Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in Side sim: After-Shift Meetup

(snip)

“Come with me,” Aasrel said, an idea popping into his head. Leading her into the holodeck, he keyed in a program without telling her what it was. Then he stood with her and said, “Computer, start program.”

Bethany walked along with him, finding the silence of the short walk comfortable, and not feeling that uneasy need to fill the silence with awkward small talk. She stepped into the holodeck and stared at the black and gold grid curiously as the doors closed. She didn’t try to peek over his shoulder as he loaded the program. Sometimes surprises were nice.

When he did, the holodeck generated a recreation of Lake El’rond, Betazed, just as it would have looked the year Bethany left it.

~ Aasrel

Bethany scanned the scene, a look of curiosity crossing her face for a moment before her eyes landed on long forgotten land marks of her childhood. “Lake El’rond.” Memories assaulted her. The burble of small waves on the shore, the smell of wood smoke, her squeals of delight, her mother’s voice, and her father’s rich laughter, his strong arms lifting her from the water, the roughness of the towel as her mother dried her off, and the smell of her perfume.

Her heart raced at the same time her throat tightened. She swallowed once. “Aasrel…this is… just how I remember it.” Her gaze continued to scan the scene, but she stayed suspiciously close and quiet for awhile.

When she was able to allow the memory to dissipate she spoke again. “Thank you. This is beautiful and incredibly thoughtful. It invokes a very happy memory, but remembering makes me very sad.” Even though she wasn’t telepathic she apparently did carry with her the Betazoid trait for telling the truth.

Bethany

Aasrel waited for her to take it all in, smiling as he stood next to her. “I guessed what year to use based on your age and the age you said you were when you left.” He nodded, “I’m sorry it makes you sad. I hope it’s worth remembering for the happiness it brings you.”

Bethany nodded. “It is. I have always avoided any program about Betazed. I’m too stubborn. So thank you, for the nudge. It’s a wonderful memory. If I had to guess, it was probably just weeks before … before the occupation. The last time I remember us being happy.” She turned to look at him and smiled.

Aasrel smiled, but it was a little bit sad, too. “I may not be old enough to remember, but I do wish it hadn’t happened. It was a terrible thing.”

“I remember, but at the time I wasn’t really old enough to understand everything that was going on. Mostly I remember being really scared. Everything in the jungle was dangerous, but so was going home. I’m glad you don’t remember. I am also really glad it’s over.”

The area was unfamiliar to him and he was glad he’d gotten it right. Melfi was not close to Lake Elrond, and he’d never been himself. It looked beautiful. Another thought hit him and he looked at Bethany, “I… I hope you don’t feel like I’m trying to make you change your mind about your heritage, or anything. I just… Childhood memories are nice.” He smiled, a little shyly.

~ Aasrel

She set a hand on his upper arm. “No, not at all. It was very thoughtful. Thank you, really.” She looked around and drew in a deep breath. “Have you ever been here? Does it still look like this?”

Bethany

Aasrel shook his head and shrugged. “Sorry, never been.” He seemed to enjoy her touch. He glanced at her hand, then back to her face and smiled. “Maybe we can go when we go on shore leave there.” He frowned slightly. “It may not… Look quite the same. I know a lot of places were damaged or destroyed in the war. But there’ve been efforts to restore everything ever since.” He shrugged again.

~ Aasrel

Her gaze followed his to her hand and she smiled softly. Her hand found its way to his and she held it. “I don’t remember our house after. I know we went back, but we were in the hospital a lot, and mom was sick. Then she was better and we went to Earth.” She nodded, “I would really like that, for you to go there with me. Should we explore a little?”

Bethany