JP: Lieutenant JG Morro Caras & Sevantha Saa - Blurred Lines [Part III]

[Morro Caras]

((Conference Room, Solar Sail Observation Hall, Deep Space 14 ))

((Current Time, Picking up from where we were in the prologue))

Peirse: ~ My little Vanna, since when were you trouble? ~

Saa: ~ Atda, not here ~

Peirse: ~ I’ll buy us some time ~

Dramatically, Peirse spun to face Zelos with a wide smile. Telepathic communication occurred so much faster than words, it made it easy to relay so much with their hosts left unaware. 

Peirse: I came here searching for our host and found a guest of honor. ::he smiles:: I did want to inform you though, you might want to do a quick pass by security, it seems there was an incident with one of your guests spilling a drink on one of the displays.

Zelos bristled a little at that.

Zelos: Don’t worry it will get handled. What brings you back here? I don’t recall inviting you.

Peirse: Ah, yes, you did not invite me directly. You did, however, send out invitations to several of the Great Houses of Betazed and I am the appraiser, authenticator and bidder should all your claims prove to be valid. Peirse Saa nee Mavras, pleasure to make yours and ::bowing to Davian:: your acquaintance this evening. 

He extended his hand out boldly to Zelos, inviting him to either take his hand or reject it, one was an invitation to a Betazoid mind reading and the other was social rejection that he'd report back to the houses for a damaging reputation.

Caras: I would like to know the authenticity of the items I’m to bid on. That is some impressive forethought Captain Zelos.

Zelos shook the Betazoid’s hand. Zelos knew what Betazoids were capable of, but he had nothing to hide from this man, at the current moment.

Saa: From the Houses of Betazed, what ones?

Peirse: I am here on behalf of the 7th and 15th house today, as rumors the Treasure of Medara could be amongst this collection, I am here to substantiate and, if necessary, bid on their behalf. 

Zelos: That is exactly what I would like to know. There are a lot of items that I've liberated from the frontier here in the Gamma quadrant. However I do not run a charity, and as you said, treasure. I’m sure you’ll find them all highly valued. Most of them came at great cost to the ones holding them

Zelos held the man, knowing what he was capable of, but quickly getting the message across what would happen to him if he wasn’t who he said he was.

Saa: ~ He’s not lying, but my father is very good with selective truth telling. ~

Caras: oO A skill I can appreciate Oo

Zelos looked to Morro then to Sevantha. It appears he wanted more from his favorite poet but was torn between his desires for business and his personal interests.

Zelos: Just a moment, please let me confirm your invitation and authenticity. I’ll be right back, Mister…?

Peirse: Peirse Saa nee Mavras, as I’ve already said.

Zelos had heard him. Orion’s had ways of reading people too. Zelos gave a curt nod and then once again left the conference room. It seemed difficult to pull himself away from the situation. But the whole reason he was here was to make sure he made money off of this auction. 

One of Zelos’s security team stood watch over the three of them, but he couldn’t police their conversation.

Caras: oO you said he can hear us? Then why hasn’t he…Oo

Suddenly Peirse cut in

Peirse: ~One learns a lot by simply listening.~ ::he turns quite amused:: ~And who might you be to my daughter, Sir? Clearly Starfleet but…~

Sevantha’s eyes fixated on her father with surprising intensity.

Caras: oO Ah yes. Sevantha and I are friends. We met at the Academy. Oo

Saa: ~ Atda. Don’t. ~

Peirse: ~Can one not be curious about their daughter’s life, especially after receiving not one but two calls now from a Vulcan hybrid looking for you?~

Immediately that seemed to cause Sevantha’s demeanor to break a little bit. A quick flash of anger rose to the surface that she had to immediately quell. 

Saa: ~Not now and not here.~

A father had to do little to rile his daughter, which made it all the easier for him to figure out who exactly the Vulcan was and now who the man was next to him with her. It wasn’t hard for him to hear his daughter’s thoughts, feel her inner turmoil which brought his brows to raise curiously before spinning to face Morro entirely. 

Peirse: ~Morro Caras, the Four blesses our meeting.~

Morro gave the man a muted smile. He was still in character after all, but he didn't want to be rude either.

