Posted by Lieutenant Commander Ever Zeanar (Chief of Psychiatry (Incoming)) in SB 157 Arboretum

Posted by Ensign Iyun Riani (Scientist) in SB 157 Arboretum

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Ever Zeanar (Chief of Psychiatry (Incoming)) in SB 157 Arboretum
Tears flowed freely, soaked up by the roots of the rainbow of flowers growing towards the unnatural lighting of the arboretum. On Bajor, Ever had spent many afternoons in a park near her office. Gardens, rolling hills of grass, seemed to draw people together, spreading their wings in sunlight, free from the constraints of buildings. On starships and bases, this was as close to a park that could be naturally created and as such, drew visitors. Ever became aware that a small child had noticed her distress. Licking an ice cream that had melted onto her clothing and smeared across her face, the child furrowed her lips and brow. Children had their own emphatic abilities and were often over sensitive to other’s pain and suffering. Managing a weak smile, Ever nodded to the child and moved away, praying silently to the four deities she would never have the burden of one of those creatures. Goddess did she hate children. 

Ever was not the only one looking for refuge in the Arboretum just then. Not far from her a petite figure was sitting half hidden behind a rhododendron in full bloom. An ordinary observer would notice that she was dressed in long, light blue skirt and a white blouse (OOC: think Victorian walking skirt and a blouse that matches the era). Her long dark brown hair was pulled back in a French braid, that - in her sitting position - touched the ground. Her head was bowed as if in prayer or thought, so that her Bajoran earring lightly brushed her cheek. Yet anyone who paid closer attention, might notice that her breathing was fairly shallow and that she was ever so slightly fiddling with the fabric of her skirt. It seemed that she was oblivious to what was going on around her. Anyone paying closer attention to her might also notice that she looked fairly young.

Scanning the plants quickly, Ever spotted what she had come to see. Stopping in front of the lilac bulbs, she laid her hand gently underneath and bent her head to take in the sweet fragrance. The walls and glass of the green house melted away, transporting her back to Bajor. Pink dragonflies circled around her head, some landing in the curls of her long black hair. Closing her eyes more tightly, draining the last of unwanted tears, Ever could imagine a familiar, yet lost, figure emerging from the twilight, moving  slowly towards her. 

Lt Commander Ever Zeanar, CoP (Incoming)

It wasn’t till Ever moved closer towards her, that the young woman looked up and turned her head towards her. She wondered who the other woman was. Yet timid as she always was, Riani didn’t dare to approach her. Instead she found herself subconsciously shift her position and stare at the woman, wondering who she was. She couldn’t even say why she was so fascinated by her. After all, it wasn’t the first time she saw some one in a park or this case arboretum walk around and smell flowers. But it wasn’t long till she realised what she was doing and that it was highly inappropriate to stare at someone. So she quickly turned her head and attempted to move to a point behind the rhododendron where she could neither see the other woman nor be seen by her. However, in her rush to crawl away she managed to forget about her long skirt and to pay attention to where it was, leading to her toppling sideways with a soft squeal and lading in the rhododendron.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

To the Betazoid, the young Bajorian woman was basically standing next to her screaming directly into her ear “look at me”. Ever withdrew from the memory she had no business revisiting or obsessing over after so many years. Moments long gone, still present  like another heart beat only added to the pain of loss. Glancing down to the young woman laying in a sea of lace and frills, Ever thought she looked more like someone who had walked straight out of a romance holo novel than a science officer.  Of course Ever had recognised Iyun immediately as being one of her “special” cases from the crew manifest and psychology records. Given the officer’s record, Ever wasn’t even mildly surprised to find the woman in this predicament. Amused, but not surprised. The rhododendrons, however were not amused.  And neither would  whoever was responsible for caring for the arboretum. 

Never one to pass up the opportunity to rescue a damsel in distress, Ever held out her hand. “Might try smiling at a stranger next time instead of staring and stalking. Less creepy. “

Her cheeks were by now a brilliant scarlet and Ria wished for nothing more than the ground to open underneath her and swallow her. However, as that was very unlikely to happen, she bashfully stuttered, “I- I’m s-sorry.” She then reached hesitantly for Ever’s hand and let herself be helped back to her feet.

“Come on. We need to get out of here before you get caught destroying the gardens. That will get you a life ban. Trust me. I know,” Ever grinned and walked towards the exit. She had dressed casually in light coloured trouser and a free flowing no frills blouse. The garments hung loosely and were not flattering to her figure, but were comfortable. Today had not been a day she had planned on meeting any of the crew, but rather, just enjoying the last of her leave time. “I am Ever Zeanar. The Ogawa’s new head shrink, by the way. Just to make you a little more nervous.” 

Lt. Commander Zeanar, (CoP, Incoming)

Looking down at the rhododendron, the young woman’s face turned - if that was even possible - even more scarlet. For a couple of moments Ria remained rooted to the spot after Ever had started walking away. Shifting her gaze between the other woman and the rhododendron a couple of times, she tried to decide what to do. Eventually she slightly lifted her long skirt and hurried after Ever. “Shouldn’t I own up to what I did? It’s not right to lie. Even if it’s just by omission,” she asked timidly. “I can’t just pretend as if nothing has happened.” A deep frown had appeared on her forehead. She was confused and also started to get really anxious once again. Looking around, she continued, “I should find someone who takes care of the arboretum and report to them what happened. Maybe I can help them taking care of the plant or the arboretum in general as penance.” She was starting ramble and she was aware of that but seem able to stop herself. In her anxiety it also didn’t seem to register that Ever had introduced herself nor that she was the new Chief of Psychiatry.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist