JP: Lieutenant JG Sevantha Saa & Morro Caras - Blurred Lines [Part II]
Sevantha Saa
((Kujor’s Custom Fits, Deep Space 14 ))
((2 Hours Earlier…))
Morro Caras walked out of the shop fixing his collar. He was used to the tight fit of formal wear of other cultures. What he couldn’t get used to was his own skin. It was no longer the deep green that he was used to. Instead it was a pale peachy color. It felt very surreal to him, he had never imagined he’d be doing a job that would change him like this. Rather, Sevantha changed him after she had gotten the proper approvals.
Still, he wasn’t in uniform, so he undid the top button on the shirt…. And a second button for good measure. Sevantha was supposed to meet him right in front of this place.
Sevantha stood only a short distance away adorned in an uncharacteristic black gown with a deep plunge v-neck top, thin spaghetti straps, a cinched waist, with a dual layered skirt with dual high front slits. Her hair tied-back into a higher set ponytail with silver ornaments fit to crown her head, her bangs and a few stray strands intentionally left out to frame her face. As she spotted a peachy colored Morro, fitted into his suit, his hair taking the temporary color quite well, she sighed in relief… Everything looked to be fitting perfectly.
She adjusted her posture and approached him slowly and with a practiced elegance.
Saa: I trust everything fits?
Caras: I would say so…::beat:: oh you’re talking about me. Yes. it’s fine.
Morro never forgot how attractive Sevantha was. It didn’t often have an affect on him, but this time she really had his attention. His sister had trained him to be resilient to looks. She had a handful of choice sayings that she would repeat every time she saw someone who could be considered even remotely more attractive than her.
Caras: You look incredible. You really do look like someone that would inspire poems.
Black had never been her color. She’d consulted Jania for advice in wearing the color as her fellow doctor often did so with incredible grace and ease, where Sevantha favored white or pastels typically outside her uniform. Once again his words brought more color to her cheeks.
Saa: I… Thank you. ::she recollects herself:: I suppose that makes it easier to pretend I’m your muse for the evening then.
As she approached, she noticed he’d undone two of the buttons of his fitted shirt. He’d made a strong style choice. Sevantha didn’t fuss over it but did approach to straighten his jacket.
Saa: Davian Maddox ::practicing before softening her voice:: How are you handling the physical change…?
Caras: It’s hard to get used to. It keeps throwing me off, despite it’s really such a small change. I’ll manage though. It’s hard to feel comfortable in my own skin. But maybe that works for portraying a total recluse.
He figured he better get comfortable soon and get into the role. Morro held out his arm for Sevantha to take.
Caras: Shall we go, Soleil?
Morro figured he better get used to using her title as well.
Saa: Of course.
Reaching out, she hooked her arm through his, and made sure to correct her posture and get comfortable in the physical familiarity. It had to be believable they were a couple. Davian, in his communications, had insisted that while he approved of the investigation, that anyone using his name and portraying his muse had to accurately promote proper respect to them both. That meant they couldn’t skimp on acting as a couple in public, his most popular work in recent years having focused on Soleil as subject. Luckily for Morro, Soleil was described to have a crown of golden hair and dark eyes, and Sevantha fit that description fairly well. The fact that his muse was a half-betazoid also helped matters.
Sevantha’s initial armhook was far too formal, she realized. After a moment of consideration, she used her arm to embrace his own, and drew the two of them closer. Silence lingered momentarily. A thought occurred to her, one she attempted to voice, but was interrupted before she could speak.
Varic: Dr. Saa?
One of the medical officers who worked under Dr. Moydol and Dr. Nis stood dressed in what appeared to be extra extravagant and dated heavy robes, with a pair of faux canines, and pointed ears. What was he doing here and why did he have to acknowledge her?
Saa: Ah… Lieutenant Varic. ::she bit the inside of her lip:: I’m sorry we were just leaving.
Caras: oO This is… really unfortunate timing. Oo
Morro made a face for a second but then he straightened up. Their cover wasn’t blown yet, but as people were on shore leave, they had to be careful where they tread. Once they made it to the auction they would be in the clear. Caras didn’t foresee them getting caught on the way there.
Varic: Where to? Are you joining the Vampire LARP this evening?
He looked at Morro for a moment but failed to recognize him without the distinct green skin.
Morro bumped into Varic a few times, but once Varic learned that Morro played Dungeons and Dragons with some of the crew members, he was relentless about constantly inviting them to one of their LARPS, and trying to find out the other members of the D&D group so that he could ask them. Varic the Relentless. So far, Morro had not given Varic any of the names of the other players. Including the one on his arm right now.
Saa: N-no.
Caras: She’s with me. And we’re going.
