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1=2E [USS CAPRICORN] JP - Welcome to My Parlor
From: "carys murray" <carysmurray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
________________________________________________________________________
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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 12:09:03 -0800
From: "carys murray" <carysmurray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [USS CAPRICORN] JP - Welcome to My Parlor
MD3
Marquis' Castle
[Snip]
"Just Fine, I think!" Montana answered with a roll of her eyes as the
two
women stepped from behind the screens at the same time.
"Oh! You look lovely Commander! I'm sure the Captain would love..."
Miaren
blurted out and instantly turned the color of Montana's gown. "I..I"
Miaren
stammered.
[END SNIP]
Miaren had to admit seeing the First Officer dressed this way certainly
changed her appearance.
The dress she was wearing was striking. It was bold, bright red and fit
her
to perfection. It was a dress that captured her inner fire and
personality
and no one would be able to get away with such a dress..except for
Montana.
It gave Miaren a new way to look at her, and she studied her with
interest.
She had heard the rumors concerning the first officer and the captain.
Heck, she had walked in on them, that first morning on the beach.
With those thoughts back in her head she felt the heat rise to flush
her
cheeks.
Damn.was she EVER going to get THAT image out of her mind? She tried
so
hard not to remember so she could face the captain on a daily basis.
And
now, face to face with the beautiful first officer, it had all come
back.
Montana eyed her suspiciously as she watched the blush rise to her
cheeks.
She did not feel comfortable in this dress, and looking at Miaren she
had to
admit that this was not a good feeling. Her dress brought out the
natural
hidden beauty that the doctor seemed rather good at hiding. The soft
dusty
sage green of the dress, the softness of the fabric as it too clung to
her
petite frame only enhanced the impishness of her, the delicacy of her.
[SNIP]
"Commander, I would like to speak freely for a moment!" Montana nodded,
so
the Doctor explained her findings and fears.
"Doctor, I will be honest, I do not like my judgment questioned, but
because
of the circumstances I will explain myself this one time. I know you
are
well aware that we weren't alone at the landing site. I felt it was
best
that we split up and accept the hospitality of the Marquis so that Lf
Rogan's team could work more freely and without too much interruption.
Plus,
it gives us a chance to take more readings. This dampening field you
have
discovered puzzles me. Many years ago something terrible happened here
Doctor, something that has never been explained and I want to find out
what
it is."
[END SNIP]
Montana paced the floor waiting, for it certainly seemed much longer
than
the 3 quarters of an hour that the woman Sybil had mentioned. Miaren
watched
as the first officer paced working out a plan Miaren hoped. Miaren
spent
time studying the room, the objects and the texture of the fabric on
the
chairs, the lounge and the bed and its curtains. The words her
commanding
officer did not bring her mind to ease. She was not about to discuss
what
she had learned from Istria, nor what she had learned from her father.
With the sound of the key in the lock, both women turned to face the
door
and watched as it opened, and Sybil was there. Behind her was the
security
crew that had followed them up to the rooms.
They were dressed in strange courtly fashion, and Miaren smiled at the
uncomfortable looks that they wore. They did not look too happy with
their
outfits, and they certainly did not seem too happy to see what the
women
were wearing. Montana took the lead behind the woman who was even
smaller
than the doctor. She arched an eyebrow and wondered just how could
someone
could be even shorter and smaller than their doctor? Unless they were
a
child she mused. She wondered if that were part of her problem with
the
doctor.
That she was untried and never had step foot on a ship or knew of ship
protocol was bad enough, that in her humble opinion her record was too
squeaky clean and she did have the audacity to go over everyone's head
to
try to ferret out information not of her clearance level. This
combined
with being an animal hater of course. No, the doctor was more
child-like
than just her size, and a spoiled one at that.
Montana hoped that perhaps this mission would teach her what she needed
to
learn, so that the ship could have a true chief medical officer.
Miaren
stepped in behind the first officer and followed quietly as she again
took
in the surroundings and strangely felt a wee bit of home. She wondered
how
the landscape really looked under the light of day. Would there be
grand
gardens and a beautiful view from the terrace? Miaren thought of home
and
felt her heart skip a beat.
Miaren was in no doubt that what ever the story from StarFleet
was.there was
no deadly radiation. That perhaps StarFleet was hiding something else
would
not surprise her. She determined that she would uncover it, so that
her new
friend Istria would have her past back, and with the truth this time,
not a
bunch of jumbled lies.
