[JP] Ens. Trovek and Amb. Zorkal: A Good Death - Pleasant Company

[Arys Trova]

((USS Starfarer, 2 Days From Earth))

The ship had seen a shuffle of people, and the time it took to go from DS9 to Earth was longer by the mere fact that there were other stops along the way.  Whenever it came to one, groups of people would rise from the recreational area Arys liked to spend her time in, file off, only to be replaced by others looking for some company after boarding to get to another destination. 

It was at one such stop that a shadow fell across Arys. This might not have been an unusual occurrence, considering the rotation of passengers on and off.  That shadow lingered a moment before a body lowered itself in the seat across from the woman.  

Arys didn’t look up.  Didn’t even blink.  She didn’t bother to see who had come to join her on the table furthest away from the bulk of people.

Lukin studied her for a moment, then glanced around. 

Zorkal: I hope the food is decent.  I’ve heard that it can be sub-par on long flights like this.

Arys, primarily lost in her thoughts, playing with a golden bracelet in her hands, froze. She looked up, and while she immediately recognized the sound of his voice, she couldn’t believe he was here until she actually saw him. Then a smile spread across her face. 

He was actually here. She had invited him, yes, but she hadn’t thought he would truly show up.

Trovek: It’s… decent. 

Zorkal: If it’s not, then I’ll have you to blame.

She nodded slowly, her smile widening. Despite how tired she looked and truly was, Arys felt like the load on her shoulders was finally lightening. 

Trovek: That’s fair. If it is awful, I will make it up to you. ::she smiled, then her expression turned serious again:: I didn’t think you would come. 

She hadn’t even dared to hope that he would. 

Zorkal: I have business on Earth.

But it was business that he wouldn’t have organized had it not been for her.  At least, not at that particular time.  Lukin wasn’t about to indicate that, however. 

Zorkal: Thought I might as well since you were en route to the same planet.  

He glanced over at her, then down at the bracelet.  

Zorkal: A gift?

Trovek: Of a sort. I met with my brother - Aaron. 

She showed the bracelet to him. It was made from some kind of golden metal and looked like someone had put a lot of time into crafting it. It reminded Lukin of a Bajoran Promise Bracelet, but it wasn’t quite that. It was a lot smaller, for one, fit for a child’s wrist.  He turned it over in his hands.  It was a dainty thing and certainly not meant for an adult.  Handing it back, he queried - 

Zorkal: For what purpose?

Arys: He didn’t explain. Something about how the prophets told him to give this to me. It’s not mine. It has never been. I am also reasonably sure I would know if I were to expect offspring any time soon. 

He snorted at that. 

Zorkal:I would certainly hope so.

There was a pause, and though he no longer held it in his hands, Lukin studied it a bit longer. 

Zorkal: Is it one of a kind?

Trovek: It seems to be. However, I am not quite sure.

Zorkal: And he did not indicate as to how he acquired it either?

Trovek: ::shaking her head:: No, not at all. It’s… I suppose a mixture of Bajoran and Human culture. I’ve seen bracelets given to infants. It usually has their name written on it. This looks.. similar, but not quite small enough. And as I mentioned, I would know if I were to plan on children. 

She shrugged and turned the bracelet in her hand once more. Aaron was difficult. Sometimes even she believed that he had a gift. Then, there were other times when she was sure he was either a lunatic or a liar. 

How very odd.  Lukin’s eyes narrowed in thought.  Why would he give such a gift?  Was it in remembrance of a child lost?  One of her brothers’ that, perhaps, Arys didn’t know about?  A sibling?  No.  None of that had shown up on the report he’d gotten about her.  

Zorkal: Had it not been for its size, I would imagine it to be a betrothal bracelet. 

He had seen two different ways of announcing an intention to marry.  The bracelet was one.  The earring, another.  It seemed what was more common changed depending on what area of Bajor.  

Zorkal: And you have no thought as to what it might mean?

Trovek: I suppose like my brother would say, it will all be revealed to me eventually. It’s curious, that’s all. But it is ::searching for the right word:: pretty. It would be a very thoughtful gift had it been given to a son or a daughter. 

Zorkal: Indeed. 

Lukin gave one last cursory glance at the bracelet, then turned to face straight ahead.  

Zorkal: I take it, then, your brother is doing well?  Aaron, you said?

Arys nodded. She usually shared little about her family, and she knew that it was dangerous how much Lukin’s presence put her at ease. Like she could trust him with anything - which she definitely shouldn’t. 

Trovek: He is. He married his third wife, I think. Or fourth, I stopped counting. And yes, he has them all at the same time, he gets to do that because he’s-... well… ::shrug:: He talks to the prophets. Or so he says. Apparently, it means the rules don’t apply to him. 

Zorkal: How many wives does the man need?

Lukin snorted.  Yes, he knew quite many men who decided that having a wife wasn’t enough.  They would go out and have clings.  Many kept comfort women during the occupation, and many children had been born, hybrids caught between two worlds.  Were they at war with themselves, those children who were products of a war of a kind? 

Zorkal: It sounds as if things between you are tense. 

Trovek: When isn’t family complicated. 

She thought back to the conversation with her father and how it had left her both hurt and worried about him. 

Trovek: He’s still family, and family comes first - my mother is the only exception to the rule, and even then. :: she tilted her head:: Then again, there is the possibility that Aaron would attempt to kill either you, me, or both of us if he knew we were traveling together. I mentioned you to him. He was displeased. 

Zorkal: He would not succeed.  

There was a pause, a consideration as Lukin continued to watch her, though she hardly looked at him. She was different.  Concerned.  Disturbed.  He couldn’t fault her for that. 

Zorkal: What does he think this is?  

Perhaps he wanted to know the answer to that himself. 

Arys shrugged. 

Trovek: Nothing, really. I genuinely wouldn’t even know how to describe this if he had asked me. ::pause:: But I am glad you are here. It was a difficult few weeks. 

Lukin nodded.  And the next few days were going to be even more difficult.  Sorrow.  The Cardassians knew it well.  Most would hide behind stoic and austere countenances.  Those who expressed themselves usually did it behind closed doors.  

Zorkal: Then I supposed it is good that my schedule happened to put me on the same path as yours.  

Arys smiled and stifled a yawn. She looked beyond tired, and it was clear that she felt that way too. Still, she would love to continue talking to Lukin. Just not about those things. Arys assumed he would find her concerns ridiculous, or worse, disappointing. For some reason, the idea of having disappointed him was bothering her more than she cared to admit. 

Trovek: I will have to excuse myself. I am too tired to hold a decent conversation, I’m afraid. Let’s continue this tomorrow?

Zorkal: Do you tire so easily?

He peered down at her, then smirked, though somehow, it wasn’t quite so sarcastic, and there was a glint of something else there.  Concern?  Kindness?  Perhaps it was simply a trick of the light.

Trovek: ::rolling her eyes:: Don’t pretend I am the first person to find you exhausting.

Zorkal: Just as well.  Tomorrow then.

Arys inclined her head and turned around, making her way towards the door. She hesitated before she stepped outside, and for a moment, it seemed as if she was going to turn around. But she didn’t. Instead, she vanished, hoping to get some sleep.

___________

Ensign Trovek Arys 

Counselor 

USS Juneau 

J239809TA4

And 

Dalin Lukin Zorkal

Cardassian Visitor

Starbase 118 Ops 

M239008AD0