by Vol Tryst and Zanh Liis
80722.0500
Hours after Return Post
-=Soundtrack: On My Way Home - Enya=-
-=USS Alchemy, in orbit of Betazed=-
80722.0500
Hours after Return Post
-=Soundtrack: On My Way Home - Enya=-
-=USS Alchemy, in orbit of Betazed=-
[Standby to Transport, Starfleet vessel.]
“Acknowledged.” Said Zanh Liis. She was growing impatient, what with being all dressed up in civilian clothing and preparing to beam down to what was arguably the most beautiful planet in this sector.
Accompanying her on the transport were Salvek and his family, Bru, Dabin, Zander, Jariel, and Vol of course. All of which were adorned in comfortable attire, loose fitting for most of the men, and somewhat more fitted for the women. Vol compromised with one of his one-piece garments which was looser from the waist down, and tighter from the waist up. It sported a deep v cut, and he also wore a belt which was purely for decorative purposes. It was inlaid with markings and crests that reflected his Betazoid house of honor and its ranking in the Betazoid culture.
"Will there be other kids there?" Arie asked her mother anxiously. "Father made me leave MiM on the ship and if it's all adults sitting around talking I'm going to get bored."
The girl spoke the words almost as a warning to her mother- as Kellyn and Arie both knew that when Arie got bored, she began taking apart anything within reach to see how it worked.
"I don't know, Arie. But if there aren't I'll replicate you some books and I promise to take you swimming too before we leave, at least twice. All right?" Kellyn promised.
"Osa-mekh, will you come too?"
"It would be agreeable to join you in some leisure activities, Arie." Salvek agreed, noting mentally that it had been far too long since he had spent any quality time alone with his daughter. Perhaps this trip was just the opportunity he needed to do so.
"Ooh, swimming sounds like fun," February chimed in. "I'd be happy to take Arie to play for awhile, if you and,"
"Bru, we might be, um, busy," Dabin interrupted, and February blinked in surprise.
"Oh. Okay. Well, when we're not busy maybe." *Busy?* Bru thought at Dabin suspiciously, *What are you,*
Dabin needed to change the subject, and do it now. He wasted no time.
“Vol…?” came an inquiring, almost fearful voice from beside the Counselor. He turned to the male trill, raising an eyebrow as to question where his tone was coming from. “…is your mother a fair representation of the rest of your family?”
Vol snickered, as he couldn’t help it, and returned to looking straight ahead of him. Apparently the Chief of Sciences still hadn’t recovered from his run-in with Vol’s mother on the bridge when it was first announced that Vol’s bonding would be followed through on. How utterly empty those vows seemed to Vol now.
“Fond of my mother are you?”
“Well,” Dabin tried to choose his words correctly. “I mean, she wasn’t at all unpleasant. But she is a tad, ummm…”
*Help!* He thought to February.
*Sorry?*
*Bru!*
*Hmmm, I think you’ve confused me with someone whom isn’t as entertained as I am right at this moment.*
While Dabin suffered from a double twist of the tongue and the mind, Vol sensed as much and ended his suffering.
“My family is loving, well-intentioned, and nurturing. As it is, I would ask for nothing more.”
[We’re ready to receive your landing party now, Captain Zanh, and welcome you to Betazed.]
“Acknowledged.” said the Captain, and she gave the signal for the transporter op to energize.
/~-==-~\
The group of Starfleet personnel were beamed within walking distance of the Tryst residence. The house was grand, and well-ordained. It was in a bit of its own nook, one noticed almost immediately. The house was built within a small valley of its own, making the foundation of the house itself stand on two different levels. The front door was at the ground level, whereas the other end was at a nearby lake’s edge. The lake was medium in size, and the Tryst’s did not seem to have very many neighbors upon the lake. It really did appear to be its own little niche.
