EXETERRPG: (1 - 1934) MS - Ensign Rylee Page & Ensign Zot

[Jaclyn Smith]

Mission: Murder on the Exeter Express

Day: 1

Stardate: 2445.12.01

(USS Exeter - Holodeck - Ensign Rylee Page & Ensign Zot - 1934)

Walking into the holodeck, Rylee instantly felt at peace. The programme
that Zot had created for her was running and the soft breeze with the hint
of ozone on the air was intoxicating.

Carrying a small picnic hamper in one hand and a blanket in the other, she
was dressed in a light summery dress and took a seat on a bench near the
holodeck entrance.

She smiled as she waited. Their relationship had grown, they had grown
close and she found herself growing to really enjoy their time together.

Zot Entered the holodeck wearing a traditional Eunepian body suit. He
looked over at the bench and saw Rylee sitting there.

" Hello Ens...I mean Rylee" Zot corrected himself. She had asked him to
stop referring to her by her full name and rank.

Smiling at him, Rylee nodded, "see, not that hard to do is it?"

He reached his hand toward the basket in a manner which suggested an offer
to carry it and with his other hand offered it to her to help her up. " I
have just read a few interesting compiles of text on male and female
relations. Most cultures view females as fragile or precious. I however am
perplexed because you are physically stronger than I am and although I am a
male among my species, you and I are so different that I am finding trouble
on how to treat you in the manner in which you deserve."

"Deserve? I don't deserve anything. Just be yourself. "

" Although a traditional physical relationship between us is impossible I
do feel compelled that we alert Ensign Sleeford of the recent escalation of
our situation. " He said as he led her to a spot near the water.

"Oh…. You do?" She replied, as she began unfolding the blanket. ~is he
really that serious?~

He helped her rest the blanket on the ground. " I am technically a superior
to you, yet we have not been sexual. We can not copulate. Therefore our
relationship is the equivalent of good friends who care a great deal for
each other."

Blushing a little,  she sat down on the blanket and began unpacking the
basket,

"Is that all I am to you?" She asked, teasing.

"No, you are much more than that to me. I have a fondness for you I have
never had towards any other sentient being. Your existence in my life has
brought me comfort,  trust and a sense of the unknown." He said as he sat
down on the ground.

"Physical things… sometimes we rush into that. So us not… being physical
with each other is not a problem.

For me, I need that connection with someone. Not physical but here." She
replied, touching his forehead gently,

"And here." She moved her hand to near his heart.

Zot knew too what she was referring to. His metaphorical heart. He had two
anatomical hearts, one on each side of his chest.

"Is this really something we need to tell Ensign Sleeford about?"

He grabbed her hand that was on his chest.

" Deceptive or secretive ways are not the practice of my people. We
understand their usefulness, however I will not conceal this bond we share.
I am assistant chief of operations by circumstance not because of desire.
If I have to step down I will. Most federation cultures have a stigma about
those in close relationships serving in a capacity that involves their
personal and professional relationships. We Eunepians however do not share
this stigma. We view closeness to individuals as a strength. "

Rylee looked away for a moment, then looked at him, "I would not let you do
that. Not for me. If it needs it, I will transfer departments."

" Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the Captain the uncle of his first
officer? Also the Second and Third officer of this vessel are romantically
involved." Zot remarked.

Smiling widely, she nodded, "that is true."


"It seems the Exeter crew is more Eunepian than they know." Zot said as he
opened the basket .

She watched him for a moment and then pulled out a small bowl and a spoon.
"Forgive me if I got this wrong but I think I remembered rightly."

Handing him the tub, she smiled softly, "Vanilla pudding for the gentleman."

He took the container. " Yes, it's one of the flavors I can taste. " He
said as he opened it . " I am surprised you remembered. "

"I have a good memory. Well, for some things."

He took the spoon and scooped a bite of the pudding into his mouth. "
Perfect."

"I remember the first time we came here. After that really hard physical
therapy session. We stood here, you were holding my arm to keep me steady
and we didn't say anything.

I was so frustrated with myself and I just couldn't help it. I teared up. I
wanted to lash out so much and do you remember what you told me?"

" Yes I do. I told you that lashing out was only you allowing your
impairment to overtake you and that I wouldn't allow that to happen and I
remarked that since I don't sleep I would stay here with you all night
until you alright….I also told you that I prefer your smile over your
tears, your success over your failures. But no matter what I wasn't leaving
you alone." Zot said remembering the events of that day in vivid detail.

