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

[Arys Trova]

((USS Starfarer, en-route to Earth))

It was, Arys reflected, intriguing how days could drag on, and how it, at the same time, could feel as if the time passed far too quickly. Now that she was finally away from the Juneau and her obligations there, the Counselor had been able to get a few hours of sleep. Whenever she wasn’t catching up on some much needed rest, she and Lukin ‘worked in close proximity’.

Well, Lukin worked. Arys read her book, or researched things she was interested in. She enjoyed both the conversations with Lukin and the companionable silence while he worked. Part of her, and not a small one, resented the fact that they would have to leave this limbo once they arrived on Earth.

And then it was time to disembark, and Arys realised that they hadn’t really discussed the nature of their arrangement yet. She looked at him while they stood apart from the crowds in a more quiet area.

Trovek: ::hesitating:: Where will you be staying?

Zorkal: I am going to the Cardassian Embassy.

Lukin had made some arrangements, of course. He was meeting with the Cardassian Ambassador to earth, a woman who had married a human man. Evidently they had children as well, and he’d likely meet them at some point. Turning back to Arys, both eye ridges arched up in silent query.

Trovek: I will return home, at least for a few days - you are welcome to join me. It’s a large house with guest accommodation. And heating.

Join her? Head over to her home? The idea was...actually quite amenable and Lukin found himself tempted. With the ability to transport anywhere, he could certainly stay there and then easily make the meetings and fulfil the responsibilities he had while on the planet.

Zorkal: Since you insist.

Trovek: I wasn’t insisting.

She looked at the other passengers in order to hide a smirk. After getting some actual sleep, she felt much more like herself. And of course that included snarky remarks, jabs, and whatever else kept her entertained when dealing with Lukin.

Zorkal: I assume you wouldn’t have asked if you hadn’t insisted.

Trovek: ::glancing at Lukin:: That is quite an assumption to make. I am of course happy with you staying in the Embassy, if you prefer it so much.

Zorkal: Funny how what you say isn’t always what you mean. However, if you’d rather I stay at the Embassy, I will oblige.

Lukin slung the strap of his bag over his shoulder and inclined his head politely. He traveled lightly, always had, always would. He took the bare necessities, and really didn’t need anything else beyond what he could carry, so with his single bag, he could simply be on his way.

Zorkal: Until we meet again.

And with that, he turned. Before he got one step, however, Arys spoke up.

Trovek: Well, actually ::pause:: I reconsidered. I do insist.

Lukin turned again to face Arys once more, those eyeridges darting up a second time.

Zorkal: I will be happy to accompany you if you don’t think your family will mind.

Trovek: It will be fine. I brought home strays before.

A snort expelled from Lukin’s nose and it was followed by a chuckle.

Zorkal: If I recall, you were the one that strayed into my territory.

Yet, he accompanied her willingly, allowing her to set the direction and the pace. 

((Rovaniemi, Finland, Earth))

The Ihalainen residence lay apart from the busy core of the city, and was located on the edge of a forest Lukin recognised - or perhaps this was simply what forests on Earth looked like. The fresh, crisp air had a slight metallic scent to it, and lacy flakes drifted out of the sky, slowly turning the landscape white.

It was a short journey that seemed to last so much longer because of the cold air Lukin was not used to, but the layer of snow silenced their footsteps and offered them some much-needed stillness.

Arys led the way confidently, reminding Lukin that the white blanket could be deceptive, hiding lakes, curbs, and other dangers. He simply snorted in response. Eventually, Arys and Lukin stood in front of a large, modern building that looked like a perfect cube. Despite its unimaginative design, the large windows and warm glow from inside made it feel inviting.

Trovek: Uhm. Welcome, I guess.

Zorkal: You guess?

A low chuckle rubles in his throat, but Lukin pressed no further. Arys unlocked the door, and they were greeted by the climate-controlled air she had promised her companion. They arrived in a spacious hallway with artistic decor, from which several rooms branched off, with stairs leading up to a second level.

Trovek: Well, this is it. ::smiling:: Let’s get you settled.

It was odd to bring someone home with her. Arys led him up the stairs, and towards a room at the end of the hallway that could easily be its own small apartment. The door hissed open and she told the computer to raise the lights, revealing a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows with a view into the garden. It featured a comfortable sofa, artwork on the walls, and a desk to work or dine on. Separated from that was a sleeping area with a large bed, and an adjacent hygiene chamber.

Zorkal: Well now.

Lukin stepped into the room, his gaze shifting to the scenery, then slowly traversing over the room. He noticed the old fashioned lamps, much like what he had experienced in the holodeck. What was it about such primitive ways of doing things that appealed to her? Was it like this for all humans? They did seem to have an unhealthy fascination with the past. That wasn’t to say the past shouldn’t be considered. After all, if they forgot what happened, a people might forget who they were, where they had been, how far they had come - and they would forget to learn from the mistakes they made. That, however, was a different type of looking backwards - it was looking backwards and living backwards. They were inconvenient and, even worse, inefficient.

