Narboramm-cavern

Star Trek: Odyssey

Aitera / narboramm-cavern

Narrator BOT 26-Oct-21 05:19 PM

Yes, Vos had planned a picnic in a cave, of all places. All that advice and he still didn't quite get it. He had found this location on a list of places the Aiterans had offered the Odyssey for shore leave options. It was beautiful, in it's own way. Bioluminescent mushrooms of various colors lit the large cavern. There was a species that was far taller than either Vos or Mattie, and it was beneath one that he'd chosen to set up the picnic. In spite of his strange choice of locale, he had clearly done some research. The stereotypical red and white checkered blanket was laid out across the ground, with a wicker basket placed dead center.

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Dr. Amatea Janaii 26-Oct-21 05:51 PM

*Mattie arrived to the coordinates right on time as requested, sporting jeans cuffed at the ankle with a tastefully cut blouse and flats- perhaps not cave-appropriate but honestly she hadn't known she was heading to a god damn cave. She hadn't, of course, planned for the trip down, but once it leveled out and ebbed into greenery and water instead of sand and rocks, she found herself delightfully surprised at just how gorgeous this place was. Breen were not known for being incredibly thoughtful in their picking and choosing, so for Vos to have gone all out like this, picnic and all? She was already feeling the bubbles of impressed coming to the surface.* *Walking over to where the Breen sat near the waters' edge, checkered blanket and everything, she gave a smile and quick wave as she approached, looking over the small spread with wide, surprised eyes.* "Wow, you really put out all the stops, Vos darlin'~"

Lt. Vos 26-Oct-21 06:44 PM

*Oh good, he hadn't messed it up yet. For all of his failings, Vos was perfectly self aware. He knew he was far out of his comfort zone, and going on a combination of research, a few PADD messages, and a conversation with a Vulcan. He'd half expected her to tell him he'd screwed it up and leave the moment she'd arrived. But according to his chronometer, the day was still young. He'd have plenty more opportunities to ruin it.* *Vos scrambled to his feet when she arrived, probably bunching up the blanket in his wake. He had belatedly had the realization that coming to this in his uniform was a bad plan, and had changed into a plain shirt and pants the replicator had provided. The problem was, they were black. If it wasn't for his hair, he probably would have blended into the background.* "Thank you. I- I did a lot of research." *The vulcan had told him to be honest. So fine.*

Dr. Amatea Janaii 26-Oct-21 07:33 PM

"It shows." *She agreed with a warmth to her tone that was unusual in lilt. She was thrilled, but desperately trying not to show it. Trying not to rush over, she stepped onto the blanket and held her arms out to embrace Vos in a soft, well-meaning hug before pulling away. Their last minute had been both terribly passionate and yet disappointing all in the same fevered, heavy breath, so starting the evening off light seemed right.* "Thank you for going through all the extra effort~" *She hummed, finally taking a seat on the checkered fabric, kicking off her flats off into the grass and tucking her feet beneath herself politely as she waited for him to join her.* "You ain't mad at me I hope?"

Lt. Vos 26-Oct-21 08:33 PM

*Mad? No. Shocked? Very much yes. It showed clearly on his face for a moment too long as she got herself settled. Clearly, Bjørge had known what she was talking about. He'd have to get more advice from her in the future.* *Light as the hug was, his body did not react that way. Thankfully, his shock provided a hesitation that gave his body chemistry a moment to calm back down as well. Their last encounter had returned vividly to the forefront of his mind. Then he was forced to push it away, because she hadn't liked it. And Vos liked her, so... picnics.* *Picnics.* "I am not mad at you," *He belatedly sat down on the blanket as well, though his shoes remained on, feet out in front of him and slightly off the edge.* "My mistake was explained to me. I will try not to do so again."

Dr. Amatea Janaii 26-Oct-21 08:37 PM

"Explained to you?" *She repeated, a red brow arching up high in mild concern..and then confusion.* "I didn't know ya had it in you to ask for *advice*. Who went n' dressed you down to the withers? Got you spiffed up, outta uniform, *and* makin' conversation! Now..as much as I like all this, don't go n' change on my behalf too much sug, I know a mask when I see one and you just barely creepin' by." *She smiled, giving him a polite, or perhaps not-so-polite set of elevator eyes, enjoying the view of him out of uniform. Of course she'd seen him buck ass naked about three or four times now, but that was all in a purely professional, medical setting, she wasn't exactly **looking** then. But she could definitely appreciate him dressing in a casual tee and jeans.* "I said be a gentleman after all, not be a whole new person~ So! What'd you make? I'm kinda excited to see what kinda stuff you like to eat besides nutritional paste."

Lt. Vos 26-Oct-21 10:00 PM

"I am not-" *Vos held back a groan, which came out as a strange strangled sound instead. Now he was being accused of exactly what he'd told Muroc he wouldn't do. And now the advice was screwing him. Stupid vulcan. Annoying little... he needed a new roommate. Preferably a mute one.* "I am not changing myself on your behalf. I ask for explanations when it is something I **want** to learn. I did not know the meaning of the word 'gentleman.' It required research." *And here was the part where he screwed it up. Great, he'd lasted for two whole minutes.* "I have not done this before. It required some changes. I am not a new person." *No matter how she was looking at him, the look Vos returned was filled with frustration. He had tried, and now she was mad that he'd succeeded? What was the point of being out of uniform when he didn't go anywhere that required it? Now he was here, so he'd found casual clothes that were acceptable - something the replicator hadn't made easy. He had been told to speak, so he was trying to speak!* "And I do not eat nutritional paste." *He preferred ration bars, but at the moment he didn't want to offer any more unsolicited information.* (edited)

