so he settles for the lamb and beef, creating little morsels in a hot pan that sizzle as he sears and seasons them.

Next he starts on the salad. Now salad was easy, there was plenty of choice from the day, so throwing some, neatly cut, with some crudites into a large bowl. As he does so, Johnson smirks knowing that Nia loves her crudities. Some dressing, French not Ranch, and a salsa to go with the meat are quickly put together. Whipping the rolls out of the oven and leaving them to cool, alongside the freshly prepared meat, he moves on to a small bowl of fruit, grapes, kiwi fruit, apple, peaches and pears, all neatly sliced and diced, even if some of it had to be replicated. He would like to make some French tarts, but just doesn't have the time. Finally a bottle of still water (replicated) and a bottle of sparkling french wine (purloined) round out the picnic.

Grabbing the tablecloth from the store where it is buried under a pile of clean linen and he is done. One picnic basket all completed and Johnson relaxes with a little glass of the white wine, which is now currently residing in the basket, just waiting for Graham's return.

As Johnson looks across to the entrance to the galley, he can see a few people sniffing around enquiringly about what he is cooking and wondering why their food doesn't smell so delicious.

Graham had bloody well better appreciate it.

[general_urko]

Despite his anxiety about messing up what could fairly be called his and Nia's "second date." Graham can't help but smile back at Ryan. "All right, fair enough--maybe try to infuse a little cheer into Vargas if you can." He excuses himself to prepare for dinner while Johnson works, then (unless interrupted) goes to the ship's stores to find candles--2 long white candles with silver or pewter handles if he can find them. Then he swings by the Armory to check out a Security tricorder, which he puts to use downloading cheesy yet classic tunes one might have heard picnicking by the Seine in the 1930s.

He sends Nia a short message: Almost ready. BG

When he has his gear in hand he returns to the Galley to check in with Johnson.

[SidonianGal]

Nia has been lying in her bed, her body clean and refreshed, as she remains under the breathing mask as long as possible. Her eyes open when she hears the bzz of her communicator vibrating on her night table.

Almost ready. She smiles at the message and quickly types back: I hope so. -- NIA

Not certain what Booker has planned, Nia decides that simple is the way to go, choosing an ivory camisole and a black skirt that winds around her hips, hugging her tightly. She likes the contrast of the top against both her skin and the skirt--it makes her complexion seem darker and her eyes brighter.

Her hair is pulled back into a heavy braid, curls springing out here and there where they refuse to be tamed. She ties the mass together with a violet-colored ribbon--the only splash of color in her outfit.

Finished, Nia slips her feet into black heels, and her communicator into the thin pocket of her skirt. The device ruins the smooth line of the material draped against her curves, but that can't be helped. No one's ever fully off-duty on the Yorktown.

She hums happily as she walks slowly toward the turbolift.

[Elendil's Heir]

Cooper and Collins go the Mess Hall. Cooper chooses French toast and orange juice. "I feel like another breakfast," he explains.

Jones speaks to another Galley staffer and gets what he needs, then leaves.

Onn attracts some admiring glances in the corridors on her way.

[CatInASuit]

"Yes, we should have time for a single game at least." replies Rangin, "I've got a set of it in my quarters, so we can go and get it and work out where to go play it."

Rangin rises from the table before looking back. "That is alright with you isn't it?"

[anyrose]

Collins playful "feels" Cooper along his arm and back. "No, you don't," she chirps. Collins selects an Asian stir fry with chicken, hold the onions and garlic, and a chai latté.

[choie]

Kylah listens to Velir, her mind on automatic.

In Elasian mythology there are many legends involving the ancient minor deity Dekki--a half god, the result of the sun god Tellun's mating with a deformed maiden--whose job it was to listen to people's prayers and direct them to the other gods, depending on what was requested. But Dekki was a trickster and jealous of his betters; wanting to be worshipped on his own, he took his malice out on those who prayed by promising them that he could provide the wealth, health, love or whatever else they wished for...but at a price.

The hero or heroine of these myths--there were several using this formula, each with different lessons--would find themselves assigned rites that would insult the other gods while appeasing Dekki, or sent on quests for treasures to offer him, or required to perform chores that were impossible to fulfill, simply for the demigod's amusement.

Sometimes the results would be successful; in other tales, Dekki twisted the words of a hero's prayer so that while the boon appeared to be granted, in fact, some horrible and unforeseen consequence caused the demise of the hapless supplicant or a loved one.

Kylah feels she has been trapped inside one of these myths, perhaps for years. Unfortunately, she does not know which ending will result: Will she traverse all these mazes and obstacles correctly and get what she wants in the end? Or is Dekki mocking her, watching her failures and laughing at each vain attempt?

