Lt. Shayne: An Ending or a Beginning?
Quinn Friedl
((USS Darwin-A, Deck 6, Natural Selections))
Shayne: ::Offering a small smile.:: Commander.
::R'Ven's astoundingly black eyes turned toward the helmsman. He'd seen creatures so alien, so impossibly different, that such minor cosmetic detail as perfectly black eyes should have gone completely unnoticed. Even when he wasn't on an emotional crusade, even when he wasn't about to reveal part of himself to someone he hadn't trusted for months, those eyes were disconcerting. He'd never learned how to tell what a Rodulan was actually looking at, or if one was staring. So much information about another person came from the eyes- when that source was blocked, confusion could abound. He sighed inwardly- one more thing to consider.::
R'Ven: Greetings Mister Shayne. ::gesturing to a chair:: Please have a seat.
::On the way down, Shayne had been wondering what R'Ven would be like when he entered Natural Selections. If his ears hadn't betrayed him, there had been another person with him- presumably the source of his since resolved occupation. Since they had been in such a social place, Shayne could only presume that the discussion had been about something other than business. Luckily, it seemed R'Ven was not particularly annoyed at Shayne for his poorly timed call. This was good news, given the subject matter at hand. As he seated himself, he didn't know why he had been so worried about R'Ven's mood. He had yet to meet the thing that could challenge the Rodulan's equanimity. He hoped he never would.::
Shayne: Thank you.
::He sat, but found it difficult to speak.::
R’Ven: I am pleased to see you. How I can I be of service?
::Pleased to see him? They weren't exactly friends- probably a product of his actions. Even with that, R'Ven seemed content to see him. His confidence in his purpose was bolstered even more. But first, he'd have to get the ball rolling.::
Shayne: oO Start with the obvious. Oo
::He gestured toward R'Ven's new half pip, and went from there.::
Shayne: Um...first, congratulations on your promotion. Well deserved...sir. ::Adding the last part specifically.::
::His abilities were pretty much the one thing about Merrick he'd never doubted. His competence, even his loyalty, had faced Shayne's scrutiny- the scrutiny of someone who had no business scrutinizing about that. The promotion helped him see that.::
R'Ven: Thank you. I appreciate that.
::Looking down and gathering his thoughts again, Shayne could feel R'Ven's terrifyingly dark eyes boring through his skull. Not in anger, but in curiosity. It was clear that R'Ven was as interested in hearing what Shayne had to say as Shayne was in saying it. Now all he had to do was speak his mind, and...::
Shayne: I haven't been fair to you. I've regarded you with suspicion and even contempt ever since that incident with the Borg. My fear of what you had become, and the loss of the...drone...I needed to blame something, someone. And you became the target of that. I've realized that you wear the same uniform as me, and that, whatever did happen between you and the Borg, you're still a comrade. Before we leave the Darwin, I just wanted to say... I'm sorry.
::Only after he was done did he dare take stock of R'Ven's reaction. Shayne had been looking at R'Ven the entire time, but had turned off his senses as best he could. R'Ven was definitely surprised, and though he was making a great effort to hide this fact, Shayne was too much of an expert in hiding feelings to be fooled. It looked like he'd finally found the thing to fracture R'Ven's control- surprise.::
::The Rodulan did his utmost to shovel his feelings beneath the surface, and Shayne turned away, to allow him privacy to compose himself.::
R'Ven: I am not sure what to say.
::Assuming that R'Ven was prepared, he turned, observing R'Ven still trying to reverse a somewhat confused visage. It was clear that his words had made a large impact on his colleague. Now that he had revealed himself- one of the many things he had never been able to do very well- he felt calmer. More serene. Whatever trials may come, he had completed his goal. He could deal with the consequences.::
R’Ven: Thank you Mister Shayne. Your words . . . mean a great deal.
::Now something strange was happening to his own eyes. R'Ven's vulnerability was...unexpected. To see someone so logical, so controlled, plainly affected by feelings- feelings Shayne himself had contributed to- was incredible. For the first time in recent memory, there was unfiltered truth between them. His heart felt confused, abused. Filled with helium but held down by a stone, it was the perfect balance of joy and sadness, and it was wonderful.::
Shayne: ::Clearing throat.:: Just wanted to say that before we leave. Leave the old baggage behind. I've ::shrugging and throwing his hands up gently.:: I never quite knew what to think about you. What you...are.
::He was trying deeply to be tactful, to not push R'Ven. But he wanted an answer, to satiate his curiosity. And, in his experience, the best way to heal old wounds between someone was to try and help them as best as he could. By understanding R'Ven's predicament, he could try and help him, too.::
R’Ven: It has been an adjustment for me as well. As we venture out into space, we are changed by it in unexpected ways. Some more completely than others.
::Wasn't that the truth. When he was a fresh ensign aboard the Gemini, he could barely speak. He didn't have many friends, other than those who took pity upon him. And though he hadn't completely outgrown that phase, the adventures he'd experienced, the people he'd worked with, the things he'd seen... it all made his problems so much less imposing. He might still struggle, but he knew there was something to fight for, something to love.::
Shayne: Indeed. I just wish I had a more open mind about everything. Despite my beliefs- and my training- I still feared you.
R’Ven: In my . . . studies of the beings that had been trapped inside the Borg bodies. I believe that they would be pleased of the efforts that you and Brell, and the others on board the Darwin had made in trying to save them.
::There. Now he had identified the root of the problem. The thing that had started it all. She'd been so helpless, so alone. And yet she'd fought to regain herself, to regain control. Shayne and Brell hadn't known what to expect when they went down to that godforsaken planet. Six of Seven's death had been cruel. Unnecessary in his mind. And that anger had first been unleashed on the man who had been responsible for finally killing her- Maxwell Traenor. Though Shayne understood the commander's reasoning, it still stung to think about. And then, with R'Ven suddenly having intimate knowledge about the drone in question, Shayne had begun to doubt him, to question him. He really didn't want to bring her up, but he knew it was unavoidable.
Shayne: I put myself in their place- as much as anyone can. Confused, ruined, alone and yet not. I can't imagine. And no one should have to. You were just as helpful.
::The specifics of R'Ven's...connection? relationship?...with the Borg was never made perfectly clear to Shayne. But judging from R'Ven's knowledge, Shayne figured that it was somewhat intimate, in whatever form it took. ::
Shayne: I...appreciate...you being so understanding.
R'Ven: response
Shayne: You'll be going to the Blackwell, I'll be going to Atlantis. We might not see each other for some time. Until we do...
::Shayne extended his right hand, offering to shake.::
R'Ven: response
Lieutenant Randal Shayne
Helmsman
USS Darwin
NCC 99312-A
G239202RS0