[sb118-denali] Ensign Arthur Strathmore - It’s Performance Art
Arthur Strathmore
((Fusion, Downtown, Denali Station))
Kayvaan: Don’t you have a ship to commandeer, pirate? Or are you one of the dancers?
Arthur was outraged by that comment.
Strathmore: That’s enough.
Strathmore began to look angry. Vaysha’s brow furrowed, her teeth gritted behind her lips, the last real bastion of concealing her anger at that comment.
Kayvaan: What? You mad, Orion? What are you going to do about it?
The man persisted in intruding in her personal space.
Patrons were beginning to look towards the table. The host looked as though he could care less. Vaysha was going to make him regret that train of thought.
Lennai: I’m giving you one chance to please... Leave my personal space, sir.
Strathmore: ::Shouting out to the wider restaurant:: Can we get some help over here?
Arthur watched as Vaysha held up a hand to separate herself from the host. The waiter did the opposite. He slapped her hand out of the way and shifted further into her personal space. Suddenly, with a climatic show of emotion, the Orion was reduced to muscle and fury. This image spoke to something bubbling deep within almost every sentient being. A singular strike, her offhand (the one that wasn’t smacked away) immediately shot forwards in a balled fist, colliding with Kayvaan’s jaw, sending him tumbling to the floor as an audible POP was heard, even over the idle (eery) music playing. Vaysha stood over him, her fists balled, breathing heavily. Her lips parted to speak – in anger and reprisal, no doubt –, but then closed. It was obvious to those around that tears began to well in her eyes, and then stream down her cheeks.
The Orion fled outside. What a disaster this night had been.
Kayvaan writhed on the floor, a hand clutching his face.
Kayvaan: ::Jaw locked in place and speaking unclearly:: Sheah broke mah jaw! Sheah broke mah jaw!
The patrons muttered to themselves in a great commotion. One even screamed. Arthur had to prevent a panic.
Strathmore: ::Raising his hands to the crowd with an uncertain smile.:: Uh, thank you all for enjoying our performance. That was our last show forever!
The crowd bought into his narrative and after a “ah-hah” moment, they began to clap; drowning out Kayvaan’s groaning. Arthur then slowly sauntered out of the restaurant.
When he found her, she was sitting on the curb outside in the street. Her face buried in her lap. She looked strong, earlier. Powerful – unbeatable, even. Everyone did, when they won a fight. Vaysha didn’t look proud or triumphant now, though. She was reduced to a sobbing girl, a shell on the side of the road with her emotions bubbling to the forefront. And not the good ones.
Strathmore: Vaysha, I am so sorry. I don't know why someone would behave that way. It's my fault for taking you here.
Vaysha eventually lifted her head. Her perfectly combed hair with the curls at the end was now a mess, black mascara was running down her cheeks.
Lennai: Wh-.. what?
Her voice was hesitant, scared. Arthur didn't know what would happen either. He sat down beside her.
Strathmore: I’m sorry. Do want to talk about it? How can I help you right now?
Lennai: Response
Arthur nodded. There was a pause for a moment.
Strathmore: I told them it was performance art. ::He smiled for a flash:: What happens next, I don’t know.
Lennai: Response
Arthur looked around. He didn't see any security patrols ready to throw them in the brig.
Strathmore: You did what you had to do, but let’s make ourselves scarce.
He stood up, his hand outstretched.
Lennai: Response
Strathmore: I have an idea.
Lennai: Response
At times, reality can be too hard to bear. Arthur had a temporary solution for such a scenario.
TAG/TBC
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Ensign Arthur Strathmore
Counselor
Denali Station
D240012AS1