Publius Cornelius Tacitus - "The hatred of relatives is the most violent."
[Romulus, rural edge of Nn'Verih]
Night had fallen since Shiarrael left her family's estate. She had ordered the driver to take her to the rural outskirts of Nn'Verih- an hour later the flitter was still lofting above a now fog strewn landscape. The rural street lamps appeared to be merely bright globs of misty light in the haze. She stared dreamily through the window at the dark landscape feeling as if reality had betrayed her. The gentle hum of the flitters engine caused her exhaustion to flirt with slumber but sheer will kept the weight of her eyelids at bay. It had been a long day and she feared it would be an even longer night.
"We have arrived." The driver stated in a raspy baritone that lifted Shiarrael's mind back into the present.
"Good." She stated, her voice tinged with the exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm her. The globs of light in the mist began to grow as the flitter descended. She could hardly discern the ground from the blackness that surrounded them until the flitter jerked suddenly as it touched the surface. The side doors opened and Shiarrael stepped out. She could barely make out the structure ahead of her through the dense fog but a familiar voice called out to her.
"Shia...?" The voice was age-worn and hoarse but it was filled with a warmth she had almost forgotten. Making her way through the fog towards the structure she could see the arched glow of an open door. When she neared it she could see the slightly hunched silhouette of Maiek tr'Vaelet, her family's old hru'hfe. When he saw her his head lowered "I am truly pleased to see you Shiarrael. It has been so long."
Shiarrael smiled and nodded her head as she reached out and patted the old Rihannsu on the shoulder "I have missed you greatly hru'hfe." She then sighed and stopped "I believe you know why I have come."
He looked up and her and nodded his head somewhat taken aback by her action. She had changed- being with the humans and the others had definitely changed this girl. Maiek looked into her eyes and then nodded gravely "yes, I know, I can see it in your eyes Shiarrael. " He took a slow step back and beckoned her in with a welcoming swoop of his arm towards the interior. "It is not much but it is warm and my home."
"It is very quaint Maiek but lovely nonetheless." Shiarrael stepped inside. The interior was dim save for the flicker of firelight from a stone fireplace that dominated the center of the main room. He motioned to a plush couch to one side of the fireplace and she accepted his invitation by sitting down. The old Rihannsu disappeared into the darkness only to return moments later with a tray of glasses. He handed her a glass and then took the chair opposite of her setting the tray down between them.
"Rhennish- I heard from your mother, many years ago, how you have grown to like this stuff while you were in the Galae. I hope it still holds true. I have kept a small amount- in the case you visited me one day." He held up his glass towards her.
Shiarrael had started to sip the liquid but then stopped with her lip hovering just above the glass's edge. She looked at the old man whose figure was mostly obscured by the dimness and felt an aching for her grandfather. The two had been so similar- but then as she recalled it Maiek became the Rehu hru'hfe because he had served with her grandfather over a century ago. "I am sorry I have been so late in this gesture."
"No it is all right Shiarrael- I am now an old man with only his memories to cling to. I still remember you as this young bright eyed child always holding her mother's hand." He sipped his drink "but that was long ago. Things have changed." He sighed "I have lived a very long time Shiarrael. Not quite as long as the old Praetor AAnikh but long enough to see what my eyes can't tell me. When I looked into your eyes I saw that young girl but I could also feel the vengeance fomenting in your mind. If I asked you leave here- leave Romulus and continue with your current life without concern for what happened to your parents- you would not be able to would you?"
"How can you suggest such a thing?" Shiarrael set her glass of rhennish down on the tray "because of me they were..." her voice trailed off as she stared at the hru'hfe "I cannot leave without my right of blood. I will never be able to live with myself after what I have done. I must find out who did this and return to them tenfold what they have given me."
Maiek sighed "and even with all this time amongst those aliens you still haven't learned to keep your temper in check." He pointed at the tray "take a spoon full of that salt and pour it into the cup of water. Drink it, and tell me what it taste like."