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Dr. Amatea Janaii 26-Oct-21 10:10 PM

"Oh hunny, ain't no need to be worked up. I didn't mean anything *pointed* by what I said, I was trynna reassure you that ya didn't have to go out your way.. Does that make sense?" *Good lord the guy was more tense than an overcooked flank steak. The idea of suddenly smearing him with barbecue sauce and massaging it into his skin popped into her mind, but the thought was pushed away with an internal snort of laughter just as quickly as it'd popped up.* "Les' try again. Thanks for researchin' bein' a gentleman, but you can be both a gent and yourself at the same time. They ain't mutually exclusive.. I just." *She sighed suddenly, shaking her head.* "I didn't mean to confuse you babydoll, I was startled n' I should'a explained myself with what I was wantin' from you. But this is it, this is what I wanted. You did the thing, did a good job, n' we eat n' chat and...get to know each other better...which is really what I mostly want, y'know? You kinda make yourself out to be a big slab of mystery meat." *She chuckled, looking up from the ground and into the near highlighter-green of Vos' eyes, her smile reaching the edges of her eyes as she spoke.* (edited)

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Lt. Vos 26-Oct-21 11:20 PM

"If I did not go out of my way, I would only see you when I am injured in sickbay," *Vos pointed out after a moments of silence to mull it over. He had been watching her closely as she spoke, trying to glean any information that his old holodeck program had taught him. Unfortunately, he didn't get much. Dammit, humanoids were supposed to pick up emotional cues naturally. Vos, as always, was left to guess. She was smiling. That was good, yes?* "And when I tried a method I understood, you threw me into the hallway." *He wasn't mad about it, merely stating facts as they occurred. Though he definitely regretted that she hadn't thrown him in another direction.* "I am not oblivious." *Not in his opinion anyway, though he was sure most people would disagree with him.* "I am aware that I do not fit well in this society. I rarely care enough to try." *Now he did look away, his eyes scanning the mushrooms, the water, the bits of lights on the ceiling that were probably crystal formations. Anywhere but at Mattie really. She could tear him apart with her eyes as easily as her nails had rendered his shirt. Vos had been born in an underground city. But the blank stone walls looked nothing like this.* *Eventually, his wandering gaze returned to the picnic he'd set up, and he belatedly remembered the basket.* "I do not know exactly what is inside. I instructed the computer to replicate something appropriate from a selection." *Actual mystery meat.*

Dr. Amatea Janaii 28-Oct-21 10:22 PM

*She paused only a moment, a snicker daring to leave her lips but only just stopped by her lips forming a thin line to keep herself from laughing at the poor guys admittance. Damn, he was wild?? She had no idea he went at it like that!* "So..so you're tellin' me the only way you know how to date is to whip it out n' hope she says yes?" *of course that's not specifically what he'd done, but damn they'd been close.* "Vos, darlin'..I definitely appreciate you *tryin'* I know this whole romance thing ain't really your proverbial cuppa tea." *She murmured, her dark blue eyes gazing up to his once more as she reached for the basket to unclip the clasp that held it closed.* "Women are a whole different ball game from guns..we can be indecisive and confusin'- thinkin' you should already know what we want. What's worse, we want emotional, intentional effort from you. But you ain't a mind-reader, doll. I ain't expectin' you to know how to woo and charm me, just like I have *no idea* how in the ever lovin' hell to charm you." *She chuckled.* "That's why we do this." *She gestured around them vaguely, meaning the date.* "It's a learnin' process, it ain't somethin' you're immediately good at n' you win the war. It takes time, communication an' all that other gooey stuff,"

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Lt. Vos 29-Oct-21 11:55 PM

*Vos had been in the process of opening the basket, catching a glimpse of meat and cheese, along with a bottle of something. He was slightly relieved that it had chosen food that he recognized - he had stressed to the computer that it needed to keep the choices simple. But sharp eyes did snap up immediately at the sound of her snicker, his full focus again on Mattie to see if she was indeed laughing at him.* "I don't know what that means." *He began flatly, mentally running through his research on dating to try and remember if the term 'whip it out' had ever come up. He was certain that it hadn't.* "But if this," *He gestured to the basket,* "is dating, then I have not done it. That never involved communication." *Then Vos continued, throwing in a few more words after a pause, almost like an afterthought.* "Or emotions." "However, this explanation is helpful. The others I spoke to seemed to think that I should be able to... woo... you with no input to go off of." *From someone as completely confusing as Mattie normally was, there was a level of practicality here that came as a relief.* "I can learn."

Dr. Amatea Janaii 30-Oct-21 09:46 AM

"Oh, don't worry about it then." *She hummed, allowing him to take over and take out the items from the picnic basket. She noted with a slight eye-widening that he'd chosen gouda cheese- her favorite. She wasn't sure if he'd chosen it intentionally or it was simply the computer choosing at random, but she was internally thrilled all the same.* "That's a shame you haven't, it's good fun...even if it don't work out. Which happens sometimes! I've been on my **share** of failed dates but, y'know, still had fun, so did the other guy. So..if all else fails? I do at least want'cha to enjoy yourself, Vos baby." *She gleaned, reaching over to the cheese he'd laid out and breaking off a piece from the exposed edge.* "Who you been talkin' to? You should really vet who you get relationship advice from, hun. The officers aboard this ship have a piss-poor track record for romantic interaction."

