JP: Lt. Cmdr. Sevantha Saa & Cmdr. Alora DeVeau: Where Fate Finds Us [Part II]
Sevantha Saa
(( Sevantha’s Counseling Suite, Deck 10, USS Thor ))
As Sevantha engaged in telepathic conversation, the gold in her eyes started to burn like an eclipsed sun against the void backdrop of her Betazoid eyes. It had been a feature at first she hated until she realized it didn’t just react to her own telepathic communications but others as well. She had a theory it had to do with the reason the entity could infect the telepathic and empathic members on board easier than the others, but science teams were still a while off from being certain.
Saa: ~Also, I still have the side effects of certain sounds have a physical feeling to them, which has been an interesting thing to adapt to.~
DeVeau: ~What does it feel like?~
Since Sevantha had initiated the contact, Alora could respond. Should the woman completely withdraw, she would have to use her voice, but until then, she enjoyed the pleasant telepathic contact with a friendly mind.
DeVeau: ~Can you communicate it?~
Saa: ~Yes, when I was in the Foundry at Deep Space 14, the heavy rhythm of the music made my body feel almost synchronized, as if my heart beat with the music and the vibrations produced the same sensation as a powerful embrace or... as if it wholly enveloped me.~
She wasn’t certain it made complete sense to Alora, but she tried to illustrate it none-the-less.
Saa: ~And when I heard the sound of a violin in one of the restaurants, a particular note gave me physical chills all the way down my spine.~
For a moment, Alora didn’t respond but sat in the stillness and silence that settled between them. She could feel the other woman in her mind, allowed in, pleasant, unassuming. Uncrossing her legs, she rose and moved to a seat so she could sit next to Sevantha rather than across. Leaning forward, her eyes levelled their gaze at her golden and ebony ones, unflinching, unafraid, and completely willing.
DeVeau: ~You spoken of it. If you wish to share it, so that someone else can understand fully, I will open myself to you.~
The Counselor blinked once in surprise at Alora’s willingness to experience what she had felt. Extending her hand out to the Commander, Sevantha invited her to touch to strengthen the connection of the exchange.
Saa: ~Words hardly do the experience justice~
DeVeau: ~I know..~
Even before she met Kestra, Alora knew there was far more to experience than words could ever convey. After the two established a quick and strong friendship, the Betazoid woman had introduced her to other ways of communication. Her life had been filled with other friends, and eventually a husband, who had telepathic abilities. The latter had certainly helped her improve her own understanding by leaps and bounds. Thus, her offer was not made in naivete, but in full knowledge of what such a connection could entail. Slipping her hand into Sevantha’s, she steeled herself for what was to come.
When Alora’s hand touched her own, the memory of the Foundry surfaced. A dark room with a heavy beat, lights that changed colors, a room full of people using the music to break out of their day-to-day suppression and be free. The empathic energy washed over her first, the crowd experiencing a release of stress, troubles, and giving into the urge to dance. Yet for Sevantha, the music’s rhythm could be felt in her heart, the bass against her skin strong, enveloping, neither warm nor cold, but powerful. There was a light tingling sensation along her scalp that melted down into her neck. It made every aspect of the dance feel more intense, satisfying, freeing.
And then she shared the sound of the violin. She’d stepped away from the table where Lahl and others were celebrating the Trill’s birthday to grab another drink and stopped to watch the live performer. The bow eloquently glided across the strings and Sevantha felt the hair on her arms rise, and a particularly long note set her nerves on fire, as if she’d stepped out into the snow and the chill ran up her spine, leaving her breathless. Voices and thought had always been in conflict with her sensitivity, but sound had never been so intense as it was in those moments where physical reactions stirred.
Saa: ~ Not all sounds are pleasant, but I am not going subject you to the memory of obsidian grinding against transparent aluminum.~
Sevantha’s body practically writhed uncomfortably in her seat as she recalled it.
There was a pause, a breathless moment as she considered Sevantha’s consideration of herself. Even as her body gave in to the mental contact, the smile that spread over her lips reflected in the telepathic link the two shared, but not in a physical fashion. Instead, it was a gentleness that swept through her and over Sevantha, an encouragement, and a steeliness of a mind who was not unfamiliar with the unpleasantries of life, or of memories.
DeVeau: ~It’s okay, Sevantha. You can show it all to me. I’ve seen far more than you may realise.~
Saa: ~...It’s just a terrible sound.~
The mind that was Alora wrapped around her, embracing the mind that was Sevantha, but it was not a choking, malicious thing. Instead it was warm, a gentle embrace, that curled upward and furled over her protectively.
