Lt. Aine Sherlock - The Tease

[Aine Sherlock]

((Small Temple Off The Beaten Path of the Gratitude Festival, Bajor))

Aine watched carefully as Herrick seemed to take some sort of brief, internalized, spiritual journey. That was what was supposed to happen after all, right?

Vedek: He’s fine and unharmed, just as you will be. Who shall journey with me next?

Promontory: Aine, do you want to or shall I?

Sherlock: I think we should save the best for last, so you go next.

Aine shot Promontory a slight grin after delivering the jab.

Promontory: (excitedly, to the Vedek) Let’s go!

As the others swapped places for Promontory to start, Aine grinned and shook her head. She'd noticed that the Intel Officer always seemed enthusiastic and upbeat. She'd have to ask him later how he did it.

Herrick: (under his breath) Good luck.

Sherlock: ::leaning towards Herrick:: Something tells me he's going to like this.

Vedek: Now, my not-so-human human. Clear your mind.

Promontory: Clear and ready—

The Vedek reached for Promontory's ear and held it. It couldn't have been more than a few seconds before he let it go. Given what Aine knew of the Prophets, Bajoran beliefs, and "the other side" as she'd experienced it, it was entirely possible he just spent a lifetime away from them.

Promontory: So, when is it supposed to start?

Vedek: (enigmatically) You must take your journey elsewhere.

Promontory: (disappointed) Oh. (beat) Well, maybe another time.

Aine swapped places with Promontory.

Herrick: Response

Sherlock: I guess that means I'm up.

Vedek: (to Aine) Do not resist the truth, my child.

Herrick: Response

Sherlock: ::to Herrick:: This is me relaxed.

She turned back to the Vedek and gave him a nod and he reached up to her ear, giving it a firm hold.

Promontory: (to Josh) Is this what I looked like?

Herrick: Response

Vedek: Clear your mind.

Sherlock: It is clear.

The Vedek suddenly gave her ear a sharp pinch causing her to flinch.

Vedek: Now ::beat:: it is clear.

Aine slowly breathed in and closed her eyes. As that long breath settled she prepared for what she would see. But suddenly the Vedek let go of her ear.

Sherlock: ::confused:: I didn't see anything.

Vedek: You saw what the Prophets wanted you to see.

Sherlock: So they don't want me to see anything?

Vedek: Not yet. When you see, you will understand.

Sherlock: So, you saw. Great. ::beat:: When do they want me to see?

Aine's eyes squinted, she knew what the answer was going to be. And she already didn't like it.

Vedek: Soon.

Sherlock: I knew it! I coulda put money on that one! I KNEW it!

Promontory/Herrick: response

The Vedek reached out with his hand to her shoulder as if trying to calm her.

Sherlock: This is crap. If the Prophets know everything, they know I hate surprises.

Vedek: They do know. The Prophets know all that is.

Promontory/Herrick: response

Sherlock: That's just great.

Promontory/Herrick: response

Sherlock: Even the Prophets like to torture me.

Promontory/Herrick: response

tags/TBC

Lt. Aine Sherlock

Security Officer

U.S.S. 'Oumuamua

R239712AS0