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Lt. Vos 30-Oct-21 11:43 PM

*No matter how poor, they were clearly beating him. But that was a tidbit that Vos decided to keep to himself, returning his attention to pulling out the basket's contents instead, organizing them on the blanket by food type. Meat, cheese (he didn't know it was gouda, much less choose it specifically for Mattie), fruits, and the bottle turned out to be wine.* "I spoke to Counselor Muroc and Lieutenant Bjørge," *he replied truthfully, though using the admittance to avoid the other part of the conversation, when she'd mentioned the date possibly becoming a failure. Dammit, that was not the plan.* "Do you prefer any of these foods?"

Dr. Amatea Janaii 31-Oct-21 09:16 AM

*Mattie couldn't help a quick roll of her eyes at the lieutenants name. It's not that she was bitter so much anymore, bagorkie had won Larkin fair and square, and it was ill-advised to date within your department anyway, but it was really her pride that was shot. Snatched Larkin up first and now trying to give her own date advice? Maybe that little blonde bimbo needed to mind her own damn business.... But she did at least seem to get through to Vos enough to give him some intelligible advice, she was sure Vos wouldn't have come up with a picnic on his own.. Ugh, how annoying.* "Goudaaaaa. I love hard-type cheese n' wine. Gouda pairs with pinot grigio. There's a type a' wine for every cheese, y'know? Do you ever eat charcuterie? That's a dumb question- don't answer that. Do you *like* meat an' cheese? Do you drink wine?"

Lt. Vos 02-Nov-21 11:01 PM

*To be fair to Bjørge, Vos had gone to her for advice, not the other way around. She had been the one to sit him down for a tea party, of all things. It had been logical to assume that she was knowledgeable about other social practices. Such as dating and being a gentleman. Her advice was working out so far, so he would probably return to her for more. However, Vos completely missed the eye roll, so the lieutenant in turn missed out on any defense to Mattie's reaction at hearing her name.* *No, Vos was studying the food instead, debating whether he should admit that he didn't know which one was Gouda, or pick a cheese at random and hope he'd gotten the right one.* "Meat and cheese are simple foods. Even the Breen have those. Though they come from different animals... this is Pinot..." *He paused half way through sounding out the name on the bottle, swearing internally when he realized it couldn't be the one he mentioned.* "Noir. I have had wine in the past."

Dr. Amatea Janaii 03-Nov-21 10:05 AM

"Noir is just as good, sug." *She smiled, noting his somewhat laughable show of disappointment. He was obviously trying so hard, she shouldn't name-names or put the bar much higher, poor guy looked ready to tumble over as it was in frustration just trying to pick a block of cheese from the selection.* "*This* one is gouda." *She offered, picking up a wide loaf of the red-wax tipped cheese.* "The other small, white cheese is mozzarella. Both are pretty common on charcuterie boards. Hehe~ When my son was little n' me and the other medical staff back on the Titan would have plate dates? He called em' charkissie boards! The other medical staff had kids there too, so we always had lil treats n' candies for them to snack on while we did our meat n' cheese stuff. I kinda miss it..it was rough, but that was a good ship." *She murmured, the smile on her lips indicative that she'd enjoyed the memory..she didn't often talk about her past ships for one reason or another.* "Did you ever go to parties n' stuff on your previous ships?" *She asked with a hopeful gleam, breaking off a piece of the gouda before folding a thin slice of salami onto it and handing it to the former Breen.*

Lt. Vos 03-Nov-21 06:28 PM

*While she spoke, Vos focused on opening the bottle. A moments examination of the stopper sent him back in the basket for something to pull out the spongy looking object that had been squeezed tightly in the neck to keep the air out. He found a screw like object that seemed to fit his requirements, which was proved when it easily went through the stopper. Once the screw was through, the lever fit nicely on the edge of the bottle, and he opened it easily. Uncultured as he may be, Vos was still intuitive enough to figure some things out without asking.* *He poured a glass just in time to trade it for the food she offered.* "I attended a party on the Altair, per the captain's orders. She designated certain social events to keep ship morale up. I did not enjoy it. Too many people." *To avoid saying more, because he did not want to describe the over-stimulation of a crowd of loud people in their flamboyant costumes... he quickly ate the cheese and meat instead. Creamy, mild enough.* "This is good." *He sounded a bit surprised about it.* (edited)

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Dr. Amatea Janaii 03-Nov-21 09:21 PM

"You're surprised? It's meat n' cheese, darlin' kinda hard ta fuck up." *She chuckled, breaking off another hearty piece of cheese, gouda as well, and wrapping it in the dried meat just as artfully as she had done before and popped it into her mouth to langoriously chew on the heavenly combination. He poured her a glass of the pinor noir, with little difficulty she noticed, her surprise muted but internally she was quite impressed, but she took it with a gracious bow of her head, swallowing her bite in enough time to thank him with a 'Ohh~ Thank you~' before swirling it around in the glass, waiting for him to pour himself a glass.* "For some reason or another I didn't take you for a wine drinker, Vos. You seem the abstinent teetotaler type, actually." *She snickered, giving him a bright grin in return as she brought the wine glass up to her nose and took a quick sniff of the deep, fruity notes.* "Well, at least at first glance."