DeVeau: ~It disturbed you. It disturbs you now. You hold a burden that you shouldn’t bear alone.~
Telepathic interactions were nearly impossible to explain to someone who had never had the experience. One could exchange thought, feelings, impressions, but it took advanced skill for a non-reader to move so fluidly as Alora did. Over the past few months, Morro had been her primary source of telepathic connection, and he was still in learning phases how to maneuver within the bond, but that was changing. Alora’s presence, Wyatt once again being on board, even Velaan, there were multiple people she could engage.
Sevantha had forgotten how good a mental hug felt.
Saa: ~I am still learning to rely on others…~
Doctors and counselors often had the role of looking out for everyone else around them, driven by sworn oaths and professional duty, which often caused many to keep a mental distance to keep objectivity for the crew’s safety. On the Astraeus, it’d been easier with such a large crew, but on the Butler it’d been near impossible.
DeVeau: ~It’s nothing to be ashamed of, to need help, to rely on others.~
Alora could understand the reticence though, and in the back corners of her mind, a place where she did not allow Sevantha, she still struggled with that. After meeting Kalin, she had fallen completely into that sense where she could rely on someone - totally, completely, utterly. Then she’d lost him. When he returned, she lost him again, and that time, permanently.
Darkness pervaded her life after the first time. After the second, there was deep, bone-aching sorrow, but it hadn’t been so consuming. Perhaps it was because that time, she was able to say goodbye. That didn’t make it any easier to loose him, but she had that gratefulness of being able to spend some few, last moments with him. And then there was Shyla. It gave them a chance to have her.
Since his death, however, she had struggled with the same thing. Yes, she understood very much what Sevantha meant.
DeVeau: ~What you show me is up to you. Don’t be afraid of opening yourself up to me. If you don’t wish it, I won’t press, but I am willing.~
Saa: ~Alright… I apologize ahead of time.~
Through the bond, Sevantha dredged up the memory of the sound. A table in the club, where the music still caressed her skin with a steady beat. A woman in a dark overcoat and gloved hand set down an obsidian flute of wine and pushed it along an aluminum table. The sleek stone ground against the metal, its sound sharp, grating, causing an intense onset of misophonia that had previously been unfamiliar to the Betazoid. It stirred powerful, fleeting irritation, which strengthened into anger, until it was gone. Several muscles contracted simultaneously in response, hair on the back of her neck rose, the rings in her eyes pulsing with light, she swallowed hard, tried to maintain her composure and keep face in front of a woman who had information they needed.
Alora didn’t speak at first, but her mind lightly grazed Sevantha’s in a cool, soothing gesture, like a feather touch of someone gently caressing the shoulder of a friend. Then, as the vision emerged, it faded, and Alora let the experience wash over her. She winced at the sound, the grating nauseousness of the noise. Her essence surrounded Sevantha’s more tightly, enveloping her memory and taking it in her grasp, holding it, but letting it play out, as if providing a stabilising support so that it did not weigh the Betazoid down. Her voice whispered in Sevantha’s mind, not spoken verbally, merely a ghost without a body, an essence of the dark haired woman who had invited the counsellor inside.
Who is she?
The words were not fashioned as words, but emotion, a sense of a desire to know, an unfamiliarity with a mind who sought clarity and knowledge.
Saa: ~A friend's mother, one who we learned was entangled in the smuggling of counterfeit art through the Gamma.~
The picture zoomed out from the obsidian flute. One of which showed Morro, and herself, dressed for the Foundry, sweating from dancing the evening away staring at a pale Trill would with slicked back blonde hair. Her features were familiar to Sevantha, parts at least, the nose, the shape of the eyes were similar to a doctor onboard the Octavia E. Butler, Jania Nis. The initial memory was full of confusion, frustration with the woman, sympathies offered to the Doctor who was not there, and knowing it was a truth she could never tell her friend. And the dishonesty bothered her immensely.
As the images shifted and changed, Alora remained steadfast and unwavering. The images did nothing to deter her or repel her, and she merely continued her support. Honesty, deceit, two opposites, and in the Betazoid culture, the second was repulsive while the first treasured. And yet, how much did Sevantha herself hide?
The question itself was one Sevantha wished she knew the answer to when she constantly felt like out in the Gamma Quadrant, she was discovering pieces of herself that had been dormant in a young girl trying to fit inside the lines of what a good Betazoid should be and what she was.
Saa: ~ I am used to being overstimulated by the combination of thoughts and voices, but sounds, to feel them, is such a unique experience. ~
While Alora had never been telepathic, and still was not, she had a husband who had been very much like that. As a young boy, he’d heard thoughts and feelings and felt the emotions of everyone around him., and it had explained his rather introverted and often sarcastic nature. Yet, somehow, they had come together, come to love each other, even though they were opposite in many ways.