Making their way down the corridor the thick luscious carpets muffled
the
sound of their footsteps as they made their way back to the large
ornate
wooden doors.
Sybil knocked on them, to announce their arrival and they were greeted
with
a warm reply and welcoming voice of the Marquis.
"Ladies, you look even more beautiful than before. And, may I say." he
said
seeing eye -to- eye with the first officer. "That your beauty would
quite
literally sail a thousand ships. Not that you." he replied turning to
face
the doctor as she walked through as well, "Are dreary to look at
either."
"Uh.Thank you." Miaren offered nervously.
"No thanks are necessary. I am honored that you would join us
tonight." The
Marquis said, offering each of them a chair. "Is it possible for us to
get
you anything to drink, Ms. Phillips? No? How about you, perhaps some
tea,
Ms. Hywell? He asked as he once again turned to face Miaren.
Although that did sound nice, she saw the darkening countenance of the
first
officer and thought it was better for her not to partake. She shook her
head, but his attention was once again on Montana and so did not see
her
quiet refusal.
"How awful of me for not having asked sooner. I am such a dreadful
host,
aren't I Sybil? It's been so long, I barely remember how." He asked his
aide, who smiled at his insinuation.
"No, thank you, we're fine, Marquis." The first officer responded.
"Yes, that is good then. Maybe now we can speak. Sybil, would you
please
fetch J'hon and J'sse? Thank you Sybil." He remarked as she left the
room.
After a moment of sipping his own drink, Marquis started again.
"J'sse and J'hon are my closest confidants. They are like sons to me,
with
Sybil..no, I take that back, all of my people are like my children. I
was
one of the first of our people millennia ago. I remember the first
time I
saw each of them, some of them at younger ages than others. Only a few
of
them were born here, but J'sse and J'hon have been with me from when we
landed here."
"So, you weren't originally from here?" Miaren asked, making mental
notes of
everything he said.
"No, Miaren, I can remember as far back as three planets ago, from when
I
was a very young man. My father was actually one of the people who
brought
us here."
Miaren tried to hide the surprise she felt when she heard him use her
name.
How did he know it? Why did its use affect her so? It felt like a
caress,
and a tender private moment between two lovers. She shook off the
strange
feeling that was overcoming her and tried to follow along with his
conversation.
"When we first arrived, it wasn't the plush planet full of life that
you
arrived on." He said proudly, almost as a gardener would when showing
off
prize marigolds.
"No, it was a dark and dreary place. This domicile is one of the few
remaining structures from that time. I moved everyone inside its
walls. I
wanted them to feel closer, having more of an investment in what we're
doing
and are trying to do here."
"Which is?" Montana asked dubiously.
"Commander Phillips." Marquis started, and in using her title,
immediately
switched on her defense mechanism. "Contrary to what you may or may
not be
thinking, I have nothing but affection for my people. I am..a
benevolent,
loving leader." He paused in between the words, so she understood
completely his meaning, and as they walked in, his mood lightened
almost
immediately.
"Montana, Miaren, please allow me to introduce J'hon and J'sse." He
stood as
the two blond haired gentlemen walked in.
"And, while I would like nothing more than to sit with the 4 of you for
all
eternity.I must leave for a moment, so please speak with them as you
would
me. In this, they are my arms and hands. Excuse me." He said, pulling
over
a chair for each of the two new planet side residents to be seated in.
"It is truly an honor and a privilege to meet you." J'hon said
extending a
hand to each.
"As do I, feel the same way." J'sse said, first taking Miaren's hand;
then
peering into her eyes. Miaren felt her stomach do flip flops and she
hoped
no one in the room could have hear it, so loud it was to her senses.
"Now, as Marquis has said, we are completely at your disposal. You
must
have questions. How can we please you?" J'sse lowered his voice for
the
last part of the sentence and squeezed her hand ever so slightly. He
spoke
in such a way that the doctor could barely lift her eyes back up to his
piercing ones.
Luckily, the first officer didn't have quite the same problem. She
threw
Miaren a glance to show her irritation, and turned to the other who sat
next
to her.
"How long have you been here?" she asked in her simple no nonsense
tone.
"We have been here for the better part of 400 of your years. Before
this,
we were out in the Rigel System. That is where most of us were
birthed."
J'sse spoke almost out of a Shakespearean play.
Now it was J'hon's turn. "Yes, I remember almost like it was
yesterday.
Rigel was a nice place, but this.this is Eden." As he spoke his ears
flickered, almost like wings of an insect, but not unnerving enough
that
they needed to be stared at.