Varic: But I swore he called you Soleil, is that your character name? ::thinks and then realizes:: Ooooh, is this one of those things?
Saa: Those things?
Caras: It is one of those things. So I bid you goodnight. oO What one of those things does he think it is? That doesn’t narrow it down. Oo
Lieutenant Varic’s jaw dropped a little. He didn’t suspect the quiet Betazoid doctor to indulge in such anonymous and secretive trysts. Dr. Nis would be very curious to learn of this development, she always seemed like she was concerned with the goings on of the crew after all. Plus, it was one of the few ways he got to socialize and feel like part of the in crowd with the medical department.
Varic: Ah, well… ::he seems to accept that:: You two have fun but, really, you should check out the Vampires in there, they love the formal affairs.
He extended his arms out to show off his Eastern European inspired robes connected to the earth part of his heritage.
Saa: Thank you… really, but we have to go. ::trying to keep calm:: ~He thinks I am indulging in some arranged anonymous hook-up. ~
Caras: Have a good night with your larg.
Caras was getting into character. What would a reclusive poet know about larps. And if that is what he thought it was, Morro thought he should probably meet that expectation, and pulled Sevantha in.
Varic: LARP. ::he corrects quickly:: Have a good night Soleil ::exaggerated wink and a thumbs up::
Sevantha felt herself die a little on the inside. She didn’t have shame about romantic encounters but the way people perceived them, Varic’s timing, and the fact she knew he would talk only led to dread. People who knew about the mission would know, but it didn’t mean there wasn’t going to be gossip and teasing at her clear expense.
Abruptly she leaned into Morro, buried her face, to hide her clear embarrassment as Varic the Relentless departed.
Saa: ~Morro, promise me you’ll throw me out of the airlock later.~
Caras: oO Maybe after this. It was your conditions that you needed to be a part of this. Oo
He smiled a bit. He was glad she convinced him that she would be part of their scheme.
Saa: ~ Fair enough ~
((Entrance Solar Sail Observation Hall, Deep Space 14 ))
((30 Minutes Earlier…))
Security: You must be... ::looking at his tablet:: Which one are you?
Caras: Maddox, Davian Maddox and Soleil.
The recognition dawned on the private security flunky.
Security: Sorry to the both of you, there was just no accompanying image. Please present your invitation. For your verification.
Saa: ::softly:: I am Davian’s plus one.
Caras: Here.
Caras managed to hide his nervousness. There wasn’t much to cover, they had been given the actual invite from the real Davian Maddox, but Morro had to look like everyone's idea of the mystery man. Sevantha had to look like the muse of hundreds of love poems. From that outside viewer it would be debatable which one had the more difficult job.
Security: Here you are Mr. Maddox. You have a guest package waiting for you near the concierge table, and Mr. Zelos has spared no expense on making sure that you and your muse are accommodated. Your romance is after all, poetry.
Caras nodded. They were in. He thought that they should really look the part. The security guard reminded him of that. As they passed through the security gate, Morro smoothly took Sevantha’s hand. His hands were warm with the tension of the “mission”.
Caras: oO We’re in. It's working. I wonder what the package is? Oo
Saa: ~ At auctions I've been to, in attempts to appeal to the attending nobility or political figures, they host an extravagant viewing room for the items, usually holographic replications to avoid theft. ~
Cautiously she looked around and made sure not to stray too far from her date as she attempted to mentally eavesdrop on some of the guests to find their host. Her attention turned to a corner where a few Bajoran diplomats stood talking to one another. Their conversation was about a township dispute on New Bajor she had little understanding of, but their thoughts told a different story. There was a light dose of skepticism regarding this event and their host, a desire to see a number of these relics in person, and a hope for confrontation. Every so often their eyes were drawn to a room which would give rise to the feelings of impatience again.
Saa: ~ Our host was seen going in and out of a room near… ~ ::She quietly searched then pointed towards a few offshoot rooms:: ~Over there~
Caras: oO Should we confront him directly or should we try and get close and listen in? Oo
Saa: ~ Davian isn’t one who would go straight to the seller, he’s reclusive right? He’d let the seller approach him. Introverts don’t like to talk to people.~
Caras: oO We could go into the conference room nearby. Oo
Gently she nodded.
Saa: ~ Make ourselves more visible to the patrons and make him come to us.~
Studying their surroundings, she flinched a little suddenly, something familiar hit that she couldn’t quite place. What was that? It wasn’t painful but she felt like her mind had almost latched to another telepathic presence too easily. Was it a sensitive like Commander DeVeau? Or was there a Rodulan here? If so, it was less intense than her last telepathic case with one. As they moved towards the conference room, she noticed they’d become the focus of several guests’ thoughts and whispers. Sevantha was so used to being able to slip by, being held in the spotlight of people’s thoughts was strange.
