Getting to Know (Day 6 - Early Morning)

“Miss Yazmina?” The call had come as a surprise, but Dorian found it no less important as the new Companion requested his assistance. “Ah’ll be right there,” he’d replied, before picking up a second horse. Now, he sat in the saddle at the foot of Lunar Veil’s cargo bay ramp. As the door opened to permit her exit, Adler tipped his hat. “Good mornin’, Miss Yazmina. Ah am at yah disposal.”

"I appreciate you taking the time." Yaz mina said walking up to her horse fussing with her riding gloves. She swung herself up into the saddle sitting side saddle. "I doubt my chat with the Mayor will take long." She assured her the good Doctor.

He nodded agreement as he turned the big chestnut gelding...affectionately nicknamed ‘horse,’ to fall in beside the Companion. “While we’re headin’ that way, what can yah tell me tah prepare?”

"About what? The Mayor?" She asked with a click as the pair moved through the snow on horseback.

He nodded. “It’s a good day when Ah don’t have tah draw a weapon. It’s a bettah day when Ah don’t have tah show one. While yah obviously possess a very fine talent fah negotiation, Ah’d like tah know tha situation we may be walkin’ intah.”

"Well you are not protection from the Mayor my good Doctor. You're a deterrent so his son doesn't get any ideas between here and there." She clarified.

“That’s good infahmation,” the medic replied. “Of course Ah’ll follow yah lead throughout.”

"It's appreciated. Honestly I don't think he would be foolish to try anything at this point but I find nothing wrong with a healthy dose of caution." Yazmina said as they meandered into town.

They rode in an agreeable silence. All around them the town of Aurora Creek was bustling to life. The cafes and restaurants were busy serving breakfast to the departing holiday guests. Street vendors were busily selling their wares at prices meant to clear out their stock. Everywhere, wagons and small shuttles were being loaded. It was obvious that by this afternoon, the little town would again become the sleepy village Adler had pictured it to be. As they came abreast of the City Hall building, Adler asked “How’d yah like me tah play it? Shall Ah accompany yah intah tha mayor’s office?”

"Absolutely. The least he can do is show you some hospitality for your assistance." The companion chuckled.

He dismounted the saddle, then slipped the horse’s lead over the hitching rail. “That would be the desirable outcome,” Dorian replied as he gallantly assisted the woman down from her mount.

The duo entered and were promptly escorted to a posh waiting decorated with brown leather chairs, wall lines with books and a fireplace warming the room. "Would like a brandy or cigar?" The women escorting them offered while they waited.

"A brandy would be lovely, Doctor Dorian?" Yaz asked as she took a seat.

He offered a polite smile to their host. “Tha same, please.”

The secretary nodded moving to pour the pair a drink for a nearby decanter and served them there Brandy. "I'll let you know as soon as the Mayor can take, please make yourselves comfortable in the meantime."

Yaz gave a non accepting her drink. "Thank you."

Over Dorian’s years in the black, he’d developed an appreciation for the poise and erudition of classically trained Companions. He offered the snifter in salute, and she graciously acknowledged. Despite a radiant sense of natural beauty, Yazmina’s perfect posture and mannerisms would serve to achieve a high esteem from any of her well appointed clientele. She was the perfect culmination of taste, form, and substance. Given their previous experience, the medic found himself hoping to see Yazmina’s addition to the regular travelling crew of the Lunar Veil. “A fine batch,” he commented upon the brandy. “Mah compliments.”

"One of the perks. There is always good brandy around." Yaz said with a chuckle. "So tell me how long have you been flying with the crew? They seem to be a colorful lot."

He smiled at the subtle commentary. “A fair description,” Adler cast a sidelong glance her way. “It’s been awhile, now. Not quite a year, but close. They found me in a saloon on Persephone...wheeled a patient right up tah mah table. Obviously, that ended tha poker game,” he chuckled.

Yaz smiled. "So there is Captain Keller whom I haven't yet the privilege to meet. Though it seems Lieutenant runs more of the day to day operations. There is also that other boy? His name escapes me. And young girl Serena right? Not to sound judgemental but isn't she rather young to be working on a ship?" Yaz asked curiously. The crew was an interesting hodgepodge and the Companion couldn't help but wonder why all the deckhands looked like they were barely out of puberty.

