compile summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2408.07.16 (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - ACSO Lt. Shayhiloosh - 1924.5) (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 1925) USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - ACEO Enisign (jg) Bolan Tavik - 1927) (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 1930) (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - ACEO Ensign (jg) Eoin Mac Liam - 19:31) USS Hades - Deck 10, Ten Forward – COPS Lt. Maraht - 1932) (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - SciO, Ensign Harry Doorman - 1940) (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 1945) (USS Hades- Deck 10, Corridor Just outside 10F - SciO- Ens Harry Doorman - 1950) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens Harry Doorman - 1953) (USS Hades- Deck 10, Turbolift - SciO- Ens Harry Doorman - 1954) (USS Hades- Deck 10, Turbolift -CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 1955) (USS Hades- Deck 10, Corridor Just outside 10F - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere-1956) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens. Harry Doorman - 1958) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 2000) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens. Harry Doorman - 2001) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 2002) (USS Hades - Deck 10, Ten Forward ACEO Ensign (jg) Eoin Mac Liam - 20:03) USS Hades - Deck 10, Ten Forward – COPS Lt. Maraht - 2004) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens. Harry Doorman - 2007) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 2009) (USS Hades - Deck 10, Ten CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 20:10) (USS Hades - Deck 10 - Ten Forward - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 20:11) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens. Harry Doorman - 2012) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 2013) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens. Harry Doorman - 2015) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 2018) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens. Harry Doorman - 2020) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 2025) (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere & SciO Harry Doorman - 2030) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2408.07.17 (USS Hades- Personal Quarters-Ens. Harry Doorman & CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere-0815) (USS Hades- Personal Quarters - Deck 9 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2330) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- begin compile Stardate: 2408.07.16 (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - ACSO Lt. Shayhiloosh - 1924.5) "I have a story to share, but I am most comfortable sharing in song. If that is permitted, Shayhiloosh?," asked Lo'ren. "Most certainly," replied Shayhiloosh. Shureshlee was so excited that hir entire body nearly began vibrating. "Lo'ren is going to sing, Elder Parent!" Shayhiloosh twined a root with hir child in an attempt to calm Shureshlee. Lo'ren smiled, got up from the table and headed for the stage. "Computer, I would like an Irish Harp player please," she called out. A harpist appeared and she leaned in to speak to the holographic musician. Young Shureshlee could hardly contain hirself and was nearly dancing with glee. "Shureshlee, you must calm down so you can listen," said Shayhiloosh. "It would not do to put out your lights by accident before the Festival time is over." Obediently Shureshlee checked hir small lights and dampened down hir enthusiasm. (Reply Any IYW) The song that Lo'ren sang was melodious and sweet with longing and joy. Shayhiloosh recognized the Ensign as being one of those humanoids of Bajor with a possible mix of Vulcan. ~The song is most likely referring to the Cardassian occupation of Bajor; it suits the spirit of the Festival of Light very well.~ Once she finished, she returned to her seat at the table with the rest. "That song comes from varied personal memories," explained Ensign Lo'ren. "Though I have inserted some poetic license in the telling of details, it is the feeling I still have about the days when the Occupation of Bajor was ended. "I was about nine years at the time and one morning, without prior warning, the Cardassians had left our camp. We were lucky that we fared as well as we did in our particular camp. I know of many camps where the Guls and Glinns didn't leave a single building standing, let alone anyone alive. My mother, while she didn't sing exactly those words to me, she did sing me lullabies every so often. Not nearly as much as I would have liked prior to the occupation, but after they were gone I constantly asked my mother to sing me to sleep. "Those lullabies gave me the reassurance that all was well and that we were truly safe. The nickname 'Little Bird' was often one my mother used with me and often she sang some song about a little bird to me." Tears were coursing down her cheeks, and Lo'ren didn't make any attempt to hide them. Now that she was done she picked up her napkin and used it as a handkerchief. She looked over at Shayhiloosh, "I hope I have done honor to your festival. I know my song didn't quite fit into the criteria, but I felt it was the one that ought to be shared." "Quite the contrary, Ensign Lo'ren, your song and its story fit the criteria very well. Thank you very much. It was beautiful. Shureshlee enjoyed your song and story as did I." "I liked it a lot. I think it was very pretty," said Shureshlee, hir eyesbulbs blinking solemnly. "We had studied the Cardassian occupation of Bajor in history class. I think they acted unconscionably." (Reply Lo'ren T'Vof IYW) "Ensign Lo'ren your musical ability does you credit," said Shayhiloosh. (Reply Lo'ren T'Vof IYW) Addressing the rest of the group, Shayhiloosh asked, "Does anyone else have a story to tell?" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 1925) Angeni smiled lightly, listening to the various stories. She relaxed into them, feeling as if she were back at home, her mother and father telling her the various stories from their past. Legends and Stories were the main stay in her household, tales passed down from generation to generation to explain just about anything and everything. As Lo'ren's song faded away slowly, Angeni felt a flush build to her cheeks, and she very gently dabbed at the corners of her eyes. Oh how she missed her biological parents so. As the call went out for more stories, she felt a few eyes on her, and she smiled softly, taking a sip of her drink before speaking up. "I...I have one.." She blushed deeply. "One that my parents told me...about what the stars are made of." She inhaled deeply, then she began slowly. "There are different opinions about the stars. Some say they are balls of light, others say they are human, but most of our people say they are living creatures covered with luminous fur or feathers. One night a hunting party camping in the mountains noticed two lights like large stars moving along the top of a distant ridge. They wondered and watched until the lights disappeared on the other side. The next night, they saw the lights moving along the ridge, and after discussing the matter decided to go and see what was going on. In the morning, they went to the ridge and after searching some time, they found two strange creatures very large..." She made a huge circle with her arms, a gentle smile on her face, "with round bodies covered with fine fur or downy feathers, from which small heads stuck out like the heads of terrapins. As the breeze played upon these feathers, showers of sparks flew out." "The hunters carried the strange creatures back to the camp. They kept them several days, and noticed that every night they would grow bright and shine like great stars, although by day they were only balls of grey fur. The creatures kept very quiet, and no one thought of their trying to escape when, on the seventh night, they suddenly rose from the ground like balls of fire and were soon above the tops of the trees. Higher and higher the creatures went, while the wondering hunters watched, until at last they were only two bright points of light in the dark sky, and then the hunters knew that they were stars." She smiled softly, sitting back in her chair. She realized that it had been years since she had told 'traditional' stories, and it warmed her heart to do so. "Anyone else?" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - ACEO Enisign (jg) Bolan Tavik - 1927) Bolan walked into Ten forward a late to the group meeting. This looks real good. Now I am known to be late to everything. Bolan thought. He quietly sat down and listened to the group. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 1930) "Quite the contrary, Ensign Lo'ren, your song and its story fit the criteria very well. Thank you very much. It was beautiful. Shureshlee enjoyed your song and story as did I." The graceful, elder Arborian quelled Lo'ren's misgivings about the suitability of her song. "I liked it a lot. I think it was very pretty," said Shureshlee, hir eyesbulbs blinking solemnly. "We had studied the Cardassian occupation of Bajor in history class. I think they acted unconscionably." Lo'ren raised an eyebrow slightly at the younger Arborian's comment. "There were many things that the Cardassians did during that time that were quite so, Shureshlee. I have found many occassions to feel intense anger towards them, especially in regards to my own treatment. You can see, in small part, the results of their practices in the form of a scar on my cheek. That scar runs down the full length of my left arm." She removed the ring around her middle finger and pulled her sleeve up so the young Shureshlee could look at the other end of the scar on her hand and lower arm. (reply Shureshlee iyw) Lo'ren paused as she replaced her sleeve, remembering something her father reminded her of every so often. "My father taught me this however, that if the Cardassians had not on one occassion been benevolent - I would not exist." She grinned slyly and looked at the young tree, all else fading from her vision. "It was the Cardassians who allowed my father, Doctor Tarven of Vulcan, to come down to the planet and subsequently not allow him to leave. He met my mother when he treated her for another occassion of Cardassian justice." She stopped there, thinking that Shureshlee had an interesting bit of information to ponder on. Another voice entered, quite possibly a gentle parental nudge that a change of subject might by in order "Ensign Lo'ren your musical ability does you credit," said Shayhiloosh. Lo'ren turned to Shayhiloosh and nodded, "Thank you, Shayhiloosh. I take pride in my music, and always thank my mother and the Prophets for giving the skill. And please, we are off duty - I'm one who doesn't stand on ceremony. When ceremony is called for Ensign T'Vof is correct. For tonight, it is simply Lo'ren." (reply Shayhiloosh iyw) Addressing the rest of the group, Shayhiloosh asked, "Does anyone else have a story to tell?" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - ACEO Ensign (jg) Eoin Mac Liam - 19:31) Lo'ren had performed a wonderful Irish song, and Eoin definitely approved of its performance. Smiling as she finished, he applauded her. She had always been a wonderful singer. Shayhiloosh moved to congratualte her, and trade a few words with her. What they said Eoin couldn't hear, but then it probably wasn't any of his business. Addressing the rest of the group, Shayhiloosh asked, "Does anyone else have a story to tell?" Eoin came forward, and said, "I do." He went up onto the makeshift stage, and addressed the audience. "Many people have said that this story sounds like it came right out of Klingon lore, but I promise you, it came from Earth. It is the epic tale of Cuchulainn, the great hero of Ulster, an ancient state on the island of Ireland. This is my own rendition of the tale." He then launched into an epic poem detailing the life and times of the tragic hero of Irish myth. As Eoin entered the last verse of the poem, he took a deep breath. "...And Cuchulainn fastened the ropes, Tying himself to a stone. Should his soul of heaven have hope, He would die standing alone. A raven on his shoulder alighted, Giving a signal to Lugaid, That the hero was dead. He decapitated his foe, For he wished to be sure That he not survive to cause more woe. But a light, bright and pure Burned from within, Cleaving Lugaid's sword hand, The one that committed the terrible sin. Lugaid fled the battle's land, But met an end well befitting A man so ferocious. Cornall Cernach pursued him, With his sword constantly hitting, The villain so atrocious, Though tucked in his belt was one limb. Lugaid died badly, At the hands of a horse he perished. Cernach, Cuchulainn's vengance, pursued madly, Killing Erc as well before he was finished." As the poem came to an end, Eoin inclined first his head, and then his torso followed in a full bow. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 10, Ten Forward – COPS Lt. Maraht - 1932) Maraht, having to put distance between himself and the blaring noise of the holographic band, had become very interested once the storytelling had started and the noiseome music had ceased. He kept shifting his bulk closer and closer in an effort to detect the song that the new Security Ensign was singing. The lullaby, though crooned oddly, was lyrically joyful and triumphant in its way. The long story that the new Engineer told after her was much like the long stories that the Horta told on Janus. Maraht listened enraptured and felt nostalgia washing through him. In a way, it was so like home that he wanted to twirl like a newborn pebble. When the Engineer ended his story with the deaths of the hero Cuchulainn, and his son Lugaid and Erc, the stalk bowed to the room. Maraht wasted no time rumbling his way over to him. "Ensign Mac Liam, aren't you? I enjoyed that story. It was so like the historical sagas we have etched into the walls of the Vault of Tomorrow." (Reply Eoin Mac Liam) "Though the story was a different one, your story telling style is very like our own," said Maraht happily. "I have helped to educate classes of our children at home prior to entering Starfleet and they all enjoy tales such as those. I shall remember that as a good example of a humanoid saga that we can teach them. I believe that story is from Earth from your human history? Where on Earth did it take place?" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - SciO, Ensign Harry Doorman - 1940) Food and good stories aside, Harry realized that he was beginning to get tired. He had spent far too many hours in the lab, even being ordered to get some rest on a few occasions. This had been fine while he was occupied with problem solving, but the moment that he put his mind into the idle gear that controlled such activities as small talk and socializing, he immediately began to wane. Lo'ren sang beautifully, and of course, Shayhiloosh and hir offspring were always pleasant. Jack and Angeni were conversing about this or that and Harry honestly was beginning to feel a bit like a third wheel in general. Even Maraht had come to tell a story about the history of Janus VI. He had finally managed to finish the plate of leeches, despite his desire to fling them across the room at the snarky waiter that had thought to teach him a lesson. They weren't something he would have chosen personally, and so he at least experienced something new, yet he had somehow hoped that it would have been something at least moderately pleasant. With a resigned sigh, Harry stood from his chair and regarded those assembled. "Well everyone, I know that it is late, but I'm a bit exhausted. I think I'll retire to my quarters." He offered. (reply Any) "Thank you for the invitation. I appreciate the opportunity to participate in the festival of lights." he added making special mention of the Arborian festival." (reply Any) With that Harry rose and headed for his quarters, he wanted to work on the oil painting of Angeni and relax for a while before turning in for an early rest. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 10, Ten Forward - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 1945) Angeni had been sitting back, looking between Jack and Harry and the rest of those in Ten Forward. While storytelling and listening to music could keep her mind off of work, with the small talk filtering around her, her mind wandered to work related observations of those around her. Jack sure has some nice veins...I could probably fit a 12 gauge IV in the back of his hand without trouble...Harry...is starting to turn various shades of green...but that would be expected for the so-called dish that was set in front of him...Shayhiloosh and hir offspring are looking absolutely wonderful this evening. As she studied the various attributes of those about her, she heard a gentle sigh to her left and Harry spoke up. "Well everyone, I know that it is late, but I'm a bit exhausted. I think I'll retire to my quarters. Thank you for the invitation. I appreciate the opportunity to participate in the festival of lights." Angeni smiled up at him as she watched him walk out the doors, and a mischevious glint played across her eyes. "If you would excuse me...I have a question to ask of our dear science officer..." She stood up quickly and she made haste across the room, catching Harry just as he was walking out the doors. She caught up to him, standing behind him, making her voice as playfull as possible. "So...can I be a gentle-lady and walk you to your quarters?" (Reply Harry) Angeni smiled up at him, a blush overtaking her cheeks. "Your story was wonderful, Harry...I really enjoyed it. I hope you don't think I'm being forward..." She stopped, a deeper blush overtaking her face. Suddenly, all the courage had left her body, and she was left trying to make up something on the spot. All she could do was stammer lightly, trying to form coherant thought. So, in the midst of her mind, a comment formed, and before she could think it over, she blurted it out. "Do you know that you have really nice veins, Harry?" Smooth move! Because that was the best thing for you to say around non-medically inclined people...now you look like a total fool! Angeni put her hand to her mouth, looking up at Harry apologetically. Her face could rival the paint scheme of a 20th century fire engine, and she looked down, trying to form a cohesive thought. "Never mind...I...I'm just...I'm just going to leave now. I had a great time, really I did...but I have to get going..." (Reply Harry) Angeni turned, keeing her eyes trained on the carpet as she started walking in the direction of the turbo-lift. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 10, Corridor Just outside 10F - SciO- Ens Harry Doorman - 1950) Harry made it as far as the Doors to the compartment and had just stepped out into the refreshing corridor when he heard Angeni's voice behind him. "So...can I be a gentle-lady and walk you to your quarters?" The question was so unexpected that Harry must have stood there with his mouth agape for a longer period that he cared to consider. Finally, the shock wore off and Harry nodded before replying. "Yes, sure. Certainly." he sputtered out at warp 10. Angeni smiled up at him, a blush overtaking her cheeks. "Your story was wonderful, Harry...I really enjoyed it. I hope you don't think I'm being forward..." She stopped, a deeper blush overtaking her face. She seemed as nervous as he was, which was indicated by the awkward silence that followed her last statement. "Do you know that you have really nice veins, Harry?" She added. More silence as Harry tried to work out the best way to reply. It seemed as if he were fumbling just as badly as she was. He stood somewhat frozen but Angeni seemed to recover faster. "Never mind...I...I'm just...I'm just going to leave now. I had a great time, really I did...but I have to get going..." ~say something Moron...~ he mentally screamed at himself. She turned to walk towards the turbolift. "Angeni." he called after her and hurried to catch up. "I'm glad you noticed that I have nice veins. I never really gave it much thought." he replied awkwardly. He paused for a second to collect his thoughts. "I'm not very good in social situations, if you haven't guessed. So ... don't think that it's you...It's really not. I'm just socially..." ~incompetent, inexperienced, inept...~ "...underdeveloped." "I'd really like for you to walk me to my quarters. I'd even like you to stay for a while and take a look at the painting I'm doing if you're interested." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens Harry Doorman - 1953) "Lead the way..." As they walked, she smiled up at him. "What are you painting? I'm pretty sure I'll like it no matter what. I may not know how to paint very well, but I sure as anything like looking at good works of art." She nudged him playfully. Her tone of voice calmed for a moment. "I hope I'm not keeping you from your work. I know how important your equations and what not are to you. I'm like you in that regard. If I'm working on an experiment or something like that, I'd spend every moment of the day and even night trying to get it to work out." "To be honest I need a bit of a break from the equations." ~Did I just say that?~ he wondered. "Besides your much more interesting than a set of numbers or a complex differential calculation hands down." They reached the door to his quarters and he opened the door. The lights kicked on immediately. His quarters weren't the neatest, just enough jumble to let a visitor know that the place was lived in. He had just enough mess that he'd have to spend a few minutes doing a tidy-up if an inspection was called, but otherwise the place was fairly neat. A series of mathematic texts, PADDS, holographic displays showing floating ghostly equations and the like were scattered about the room. There were paintings stacked against the wall near his work space. That area was dominated by the large easel. It sat positioned on a circular paint cover that was designed to catch any stray drips of paint. His six palettes and brushes and tools were set haphazardly on the series of paint stained tables that acted as his studio. A single moderate sized canvas was resting on the easel turned in such a way as to prevent casual inspection of the work in progress. "Welcome to my quarters," Harry said with an uncharacteristic flourish of his hand. Would you like something to drink, I have some Beluvian Seltzer water, It's said to have amazing bioregenerative powers." He shrugged, "I just like the taste, besides, it can't be synthesized or replicated." he added. (reply Angeni) "Great I'll be right back with that." he said and excused himself into the small kitchenette to retrieve the drinks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades- Deck 10, Turbolift - SciO- Ens Harry Doorman - 1954) Angeni exhaled quickly, bobbing her head in a nod. As they entered the turbolift, she looked up at him, a blush still across her cheeks. "Neither am I...I mean, put me in a room full of people, and I can find something to talk about, but one on one...without there being a medical reason for it, and I'm no better than a pile of three week old Klingon fecal matter for making conversation." ~Now there's a mental image.