Caras: oO Glad to meet you! I figure that I might end up meeting some of Sevantha’s family when we went to Betazed, but I’m glad to meet you now. Oo

Peirse: ~ Reeeally?  Vanna, you’re planning a trip home and bringing company, would you give us a moment?~ ::Cutting Sevantha out of the link:: ~Now, Mr. Caras, looking a little peachy for an Orion,.~

Caras had never had someone other than Sevantha in his head before, and now he had somehow been cut off from her and someone new was in his head. It was a strange feeling. Morro remembered Sevantha saying that she had a good relationship with her dad, so perhaps this was just him being concerned.

Caras: oO It’s a disguise. We’re here under cover. It was my idea, but Sevantha convinced me to bring her along. Which is good. I needed her for this. Oo

Morro knew that Peirse could probably get all of this information if he really wanted to from his head, so he was as honest as he could be.

Saa: Why are you blocking me out? 

She finally looked between the two of them, her father’s shielding had shoved her daughter right out of their communication, which had only served to make her increasingly paranoid and annoyed. 

Caras: I swear I'm not trying to!

Saa: ::Sighs:: I’m talking to him.

Peirse just smiled as his daughter glared at him.

The security guard turned towards them. It was better that they probably didn’t talk out loud.

Peirse: ~ Would you know who this Lorian fellow is also calling on my daughter? Also the answer as to why she transferred from her Beta Quadrant posting to the Gamma Quadrant?~ ::Studying him more:: ~ And how do you know Zelos?~

Sevantha folded her arms and nearly tapped her foot. Her hands began signing to Morro. 

Saa: ::Federation sign:: Don’t answer him.

Peirse: ::noticing Sevantha’s hands moving:: ~Clever girl.~

Morro actually had no idea how to answer the questions. If he thought of any reason Peirse would know. His mind did one at a time.

Caras: oO I don’t know Lorian personally. I never really bothered to ask why she transferred, I was just glad when she showed up. Zelos used to work with my parents, he was in the same loosely affiliated gang of Orion pirates that had splintered off from the Syndicate.Oo

His expressions came with each one. The first one was disappointment which transitioned to curiosity at the lack of questioning her decision but amusement at his expression of joy at her arrival. Lastly his brows shot upwards at his admission and seemed rather taken with honesty. 

Peirse: ~ Well, well my boy, haven’t you lived an interesting life. ~ ::stroking his goatee:: ~ So you’re here in disguise as a famed, notorious hermit of an author on behalf of… Starfleet. Delightful! One of the Houses Matriarchs I represent is a Starfleet Commander. ~

Sevantha stared at her father expectantly. 

That was one of the things that Caras enjoyed about conversing with Sevantha. He didn’t really have to explain situations to her. It appeared conversing with her father was the same.

Caras: oO Then you know that what we’re doing here has importance to Starfleet's overall mission in the Gamma quadrant.Oo

To Caras Peirse seemed far more interested in teasing his Daughter than he did in their mission. Caras still didn’t know if he could trust him to not put it in jeopardy. 

Peirse: ~ Ah, look at that adorable face, should we leave her waiting?~

Caras did look back at Sevantha’s face. To him it was an extremely cute face. Peirse was right, Morro really shouldn’t leave her waiting. He could tell she was getting a little bit irritated with them for leaving her out of the conversation. She rarely had body language like that. Plus they did have to keep up the act, despite that Peirse knew.

Caras: oO No we shouldn’t, I need to get back to my muse after all Oo

A single brow lifted this time at his choice of words before simply smiling, almost in a knowing way to himself, about something Morro was clearly not privy to. Turning to Sevantha, he once more let her in. 

Peirse: ~ Sorry about that my little firebug just had a few matters to discuss with your friend here. ~

Saa: ::placing her on her hip:: ~I am sure you did, Atda.~

Caras: oO I’m not sure what he did? How did he do that?Oo 

Saa: ~ He didn’t give you too much trouble?~

Peirse: ~Trouble, Vanna, why I would never trouble your friend.~ ::pressing hand to chest:: ~Morro and I just needed an introduction without your presence, now, we have business to get to.~

This conversation was looking stranger and stranger to the security guard posted in the room.

