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A Piece Of Green In A Stark Grey Landscape

Posted on Wed Jan 20th, 2021 @ 8:32am by Commodore Keiben Haistro & Lieutenant Commander Melanie D’BrooNi- Haistro

1,553 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 2 - Echoes Of An Empire
Location: Deck 2 - holodeck 2
Timeline: Mission Day 7 @ 1700 Hours

ON

Things seemed to be going to plan despite his own misgivings about the big chair and the weight of the cost it had on him and the crew for him to now be taking centre seat. He had made mistakes, he had owed and made one apology and that one directed at Mel but he needed to find his own place for mind and body. He knew a conversation with the Counsellor, further to their original meeting, would be on the cards, something he would expect his ships Counsellor to expect and champion but right now he needed some open spaces, something to do with his hands and body to help him work out his own problems and one thing always seemed to be the go to, the thing that allowed him to relax and work things out. It wasn't the gym as most would have guessed given his physicality, it wasn't sport or athletics, instead it was something far more grounded.

"Computer simulate a patch of land near the Jalara Falls on Betazed, one acre of land, unrefined landscape, attached to a traditional Betazoid home. Fully equipped tool shed placed at the side of the building".

The request appeared around him, the Jalara falls less than seventy five meters from the boundary of the patch of land, a brook running through the centre of the patch of land coming right from the river that started at the base of the waterfall. "Set the time frame as mid spring, a warm day".

Once again the surroundings adjusted, this time the grass considerably longer with a blanket blue sky and beating sun above. A Tree creating shade by a small pool created by the brook, ideal for a small stone paved area with some seating and a table... That would be where he started.

It was warm enough to have already made the Captain feel uncomfortable in his uniform so he removed his jacket and stripped down to just trousers and boots, allowing the warmth of the sun to caress his skin, even if he would not gain a suntan from the simulated sun.

This was what he needed, a piece of green in his usually sterile and stark grey existence on Copernicus, as much as he loved the job it did not lend itself to much colour.

Mel wasn't sure why but her "being" keep telling her she needed to find Keiben. It had all afternoon and seemed to be getting stronger now her shift was over. She had reports to hand in anyway, so she could do it personally. She hadn't expected him to be in the holodec. The arch opened up to a pretty landscape. Similar to the lake where he had taken her the other night. It had to be Betazed she mused. It wasn't hard to spot him under a tree.

"This looks peaceful," she said sitting down next to him. The heat of the sun made her realise why he was suddenly half naked. It prompted her to unzip and shrug off her own jacket revealing a black tank top underneath.

"Mel" he smiled warmly at her, suddenly feeling a touch embarrassed about his lack of attire. "You caught me... This is going to be my little project, something of a retreat for me... It's not much now but in a week or so it'll be a garden and not just a patch of green."

“Sounds lovely,” the Trill smiled looking at the beautiful falls in the distance. “What sort of Garden?" she asked dreamily for a moment.

Should I be here?” she asked suddenly afterwards. If this was Keiben’s attempt of a private escape she was encroaching on it. “I’m sorry I don’t know what it is, you have been in my thoughts all day. It was like I had this strong inclination that I needed to come see you. I can get out of your hair and leave you with some light reading?” she said indicating 3 PADDs she had with her.

"Drop the PADD's in my ready room later on and no, you can stay... if you want".

He stood upright, brushing an arm across his forehead as the beads of sweat had started to form across his brown and chest, flashing her a warm and overly relaxed grin, something no one had seen from him before. He seemed playful, almost teasing in a jovial way. 'So, can you hear me?'

Mel tapped her temple. "When they are quiet. I thought it was one of them at first. And sometimes its muffled. I don't know how or why though," she told him.

'Have you noticed that you are reading what I'm thinking?'

Mel's mouth opened and closed. How? she thought loudly.

"How indeed!" this time he spoke out loud as he moved towards her and took her hands in his. "When two people become close, as we have, it can sometimes lead to a form of bonding of minds. You may not be telepathic but you can hear my thoughts from time to time... The word Imzadi is also applied. In common tongue it means first... I had only just started to feel this bond with Natalie when she passed and we had been together for a long time... With you it just feels so natural and it has developed so quickly".

He kissed her, not sure if what he was trying to explain was something she could understand.

Mel looked surprised but smiled. "I think I understand. So we have a bond now. And occasionally I will hear some of your thoughts and you can of course hear mine. Well if they are not too loud," she chuckled. "Don't let them give you any grief now when they are," she joked.

It didn't phase her much. She was used to voices in her head and clearly if this was happening it meant that their relationship was meant to be something a lot deeper. And she would cherish that.

"Imzadi seems such a beautiful word," she commented relaxing into him. "Why though is it called the first?"

That bit did confuse her. If he had started getting it with his wife, she was not the first.

"Its a very bad translation. The word itself means first, or more accurately, the one. I think they Human's have a phrase that would be a better fit... Soul mate!"

He kept her close to him, looking into her eyes, drinking in the windows to her soul. Perhaps it was the setting with the stunning landscape, snow capped mountains in the distance, the sun radiating from her hair but she seemed more beautiful today than any other.

“Well soulmate.... imzadi, ” she tried the alien words again, knowing she would get used to saying both, “I guess now your stuck with me, ” she joked but he could read her knowing she was very happy and pleased at this development.

In a move that surprised herself at the boldness in her current situation, just wanting to be closer still to him for a moment she moved to straddle his waist kissing him firmer.

“Is this a tell Charlie thing or just between us thing?” she asked after coming back up for air. “I don't wish to upset you again.” Betaziod culture was so open, she needed to learn much more about it to understand.

"I wouldn't want her to think I was keeping things from her!" he said with a cheeky grin before pressing his lips back against hers and his hands slipped up inside of her undershirt. "But then again, this could be a Little more than she could handle!"

Mels eyes fluttered closed as to where his fingers were now exploring feeling them slip under layers finding her bare skin. She had to bite back a moan.

This might turn into more than she could handle she might mused. It seemed odd that Leiko wasn’t suddenly in her head making suggestions.

She rested her head on his shoulder pulling him into a hug thinking it might get her into safer ground but and trying to stay focused on their conversation. She did have to learn about betazed and his background.

“So in your families everyone knows everything?” She asked.

Keiben was all hot and bothered now and conversation was the last thing on his mind. He found himself floundering when she suddenly changed tack on him. His mind raced for a second, the blood rushing around his body from her passionate kiss and his own mounting desire muffling most of what she had asked.

"Sorry, I was distracted... what did you say?"

“Im distracted now too, ” she said her mouth making contact with kissing his neck. “I didn't think you wanted to have to deep clean the holodec so was trying to ask you about your culture.”

This was probably fruitless she mused as she found her hands were now traveling down his bare back. “I can just make a list of questions up though for later.”

She wondered if this bond when they were together like this made things feel more intense.

"Mel" he kissed her neck. "Please", again he kissed her neck. "Shut up!"

"Oh make me," Mel giggled. She would ask him later.

OFF:

 

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