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

Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé O’Farrell (Counselor / Education Specialist) in It’s Not a Wedding without Drama

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) in It’s Not a Wedding without Drama
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(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?”

Serchena smiled slightly and said “I am an Admiral, Sophie. Currently I am the Commanding Officer of Star Fleet Personnel Command. I oversee the deployment, training, promotion, and benefits of all five million members of Star Fleet.” and she leaned in and stage whispered “Not all of them individually, if course.” and she chuckled.

Sophie shook her head, “Managing all that for 3 girls is almost more than I can handle. I can’t imagine tryin’ ta keep organized for that many people. What did ya do before you were an Admiral?”

Serchena smiled at Sophie, enjoying the sincere curiosity and desire to know her as an individual, not just a high-ranking officet. It was.. refofficer. “Well, before that I was an Operations officer. That was my department training in the Academy. I served on a few ships, but stations and planet-based assignments were where I excelled. Which was good, as I had Grav to look after. His father, Donoak, passed away when Grav was just a baby. I was very fortunate to have been born in the Federation. My parents left Orion when I was ten. Donoak didn’t get away until he was almost twenty. He and I met a few years after he had come to the Federation. But life on Orion is hard if you are not… well.. not of a particular demeanor. Donoak had been a miner, trying to make an honest living. The years had taken their toll on his health, unfortunately. But we had almost ten wonderful years together, and he got to see and hold Gravel, and heard his first words and saw his first steps.” and she laughed, but there was a hint of loss to it; but also much joy. “Which be took at five months! He was always so strong… physically and in willpower.” and she laughed again.

Sophie patted her hand comfortingly as she spoke of her husband. She couldn’t imagine losing Dominik to health issues… her gaze settled in her husband who seemed to know she was thinking of her own refusal for medical attention. His raised brows gave it away, but he smiled at her.

Dominik laughed, “Cara was the same way. Stubborn, always has been. Didn’a matter what ya told her or how ya explained it. She was goin’ ta do it her way even if she failed or made a fool of herself. Then she’d just laugh and go on her way.”

“Well what about hobbies? You don’ work all the time,” Sophie asked.

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 bite 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

“Oh, she did. Bit the ever livin’ piss outta him. Drew blood and everything.” Gravel said with a grin. He then looked at Ava. “Plans aren’t always conscious things, kiddo. Sometimes they are just a series of instincts that move us along a path. Your instincts were solid. Trust ‘em. You’ll be right more often than not.”

Gravel / Serchena

Ava nodded, but she didn’t look convinced, though she had the beginnings of a decent poker face. Cara hugged her tightly and rocked her side to side. “He is absolutely right. We don’t always know why we feel led or pushed ta act a certain way. Our minds are amazin’ and process details we don’a consciously notice. Trust yerself Ava, ya got a bright mind and a warm heart. In the mean time, I’ll ask Dadai to get in touch with Sensei Tei for you. Ya?”

Ava looked up with a heavy breath and nodded. “Yes. Thanks Cara.” Ava stepped back and toward the counter. “Best make the tea before Mam thinks I helped ya two ta run off and elope.” Cara grinned and snapped a little salute that made Ava laugh, “Yes ma’am.” Cara pulled out a tea service while Ava pointed out the different teas they had to Gravel.

Lt. O’Farrell, counselor

Gravel selected a black tea with some orange hints to it and set it to steep. He looked at Cara and Ava and said “Go sit. I’ll bring it out.” and he grabbed the tray with the tea service in one hand and a tin of cookies with the other and walked both into the living room.

Gravel / Serchena

Cara grinned and led Ava out who ran upstairs to tell Emilia to stop being lazy. Sophie looked up, “Cara! I sent ya in there for a reason. Ta let him help, no do it all.” Sophie shook her head, but was smiling a little.

Cara laughed as she poured tea and plated cookies, “Mam do ya really think I could make or stop him from doin’ what he wants ta do?” Everyone had opinions on that, but no one said it.

Lt. O’Farrell, counselor