It was midday on Betazed, and the scenery was absolutely breath taking. Every natural color seemed more vibrant, as if what was seen through one's eyes was a painting brought to life. Trees and flowers complimented the colors of the skies and waters, everything was filled with a glow on the planet. Even the sun, which had just passed its apex in the sky, was brilliant without being too harsh on the eyes. It was though the colors themselves were reserved to beautify this planet and this planet alone, and the crew of the Serendipity were here to enjoy and take in as much as they could for the following few days.
Aside from the birds that chirped and the fish who broke the calm of the nearby lake, there was no one around to welcome the landing party.
*Mother, Father, we’re here.* thought Vol into the household.
“Anyone home Counselor?” Asked Salvek.
*We’ll be out shortly son.* Vol smiled as the familiar voice was received in his mind.
“No worries. Welcome everyone, to my parent’s humble abode.” Vol responded as gestured with his hand outwardly to the house up ahead. He then looked back at the Vulcan. “Commander,” he had an eye on Zanh as well as he spoke. “Must we continue with formal titles? This is shore leave after all.”
Zanh nodded her agreement with Vol, and looked at Salvek. It was true, the officers could hardly be expected to relax if they were to be addressed by their rank. She nodded, and the XO nodded as well.
“Very well Vol, you make a good point.”
Vol’s smile was timid, but wide and appreciative nonetheless. He was about to encourage everyone to make their way towards the house, but he felt something that almost made him freeze in his tracks. The easiest way to explain it to a non-telepath, would be the sensation were you think he feel someone tugging at a single hair at the back of your scalp, but there’s no one there. Vol received the sensation telepathically, and his smile became even wider.
*Where are you?*
*Tch, tch. You know that’s not how the game is played.*
*Very funny. Another time, I promise, I’ll play by the rules.*
*Fine.*
Just then a body plopped down to the ground, landing on its feet, having come from a perch in one of the trees that dotted the property. The humanoid turned and walked hurriedly towards the group. Vol ignored his traveling companions for the moment, and bolted into a run towards the dirty blond haired man.
*You sure you want do this in front of your shipmates?*
*What shipmates?*
The man chuckled before receiving Vol in a great big bear hug. He lifted Vol off the ground playfully before setting him back down.
*Artistry hasn’t dwindled your strength as I may have expected.*
*The day I can’t pick my little brother is the day I start training.*
“Boys! Don’t be acting foolish now.” Came the voice of the one and only Valerie Satz. From where he stood, Dabin tried to inconspicuously hide behind his wife.
*Mind your mother, sons.* Came the voice of the Vol’s father in his mind. It was clear from looking at the man, that Vol and his brother got their height from the human side of their gene pool. Besides his shorter stature, Vol’s dad looked to be hearty fellow whose smile reflected how much he had missed his younger son.
Vol gave each of his parents a hug.
*Not at all mother,* started his brother. *Starfleet has simply caused Vol to become fearful of accepting a challenge to play--ow!*
Vol gave his brother the telepathic equivalent of an elbow in the gut. Valerie tapped Vol’s shoulder in response. She was not Betazoid, so she could not project her own thoughts into the minds of others. Having been around them for so long however, she could easily tell when one of her boys were misbehaving.
“Let’s stop ignoring your shipmates and go and welcome them.” Vol turned to her as they began walking to Zanh and the rest of the fine officers. He smiled as he spoke. “Yes, and can we keep the telepathic communication to a minimum? It’s rude.”
*Nonsense!* Came the voices of both his brother and father at once.
“So glad we all agree, now, warm those voice boxes.”
The introductions went well, with a couple of blunt statements from the family which were good indications of the rest of the crew’s stay on Betazed. February and Dabin couldn’t recall the last time they were told that their spots were “abstractly beautiful” as Vol’s brother, Siter, pointed out.
Zanh had been waiting for this moment for some time. She'd looked forward to meeting the family who had raised the Counselor to be such a unique man- one who commanded respect and engendered a level of trust beyond his rank and youth.
She shook the hand of Valerie, but gave up trying to smile with as much teeth as the blond.
