Chance Encounter

Posted on Thu Sep 30th, 2021 @ 3:45pm by Commander Iy'dan Brell
Edited on on Sat Oct 2nd, 2021 @ 11:48am

3,806 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Episode 3 - Fear Is Fear Itself
Location: SB50 and SB308
Timeline: Brell and Vincent

ON

Brell had left the science lab shortly after his encounter with Lyras, still feeling his unease ebbing and churning and had found he simply had wanted to walk, to move and be active. To that end he had taken himself away from his lab and towards the markets on the promenade. It had taken some time, and some of the stipend he kept to pay the myriad of traders who still used currency in exchange for goods. He had purchased for himself items of clothing, flowing linen shirts and some gym gear along with a plethora of items to dress his new quarters. In fact his worries about Lyras had started to fade as he realised the quarters he now had were more like a suit of rooms compared to his last assignment.

Vincent had gone directly from the classes he taught at the gym, to the open market. He was dressed in his dark blue form fitting shirt which was made of lycra and cotton mix. Black sweat pants and black joggers. Vincent had plans for dinner, well just him and a date with a classic movie of some sort. However the roast chicken stuffed with garlic still needed something to go with it, a salad and perhaps some ice cream and fresh mango with slightly sweetened coconut milk dribbled over it. Vincent was looking forward to eating that evening. Vincent did pride himself on his cooking skills, and just loved getting into the emotional level of the creation of masterpieces he ate. Even if one ate alone, one should not neglect themselves.

Brell was laden with bags of trinkets and personal items to brighten up his home, too many to reasonably carry on his own without causing angry glares from those he kept bumping into. He had needed this time though and for the peace and quiet he had gained he was grateful, he was also starting to feel hungry so he found a small bistro with a garden that looked down of the lower level of the promenade, found a spot on the edge of the seating area, a place he could people watch, observe the lower levels and still keep the market he had been frequenting in sight should he spot anything else that took his fancy.

Vincent took great care in choosing the lettuce. A small head of butter lettuce, with the roots still attached. That will make for a nice salad and lettuce leaves he could use for wraps for either lunch or dinner. He picked out some grape tomatoes for a snack, as well as putting it in his salad. Even some fresh cucumbers. Thinking of the good food he would be fixing, Vincent's stomach rumbled. The scent of some fresh bread caught Vincent's attention, and he was pulled in the direction of the bistro for a quick small snack.

They had bread sticks that he loved with some cheese mixed in. He also got a small bowl of Zuppa Toscana soup. He liked dipping the breadsticks in to the soup and eating it that way. Zuppa Toscana soup. And a blueberry smoothy, with spirulina in it. He then chuckled at the thought of him ordering this particular soup. The soup reminded him of Kaylee Serra, Vincent had thought he had caught sight of Kaylee, a friend of his from his past, on the station but hadn't even bothered to investigate. After all why would she be here? Kaylee was off exploring the galaxy somewhere, and hadn't even bothered to keep in contact with him. Though to be honest Kaylee did try, Vincent, he just ghosted her. And slowly her messages came to a stop. Her last message to him was, "I hope you will be okay, I wish you'd write, I wish we could talk, I don't know what I did to make you angry. I guess from your non-response this is goodbye. I won't bother you anymore. Farewell Vincent, may life treat you well."

Iy'dan took his seat and ordered from the waiter that had approached a simple earth meal of feta cheese and pumpkin tortilla wrap and a caramel latte... something else he could thank Kaylee for.

The waiter soon returned with Brell's plate and drink and he was about to enjoy his food when someone in the crowd caught his eye. A handsome fellow with almost boyish features that were betrayed by his stylish trimmed beard and toned physique. It took a few seconds for the features to absorb into Iy'dan consciousness and it dawned on him who it was.
"Vincent?"

Vincent's thoughts were interrupted when the waitstaff came to deliver his meal. Vincent said thank you, and picked up his blueberry smoothie to take a drink. The motion of the cup to his lips paused as Vincent caught sight of someone staring at him from the corner of his eye. Vincent turned to face who was staring at him, he slowly set his cup down on the table and rubbed his eyes, he must be seeing things. "There is no way he is here." Vincent muttered to himself, turning away he looked at his food, then he couldn't help himself. Vincent looked again. "Iy'dan?" his voice being heard in a lull of the noise level around them.