Caras: oO We just have to find our in, or some kind of clue to what he’s up to Oo.

Caras thought hard, which when engineering was not involved was not his strongest trait, but by the time he even had a thought, Zelos had returned.

Zelos: I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long Mr. Saa. You have been cleared by my team. Please, right this way for your assessment. You’re here right before the bidding starts.

Caras nearly panicked, he didn’t have a plan. But with that smirk, did Peirse?

Peirse: Thank you, I assure you if what you have is verified as authentic sacred artifacts, there is a great deal of wealth in this auction. 

Zelos: Please, Mister Maddox, Soleil, follow along. Since you are my guests of honor, I'll let you see the items before the bidding. But only briefly. You should really enjoy the soiree. 

Caras figured it was time to get back into his role, but he just didn’t like the way Zelos was eyeing Sevantha. He grasped her hand tightly and once again brought her close to him.

Caras: We’d be delighted.

Saa: Of course.

They made their way out of the conference room and through the rather large and extravagant pre-bidding party that was going on. A whole line of security guards were stationed to guard the room.

Caras: oO He sure does have a lot of men. Are they his crew?Oo

Caras examined their weapons, he was unfamiliar with their build, but he could make an educated guess about the kind of damage they could do. If Zelos could afford to outfit his men with those, he was doing pretty well.

Saa: ~ I don’t think so. ~ ::studying them:: ~They have no loyalty towards the man, only the coin he pays, does Blackstar sound familiar? 

Caras hadn't heard of blackstar. He had assumed that they were under Zelos’ direct employ because of their garb. It was customary for Zelos’s crew to wear his band. Though it was strange, none of them were Orions.

Caras: oO What is that, another company? Then they’re just wearing those syndicate bands for… for show?Oo

They were ushered in past security and saw a handful of rare-looking treasures that were being treated with care by staff. It was then when Caras finally saw another Orion. He was certain this woman used to be in Zelos’ crew back when he was a kid. She had been extremely mean. Was she now his first mate? Then a rush of extreme panic went through Caras. He couldn’t remember if she had pheromones or not. 

His panic was so great, Sevantha and Peirse must have sensed it, like it was a large thundercloud entering the room.

Sevantha felt the shift in Morro. Something had triggered him. Lightly she squeezed his arm as she stepped forward, trying to shield him a little. 

Saa: ~Morro, whats wrong?!~

Her father didn’t acknowledge it physically. Clearly he heard and decided it was time to play interception for everyone’s attention. 

Peirse: And Zelos, it seems you brought yourself a beautiful muse as well. 

Zelos: I don’t think she’s too glad to hear you say that. She doesn’t take compliments well. She’s my business associate.

Tira: All business. 

Peirse: A shame Zelos doesn’t realize what’s before his eyes. 

Caras: oO I can’t remember what she does for Zelos, She might have certain traits Oo

Saa: ~ What traits? ~

Had she not been trying to comfort and ground her companion, she’d probably have shot her father a long, judgemental side eye.  

Cara: oO She might have pheromones, and not too long ago found out that I’m… I'm susceptible to them. Oo

There was something more that he couldn’t say even in his head. Sevantha’s expression softened as she tried to assist in calming him before chiding herself gently. Maybe next time her useless little clutch could hide more than just their combadges. 

Saa: ~ …I should have brought a dispersing agent or a neutralizer~ 

They were on a Federation station, however, which meant that if she detected them, she might be able to alert actual Starfleet security, but it would blow their cover.  

Saa: ~ If I feel your mind slipping I’ll try to reel you back.~

Caras had confidence in Sevantha’s abilities, but he wasn’t sure what that experience would be like. His body screaming yes, but his mind screaming no?

Tira: What are the lovebirds doing? 

Zelos: They’re only here to see some of the auction items, they’re my honored guests.

Tira seemed to circle them like a predator. Her body a weapon.

Tira: Honored guests. ::sizing them up:: Rather modestly dressed, saving your latinum for the auction?

