[USS Charon]
Itsak watched the young security officer leading him. So thin, so frail- if this was indeed the best of what Starfleet had to offer he certainly wasn't surprised the Dominion had made quick work of them. So undisciplined- he could have snapped the man's neck without care. The thought of killing the young security officer amused him but it had no purpose. He smiled "is this necessary? I am unarmed. I can find my way."
"I have my orders sir." The young man said. The turbo lift stopped and the security officer walked out leading him down the corridor "its right here." He pressed the chime "Commander Tyrax, this is Ensign Lynch; I am here with the Romulan Commander- mister Sahen. The Captain asked me to escort him to your quarters."
The room was dark, except for the pool of light where meditation candles did their slow, graceful dance and the young Vulcan was kneeling comfortably on a pillow. A light robe the color of garnets set in dark gold outlined her relaxed frame with fingers steepled under her chin, while a spicy yet soothing scent wafted through the warm, dry air, reminiscent of desert flowers and ripe Gespar, with a notion of balmy mountain breezes.
She was at peace, for the first time in quite a while. Thoughts of T'Pelar and the others had been put aside, postponed for the sake of finding at least this moment of tranquility. The silence was complete, without even Charon's engines lending their steady hum to every activity, but the young Vulcan knew they would be springing back to life soon enough and was content.
When the chime broke her deep concentration, there was no flare of annoyance; just a deep breath and long black tresses were tucked behind elegantly pointed ears before Sakarra slowly turned her head to look towards the door. The few people likely to visit her unannounced would know this was the hour when she preferred solitude, so this was quite unexpected.
Then a brow climbed on the young woman's serene face. Sahen? Unexpected indeed.
"Very well, Ensign. Please enter."
As the doors opened, Sakarra got to her feet in a slow, fluid motion and saw the outlines of a human and the Vaek'Riov, standing in the twilight between the corridor's brightness and the warm candle flames. Her face was placid and unmoved, but the slightly tilted had asked a silent question.
The Ensign started in by Itsak grabbed his shoulder "I'm sure the commander can handle herself." He pushed the young man behind him and stepped into the quarters. When the doors closed he took a moment to study the room, looking at the candle he sniffed casually- the smell was familiar. He approached the flames and leaned over gently waving the warm air towards his nostrils. Twisting around he looked at Sakarra- so serene, so calm, so Vulcan. "Gespar candles- my father often used these."
He smiled- devious and dangerous, would she know? Perhaps, she was part mind-reader. He had read her file; it was easy to have one of the technicians obtain it from the Charon's computer. His cousin was too naive- being in the Federation had made her too trusting, or was it too stupid? He kneeled down and looked at her face- candlelight flickering in her eyes. Beautiful- exquisite, perfect, just like a Vulcan should be. "Forgive me earlier, I was rude."
He could feel her breath, warm, slightly moist. He watched her for any reaction but she remained still, unmoved as he spoke "I am not fond of your people." He leaned back and crossed his legs on the floor, like he did when he was child in class "I should have been more respectful towards you- but I'm sure you understand that we are a passionate people. Though, being amongst my cousin has made you well aware of this- she's always been quite…difficult. So, forgive me, I would out of line."
After several heartbeats of consideration, the young woman nodded slowly and settled back down again opposite the Vaek'Riov, light silken skirts billowing about her for a moment while her bare feet made not even the lightest of sounds on the soft carpet.
Still, there was no relaxation left in the way she held herself, only the calm, alert air of a Sehlat observing another predator resting under the sun. Something about the man's graceful ease seemed too obvious to be entirely genuine, and the deep voice held a timbre that lent a dark shade to her watchful gaze.
"Passionate? Yes, I believe the word is apt." at least as far as it applied to the Captain, in case of this cousin Sakarra strongly suspected there was also a temper involved which was not only quick to erupt, but ran deeper than he would like to admit. Fingers loosely folded in her lap, the raven haired woman studied the man's features, softened ever so slightly by the gentle light and the brief flash of a memory made her eyes twinkle with a shadow of amusement.
"And it is one of the few things about the Rihannsu I am able to understand, as unlikely as that may seem to you. In either case, it would be ungracious of me to decline the apology of one who has provided generous assistance to my Captain and her ship." She fractionally inclined her head, sending a few silken curls tumbling over one shoulder before returning to her former stillness.
"However, I will admit to being surprised you felt compelled to come here in person."
"Do not take this the wrong way but I came here to see Shiarrael, she insisted I apologize to you- if I was truly sincere, as I am, well you see me here." He gritted his teeth, it was split second reaction that he quickly adjusted to a smile "well, I should go- I am clearly interrupting something, but I'm sure we will see each other again Sakarra Tyrax."
After several heartbeats of consideration, the young woman nodded slowly and settled back down again opposite the Vaek'Riov, light silken skirts billowing about her for a moment while her bare feet made not even the lightest of sounds on the soft carpet.
Still, there was no relaxation left in the way she held herself, only the calm, alert air of a Sehlat observing another predator resting under the sun. Something about the man's graceful ease seemed too obvious to be entirely genuine, and the deep voice held a timbre that lent a dark shade to her watchful gaze.
"Passionate? Yes, I believe the word is apt." at least as far as it applied to the Captain, in case of this cousin Sakarra strongly suspected there was also a temper involved which was not only quick to erupt, but ran deeper than he would like to admit. Fingers loosely folded in her lap, the raven haired woman studied the man's features, softened ever so slightly by the gentle light and the brief flash of a memory made her eyes twinkle with a shadow of amusement.
"And it is one of the few things about the Rihannsu I am able to understand, as unlikely as that may seem to you. In either case, it would be ungracious of me to decline the apology of one who has provided generous assistance to my Captain and her ship." She fractionally inclined her head, sending a few silken curls tumbling over one shoulder before returning to her former stillness.
"However, I will admit to being surprised you felt compelled to come here in person."
"Do not take this the wrong way but I came here to see Shiarrael, she insisted I apologize to you- if I was truly sincere, as I am, well you see me here." He gritted his teeth, it was split second reaction that he quickly adjusted to a smile "well, I should go- I am clearly interrupting something, but I'm sure we will see each other again Sakarra Tyrax."
Well, that explained that. Or perhaps not.
Something flickered in the deep, black pools that held the Vaek'Riov in their calm regard as the young Vulcan recognized something else that was strikingly familiar.
Whatever thoughts were hidden behind that smile, they were not benevolent.
"As you wish, Itsak tr'Sahen. Your courtesy is nonetheless appreciated." Subtly, the resonance of her melodious voice had changed, though it remained steady as the evening breeze over Llangon. "If we should indeed meet again, I will remember it."
As well as many other things.
Kneeling on the dark fabric of the pillow, Sakarra gave the proud but polite tilt of the head with which a t'sai dismisses a visitor from her presence.
Itsak pushed himself up and simply nodded his head at her "we will meet again." He stated firmly and walked out of the office. The waiting Ensign joined him and the pair started for the turbo lift as the doors closed returning Sakarra to her seclusion.
[End]
Lieutenant Commander Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helm/2XO
USS Charon
&
Vaek'Riov Itsak tr'Sahen
Romulan Fleet Commander