Right now she is desperate to solve the latest puzzle, to say just the right things, to perform the right tasks, if it will somehow fix this mess that she created. So in response to Velir's latest request she just nods and says yes and gets up from the table to follow Velir, play his game, prove herself worthy, whatever he requires of her. All in hopes that in the end, she will at least have his friendship.

[CatInASuit]

Rangin walks with Kylah in near silence back to his quarters as ge wonders what else he should say but the time passes quickly and before long they are standing outside the door.

"Come on in, I believe Ens. Gordon is out at the moment," Rangin says as the door whooshes open and breathes a small note of relief as he sees the lights are off. "Lights," he calls out illuminating the clean and tidy room, obvious from the bits and pieces in the room which part belongs to a scientist with journals and papers neatly placed on one side and which part doesn't, filled with manuals and models and a few other pieces besides.

A few photos share space on the table, only one of them containing a picture of Rangin alonside two adults and a child, as he beckons Kylah in and gestures to a seat, "Please, I won't be a moment finding it." Heading for a drawer, he opens and starts to rummage under some papers before pulling out a box with a small triumphal cheer. "Found it."

Turning round, he heads back across and sits on the nearby bed, "So where would you like to go play then. I'm sure we could find a place in one of the Rec Rooms or even back in the Crew Lounge. Actually, given we don't have much time, umm, we could play here?"

[Elendil's Heir]

Cooper rolls his eyes and laughs at Collins's joke. They dig into their food and the time flies by.

Graham arrives back at the Galley and looks around for Johnson. He still has a little while before he's due to meet Onn.

[choie]

Entering the room once the lights are on, Kylah's dulled mind perks up with interest. She has not seen Velir's quarters before, and of course there are clues to his life in here, small hints of the person whose history she does not yet know. She cannot help but be curious.

When he offers her a seat she moves further in, her gaze drawn to the photos on the table. Naturally she wants to take a closer look. Who are the adults--his parents, presumably? What about these other images; what are they of, whom does he wish to remember? Kylah wishes she could ask, but is afraid he will think she is prying. She is still standing, despite his invitation, when he sits down and suggests they stay.

She inhales and is about to answer, whatever you wish, when she realizes the door is shut. Of course it is, that is how the ship's doors work. Velir has not done it purposely. Still, they are alone, together, in his quarters.

"You know, we could just dance here, if you like. We don't have to go out at all."

"I... I hope you did not think I came up here for...."

"You aren't easy to leave, you know," he says, coming close again and nuzzling behind her ear. "Mmm, this is a good song, too. How about a dance here before we go?"

“Jan, we were supposed to go to the club....”

"Vacations are meant to be spontaneous."

Jan's mouth, Jan's hands, are everywhere, they are all Kylah feels even though she is now millions of kilometers away from OCIII. Even now she remembers her dress being unfastened, then removed...

Kylah's face burns and her heart speeds up precipitously. The circumstances are entirely different; Velir is entirely different. But rational thoughts hold no sway over her, and as her fight or flight mechanism kicks in she backs away, as far as she can, until she reaches the edge of the table and bumps it, knocking some of the photo frames over.

She spins to the table and tries to replace the photos despite her clumsy, trembling hands. "I am sorry," she mutters, or thinks she does. I cannot breathe, why is there no air... In fact, she is breathing very fast. When she turns around again Kylah betrays her own secret promise and does what she has never done before: pushes outward, gauging Velir's intent. There is nothing to fear from him, not that she can find. In her current panic her own ability to concentrate is unreliable.

There is no way to reconcile the instincts battling inside her: she must be as agreeable as Velir needs her to be, but she also must feel safe. She cannot prevent her racing, suspicious thoughts, despite Velir being in almost every detail nothing whatsoever like Jan.

Kylah shakes her head and forces her breathing into a slower rhythm before she starts hyperventilating. "Velir," she says at last, her voice small and trembling. "You... you are sure you just want to play the game? That is all?"

Only when the words leave her mouth does she realize that she sounds as if she is coming on to him. Either that or they are unspeakably offensive. Afraid she has insulted someone she only wants to please, she looks around wildly for the chair she saw a moment ago, then sinks into it, trapping herself willingly, just as she did on OCIII. "I am sorry. I--I do not know why I asked that." She points weakly toward the box in his hands. "Please, I want you to teach me." And for no reason--no reason Velir would understand--she silently starts to cry.

[CatInASuit]

Rangin isn't sure what is happening. All he did is suggest that they play in his quarters and Kylah suddenly reacts and reacts badly. He is slightly offended by the question, but her actions make no sense as she sits there at the table and he's not even sure if he should reach out a hand to reassure her when tears beginning to slowly make their way down her cheeks.