Caras: Yes, we do plan on bidding.

She seemingly didn’t have pheromones, Morro figured they would have started to feel the effects. He visibly relaxed, but she was already on to them.

Tira: On what. 

Saa: Whatever I want. 

Sevantha’s tone took on a sharpness that caused Peirse to give pause in his examination and turn his head a little. Where she’d never been one to be direct and rude, Sevantha did use her pent up frustration regarding the Zet to redirect it just a little at another individual motivated so blatantly by greed. 

Tira: I see.

Tira was a hound on the hunt.

Caras: That’s fine, I think we’ve seen all we can here, and mister Saa needs to make his assessment. We should enjoy ourselves, my love.

Zelos: Yes great, why don’t you enjoy the pre-party. I spared no expense. We have your favorite drinks, and a very great selection of music.

Morro took Sevantha’s hand once again and left with her outside. It would be an hour or so before the bidding started, and they hadn’t gotten much, but if they stayed there any longer, Tira might start to dig deeper and deeper.

As they left, Morro let out a sigh

Saa: ~ Was that too much?~

Caras:  oO no it was just the right amount, honestly it was pretty cute. Oo

She tried not to linger on the comment though her cheeks were taking color much easier at this point. 

Saa: ~ Your mind has calmed too… ~

Caras: oO I could have been a pretty big danger to everyone if she had pheromones. But I think we should spend the rest of the time blending in. We’ll learn more during the auction. Oo

They now had a much larger audience, and things would go much smoother if people could vouch for them looking normal and doing things that someone who was invited to this event would do.

Saa: ~ We could both use some air…~

Caras: It appears that there is an observation deck with refreshments and dancing over there. Let’s grab a drink, then… dance.

Caras had learned enough about Maddox to know what he preferred. Soleil was a mystery to the public, so he just ended up getting something he knew Sevantha would like the taste of. He was tempted by some Orion style beverages, but he didn’t want to raise any more suspicion than he already had.

He got their drinks and pulled Sevantha to the dance floor. He couldn’t really dance like himself, he realized. 

Caras: oO you’re uh… going to have to lead a bit. Davian said he wasn’t much of a dancer but Solei was. Oo

Saa: ~ O-oh. I… ~

What dances did she know? As a martial artist, she was graceful on her feet, but the most experience she had was from the officers' ball she went to with Lorian as his date. His stylings were precise and rigid, nothing like Morro’s preferred methods. Taking a breath, she laced her finger with his, her head swimming a little as she oriented herself. How did they always end up dancing? 

Caras: oO Oh this is nice what is this? It has some core moves to an Orion love dance Oo 

Saa: ~ A form of ballroom… I learned it attending Federation Officer Balls on earth while in medical academy… and of course clubs.~

There was enough knowledge to adapt the human styling to work for the two of them. 

Saa: ~ Follow my lead and improv a little.~

With faux confidence she guided him out to the floor. She’d led one of his hands to sit comfortably on her hips, as hers settled on his shoulder. Pressed against him, her free hand clasped his, laced her fingers between and lifted it. With skin to skin contact, Sevantha barely had to think to maintain their telepathic connection, and she fell into the simple triple step waltz. 

Caras: oO You don’t have to tell me twice, at this point I know your body pretty well, You move so gracefully and really react to my body well Oo

Once again, Sevantha’s internal thought process, Morro did not have access to, paused its usual operations to analyze his choice of phrasing. It was so painfully Morro that she knew it was just an innocent observation that sounded much more than it was. 

Saa: ~ You’re easy to synchronize with. ~

Caras:  oO I’m glad you think so Oo

Morro knew it wasn’t one of her core hobbies, but he had the mind to ask her to dance in their off hours after this.

Saa: ~ Not the usual party scene but it’s… been kind of fun, playing pretend. ~

Caras: oO I honestly forgot what we were here for, for a moment Oo

Morro thought it was a nice respite to the evening. He let Sevantha lead until the music changed to something more energetic. He knew he was supposed to be on an important mission, but there wasn’t any reason they couldn’t have a little fun and blend in. Zelos did know how to host a good party, Morro had to give him that, but that was all Morro had to give him.