When she approached Vol's father, he looked up and stared into her eyes, even before she had said anything.
"And this is our Captain, Zanh Liis." Vol introduced.
"Greetings, I," Zanh began, but she couldn't bear to continue after she felt the man's voice in her mind.
*I'm so sorry.*
A lump formed almost immediately in her throat. Yet, simultaneously she felt immensely relief. For all these passing days, nobody had once given her any outright condolences regarding her loss. Some had tried to, while others ignored the matter entirely, but no one had offered her any sort of sympathy. She didn't know it before, but those three words were exactly what she needed to hear.
Now that they were said, without any follow-ups or 'buts', she felt a sense of validation beyond measure.
She nodded wordlessly to Tholt in thanks, and he moved on to be introduced to the rest of the crew, including a bubbling Dabin Reece.
"Come in, all of you." Said Valerie shrilly. "You may have your ship transport all your belongings into the house."
“We did not actually intend on staying with you. We did not want to intrude so we’ve..." began Jariel, but was cut short.
“Complete rubbish. I will have no such thing, you’re all more than welcome to stay with…” began Valerie.
“Mother, slowly easing in present company into Betazoid culture is, I think, a wiser action. Having them all stay within a house with wedding ceremony business whirl-winding around them without end, might be overwhelming."
“We’ve made arrangements to stay at the inn, not far from here I believe.” Jariel finished.
“Yes, yes.” Tholt didn’t favor speaking, unless it was to his ex-wife, but he made the effort which Vol appreciated. “I know of which you speak, I will have one of my servants guide you there.”
“Oh no, but…” Insisted Valerie. “You must at least come for dinner this evening. A welcoming to Betazed, if you would. The Mazen’s will be here and it will simply be delightful.”
Zanh heard a forcedness in the woman’s voice, and saw it in her grin as well. Which was proven by a brief fidget by Vol where he bent his head down to scratch the back of his scalp. Zanh logged the tick away in her memory banks, before looking around to see if there were any objections. Nobody offered, so she gladly accepted on behalf of the crew.
"We would be honored. Many thanks."
"It would also permit us a chance to answer any questions Vol has not already answered, concerning the ceremony." Announced Tholt Tryst.
"Like dress code." Dabin said under his breath, after which he chuckled to himself.
"Well, I'm sure you already know all about the expected presentation of the guests at the wedding. All guests and participants must appear,"
"Actually, Mr. Tryst." Zanh politely interrupted, whatever that meant for the Captain.
*Run!* Vol thought to his brother.
*She's a fiery one that one, ain't she?* Siter thought, glad to see there were apparently able to telepathically communicate again, but completely ignoring his brother's demand. *Wait, why run?*
"I do actually have a concern about that particular rule." Zanh continued.
*Oh...* thought Siter.
*Exactly. Move, now!* Vol insisted.
"I hope that appearing in the nude isn't a problem for the Bajoran people." Tholt looked to Zanh, to Jariel, than back to Zanh.
"Depends on whom you ask Sir, however I for one, as a Commanding Officer in view of a mostly Non-Betazoid crew...would politely decline the... standard dress code for this wedding."
"Ah..." Tholt pondered to himself. "Well, that would be unusual. Have you spoken to my son about this?" He turned to Vol had been standing, past tense being key.
Just then the sound of the front door snapping shut was heard.
"Those boys..." sighed Valerie with a smile.
*They have not changed.* Tholt thought to his ex-wife, forgetting his vocal chords for a moment. But this was a moment of admiration and pride shared between two parents, and it was glorious.
Ensign Vol Tryst
Ship's Counselor
USS Serendipity/Alchemy
and
-=/\=- Zanh Liis
(Who goes naked for no social function...)
USS Serendipity/Alchemy
Ship's Counselor
USS Serendipity/Alchemy
and
-=/\=- Zanh Liis
(Who goes naked for no social function...)
USS Serendipity/Alchemy