Caras wasn’t sure he liked this attention. Unintentionally, he gripped Sevantha’s hand a little tighter.
Saa: ~ People are certainly asking questions about you.~
Caras: oO How do people know? I thought we would end up being anonymous Oo
Then he saw the bulletin on one of the holoprojectors that announced guests as they arrived at the auction. So that’s how they knew. Zelos had always been on for pageantry and “hospitality,” this might have been an auction but it looked like he had spared no expense at just the decor on this place, let alone the hospitality aspect. Morro was glad he didn’t try and come in as waitstaff, he might have been too busy trying to maintain his cover to get the job done.
Caras: oO Great not sure why I didn’t suspect that. Now everyone knows who we are, or at least who we’re supposed to be. Oo
Caras knew he wasn’t cut out for this undercover operation. It had been his idea in the first place, but now that he was the talk of everyone there, he was more fearful about being found out. Normally he didn’t mind everyone knowing who he was, but not in this way. On the Butler, Caras made it a habit to talk to just about everyone he didn’t know. He knew it annoyed some people, but a lot of people enjoyed the company. Caras had only met a few people who didn’t enjoy the experience. This on the other hand was something else.
Wait, if everyone knew that they were here. That meant….
Zelos: Davian Maddox. Finally, we meet!
The Pirate Orion swept in. He looked like he had aged significantly since the last time Caras had seen him, but he looked as regal as ever. Most Orion pirates wore symbols of their power as their dress and he was no exception.
Sevantha pivoted to see their Orion host, her expression muted, searching perhaps a little too much for information. Her eyes flicked up and down studying his dress, his mannerisms, and his aura before she spoke first for Davian.
Saa: …and you are the host of the auction?
Zelos: And this must be your muse, the magical, mysterious, magnificent, Soleil.
Caras: Yes, It is her. Nice to finally meet you. I know you’ve sent me a handful of correspondence, and I've only replied once.
Caras tried to move in to block Zelos from Saa, but he was easily intercepted. Zelos took who he believed to be Soleil’s hand and kissed it. He gave her a bit of a tug to move her in the direction of one of the conference rooms.
Zelos: This way please. You are my honored guest.
Zelos muttered some things to a footman of his, and the footmen sprung into action towards the concierge desk. Zelos motioned them into the conference room and to sit.
Sevantha attempted not to panic as the man grabbed her hand and kissed it. It was a common terran greeting of respect, but she was not terran, and the contact meant she had to endure whatever his current thoughts and feelings were. She attempted to relax, but she shot Morro a mildly concerned glance before she followed Zelo’s lead.
Saa: Your invitation indicated a number of rare artifacts that Davian would only ever have the opportunity to acquire once in his lifetime.
Zelos: I’m glad the artifacts could entice you. I had no idea you were a collector.
Caras: I’ve been known to dabble..
Saa: ~ His mind isn’t very telling, he’s just… focused on impressing you and generic fantasy thoughts of Soleil. Wait… there’s something else but I can’t tell.~
Sevantha’s expression remained neutral, avoiding to reveal her perplexity about what she felt. Was it a hidden animosity? Did he recognize Morro? It was unclear and the other telepathic presence made it even harder to perceive clarity outside Morro’s and her connection.
The footman arrived with a decently sized case and presented it.
Zelos: Here. If you could open this, it’s my gift to you both. I’ve got a handful of things to attend to for just a moment. But I’ll return in just a moment.
Caras: Thank you.
The gift was handed to Morro by the footman, and both of them took off.
Sevantha looked to the gift, then to Morro, relieved to finally have her hand liberated from Zelos’s grasp.
She took the gift from Morro’s hands, studied it, and gave pause, there was life in there. Small creatures of some sort that had alien thought patterns to humanoids. Panicked little creatures that knew it to be dark, the ground felt wrong, and Sevantha shivered. The thoughts of smaller creatures always made her uneasy as they did most Betazoids. She’d heard rumors of those that could commune seamlessly with nature and their creatures, but she was not one of them.
Scrunching her nose, she decided it was best to open it to see what they’d been given. Once the casing was opened, the song of Crytaxian crickets erupted as they basked in the glow of the room and praised the lights they mistook for the moon.
Sevantha immediately closed it. Her features flustered a slight red as she handed it back off to Morro immediately.
Saa: ~…Cytraxian crickets, from the 5th moon of Crytax, their song is supposedly an auditory aphrodisiac, how… kind.~
Caras: oO oh I've never heard of that! Oo
Caras moved to attempt to open to listen more.