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Lt. Vos 03-Nov-21 09:58 PM

"It is not." *He disagreed, reaching over to pick up another piece of meat and dropping it in his mouth. Eating them separately would help him decide which one he'd enjoyed the most.* "I have had meat and cheese synthesized from a fungus. It still tastes like fungus." *Very few caves were as nice as this cave. The Breen had real animals to create such products from, but they rarely found their way to frontier colonies like Zorat. Most of what they'd had was re-synthesized from fungi native to the colony. They could change the texture, the consistency, and add spices to it, but at the end of the bite, the aftertaste was always fungus.* *As for the wine, Vos was sorely tempted for a moment to go along with the assumption that he knew what he was doing, but he had decided earlier not to lie to her.* "I have had wine from the replicator. Based on the contents of the basket, there are few things that this," *he held up the screw like object he'd used to open the bottle, before tossing it back into the basket.* "Could be used for. And I do not know what a - an abstinent teetallar is."

Dr. Amatea Janaii 03-Nov-21 10:04 PM

*That resulted in a laugh, a true, uninhibited laugh that made her throw her head back a bit as her throaty voice filled the cave. She felt bad of course, she really shouldn't insult her date like that- but really it was the only way she knew how to flirt! It was her way of showing affection and if she didn't at least explain herself, or reign it back in, she was likely to hurt Vos' feelings. Ahhhghgh, reign it in, Mattie.* "Sorry, sorry, I just. An abstinent teetotaler is someone who, uh, doesn't have sex or drink alcohol. Like at all. A killjoy, very 'by the books' y'feel me? When I first met you I thought you were just, totally snooty. It was fun to tease ya because y'seemed so **affronted** that I'd talk to you like I do. But now that I know you better..I think your poor soul just ain't never been given the chance to do somethin' like that."

Lt. Vos 03-Nov-21 11:14 PM

*The look he gave in response to her laughter was utterly confused and more than a bit suspicious, certain that his lack of comprehension was being turned into a joke at his expense. It was far from his first time getting that kind of reaction out of someone, which was why his normal method was to research something he didn't understand, rather than admit it.* *Then she explained, and he wanted to rip his hair out.* "I drink alcohol," *he replied shortly.* "Whiskey, not wine." *And he'd finished off his whole stash after his assimilation.* "And I have sex." *Which he would have proven, had she not thrown him into the hallway.* "And if I seemed 'affronted,' it is because you always refer to me as a newborn child. Which is apparently a sign of affection, though I still do not understand how it applies to an adult." *The killjoy part - another phrase that had been assigned to him before - Vos normally agreed with. But... damn her. Damn her. Normally it was so easy to ignore people. But even when she insulted him, Mattie still made him feel things he hadn't felt in years, or ever at all.*

Dr. Amatea Janaii 03-Nov-21 11:21 PM

"Because it's a sign of affection to call you somethin' cute! Babies are cute! Sugar, honey, sweetie, all sugary things because you're sweet. Vos hunny, you are *SO SMART* how are you not getting this. It seems like I hammer this through your eight inch neanderthal skull every time we hang out!" *She huffed, finally taking a sip of the wine, if only to calm her nerves.* "Don't you know how you sound sometimes? You get on my ass for havin' the gall of talking to you like you're a person and If I didn't have a personality of my own, do you know what a relationship between us would sound like? Lord mercy Vos, next time I'll just say-" *Her voice lowered in pitch, sounding far more robotized and not unlike an attempt at the ships' computer.* "Hello Andavos, Silwaan male, age 36. Attempt to have a productive day, this completes our acceptable 5 seconds of social interaction, I will see you again at 1800 hours for our 3-week planned in advance thirty seconds of soundless, efficient copulation. Goodbye." @Captain Ezarah Ryn (edited)

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Lt. Vos 03-Nov-21 11:48 PM

*The moment she mentioned his name, Vos froze, not unlike a computer himself as he shut down in reaction to it. His eyes glared bullets into her.* "I did not tell you that so you could use it as a joke." *His words were slow and measured, obviously attempting to reign in his anger. But there was more than a little bit of hurt there too. His name was private, something he'd made abundantly clear. Right at this moment - now that he was past the point of thinking his death was imminently near - he was regretting telling her at all.* "I did not tell you to change how you speak. Only that I do not understand it! It cannot be because I am sweet, because I'm not sweet. You are smart. I have watched you work. You are smart, confident, efficient, capable. Then you say things that make no sense! I do not want - whatever that was. That is - actually that is worse than the Breen. I want to understand! What do you think I did all of this for?"

Dr. Amatea Janaii 03-Nov-21 11:54 PM

*Well, to be fair, she really shouldn't have used his whole name like that, it was a private thing and she had used it as an anger pivot..* "I'm sorry, that part was rude and I'm sorry I did that.I won't be doin' it again, I promise." *She at least had enough sense to apologize however, despite them being mid-argument.* "But Vos, honestly, *I don't even* know what you want from me. I try to explain myself to you, I try to make nice and talk with you and be friends but you push back against me so hard by *bitching* about what I say, what I do n' how I act that it seems more like y'just want someone to complain about than really know!" *Gods alive, this date was already going atrociously. Was there even a way to save this? Maybe if they both got really, **really** drunk..* "Be honest with me, what are you hopin' this date leads to? Do you want more dates? Do you want to form a relationship? Or do you just want me to throw you against the bed, use you and you can fuck off after?" *Anger swelled and the hurt she was feeling was apparent in the crack in her voice. After how he'd acted that night in her room, she wasn't so unsure that he did just want a physical relationship from her. God that was rich, how original.* (edited)