It was good to see him again but he didn't know how awkward this would be given what had happened the last time the two had seen each other. Having said that, things had changed in Iy'dan's life enough to maybe allow them to make another go of a friendship.
"How long has it been? Please join me, or I can join you!"

Vincent looked at what he had next to him, comparing it to what Iy'dan had. "I'll come join you." reaching down and looping the handles of his shopping bags over his forearm and then picked up his food and drink, to take a seat across from Iy'dan. "this is....strange, unexpected but in a good way I hope. If you are here, then I wasn't imagining catching sight of Kaylee. How is the old ball and chain?" for Vincent had assumed that both Iy'dan's and Kaylee's relationship had commenced into a long term one. "Its been way too long, to be honest." Vincent taking a drink of his smoothie, feeling he needed a moment to gather his thoughts.

"Kaylee and I didn't last much beyond the Academy and after I was joined... Things in my life took a distinct new direction!"
Not sure if he should actually say how things had changed for him knowing how Vincent had felt about the Trill all those years ago. In truth, seeing Vincent now he had wished his sexuality had aligned with Vincent's at the time. He had certainly grown up a lot!

"You're not with her? You two were really joined at the hip, so to speak. Well not, gross about it, but you know." Vincent was feeling the same old feelings he had years ago when he first saw Iy'dan at that gym he had been working at, the gym that the cadets from the academy liked to come to. He drained the last dregs of his smoothie, licking his upper lip to get the last of it off, then wiped his mouth with his cloth napkin. He could feel his chest tighten slightly, and his heart start beating rapidly, the attraction was still there after so many years. Perhaps it was the attraction at first sight, that really didn't go away. He gave a slight sigh and picked up the glass of lemon water the waiter had brought over as well.

He took a big drink of that, then set down the glass and drummed his fingers slightly as he gazed once more at Iy'dan, then taking a bite of his bread stick which for some reason wasn't tasting that good to him at the moment, as he had so many things bombarding his mind, this made the soup not tasting as good to him. He breathed in then let the air out of his mouth in a puff.

"Okay, first off you are looking really good, Iy'dan and second of all. Can we go talk somewhere privately? I've got a whole lot of questions I want to ask and this just isn't a good place to ask them." Vincent said, reaching up and ran his finger along the top of his shirt, "Do you have a suggested place or you can come to my place I've got to put my chicken in the oven. Or I can help you take these to your place, it looks like you've got a lot there to carry." motioning towards the bags set around the table.

Iy'dan was caught a little off guard by the question, unsure if he meant to get him alone to just be alone with him or to be alone so he genuinely could talk in private. He didn't want to ask outright but at the same time he couldn't help but look back at the last twenty four hours and want to laugh. Lyras had turned him into a love sick school boy and now he was starting to feel the same for someone who he had rejected several years before.
In the end he decided to believe it would simply be to talk.
"How close are your quarters... Perhaps we can stop off at yours if they are closer and then later you can help me back to mine with all these bags!"

"My quarters are two levels down and probably closer than yours." Vincent smoothly rose from the table and picked up what was left of his soup and if Brell was finished with his plate, he'd dispose of that as well. When Vincent came back to the table, he picked up his items then started looping some of Iy'dan's bags as well over his arms, causing the sleeves of his shirt to go taut over his biceps. "Well, um its this way." Vincent said with a bit of a smile and gesturing with his head.

He led the way to the turbo lift and waited for Brell to go inside first, then stepped in. When they made it to Vincent's place, he opened the door and said, "Welcome to my humble abode."

He walked over to a rust colored sofa where he placed Brell's bags. The walls of the living room area was a dark green, with some dark wood trim around. The floor looked to be a hard wood, with an area rug in the center. To the right was a kitchen area with stove, oven and a fridge, plus a wooden table with 4 wooden chairs, with cushions on them. There was an archway which would lead down a small hall with a door on each side and a door at the end of the hall. In the kitchen with fresh herbs that were growing in pots. Vincent went to put his groceries on the counter.

"Can I get you something to drink?" Vincent asked. "Water, tea or.... something else?"

