by Vol Tryst and Zanh Liis
80728.14
...continued from part one
-=The Tryst Residence, Betazed=-
80728.14
...continued from part one
-=The Tryst Residence, Betazed=-
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"Ah. Well I'm glad to know that the rules of the game are so simple to learn." Zanh said, the edge of her lip curling up in amusement.
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Vol side-glanced his brother with a smug smirk on his face.
*Did that work out as well as you expected?* Vol couldn't help but marvel at times at the sheer stupidity his brother displayed.
Siter just grumbled from his seat, before speaking to provide an explanation of the game
"It is a game commonly played in teams, and was primarily designed to help Betazoid youth to hone in on their abilities. However, it's recently been introduced to the galactic stage and it's not impossible for non-empaths to become skilled players."
"It's a game that's best shown rather than explained, Zanh Liis. Perhaps a match tomorrow?" Vol finished.
"I'd be honored. Will I need a partner?"
"Yes you will." Vol smiled.
Jariel's eyes begged Liis to look elsewhere, and she smiled at him gently. The Vedek was many things, but an athlete was not one of them. She eyed Zander and Salvek slowly, one then the other, considering her options.
Her eyes then fell upon Reece, who was chattering excitedly about how much he was enjoying the appetizer, and internally shook her head. She didn't even consider Grace, who was having, it seemed, a hard enough time getting her food to stay the course between her plate, her fork, and her mouth without dropping half of it along the way.
*Definitely not.* Then...she thought...*Wait a minute...what about Lair...*
"Do I have to choose the partner now or can I think it over a little while?"
"Just bring whomever you will with you tomorrow, Captain. Choose at your leisure." Siter replied.
Liis widened her eyes intentionally, as her officers each shifted nervously in their seats. "Which one, which one?"
All at the table seemed relieved when the door chime sounded, and Mr. Noon moved to receive the rest of their expected company for the evening.
*They're here.* Vol heard his father's mind in his own.
"Oh excellent!" Valerie exclaimed, jumping up as she headed for the door.
"The Mazen's have arrived." Vol provided an answer to the unasked questions that were painted on all of his ship mates' faces. Vol stood up from his seat as everyone followed suit.
Valerie came back in, her voice shrill with excitement as to the new arrivals, commenting on how happy she was that they finally arrived.
Behind her was a petite woman with dark hair which flowed past her shoulders. She had a smile which brightened up the room and she wore a wrap-around white blouse with a brown dress which flowed away from her legs.
She was accompanied by a man, whose height rivaled that of Salvek's. He had short brown hair which stood straight up due to some kind of styling product. He wore a purely white shirt with light gray pants.
"Everybody, this is the beautiful bride to be and her brother. Dana, and Orynn Mazen." Valerie proudly introduced.
The rest of the Tryst family moved closer to hug their guests. By the way Vol and Siter greeted the two other Betazoid youths, it was easy to tell that they had known each other a long time. All four hugged in a group, and soon laughed afterwards, likely due to some inside joke they shared telepathically. Vol and Dana smiled admiringly at each other, as Vol's hand reached to hold his soon-to-be wife's.
"Awww. CUTE!" February Grace exclaimed with a wistful sigh. Somehow, it reminded her of what it was like to be reunited with friends of a past Host. These people obviously shared memories which far pre-dated the present.
Once they were all seated, Dana beside Vol, and Orynn beside Siter, the conversation began anew.
"My parents apologize for not being able to come." Dana looked to Tholt.
"None necessary." The elder Tryst waved the comment away.
"May I be the first to offer my congratulations to you, Ms. Mazen, on your upcoming Bonding to our Vol." Liis beamed as she looked over at Vol, affection for him clearly written across her face. "He's quite something, I have no doubt that one thing your life will always be is interesting."
"Thank you," Dana looked at Vol and instantly read his thoughts as he told her who Zanh was. "Captain."
"I'm sorry, allow me to introduce you to my..." Vol paused. He had been ready to use the word 'colleagues', but in this moment, another word seemed much more appropriate.
"...my friends. This is Captain Zanh Liis of the USS Serendipity," Vol extended his arm, and with an open palm he indicated the rest of his Starfleet guests. "Ship's Chaplain, the Vedek Jariel Camen. Executive Officer Salvek, his lovely wife and research engineer Lair Kellyn, their daughter, Arie..."
Vol continued until everyone had been introduced, and Dana had nodded politely to each.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all. As someone who has known Vol a very long time, Captain, I agree with your assessment that my life with him will never be boring."
"Or he'll be a big bore." Orynn chuckled from his seat, and Siter joined in. It was jovial of course, and taken as such.
"Our boys and the Mazen children have been life long friends, since they first met when they were toddlers." Valerie explained.
"Orynn and I work together at the same art gallery." Said Siter. "I provide the art, he does the publicity, and his parents run and own the place."
"It's an extended family." Vol smiled and laughed, for the first time seeming genuinely at ease since arriving at Betazed.
"And we'd have it no other way." Dana and Orynn said in unison.
"Family is a very important thing," Lair Kellyn said, casting an affectionate glance at Salvek, then reaching over and brushing a stray strand of Arie's hair back toward the bow which secured the rest. "Nothing matters more."
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Ensign Vol Tryst
Ship's Counselor
USS Serendipity NCC 2012
and
-=/\=- Zanh Liis
Commanding Officer
USS Serendipity NCC 2012
Ensign Vol Tryst
Ship's Counselor
USS Serendipity NCC 2012
and
-=/\=- Zanh Liis
Commanding Officer
USS Serendipity NCC 2012