[USS Charon, Ready Room]
Leaning against the window frame Shiarrael draped one hand casually around Nveid's back- together they gazed at the swirling clouds of ch'Dabhae. The boy held the glass of juice tightly between his hands but he now sipped slowly, his eyes reflected the tragedy that could not be seen from orbit. He may have been a child but he knew something was wrong. Shiarrael could see the sorrow in his eyes- she swallowed hard. When the door chime sound she felt relieved and slid off the frame to face the door "enter" she said calmly, with a smile.
Callistra wandered into the Ready Room and managed a smile as she regarded the captain, offering a nod of greeting then curiously studied the boy for a moment.
"Hello, captain. How are you doing?" She inquired in a polite tone before looking towards the boy. "And who is this?"
"Ah, Counselor how good it is to see you have fared the crisis in one piece." She glanced at the boy and introduced the woman to him "arh'Callista Grey, thlohm daehlen and this" she looked at Callista "is Nveid" and patted him on the shoulder "apparently he found a way to join the away team when they returned from the planet. I need you to take him" she smiled, a bright vibrant smile "all of his family are dead. Everyone on the planet has been killed." Her words were sad but she spoke them with laughter mixed in. She looked at the child and motioned to the counselor "urri sa'riivha."
The boy looked at the woman and then shook his head at Shiarrael "reh ssraei na thaessu!" He whimpered "arhem niaezh ifir."
She looked at Callistra "he is scared." Shiarrael kneeled down "reh docgaemerht hwi mnaeri ihir ssaedhe. Va'ninte shikaen, ssuej-d'ifv Nveid?"
The boy nodded slowly "ssuaj-ha."
"dignair bhudt" Shiarrael said and nudged him towards the counselor.
She nodded understandably as she observed the exchange of Romulan, her own knowledge of the language not as extensive as she had hoped. Allowing a small smile, she knelt down to the little boy, smiling in a warm manner, conveying kindness.
"Jolan tru, Nveidh. How are you?" She spoke in a soft tone as she regarded him.
Nveid pulled away, uncertain, but a reassuring hand pressed against his shoulder. He looked up at the Captain. She took his hand and held it out for the counselor to take "bring him to the other children. Things are hectic- we will have to decide what to do with him later." Shiarrael turned and studied her desk for a moment "oh, and counselor." She walked behind the slightly charred thing and pulled open one of the drawers "I had hoped to do this under less pressing circumstances, however" she tossed the box next to the woman "I am promoting you to Ensign."
Although the little boy was not in any mood to take her hand, she gently reached out and seized his hand, holding him firmly but not overly so. She gave him a reassuring smile, albeit she was sure that she seemed scary to him. As her name was called, she glanced towards the Captain then watched as a charred box fell near her feet then leaned down to get it. Somewhat astonished, she allowed a smile as she nodded in the Captain's direction.
"Thank you, Captain." Kallistra stored the box in the pocket of her suit. "I am supposing that this little boy does not know Federation Standard English."
"No, he will have had little education beyond the basic Rihannsu. The Romulan fringe worlds are often ripe with poverty. This world is no different." Except now everyone was dead. Shiarrael bit her tongue to prevent herself from frowning.
Callistra allowed a frown to form on her features, nodding comprehendingly as she listenened. She gazed at the captain for a moment then regarded the boy, heaving a sigh. She could feel the apprehension, the befuddlement, and innate rage that the boy felt deep inside.
"Will that be all, Captain?" She inquired in an official tone, now glancing towards the captain. Once the captain responded to her, she allowed a nod and immediately departed with the little boy.
=/\= The Bridge =/\=
Captain Shiarrael Rehu
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Charon
&
Ensign Callistra Grey
Chief Counselor
U.S.S. Charon
