[JP, Backsim] Ensign D'Cyra Varati - DS9 is always good for a Surprise, Pt. 2
D'Cyra Varati
Woolheater: What would you do with a yacht Varati? Pack it full of Mandisa? Go from port to port selling it and staying at least one step ahead of Starfleet Security? That's no life. Not for someone as talented as you D'Cyra.
Sam reached and put the third shot glass in front of her and took his.
Woolheater: So I take it you didn't buy the yacht outright?
She seemed like she was a thousand light years away.
Varati: In the end, I only rented it so we could fly to Idrustix in time. We, that's me and my new roommate. It's weird sharing the apartment with someone... luckily, it's big enough, and everyone has their own floor. And somehow it's nice not to be completely alone. On a ship, everything is much more cramped and uncomfortable? I haven't even served on a modern ship yet; I've only ever seen guest quarters on troop transports.
Sam noted the "...completely alone" language and surmised that she was not only lonely but also questioning her career.
Woolheater: Listen, everybody feels that way from time to time. We don't know what the next hour or day will bring. And everybody at some point feels like…just…hour by hour. Let me just make it to the next hour. If you're feeling that way strongly, then you should listen to that part of you. Make some changes, meet some people and just…and hey…if you just want to talk I'm just a sub-space call away.
Her thoughts had already drifted away again as the second whiskey slowly began to take effect.
Varati: Actually, it's almost like a class reunion, isn't it? All the tests and then the big final exam... almost a year ago now.
Sam set the third shot back in the wooden holder. He wished the whiskey were stronger but a mild buzz was all he got.
Woolheater: Can I ask you sumpin?
Varati: Yes, of course… But I won't buy the yacht, and the Mandisa smuggling is said to have declined recently…
She tried desperately to return to her original cheerful mood. But somehow, that became increasingly difficult in such adult conversations. And Sam had also put the next whiskey glass back for now.
He asked directly.
Woolheater: Did you know what I did on some nights? I mean…where I went and how come I came back so late sometimes?
Varati: I don't know? You probably went out with the guys and visited every bar around the academy? Or secret training sessions?
But those were probably not the right answers if he asked in such a special way.
Sam nodded and continued after a moment.
Woolheater: I was entertainment; I danced and…performed…for bachelorette parties, for birthday parties…girls night out. A buddy of mine owned a…he owned an escort service. And…that's what I did. I did it for credits, sure. But I also did it because…well…I didn't want to be alone. And the attention was nice. I'm not ashamed of what I did. There were lots of pretty women and there were lots of older ladies too. I get it. Y'know…I do. But…It's not something I'm a go spouting off to others about though. Y'know?
She had expected anything, but not this. For a moment, she was speechless. There was really nothing dishonourable about it. It was a service like many others... and if you enjoyed it, why not? An American Gigolo?
Better check the glass again to see if it really only contained whisky? Shaking the head? Better not. She had to say something, but was still surprised. Not because she would have condemned such behaviour, but surprised because she didn't know this side of her friend. After all, he was an Officer and a Gentleman. And she was not his Pretty Woman.
D’Cyra had to collect herself for a second, let her gaze wander around the bar again, before turning the bar stool from the bar to face him.
Varati: … Escort Service?! Gigolo… A man for certain occasions… Okaaaay. ::pause:: You really never told me that... not even hinted at it. And all because you felt alone?
Woolheater: No, not just because of that. Its…complicated. But that's not why I'm telling you.
Sam looked at her and leaned in.
Woolheater: How come you never made a pass at me? Or want to go out with me? Honestly, I thought you just didn't like Humans.
He asked with a kind and concerned, friendly tone. More of an opportunity that was missed. Not in an angry or condescending tone at all. There might have even been some hurt in his tone.
Two hits in a very short space of time, and the second one hit her heart directly. Sunk.
Varati: I had no idea?! My heart wasn't free, and yes, there were plenty of "offers" from honest and dishonest guys. And you were apparently busy with your "side job" too...
Woolheater: It's not something I wanted to get…around. Y'know? I never let it interfere with the Academy or my training. Ugh! Varati…its not your fault. You were…probably still are, I'm sure, like the most successful, most popular, most outgoing person. And, I just…wanted to be near that. Y'know? I'm not ashamed of what I did. It doesn't help me now of course. Look…all I'm trying to say and failing at it is that…:: leans in ::...I know what it feels like to be so alone and yet surrounded by people. Doesn't matter if they're trying to drop chits of lantinum in your thong. I know what it feels like to be alone and surrounded by people.
She quickly grabbed the third glass, emptied it in one gulp, and didn't flinch.
Varati: I mean, we never talked about ... oO about feelings Oo I wasn't aware that you apparently had other feelings for me, beyond friendship?!
Samuel took his third photon torpedo and downed that. He set the shot glass back.
Woolheater: Well…yeah. You always had people around you. You're smart and Orion and the mystique in Starfleet Academy that goes with that. You're the first Orion girl I ever met. Something always came up. And…I don't have much of anything. So, we couldn't go anywhere or fly anywhere. You were always so sure. It seemed to me.
Her voice had become quiet and shaky, yet her eyes shone again, even in the dim light of the bar. Or were they tears?
If he had felt this way, why had he never spoken to her or asked her out on a date? Was he, at almost 6'3" tall, afraid of a little Orion girl? No... he couldn't have been that shy, could he?
Varati: How do you come to the conclusion that I don't like humans? You're so similar to us... I was more worried that so many others wouldn't have a good opinion of Orions after the long war against the Syndicate.
Sam shrugged.
Woolheater: Its all the little things. You didn't get a lot of typical tats…and I'm covered with 'em. I liked being on the edge and…free. And you seemed to really want to impress at the Academy. You are smarter than me and I…hoped that maybe some of it would rub off on me. And then, one day, I just thought that you didn't want that typical Orion life anymore. And…you know…we kind of drifted. I was doing my…I was helping my friend…do the escort thing and…
Sam took the fourth shot and set it back.
This was usually the point where relationship dramas began: Me? No, you! - What?! Me? No, you! - Never! - Your mother...!
D’Cyra had been sitting at the bar for quite a while, had had a few drinks with little success, but had already successfully observed some of the aforementioned relationship dramas.
But they weren't in a relationship and there was no reason to argue. Perhaps it was simply a matter of unfulfilled desires and missed opportunities. Frustrations from the past?
Varati: I hope that's not a reason to argue. Back then, all I ever heard and noticed was that you were constantly with other women. But that was never a reason for me to doubt our friendship.
Sam looked around the bar and took a deep breath and exhaled. The stress of the past few minutes seemed to leave him. He was compartmentalizing his feelings.
Woolheater: You didn't ask for advice, you didn't even know we'd meet today. I liked what I did. You know? I liked making people feel good. People are lonely all over the place OK? And, I got to meet some…interesting…people. All I'm saying is that maybe you and I missed our chance? Maybe it was never meant to be. Those are the wrong questions to be asking. What is it that you want? And then go and get it. That special someone you keep talking about? Just talk to them. Ask them out. Just do it.
It all came as a complete surprise and had apparently been building up for years. Things she would never have suspected. She had always been happy to meet new people. But, whether out of youthful naivety or because she was simply flattered, she had apparently not reflected on these things deeply enough.
She felt sorry for Sam, who had initially sought her company, apparently driven by other social constraints (?). But he had by no means taken credit for someone else's achievements, merely trying to bask in her glory. Was that reprehensible?
Varati: Oh, I don't condemn it... for us Orions, it may be customary to show off our wealth... and I was raised that way, so I don't know any different. - Our way of life probably corresponds to what you call hedonism – only that in our culture, it is not morally frowned upon to pursue pleasure.
There's a difference between being alone and being lonely. As you said, you can have a lot of people around you and still be lonely.
Woolheater: Response
D’Cyra pushed the next glass back and forth, it hadn't been a good idea to order and drink so much whisky of unknown origin.
Varati: And at the academy... I didn't want to impress anyone and had to repeat some courses. There's nothing mystical about being under everyone's observation, believe me. ::pause:: And I chose Starfleet because there it doesn't really matter who or what you are... it's only what you make of it that counts.
Oh well, I'll drink the fourth one too…
She gurgled as she downed the fourth shot, almost falling off the barstool herself.
Woolheater: That's the thing about Starfleet. People like us? People with pasts, y'know? We get a chance to change course and be something else. Something special.
Varati: Aah! The special one… No, there is no one special.
With the utmost care, she returned the small glass to its corresponding recess on the tray. Then she looked Sam straight in the eyes, while her left hand slowly placed itself on his right hand, which was resting on the bar counter, gently cupping it. The warmth of her body flowed through her soft, slightly oily skin onto his cold, large hand.
Varati: I didn't ask for advice, and I didn't know you'd be here... and I'm not smuggling Mandisa on a yacht… And I don't know if we missed any opportunity. Actually, I don't know anything. Isn't that wonderful?!
Now she took his other hand as well.
This helped. For Sam, touch was his first language and the one he most resonated with. He visibly softened and he felt better and not so frustrated.
Varati: We have one more shot! Where will this last “eel” take us? No—I didn't book a holosuite. But are there turbolifts here?
D’Cyra began to laugh heartily and reached for the last glass with her right hand. His smile broadened, his face grew bright again and he laughed.
Woolheater: Should we test it out? See if I can still hotwire the turbolift and make it our own private conveyance?
He was referring to his "skill" at opening up the stabalizers and hijacking the turbolift carriage being able to control it and travel as they liked. All of it within the confines of the turbolift system. Sam joined in her laughter and his mood lightened. He realized that neither of them knew as much about the other as they thought.
End Part 2
1stLt Samuel Woolheater
Scout Sniper / Infantry Officer
MARDET, Starfleet Marine Corps
USS Octavia E. Butler NCC-82850
O240111SW4
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