"Snakes, apples, and all." He said with an eerie smile. Montana
thought it
was like looking like Tre-Hani when she did it as well.
The evening was nearly at its peak when they had started this
conversation,
with the moons high atop their arc. The two men spoke eloquently with
Montana and Miaren. J'hon was more direct in his comments and replies
with
Montana; while J'sse was better at easing the comments from Miaren.
It was almost as if they'd practiced their answers before they'd
entered the
room. Although their backs were to the sole, slightly opened window in
the
room, both women at one time or another could have sworn they heard a
SWOOSH
distinctly go by at some point during the conversation.
"Ladies, as we are only able to go out in evenings, some of our people
enjoy
partaking of the night's air now and again." This vague answer was
enough
that it barely satisfied the two officers, but now they were even more
curious as to what that meant.
Soon after Miaren turned to look out the window, and saw the storm
raging.
She said nothing, glanced at her commanding officer, acknowledged her
look
and turned back to their strange hosts and smiled weakly.
"It appears you have sudden violent storms." Miaren replied hoping they
would tell her more; give her more information so that she could
unravel
this mystery.
"Yes, they are sudden, and violent..and very dangerous." J'sse took
her
hand.
Miaren gathered her courage and looked up into the piercing eyes of
J'sse,
who still sat by her side, and now, altho she was not sure when, he was
holding her hand between his gently, as if to comfort her. She was
startled
to see that his eyes were of a slivery color with the slightest hint of
blue
within that silver, but it was the soft hint of blood rimmed eyes that
started her the most.
Was this because of their slow descent into darkness, had their eyes
grown
to be weak in the sunlight, even tho she knew for a fact there was no
more
radiation to be found on the planet. The life was too lush and
plentiful
for there to be radiation.
Still the penetrating gaze looked back in hers, and she felt as though
he
was beckoning her to move closer and slip into the silvery depths of
his
orbs.
"You and your..companion are lucky you are inside..here with us..you
are
safe here." He finished saying while looking deep into her eyes, her
eyes
that almost matched the gown she wore. He could see the play of
emotions
flicker across her face.
"You have a question Miaren?" Smiling as he gently prodded her. He was
mesmerized by her. He had never felt or sensed anything like this
before.
"Uh, well." she began and looked over to see the stern pouty face of
her
first officer. "I don't understand why tis only the night ya can go
out
in." she stammered her lilt more pronounced because she was not
comfortable
in the situation she found herself in.
"Why are the storms so dangerous?" she continued her line of thinking.
"I took samples and readin's and..." the stern look of Montana silenced
her.
She did not notice the look that went between the two men, but
Montana
caught it. She did not know if she should shoot the doctor and tell
Avi it
was in self defense, or if maybe this was a good thing.they did appear
worried about her statement.
"Well, we have lived here a long time."J'sse begin gently.
"Many people have been here, and their instruments always said the
same."
J'hon corrected looking straight at Miaren. She noticed he too had the
lighter eyes of one who might be use to only darker places.
"Where are your findings? Your instruments?" J'sse asked pulling her
attention back to him.
"The findin's were sent ta the ship, my friend Istria..she and
Andrew..they
be studyin them." She replied turning back to the one who still held
her
hand.
"My Instruments...I musta left them in the room, when ya gave me
these.."
she indicated to her new gown. Her new soft gown; the one that felt
like
heaven against her skin. Her new gown that was the most beautiful
color
green she had ever seen, and ..she suddenly wondered why she wanted to
stay
and wear this ..forever?
J'sse watched her closely as the play of her emotions and thoughts
flickered
across her features. She was so simple and easy to read. Now this
other
one; she would cause some trouble. She would be good to use; as a
bargaining tool, should the need arise.
"I see." J'hon replied evenly, making note of the information the
younger
one made, and also the name she mentioned. Now Marquis would be very
interested in that name.
"I am sure that once your uniforms have been dried and pressed, you
will
have all of your belongings back with you." J'sse comforted in his soft
gentle tones.
Miaren looked over to see the stern countenance of Montana and she
wondered
if her blunder would have any effect on their returning to the ship.
What if the Marquis did not wish outsiders to run tests and samples on
his
world? What if he had been the one behind the explosion? Maybe he did
not
wish to see his beautiful world destroyed with mining.
"Mining!" she softly exclaimed as new questions and theories popped
into her
head. She heard the intake of breath, but it appeared from all 3 along
with
the startled looks on their faces.