Shiarrael stared at her hru'hfe a bit dumbfounded but complied and dipped a spoonful of salt into one of the other glasses. She lifted it and took a sip cringing as she did. Looking at the hru'hfe she frowned "it taste bitter."
"I once poured salt into a lake." Maiek said and pointed to another glass on the tray "and then I drew water from it. Taste it."
"I don't have time for-"
"Taste it!" Maiek slammed his foot into the wooden floor as he barked at her. A flash of her childhood slipped into her mind as she recalled the old hru'hfe disciplining her as child once for playing with her thrai in the kitchen. With a simple nod she complied and picked up the other glass and taking a small sip of it.
"It taste normal- like water." Shiarrael said wondering if the old man was senile.
"Bitterness is a part of life Shiarrael." Maiek said as he pointed to the tray again. His voice was hoarse as he continued "whether or not that bitterness overtakes you depends on the container you keep it in. Remember it well."
She simply nodded at him somewhat understanding the point he was trying to make. But her mind lingered on why. Why was he trying to do all this? Did he know who killed her parents? The tension in the fire lit room began to increase as she waited.
"I don't remember it as well as I should. What happened that night. But what I remember best is the loudness- the rudeness. The shouts and screams as those fools tore through the grand door. I was uncertain- was my old mind playing tricks on me? It cannot be?" He looked across at Shiarrael a flicker of a smile shown on his face "it was hard for me to imagine that anyone could be so bold. Your parents were always well known for their ferocity. Yet, it was true. They tore through the door and were met by the house guard who they killed simply by numbers. When I realized what was happening I made my way through the hall towards your parents bedchamber. Several of the other servants behind me were being butchered by this advancing hoard as well. It was truly like a dream however, when I neared the bedchamber the door burst open. Your parents emerged with their gleaming Kaleh. They rushed past me and began slaughtering the hoard."
Shiarrael stared at him, as her mind pieced together what he was telling her. She imagined the people that broke inter her family's estate: a rag tag group but a large number of them. They easily overcame the small number of guards her family kept in the house. The servants flurrying to find out what was going on became obstacles which the attackers simply cutting through them- and then her parents emerged to aid the house staff. No doubt they did. To allow them to be slaughtered would have stained the house. She sighed "and what then?"
"It was such a sight but there were simply too many. Your father told me 'leave, Maiek! Leave! She will come looking for you!' He had one of the other servants take me away, afraid my own legs wouldn't carry me far enough." He sipped his rhennish "we watched from a distance as the fire began- wondered if it would all burn down and through this all..." his voice trailed off as he stared into emptiness "not a single fire battalion not a single security commandant. Nothing. Except silence and flame."
"and do you know who did this?" Shiarrael asked. She studied the old man- his features were mostly hidden by the firelight but she could still discern the look of uncertainty on his face. He knew something. Something he was afraid to share. "You must tell me whatever it is you know."
"I am not sure if what I know is helpful Shiarrael." Maiek said "it concerns me too much. You should not have come. It is too dangerous for you here." He paused "but then you knew that, yes, you would have known it. Very well." He stood up and slowly meandered to a large window in the corner of the room "I doubt it was one of your adversaries Shiarrael- do not blame yourself so much. To kill the heads of S'Rehu is truly a great scandal few could survive. Very few. The day before this happened I heard your parents in heated debate. It was about your cousin Ro'Wena- she wanted them to reject you. Remove your name from the house. They refused..."
"Ro'Wena?" That was a name Shiarrael had not heard for many years- decades even. The last time Shiarrael had seen her cousin, Ro'Wena was just a young girl and Shiarrael had just joined the Galae. Is this what Taleirrh meant about distant blood? Shiarrael was stunned by the revelation. If she was responsible it would be a very difficult affair.