~ Harry thought as he smiled. "So..." Trying to break the awkward silence, "What medium do you work with? Pastels? Oils? Acrylics? I dabbled in watercolors during college, but one could say my work would make even an abstract artist cringe with horror..." She laughed gently. Harry's smile broadened. "Oils mostly. I'm a big fan of the realists and impressionists. I went through my abstracts phase, it wasn't much to my liking." "I try to put together a new piece every couple of weeks. It's a kind of therapy for me, in the sense that it helps me focus. My quarters are full of paintings I've done since arriving on the Hades. I lost a lot of my work when the Nimitz was destroyed." Harry explained. He just then realized that they were standing in a motionless turbolift. "Deck 12" he finally said aloud, then the lift started moving. "Now that sounds like fun. Every so often, I'll go into the Holodeck, and I have a program where, I can basically finger paint on the walls. Nothing major, just sit around for a few hours idly drawing or writing in paint...on walls...I'm not sure why it relaxes me and helps me think, but if I have a tough case I'm working on, I'll just doodle on the walls for a little bit and I either think of a solution, or think of ninety-nine things that don't work. I guess you could say I have my PhD in finding what doesn't work..." Harry nodded. "There's a talent to determining the wrong logic from the right one. Edison once said that invention is a thousand times getting something wrong and one time getting it right. So I'd say you're in good company." The rest of the trip to deck 12 was spent in silence and Harry cheated a little bit and allowed himself to pick up on Angeni's emotional state. It was a confusing jumble of excitement, confusion and embarrassment, but Harry found it somewhat reassuring. At least she was feeling the same sorts of emotions that he was; and that was a good thing, since at least they were on the same sheet of music. The lift stopped on the appropriate deck and Harry took a step forward. He stopped and turned back towards the doctor. "This is my deck. You're very welcome to come with me. I'd like the company actually. Besides, I'm hoping that you like the piece I'm painting." (reply Angeni) [Please clear the doors to the turbo lift] the computer voice sounded. "What is there to lose?" he asked her. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 10, Turbolift -CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 1955) The lift stopped on the appropriate deck and Harry took a step forward. He stopped and turned back towards the doctor. "This is my deck. You're very welcome to come with me. I'd like the company actually. Besides, I'm hoping that you like the piece I'm painting." Angeni paused for a long moment. She looked at Harry, trying to decide what to do and how to do it. She found that she enjoyed his company...the few and far between moments they had in passing through the ship. The little voice in the back of her head was goading her on, trying to get her out the doors, following him wherever he wanted to take her. [Please clear the doors to the turbo lift] the computer voice sounded. "What is there to lose?" he asked her. Angeni stood in the turbo-lift for another heartbeat before she stepped out, smiling bashfully at him. "Lead the way..." As they walked, she smiled up at him. "What are you painting? I'm pretty sure I'll like it no matter what. I may not know how to paint very well, but I sure as anything like looking at good works of art." She nudged him playfully. Her tone of voice calmed for a moment. "I hope I'm not keeping you from your work. I know how important your equations and what not are to you. I'm like you in that reguard. If I'm working on an experiment or something like that, I'd spend every moment of the day and even night trying to get it to work out." (Reply Harry) "As I said, I'm just hopeful that I'm not intruding." She kicked herself mentally for apologizing so much. It's not like you just researched his files and made your way up here like some sort of crazy stalker chick. He invited you! Just enjoy the moment and go from there...quit over-analyzing the situation! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 10, Corridor Just outside 10F - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere-1956 Angeni exhaled quickly, bobbing her head in a nod. As they entered the turbolift, she looked up at him, a blush still across her cheeks. "Neither am I...I mean, put me in a room full of people, and I can find something to talk about, but one on one...without there being a medical reason for it, and I'm no better than a pile of three week old Klingon fecal matter for making conversation." She blurted out the confession so quickly, she couldn't even begin to make up for it. With her social ineptitude, she was sure she had made fun of his Great-great-great-great-great-great-great Uncle who was eight times removed with her Klingon Poo comment. She stood by, kicking herself in the pants mentally for every bass-ackwards thing she had done througout that evening. "So..." Trying to break the awkward silence, "What medium do you work with? Pastels? Oils? Acrylics? I dabbled in watercolors during college, but one could say my work would make even an abstract artist cringe with horror..." She laughed gently. (Reply Harry) "Now that sounds like fun. Every so often, I'll go into the holodeck, and I have a program where, I can basically finger paint on the walls. Nothing major, just sit around for a few hours idly drawing or writing in paint...on walls...I'm not sure why it relaxes me and helps me think, but if I have a tough case I'm working on, I'll just doodle on the walls for a little bit and I either think of a solution, or think of ninety-nine things that don't work. I guess you could say I have my Ph.D in finding what doesn't work..." (Reply Harry) Angeni blushed, ducking her head. She could hear herself rambling like she had no sense whatsoever, so she took the opportunity to say nothing, to just be quiet and try to enjoy the relative silence. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens. Harry Doorman - 1958) It didn't take Harry long to retrieve the drinks and as suspected when he returned to the main room Angeni was already looking at the painting. He set the two drinks down on a small table and walked around behind her to better judge from her body language exactly what it was feeling at what she was seeing. Instinctively, he reached out mentally to take in her emotional state. It was so intense that he wasn't certain that he could understand it all. She turned to face him, her face flushed with emotion. "Harry...it's...breathtaking. I didn't mean to snoop around or anything, but...you are so talented! It's amazing!" "I'm glad you like it." he replied lamely, but then in a more prideful tone, he added, "I call it discovery. It's not often that you discover two amazing things at the same time." She stood for a moment, then she stepped closer to him, wrapping him in her arms in a hug. Harry stood transfixed for a half a micron. Just long enough to be glad that he had had the foresight to put the drinks down before coming here. Instinctively and without worry, he returned her embrace, holding her close to him. It felt good to feel the warmth of another body close to him. It had been far too long since he had held someone in his arms. He had know from the moment in the science Lab that Angeni was special. Her charm was in her smile and her eyes, and Harry had known that in a perfect universe that they would be together. He took a half step back, placed his right hand on her chin and lifted her lips upward. He kissed her then. A soft gentle kiss that seemed perfectly fit for the moment that they were sharing together. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 2000) Angeni's whole body froze for a split second. She had already been forming a sentance in her head, something about him teaching her how to paint better...or was it that she had to go, because she had work in the morning, or was it something completely different...for the life of her, she couldn't remember. He had taken her breath away with such a sweet, pure, and simple gesture. If she had to think...if someone were holding a phaser rifle to her head and told her that she had to remember what she had for breakfast or she would cease to breathe, she was sure that she would've taken her last breath...but deep down, she knew it would've been worth it because of this moment. Savoring the kiss, she shifted her body a bit, moving her lips from his. She looked up at him, remembering that he could sense her emotions, trying to remember if he could read her mind. She remembered the games her and Riven would play in close quarters. Although she couldn't read his thoughts, he could read hers, and she would purposely think of something off the wall, or even downright lewd just to see his reaction...the slight eyebrow raise, or the hidden smile. After an incident many moons ago where someone had forcefully made her way into Angeni's mind, she had always kept her guard up, keeping her passing thoughts plain and simple, not trying to dwell on anything that was troubling her, lest a prying person would find out and use the information for whatever. She looked up into his eyes, her mind completely blank after his kiss, and only one thing came to mind. Wow... Angeni smiled, running her fingers through her hair. "So...how about those drinks, hrm?" (Reply Harry) Angeni giggled softly, placing the glass to her lips. She turned around, studying the portrait again, leaning up against him gently. "Yeah, that day...wow...You were so intent on the mathematical portion of the message...I've never seen someones' fingers fly that quickly on a console. It's a beautiful name you've chosen for the portrait." (Reply Harry) She wasn't sure if it was the close proximity of their bodies, or the drink that was causing the giddy bubbles in her head. "This drink is phenominal...what is it called again?" As she asked, she turned back to him, lacing a finger with his. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens. Harry Doorman - 2001) There was a moment where Harry had wondered if he had made a mistake. Angeni had stiffened at first at the touch of his lips, but then she had relaxed and Harry had to once again wonder if everything was alright. That changed when Angeni shifted her body and gently brought her lips away from his. It was a slow gentle content motion that Harry understood to be an indication that she had found the contact pleasant. If she had not, he reasoned, she would have pulled away from him a bit more hurriedly, or at least he thought as much. She stepped back and Harry allowed himself to release her. His eyes still playing across her face. She smiled. ~That's a very good sign.