The darkest was of course from her commanding officer. Miaren was glad
she
could not read her mind. She was pretty sure what she was thinking,
just
from the look on her face.
"There is no mining here." J'sse replied evenly as he looked over
Miaren's
head to J'hon.
"Really.." Montana interjected with a cool calculating smile.
"Interesting,
StarFleet must have been misinformed." Miaren opened her mouth, and
shut it
again. They were lying! Miaren suddenly withdrew her hand and folded
them
in her lap.
"Well." J'sse began trying to get back that feeling he had been weaving
to
soothe Miaren and her companion. He noticed the men that arrived with
them
just stood quietly as if they were not there. As long and he and J'hon
could keep the 2 women calm and relaxed, they would not have to worry
about
the ones who guarded them.
"There had been mining one time." J'hon corrected again. "We had made
several different attempts, but they always ended in disaster. The
last was
of such magnitude, such vast numbers of deaths and severe injuries.."
he
allowed the pitch of his voice to hang and slowly fade to bring the
mind's
eye the horror of it all.
Miaren the most susceptible of them all shuddered with deep revulsion.
She
could see the horror of it all, and she wanted to weep for those who
survived it. Her mind went to Istria and she was glad that she escaped
the
horror that had been left behind.
J'sse sensing that she was distraught gently picked up her hand once
more
and tried to bring her a sense of calm and comfort.
"How forthcoming." Montana replied again in her typical cynical
fashion.
She realized that both men were not aware of the hidden warning behind
that
particular tone, but the security men were. They changed their stance
and
J'hon realized that they missed some hidden secret signal, and just as
they
were pondering how to handle the sudden chilly situation, the master of
the
castle, returned to join them.
The Marquis swept into the room with an elegance and ease that spoke of
his
status. He was pleased to see that everything was as he wished. None
looking at him would have known he had heard any of their conversation.
"Istria!" his heart exclaimed. "She had returned!" He controlled his
jubilation at such a reunion and focused on the issues at hand.
The storm altho a violent one, was almost done. He had learned them
well,
and altho they were not truly dangerous, they were a nuisance and
created
more havoc afterwards than anything. At least those creatures feared
them,
and anything that helped keep them at bay was handy to his way of
thinking.
"My dear guests..it appears our nightly storm is almost over." He
stated
addressing Montana. "As sad as I am to have you leave us, I have been
told
that your ..uniforms? ..have been dried and pressed."
J'hon and J'sse stood at his announcement. J'hon was surprised, but
managed
to hide it well. J'sse on the other hand was quite indignant and his
displeasure showed along with a hint of anger behind his flashing eyes.
"Surely, they need to stay..to ensure their safety." He blurted out.
The
Marquis turned to face his young assistant and gave him a look that
silenced
him.
Montana watched this altercation and was interested about the true
relationship behind the fa=E7ade that they were obviously playacting.
"The storm is over." Marquis answered. "It is time we return them to
their
ship and perhaps they can return tomorrow, to further our discussions
and
forge a new alliance with them."
J'hon nodded and J'sse looked over to Miaren and studied her, as if he
knew
he would never see her again, and he had to try to capture her essence
and
countenance so he could remember her.
Montana rose with her usual dignity and Miaren followed suit.
"Ladies." Marquis bowed low and with a courtly flair. "I shall have
Sybil
escort you back to your rooms, so you may change and then we shall get
you
back in safety to your team and then to your ship."
As is she were magically called, Sybil was there, and soon the women
were
back in the room changing back into their uniforms, and making sure
they had
all their instruments with them.
Meanwhile while they were changing the Marquis and his two assistants
waited
in the grand parlor.
"What do you mean escort them back to the team and then to the ship?"
J'sse
hissed at him. "YOU know it is not safe at this time, with the storm
over
for any of us to leave the safety of this place."
"J'sse, you over excite yourself." He tried to calm and soothe the
younger
man.
"They are searching for them as we speak."
"Not through the storm." J'hon reminded him. He did not like to see
them
divided arguing and bickering. He understood that there would be
differences of opinion, but to see such anger and bitterness in J'sse,
this
was new. It did not feel right, nor comfortable.
"No, but they will begin again as soon as they know the storm has
passed."
Marquis replied. "We have had it happen before."
"They can not be found here...we made sure of that." J'sse continued to
argue. He was not sure as to why it was so important to him to keep
her
here. He looked at the man he had known for what seemed like an
eternity.
Was this how he felt when he has met "her"? Was this the suffering he
went
through on the days they were separated? Did he suffer now? J'sse was
sure
he knew of her return.
