Getting to know you

Posted on Wed Nov 25th, 2020 @ 10:01pm by Lieutenant Aurora Vali & Captain Rhenora Kaylen

Mission: Healing of Minds
Location: Vulcan

{ON}

Aurora had taken to exploring the area around hers and Savar’s home while she had the chance. She was native to Vulcan but this was a different province to where her family home was and she wanted to get to know the area and what it had going for it. She was walking along when she thought she saw a familiar face, she smiled as she realised who it was. “Captain Kaylen!”

Rhenora had been taking a stroll along a pathway - not particularly going anywhere but simply strolling - something she didn't often have the opportunity to do. Sometimes the best things were discovered simply going wherever your feet took you.

"Aurora!" Rhenora smiled warmly and walked towards the woman who had recently come on board.

“Of all the places on Vulcan, we both end up in the same area!” Aurora grinned. “

" Indeed! I was just taking a stroll. Heck I don't even know where I am exactly. There's something relaxing about just...walking.. you know?" The Captain commented, happy to see Aurora in such a location. "Are you staying nearby?"

Aurora nodded. “Savar has our home not far from here, maybe once your stroll is done you’d like to come back with me? I’m sure Savar would be happy to see you.”

" That would be delightful, I'd love to see where you will call home - when not on board of course. Everyone needs a base to come back to. Remal has a cottage by the beach on Bajor we like to frequent whenever we are in the region. Sadly it's not as often as we would like" Rhenora replied, her mind wandering off on a tangent to said cottage for an instant.

“To be honest I’m going to miss our home, it’s everything I’ve ever wanted and so much more.” Aurora smiled warmly. “It’ll be hard tearing myself away from here when it comes time to leave.”

" But it'll bring that constant in your life you can always look forward to returning to" Rhenora countered, looking around the landscape. It was indeed unique and she could see why Aurora would find peace and comfort here.

“I am grateful to you Captain, after what happened I was afraid that I’d lose Savar after only just finding him again.” She offered a brief smile. “I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

"If it wasn't for Savar I wouldn't be standing here talking to you, so I am indebited to him. He saved my life, a debt that can never be repaid" The Bajoran said honestly. " Please don't be thankful - I felt that Command needed to know the truth, not the propaganda the Cardassian Government was trying to spin. The truth always shines through in the end."

Aurora nodded. “That’s true. We were chosen for each other when we first met, our parents saw our love and arranged for us to be bonded. At the time I refused, more out of fear than anything else. I’m just glad that we found each other again, to be able to bond as we were always meant to.”

"I find it interesting that the Vulcan society uses arranged marriages still. No judgement intended - I just find it curious. It has obviously served your people well" Rhenora said - hopefully not offending her Vulcan friend on front of her.

“To be honest I never believed in it but I do believe in true love and that’s what Savar and I have. We’re lucky others simply live in love-less marriages, whereas we truly love each other.” She smiled warmly. “To everyone else Savar appears emotionless and uncaring, he’s anything but. He’s loving, caring, attentive and so much more.”

" I'm happy that you are both happy - does that make sense?" It felt a little odd but yet completely natural to be talking about her subordinate's romantic life.

“It does” Aurora nodded. “So tell me more about you, I’d like to get to know you.”

" Me?" Rhenora felt a little uncomfortable - she wasn't used to talking about herself, let alone to someone who had a telepathic ability. Why was she suddenly ashamed of herself?

“It’s okay if you don't feel comfortable.” Aurora smiled. “I don’t mind.”

"No it's ok - it's not something I'm used to doing, as Captain it's generally me asking the questions of others. I really should do better at making my own history open" She countered quickly, hopefully not sounding too contrite.

They continued to stroll wherever their feet took them, the Captain relaxing more with the easy company of Aurora.
"I was born and raised on Bajor during the occupation. My parents died when I was very young and I found a resistance camp in the hills who raised me. I fought with them until the end of the war but the Militia didn't seem to suit me. I found Starfleet more engaging and decided to persue my love of exploration there." She started, enjoying the rhythmical motion of meandering through the countryside- despite the heat.

“That must have been hard for you, to have to fight in the war. I’m glad you’ve found a place to call home with Starfleet, to enjoy exploring.” Aurora smiled warmly.

" I wouldn't say it was hard, it was all we knew at the time. Someone was trying to plunder our planet and enslave our people. You either fought back or you died in the labour camps" Rhenora said honestly, it was black and white from her perspective but age had shown her there were a thousand other points of view for every situation.

Aurora nodded. She didn’t want to pry any further. “We’re almost there, just through that glade ahead.”

There was a period of quiet companionship as they walked, as though no words were needed. The house appeared in the distance.

" Is this where you live?" She asked, taking in the surroundings.

Aurora nodded. “Beautiful isn’t it!? It’s so peaceful and Savar has thought of everything.”

"It's amazing. To be honest I wasn't sure what to expect - I've not actually been to Vulcan before." Rhenora admitted as they approached the house.

“I was raised here and amongst the stars.” Aurora smiled. “My parents home is in a province on another island.”

A bead of sweat trickled down the Captain's brow, meandering down towards her cheekbones before she swiped at it. "I still don't know how you don't find this heat uncomfortable" She quipped, moving slightly to stand in the shade.

“I’m half Vulcan remember” Aurora grinned. “My Betazoid half deals with it okay as long as I don’t stand around in the sun too long.” Arriving at the cottage She motioned to the door. “Let’s get you inside it’s cooler in the cottage.”

" That indeed sounds wonderful" The Bajoran mopped the sweat with the sleeve of her shirt, knowing that the back of it was also damp with perspiration. At least it was a dry heat, not the humidity that made going outside almost insufferable.

“You’ll soon cool off” Aurora smiled. “Welcome to,our home.”

{TBC}