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

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in Side sim: After-Shift Meetup

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in Side sim: After-Shift Meetup
Posted by… suppressed (36) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(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

Aasrel turned his arm slightly to avoid her touching the implant. His hands were gloved, like always. He took her hand and squeezed gently, as if checking to be sure it was real. He smiled at her. “Yes, let’s. Show me all the places you remember.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany didn’t react when he turned his hand. They didn’t bother her, but she knew they did him. She wanted hom to be comfortable, but she also didn’t let go of his hand. “Ooookaaay. Ummm,” she looked around, combing her hair out if her face again. “It’s more impressions than specific details. I remember we walked through the woods to get here. There was a path…and the shore was sandy where we were.” She pointed off to the left. “Maybe over there?”

Bethany

Physically, they were fine. Emotionally, it reminded him they were there and that bothered him. He smiled, keeping hold of her hand, and nodded. “Okay, let’s try over there.” He started to lead the way that direction.

~ Aasrel

Bethany fell into step easily with him. She was quiet as she looked around. Taking it in. “It really is beautiful. It reminds me of Lake Lure on Earth. Except this is much bigger. Now I know why my mother loved it here. It felt like home, so she didn’t miss it.” As they weaved through the edge of the trees things started to look more familiar. She paused at the edge of the trees. “There, at the top of that out crop. My mom dived off. Scared my dad because she didn’t surface where he thought she would. She’d swum a ways out instead of coming straight up.”

Bethany

Aasrel looked at the outcropping and then the lake. “I would be scared, too. That’s doable, but it’s a pretty high jump.” He looked at her and smiled, “It really is beautiful.”

~ Aasrel

“I guess my mom was a really good swimmer. My uncles said she was a daredevil. She used to do things like that all the time when she was a kid. She used to compete in diving competitions.” She walked towards the edge of the water and stopped a few feet away. Her hand gripped his tightly suddenly. “There is a sudden drop off several feet out. I fell and went under.”

Bethany

“Your mom sounds cool,” Aasrel said. He squeezed her hand back softly. “Were you okay?” Of course she was, she was here, but he was trying to help her keep talking about it.

~ Aasrel

Bethany nodded. “Yeah. Scared myself and swallowed a bunch of water, coughed a lot. My… my dad was right there. Picked me up out of the water. Told me to hold my breath the next time. Then he showed me how and taught me how to float and tread water.” That was before he hated her. She hadn’t looked at these memories in a long time. They just made everything hurt more. She had adored her father. He had been the hero of all her childhood stories, but he had turned out to be anything else but that.

Bethany

Aasrel smiled and nodded. “Lucky he was there.” He looked at the water. He used to like swimming when he was a kid. He hadn’t been in a long time. He wouldn’t want to go, not now. “Do you still like to swim?” He asked.

~ Aasrel

“Yeah.” It came out a whisper. Bethany made herself push the emotions away. It didn’t matter and things wouldn’t change. She found her center and her perpetual grin reappeared. “Summers in the mountains are spent existing in the water. Swimming, fishing, water sports, lakes or rivers. An icy cold creek will do in a pinch. I suppose I do. I haven’t in awhile though. You?”

Bethany

Aasrel hesitated and then hugged her, hoping it was the right thing to do. It was a quick, gentle hug meant to help her feel better. Then he let her go. Her question made him shift and he shrugged. “Ummm… I used to.”

~ Aasrel

The hug made her smile and she leaned i to it, even though it was short lived. Her hand found his again and squeezed in silent thanks. It didn’t take long for Bethany to figure out that ‘used to’ meant before the Borg. She didn’t miss the shifting of his weight either. “Is that something you would like to do again?”

Bethany

Aasrel smiled when she squeezed his hand again. He stared longingly at the water for several moments, and then gave her an uncertain look. “Maybe someday.” What was it about swimming that made him so uncomfortable? He and his siblings had gone a lot as kids, he’d liked it.

~ Aasrel

Her brows drew together, but her expression was soft. “What is it?”

Bethany

“I don’t know,” he replied, shaking his head. “It just… The idea of swimming makes me uncomfortable.” His grip on her hands tightened, “I don’t know why. I used to like it. I want to. We used to swim as kids.” He shrugged miserably.

~ Aasrel

Bethany nodded, “Well, we don’t have to swim. We could kick off our shoes and wade in the water a bit if you want. Or we can keep walking away from the water.”

Bethany

“What do you want to do?” Aasrel asked. “Do you want to keep walking around looking for memories or do you want to stay by the water?”

~ Aasrel

Her grin turned playful as she looked at him. “I would rather make new memories. There will be plenty of time to find memories when we get to Betazed.” It seemed strange to be planning to visit, perhaps even stranger to be going with him. At least to agree so readily, but she admitted she was glad they were and it was with him.

Bethany

The mention of their trip to Betazed made his stomach do an uncomfortable flip. At least he was going with her, that brought some comfort. Perhaps it was strange, both planning lengthy shore leave so suddenly, and becoming so comfortable with her so quickly, but he was glad it was happening. He smiled, meeting her gaze and giving her hand another gentle squeeze. “New memories it is, then. What a first date, huh?”

~ Aasrel

Bethany laughed, but there was a slight hint of nervousness to it. “Well, we could claim our spontaneous midnight meal was our first date.” She toed off her shoes and removed her socks and rolled up the cuffs of her pant legs. “But I’m not complaining. This definitely hits the top of my list for first dates.” She stood up straight and looked at him with a grin. “Well, are you gonna take your shoes off or let them get drenched in the water?”