[To be continued]
--
Captain Shiarrael t'Rehu
Commanding Officer
USS Charon
www.usscharon.com
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
[USS Charon] SD241104.14 - Personal Log "Night Fall" Pt 1 - Captain Shiarrael t'Rehu
[Romulus, T'Rehu Estate]
A gust of wind blew through the shattered window sending tattered curtains fluttering wildly. Shiarrael reached out and grabbed the jostling fabric jerking it loose from the railing before releasing her grip and letting it fall onto the glass strewn floor. She gritted her teeth and turned around looking at Argelian "was this my doing?"
"It will do you little good to become too involved Shiarrael." Argelian turned around and looked at her- his eyes were hollow and his cheeks bones were faintly visible. The past few years as Galae'EnRiov had definitely worn him down. "This is all I can do for you. We will find the culprits but this is no longer your place."
While she had some sympathy towards the Galae'EnRiov it nowhere near outweighed her burgeoning rage. "They murdered my parents. Do you expect me to be still?"
His eyes narrowed "do not cause trouble Shiarrael. You are a friend but you are no longer Rihannsu. You do not have the power to do anything here. Causing trouble here will only make your mission impossible and place me in a difficult position. If you insist, however, then I will be forced to banish you and your ship from the system."
She trembled but bit her tongue and nodded her head "I understand Argelian." Turning her back to him she made her way towards the large arching doors that led into the foyer- shattered glass grinding beneath her boots as she walked. Shiarrael stopped and pressed her hang against the aged dark-wood turning her eyes behind her at the Galae'EnRiov. You have changed- she thought with bitterness. This world was more foreign to her then she remembered. Pushing the heavy wooden door aside she walked out.
[Estate Grounds]
Shiarrael's boot steps were heavy as she made her way down the marble staircase that spiraled out from the lattice and past one of the grand pillars. The normal grey-black marble was stained with blotches of green- her eyes watered at the sight but she kept her fury in check. When she reached the stoned pathway that curved towards the flitter she noticed a small lithe figure in a Galae uniform standing in front of her flitter. Shiarrael stopped midway down the path and called out to the stranger "can I help you?"
"Have you forgotten me already?" The figure turned revealing her face. Her features were soft but pleasant- lacking the rigid features prominent among many Romulans along with long glossy raven hair that was draped across the front of the woman's uniform down to the middle of her left breast. The glowing amber eyes of this person was familiar.
"Taleirrh?" Shiarrael could barely contain her surprise. Taleirrh t'Illialhlae was her last RS aboard the Saeihr'llaiir. "I cannot believe it!" Her voice flickered with enthusiasm but her smile showed caution as she walked up to her old friend "you appear to have done well. Khre'Riov?"
"Well?" Taleirrh laughed "I just managed to pet the right fools and eliminate my obstacles. Quite an easy task for anyone motivated enough." She smiled, but there was a hint of danger hidden in that warm expression. Shiarrael noted this and decided to tread with added caution. They had once been very close- but as with most things time can change even the staunchest of allies.
"What are you doing here?" Shiarrael asked while smiling to soften the interrogative nature of her question- the curiosity, the hesitation, and hidden within it all the inherent distrust she felt towards anything unfamiliar.
"To help." Taleirrh peered across Shiarrael's shoulder and smirked. Shiarrael turned around to see Argelian exiting the estate and walking towards them. Upon noticing Taleirrh he visibly tensed and the atmosphere suddenly became frigid.
"Jolan'tru Galae'EnRiov. You look well I see." Taleirrh might as well had dumped liquid nitrogen onto them as her greeting was equally if not more so frigid then the expression on Argelian's face. For his part Argelian simply nodded his head.
"The Tal'Diann must not be very busy if you have time to preoccupy yourself with mischief Khre'Riov." Argelian's eyes seemed to flicker in the brightness of Eisn as he walked past the pair and continued on towards his flitter and escorts. Silence continued until the flitter's engine roared and hovered off into the distance.
Shiarrael looked at Taleirrh "you two appear to be on good terms." She grinned but felt unsure about the situation. Her eyes focused on the departing flitter as it shrunk into the horizon along with a fleet of escorts "things have changed greatly in two years."