"I don't know what you mean?" he says warily, "It is only to play the game I suggested." Rangin puts the game on the table before rising and picking up some tissues and offering them across. "Kylah, before we start perhaps you should dry your eyes."

Whether she accepts them or not, Velir reaches across the table and puts the last remaining photo back upright. "Don't worry about those, are you still alright? Are you really up to playing?"

[choie]

Kylah takes the tissues and uses them, mortified that she lost control--and by Velir's businesslike reaction, as if a stranger had inconvenienced him. "Thank you," she says hoarsely after she has finished blotting the tears away and carefully disposed of the tissues. "I am sorry, I just felt claustrophobic. I suppose I am not fully recovered from the--the attack, and something reminded me..." Kylah's voice trails away for a few seconds, but then she shakes her head. "It does not matter. I am fine now, please do not concern yourself."

She tries to retain some dignity by straightening her back and recovering some composure. Focusing on the game box, Kylah nods toward it. "How does one play?"

[CatInASuit]

Rangin sits there for a moment trying to judge what is wrong with Kylah. Something had obviously upset her, but he isn't sure if it was something he had done or if it was just a panic attack. Rangin racks his brains trying to think what might have set it off but comes up blank.

He sits back and looks at the face currently doing its best to concentrate on the game and not make eye contact and shakes his head in sadness. It probably is something he had done, but asking now would be wrong, she had already revealed so much this evening already.

"Ok, Kylah, I'll explain how it plays," he says taking hold of the game and beginning to open it. "But it does matter to me, that you are in distress. If you want to talk about it I'll listen and if I was the cause of you being reminded then I am sorry I upset you." Or at least I would if I knew what I did, he thinks knowing that Kylah is unlikely to say what the issue is. "I know how bad Fellim Palver's attack was for all of us there." he adds hoping it's the right thing to say.

If Kylah decides to talk then Rangin will listen, but otherwise will give a rundown of the rules and setup the board for them to play. But each time he says something, he waits just a little bit longer than perhaps he should waiting to see if Kylah does say something.

[choie]

Kylah almost corrects Velir when he mentions the Palver attack--"No, I meant the mugging"--but she changes her mind. It is, in a dark way, humorous that she has been in so many threatening situations in the past month. Since she has no intention of bringing up Jan, it is just as easy to lie about one as the other.

At least he seems genuinely concerned. She remains silent long enough to make sure she is back in control of her emotions, and then says softly, "I appreciate that, Velir, thank you. But I should not dwell on it. Please go on."

She watches him set up the game and explain the rules; it does not escape her that he is pausing and casting a concerned glance over to her while he speaks. Her stiffened muscles relax when she sees that, at least as a colleague, he does care about her. The game he describes is interesting despite its somewhat disturbing premise--an outbreak of a deadly disease on a non-Federation planet, which she and Velir must try to contain and cure together. At least in her randomly chosen role of a medical officer, she can pretend to make some difference in others' lives, fictional though they may be.

And the game will divert her enough to forget her troubles for an hour.

[general_urko]

Graham approaches Johnson. "Are we good to go?" he asks somewhat anxiously, then pauses, glancing at the basket and sniffing the air. "Well--uh, we must be, I don't know what kind of magic you worked up, but something sure smells damned good..."

He puffs up his cheeks and blows out a long breath, realizing he's ready in time. "Like I said before, I owe you one, for sure, Johnson."

[Ajay]

"Evening sir. Your picnic is ready to go. You can return the bits and pieces tomorrow, when you're able." Johnson nods affably at Ens. Graham and hands the basket across. "And yes, you do owe me one."

Johnson smiles as he ushers Graham out of the galley. At least Nia isn't going to be lonely for too long, he thinks as he goes back to wiping down the work surfaces and thinking what to cook next. Actually, if it does go wrong then Nia would want some pick-me-up to sate her later on, even if she didn't decide to pop by anyway. Johnson gets out the recipe book and starts baking.

[CatInASuit]

Rangin sets up the simpler version of the game to make sure that they have enough time to play it. Taking the random role of an Engineer, they begin. It takes a little while to coordinate, but the cooperative nature of the game comes to the fore and they are soon working well together. Rangin thinks back to times past when they had done so and is both gladdened and relieved to see that they still can. At least for the purposes of the game.

As it draws to a end and the pair win with a couple of turns to spare, Rangin leans back and congratulates Kylah for her skill."Well played. That was close, I wasn't sure if we were going to win that one. And most of all, thank you for playing with me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I hope you did too?"

[choie]

"Yes, I did," Kylah says, looking up from the board with a small, fleeting smile that Velir would have to be very quick to see. "It was engaging. I did not expect to care so much about all the risks and changes of fortune when it was only a fake situation, but I did. Thank you for teaching me, and letting me..."