~ Harry thought with Jubilation. She ran her fingers through her hair and asked, "running her fingers through her hair. "So...how about those drinks, hrm?" "Right the drinks." Harry replied, and turned back to fetch them from the table top where he had placed them earlier. He brought them to her and handed the tall, glass to her. A rivulet of condensation ran down the side of the glass and dripped to the floor. Angeni giggled softly, placing the glass to her lips. She turned around, studying the portrait again, leaning up against him gently. "Yeah, that day...wow...You were so intent on the mathematical portion of the message...I've never seen someone's' fingers fly that quickly on a console. It's a beautiful name you've chosen for the portrait." "It's suitable. I finally discovered something that caught my attention more than mathematics." He replied Genuinely. "I was so distracted by you, I had to rework several of those equations more than once." he replied with a smile. "Somehow the name seemed doubly accurate." He was enjoying her proximity. He could feel the warmth of her body through the fabric of her uniform. It was intoxicating. "This drink is phenomenal...what is it called again?" As she asked, she turned back to him, lacing a finger with his. Harry looked down at her hand, then smiled. He looked her in the eyes, "Beluvian Seltzer water" he replied, never letting his gaze waiver. "I'm not normally so forward." Harry finally said, "I just feel that there's a connection between us..." He didn't know if he should say anything else. This was one of those moments where they were both trying to decide how far they should take things. "We could see where this takes us Angeni. It may not work out, but at least we'd never have to wonder what might have been." he offered. "I'd regret it the rest of my life if I never took the opportunity to get to know you better." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 2002) Angeni paused for a moment, fingering her glass. Without showing it on her face, she switched to clinical detachment, as if she were talking about a patients' outcome to another physician or medical provider. In her heart of hearts, she was worried that she was going to say something stupid, not say it right, or whatever. The feeling he put into his words made her heart stir with feelings she had never known she could feel, and she laced the rest of her fingers with his, beginning slowly. "Harry...I..." She stopped for a moment, then she continued, "I need to be honest with you, from the beginning. I have more layers than a batch of Grecian Backlava. For professional reasons, I am used to hiding my feelings, whatever they are...you can't be a truly successful doctor without being able to detach yourself, and I can detach myself just a little too well." She moved her hand from his and it felt like she was severing some sort of connection as she sat down on a couch. "It's hard for me to..." She took a sip from her glass, meeting his gaze. The minute she did, her wall of detachment fell, and she found herself blushing profusely, and she put a hand to her cheek, an embarrased smile on her face. "I want to see where this is going...I wouldn't have rushed out of the party if there wasn't the alterior motive of talking to you...alone. I just don't want you to think that my...aloofness...is me being disinterested...it's just a thing that I...developed as it were." (Reply Harry) Angeni looked down into her glass, trying to bring her thoughts back together. "I'm sorry, Harry. I'm babbling. What I'm really trying to say is, I want to give this a shot. See where it goes...who knows...right?" She smiled at him, giving him a quick wink. Standing up, she walked back to him, setting her glass down as she went. "Yes...I feel the connection...trust me...it's a definate spark." She looked at the various palates, then she turned to him. "I'm not keeping you up...am I?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 10, Ten Forward ACEO Ensign (jg) Eoin Mac Liam - 20:03) As Eoin came down off the stage, Maraht came over toward him. "Ensign Mac Liam, aren't you? I enjoyed that story. It was so like the historical sagas we have etched into the walls of the Vault of Tomorrow." "Oh, thank you, sir. I must confess, I don't know the literary history of the Horta, so I'll take your word for it." "Though the story was a different one, your story telling style is very like our own," said Maraht happily. "I have helped to educate classes of our children at home prior to entering Starfleet and they all enjoy tales such as those. I shall remember that as a good example of a humanoid saga that we can teach them. I believe that story is from Earth from your human history? Where on Earth did it take place?" "Yes, it is part of legendary Irish history. Before the English came to Ireland about 1300 years ago, there was no unitary state in Ireland. In fact, at different points in Ireland's history, there were more than twenty different states at one time. They had a High King, but that didn't stop clan wars from being fought almost perpetually." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 10, Ten Forward – COPS Lt. Maraht - 2004) "Yes, it is part of legendary Irish history," said Ensign Mac Liam. "Before the English came to Ireland about 1300 years ago, there was no unitary state in Ireland. In fact, at different points in Ireland's history, there were more than twenty different states at one time. They had a High King, but that didn't stop clan wars from being fought almost perpetually." "How terrible that wars are fought so much, and that there are some that will never learn that fighting wins one so much less than obtaining more by peaceful means," said Maraht as they walked back to the group's table nearby. (Reply Any IYW) "I have a story for you all," said Maraht. Waving his main phalange with good humor, he curled it up beneath him and began. "When the world was hot and new, the Great Lava, Mother of us all on Janus, desired intensely to create life in her own image. So passionately did she labor to imbue us with joy and life that she was fatigued and fell asleep and became more quiescent over time." "As the world cooled, we were able to grow more numerous, developing a hardy cooler carapace to protect our heated insides. Generations of Horta came and went through the many millennia, passing on their wisdom, both through the surviving Mother chosen by the Great Lava for her lonely task of living unaccompanied and through the time of Rebirth, and by etching their stories on the walls of the Chamber of the Ages and the Vault of Tomorrow as well as other caverns." "Then one day, many tall two-legged stalk-like beings came to our world just before the time of Rebirth. They dug in the crust of our planet far above us. The Venerable Mother taking care of the Children was happy to let the taller beings dig and eat and live." "However they broke into the Vault of Tomorrow and began crushing the unborn Children still in the shell. Heartbroken and angry, the Venerable Mother named the intruders Devils and began destroying as many of them as she could in an effort to save the Children and her race from certain annihilation. Their weapons did little against her tough carapace." "New two-legged stalks came, bringing with them stronger weapons. Though the Venerable Mother fought hard to drive off the Devils, they came searching for her relentlessly after wounding her badly by combining the power of their weapons. Two of these new stalks found her and were able to find a way to speak with her using the wisdom of one who had pointed appendages he named ears on his top knob." "Calling a third stalk to appear, they helped heal her terrible wound as she grieved the loss of the Children and the death of her race. Upon understanding that she was sentient, normally peaceful and full of the serene joy as gifted by the Great Lava, a bargain was struck between the two legged stalks and the Venerable Mother. They wished to dig and search to harvest minerals, pergium and other edibles, much as did the Horta themselves. There has always been plenty for all and the Horta have since helped the stalks they have now befriended to tunnel and harvest the blessings given by the Great Mother Lava." "Though the Venerable Mother found many of the two legged stalks to be somewhat ugly, she found them also graceful, especially the one with the pointed ears. Deciding that she could get used to them, she made the choice to work closely with them to raise, protect and educate the Children to be able to participate in the Federation at large." "Thus have I been able to come to live and work with you on the Hades," said Maraht ending his story. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens. Harry Doorman - 2007) She shifted her fingers to fully intertwine with his and Harry could feel the pulse in her palm beating with a frenzied pace. He allowed himself to fell the affection and confusion of her emotions through the touch, but did not initiate any other telepathic contact with her. It wasn't time for that yet. "Harry...I..." She stopped for a moment, then she continued, "I need to be honest with you, from the beginning. I have more layers than a batch of Grecian Baklava. For professional reasons, I am used to hiding my feelings, whatever they are...you can't be a truly successful doctor without being able to detach yourself, and I can detach myself just a little too well." Harry had not idea what Grecian Baklava was, but he understood the reference just the same. She moved her hand from his and sat down on a couch. Harry stood watching her move. She was most definitely mulling everything over. "It's hard for me to..." She took a sip from her glass, meeting his gaze. she blushed profusely, and she put a hand to her cheek, an embarrassed smile on her face. "I want to see where this is going...I wouldn't have rushed out of the party if there wasn't the ulterior motive of talking to you...alone. I just don't want you to think that my...aloofness...is me being disinterested...it's just a thing that I...developed as it were." "I promise not to think that if you promise not to think the same thing when I start babbling about some math equation." he said with a slight smile on his face. Angeni looked down into her glass. "I'm sorry, Harry. I'm babbling. What I'm really trying to say is, I want to give this a shot. See where it goes...who knows...right?" She smiled at him, giving him a quick wink. Standing up, she walked back to him, setting her glass down as she went. "Yes...I feel the connection...trust me...it's a definite spark." She looked at the various palates, then she turned to him. "I'm not keeping you up...am I?" Harry's smile turned into a grin as the open ended question caused a cascade of potential answers to jockey for position in his brain. He shook his head, "no you're not." He was beginning to feel a bit bold. Her declared interest in him, gave him a new sense of self. A hidden well spring of courage and bravado that he wouldn't normally have. Before he could gather his thoughts, one of them escaped his lips. It wasn't that he hadn't considered saying it, but he wasn't certain that it was the best response to have given. " I'd like very much for you to stay the night. Even if we just talk. I don't feel like being alone and I suspect that you don't either." A moment of silence. "And as for layers." he added, "I'm a mathematician, the more complex a problem the more I love it. I can't think of any better way to spend my time than to spend it working out all the variables that make you so wonderful and unique." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 2009) "Yes!" She blurted it out quicker than she expected, and at a decible higher than she wished. She cleared her throat, trying to regain composure. "I mean...I'd love to." She had slept the majority of the day away, and her only plans for the rest of the evening before these events was to go work out in the holodeck. A new doctor was starting his rotation, and she gave him the relatively easy shift, Alpha Shift, to cut his teeth on. She had promised him that she wouldn't play mother hen, but wouldn't abandon him all together. She figured she go in around 1000 or 1100 and start "paper work", or just pop in to say hello. The thought of spending time just to get to know someone like this was intriguing to her. She plopped back down on the couch, removing her high heeled shoes. She rubbed at her soles, wondering how long it had been since she had last worn heels. She crossed her legs, trying to be lady-like. She patted the cushion next to her, and she looked up at him, a mischevious grin on her face. "Come on, I promise I won't bite..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Deck 10, Ten CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 20:10) Jack had finished his steak dinner long ago during the narration which had been quite stirring. As Maraht and Ensign McLiam discussed the Irish saga that the man had finished telling just a short while ago he sat back and considered the Arborians request. Stories? He had nothing he could think of that was either uplifting or even had a happy ending ... not at this time at least. ~You're a fool Jack, lots of people down through history have had it worse than you. Consider the Bajorans for instance.~ He glanced to his left where Lo'ren was sitting quietly and watching the activity, her song had been stirring and considering the tragedy and triumph she had endured it had resonated with emotion and strength. ~Yet she who had gone through such hell could pass along something for everyone to benefit from. Maybe it's time to face facts and move on, maybe you ought to take Harry up on his offer.~ He leaned back in the chair, stretching out his legs beneath the table as he did so. The glass in his hand was half full of his third refill, the dark amber liquor having already given him a feeling of euphoria beckoned once again invitingly. Looking to his right he noted the absence of Angeni again and remembered she had followed Harry out. ~Doesn't that make you happy old boy? Weren't you the one who wasn't ready for a relationship? Isn't it true you enjoy wallowing in your misery?~ Frowning he set the glass down with more force than necessary and rose to his feet. Taking a deep breath and looking around he had second thoughts about what he was about to do. ~You're the host Jack! These people came here at your invitation, will you just walk out on them? How would that look? Forget the girl, she's better off with Harry anyway than with a shell of an officer who can't let go of his past.~ It felt as though everyone was looking at him but he knew they weren't, the others had been deep in conversation and having a good time and he wasn't about to spoil it by storming out in a tantrum. So he had no story and no song, so what? He had a roomful of friends and a half glass of booze. Catching the waiters eye he gave a movement of his head to summon him over then gestured for him to lean close so he could whisper. "Do me a favor friend while I've stll got my wits." The guy gave him a sideways look and asked a a little more loudly than he liked. "And what would that be?" Jack gave him a grin. "Don't bring me any more out of that bottle, you know the one I mean." The guy had given him an innocent look. "I'II appreciate it in the morning." The waiter nodded and moved off as he settled comfortably back in his chair and smiled at everyone, raising his glass in a salute. "You've made this a wonderful get-together everyone, I salute you." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Deck 10 - Ten Forward - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 20:11) Lo'ren watched as she gatherd her wits. The rest of the stories were lovely, Eoin's ballad was given with his typical flare and Maraht's tale seemed strangely familiar - though she couldn't place it yet. ~Have to do a bit of research there, Mutt.~ She had found the sounds of the Arborian voices about as musical as anything and had rather enjoyed listening to Shayhiloosh and Shureshlee. ~What an intriguing child.~ "You've made this a wonderful get-together everyone, I salute you." Jack raised his glass to the gathered group. Lo'ren lifted her own, "Yes, thank you, Jack for being our gracious host." Lo'ren saw that Jack was feeling the effects of the liquour he had been partaking of. She recognized it as the 'true hard stuff', having a practiced eye from her own experiences in dealing with real alchohol. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens. Harry Doorman - 2012) "Yes!" She blurted out. She cleared her throat, trying to regain composure. "I mean...I'd love to." Harry smiled. That was good news indeed. She plopped back down on the couch, removing her high heeled shoes. She rubbed at the soles of her feet. She crossed her legs, trying to be lady-like. She patted the cushion next to her, and she looked up at him, a mischievous grin on her face. "Come on, I promise I won't bite..." "Okay." Harry replied, "but let me know if you change your mind about that." he replied mischievously. He took a seat on the couch next to her and without really thinking about it, raised her feet up into his lap, so that he could massage the soles of her feet as they talked. "Tell me about yourself. How did you decide to get into Science as a whole?" She asked him. Working the heel of his palm into the ball of her foot, he replied, "honestly I don't know. There are portions about my past that I don't know. It's kind of hard to explain. He paused as he worked his thumbs slowly over the top of her foot. "It's almost as if one day I woke up and was a scientist. I remember studying at star Fleet academy at Vulcan. And attending some advanced theoretical classes at the Vulcan Science Institute, but not a whole lot more than that. I just recently realized that I knew how to play the trumpet." "I've been told that I've had memories erased from my mind to hide away certain aspects of who I really am. I've been told that my parents were both high-ranking members of SFI and were working with the 52nd during the civil war. No one seems to be able to tell me their names or where they are, or even if they are still alive." "And to make matters more complicated, Harry isn't even my original name. It's Elbron tam, but I don't feel like an Elbron, so I just stick with being Harry. I feel that's more of who I am." "It's confusing being me sometimes. It's like with the paintings. I just picked up a brush one day and suddenly I'm a Rembrandt. I think these are repressed skills that I've always had, just resurfacing. I paint because I'm hoping it will trigger memories or something. " He shrugged. "May I see some of your other paintings...please?" she asked him then. "Sure" he said shifting her feet out of his lap. He stood up and retrieved several paintings, he brought them over and set them near the foot of the couch near where he had been sitting. When he had them all transferred, he sat back down and returned her feet to his lap. He picked up the first of the paintings and passed it over to her. It was a landscape. The painting was of a large lake dotted with small personal sailboats. Snow-capped mountains rose in the background. In the foreground there was a window and if you looked hard enough, a reflection of Harry with his canvas painting the scene before him, which was captured on the canvas. "this one is Geneva on Earth. After the war, I found out I had an apartment there. The place has a great view of Lake Geneva and isn't very far from the Federation Council building." he said. "It was the first painting I did after the war." (reply Angeni Room for more) The second painting was of a woman. She was older and graceful. She was wearing a simple but elegant dress and was sitting at a vanity table putting on make-up. Her face was reflected in the mirror and a pair of pearl earrings hung from her ears matching the string of pearls around her neck. "I don't know this woman." Harry explained, "I had a dream and this is the only thing I remember from it. I captured the memory as best I could, but as you can see the edges are blurry. I could only remember the vanity table and the woman clearly. I tried for a while to identify her, but I had to give up after a while, I couldn't find anything at all." (reply Angeni Room for more) The third painting was of a trumpet, sitting on the floor next to a wooden chair which in turn held a stack of disorganized sheet music. The light reflected off the brass of the instrument with a great deal of intensity. "This one is one of my favorites because it's so simple." Harry explained as he handed it to Angeni. "I just painted this one day in a single sitting. No dream or memory, I just started painting and this is what I got. I wondered if I could play the Trumpet afterwards. I found out when I went to the Lebranski Crawdad Boil in New Orleans the next day. It seems that I'm a pretty good player. When I've got a trumpet in hand, I can remember all these songs, that seem to elude me when I don't. I don't need music to play by, I just know how to play it. It's really sort of strange." (reply Angeni room for more) Harry went through each of the remaining paintings with her, explaining the impetus for their creation to the best of his ability. He couldn't offer her any reasonable answers to who he was or what his interests were. He'd only discovered some of them in the last year. Finally after going through all of the paintings, Harry smiled. "So tell me something about you Angeni. Where are you from? Where did you grow up? What sorts of things do you like to do and why did you become a doctor?" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 2013) "Lake Geneva...never visited it, but I had heard of it, yes." She ran her fingers over the canvas, swearing she could smell the sweet scent of fresh water in the air. Oh how she wanted to breathe more than recycled air once in a while. She smiled at Harry, just basking in the warmth that flowed between them. She took the next portrait, and she held it up, looking it over before he began his explination. "I don't know this woman." Harry explained, "I had a dream and this is the only thing I remember from it. I captured the memory as best I could, but as you can see the edges are blurry. I could only remember the vanity table and the woman clearly. I tried for a while to identify her, but I had to give up after a while, I couldn't find anything at all." Gazing at the portrait, it reflected a moment frozen in time, like a photo a husband would take of his wife on a whim. It wasn't posed, it wasn't forced. The womans' elegance was pure, and it was reflected dramatically. She stared at the womans' eyes, and for a moment, she felt as if the gentle-lady was looking back at her. She closed her eyes for a moment, and she opened them again to gaze upon the picture once more, and the features didn't seem to be boring holes in her forehead any more, so she sighed gently, settling back in her seat. The third painting was of a trumpet, sitting on the floor next to a wooden chair which in turn held a stack of disorganized sheet music. The light reflected off the brass of the instrument with a great deal of intensity. "This one is one of my favorites because it's so simple. I just painted this one day in a single sitting. No dream or memory, I just started painting and this is what I got. I wondered if I could play the Trumpet afterwards. I found out when I went to the Lebranski Crawdad Boil in New Orleans the next day. It seems that I'm a pretty good player. When I've got a trumpet in hand, I can remember all these