"Water please" he called back having placed the remainder of his bags with the few Vincent had put down but the view caught his attention. He walked out onto the terrace balcony which looked out directly to the docking facility. Starships of varied classes and sizes could be seen, workerbee's zipping between and cargo vessels coming and going through the immense space doors. He thought his own quarters had been impressive but it looked as if the Starfleet crew had been given the basic packages. Yes they were sizeable but they lacked the kitchen in favour of a replicator, the lacked the impressive view instead facing the exterior of the station. These quarters even had split level, the bedroom above looking down into the living space as well as several doors leading to other locations.
"Vincent, your quarters are incredible!"
He was standing at the glass on the stunningly styles terrace watching a capitol ship from a species he didn't recognise start to dock.

Vincent walked over by Iy'dan handing him some water, he having his own glass of water as well. Thank you, I got a good deal for this. Loved the view and the layout of the place. The previous owners were wanting to head out for another place, back to Earth so, I couldn't resist." Vincent lifting his glass to his lips and took a drink, lowering it he looked at Iy'dan. "What's been happening in your life? We can exchange what happened since well, you and Kaylee graduated form academy and all of you went to explore the stars. And I can tell you how I ended up here, of all places." giving a bit of a smile.

Vincent was feeling remarkably calm at the moment, even though his heart had been beating rapidly earlier. Perhaps it was due to the view they were both looking at, as it was in and of its own, a peaceful view, or just being here with Iy'dan next to him. "Its nice to see the stars more closely, don't you think?" feeling some of the coolness of the water radiating from the glass to his hand.

'Where to start with that one?' the Trill asked himself. Ultimately he just had to be honest so he took a sip of his own water before taking a seat at the black wrought iron table and chairs that had been placed on the terrace. His eyes following a Nebula Class Starship idly moving its way away from the station.
"Shortly after graduation Kaylee and I separated and after that I was joined to a Symbiont... I am now Iy'dan Brell and not Iy'dan Gyvan and some subtle character changes took place so I'm not necessarily the same Iy'dan you knew before. The Symbiont has changed a number of things in my life including my sexuality!"

Vincent hadn't gone to the table yet, having looked back at the moving ships, when Iy'dan moved to sit down. When he heard Iy'dan's statement he felt like an electric shock go through his whole body, almost dropping his glass. Taking a deep breath to collect himself, Vincent then slowly turned around, his back against the window, and looked at Iy'dan. His mouth went dry, and Vincent quickly drained his glass. Feeling that he really needed to sit down, Vincent made his way to the chair on the other side of the table and sank down upon it. He set his glass down, and placed an elbow upon the top, supporting his chin as he gazed at Iy'dan. No words came out yet, even though he tried to speak. Then his head lifted, raising an index finger, placing it against his cheek. Finally something came out of his mouth.

"Woah... um that is unexpected." Vincent paused, as a varied display of emotions dance across his chiseled features. Surprise, curiosity, a slight furrow of worry, and also interest. Then a slight smile crossed Vincent's lips. "You are now connected with a Symbiont. Congratulations, that probably has been quite the experience." He lowered his forearm to the table, his index finger slightly playing with the wrought iron table top. "Your sexuality changed, what exactly does that mean. Are you now into liking guys as well as girls? And how much of you has changed besides your sexuality? Do you still feel the connection of friendship we had before? I know, probably stupid question." giving a shrug with his well toned shoulders.

The simple movement of shrugging his shoulders brought back that night after Kaylee had gone to bed and both Vincent and he had stayed up late to continue drinking. Most of the night had been lost in the haze but one thing did stick, the drunken kiss that Vincent had landed on the then heterosexual Iy'dan. At the time the Trill had found it unwelcomed but looking back now he had to admit, it was one hell of a kiss.

"One of the previous hosts is a rather strong personality and she has been a struggle to control. Because of her I have found she has overridden or replaced parts of who I was and that means I am now gay!" he finally looked directly at Vincent, the thoughts of Lyras now fading at the sight of the muscular, tanned and lean frame of this very attractive man before him. Electricity between them was palpable. "And no its not normal for this kind of bonding and fusion of personality to happen... I have been in continual contact with the Symbiosis Commission on Trill and if it looks as if it may threaten the Symbiont's life then they will remove it!"

