Posted by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) in It’s Not a Wedding without Drama

(snip)

Serchena moved to sit next to Sophie and said “Some tea would be lovely.” and she took a seat and looked up at Gravel. “Be a dear boy and go make a pot.” Gravel shook his head and smiled as he turned to walk towards the kitchen. “Aye Aye, Admiral.” he said as he left the room.

Gravel / Serchena

“No, you’re guests. Well you’re family, but still guests. Cara go make the tea,” Sophie flapped a hand shooing her away. Cara grinned, “Yes, Mam,” and left the room for the kitchen. Ava groaned and rolled her eyes. “Really Mam? Ya sent the bride and groom off ta a room alone tagether? We’ll never get tea. I’ll do it.” Dominik coughed to cover his laugh and took a seat in the chair beside the couch. “So, Serchena, have ya every visited Ireland before?”

“I have, actually. I have a dear friend who has a place on the west coast. Beautiful area, and they allow me the privilege of using it whenever I need some peace and quiet.” and she laughed. “Which is far more than I actually get, let me tell you.”

“It is beautiful. The Cliffs of Moher are my favorite. Though pictures of centuries ago, are stunning,” Dominik remarked, “Alas those centuries of wind and waves have changed it, though it is still a stark beauty of natures power.” Sophie grinned from memories, “Ireland is wonderful for relaxing. And now you’ll have family to remind you to take more time for yourself. What do you do in Star Fleet?”

Ava entered the kitchen, “Ya two better be decent.” Cara was prevented from pulling out the various teas and cups and pots and whatnot by Ava throwing her self at her and hugging her tightly. “Yer okay.” Cara hugged the younger girl tightly. “‘Course I am. Not a scratch. I’m alright, Ava, and so are you. I’m very proud of you.”

“What for? I didn’a do anythin’. I didn’a know what ta do,” her voice was muffled and scared and she hugged Cara tighter.

Lt. O’Farrell, counselor

Gravel looked at her and said “You did a great job Ava. Better than some of my Security officers coming out of the academy, in fact.” Gravel didn’t pander or blow smoke… he said what he meant and meant what he said. He set a hand on her shoulder and said “You kept your cool, you weighed risk and you made a plan. Then you executed it. Not a lot of folks can do that, ya know.” He stood up straight and said “In fact, if you ever wanna follow your sisters footsteps and join Star Fleet, I call dibs on being your sponsor.” Few in the house would know the true magnitude of that offer; but Cara and Emilia would know the weight Gravel’s support would carry.

Gravel

Cara looked over Ava’s head and met his gaze. She knew exactly what that offer meant and her eyes reflected how much it meant to her that he felt that way about her sister. Ava looked at him and shook her head, “I didn’a have a plan, I just didn’a want him ta hurt me.” Ava sighed, “Cara probably beat him up.”

Cara laughed, “I did not. I took martial arts for many years, Ava, and Sensei Tei put me through a lot of real life scenarios. It has been a skill I have always been thankful to have, but in the end, it’s not about flashy kicks and lightning punches. It’s about observing and making smart choices. Sometimes the smart choice is ta be quiet and wait. Don’a provoke them, don’a draw attention ta yerself. And observe. Look and listen.” She raised Ava’s chin a little. “Do ya want ta know how I got away?” Ava nodded. Cara looked at Gravel and grinned before looking back at Ava. “He came outta the shadows and distracted Donovan, and then… I bit him. Right here in the fleshy part of his wrist. While he was screamin’ I ran, and let Gravel take care of the rest.”

Ava looked at her like she was rabid. “Ya did NOT bit him?” She looked at Gravel, “Did she really bite him?” Well that wasn’t exactly the bad@ss picture she had of her sister.

Lt. O’Farrell, counselor