songs, that seem to elude me when I don't. I don't need music to play by, I just know how to play it. It's really sort of strange." "I remember that day!" She giggled lightly. "I had so much fun! You played fantastically. I was most upset when I had to leave to deal with a medical problem onboard the ship. I could've sat in the Lebranski yard and rested for the rest of the day into the night." She closed her eyes gently. "I tried introducing myself to you at that point, but with all the comotion, I think we just got lost in the shuffle." Angeni listened intently as he went over each of the remaining canvases. She was amazed at how well he could paint, draw, what have you. The palate of colors was astounding, and she could swear she never saw the same secondary color twice on any canvas. "So tell me something about you Angeni. Where are you from? Where did you grow up? What sorts of things do you like to do and why did you become a doctor?" Angeni smiled softly, leaning her head back for a moment before righting herself again. "I am from Memphis, Tennessee, born and raised. I am adopted myself. My birth parents and older brother died when I was fourteen. I moved in with my adoptive parents and an older sister, Madison, who's also in StarFleet." She shifted a bit, taking a sip of the drink. "I had always been interested in science, actually." She leaned over, nudging him with her elbow, "Don't tell anyone, but I loved Physics! But, as fate would have it, I lived maybe three doors down from a local Fire Department, and I loved to watch the Fire Engines and Ambulances go by. One day, in High School, they came around and showed us the equipment, and we even got to watch what used to be a television show, it was called Emergency! It was such a fantastic show...really cheesy, but still awesome to watch. I knew right then and there that Medicine was what I really wanted to do." "I think the other true reason I wanted to become a doctor was because I love to help people. I hate to see people hurting, upset, sad, things like that. My birth mother always said that I was sensitive to the feelings of others...obviously not in the way that you are, my dear, but I always noticed that I was more sensitive than your standard Terran...if that makes any sense." (Reply Harry) "What I do for fun? I work out. Before I left Earth, I was certified as a Second Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon-Do, and I love to play the piano. I rock climb every so often, and I ride horses. If I could manage to have a live one on this ship...I would!" (Reply Harry) "I have a horse, a Paint by the name of Stargazer. I'll have to bring you a few holo-photos so you can see him. He's not the standard size of a Paint...several hands longer and taller in fact, with at least a good twenty to thirty pounds on an average horse of his breed." She flexed her toes a bit, playing with his fingers. "My full name is Angeni Olathe Windsong-Trommashere. Oh! Here's a good question for you. Do you ever get to watch any 20th century movies? If so...what type, and what are your favorite?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens. Harry Doorman - 2015) Harry listened with rapt attention as Angeni began to reveal some of the details that made her unique. Angeni smiled softly, leaning her head back for a moment before righting herself again. "I am from Memphis, Tennessee, born and raised. I am adopted myself. My birth parents and older brother died when I was fourteen. I moved in with my adoptive parents and an older sister, Madison, who's also in Starfleet." She shifted a bit, taking a sip of the drink. "I had always been interested in science, actually." She leaned over, nudging him with her elbow, "Don't tell anyone, but I loved Physics! But, as fate would have it, I lived maybe three doors down from a local Fire Department, and I loved to watch the Fire Engines and Ambulances go by. One day, in High School, they came around and showed us the equipment, and we even got to watch what used to be a television show, it was called Emergency! It was such a fantastic show...really cheesy, but still awesome to watch. I knew right then and there that Medicine was what I really wanted to do." "I think the other true reason I wanted to become a doctor was because I love to help people. I hate to see people hurting, upset, sad, things like that. My birth mother always said that I was sensitive to the feelings of others...obviously not in the way that you are, my dear, but I always noticed that I was more sensitive than your standard Terran...if that makes any sense." Harry nodded. "Perfectly." he replied simply, still enamored by her story. "What I do for fun? I work out. Before I left Earth, I was certified as a Second Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon-Do, and I love to play the piano. I rock climb every so often, and I ride horses. If I could manage to have a live one on this ship...I would!" "Horses. eh?" he replied, "I know nothing about horses, I don't think I've ever seen a live one. I didn't know that people still owned them." "I have a horse, a Paint by the name of Stargazer. I'll have to bring you a few holo-photos so you can see him. He's not the standard size of a Paint...several hands longer and taller in fact, with at least a good twenty to thirty pounds on an average horse of his breed." She flexed her toes a bit, playing with his fingers. "My full name is Angeni Olathe Windsong-Trommashere. Oh! Here's a good question for you. Do you ever get to watch any 20th century movies? If so...what type, and what are your favorite?" Harry wracked his brains, trying to remember the name of the one and only 20th century movie he had seen. He remembered it was a Romantic Comedy, something about a meal at a place called Tiffany's "I've only seen one, A Romance about a woman and a meal at a retail outlet named Tiffany's. I thought it was very interesting how much different everything was on earth compared to now." He commented. (reply Angeni iyw) "I've been known to go to the gym periodically, but I couldn't fight my way out of any situation. Sure I've had the basic hand-to-hand courses, but it's not something I'm very good at. Nowhere near as good as you are apparently." He added. For the first time, Harry realized that he was actually sitting and talking to someone, as in a regular conversation, that didn't involve Mathematics. It was simultaneously frightening and liberating at the same time. "What about favorite places?" he asked her, "I went to a city on the southern Continent on the planet Kea IV. It was a great time, and the triple moonrise and moonset are fantastic." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 2018) Angeni sat still for a moment as he went through the description of the movie, then she sat up quickly, a smile on her face. "Breakfast at Tiffany's! I always liked that one. My favorite romance movie would have to be 'The Beautician and the Beast' very opposite's attract kind of thing...and it's just so sweet how the Czar goes back to where the beautician's from just so he can see her one last time..." She swooned dramatically, laughter in her voice. "Do you work out at all?" "I've been known to go to the gym periodically, but I couldn't fight my way out of any situation. Sure I've had the basic hand-to-hand courses, but it's not something I'm very good at. Nowhere near as good as you are apparently." Angeni smiled, a contented look on her face. It felt quite wonderful to be able to sit back, relax, and just enjoy spending time with someone. She had spend too many evenings and nights avoiding social interraction. She enjoyed spending her time with a good book, or a good movie, or even a good experiment. Somehow, Harry had managed to keep her mind off her work, and she didn't even miss it. "Trust me..." she said with a sigh, "I'm no expert. I can barely fight my way out of a wet paper bag. Don't let the title fool you. Some days, I can be spot on and do something right, or I can mess it up and manage to hurt myself." "What about favorite places?" he asked her, "I went to a city on the southern Continent on the planet Kea IV. It was a great time, and the triple moonrise and moonset are fantastic." "A triple moonrise and moonset?" She sat up, a smile on her face, "That had to be so beautiful! I think the only thing that I've seen that would come close to looking like that was a solar eclipse that I saw when I was in Brazil once. There was a massive forest fire going on at the same time, and the smoke caused the moon to take on a reddish hue, so when the sun and moon were in perfect alignment, all you saw was what looked like a blood red pupil with a golden yellow iris...like the pupil was dilated fully to nine milimeters and all you saw was the slight ring of the iris..." She was about to go on and explain the phenomenon of how a human can get a blood red pupil with a yellow iris when she stopped, laughing. "I am so sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to explain that whole thing in med speak. When they say it's a language all its own, they really mean it. Then again, it's like spelling out notes to your friends in Binary...I've never done it, but I've seen some of the complex notes from those I went to College with. Entire term papers written in Binary...it was so fantastic in a creepy sort of way. Only language I ever learned was Latin. Every other language I managed to butcher so badly it wasn't even funny...Latin was the easiest to pronounce, yet the hardest to learn. Do you know any other Languages?" (Reply Harry) Angeni nodded slowly, turning her body so that she was leaning up against him, her feet curled up under her. She played with a tendrill of hair with one hand, holding onto his with the other. The moment of silence didn't seem as deafening as it had before, almost as if she were enjoying the quiet moment. "Oh...how's the working going on the message? Find anything new hidden in the equations?" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - SciO- Ens. Harry Doorman - 2020) "I am so sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to explain that whole thing in med speak. When they say it's a language all its own, they really mean it. Then again, it's like spelling out notes to your friends in Binary...I've never done it, but I've seen some of the complex notes from those I went to College with. Entire term papers written in Binary...it was so fantastic in a creepy sort of way. Only language I ever learned was Latin. Every other language I managed to butcher so badly it wasn't even funny...Latin was the easiest to pronounce, yet the hardest to learn. Do you know any other Languages?" Harry smiled at her apology, then frowned at her last question. He shrugged, "I don't really know." he replied. I've never tried speaking any other languages. All I know is that I might." Another shrug. "Like with the painting and the Trumpet, I may suddenly discover that I know Klingon or something equally odd. Not that I would expect to know how to speak Klingon. " He shook his head. "Actually I know I don't speak Klingon. I was aboard a Klingon Bird-of-prey once with some Klingons and I just remembered I didn't understand anything that they were saying when they were speaking Klingon. So that's one I can Rule out." He furrowed his brow for a second. "I'm pretty certain I can speak Betazed, but I don't even know that for certain. I've never had a need to as far as I know." Angeni nodded slowly, turning her body so that she was leaning up against him, her feet curled up under her. She played with a tendril of hair with one hand, holding onto his with the other. He took his free hand and twisting his body slightly turned so that he could wrap his arm around her in a sort of one-armed hug while she leaned against his chest. He was enjoying her closeness. It was comforting and reassuring. It was completely unexpected in so many ways. The silence was only broken by the slow breath escaping from Angeni's full lips. "Oh...how's the working going on the message? Find anything new hidden in the equations?" Angeni suddenly asked. "What?" Harry replied for a moment as he mentally fumbled to switch gears back to work related thinking. "No not really. There's a series of equations that I'm not quite certain that I understand. I've been looking at a lot of theory work regarding some of this stuff trying to get a grasp of it before I move forward again. I don't want to make an error and implode the ship or something." he said with a sigh. "Biros of Bolarus IX has some interesting equations that seem related, but he's working on a space folding theorem that if he can prove it would revolutionize transporter technology. Not really sure if the two are related." "I'm really much more interested in you at the moment. The equations can wait." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere - 2025) "I'm really much more interested in you at the moment. The equations can wait." Angeni giggled softly, tilting her head upward, raising a dark eyebrow while a mischievous glint played across her gray orbs. "Why thank you..." she purred gently. She snuggled up closer, almost unconsciously doing it. Work was certainly not a topic to be discussed at this point. She had almost felt bad bringing it up. A reflex of old. If you couldn't find some sort of small talk to fill the air with, talk about work or the weather. Seeing as if the ship was kept at a comfortable 72 degrees farenheight all year round, and to the best of her knowledge, there hadn't been a freak snow storm on board except for the holo deck, so weather was out. As she leaned against him, hearing his heart thrum in his chest, and the resonating clear lung sounds, she relaxed against him. She was surpised even more at the fact she allowed herself to let her guard down. Every so often, a singular, fleeting thought would go through her mind...the one time she wasn't careful about keeping her mind guarded almost cost her her own life, and the one of her best friend. Deep down, she knew she didn't have to worry about being 'violated' in such a way, but yet, the memory still plagued her... Turning again to look up at him, she felt content, relaxed. Something she hadn't felt in a while. She didn't have to try to be better, she just managed to be so. "Forgive me for being so quiet..." She smiled softly up at him, letting all of her warm and fuzzy feelings seep out of her. "It's just that...this feels quite nice. I've never been good at the whole first date thing, and well, being here, with you, just feels...nice." She sighed softly. There you go again...open mouth, insert foot. You'll be the next case for Grand Rounds: Pedal-Oromaxillal Voluntary Implantation! "I guess I'm so used to trying so hard, that the times I don't, I feel quite awkward. I have to thank you again for being so willing to take things one step at a time, you don't know how much that means to me, Harry" She positioned herself so that she was looking at him at eye level. She smiled as she stared into his eyes, putting her hand on his cheek for a lingering moment before leaning in, kissing him ever so softly again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades- Deck 12, Personal Quarters - CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere & SciO Harry Doorman - 2030) Her repositioning sent shivers up his spine which seemed to explode in the more primitive sections of his brain. The parts that were concerned with the basic animalistic impulse for survival and propagation of the species. As she leaned forward to kiss him he raised up slightly to meet her lips half-way. It was a warm and gentle kiss and was all the more exciting for the impression of sweet surrender that it conveyed. Harry pressed himself upright into a more typical seated position, forcing Angeni to shifted her body position until she was sitting astride his hips, her skirt slightly bunched up between them. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her body closer to his. His lips found the nape of her neck, the curve of her cheek and the fullness of her lips, while his fingers were slowly unfastening the top-most buttons of her blue blouse. Receiving no indications that he should stop, once he had released enough of the buttons, Harry reached down to lift the blouse off over her head. He watched as the blue gave way to perfect skin, beginning at her navel and slowly rising to reveal the black laciness of her lingerie. The blouse was almost off, when Harry pulled it backwards slightly trapping Angeni's arms behind her head. The blouse covered her eyes but left her lips completely revealed and kissable. And kiss them he did , as the opportunity was available and the eroticism of the moment was too great to ignore. It was a strong passionate kiss, almost in juxtaposition to his normal personality. Her lips were full, warm and inviting. There was the slight taste of the alcohol that she had been drinking earlier in the night and the slight sting of it added a depth to their kiss that was unexpected. With a quiet resolve, she settled into it, enjoying the moment. A tingle at the back of her neck made her spine quiver with excitement. She leaned into it, then a thought came to her mind. She pulled back ever so slightly, no more than the width of a piece of paper between their lips. "Don't be afraid..." she said softly, "Go ahead, I want you to..." With that, she settled back into the kiss, trying to let her feelings leech out of her skin, to make him feel what she was feeling, even though she knew he already could without the effort she was putting into it, but she was hoping he'd cross the barrier, not so much as sensing her sensations, but taking it that one step further. She was inviting him to do something that was once a sensation of violation, but now, somehow she knew it would feel different, and she wanted to know what it would feel like if she actually permitted it in this situation. Harry understood what she was referring to, and he tentatively reached out with his empathy to heighten the excitement that they both felt by subconsciously merging their empathic states; bringing their feelings of excitement and discovery into synchronization. In an instant it was as if they shared one mind between them. The sensations of her excitement built upon his own and he knew that she was experiencing his sensations as well. It was a moment that sent her body into near paroxysmal spasms. Sure, it wasn't the first time she had been...held...like this, but at the same time, there was something new about it. Almost in time, her mind started going through the medical aspects of her feelings...endorphins, serotonin, epinephrine, etcetera, etcetera. At the same time her mind was going, something ever so gentle nudges those thoughts out of the way. Like a mother taking the hand of her young child, the feeling wrapped around her mind, gently guiding the thoughts of why she was feeling what she was feeling...to just the feeling. Her mind was numb and pliable, clay on a potter's wheel. Leaning back for the kiss, she tried to get her mind to think of something to say, but it didn't respond, it was more concerned about the sensory experience; the touch, smell, taste, everything...but making sense of what was going on. She was sure she had an awestruck expression on her face, but it didn't matter. Suddenly, the fog cleared from her mind, only for an instant. She realized that he had reached out, into her mind, and somehow, she just didn't care. Her last memory of having her mind looked into wasn't a pleasant one, but she pushed the thought out, or rather it pushed itself out of the way, her mind making the new neural pathways, imprinting on itself that this wouldn't be like the last time, it never would be like the last time. The searing pain that blinded her during that experience was gone, only to be thought of in the most random of moments, just as a reminder that it had happened, but wouldn't happen again. Harry could sense a hint of fear, growing somewhere in the back of her mind. It wasn't an uncommon sensation among non-telepaths. He felt her fight back the monster of her fear and return to him, fully and completely and he understood then that it wasn't Harry that she feared. She could hear his breath, the beat of his heart, everything, and it excited her even more. As demurely as possible, she sat there, her eyes still hidden, which made it all the more exciting for her. "What would you think about me truly staying the night?" Under the blouse, she had raised an eyebrow. It wasn't the most poetic thing to say, since the invitation was truly unspoken. As she spoke, she felt her mind clearing up, and she rushed to clean the slate, wanting to bring back the feeling. "I'll tell you something, Harry. You can look around in there all you want, but I'll tell you what, my Hypothalamus is kicking in, and with the release of the various hormones like Serotonin, Adrenalin, and Oxytocin..." Harry kissed her again, stopping her in mid-sentence. He nibbled at her lower lip just slightly. She took his nonverbal clue and went with it. She was more surprised that she was allowing herself to let go. Self control was one of her strong points, but yet, she could go to putty in his hands. She wriggled a bit, pulling herself the rest of the way out of her blouse, and she pulled back, again, her hair falling over her shoulders, staring into his eyes.... Harry's heightened sense of smell detected a slight floral fragrance. It was a pleasant scent and Harry knew that he'd never forget it. He stared into those lovely eyes with a deep fascination and hunger. They were so beautiful, so enticing... He returned his attentions to the nape of her neck and the curve of her shoulders, his hands gently caressed the small of her back, feeling the warmth of her skin under the tips of his fingers. Angeni stiffened for a moment, but just fleetingly. Her body was conditioned for the fight response of struggling against the intruder in her mind. She had felt what Colonel Lawrence had felt; the hatred, the gut curdling anger that could make the bile rise in her throat when the fleeting feelings returned to her in the middle of the night- waking her in a cold sweat. The stress of her job had made her sleep schedule a mess, and she had been waking up, sobbing out of pure fear, afraid her mind had been assaulted again. But, this was different. She didn't mind him being in there, hell, she wanted it more than she ever thought. She knew him, felt him, and it allowed her to fully drop her borders, opening her mind to him, wanting to have him in her mind as much as he could or would. With a strength that he didn't know that he had, Harry slid the two of them sideways, twisting enough so that his feet were positioned on the floor in front of the couch. He pulled her close, and as if she was reading his mind, which in fact to a degree she was, she twisted her legs around his hips as he stood- lifting her as he did so. Never taking his eyes from her, or failing to kiss her neck, shoulders or lips; Harry slowly made his way, carrying Angeni, across the living area and into his bedroom. As he carried her, she gently caressed his cheek. The moment just felt so right. She knew it wasn't the 'real' alcohol talking, or anything else. It was her, and him... Pausing for a breath, he said loud enough for the computer to acknowledge his command. "Computer dim lights, 100%." A moment later the lights were extinguished. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2408.07.17 (USS Hades- Personal Quarters-Ens. Harry Doorman & CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere-0815) Angeni rolled over, nuzzling closer to Harry. The previous nights events hadn't left her mind, and she stretched a bit before hunkering back down to continue sleeping. Her mind clicked back to the last time she had ever slept so soundly, but the date and time were fuzzy. All she cared about was the man she was lying next to. It was hard to believe that a single action; following him from Ten Forward, had led to this. Even more so, going back to when she found the data-file; she could've talked to Jack, or she could've gone directly to Captain Sash...her mind flicked through the scenarios that would've made it so that this moment had never happened, but she continued to come back to the fact that it had, and she should be grateful that the stars aligned themselves just so. Opening her eyes, she looked around, her eyes almost instantly adjusting to the dark. She slipped out of bed, feeling her way along the walls to get to the replicator. "Water, chilled please." She whispered quietly. She didn't want to wake Harry. He looked so peaceful sleeping that she dared not to cause him to stir. She sipped at her water...no...she did the rather unladylike thing and slammed it back. She recycled the glass, and she slipped back into bed, curling up next to him again with a contented sigh. He wasn't certain of the last time that he had slept as soundly and not thought of equations or some other silly mathematical formula. His mind was in such a restful' yet alert state- Alert to the nearness of Angeni lying in the bed next to him; the Arcturian silk sheets rustling softly any time either of them moved. His subconscious mind caught the movement first, and it alerted the conscious mind, which took a little while to break free of the slumber. By that time she had slipped back into the bed, next to him and had placed her arm around him. it only took a few moments for him to come to full understanding, that she had gone to the replicator and back before he had awakened. He rolled over to look at her. Her face was perfectly framed by her wild hair with just a few stray strands playing across her face. "I didn't mean to wake you..." She whispered quietly. An almost sad expression lingered in her grey eyes as she laid on her side, gazing into his eyes... "It's okay." he whispered back, then leaned forward and kissed her on the lips, reliving just a moment of the passion that they had felt the night before. "I was just dreaming about you." he commented, again in a soft whisper, "I'd rather be with you, than dream about you." All she could do was smile as she returned the gentle kiss, watching the starlight play across his features. Everything felt so right; there was no other way to describe the sensations. Her skin still tingled with the vibrations resonating from the night before. She wondered what was on his mind. Was this just something that happened? Did he actually mean for what happened to have? Were they just two people caught up in the moment? Or...did this actually mean something. And so this was always the awkward moment; the morning after. Would she be regretting the fact that she had stayed? Would she think he regretted it? Would there be thought that the drinks that she had consumed the night before had somehow altered her judgment? Those were all likely questions that she may well be asking herself. His curiosity was real enough, and Harry wanted to know what she was thinking but refrained from finding out in the normal Betazoid way. It wasn't a fair thing to use his telepathy when she couldn't do the same. "How do you feel this morning?" he asked her, hoping that she'd give him an answer that he wanted to hear. Angeni sat up a bit, stretching her arms out before relaxing back into the sheets. She scooted her body closer to his, a contented smile on her face. "Wonderful, Happy, excited...enough adjectives or need I continue? I don't remember the last time I slept so well, I guess vigorous exercise will do that to you..." He smiled broadly. "Me too. I can't remember the last time that I slept so soundly. And you were so...amazing." he added. He had never been so comfortable with anyone in his life, at least not that he could remember. It was as if the very sound of her voice was somehow soothing to him. He could focus, be himself, and he felt that he could share anything and everything with her. And she had surrendered herself completely to him, her body, mind and soul. With her he felt so inexplicably, unexpectedly complete. Her face turned a deep shade of red, and she smiled gently. "I can certainly say the same thing about you...I really can. Thank you for...well...just letting me relax, be myself. It's not often that I can just let go and do. I'm so used to being so stuffy and uptight about things, that it's not normal for me to just be able to relax and deal." He reached up and gently brushed the strands of hair away from her face. He kissed her a second time. She took the kiss, holding him close to her. As they parted lips, she put her forehead against his, closing her eyes. She enjoyed the moment, so simple, yet so wonderful. It blew her mind how relaxed she was around him. To her, the moment couldn't get any better. She rested her head on his chest, wrapping herself back up in his arms. She stifled a yawn, stretching out again. She propped herself up on her elbow, taking a deep breath before speaking. "I know this isn't exactly the most romantic conversation to be having, but I'd hate for you to think that this is...what I'm trying to say is..." She heaved a heavy sigh, "My inhibitions were not down due to consumption of Ethanol...I did this because I wanted to, not because of any other outside influence...am I making any sense?" She giggled softly, running her fingers through her hair. She couldn't even make sense of what she was thinking; her mind was willing itself to be a clean and blank slate. She didn't want to be dealing with the frivolities of the morning after, all she wanted to deal with was him...just being in the moment. He could feel her awkwardness with the situation as she spoke, but somehow he had known the moment that she had started to speak what it was she was trying to say to him. Harry nodded slowly, "You make perfectly good sense. I'm glad that you wanted this as much as I did, it would have been very awkward otherwise wouldn't it?" She laughed, a full hearty laugh as she laid back on the pillow. "It's not every day that something as simple as 'Hey, could you look at this file for me' turns into something like this. You manage to leave me speechless, Harry...you really do." Harry mock shrugged, too engrossed in Angeni to really put forth too much more of an effort. "I'd say that speechlessness runs rampant around here these days." Harry replied smiling. "Well it seems we're in agreement that it wasn't an accident or a lapse in judgment or anything regrettable. So that means all the most awkward parts are behind us now." he continued, "So why don't we get up, run a hot bath and you can let me wash your hair." She stared at him for a long moment. It wasn't every day that invitations like that came along. Her heart quickened in her chest, and she was sure that she was blushing very hard. She rolled over a bit, looking over the edge of the bed, and she spied her discarded garments. She grabbed one, taking off the beads that lined one tress of hair, slipping them into a pocket, then she smiled. "Last one there is a rotten tribble!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades- Personal Quarters - Deck 9 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2330) She sat at her desk staring at the half-dozen PADDs splayed across it. Perfomance reports, duty rotations, team building activities, special team practices.... it all swam around in her head - there was so much to keep in order and she was still getting used to it all but her life experience to this point kept her from going under as some younger officers might faced with the same load. She picked up the PADD containing all the maintenance and upgrades she and Maraht had overseen. Scanning down the list she made notes on a scribing PADD and sent off notes to select Tactical staff, ordering them to run checks on all equipment tomorrow and the following day. She wanted to be sure that the upgrades were properly in the system and not going to fail at the last second. She finished off a few more things, organized all the PADDs and put them away. "Bikam." She whispered with a bit of a laugh at the work. She then rose and picked up an instrument. "Computer, Irish music. Style - ballads. Origin and Composer - varied." The room filled with the strains of lyrical Celtic music. The musician now freed from duty for a short time she allowed the music to eddy and flow over her before she set her lips to the Irish Whistle and joined in the song. She noted the removal of the same instrument from the computer audio and smiled around the edges of the mouthpiece. She lost herself in the music, her fingers flowing, tapping and flying over the holes on the little pipe. Sometimes she doubled the melody, sometimes she wandered away from it - picking harmonies and counter-melodies out of her head and going which ever direction she wanted in no particular order. In the middle of a great run the electronic sound of the computer jumped out like an ugly black cloud against a clear blue sky. [Personal message for Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof.] She almost sighed, then held herself in check. "Lower music volume. Identify sender." [Sender is Doctor Tarven of Vulcan.] "Play message." [Greetings daughter. I hope this message finds you well. I have heard that you met a high level Vedek while on Earth recently. I am pleased at this news, as I am sure your mother would be. I hope you have not forgotten, pi'lara, that the rememberance day of your mother's passing is soon upon us. I find myself wishing to hear from you at this time. I will observe with a duranja and the traditional prayers.] The recorded voice wavered almost imperceptably but Lo'ren picked up the emotion only thinly veiled by her father. [I miss you.] The computer chirped off and the Irish ballads returned to her hearing. Lo'ren stood in the middle of the room, tears dripping off her cheeks. "Computer," her voice cracked with emotion, "Stop music." With that she turned and went to the side of the room. Lo'ren had a duranja of her own and lit it now. She knelt before the brightly burning lamp and closed her eyes. She cleared her mind, putting firmly in her vision only one thing - her mother. She opened her mouth and recited the prayer she had said for three years on the aniversary of her mother's death. "Raka-ja ut shala morala... ema bo roo kana... uranak... ralanon Ari Sia... propeh va nara ehsuk shala-kan vunek..." Having said the prayers Lo'ren opened her eyes and watched the flame. She no longer wanted to play but only to listen. "Computer, change music. Play all recordings by Ari Sia of Bajor." She sat cross-legged before the duranja and listened to her mother sing as she composed a lengthy letter to her father. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end compile