Vincent just stared at Iy'dan for a long moment, his brain processing what his long time friend and crush had just said. He slowly blinked then his eyes widened, and reached out his hand towards Iy'dan's hand taking it into his own strong, but gentle hand. "I am sorry you've been having trouble." He won't lie that his heart leaped within his chest when he heard of the change of Brell's sexuality, and the interested look in his friend's eyes made him cautiously hopeful. "if they take away the symbiont, what will happen to you? And are you suffering from some stress? Could that be a cause of you possibly losing her?"

"They can take the Symbiont away but it is only done if the Symbionts like is in danger... A Symbiont and Host become dependant on one another once they are joined. A Symbiont needs to be joined quickly after a removal or it will not survive.... A Host on the other hand will expire within a few hours."
Not something that one relished the prospect of explaining to anyone given the delicate nature of the topic.

Vincent's heart sank when he heard this, "I couldn't bear for that to happen to you." He choked back some tears that he felt developing. Just the fact that if something were to distress the symbiont and cause Iy'dan to lose it and then his life. "I.. couldn't... bear that at all." his voice husky with emotion, lowering his head to where his forehead touched Iy's hand. He made an effort to get his emotions under control. Vincent didn't want to stress Iy anymore than what he was probably doing.

"It's not likely to happen... I have every intention of living a long and happy life!" The Trill laughed feeling that he actually wanted to lean over and kiss him but he had only reconnected with him under an hour ago so it was far to soon for that... wasn't it?
Instead he took another sip of his water as he once again turned his attention back to the vista from the terrace.

Vincent raised his head, a look of relief evident. "I am glad to hear that, Iy." Wiping away that stray tear. He released Iy's hand and sat back to look back out towards the stars. "I had been working at a gym here on this base for three years and well, was getting a bit restless. I came here in search for something. I had gotten restless back on Earth. I finished college, got my certifications for a physical trainer and therapist. However, before I ran into you, I had been thinking of where I could go next. I was getting ready to leave this station, but don't know where I wanted to go yet. Now though, with you here... maybe I don't want to leave." picking up his glass then poured himself some more water.

"I wish I'd known you were here. I've just received transfer orders. I'll be leaving in a few days to join the Starship Andromeda!"
He was mournful of the fact but excited at the same time. It meant giving up his senior officer position but it would mean being back on active starship duty and that appealed more than the career progression.

Vincent's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, then he gulped. "You will be leaving." he just couldn't believe his luck. It was good luck that he met Iy'dan, but now it seemed that it was turning bad, then a crazy idea came to his mind. He didn't want to jump the gun but wondered if Iy'dan would want to do this.

"With you leaving." Vincent nervously picked at the table top they were seated at. "What would you say, if I said I'd like to leave when you do. I don't want to miss this chance, this one in a million chance, of reconnecting with you." he looked into Iy'dan's eyes. "I have to believe that someone or something in this weird, strange universe meant for us to see each other again. Kismet? Fate? What would you call this? A second chance. Just, I want to leave when you do. If that is okay with you. I want to go with you, accompany you. Just don't leave me behind again. Please. Even if it is just as friends. I don't think I can bear another farewell."

The Trill didn't look at the Human feeling a swell of emotion in the pit of his stomach, and not a bad feeling either. Instead he reached out his hand to take Vincents. He couldn't deny how he felt but he also knew it was moving unbelievably fast. He squeezed the hand of the man before finally looking at him.
"Shall we take these few days and figure out how we feel... You can still come with me if you want or not... No obligations!"

"I can actually say this much, I want to come with you. There is no doubt in my mind. And we can take time to sort out this new development." Vincent replied running his thumb across Iy'dan's hand. "I agree we don't have to rush but one thing that is running in our favor, we were friends back then and I feel strongly that we are still friends. So at this moment, if things turn out to where we want to be more than friends its a win win situation. And if we want to just stay friends that is still a win. I just don't want to lose contact with you ever again." he stated with a great amount of feeling. "Besides we need to learn about our new selves as in me not being the same due to life experiences etc. Right?"

Holding his gaze intently, all Iy'dan could muster was a nod of his head as he manoeuvred his hand in a way so they could link fingers together, a small act of intimacy that he hoped would be leading to much much more.

END

 

RSS Feed