That, however, was not relevant to Sevantha’s situation. However, because of the bond she had with Kalin, had an inkling of what he had gone through. She would never know exactly what it was like, for the experience had been through someone else’s eyes, not her own - but it allowed her empathy over the struggle.
DeVeau: ~It sounds like these feelings might almost be woven with yours. Now a part of you, so to speak.~
Saa: ~ One of the mysteries, whether this is just a part of who I am now, or if these are symptoms that will fade with time.~
Outwardly, Sevantha and Alora sat in silence in her office, something not entirely uncommon when one viewed the Betazoid from the outside. To most, she was introverted, restrained until one got to know her and she settled comfortably. Yet those who permitted her to communicate telepathically found someone willing to talk endlessly in the seamless flow of thoughts, ideas, words and feelings. Morro and Gwen’ora had been the most open to the experiences, though in recent times, the Orion the most communicative. The situation between Velaan and herself was still in limbo, and while they spoke telepathically it was still a delicate trust developing between the two of them.
Saa: ~I heard you encountered some beautiful bioluminescent forests and creatures on the moon, Selene? How was your first mission aboard?~
The shift wasn’t unexpected, but felt at odds with the silent conversation they’d just had. Although she did not speak verbally, her lips curled up in a smile.
DeVeau: ~Oh it was fascinating! I didn’t particularly like being held at weapon point, but I’ve been through worse. I heard your own team had a rather interesting experience. ~
Saa: ~Learning about new culture is always fascinating, though I’ll admit, I was not expecting to step into a conspiracy.~
DeVeau: ~And it was your first as officially the second officer. How do you think it went, over all?~
At one point in her life, Alora had been First Officer of one of the largest space stations in Starfleet. However, many things had happened, and perhaps because of what happened, the powers that be decided she needed another change. Perhaps they were right. Perhaps they weren’t. Either way, she shifted, adjusted, and adapted - just as she always had done.
Saa: ~ I consider it a success that none of our officers under my watch were injured or kidnapped. ~ ::Considering:: ~ There were aspects I found to be challenging, hiding what both Veylek and myself are to avoid inspiring distrust or inspiring one who walks the line of dictator was at the forefront of my mind.~
Alora had managed to read a few of the reports that had come through, and she knew Sevantha meant a man who was referred to as the ‘Malik’. She wasn’t sure where that word originated from, but upon reading, she got the sense that what the man said was what happened, no matter what people thought or wanted.
DeVeau: ~Sounds hard.~
Saa: ~A society based on a controlled narrative that deviates from the truth is difficult for me to accept as a happy one. ~
DeVeau: ~I agree.~
They had so much freedom as members of the Federation, freedom that she had come to appreciate more since her graduation, which exposed her to even more ideas and philosophies that contradicted her own.
Folding her legs up, Sevantha finally as she sat improperly in her chair, unable to resist it as they casually communicate telepathically. Alora noticed the change and was grateful. If Sevantha was comfortable with her, that made her happy.
DeVeau: ~Rising in the ranks means not only having to face challenges, but it means you are also sometimes the one who has to make the challenging decisions.~
Saa: ~ So I am learning.~
DeVeau: ~Our captain, for instance. I understand this is his first command?~
Alora didn’t know Trake Promontory, nor had she even met the man. She’d seen him in real life once, but they’d never gotten the opportunity to speak. Thus far, their schedules hadn’t messed, nor had they been able to officially introduce themselves to each other. That wouldn’t remain the case, she was certain, but she had to admit, she was curious.
Saa: ~From my understanding, yes, though my brother knows him far better than myself.~
DeVeau: ~I know his brother, Avander a little. We’ve proctored a couple of exams at the Academy together.~
And he seemed like a great guy. Alora would have liked to spend more time with him, but alas, they had never been assigned to the same ship. She wondered if Trake was anything like him.
Saa: ~And turned out a few successful ensigns.~
Alora and Avander had proctored her exam after all.
A grin spread over Alora’s face at that comment. After all, that was when she had first met both Avander and Sevantha.
DeVeau: ~How could I forget?~
Saa: ~He and I actually are scheduled to proctor an exam together here soon.~
There was pride in the thought she was standing next to her own exam proctor for a session and now she sat across from the other, she got to serve alongside both of them.
Alora’s eyes lit up at that little tidbit. How fitting it was to have someone who was in a practical you proctor turn around and become a proctor herself.