Zorkal: I suppose this will do.

Arys raised an eyebrow and tilted her head. Lukin had a tendency to be difficult, she had noticed, and she wondered if he did it to annoy her, or because it was his nature. Then again, she was fine with either.

Trovek: Yes ::sighing:: I suppose it’s odd for you not to have slaves around, but I am confident you have watched them often enough to now be able to take off your own jacket and shoes.

Zorkal: I have been in the Cardassian military. I can make do with anything.

Setting his bag upon the bed, he turned and started at the window, glancing over the edges, eyes studying it carefully. Once he finished his perusal, he turned and paced down the line toward the other wall, each step heavy against the floor.

Trovek: … What are you doing?

Zorkal: One can never be too careful.

Was this Cardassian paranoia? She had read about what it had been like to be alive during before the Obsidian Order was destroyed, but this wasn’t Cardassia.

Even worse, it reminded her of her mother and her insane followers who were sure the Bajoran Government wanted to get rid of them - which most likely was true, to some extent.

Trovek: I see. Well, I am a Counselor so if you ever want to talk about your paranoia…

Lukin paused and turned to level his cold, steely gaze at the woman. For someone who knew so much about Cardassians, she didn’t seem to quite catch on to some things.

Zorkal: I have not lived to be forty four without exerting a great deal of caution.

Trovek: ::shrugging:: And I am sure if someone wanted to kill you, they would find more intelligent ways. But that’s fine.

She shrugged once more, deciding that Lukin, if he needed to do those things, might as well be allowed to do them without her judging him for it. She preferred him alive, of course, and she wondered how exactly she would react if someone were to try and harm him. It was, she reflected, quite reassuring that Lukin was so careful. One person less to be worried about.

Trovek: But you are not wrong. Do whatever feels like the right course of action. Not that you need my permission, but you have it.

Zorkal: You’re right. I don’t need it.

Lukin turned away and continued to pace the room, eyes searching, missing nothing. Even though things had changed in Cardassian, even though the Union didn’t have the power it once did and now had to compete with other ‘parties’ that participated in governing the planet, he knew better than to let his guard down.

Trovek: Do let me know if you need anything. :: rolling her eyes:: Actually don’t. You are very difficult sometimes.

She turned and left the room, moving along the hallway to one of the rooms on the opposite side. It was locked, secured with measures beyond a simple key - fine, Arys sighed, maybe she was also a little paranoid. Or just very private. She unlocked the door, peered inside, and made a face. She sighed and slipped inside, closing the door behind her.


______________________________


((Timeskip: Next Morning))

Another day, another graveyard shift rife with paperwork done. Tuomas looked at the chronometer and decided to disable the virtual space to let the first natural rays of sunlight creep through his office window. It did not take long for him to regret that choice, as the ever fickle rays of the sun felt to his eyes as if he was standing upon the very star itself. Squinting and glaring, the man got up from his office chair with a groan and decided to lumber over toward the office restroom. His beard was a mess, he thought to himself. His hair required a cut or two. He could also maybe do with some actual non coffee stained clothes. And his tie - where was it? He deferred these momentous tasks to his future self. Resigning his train of thought, the man decided to leave the Clinic in an entranced state.

The passersby, the sounds of society returning from their slumber - All of it was white noise to him. Shapes dancing on the verges of his vision. He knew he had to get home as another equivalent day would await him tomorrow. Or today, however one would see as time gains a different meaning when you do not follow the general consensus.

It seemed to him as if only a few moments went by as he stumbled his way back to where his warm bed was - the short moment of happiness where all his worries float away. As if mere clouds in the sky.

He craved the familiar feeling of home.

The coffee his father used to make. Used to. Things were so easy back then. When he was truly there. When he didn't just lay there impersonating a vegetable, and forced him to keep him that way, which bordered on criminal activity. If not legally, at least morally. He didn't wish he had to, but what else could he do?

Instinctively, the man raised his wrist to the door - which replied with a mechanical affirmation that his wish was granted. Well, entry to his domain, at least. Entry to his wonderfully comfortable bed.

Suddenly, a sense of discomfort overcame the man as he set foot in his own home. Two pairs of shoes that hadn’t been there when he left. Gears spinning in his head, his nervous twitch came to life. He was not alone. And the guest had additional company. He expunged a sigh of frustration and decided to ignore everything.

Perhaps they would just let him sleep.

It was too late to have any meaningful conversation.

Too early for anything worthwhile.

Too much of anything.

Tuomas did his best to wish as hard as he could that this was just part of the dream. Sadly, he soon was in for a rude awakening.


___________
Ensign Trovek Arys
Counselor
USS Juneau
J239809TA4

And

Dalin Lukin Zorkal
Cardassian Visitor
Starbase 118 Ops
M239008AD0