Lt JG Josh Herrick: AB2 Déjà vu
Mark P
((Gratitude Festival, Ashalla, Bajor))
Josh’s shore leave was turning out better than he expected. He was rubbing shoulders with the lieutenants, and despite his awkward social skills, they weren’t annoyed with him — a win in any lower decker’s books. Burning away problems, chasing away jugglers, and now a suspect offer of an orb experience. Sherlock had reached out to lift the suspicious Vedek’s shabby robes.
He raised a hand to his chest, looking horrified.
Vedek: Well, I never!
The man stepped backwards, and then turned into the crowd. Josh saw a pair of street kids through the crowd, beckoning the Vedek to come over to them. Perhaps they were working in tandem; younglings scouting out potential victims — but at least Avanader and Josh’s pockets were safe.
Promontory: Aine, is there anything else here that’s less… commercial?
Avander had
taken the words out of the engineer’s mouth; plus the fact that they wouldn’t
really be able to take anyone up on any offers unless Saint Aine came to the
rescue with more latinum.
Sherlock: There's some stuff. It all depends.
Herrick: ::looking
between the two officers:: What do you recommend for a first-timer?
Promontory: (shrugging) I’m a stranger here myself.
Herrick: Maybe we could check out the temples, ::looking to Sherlock::
if you know any.
Back on Earth, he had explored all the major cities growing up. His dad had to consistently reprimand him on his consumption of transporter credits, often exhausting the family’s supply. On this trip, Bajor reminded him of Japan and Ashalla of Tokyo. Kind people, temples everywhere, and avid observers of religious events.
Sherlock: Y'know, if you guys really want to see one of the temples, there's ones you can go to.
Promontory: OK. One more shot!
Sherlock: Alright, follow me.
They placed their dishware and cutlery, in a nearby recycler. Aine was leading the pack, and after a short detour to tell Mel where they were going (perhaps a safety precaution), they were on their way. Josh didn’t know how often she’d been to Bajor, but she seemed to know the streets well.
As they continued to progress on the narrow cobblestone streets, his nose picked up the pungent aroma of baterat leaves. smoky haze.
Promontory: response
Herrick: ::breathes in deeply and coughs:: In small doses at least…
The group arrived at the temple, and the first thing that stood out to Josh as he looked around, was the defensibility of the location, likely how it survived during the occupation.
Surrounding the temple were large two-storey walls about 50 meters on each side, as well as benches and hedges to hide behind. The only entry was the one they came through. He realized that he hadn’t really scouted a location before; but now, likely due to the action he’d seen since being posted, it was starting to become second nature. The only odd part was the lack of people around, perhaps at the cemetery.
Herrick: Wow… this is the one you were talking about?
Sherlock: Yup, this is it. But before we go in... ::inhaling deeply and then slowly letting the breath out::
Promontory: response
Sherlock: I need to tell you what happened the last time I came to one of these. But, you have to swear you won't tell anyone.
Herrick: ::raising his hand a bit eagerly:: I solemnly swear…
Promontory: Response
It looked like the security officer was wrestling with what to say, and then finally admitted what happened to her.
Sherlock: I had an encounter. ::beat:: With a ghost.
Herrick: C’mon! A proper ghost?
He waved his arms a bit and vocalized the old OooOOooOo sound that old Terran movies claimed that ghosts made. In reality, he was a bit uncomfortable with the parallels to the last mission. Gods willing, no ghosts today — or, as a comprimise, none that he knew.
Promontory/Sherlock: response
Herrick: (teasingly) Maybe you made the first ‘first contact’ with the Alpha Brenkelvians.::looking towards a wall with silver ornate writing etched into the walls — the ancient language of Bajorans drew yet another similarity with that mission.
Promontory/Sherlock: response
As the group stared at the far-off distance, one of the officers felt a tap on their shoulder.
Promontory/Sherlock: response
As they turned around, they were now on their second Vedak within the hour. This man's clothes were faded from time, but neatly pressed and well maintained. He spoke with an often zen-like cadence and tone. He smiled brightly, and the wrinkles in his face became more visible. Josh mentally guessed that he was around 100 years old.
Vedek: I’m sorry child, I didn’t scare you.
The frail man bent over, and Josh throught at his he was going to lend a hand but instead, grab the fallen person's ear. A moment later he smiled, releasing the ear and flexing his fingers.
Vedek: You're pagh is strong ::taking a beat while flexing his fingers:: What brings you here children?
(OOC: Please feel free to play the new legit vedak :))
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Lieutenant JG Josh Herrick
Acting Chief Engineer
USS ‘Oumuamua
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)