Smiling, she took his hand and looked at him, "that was the first moment I
realized that there was something between us.

Something that transcended physicality and was something I wanted to
explore. So, if Sleeford says that one of us has to move, it's going to be
me."

" That will not be necessary…" He was cut off by her.

"No arguments. You are one of the first of your race to be here and I won't
let you give up your position. Not for me."

" I won't argue. But ambition for the benefit of an individual is not our
way. We seek ambition for the benefit of all." Zot responded. " I have no
ambition to lead others. "

"I've heard many joined trill talk about how difficult it can be when they
get into relationships with others because of previous issues. Me, it's
simple. I am who I am. You see that and that is something worth exploring.

So, let's enjoy this moment."

Zot tilted his head and looked at her.

" Moment...This moment is yet a string of connected moments that I have
shared with you. Some cultures have described some moments as being an
eternity. If that is the case I find myself most fortunate. "

"Fortunate? How so?" She asked as she rested her head on his shoulder.

" Because If a moment can be an eternity, a forever, then I have several
eternities with you. That I am thankful for Rylee…and pudding." He said,
taking another bite.

Smiling, a thought entered her mind and, as quickly as it had entered,  she
dismissed it.

"I'm thankful for you. I don't think I would have persevered as much with
the therapy had you not been there.

I would have given up a long time ago, accepted my fate and been cashiered
out of the fleet."

Zot listened as she talked. As always giving her his undivided attention.

"But then, I wouldn't be sat here with you and pudding." She replied,
dipped her finger into the pudding and dabbed some in his nose.

He flinched slightly. " Was that attempt to get me to smell the pudding ?
If so I have no sense of smell." He smiled as he wiped the pudding off with
his hand.

"You missed a spot. " she replied and, gently, wiped it with a napkin.
Looking into his eyes, she smiled and kissed his cheek softly.

He was caught off guard by her impulsive habit of kissing him.

"Sorry, was that too forward?"

" No, I find it fascinating. It is something we don't do where I'm from. "
He said and pulled her towards him and kissed her back. An intense feeling
of happiness came over him, but it was immediately followed by an immense
guilt. He pulled away from her. " I'm sorry "

“What for?”

" There is much you don't know about." He said and looked down at the woven
fabric of the blanket they sat on.

Sighing, Rylee poured herself a drink and looked at him, “Well, if this is
serious enough for you to want to tell Ensign Sleeford, you had better
spill.”

" My people have a biological imperative to return home during " Our Time"
as we call it."

“Oh…. your time as in… death?”

 He raised his hand and shook his head.

" No, not death…Life. We are driven to return to the place of our birth and
sire offspring. "

“Oh…. i see. And when does that…”

He shrugged his shoulders.

" It happens well into maturity. We have a clause in our terms of service
to Starfleet that if the urge that we call Sovim comes that we are to be
medically released to return home."

Zot paused.

" I am sorry if I ruined your time" He said with saddened tone. She wanted
to enjoy a moment yet he felt like he robbed her of that.

“It’s fine. We have so much to learn about each other. When it comes to
that time… do you have to go? What happens if you don’t?”

Zot hesitated to tell her, but felt that she deserved to know. " I would
have to go. If I don't I would become ...out of favor with my family
structure."

“Oh, i would never stop you. Never. If it means that you have to go home
for a while but you come back, then that’s fine.”

"I am sorry that this complication will arise." Zot said as he held her
hand.

“Look, you know how i feel about you. I don’t pretend to understand a lot
about your customs but i am willing to learn. To me, it’s like… if i had to
take a symbiont. I would be the same person that you care for just with
some added memories.

If you can deal with that, i can deal with you going home to sow your wild
oats.”

He tilted his head. " Sow wild oats? I am not a farmer and My world doesn't
have oats. "

Smiling, Rylee leant her head on his shoulder, “It’s a terran phrase. Means
….. Well if you need to go procreate, do it. Just come back.”

He closed his eyes.

" Physical Affection is not something practiced among my people. I can
refuse to go home" He said, knowing right and well refusal to adhere to his
biological predisposition would be extremely detrimental to him.

"But...why? Why would you do that?"

" Right now home is here and here is good." He said.

(Reply no-one)

(Posted by Jackie and rob)
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