She does not continue the thought and drops her gaze from Velir's. After a few seconds she stands up and replaces the chair where it belongs, her hands squeezing its top edge for support. "I had better go. I must check in with Lt. Thalen before he will let me take another watch. I hope I can convince him I am up to it. Do I look--" Again she cuts herself off, this time flushing at nearly asking Velir's opinion of her appearance. "I--I hope your evening goes well. And I am sorry again for..."

For what? For not telling him the truth, overestimating his affection for her, reacting as if he had some sinister motive in bringing her here... Too much to enumerate. Tucking some loose curls away from her face, she shakes her head. "For everything," she finishes inadequately. "Goodbye, Velir."

She moves to the door quickly. The sooner she speaks to Thalen, the sooner she can return to her station, where even the mysterious language makes more sense to her than the confusing, ever-changing relationship between her and Velir.

[SidonianGal]

The Arboretum is kept a few degrees warmer and far more humid than the rest of the ship, a combination that always meets with Nia's approval. To be honest, she's usually somewhat chilly on the Yorktown, which has a regulated temperature comfortable to most of the others on board, but is nearly 15°C below that which Sidonians have evolved to tolerate.

A cursory look around shows no sign of Booker, and when Nia checks her chronometer she sees that she's a trifle early. Nia isn't the "I'll wait to make an entrance" type of woman, and as a pilot she takes the importance of arriving on schedule very seriously. As she walks around the large room, she decides to find a bench somewhere around the perimeter. If Booker has prepared something, he likely won't want her to see him carrying... whatever the heck it is.

She spots an empty area that glows red with heating lamps around some small trees with spiky trunks and large, flat leaves. Tiny hoses up near the ceiling sporadically mist the air, presumably to keep the leaves plump and damp. The jungle-like atmosphere--apparently necessary to maintain these mystery plants--pleases her, and she sits down and basks in the moist warmth. In this light, her skin looks copper, her hair a burnished rust, and her white shirt bright orange.

Leaning back, Nia lets her hands rest on the bench on either side of her. There is almost no noise here other than the minuscule drops of water alighting on the leaves. Relaxed and content even with the little thrill of anticipation running through her, she closes her eyes and lets her mind wander--and wonder--about what Booker has planned for the evening.

[CatInASuit]

Surprised by how fast Kylah goes from completing the game to saying goodbye to heading for the door, Rangin is only half risen from his seat as she reaches the exit. "Kylah. Thanks for playing and please, don't be sorry. I hope Lt. Thalen lets you continue. Good night."

The door closes behind her and he's not sure if she heard him in her rush out of the door. He slowly packs the game away before realising that he hadn't asked her anything about her background, it had purely been about what had happened on Anubis. Rangin sits slowly down again as he tries to comprehend what she had said, but still finds it difficult. The thought that she would abandon everything and flee was still alien to him. He would think on it further tonight, perhaps it might pass some time on the quiet watch later on.

Speaking of which, he needed to get a brief nap before he had to get up again. Putting the game away, he settles down to sleep, setting his alarm and rolling over hoping his thoughts can clear enough to allow him a nap.

[Elendil's Heir]

Graham arrives at the Arboretum, picnic basket in hand, and soon finds Onn. They have the place to themselves.

Thalen asks Kylah when she calls, "Are you feeling up to standing another watch, Ensign? Would you maybe rather have it be a half-watch, just four hours?"

Rangin soon drops off to a dreamless sleep.

[choie]

Kylah shakes her head despite not being seen by Thalen, and continues to walk to the Communications Center. When she reaches the entrance she stops and folds her arm across her chest, still holding the communicator with the other. "I would like to stay as long as I can, sir--as long as you'll let me. I have nothing else to do and I have not found much solace in sleep, anyway. At least if I am working, I am productive and possibly of service. Please, sir?"

[anyrose]

As they bus their dinner trays, Collins turns to Cooper. With an overtone of mischievousness, she asks him "What would you like for dessert?"

[general_urko]

Finding Nia is not too hard, as she looks...well, a lot more striking than some tree, Graham thinks.

The area where she's been waiting looks to be a fine enough spot.

He pats the side of the basket. "Well, this, ah, isn't exactly 'lavish' but it's an old Earth tradition...Would you, uh, just sit down on the grass there, and close your eyes?" Graham asks.

When Nia does so, he opens the basket and removes the blanket, fluffing it far enough from her not to hit her, but close enough that she can feel the breeze. He lays that down, then sets up and lights two candles, and places the tricorder on the far side of the blanket from them. He starts playing the old school strolling Trattoria music, and puts the open basket in the center of the blanket.

Then he takes her hands and leads her gently just a few feet so that they are both seated on the blanket next to the basket.

He clears his throat. "It's called a 'picnic,'" he says, till holding her hands. "Go ahead and open your eyes...."