Taleirrh smiled "two years is a lifetime." She reached over and grabbed Shiarrael's shoulder "I knew Argelian would not help you. He is too political these days. Since AAnikh passed he has lost his composure and bows to the whims of the senate- a shame, but not something we should dwell on. I came here to offer my assistance."
"Assistance?" Shiarrael asked, surprised.
"Yes, why do you look surprised?" Taleirrh chuckled "no matter- but not here. I will send an escort for you later." She turned and walked towards her flitter "and Shiarrael. Some advice- do not trust anyone. Not even your own distant blood."
As Taleirrh entered the driver compartment of her flitter Shiarrael stood still pondering her words. Not even my own distant blood? Was this a hint as to who killed her parents? She frowned. Cryptic statements were the dung of the Tal'Shiarr- that the Tal'Diann could no longer be direct frustrated her.
A gust of wind blew through the shattered window sending tattered curtains fluttering wildly. Shiarrael reached out and grabbed the jostling fabric jerking it loose from the railing before releasing her grip and letting it fall onto the glass strewn floor. She gritted her teeth and turned around looking at Argelian "was this my doing?"
"It will do you little good to become too involved Shiarrael." Argelian turned around and looked at her- his eyes were hollow and his cheeks bones were faintly visible. The past few years as Galae'EnRiov had definitely worn him down. "This is all I can do for you. We will find the culprits but this is no longer your place."
While she had some sympathy towards the Galae'EnRiov it nowhere near outweighed her burgeoning rage. "They murdered my parents. Do you expect me to be still?"
His eyes narrowed "do not cause trouble Shiarrael. You are a friend but you are no longer Rihannsu. You do not have the power to do anything here. Causing trouble here will only make your mission impossible and place me in a difficult position. If you insist, however, then I will be forced to banish you and your ship from the system."
She trembled but bit her tongue and nodded her head "I understand Argelian." Turning her back to him she made her way towards the large arching doors that led into the foyer- shattered glass grinding beneath her boots as she walked. Shiarrael stopped and pressed her hang against the aged dark-wood turning her eyes behind her at the Galae'EnRiov. You have changed- she thought with bitterness. This world was more foreign to her then she remembered. Pushing the heavy wooden door aside she walked out.
[Estate Grounds]
Shiarrael's boot steps were heavy as she made her way down the marble staircase that spiraled out from the lattice and past one of the grand pillars. The normal grey-black marble was stained with blotches of green- her eyes watered at the sight but she kept her fury in check. When she reached the stoned pathway that curved towards the flitter she noticed a small lithe figure in a Galae uniform standing in front of her flitter. Shiarrael stopped midway down the path and called out to the stranger "can I help you?"
"Have you forgotten me already?" The figure turned revealing her face. Her features were soft but pleasant- lacking the rigid features prominent among many Romulans along with long glossy raven hair that was draped across the front of the woman's uniform down to the middle of her left breast. The glowing amber eyes of this person was familiar.
"Taleirrh?" Shiarrael could barely contain her surprise. Taleirrh t'Illialhlae was her last RS aboard the Saeihr'llaiir. "I cannot believe it!" Her voice flickered with enthusiasm but her smile showed caution as she walked up to her old friend "you appear to have done well. Khre'Riov?"
"Well?" Taleirrh laughed "I just managed to pet the right fools and eliminate my obstacles. Quite an easy task for anyone motivated enough." She smiled, but there was a hint of danger hidden in that warm expression. Shiarrael noted this and decided to tread with added caution. They had once been very close- but as with most things time can change even the staunchest of allies.
"What are you doing here?" Shiarrael asked while smiling to soften the interrogative nature of her question- the curiosity, the hesitation, and hidden within it all the inherent distrust she felt towards anything unfamiliar.
"To help." Taleirrh peered across Shiarrael's shoulder and smirked. Shiarrael turned around to see Argelian exiting the estate and walking towards them. Upon noticing Taleirrh he visibly tensed and the atmosphere suddenly became frigid.