After dancing, the two of them went back to the bar to top off their drinks. They didn’t need to chat much, but rather just enjoyed one another’s company until there was a commotion that cut through the talking and the music.

Peirse looked like he was storming out, clearly offended, and Zelos looked flustered and angry, a rarity for him in the time that Morro had known him.

Zelos: Where do you think you’re going? There is no way…

Peirse: I am going to send word to the Houses that your collection here is fraudulent. 

His voice was crisp and concise, it carried insult, and admittedly it was rare Sevantha ever heard her father take such a tone with anyone. 

Zelos looked like he wanted to hurt Peirse, badly

Zelos: Stop. There has to be some kind of mistake.

His “stop” was more of a command than it was a plea.

Peirse: Sir, I graduated from the University of Medara with certifications in history and fine art, as well as independent studies recognition specifically in regards to the mythology of Rixx. ::pivoting on his heel to face Zelos:: Whoever you acquired your collection from, lied about the contents or you chose to lie. Which is it? 

Zelos knew this was a bad look. If he admitted to either side, it would make him look like a fool.

Zelos: These are legitimate! I was guaranteed! I was even shown… Authen… nevermind. We don’t need you anyway.

Zelos looked far more distraught than Caras had ever seen him. He truly was a pirate, he couldn’t bear the fact that his treasure might be worthless.

Saa: ~ He’s being serious…~ ::seeming unsure:: ~ But he’s shielding from me.~

Caras: oO Zelos was sold counterfeit goods? So he didn’t actually pillage it or reappropriate it? Oo

Saa: ~ He must have been hoping for a considerable mark-up for profit based on what they were. ~

Peirse didn’t waste a minute as Zelos attempted to dismiss him. Producing a small PADD like device of his own, he began making a few notes before presumably sending it. He tapped the extravagant stylus twice before he pocketed it in one fluid motion. 

Peirse: Mayhaps, lad, some of the smaller items carry legitimacy but your so-called Treasure of Medara is fraudulent. 

There wasn’t a single part of him that projected doubt in his statement. Sevantha watched her father closely, only to see him turn his head and give her a playful little wink. What did that mean?! Satisfied with his analysis, he approached Morro and Sevantha. 

Peirse: Mr. Maddox and enchanting Soleil, I apologize for the disruption, but I am going to have to withdraw for the evening to make some calls. 

Saa: Of course… ::She studies him:: ~Atda, what is going on?~

No reply. Peirse looked at her with a softened gaze before he bowed his head to them both and walked past them without another word or thought. 

Caras: Looks like he really meant business.

Tira left from the inventory room to get Zelos, and to stop him from making a scene. A lot of the auction guests started to talk in hushed whispers, the music played on, but the vibe in the room was now much different.

Bajoran Attendee: I wonder what he was on about. Is it true?

Human Attendee: I’m not sure If i want to pay full price for something that isn’t authentic.

Caras: oO … Not a good look for Zelos Oo

Saa: ~ No, not at all.~

After another song, an announcement was made over the comm system

Announcer: If all auction goers would please report to their designated seats, the auction will begin in five minutes.

Sevantha’s attention hadn’t shifted yet away from her father’s unusual behavior. When Caras finally spoke, she took a moment longer than usual to acknowledge it.

Caras: Looks like we have no time to see what Zelos is up to.

They had been waiting for the heat to die down a little to check in on him, but it seems doing things in a timely manner was still Zelos priority, despite the drama that had just occurred.

Saa: ….R-right. 

The distraction faded. Her onyx eyes fixed on Morro as she lightly touched his arm to reground herself in their connection and to the rest of the physical world. 

Caras: Are you ok? You look hurt or disappointed. Are you worried?

Saa: I’m alright… let’s go in. 

The two walked arm-in-arm to the auction hall. 

Lieutenant JG Morro Caras

Co Assistant Chief Engineer

USS Octavia E. Butler

O240106MC1

he/him/his (player/character)

&

Lieutenant JG Sevantha Saa

Counselor

Assistant CMO of Mental Health

USS Octavia E. Butler

A240105SS2