Dorian nodded with a smile. “We seem tah attract a wide array of lost waifs an’ strays, Ah’ll grant yah. Miss Serena...Ah think sh’s mah doin’.....came from a bad situation. Ah hear she’s doin’ solid work, though. Tha boy yah mentioned...Vas Jat...is tha crew chief. Gets tha job done, though Ah’m afraid he’s sufferin’ a bit these days. He was tangled up with a that woman...claimed she was a companion. Ah think he’s carryin’ tha scars nowadays,” Adler observed, “but he’s pretty much gone quiet. Ah assume he’ll come around once he’s worked it out.” He reflected on those thoughts as he sipped on the brandy. “Yah got tha rest down well enough. Tha Lieutenant generally takes care ‘o’ business. Yah know Sistah Lyen. She an’ Yeva...a recently widowed passengah...are both workin’ with me in tha infimary. A highly unlikely gaggle,” Adler grinned, “but it does seem tah work.”

"Yes Lieutenant Riley informed me of your previous encounter with the so called companion. Quite a sham she pulled." Yaz tsked taking a delicate sip. "Yes the Vas boy he seems very … rough around the edges. What about the two little one? Out of the entire crew they seem the most out of place being so young. I didn't get to change to ask how well Gill is doing?"

“Gill’s recoverin’ quite nicely,” Dorian responded. “He’ll be on crutches inside of five days. We expect a complete recovery. Honestly, Ah don’t have much tah tell othah than mah own observations. They were aboard before Ah came. Gill’s a nice enough young man...plays his cards close tah tha vest, dohn mah? An’ Haddie? Ah’m uncertain. One moment, her behaviah would best be called ‘feral,’ an’ tha next? An absolute genius fah subtlety an’ misdirection. Ah’m unsure of their story, or what might’ve happened tah their parents.”

"Just an unusual sight, the pair if them on a ship with no parents." Yazmina shrugged. "So the two children … just … a charity case?"

Adler shrugged. “Yah guess is as good as mine. Ah have noticed that our Lieutenant Riley has a kind streak toward waifs an’ outcasts, though. You may not be far from tha mark,” he answered.

"So I take it then the Lieutenant takes primary care of them?" She asked. "Again if I'm prying please say so. I have done my fair share of travel and this Stokes me as very out of the norm."

“Ah don’t think yah wrong,” he replied. “Fah tha most part, Vas Jat looks aftah them. Sistah Lyen tries tah help. Tha rest of us assist as we’re needed.” He set the snifter onto a wing table. “Gill an’ Haddie are a touch standoffish. They keep tah themselves, mostly.”

"Not knowing much about them and depending on how long they have been on their own I can imagine why. The 'verse is not always a kind place, to put it delicately, but it seems they have fallen in with the few who actually care." She pointed out

“They’re definitely a part of tha family,” the Doc nodded.

“I can see that.” She complimented. “You said the Nun Lyen is also your assistant? Seems a bit odd.” Yaz said thoughtfully with a sip.
“At first glance, it might,” Dorian agreed. “But there was a time…” He shared the emergency surgery that Lyen had conducted, with Vas Jat’s assistance. “She saved mah eye,” he concluded. “Since then, she’s been keen tah learn. We made it official tha othah day, aftah rescuin’ yah.”

“I hope it doesn't conflict down the road with her religious duties. A life dedicated to a religion is it’s own full time job.” The companion commented. “I can also understand she might wish to adapt better to a more transient life.” Having lived her life with a singular job it was an odd though to feel the need to reach beyond it short of having to adapt. Few were so lucky to know what they wanted at such a young age after all.

“Ah’ll second that hope,” he nodded. “Lyen has proven tah be exemplary in her medical work. The surgery we performed on tha boy, Gill, was performed by tha Sistah, and Yeva Schnabel, a medic in trainin’, She has even impressed tha hospital staff who logged in tah ovahsee.”

“You have quit the talent pool. I’m sure it’s because they have such a good teacher.” Yazmina said with a smile. “So what about you? What’s your story if I may ask.”

“Since tha war,” he replied, “Ah’ve been a spacer. Circuit dentist. Hired gun. Lunar Veil’s added tah those duties a bit,” he chuckled. “Tha rest is fah an evenin’ when we’re havin’ a few drinks an’ playin’ cards. What about yahself? Tha life of a Companion is always fascinatin’.”

