Trovek/Zumagi - Path of the Prophets - A Helping Hand

[Arys Trovek]

((Arys' and Lukin’s temporary quarters, City Hotel, Bajor))

‌The dinner table was set, and the scent of freshly-cooked Bajoran food filled the dining area. While the dinner had plates, cups and cutlery for four people set out, only Arys was sitting there, burying her face in her palms.  Lukin was at the temple, seeing if he could find Ferri and Geleth there. Tito was on the Narendra, trying to reactivate Ferri’s badge. And Arys was sitting here, hoping they were coming home.

She looked up as the doorbell chimed, and rushed towards it, still hoping that the girls had simply lost track of time. But as it opened, she didn’t find Ferri or Geleth there, nor Lukin or Tito. It was Doctor Zumagi. Arys had completely forgotten that the man wanted to discuss a potential transfer to Starbase 118 with her - not that she was the one making those decisions, but as Chief Medical Officer she could certainly offer advice. 

Doctor Zumagi was accompanied by a rather elderly Cardassian male who stood just behind him. The man reminded Arys of an older and slightly overweight version of Lukin, and she assumed that this must be Doctor Zumagi’s husband. The Cardassian studied Arys with a curious look, but remained quiet, letting his husband speak.

Zumagi: Good day, Doctor Trovek… Is this a bad time?

Arys glanced at the Cardassian accompanying Ivin. She had gotten used to interacting with the people of Coranum District, but it was the first time that she encountered someone as… advanced in age. To her surprise, it made her feel uncomfortable. Knowing that the man hadn’t been a young man barely out of his teens like Lukin, but had been middle-aged and instrumental in what had happened during the Occupation, put her on edge. ‌

More than she already was. 

Trovek: Sorry… I-.. ::she shook her head, trying to regain her composure:: … what can I do for you? 

Ivin seemed to immediately notice her distress. A concerned look crossed his face. He glanced back at Nivox who shared his look of concern. Ivin stepped forward as he spoke, his voice soft and taking on a fatherly tone.

‌Zumagi: Something is the matter, I can tell it is. What happened?

Trovek: It’s… fine. It will be sorted. ::she took a moment to take a deep breath:: Please, come inside. ::she turned her attention to the Cardassian:: Doctor Trovek. A pleasure. 

Nivox bowed his head politely to her. He was strangely quiet and docile for a male Cardassian and were the situation a different one, Arys would ask Zumagi for advice on how he had gotten his lizard so well-behaved. ‌

Drasa: Nivox Drasa, husband of Doctor Zumagi. It is good to finally meet you. My husband has high praises for you.

‌Arys stepped to the side, letting the two men enter. ‌

Trovek: What can I do for you? Have you made a decision regarding a potential transfer to Starbase 118? 

She tried her best to focus on the matter in front of her, rather than her concern for Ferri and Geleth. Though it seemed she hadn’t quite reached Cardassian levels of composure as of yet. 

‌Zumagi: I have, yes. I’ve discussed it at length with Nivox and… ::paused:: It is definitely something we desire, yes. It is in both of our best interests.

Arys nodded slowly. She approved. Or rather - normally, she would approve. Right now she didn’t care. 

Trovek: Good… good.. 

Nivox stood quietly beside his husband, letting Ivin do the talking. He saw evidence of a child and a man in the room but neither could be seen. Ivin turned to face Arys, his voice kind and soft.

‌Zumagi: I appreciate your attempts to stay on topic for the reason I stopped by. Where are Geleth and Lukin? Is this the cause of your distress?

‌Arys sighed, then shook her head. 

‌Trovek: It’s probably nothing. Geleth and Ferri - Lukin’s aide - should have returned here an hour ago. They probably just …. They are probably just running late. 

‌Concern visibly crossed Ivin’s face.

Zumagi: This isn’t like her, is it? Running late that is. I imagine a Cardassian Ambassador’s aide to be quite reliable and always on time.

Trovek: That’s the thing. Ferri isn’t unreliable, nor is she ever too late. Lukin is looking for them right now, and a friend of mine is seeing if he can reactivate Ferri’s badge to locate them. 

Zumagi: As I figured. Her badge got deactivated? Do you know of anyone who would try to harm you, Lukin or either of the girls?

Trovek: The badge was deactivated when it was no longer needed. You had to turn in yours as well, if you even got one, and Ferri is a civilian. ::Arys rubbed the bridge of her nose:: I am just glad that Tito let her keep it. As for people who want to harm them, they’re Cardassians on Bajor. They are associated with a political figure. 