Lt. Vos 04-Nov-21 12:55 AM

*When this ended - no matter how it ended - Vos had already decided that the first thing he would do was kill Muroc. The stupid counselor had told him to explain himself (going terribly) and to ask for explanations when he didn't understand (wasn't helping), and the end result seemed to be that he'd ruined everything. Again. If he had any whiskey left, his plan would have been to get really drunk immediately after. The Federation's penal system was overly kind. After he committed murder, maybe they'd give him alcohol in prison and let him remain drunk forever.* "I have had relationships purely for sex. This is not-" *But he cut off halfway and asked a question instead.* "I thought that was clear? I wouldn't have done all of this if-" *but the words were cut off again in favor of a frustrated noise.* "I don't know what it is supposed to 'lead' to. I don't know what I-" *Want. What he wanted? He couldn't say it out loud, couldn't give voice to the words. Frankly, he would take whatever she was willing to give him. Mattie had standards that he couldn't live up to. But Vos had no expectations at all. Even arguing with her made him feel alive.* "I want to understand. That Vulcan was adamant that I tell you when I don't understand, and I will never take advice from him again." *Though that might be because Muroc wasn't going to be around to give advice anymore, a continued morbid fantasy that was currently keeping Vos sane.* "I have never met anyone like you and I want to understand."

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Dr. Amatea Janaii 04-Nov-21 09:30 AM

*Mattie was silent for several moments after Vos' outburst, really and totally unsure of what to say for nearly the first time in her life. She simply gazed between him and her glass of wine, her mouth opening once or twice, but nothing ever quite came out. What did all of this mean? He called her confusing but he was the one not making a god damn lick of sense. He was the frustrating one, maybe if he would make a damn decision and stick to it they might not be arguing so much.* "Listen Vos baby, Vos. Just Vos, fine. Don't kill Muroc- he's only trynna help, and I see where he's comin' from with that particular advice..and he ain't *wrong* you're just not understandin' some pretty basic concepts and that confuses me and now we're in an endless cycle." *She sighed, taking two long, emerald fingers and pinching the bridge of her nose, already feeling a headache come on.* "So you're not doin' this for something purely physical- that I can appreciate. See, that's what pissed me off the first time when you were in my room 'cause up until that point, you **REALLY** didn't have much to do with me. We were okay friends kinda-sorta and then you start mackin' on me outta nowhere with no context or a date or you even admitting you like me! What was I supposed to think!" *She grumbled, taking another sip of her wine and suddenly wishing she had something a bit harder to numb her frustration.* "I ain't ever met anyone like you either and I'm not so sure I'd take it as a compliment. You fascinate the shit outta me Vos, but you gotta do some self-searching instead of me doing it for you. I ain't a therapist for broken or stunted men..you gotta come at me on your own terms with preparation in mind. I can't help you figure out what **you** want, hun.."

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Lt. Vos 10-Nov-21 08:35 PM

"I meant it as a compliment," *he insisted after a few long moments of silence. Though honestly, Vos didn't mind that she didn't, because he didn't like the Breen either.* "The 'basic concepts' are not the same where I come from. We do not do *any* of this." *Another frustrated gesture at the picnic setup.* "There is a comm. It is from a computer program. It contains a name and a location. This is your partner. This is where you will live together. Procreate so the Breen civilization can continue." *He did not mimic a computerized voice, but there was something in his cadence that called back to her own attempt at the computer.* "It is not as bad as your idea from earlier, but it is close." "I want- isn't the point of this dating thing to figure that out? I-" *he began, the paused, abruptly changing tact, before starting again.* "I used to dream about getting that message." *It wasn't an emotional thing, this explanation. Vos was simply spitting out the facts as he remembered them.* "Not because I thought I'd love her, or even like her. I didn't care who she was at all. I had been alone for so long. I wanted to hear my name. I wanted someone to see my face." *He paused again, this time draining his wine glass. He was not drunk enough to be talking this much.* "Eventually I realized that wasn't good enough either. I *wanted*" *Yes, he nearly ate the word, since she had demanded it of him.* "the life my mother told me about as a child. Clearly she knew nothing about the Federation, since it is nothing like her stories." "And if it is not clear from the fact that I researched dating, or that I speak to you more than I speak to anyone - I like you. I want you. Even when you are confusing, the challenge reminds me of why I wanted more than a stupid computer message."

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Dr. Amatea Janaii 17-Nov-21 04:09 PM

*She was silent for several moment, watching him with a surprised expression that slowly mellowed into hurt as red brows furrowed together and her blue gaze averted, her focus entirely settled on a few small mushrooms situated just next to their blanket. This was beyond them both- she wanted so much, and he wanted so little, and yet somehow they had to compromise and meet in the middle somewhere- but they were both blind to the path. She swallowed softly, taking another sip of her wine and shaking her head, she too not nearly drunk enough for all of this, and yet desperately wanting to be sober to ensure she gave good advice. What a mess this date turned out to be after all. She gave a quick, breathless sigh after a few beats.* "Maybe I should've just railed you n' kept it at that." *She sighed after a moment, setting the wine glass down to allow herself to lean back on both of her hands, her elbows outstretched to support the action.* "Might've been easier on both of us than tryin' to navigate us meeting in the middle. Vos I *like you*, but you make it difficult to get close to you. I feel like I barely know you..I know your medical history, I know your mental trauma, I know your fuckin' name for god sakes...but I don't know anything about what you like..what makes you laugh. Do you want kids? Do you like baseball? Did you know I have a son about to graduate high school? Do you have any hobbies besides blowin' up your quarters I just..." *She was quiet again for a moment before starting again, her brows still furrowed and her normally smiling lips sagged into a slight frown.* "I want more..than I think you can offer me despite best attempts. I'm willin' to try harder Vos but, this is **hard.**"