“Oh, not that fascinating. I was raised in a temple on Shion. I have spent the entirety of my training as a companion and when i was able to go into the world i wanted to see it. So i am one of the very few who travel around the ‘Verse not only plying my trade but seeing what ‘Verse had to offer me as well.” She explained. “I am a bit of an oddity to my peers but after a lifetime behind temple walls I could not find fulfillment in staying in one place to long.”

He nodded his head in understanding. “Ah’ve had tha privilege of time spent with a Companion once or twice. Tha discipline and intuition involved are nothin’ short of remarkable tah me. Ah believe that Companions offah tha single most important service tah a person’s well bein’....as a medical man, Ah appreciate tha therapeutic value that yah profession brings tah tha patient.”

“We wear many hats to best accommodate a client's needs but yes I do not disagree. Often a gentle touch a willing ear and a kind word is what many seek. Our profession over the course a melenia may have changed but one thing that has not is how we are … a fantasy. Not just a feminine idolization but … as a person.” Yazmina elaborated.

“Exactly. Given tha rough situation Vas Jat’s been through, Ah was considerin’ hirin’ yah tah focus on his emotional core,” the medic replied. “Ah felt he might benefit from tha slf esteem bolstring yah work can provide.”

Yazmina quirked an eyebrow. That was a rather bold ask. “Over a break up with a fake companion? Time is often the best way to heal such wounds, surly a young man like him has a touch of experience with women. Wouldn’t you be a more … understanding shoulder?” Yaz posed.

Adler shrugged. “He’s grown silent. Ah ask because it was actually a Companion who brought me around, emotionally speakin’. Mah night with her was mostly meditation an’ conversation...Ah thought tha same might be of help tah him.”

“I understand I do, if you have no one else to help you. I simply think that because he has someone who cares, helping him through it will show him something far more valuable. He isn’t alone and he has someone to rely on … reliably.” She explained.

“Oh, Ah conjure what yah sayin,” the medic answered. “Ah beg pardon if such a request seems unorthodox.”

“On the surface no, I just don’t think it would have a lasting effect. You though can be assured to be there for him in the future. That holds far more weight than one day or session with a companion. I suppose I’m trying to say … a quick fix is not nearly as effective as long term help and support.” She explained.

He tilted his head. “Ah quite agree, but it’s been mah experience that a simple course correction can make an impact in support of more longterm therapies tah follow.. Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Dorian shrugged.

“Well … I would say give it go and if that fails we can reviste this discussion. It would also give me an opportunity to get to know him a bit as well.” She posed.

“A fair solution,” Dorian offered his hand. “Ah would appreciate a consult aftah a few weeks’ observation.”

“I would be happy to oblige then.” Yaz couldn’t help but be a little soft toward her dashing rescuer.

“Shiny,” he shook the Companion’s hand. “Ah’m probably gettin’ ahead of mahself, but we’ve got a real opportunity tah increase our health services on Lunar Veil. Ah see yah as an integral part of that effort. But again,” he chuckled, “that’s fah a night of drinks an’ cards.”

Yaz chuckled. “Keep in mind I am a companion not a psychologist.” She pointed out. “Also my services are not cheap.”

“Ah am aware. Howevah yah more likely tah detect nuances in one of yah sessions than Ah might...and that is valuable.”
“Not to toot my own horn but it’s my understanding you get what you pay for.” She said with a sly playful smile.

Adler raised an eyebrow. “So Ah am told...and an artful talent such as yahself would fetch a high price indeed.”

“All companions have their quirks. It isn’t just a high price that attracts a companion like me to accept a client.” Yaz chuckled.

“Having been a client, Ah undahstand,” he agreed.

The secretary wandered back into the waiting room. “Miss Hanzo … the Mayor will see you now.”

“Excellent.” Yaz said rising from the chair. “Make sure to take care of my friend please. I doubt I will be too long Doctor Adler.” She assured him as she moved along to the Mayor's office.

The secretary turned to Adler with a amousey smile. “Anything else I can get you? Another refill maybe?” The secretary offered.”

The medic demurred. “Thank yah kindly, bu no.” he settled in to wait for what would hopefully be a peaceful...and brief...meeting of the minds.