JP Ens. Trovek & Amb. Zorkal - A Good Death - Confrontation and Closure

[Arys Trova]

((An apartment complex in Berlin, Germany, Earth))

As Arys returned this evening, something had changed. It was in the way she carried herself, in the way her dark makeup accentuated her sharp features, and in the way she spoke as she informed Lukin that she would have to get in touch with someone. There was a dangerous calm in her voice now, a certainty that hadn’t been there before. She took her place at the desk Lukin usually occupied and straightened her back, her fingers hovering over the console before placing the call. 

It took no time at all that a Bajoran woman answered. Even at her progressed age, she was still attractive, but no longer as beautiful as she once had been. She had braided, honey-blonde but greying hair, and was dressed in expensive-looking white clothing, embroidered with golden patterns. Her features had once been more like Arys’, but time had softened them. Her slate-blue eyes widened in surprise as she regarded her daughter, but just like her, she regained her composure quickly, a motherly but false smile spreading on her lips. 

Sileah: Sweetling! Oh you poor thing, I’ve heard that your grandfather died. I am so very sorry… but he was sick for so long. 

Arys' voice was soft as she spoke, dangerously so. 

Trovek: He was. I was surprised that no one informed me about his condition, or that he was left to suffer so long. I found him in a stasis-unit, something he explicitly refused when asked before, and according to his medical file. 

Sileah: I am sure your father just wanted what’s best for you, and he loved your grandfather very much.

Trovek: I am sure. What I would like to know-…

Sileah: ::cutting her off:: Sweetling, you-..

She fell silent when her daughter raised her hand, palm facing toward Sileah, signaling her to stop. 

Trovek: Do not interrupt me again. 

Sileah looked at her in confusion before her eyes filled with anger. No one would speak to her like this, no one DARED. She would teach the girl manners. 

Sileah: Watch your tone with me, Arys. I am still-

Arys smiled and picked up the documents on Taril, holding them towards the screen enough for Sileah to see what they were. The Bajoran turned pale, and for a moment it looked as if she would disconnect to call. She swallowed hard and lowered her gaze.

Trovek: Explain.

Sileah: You… you don’t know what it was like during the occupation. What it was like to… ::she bit her lip, much like Arys used to do it:: ...to be with one of them.

Arys shook her head. She didn’t want to hear any of it. Under normal circumstances, she would understand, but right now it felt like nothing but an excuse. 

Trovek: I don’t want to hear it. What did you offer my father to keep my grandfather alive? 

Sileah shook her head and remained quiet for a while. She seemed to consider how to get out of this, before realizing that she wouldn’t. 

Sileah: I… gave him the opportunity to be worthy of being part of this family, Arys. That’s all I did…

Trovek: How?

Sileah: I promised him he could come to Bajor and… see his grandchildren. 

Trovek: His grandchildren? ::she considered this for a moment:: So what you are telling me is that you knew his father would die, and that I was on duty away from earth, and that you made use of the fact that he was scared of being alone.

Sileah: No… no, sweetling…

Trovek: ::softly:: The truth, mother. 

Sileah: Your grandfather insisted you learn about this.. your father tried to convince him to tell him where he stored those documents.. that was all… Arys... Your brother will be Kai one day. 

Trovek: And a Cardassian family member isn’t something your sect would understand or tolerate. And it would hurt your reputation if someone knew you tried to kill your child. 

Sileah: ::hissing:: It was Cardassian. 

Trovek: So it didn’t deserve to exist?

Sileah: ::standing up:: It doesn’t. If there is one regret I have in life is that I was too young and too weak to make sure it died. You were not there, Arys. You didn’t see what they did to OUR children. 

Trovek: Mother, it was a child. It was your child. 

Sileah: It was Cardassian! There is nothing redeemable about them, my daughter. They might spread the lie of a reformed Cardassia, but they will never change, it’s just not in their nature. You are a so-called psychologist, I am sure there is a medical term for it. They are not like us, Arys. They don’t feel love, they don’t appreciate the things we do. You know what they derive pleasure from? Making someone watch while drowning their family. 

Trovek: ::shaking her head:: So your child didn’t deserve to live because half of it was Cardassian. ::she paused:: I have those documents that can destroy your cult, and you… well really, your hatred, and you made my father a promise. So here is what’s going to happen. My father did what you asked of him, so you will invite him to move to Bajor and live with you. You will stay out of my way and once a month or week, or whenever I decide it is time, I will check-in and make sure you are the happy family you promised him to be. 

