By Lt. Avery Breaux and Lt. February Grace
80119.17
At the beginning of the dinner (Before and during Let it Begin)
--=Arboretum=--
80119.17
At the beginning of the dinner (Before and during Let it Begin)
--=Arboretum=--
Avery Breaux was running a little late for the dinner, but he needed some space before he attended the semi-formal affair. He made his way to the arboretum, which he was certain would become one of his favorite places on the Sera.
He strolled from one thing to another...not really taking things in, really just using the time to allow clarity to settle in his mind...entering from the opposite end of the dinner service.
He would have to put Alessa behind him. He knew that in time duties aboard the Sera would inundate him and there would be little time for thoughts about failed romance, or previous postings. He continued to walk.
He came upon a sight that he had somehow missed when he was here talking to the Captain the day before. It was a small stone sculpture, a little less than a meter tall.
It was an angel, as Avery had seen them always depicted in artwork on Earth. Female, with wings and made of stone. The striking thing about this angel though, was that she was leaning forward as if grief stricken.
She was weeping.
"Curious." He thought. He made his way over to it, and found an inscription carved into the back. "Even the Angels Wept Today. Bajor: 70523."
He used his thumb to wipe away a speck of dirt on the side of the statue. Something registered.
It didn't take long for him to place the date and event that was referenced here. He realized that it was indicative of the Takesian Plains disasters that had happened less than a year before. Such devastation that it reminded him of what had happened to his own beautiful Delta City back in the twenty-first century, when the hurricane came.
"My my," He said softly. "Someone on the crew must have worked on the rescue effort."
"Hundreds did." A voice spoke behind him. He turned around to see a tall Trill with long blonde hair. "I didn't get to go, I had to stay on the ship. But they did so much down there, as much as they could, to help. The Vedek, Salvek. TC Blane. Micah Samson. They were all there."
She watched as he nodded. With his affection for Bajor, what things must have been like for the victims and the rescuers alike was difficult to even imagine.
"Do you like her?" February asked, gesturing toward the statue.
"It's very nice, but I have to admit...it's a little unsettling...she looks so...sad. Where I come from tombs and crypts are a part of everyday life. They make up a huge part of the city. I'm not sure if it's natural or a constant reminder."
Breaux found himself staring at her, "I'm sorry. I'm Avery Breaux, Engineering. I was just heading to the dinner...can I assume the same for you?"
She smiled, "Yes, I'm February Grace, Flight Control. Shall we head there together then?"
They had already started walking as Breaux responded, "February, your parents were far more creative than mine. I would have gladly taken a more exotic name, like you have..."
She shook her head, "Well I'm afraid they were almost too clever. Valentine...now that's a bit much for a first name, don't you think?"
Breaux stopped and stared at her cocking his head to one side, "Don't tell me..."
She nodded as they continued, "Exactly, born on Earth to 'fleet parents. On Valentine's Day. But please, everyone calls me Bru."
Avery pursed his lips and raised his brow, "I see your point..."
The sights and sounds of those already in attendance at the dinner were obvious to the twosome.
"You seem a little down," Grace observed, "I hope I didn't interrupt a private moment of reflection and disturb you."
Avery considered the ironic nature of her name, "No...I was missing an old friend, but it's something I have to get past. I can't really complain now can I? Especially in the face of the whole Takesian disaster...we have a dinner to attend...new comrades, new friends...it's time I snapped out of it."
"Been there and done that." She smiled at him gently, but her blue eyes clouded, a gathering storm of haunted memories. As quickly as the storm had threatened, though, it evaporated and her eyes were clear and bright as she observed the man once more. "We are really blessed, to be in this time and place."
"Indeed."
"Ready to celebrate?"
"I believe I am, Lieutenant Grace."
Grace smiled and simply offered, "Cool."
Breaux allowed Grace to move toward the feast, the expression on her face lighting up as she saw familiar friends.
"Monsieur Breaux," Avery turned around as he approached the buffet table to survey the lay of the land. "I have something for you."
Fleur Le Marc gestured with one index finger for him to wait a moment, and then she disappeared around a corner and returned from a mysterious point unknown.
She was holding a small white baking dish in her hands, and she extended it toward him as she held it between two heavy pot-holders.
"Cayenne in this Ariabiatta." She smiled. "Pour vous. I hope that it passes inspection."
"Tres bien...c'est magnifique..." Breaux uttered unwittingly. He wasn't sure if he was talking about the personal dish, or the presenter.
She gestured toward a nearby table with the dish, not wanting to leave it on the long table for anyone else to touch. This was for her new friend, alone. He followed her willingly and was truly pleased she had thought about him-this crew was much like what he was used to-caring and close.
She set it down and began to dish it out onto one of the fine china table settings, each dinner plate embossed with the Starfleet symbol.
"I am afraid that I owe you an apology," Fleur offered quietly. "You did not see me at my best the other day when first we met. I was, how does Mr. London so elegantly put it, 'freaking out'."
Avery took in the beautiful settings and digested what Fleur was sharing, "Mon ami...think nothing of it...it's the nature of a crew. A family."
Fleur smiled at him, but her eyes wandered from his gaze slightly- scanning the room for one particular face. He was nowhere to be seen.
*Probably off in a quiet corner somewhere,* Fleur felt the familiar sensation of jealousy rising in her throat. *With her.*
"Yes, that is what we have always been, those of us who have served together before. One big happy family." The way she uttered the phrase, it was a little less than convincing.
He noticed her looking about, and with her inflection he deduced there was a man in the picture-he throttled down slightly. Then he pondered his age and his life's work, all in the moment of having a fork set in front of him. The unlikelihood of it all. He smiled to himself. "This...is very, very nice," he offered sincerely to Fleur.
Avery's eyes widened, and Fleur smiled and focused her eyes on him, anew. "You are part of our family now. So, I officially invite you to my table. Sit, Monsieur Breaux. Sit, and eat."
Avery smiled and nodded at several of the people seated near him and he began his meal...breaking bread with the newest of his families.
-------------------------
Lt. Avery Breaux
Engineering Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
and
Lt. February Grace
Senior Flight Controller
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
Lt. Avery Breaux
Engineering Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
and
Lt. February Grace
Senior Flight Controller
USS Serendipity NCC-2012