DeVeau: ~I’m not surprised. You showed great promise from the get go. And I can’t say I’m unhappy to be here - just surprised.~
Saa: ~I also know Avander recommended a number of the officers on board to Trake.~
Alora tilted her head to the side. Although she and Avander had passed by each other, much like the age old saying, “ships in the night”, they hadn’t really had a *lot* of time around each other.
DeVeau: ~Did he recommend me you think?~
Saa: ~I wouldn’t know, I thought he’d recommended me, but apparently Velaan was the swaying vote in that discussion.~ ::Considers:: ~But if looking for a Chief of Science in an explored region, I don’t see why your name wouldn’t come up.~
She’d have to ask him next time she saw him. At least they might have the chance to sit down and have a meal together some time when the Thor made its way back to Deep Space 14. She’d have to tell him about the adventures of the ship, though she also figured Trake would do the same.
DeVeau: ~Is our captain anything like his brother?~
Saa: ~They both have adventurous spirits, though Avander seemed like he needed a break from ship life while Trake feels as if the experience has invigorated him.~
There was a trace of something in her mind, a thin sliver of an emotion that was not easily named, but it flickered to life at the mention of Avander, though it was quickly gone before it could manifest itself more clearly.
DeVeau: ~I’ve actually not met the Captain yet. I’ve seen him from afar, but that’s it. I’ve been so busy…~
Saa: ~Velaan speaks highly of Trake. They met on the Butler during our encounter with the entity…~
Abruptly, Sevantha paused in invoking the name or image might cause damage to both of him. The faint glow in her eyes brightened for a moment before she pushed through.
Saa: ~They’re both survivors of unusual situations with time, space and multi-dimensions, Velaan apparently worked with another Trake, and that seemed to fascinate our Captain.~ ::She tilts her head:: ~I’m not sure his brother fared as well in that experience.~
DeVeau: ~I can imagine the stories they could tell.~
She really could. During her years as an officer, Alora had experienced her own fair share of unusual situations, several of them involving space-time and even a dimension or two. In one, she’d been thought dead, only to discover she had, instead, been left for dead and rescued by an unlikely hero. That had certainly been something.
Saa: ~ I’m sure all we have to do is ask either one.~
DeVeau: ~And now we have the opportunity to make more stories, ones with a new ship along with some new faces. And some familiar ones.~
Sevantha was one, but so was Tito. No matter what happened in the past, it was nice to have that familiar face there along with the others.
Saa: ~There’s a surprising amount of familiar on board~ ::she admitted:: ~More than I would have expected, but it is not unwelcomed.~
Alora, Divya, Wyatt, and Fianna were all tied to her early days in Starfleet, from her time at the academy to Frontier Day, and reminded her just because she’d changed ships did not mean those threads vanished.
DeVeau: ~Sometimes it feels like I’ve come full circle, even when I’m starting over.~
In some ways, yet, And in others, she truly was starting over, though the biggest moment had been back on the research station, and then followed by the one on Ops. Alora knew that life would always throw things at her, but she could certainly hope for less eventful, or at least less harrowing, significant moments.
Saa: ~There are many sayings about the threads of fate and how they tie us all together in a tapestry of life.~
DeVeau: ~Betazed seems to have even more than Earth does.~
Alora would not claim to be an expert, but she’d heard a few, and she was certain Sevantha could share more with her if she wished.
Saa: ~Yes, Earth cultures often view fate as a tapestry of threads with a story woven.~ ::she runs her thumb over hand palm:: ~We view fate as a journey, with many paths, with the understanding you will always walk where fate wishes you to be~
DeVeau: ~And here we are. Fate has put us on the same path. ~
Though she had proctored Sevantha’s exam, it was the first time the two had actually served on a ship together. Perhaps the initial meeting was simply a preview of the future.
Saa: ~Thor in its second chance is already weaving our tapestry.~
There was a moment of reflection over the words of a dear friend, Jania Nis, and their worries about disrupting fate following the Butler’s experience in time, a mission she now purposely knew little about.
DeVeau: ~And we have the joy of seeing all the different threads come together in one, big, beautiful picture.~
She tried to look at it that way. Not everything was happy go lucky, and not every mission was successful. Overall, however, Alora liked to look on the bright side, and she knew that they as a crew worked together for the benefit of not only themselves, but of the galaxy at large.
Saa: ~And fate leaves it to us to weave the rest.~
And that was a sentiment that Alora could definitely get behind.
***********
Lieutenant Commander Sevantha Saa
Counselor | Head of Health | Second Officer
USS Thor
A240105SS2
&
Commander Alora DeVeau
Chief Science Officer
USS Thor
&
Matriarch of the 15th House
Betazed
M239008AD0