"They must return to their people, to pave the way, so that the others
can
return..to help us forge a new alliance.to help those of us who wish
to...perhaps leave this place?' Marquis replied softly.
She had returned. She still lived. He had lived with the fear she had
been
taken from him and he lived with the memory of her and hoped he would
one
day find her..or at least learn of what had happened to her.
"They may not let her return!" J'sse spoke out in distress. "What if
they
do not let either of them return? What then?"
Marquis looked at J'sse and smiled. How interesting. He had been
struck by
the same thing he had been all those years ago. He knew in his mind it
was
not that long in time, it just felt like an eternity since he had last
laid
eyes on her.
Interesting that the one who voiced such vile contempt for his falling
for
one of the outsiders would have been struck with the same bolt. Funny
he
thought, at one time he would have been amused and laughed at his
predicament, now he felt for him, for he too had once been where J'sse
had
been, and the sorrow and pain mixed with the wonderment was all too
bitter
sweet.
"We shall return them safely and prove our good will." Marquis answered
in a
softer more tolerant understanding tone. "We shall ask that they
return, so
that we may parley with their commander, and perhaps we can ask for
sanctuary among them."
J'sse hearing the finality in his lord and master's voice nodded and
acquiesced. J'hon always the more serious minded nodded his approval.
"Shall I prepare security for them as they return to their camp?" J'hon
asked.
Marquis smiled and shook his head as he watched the last of the storm
clear
away.
"It won't be necessary." He chuckled warmly. "As soon as they step out
from
the Castle courtyard, they will be picked up by their sensors and
beamed
away."
Hearing the soft noises of them returning, he nodded to them both and
they
all turned to face their guests and waited to say their goodbyes.
"Commander." Marquis replied with a sincere smile. "It was a pleasure
to
meet you, and I hope you carry with you our welcome and greeting, and
perhaps your Commander will be willing to meet with me and we can
parley and
work out an alliance between us."
"Marquis." Montana returned the greeting. "I will relay your message
and
intentions."
"I hope to be graced with your presence as well dear Doctor." The
Marquis
spoke to Miaren taking her hand and kissing it softly. His soft smooth
lips
cool against her warm skin make her tingle and flush.
"I hope that I am allowed that as well." Miaren responded with a smile.
She
caught just a glimpse of his eyes, and he too had the slightly
blood-rimmed
eyes and she wondered if they all did. It would be interesting to
study and
see if with her knowledge of genetics, she might be able to work it so
they
would be able to be out more in the sun-light and not live by the light
of
the moon.
"Ladies..shall we?" Marquis said as he led them out into the courtyard.
Miaren was surprised to see the moons so low on the horizon. The night
sky
was lighter in color, and the stars still bright and twinkling. As
they
crossed the threshold of the castle courtyard and stood just outside an
open
area the static sounds from both their com links sputtered and beeped
to
life.
"Commander!" the com link spoke up clearer now. The surprise in the
voice
on the other end evident to all who could hear it. "Everything
alright?"
"Yes Ensign." Commander Phillips responded.
Miaren felt the transporting before she saw the lights or heard the
sound.
She felt her stomach lurch and her knees grow weak.
The 3 men stood and watched as their guests disappeared in a beam of
light
and once more they were left in the soft pre-dawn light. Silence
permeated
around them.
"Let us find our rest." Marquis softly spoke, breaking the silence.
"We
will have need of our rest, so that we can begin the journey of our new
life."
[TAG- Josh - So what is Avi's reaction to the return of Montana and
Miaren?
Open Tag to any who also would like to add their questions]
[SUMMARY]
Montana and Miaren are given dry clothes, very fancy alluring clothes
and
given an audiance with their host known to them as Marquis. he
introduces
them to his assistants and they spend part of the evening talking and
speaking in riddles.
Questions are asked and answered, and the mystery deepens. They hear a
storm raging outside and both women are not sure just what is going on,
but
neither feel comfortable.
The Marquis returns and the women are given the go ahead to return to
the
ship. Marquis asks Montana for the honor or meeting with her
Commanding
Officer for a parlay and alliance and they are escorted outside, where
the
sensors pick them up and the small party is transported back to the
ship.
Respecetfully Submitted by
Josh Turnof
aka
Captain Avi Reckage, MD
Commanding Officer
USS Capricorn
NCC 1753
&
Carys Murray
Aka
Miaren Hywell
Chief Medical Officer
USS Capricorn
________________________________________________________________________
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