Lieutenant JG Ras El'Heem - At the edge of Ojai Valley
Ras El'Heem
((Dewitt Residence, Earth))
The air was filled with a salty lilt and a cool breeze. White oak burned in a hearth of grill somewhere nearby, no doubt someone cooking a tritip. Perhaps even here at the wedding. At the same time the fresh scent of those same oak trees in the hills above mashed with the seaweed floating in the bay below in a lovely way that made Ras feel more comfortable than he should be. He was late. Well, he didn’t exactly get instructions on when to arrive and where to arrive for his job as the one to give away the bride, but he got the sense it should have been ever so slightly sooner. He wore an unlined dark blue suit and an off-white linen shirt and pants. Ras wandered the property looking for where he was meant to be, but ultimately arrived back at the ceremony meeting area after being shooed out but misunderstanding staff. Ras sighed and stroked his chin as he contemplated what he should do. Who but Chief Ohnari to show up and guide the young scaled one in the right direction.
Ohnari: ::slightly breathless:: Just the botanically inclined man I was looking for.
El'Heem: ::turning to look at her:: Chief! Oh my god, I’m so sorry I’m late. I could not figure out where I was supposed to go.
Ohnari: Um...slight change of plans, it seems that Comman...er...formerly Commander Collins has been flown in special to walk Ayemet down the aisle, a request she had made before his sudden and unexpected departure. A rather sweet gesture from Conner, if I say so myself...but, the aisle isn't exactly wide enough for both of you to escort her....
Ras let the silence linger a bit, the wind blowing through the trees in the valley above reaching a crescendo and then quickly dying down. He had his heart set on being a part of the wedding, but it wasn’t his day.
El'Heem: Oh ::beat:: I am thrilled for Ayemet!
And he truly was.
Ohnari: Don't you worry! I've got the best idea. Did you know Terran weddings usually include a beloved family member proceeding the bride and spreading a carpet of flower petals?
The doctor perked up at the mention of a carpet of flower petals. As Ohnari finished her sentence she turned and whistled at a passerby as if this was a scripted encounter.
Ohnari: Semara!! Perfect timing. I need you.
Ras straightened his suit and absently pulled a piece of lint from his coat as he waited for Semara to cross the courtyard to the plotting pair.
El'Heem: Well met ensign. You look stunning.
Semara: Response
Ohnari: Ok here is the play, you've got twenty minutes to scrounge up a whimsical basket festooned with flower decorations filled with petals. ::turning towards her fellow physician:: Once she's gathered that, when I say go, El'Heem you are going to walk down the aisle, dropping a handful of petals as you go. Once you reach the end, and your basket is empty, you can have a seat. ::donning her very best pout:: You'll both help me...on this day of Ayemet and Connor's wedding....right?
Always with the dramatics. Actually, now that he thought about it, his too closest friends on the Khitomer both had that same flair.
Semara: Response
He nodded and patted Ohnari on the shoulder.
El'Heem: We would be honored. ::bowing slightly::
Ohnari: Yes! ::clapping happily:: I knew I could count on you two. Semara there should be a plethora of extra decor in the room directly next to the cocktail gathering, and El'Heem when you walk, try not to launch petals at the guests. It's for the aisle only. ::blowing air kisses of gratitude to the pair:: Thankyouthankyouthankyou ok byeeee!!!
Before Ras had time to ask any questions, the Haliian was off where she disappeared into the crowd of staff mulling about.
El’Heem: When she says a carpet…of flower petals….
Semara: Response
El’Heem: Right, not an actual woven carpet. You want to get the basket and meet me at the veranda at the front of the house? I think I saw a meadow between some trees on the other side of the driveway.
Semara: Response
El’Heem: Deal. See you in five.
((Five minutes later, Front porch of the Dewitt Residence, Earth))
The sun would be setting shortly, and he knew that meant the ceremony was only 15 minutes away. Really they only had 10 minutes to make it to the meadow, pick as many flowers as they could and make it back to the courtyard in time to immediately head down the aisle. Time was of the essence. Ras paced nervously as he waited for Semara to arrive but as soon as she did and grabbed her hand and pulled her down the driveway.
El’Heem: The meadow is over there through those trees.
Semara: Response
Ras let go and kept walking.
El’Heem: Yea sorry, I’m just nervous we’re not going to make it back in time!
Semara: Response
The two crossed the driveway and Ras hopped across the ditch that separated the road from the copse of bay laurels at the edge of the larger growth of oak. He put his hand out to help Semara across.
El’Heem: So about that exchange at the poker game…
Semara: Response
Tags/TBC
Lieutenant JG Ras El’Heem
Medical Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
K240106RE3