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Lt. Vos 18-Nov-21 07:33 PM

*A few days ago - well, an hour ago if he was being honest with himself - Vos would have considered driving her to silence a victory. That had certainly been his intention back in her quarters, which had clearly been a mistake, considering how that had ended. And yet, talking didn't seem to be working any better. She was not talking. She was not looking at him. Clearly this was yet another interaction meant for the failure column. It was not surprising, but that didn't it any less depressing. Normally, when he messed up, Vos at least had an idea of where he'd gone wrong.* "I thought that was the point of dating!" *He blurted out bitterly. Not just because the humor question was exactly the one that Muroc had asked and Vos had successfully avoided by responding to a bomb threat.* "Learn all of that stuff while eating or engaging in activities or some combination of both. I am not telepathic. You did not ask. How am I supposed to answer your questions if you do not ask them?" *Then he did answer the questions, responding rapidly to each question from memory. It felt insane, answering just to prove that he could.* "Normally at someone else's expense - according to my previous counselor that is unhealthy, but it is entertaining. I have never considered that I would have a choice in the matter. Which one is baseball; kick it, throw it, or hit it with a stick? No. Blowing up my quarters was not intentional, it is not a hobby." *After blurting all of that out, Vos finally reached his limit. He could not sit there any longer. He was going to go insane. He should have brought stronger alcohol. Stupid picnic options all had wine. At the very least, he needed to move.* "If it is so hard, why come at all?"

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *He didn't look where he was going when he stepped off the blanket, stomping down hard on one of the smaller mushrooms surrounding them. Even if he had been looking, Vos probably would have smashed it deliberately. Destroying something would have felt great. Unfortunately, the mushroom didn't take kindly to that, releasing a cloud of orange spores that nearly hid Vos from view for a moment. Then he started sneezing repeatedly.* *The universe hated him.*

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Dr. Amatea Janaii 18-Nov-21 08:24 PM

*Aw hell.* "Vos!!" *As the orange cloud surrounded Vos, his huffing, gagging and sneezing filling the air, Mattie scrambled from her seat on the picnic blanket, no longer embarrassingly coiling into herself at his words that she knew on some level were right- but in that moment, that conversation was left in the proverbial dust as she hit her feet on the ground with intention and ran into the ever-growing cloud of spores that Vos had lost himself in, snatching hold of his arm by the fabric of his uniform and dragging him to the way side and into the cool water nearby with a messy splash, toppling them both into the depths.* *It wasn't intentional to dunk the former Breen, but the water was the only thing she could think to immediately escape the contaminated air. Surfacing after a moment, Mattie shoved her soaked hair out from her face and wiped her eyes, her head switching back and forth as she looked for the pop of white hair that would be Vos.* "Vos! Vos hunny, are you alright!?"

Lt. Vos 18-Nov-21 08:50 PM

*When his head finally did surface - a feat that was attributed purely to buoyancy and had nothing at all to do with Vos's actions - the only response he gave was laughter. Slightly off kilter, rather harsh laughter. Vos didn't laugh much. But at the moment, he felt like he'd never be able to stop. He had inhaled a good amount of spores before Mattie had yanked him away. It first it had been painful as his body tried to eject them. But now... now it felt good. Really good.* "I wanted whiskey," *he finally declared, floating contentedly in the water. Being weightless was nice. Like a spacewalk without the suit. He hated suits, having spent years in one. He'd enjoyed burning that suit.* "This is much better than whiskey." *Mattie had come close to the spores to grab him. Maybe she felt good now too.*

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Lt. Vos

*When his head finally did surface - a feat that was attributed purely to buoyancy and had nothing at all to do with Vos's actions - the only response he gave was laughter. Slightly off kilter, rather harsh laughter. Vos didn't laugh much. But at the moment, he felt like he'd never be able to stop. He had inhaled a good amount of spores before Mattie had yanked him away. It first it had been painful as his body tried to eject them. But now... now it felt good. Really good.* "I wanted whiskey," *he finally declared, floating contentedly in the water. Being weightless was nice. Like a spacewalk without the suit. He hated suits, having spent years in one. He'd enjoyed burning that suit.* "This is much better than whiskey." *Mattie had come close to the spores to grab him. Maybe she felt good now too.*

Dr. Amatea Janaii 24-Nov-21 10:57 AM

"**Jee-sus**" *She hissed, finally finding a bit of footing so that she could haul herself out of the water and come to assist Vos. Her waterlogged outfit almost felt like it might drag her down, and if she perfectly sober felt so, she could imagine what Vos' higher-than-heaven's ass must have felt like. Trudging herself up onto shore, she wrung out her thick, red curls and headed over to the spot that Vos was floating, babbling like a crazy person. She was going to have to drag him back, wasn't she? She was already feeling tired, her limbs heavy and her feet like weights...all she wanted was to cuddle, she wanted to feel warm and soft and-* "Oop." *Back down into the water she fell, her footing no longer stable as she made a mental note, one of her last coherent thoughts that her vestibule system was whacked the fuck out.. She groaned as she floated to the top once more in a flurry of bubbles, her mind fuzzy and her dream of being all-encompassed in a warm hug made true by the caverns water.* "Vos..Vos we gotta..gotta" *Get out of the water? Did she mean that? No, she wanted nothing more than to sleep in the warm, rocking motion of the river, but it was dangerous, there was no telling what that mushroom spore cloud could seize up in them.* "Hold hands." (edited)

