Lieutenant Commanders Chythar Skyfire & Timothy Alentonis: Day At The Beach
Zeph
(( Holodeck 3, Skyfire Beach, USS Astraeus ))
Tim was on the cliff top at Chythar’s favorite meditation spot. Below him, he could hear somewhere close by the sound of the waves, but also the faint barking of a beagle. While CD was taking Devlin for a walk, the professor was at the doctor’s preferred meditation spot. If there was one place that was best for thinking without worrying about when you were on shift, this was it. He still had a few hours before gamma shift was supposed to start, so was once again fine to chill here and process his thoughts.
(( Flashback -- Dig Site, Colorado, Earth ))
(( Time Index: 237301.25 ))
The young archaeologist was kneeling in the dirt, using a detail brush to excavate around what he thought was a skull. The object, still half-covered in dried dirt, was bone colored, so that was reason enough to keep digging. He heard footsteps, but didn’t look up. This was a secure dig site, and he was so engrossed in the task beneath his brush he didn’t notice until the rather masculine voice called to him.
Torvalin: Doctor Alentonis?
It was almost love at first sight. This man was very handsome: athletically built, had shoulder-length brown hair, a goatee, and the most amazing green eyes.
Alentonis: Yes? How can I help you?
Torvalin: I’m Doctor Elliot Torvalin. I was told that you have an interest in Romulan history?
Alentonis: Why yes…I do…
The two of them started to launch into a very energetic discussion about Romulans, and the beauty of Romulan ship design. They discovered mutual common interests, and all the while spent time excavating whatever it was Tim was working on.
(( End Flashback ))
Another series of barks disrupted the professor’s meditation. It sounded a lot closer than before, but Chythar & Devlin were probably at the bottom of the cliff by now. It was all just so confusing, and there were so many emotions. It was a convoluted web of craziness, and not one that was fun to untangle. The love for Elliot as the memory flashed through his mind seemed equally as strong as it was back then, but was it really? The objective now was to sort out how he truly felt, since he didn’t have the faintest idea.
It had been about twenty eight years since he last even heard from Dr. Torvalin. And now, the first contact he’d had with them, upon learning of her new gender identity, aand the emotional unpacking from that, was still a bit much. They’d only had a few months together before the attack on the Evans. He shook his head to clear it and got to his feet before he made his way down the cliff.
Some distance away, Tim saw CD & Devlin playing frisbee. It didn’t seem like a bad idea to go and socialize with them, since he was here enjoying the moment anyway. He still had a few hours to kill before his shift, so he stepped closer. Once the doctor caught sight of him, he tossed the disc in Tim’s direction.
Skyfire: Heads up, doc!
Caught off guard by the flying disc and Chythar’s words, he missed it by a few inches as the little dog ran up, jumped and caught it in his mouth before bringing it to Tim.
Devlin: Raff raff!
CD and Tim smiled down at the canine as the professor picked up the disc and just held it in his hand for a moment.
Skyfire: Figure out what you need to, Tim?
Alentonis: Nah, not really. Still a bit of emotional stuff to deal with. Not quite ready to let you in on it.
Skyfire: That’s fine. :: Looked down at the canine. :: You wanna fetch it again, Devlin?
Devlin: Arf!
Skyfire: :: returning his gaze to Tim. :: You should throw it. He’ll start whimpering otherwise.
Alentonis: A’right.
In typical fashion as Chythar had taught him, he wound up and launched it, aiming for the direction of the beach but still low enough that Devlin would be able to catch it. Like a speeding locomotive, Devlin ran off after it and once again caught it in his mouth. The trio would repeat this process a few more times, and after the fifth throw Tim hands the frisbee back to Chythar.
Skyfire: Want to stay a bit longer?
Alentonis: Yeah. I’ll let you get back to your little ones.
Skyfire: Alright. Later, Tim. C’mon, Devlin. Time to go.
Devlin: Arf!
The canine follows behind his master as they exit the holodeck, leaving Tim alone on the beach with his thoughts. There was still a lot of mental unpacking to do, and he didn’t know if he was ready for looking too hard at the giant blank spot in his memory about the attack that separated him from his lover.