Bethany

“Perhaps this will just be a spontaneous sort of relationship,” Aasrel said. He slipped his shoes off, but kept his socks on, then waded into the lake water behind her. “The top of your list, huh? Glad I’m doing well,” he said and then smiled.

~ Aasrel

“Spontaneous can be good. Fun, unexpected, and leads to lots of trouble.” She winked at him even as her gaze traveled down and back up. “Mmmm you definitely are.” Bethany started to say something. She started to tell him that he could take his socks off; she promised not to look. Then just as quickly dismissed it. She didn’t want him to feel pressured. Instead she pulled him along with her until they were just more than ankle deep in the water. The waves were small at the moment, but the force of the tide could be felt as the water moved up and down the bank. “On Earth, if you stand still little minnows,” she held up her fingers about 2 inches apart, “will swim up to you and investigate. It can be ticklish.”

Bethany

Aasrel blushed lightly as she looked at him like that and then winked. She seemed like she might say something, but then she didn’t, so he let it go. He splashed through the water with her as she led him deeper. “Really? That sounds interesting.” He said. “This lake has a lot of fish, but none of them will go anywhere near a person.”

~ Aasrel

“They are smart. Those little fish are rather…unwise. That’s how they get caught by bigger fish.” Her hand took his again as they walked. “What place do you miss most about Betazed?”

Bethany

Aasrel took her hand and smiled. He thought about her question and then replied, “There’s a natural park in Melfi, where they just leave it be, and there’s paths and benches but that’s it, besides trees and wildlife. I think that’s the place I miss most.”

~ Aasrel

“What about it makes it special? Did you go there with your siblings a lot, or something else? If you don’t mind telling me, that is.” She was curious about him, but also about the planet of her birth. Now that the possibility was there a well of buried longing and loss was bubbling up. It was unexpected, but Bethany accepted it.

Bethany

“I went there to be alone, when I was upset.” Aasrel replied. “It was quiet, relaxing. I have a holodeck program for it, though I haven’t loaded it into this ship’s holodecks yet. When I do, I’ll show you.”

~ Aasrel

“I’d like that, but I don’t want to intrude on your privacy.” As they walked she kicked her feet a little making small ripples and waves in the water, even splashing his legs a bit. Then memories were sad, and she didn’t particularly want to be sad right now. He said he could swim…

“I don’t mind,” Aasrel said with a shrug. “It might be relaxing for you, too. Once I load it into the holodeck, you’re free to use it.”

She turned into him suddenly, an arm around his waist and her foot hooking around his leg, pulling him off balance, falling backwards into the water with him. She smirked, “Hold your breath,” she warned as they went under.

Bethany

“Woah, hey!” Aasrel said as she pulled him down. With a big splooosh, they both went under the water. Aasrel surfaced, coughed twice, and then took a big breath. “Bethany!” He complained, but he was still smiling. The water was cold, but not freezing. As he treaded water, he was more aware of his implants, the water making them more noticeable to him. He was trying to ignore it.

~ Aasrel

She surfaced, head back to keep her hair out of her face. She grinned, “What? You said this would be a spontaneous relationship.” He didn’t have to worry about his implants for long. The water wasn’t too deep there, and Bethany was able to stand. From head to toe she was as soaked as he was.

Bethany

Aasrel’s gaze wandered, not unlike hers before, down and then back up towards her face. She was drenched and unlike his, her shirt was thin and light. “I’m not sure that’s what I meant,” he said, and then laughed. His feet brushed the ground and he stood. “It’s cold though.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany flushed at his look and almost seemed to pose for a minute. Giving him a flirtatious look she laughed, wringing out her hair, and then gathering the hem of her shirt and wringing it out as well. She met his gaze, “If I did what you meant then it would be expected and not spontaneous.” She moved toward him. “Cold?” She seemed to think it over. “I suppose. Betazed is warmer than Earth, or at least warmer than where I lived. Hmmm well we could turn the program off. The water will disappear with the program, or find some other way to warm up.”

Bethany

Aasrel smiled and shook his head. Moving closer to her, he grabbed her suddenly and dunked her again. “Then that is spontaneous too.” He said and laughed after she came up again. “I think I’m in favour of another way to warm up.”

~ Aasrel

He could hear the gasp as she quickly held her breath as she went under. She came up and with a wicked grin and quick movement a small wall of water splashed him. She shook her head, flinging water out of her hair. She walked right up to him, leaned in close, her breath warm on his cheek, “Me too.”

Bethany

Aasrel blocked some of the splash with his arm, but water still hit him in the face. He leaned into her when she came close, wrapping an arm around her. “How are the new memories coming along?” He asked softly, looking at her.

~ Aasrel

She set her hands on his shoulders and leaned into him. He felt warm for all his complaint of the water being cold. She smiled at him. “Quite well. Better for having you to share them with.” She stared at him a moment before her hand moved around him and brushed her lips against his.

Bethany

Her lips brushed against his and he leaned in for the kiss. It was a quick peck. When he pulled away, he looked at her and met her gaze, looking for her reaction. Apparently, this date was going very well, for both of them.

~ Aasrel

Warmth spread through her, and there was an unfamiliar flutter in her stomach. Bethany watched his reaction. She wasn’t sure how he would react, but he still had his arm around her and wasn’t looking away. He enjoyed it as much as she did. She leaned in again. This time the kiss lingered for longer.

Bethany