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Lt. Vos 28-Nov-21 04:11 PM

"Come back," *he had complained as she left.* "It's nicer in here." *Despite the complaining, Vos enjoyed watching her get out of the water. Though honestly, she always looked nice. At work (he loved watching her work), that night in her quarters (the robe had left just enough to the imagination to drive him mad), and right now (clothes wet and clinging to her skin). Watching had involved turning his head to the side while floating in the water, as Vos was far too comfortable to consider reorienting himself better. He swallowed a good bit of water doing so. He wasn't worried about it. It was worth it.* *Then apparently Mattie decided to agree with him, coming back to join him in the water. He laughed again as the splash sprayed him with water. Then he panicked and nearly drowned himself trying to move, because the seconds it took her to resurface felt like hours to his befuddled mind.* "Mattie! Matt- there you are. Good." *Hold hands? When she spoke, the words took a while to settle in his mind. Hold... hands... ok? Ok. Vos wanted to do that. He wanted to hold... hands. Hands were nice. The moment he thought about it, the whole cavern seemed to be filled with hands, every single mushroom now a bronze or green hand sticking out of the ground instead.* "Which one? There are many hands." *He reached out blindly in an attempt to grab something. There were hands everywhere. He'd get one soon.*

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Dr. Amatea Janaii 28-Nov-21 04:56 PM

*Her movements were slow and languid, trying in vain to grasp at the too-quick movements of Vos, a trail-behind image of his hand in differing shades of bronze felt like it was impossible to snag before her hand slapped at the water weakly, the droplets hitting her face and pouring down- she was sure it was rain. A cloud formed overhead, confirming the fact it was indeed raining, but the rain did not come if she didn't slap her hand to the river. Odd..how this world worked.* "In the water, the green one, my hand, the one that is.." *There was an extended pause as the cloud overhead morphed into a thundering storm, and yet still no rain poured downward. She was sure she was watching a video of her son somewhere in her minds eye, a memory of her son in a bright yellow raincoat and mud boots splashing in puddles in the front yard of her parents home. He was making phaser sounds out of a tree branch he'd found while she watched from the front porch with a mug of hot coffee. The clouds morphed again as the memory shifted, showing Vos, smartly clad in a black rain coat outside on the same front lawn, jaunting in a run and tactical rolling into a puddle, splashing her son, and he too, holding a tree limb, shooting her son in a tactical play-act.* "He deserved you." *She whispered, her hand finally snatching onto his right ring and pinky fingers, holding to him steadfast as her memories began to shift and her thoughts clouded once more.* "You deserved..you? You're making no sense and talking so *loud*..Vos.. Stay close please."

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Lt. Vos 28-Nov-21 05:27 PM

"They're all green!" *He shouted, because for a moment they were. Then they were all bronze. Then a mixture of both again.* "No, they're not. Some are mine. I think they're mine? I am not supposed to have so many hands." *If he was loud, Vos had no idea. This was the only volume that he could possibly speak at right now. He didn't have the control to change it. Sometimes his voice sounded weird, like he was underwater. But how could he talk while underwater? Maybe he should try it...* *When Mattie grabbed his hand, he saw green for a moment, then bronze again. Then it wasn't Mattie's hand at all. It was Mir. Vos had time traveled, no doubt about it. He was a child and clutching his little sister's hand and everything felt so real. Not a memory, he was living the day again. Vos held her hand as tight as he could, so tight it surely hurt. But he had to hold on, because they were coming to rip her away from him.* "You deserved... me? No, I let go. I deserve..." *Then he was an adult again, floating in a cave with Mattie. What was he saying?* "I don't remember." "It's bree-green. It's green again." *Vos finally relaxed, loosening his death grip on her hand.* "Breen bad. Green good. That makes perfect sense."

Lt. Vos

"They're all green!" *He shouted, because for a moment they were. Then they were all bronze. Then a mixture of both again.* "No, they're not. Some are mine. I think they're mine? I am not supposed to have so many hands." *If he was loud, Vos had no idea. This was the only volume that he could possibly speak at right now. He didn't have the control to change it. Sometimes his voice sounded weird, like he was underwater. But how could he talk while underwater? Maybe he should try it...* *When Mattie grabbed his hand, he saw green for a moment, then bronze again. Then it wasn't Mattie's hand at all. It was Mir. Vos had time traveled, no doubt about it. He was a child and clutching his little sister's hand and everything felt so real. Not a memory, he was living the day again. Vos held her hand as tight as he could, so tight it surely hurt. But he had to hold on, because they were coming to rip her away from him.* "You deserved... me? No, I let go. I deserve..." *Then he was an adult again, floating in a cave with Mattie. What was he saying?* "I don't remember." "It's bree-green. It's green again." *Vos finally relaxed, loosening his death grip on her hand.* "Breen bad. Green good. That makes perfect sense."

Dr. Amatea Janaii 30-Nov-21 01:54 PM

"This has never made sense.." *She whispered in vague horror, her body weak and only floating from muscle memory. She remembered doing so on Risa, on shore leave from the USS Sidewinder. She had floated in the Risian ocean for what felt like hours, nearly lulling her to sleep much like she was now- only on Risa, dipping under the water had woken her up and sending her into a stand sputtering and coughing all at once- but now? As her head dipped under the water briefly, she only felt the warmth of sleep overcoming her.* *A few bubbles left her mouth as she quickly sunk, her body, weighted with her soaked clothes heaving her under and causing her to float just beneath the surface- her lungs still too full of air to sink totally, but her completely limp body no longer strong enough to hold her form.. Gods, is this how she died? All those years of working up to be a doctor, working so hard to raise Rigel all by herself- and this was her legacy. Fated to drown in the pools of an alternate universe. What a damn shame, she should have been some old bastard's sugar baby.* (edited)