Sileah glowered, but another glance at the document kept her from speaking up. 

Trovek: That will be all. Have a pleasant evening.

Arys ended the call before her mother could protest and stared at the dark screen for a moment. Then she got up, turning around to find Lukin.

Zorkal: That went well. 

As well as it could have gone.  Arys hadn’t given her mother room to protest, and she’d taken control.  It was most pleasant to watch, really.  

Arys grimaced. She didn’t like this side of herself, finding that it reminded too much of what her mother could be like. But right now it served her well - the challenge was to get out of this mindset. 

Trovek: ::hissing:: Of course it did, what did you expect?

Lukin didn’t answer and simply stared at her.  

oO He’s not the enemy Oo 

But it felt like it. Like everyone was her enemy right now like she was alone in doing this, and as if she, if she lost control of the situation, was failing.  

Zorkal: And what do you plan to do next? 

Trovek: Well, with my family situation sorted, there is nothing left to do here. I suppose it’s time to return to the Juneau… ::she took a deep breath, digging her nails into her arm:: ...while you - as I assume you will do whether I want it or not - will find out about Taril.

She left the desk, moving into the living area to take her usual spot by the window. She had those moments when everything and everyone became a potential threat, and she knew that she had to learn to deal with it. 

Because Lukin was her person. 

Zorkal: I will.  

That had already been in his plans, and as someone who was wise to the ways of Cardassians, she would have, of course, already realized this.  Stepping forward, he drew to the window, stopping to stand beside her, and set his gaze upon the scene before them.  Outside it was cold, the white snow illuminated by the moon’s gentle glow, turning it almost blue. 

Zorkal: I will find him.  

He turned ever so slightly to shift that gaze to her.  

Zorkal: And I will let you know when I do.

Unless she said otherwise.  There were times Lukin would share what he learned with others.  In that case he suspected she would want such knowledge - though if she refused, then he would guard it.

Trovek: ::nodding:: Thank you. 

She turned to look at him, studying his face. Her own features seemed to soften as she regarded him, and the cold distance vanished from her eyes. Nothing kept her here on Earth, and yet she didn’t quite want to leave, and it took her a moment to realize that she couldn’t care less about the world that had once been her home. She didn’t want to leave him. 

Trovek: ::quietly:: I think you are one of my favorite people, Lukin. I will miss your presence.

He shifted again so that his gaze was more direct. The stark eyes, however, piercing as they were, took on a gentler study of her.  His hands, which had been clasped behind them, let go, and one rose, fingers lightly brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes.  His fingertips hovered a moment, allowing an almost imperceptible caress of the curve of her ear, and for a moment, time held its breath as his eyes held her, frozen, a moment of vulnerability, of silent wishes and unspoken murmurs that almost manifested themselves in spite of it all.  Then reality exhaled and everything was brought slowly back into motion.  His hand withdrew to join the other and he turned his attention back to the snow, back to the cold dark that was held at bay by the warm, golden light of the house in which they took shelter.  

Zorkal: And I, yours.

She turned her attention back to the window, regarding the city with its buzzing beauty. The visit there had turned out very different from how she had imagined it, and the grief was too fresh to truly explore or address any feelings she might have towards the Cardassian next to her. 

Trovek: Let’s go to Cardassia next time. It’s only fair. 

He had already promised one person he would take to Cardassia, and Lukin had no problems giving that same promise to another, especially Arys.  

Zorkal: It is only fair.   You’ll find it far less frozen than this place, but I will take you.  If you wish it.

Trovek: ::with a smile:: Well I will complain about the temperature, and it’s just a suggestion. But if you want that too, I would like to see your homeworld. 

Another sidelong glance was cast in her direction, the grey of his skin, the ebony of his hair adding their cool colors to the snowy scene they both watched.  The corner of his mouth turned upward, just a little, and for once it lacked the sardonic air it often took on. Arys smiled and kept her gaze fixed on the scene in front of her. She moved her hand, her skin barely touching his, and then withdrew again, content with just standing here together, in front of the window. 

Zorkal: I would like for you to see it. 

***********

Ensign Trovek Arys 

Counselor 

USS Juneau 

J239809TA4

&

Dalin Lukin Zorkal

Cardassian Ambassador

Starbase 118 Ops

M239008AD0