Saa: ~Don’t do that!~
Immediately she reached to take the box back.
Saa: ~We don’t need to test the legitimacy of the claim at this moment.~
Caras: oO Why not, everyone thinks that everything Orion is an aphrodisiac. How many aphrodisiacs do they think Orion’s actually need? Oo
Saa: ~Well you aren’t presenting as Orion, and it’s a gift from him to suggest…~
Sevantha tripped over her thoughts as she worked to explain the act without thinking the word. Why did she struggle to talk about it? It wasn’t a new subject between them, then again… they’d never actually gotten to the point of talking about it.
Caras: oO do… you think we’d have to if we needed to maintain cover? You are my muse. I mean you’re supposed to be playing my muse. Oo
There was a moment Sevantha’s mind nearly blanked out at the consideration.
From what she gleaned from Morro’s mind, he would absolutely do it if he had to.
Saa: ~Morro, I appreciate your commitment to this, but that isn’t necessary…~
She paused for a moment as she stared at the case.
Saa: ~We’re here for one night at an auction, and not an overnight stay.~ ::She sighs:: ~But we may need to act more affectionate if he sees we’ve opened~
Caras: oO How do we do that? How should we do that!? Oo
Caras did not think this through. He had never had a girlfriend or boyfriend before. Outside of a pleasure seeker, he didn’t really have experience with that kind of affection that was made over years. He was used to possibly having to play pretend, but it usually only lasted a few minutes before he had to dip into other skills. There was a bit of a skill and experience gap here.
Saa: ~First, we stay calm.~ ::She reached to cup his cheeks:: ~Second, we’ll just have to pull from our experiences~
Internally, Sevantha was having her own small panic attack but due to Morro’s realization how in over his head he was, she had to help keep him grounded. Maybe it was the Counselor part of her or the Doctor part that handled the pressure particularly well. But really, what experience did she have besides getting her heart shredded when she’d been left by Lorian?
Saa: ~Okay, maybe… not our histories because mine is a continued shipwreck, but what our ideal would be~
Caras: oO I have none! I’ve been on dates, and “visits” but they were all arranged by my sister. I’ve never had anything that was real. It was all, transactional. I was able to practice my art, but was never actually close to anyone. Oo
Caras was faced with the shadow of his inexperience. He was starting to think this was a bad idea. If they were found out because he didn’t have any experience being in a relationship with someone, this was not only going to be embarrassing, it also might reflect badly on Lhandon for trusting him to investigate this.
There was a lot to unpack going in his mind right now, but she needed to ground him and not potentially do anything that might trigger his pleasure seeker training. He was the leader of this little operation. He needed a reset. So she did the only thing she could think of to stun him into reality while also seeming completely natural. With his cheeks still clasped in her hands, she drew his forehead to her one to just linger there, working to coach him through the spiral without turning into his therapist. That was strictly Nesre’s job and it needed to remain that way.
Saa: ~Breathe, Morro.~ ::She’d take a deep breath herself, guiding him to follow her rhythm:: ~A relationship of a romantic sort is not far off from having a best friend, just one you also have a physical intimacy with. On Betazed, the concept can be with multiple people or the long sought-after Imzadi, a soulmate, we have an entire genre of psychodramas about the telepathic bond between two people who eventually become Imzadi.~
Drawing back, Sevantha checked to see if Morro had at least physically recovered enough to pass Zelos’s scrutiny. Yet, it was at that moment, she had a small revelation as to how much she missed his Orion green.
He had calmed down. She was right and she had given him an idea. They would have to pull from experience, but it didn’t have to be personal experience. He could pull from his favorite holonovels, as well as what he knew from the aforementioned psychodramas.
Caras: oO you’re Right. You’ll be my Imzadi Oo
If only he understood the weight of using that word around her…
Zelos: I’m unimpressed, I figured If i left you two alone long enough, you’d be all over one another.
Sevantha didn’t have time to digest Morro’s use of the word before her attention shifted to Zelos.
Saa: The gift was given with the intention for us to use here and now? ::raising a brow:: My affections are not for voyeurs to enjoy.
Zelos: At least make it difficult for me to enter. Fog up the room. Whatever you need to do really. Or all the poems just for show?
Saa: Are you upset that Mr. Maddox has declined to respond to your letters? Was your invitation merely a means to question his authenticity?
Caras: My authenticity shouldn’t be the thing you’re concerned with. I would be concerned with your authenticity.
Zelos: My authenticity? I’m as real as they get.
((This portion goes directly into the prologue))
[[TBC…]]
Lieutenant JG Morro Caras
Co Assistant Chief Engineer
USS Octavia E. Butler
O240106MC1
he/him/his (player/character)
&