Sakarra laid out a pitcher with fruit juice and sturdy cups for the little ones should they decide to stop by and found the ice cold lemonade the Chief Cook had insisted on buried under some more sweet breads. Yes, this should suffice.
"His name is Nveid." Sakarra nodded towards the Rihannsu boy who was cautiously scratching the large animal between its ears "And it is safe to say I may owe him my life. His sudden appearance when the Gai'Shian boarded the ship provided a much needed distraction. Strangely, he also seems to hold me in fond regard, and the counselor suggested I should assist in his recovery."
"What? Really," Brent said as he peeked under the foil and grinned as he saw the contents. "Oh before I forget and get too engrossed in the food... Computer! Lock the archway out of Holodeck 2 accessible only to myself and Commander Tyrax," he said before Brent pulled the foil up into a small ball before he began to dig into the steak. It was good, really good. Brent reached over and squeezed her hand in his. 'You're the best,' he said across the link they shared just as he swallowed down a mushroom.
Brent began to pay attention to the children, specifically this new child Nveid. He hadn't thought about the people down on the planet in sometime. Partially it was because the decision to use excessive firepower had undoubtedly killed a few civilians on the planet. So there was a survivor. Well hopefully the child would have at least a better life from now on. Brent watched as Nnoil tossed a pinecone away and the not-dog began to chase it down.
Pleased that Miss Betty's instincts had yet again proven infallible, Sakarra returned the affectionate gesture and watched him enjoy the food with a decidedly more cheerful demeanor.
"A wise precaution. It seems Ael has already considered the possibility of riding their Fvai down Charon's hallways." In fact, the girl apparently had talked Nveid into gently lowering her onto the animals' back and was holding on tightly to the reins, glancing inquisitively towards the area of the holodeck doors. This would have at least qualified as minor mayhem.
She selected an Oskoid, turning the leaf over in her hand for a few seconds. A brief smile flickered in Sakarra's eyes when she pondered how delighted Okalan would be to know just how much her appetite had increased as of late. Not to mention the fact she was sitting here with Brent rather than having caused another healer more work again.
The sound of paws trotting over a soft forest floor made her glance up and she tilted her head at the sight of Nveid carefully leading the Fvai while Ael insisted on more speed.
"It also appears you have acquired an unexpected assistant."
"Glad I locked the door," Brent mused as he took another bite. "I'm not sure how the captain is going to deal with something that big in her quarters, she has some awfully nice stuff in there and it will probably get trashed if that beastie gets bored," he said. "However it will probably let the Captain get more sleep as it looks like it might tire out the children more," Brent said motioning to Nnoil as he seemed to be trying to entice the Fvai to run around and play with him.
Brent narrowed his eyes as he watched Nveid leading the Fvai around as it carried Ael on its back. "So it seems I did," he said with a chuckle. "I might have to bring the twins by more often if you are going to have that boy around. Get him some socialization with some Romulans and the twins a playmate. To say nothing of the fact that I get to see you again," he said before looking over at Sakarra and winking at her.
"Well, the latter is certainly a desirable side effect;" the young Vulcan commented with a marginally raised brow, showing silent amusement "but I should point out that if you want to see me, simply saying so will suffice."
A light breeze carried the scent of conifers and exotic flowers, even some strange type of orchids – quite impressive how the holodeck was reproducing such intricate details – but it was rather … chilly. A few spruce needles had landed on Brent's hair that to Sakarra always looked mildly ruffled and elicited the urge to increase that unruly state – but for the moment she settled for gently brushing the green, fragrant needles away.
Giving the blue-grey cliffs from which the waterfall emerged a thoughtful glance, Sakarra noticed that she in turn was being observed as well – despite the fact he had to contend with two children now hanging on to a cooing Nohtho's reins, Nveid kept throwing glances in the direction of the two adults seated on the blanket.
"Would you object to me raising the ambient temperature by a few degrees?" she turned back towards Brent, having finished off the Oskoids in short order "I had rather hoped to forego the bath in the Captain's quarters this time in favor of a newt-free pond or river."
Brent smiled at her words and nodded. "You're right of course," he said. He was really glad that she was with him now. He felt relaxed. He didn't even think much about the problems he had with the platoon. He looked over at her as she removed the fake pine needles from his hair and nodded his appreciation. "Thank you," he replied before he heard her ask if she could increase the temperature. "Of course. I'm sorry I forgot about that. Adjust it how you see fit," he said. "I'll have to remember that for when you come over to my place. To say nothing of the gravity."
"May I assume that was an invitation?" mischief sparkling in the depth of black eyes, Sakarra tilted her head to the side and then instructed the computer to raise the temperature and for the moment, cancel the simulated winds as well. She casually removed her uniform jacket and could not prevent the corners of her mouth from twitching when she noticed Brent's brief look of surprise, because she did not stop there.
"As for the gravity, unless it is significantly above that present on Vulcan's sea level, it should present only a minor problem. In fact, it might even prove rather … relaxing."
Finally, her uniform was neatly folded beside her and the little ones had obviously already caught on because shirts and shoes were carelessly flung into shrubs and in one case, a tree. An expression of utter glee on his face, a stark naked Nnoil raced into the shallow end of the pool, while Ael smirked at the shirt stuck to a branch bristling with needles.
One by one, hairpins were removed from heavy braids and night black curls started to tumble over copper golden shoulders. "Yes, one may assume they will be quite exhausted when you return them." The young woman indulgently nodded towards Ael who was standing on a rock, throwing a questioning look in their direction. A mere second later, the little one executed what was commonly referred to as a 'cannonball', catching Nveid and the curious Fvai off guard.
"It is absolutely an invitation," he said with a sly grin. "You should stop by some time. It's not like I really do anything other than grumble about my paperwork load and watch the news coming in when I can," he said. "Although if my parents do call me then you might have to meet them. Which I wouldn't recommend really. At least my dad. He's kind of a royal pain," Brent said as he waved his hand in dismissal of the topic.
He really stopped talking when he saw her remove her uniform... And then more. He grunted slightly at the sight before he looked out at what she was seeing and sighed. "Well it looks like we'll be having them take another bath back at the Captain's quarters."
"Not at all." Having undone the last braid, Sakarra got to her feet in one swift, graceful move and motioned towards the bag she had carried along "I took the liberty of bringing some supplies this time. Towels, soap and some spare clothing for all parties involved. And the waterfall should suffice for the purpose of removing excessive dirt."
[To be continued ... ]
Brevet 1st Lieutenant Brent Warren
Marine Commander
Lt Cmdr Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helm
also starring:
Ael&Nnoil
Nveid
& Nohtho the Fvai
USS Charon