Ivin nodded slowly as he listened to her, worry etched on his face. He hadn’t known Arys or her family for long, but he was a truly empathetic man, as much as he tried to hide it. His care was genuine.‌

Zumagi: Doctor Trovek… Arys… I will try to help you in whatever way I can. Me and Nivox both.

Nivox nodded his agreement quietly. He did not know her, but he trusted his partner’s judgement.

Trovek: Thank you. I am… sure it’s nothing. They’re kids, they… will be late sometimes. 

Zumagi: Nothing is always something. If it is something that has never happened before, then it is a cause for concern. Are you sure there isn’t anyone?

Trovek: Well there is… one person…

Zumagi: There always is... Tell me more.

Arys reclined in her chair, not for relaxation but to ground herself.  Ivin grabbed a chair himself and sank down into it to bring himself down to her level. Nivox stood behind him and rested his hands on Ivin’s shoulders. The Doctor lifted a hand to rest it on one of Nivox’s hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze. The love and adoration between the two were subtle yet incredibly profound.

‌Trovek: My mother hates Cardassians, and leads a sect of crazy Bajorans who also hate Cardassians. ‌

Which was the short version of a very long story. 

Zumagi: I do understand how that hatred can be harboured. How one handles that trauma, however… I assume she hasn’t…‌

Trovek: Don’t get me wrong, I more than understand how she can’t tolerate them. ::she glanced at Nivox:: No offence. ::back to Ivin:: She is around your age. Pretty Bajoran female during the Occupation- you can guess the rest. And she… complicated… ::Arys bit her lip:: is Geleth’s grandmother. 

Drasa: I understand, more than understand.

Trovek: ::cooly:: I highly doubt that. 

Nivox gave a small smile and shrugged in response. He definitely understood. Ivin looked up at Nivox, then over at Arys. He gave a slight nod himself.

Zumagi: Wonder if I know her… ::furrowed his brow:: There’s a chance she could be responsible for her going missing, due to Geleth being a hybrid?

Trovek: There is. 

Ivin sighed and pressed his thumb to his nose ridges. Geleth did not deserve this at all. The child did not deserve to be punished for the generations before her, or for being a hybrid. It made Ivin mad. Genuinely mad. Nivox squeezed Ivin’s shoulders, sensing his temper rising. Ivin took a few deep breaths, leaning back into his husband’s hands.

Zumagi: We will help you sort this out. What do you want and need us to do?‌

Arys was about to respond when her badge chirped. ‌

Trovek: Excuse me for a moment. 

She quickly got up and moved into the sleeping room, not at all eager to be overheard as she readied herself to take in whatever news there was. A few moments later she returned, looking even more pale than usual.

Trovek: Do you still offer your help? 

‌Zumagi: Oh, absolutely I do.

‌Trovek: Ferri’s badge was located in Rakantha Valley, in a forest. Tito is taking a shuttle there, and he will stop here to beam Lukin up. 

‌Zumagi: Will you be coming as well?

Trovek: No… I’ve been asked to stay here. 

‌Which was, probably, for the better. She could feel herself panicking, and panic wouldn’t help either of them. 

Ivin nodded slowly in response. He glanced over at his rather… round and old husband. Unlike Ivin, Nivox had not kept up with his fitness or health since the Occupation ended, much to Ivin’s annoyance. Ivin truly did not think Nivox would be up to any sort of mission.

Zumagi: I’ll go and Nivox will stay here with you so you aren’t alone through this, if that’s alright?

Nivox nodded once. He understood Ivin’s reasons, even if it wasn’t spoken. He looked rather concerned as he glanced at Arys.

‌Trovek: I prefer to be alone. ::she said quickly:: 

She did not want to have some stranger staying with her while she had a nervous breakdown. ‌

Zumagi: I understand. Tito is the contact I am to meet up with? I should go get ready. I’ll certainly keep in contact as things pan out.

‌Trovek: Thank you. 

Ivin paused, giving her a gentle smile, trying to send her all the calm, reassurance the older man could muster.

Zumagi: It will be alright. Everything is fine, we’ll get them home

‌

*****************

Lt. Trovek Arys 

Chief Medical Officer 

Starbase 118 Ops

J239809TA4

‌

And 

Doctor Ivin Zumagi

Trauma Surgeon & Doctor

Bajoran Militia

O239905ER3