"Jolan'tru Galae'EnRiov. You look well I see." Taleirrh might as well had dumped liquid nitrogen onto them as her greeting was equally if not more so frigid then the expression on Argelian's face. For his part Argelian simply nodded his head.
"The Tal'Diann must not be very busy if you have time to preoccupy yourself with mischief Khre'Riov." Argelian's eyes seemed to flicker in the brightness of Eisn as he walked past the pair and continued on towards his flitter and escorts. Silence continued until the flitter's engine roared and hovered off into the distance.
Shiarrael looked at Taleirrh "you two appear to be on good terms." She grinned but felt unsure about the situation. Her eyes focused on the departing flitter as it shrunk into the horizon along with a fleet of escorts "things have changed greatly in two years."
Taleirrh smiled "two years is a lifetime." She reached over and grabbed Shiarrael's shoulder "I knew Argelian would not help you. He is too political these days. Since AAnikh passed he has lost his composure and bows to the whims of the senate- a shame, but not something we should dwell on. I came here to offer my assistance."
"Assistance?" Shiarrael asked, surprised.
"Yes, why do you look surprised?" Taleirrh chuckled "no matter- but not here. I will send an escort for you later." She turned and walked towards her flitter "and Shiarrael. Some advice- do not trust anyone. Not even your own distant blood."
As Taleirrh entered the driver compartment of her flitter Shiarrael stood still pondering her words. Not even my own distant blood? Was this a hint as to who killed her parents? She frowned. Cryptic statements were the dung of the Tal'Shiarr- that the Tal'Diann could no longer be direct frustrated her.
Monday, May 9, 2011
[USS Charon] SD 241105.09 || Character Story || "Die Tonight, Live Forever", Part V || Ens. Landon Neyes, NPCs
<< Again, another piece of Landon's back-story. To catch up or review, see the first four: http://www.usscharon.com/index.php?title=Die_Tonight,_Live_Forever:_Chapter_I . It's been slow in the making I know, but I have nothing else to do right now; expect to see it finished. >>
=/\= Trillian Civilian Ship (TCS) Nodlan, SD 240605.01 =/\=
After showing them his ship, which in a moment of uncertain cleverness he'd named the "Nodlan", they promptly launched in the direction of some unknown destination. Neyes knew exactly where he was going, but he had refused to divulge that to his colleagues.
"Please." He sighed. "Just... Please, Counselor." Landon's voice was tired and withholding.
"You are getting a little out of control, Odalla."
The Trill counselor immediately let her frustration be known as she slammed down her PADDs onto the rear controls. "HOW am I supposed to get any work done with you, Ensign?! You refuse to talk about anything other than this shuttle, and even then you color it with alien terms neither one of us can understand? Have you forgotten the Trill language altogether?" She fumed, arms now crossed over her chest.
Landon smiled, probably with more satisfaction than he should have. "Actually, I probably know it better than you do now. I just don't care to show it off to everyone."
Her mouth opened in protest, stricken by his back-handed comment.
With a resigned roll of his eyes, Neyes let her attitude slide. There was no point in exchanging repartee with her for the next few days. He felt silly trying to speak his feelings to her, and especially in front of his closest friend. Greg was really alien to all this. Odalla and Neyes were both from Trill. She was particularly 'comfortable', being a counselor who handles newly joined officers on a regular basis. Greg had to at least feel a little out of place, and Landon didn't want to make it any worse for him. He felt it wasn't necessary, and anything she had to say to him was something he was going to figure out on his own eventually anyway. He'd managed for the last 700 years or so without a baby-sitter...
"I'm here, but someone's watching everything I do. The weird part is that it feels like it's me who's watching. I'm watching myself. It's hard to explain. How's that? That helpful? Can you get some work done now? We've got another four hours of traveling ahead of us, so you'd probably be better off if you made it stretch." He looked over his shoulder towards her in the back. He gave her a warning and incredulous wink as she stared back at him.