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Lt. Vos 03-Dec-21 11:58 AM

"It makes perfect sense!" *Vos complained, because at the moment, the simple rationalizations of 'the Breen are bad and the color green is good' was about the highest level of cognitive thinking he could manage. And to think that he'd aced his childhood aptitude tests. However, he was a fan of not thinking. Vos felt relaxed. All the things that normally confused him no longer bothered him at all. He didn't even have to focus on standing, since the water was doing all the work of holding him up. He'd never felt so...* *Ah, Mattie was underwater again. But that was ok, right? She'd come back up last time. He just had to be patient. One... two - what came after two? - five... nine... three... Vos started at the bubbles coming up where Mattie used to be as he tried to count. What was in that mushroom anyway? He felt like he was floating... no, he was floating. Vos was on top of the water, and Mattie was beneath it... how long had she been down there? Three seconds? It felt longer. He'd lost count again...* "Can you breath underwater? Are you a Selkie?" *And there it was - finally - a bit of coherence. Mattie was Orion. That was why he'd been thinking about green. Orions could not breath underwater. And while he'd failed to count, Vos decided that she'd been under for too long. Once made, the decision was all he required to move - in a rather undignified jerk that included a lot of splashing. Thankfully Mattie wasn't far beneath the water. Even in Vos's befuddled state, he was able to grab her, pull her back to his chest and haul her head out of the water.* "You are not a Selkie," *He declared, because that too made perfect sense to him.* *Thankfully, Vos had never met one of the amphibious natives of Pacifica, or he would have known that Selkies often had patches of green blended into their blue scales.*

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Dr. Amatea Janaii 08-Dec-21 04:24 PM

*Mattie had been ready to accept her fate, her eyes closed and her body limp as it refused to cooperate with her demands now that it was completely relaxed by the rivers slow rocking effect. Her son would grieve she was sure, but her parents, his grandparents, would never let anything happen to him, he would be well-cared for..he was a smart kid, smarter than she had been. She could rest easy knowing she had always given him all the love and attention any kid could ask for in a mom. She only wished she'd been able to give him more, but..no regrets, right? Well, perhaps one. She desperately wished that Vos wouldn't see her die- he would no doubt blame himself, the dummy..the sweet dummy.. She hated this for him the most.* *But no sooner did she embrace the possibility of this being her last thoughts, a pair of strong, rough hands dove beneath the surface to grab at her, pulling her upright from beneath the waters surface, vaulting her forwards and slapping her wet cheek against something hard. Land? No. A chest? There was a heartbeat, a rapid one at that. Her head lolled back to blearily gaze up at Vos' hard, etched features, her heart suddenly upping the beat by several paces as the sound drummed in her ears. It was all very romantic until rather undignified cough found it's way to her mouth, her lungs burning with an inhale of the water. Water splashed onto Vos' face as Mattie's wracking, horrid coughing fit brought her skin from a sallow-looking olive to it's normal, bright green once more. Her body jerked and she gave several more gurgled, pained coughs as water was pushed from her throat and lungs...killing any mood there might have been otherwise.*

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Lt. Vos 17-Dec-21 10:36 AM

*Mood? What mood? Damn these mushrooms, Vos was nowhere near cognizant enough to have recognized any sort of mood at the moment. In the end, he was honestly grateful when she spit a mouthful of water right in his face. Mattie had good aim, up his nose and square in the mouth while he'd been taking a breath of his own. Coughing and sputtering along with her, the water had the helpful side affect of dislodging some of the spores that were still clogging his airway. A inkling of clarity returned as they were washed away - and the gravity of what had just occurred hit him so hard that Vos nearly quit swimming and drowned them both... again.* "Mattie?" *He gasped out her name once he could breath again, grip on her waist tightening in his very belated panic. She'd nearly drowned. And he'd been too incapacitated to even notice.* "Mattie!" *Part of him knew that coughing was good and he was succumbing to an emotion that was no longer relevant, but... At that particular instant, Vos was angry enough to burn every mushroom in this cavern to a crisp - quite a feat considering that some of them were as big as houses, but one Vos was perfectly capable of carrying out. All he saw were the mushrooms - stinking, bright, glowing mushrooms - as he plotted the weapons he'd need from the ship to- No! Dammit. Clearly he hadn't totally come down yet.* "Out of the water." *He said to himself, an order he wasn't even aware had been spoken out loud.* "You're ok. Out of the water."

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ *Before another spore driven tangent distracted him, Vos got moving, keeping a firm hold on Mattie while he kicked their way to shore. Once arriving to a depth that he could stand in, things got a bit trickier. Mattie was about his height and when trying to lift her, Vos got the impression that she might actually outweigh him. Though he was high and they were both soaking wet, so this might an action to revisit in better circumstances. Luckily for them, Vos was in a profession that attracted large muscular humanoids, and he had been trained to carry his comrades off the battlefield in full tactical gear. Throwing her over his shoulder in a fireman's carry probably wasn't the most romantic way to do this, but what would Vos know? It worked, it was efficient, and he was happy with it.* *Even then, their exit from the water was marred with grunts, stumbles, and more near catastrophes than he wanted to admit. When he wasn't sinking into the muddy riverbed, he was slipping on it. Finally arriving back at their picnic blanket, he nearly dropped Mattie on it before collapsing next to her. Vos considered it nothing short of a miracle.* "**Are** you ok?"

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Narrator BOT 02-Jan-22 02:21 PM

*Eventually Vos found his commbadge, and they were beamed back up to the ship for some detox. Date failure. Mic drop. End scene.*

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