Odalla remained silent for a moment as she gathered her devices and snapped back into her professional mode of attitude, suddenly charged with renewed purpose. "Oh well, I see you've wanted to talk all this time." Her voice rang with an self-important slight. "I knew I'd eventually manage to get something out of you."
"You don't have to try that hard." Landon said as he continued to work the controls. "You just have to try not to be such a bitch. After that I'm sure you'll go places." He smiled.
Greg snorted a quick laugh and immediately stifled his surprise at hearing Landon say 'bitch'.
An uncomfortable silence filled the cabin, with both the men realizing they may have crossed some unseen line. Odalla was many things, but meaningfully hurtful wasn't one of them. Her demeanor slowly solidified into a stonewall, as she quietly excused herself from the main cabin and moved into one of the aft quarters. The doors slid shut with an almost palpable attitude, and both Landon and Greg sat in the quiet of their thoughts for a moment before either one made any kind of motion. With no one really knowing what he was up to, Landon understood why tensions would be high. Greg was tagging along out of trust and loyalty to his friend, and Odalla felt pride in doing whatever was necessary to do her job. If that meant she followed her charge on a crazy space ride to an unknown destination, so be it. He respecter her for that, but it wasn't going to be enough to get in his way.
Greg stood and walked up to the co-pilot's controls at the front of the small bridge. Taking the seat, he activated the panel and tapped a few buttons. Neyes already knew what was going on. "I can't tell you where we're going, Greg."
"But why, Donny-
"Don't call me that."
Landon looked over when he heard Greg slam his fist down onto the control panel. It fizzled then went black, a similarly dark and frustrated expression covered Greg's face. "That's the most immense load of bullshit about this so far, Landon."
Neyes looked down then continued to work the controls, deciding he'd just let Greg have this one.
"I'm your best friend. I have been since we met at the mixer when we were accepted to the Academy. You were weird, unsure and sickeningly ambitious. Now you're cocky and arrogant and know how to do things no one should know. You're name's different and you don't act the same. You're still Donny to me, though, Landon. You're always going to be fucking Donny until the day you die. You've been Neyes for barely a week, practically. I know you don't feel the same, or whatever, but I don't understand. Shouldn't someone like you just GET that I need to hold onto my friend? Aren't you wise beyond all measure and know the secrets of living forever? I need you to keep being Donny. Or else we're not friends anymore. We might as well be strangers if I can't at least hold onto that, don't you see that?!"
The words stung a little. For what he knew, Landon was familiar with just about every feeling someone could know. They still hurt though, even after everything he could recall happening to him. This never got easier. "You're right, Greg."
"Goddamn right I'm right." Greg said, rubbing his hand angrily.
A little grin turned up the corner of Neyes' mouth. His voice caught for a moment as he tried to compose himself. "Call me whatever you want." He turned at looked straight at his friend. His best friend. "I'm still me. Realistically, anyway. I remember that guy you're talking about, and I feel like he's a part of who I am. But... Greg. I know things..." Neyes' eyes belied a hint of fear as he spoke, as if the words would strike out at him for simply uttering the sentence. "I know so much about things I can't even begin to describe to you. There are secrets about the world we live in... I can't be the same guy you knew before. I'm going to be Neyes whether either one of us can handle it or not. Sometimes I wish I could go back home and forget about all this, but we both know it's not possible and we have to deal with the way things have happened.
"I'm still me though, and we're still us. Greg and Donny, unstoppable force of nightmares." Landon grinned, holding out his hand in a familiar fashion.
Greg looked at him for a long moment. The look on his face made Landon think perhaps his expressions of honesty weren't enough to win his friend over. They had been friends for a good deal of Landon's life so far, and he felt like it was important to at least try to hold onto something stable right now. Partly because he wanted it, and partly because he needed it.
With a sigh, Greg also held out his hand. They shook like normal, then proceeded with their secret handshake. A wiggle of the fingers, some odd motions and a whistle. It was odd, but it had almost always made Landon laugh. This time was no different.
=/\= TBC =/\=
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