Posted by Lieutenant Commander Charles Tenkiller (Chief of Security) in Side Sim - You’ve Never Seen A Dance Like This (Tag CSO)

Posted by Lieutenant Toveka Brine (Chief Science Officer) in Side Sim - You’ve Never Seen A Dance Like This (Tag CSO)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Charles Tenkiller (Chief of Security) in Side Sim - You’ve Never Seen A Dance Like This (Tag CSO)
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

It had taken the better part of a week, but everything was set both at the outpost and back at home. The Engineers had done a wonderful job of trying in sub-space communications to the Holodeck, and now the space was filled in almost real time with the actual people back on Earth in the small town of Pawhuska. Hole emitters had been brought in so that the two members of the Outpost could move around and interact with the people there. The connection wouldnt last more than an hour or two, but it would be long enough for Tenkiller to do what he needed to do for the ceremony.

He was waiting outside the door. The buckskin tunic that normally sat under glass hanging on his wall was worn, and the large necklace identifying him as a Tribal Council member hung around his neck. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail, covered in a faded brown cowboy hat; and he was wearing bluejeans and a pair of old brown boots. A belt with a large buckle completed his look. Leaning against the wall, he waited for Toveka to arrive.

Tenkiller, CoS

She was grateful, this time, to not need a gown. Picking out her clothes this time had been far easier for her and she hadn’t even needed the Doctor to help her. She had on a pair of her calf high black boots with the flat soles. They were ones she could walk in for hours over nearly any terrain. She was in black slacks, a near denim material, cut slightly close to her legs without the fitted form of leggings. Her top, while casual, was simple. White and slightly trimmed to fit loosely over her body in a flattering form. The top , around the scoop style neck, were embroidered geometrics that danced the fine line between shapes and colors she had seen in his tribal pieces, and the edging on Romulan style decorative pottery and arts. Despite the vast differences between the shapes and the colors, they somehow worked well together. Her hair was pulled back a bit from her face with a silver barette. She bore no make up save for a light balm to her lips that softly shimmered her lips like sunlight was on them, even in the dim lighting of the corridors.

She came around the corner and smiled at seeing him. The smile was swift and genuine and lit her up, seeing him in the buckskin, remembering how full of life it had seemed on the wall. Yet now, seeing it on him, she realized she had not seen life in it before, but merely potential. Stepping up to him, her hand went to his chest. Her fingers lightly danced down a string of the beading. “It suites you,” she said and looked up at him. Their near identical height meant it wasn’t so much of a ‘looking up at him’ as a ‘looking up from his chest’ motion. She dropped her hand realizing her boldness and blushing slightly. “I hope I am not late.”

Lt Toveka Brine
CSO

He smiled and said “Nope. Right on time. You ready to get stared at? Like I said… most of these folks have never laid eyes on a non-human before. So expect a lot of questions. My people ain’t known for being shy.” and he chuckled. He pushed off the wall and went to open the door, pausing as he stopped just shy of the palm reader. “Oh yeah, one other thing you may not have put together… my family is there, so you’ll meet my folks.” and he smiled wickedly as he didnt give her time to protest, just opened the door.

Inside was a gathering of people, entirely human. Most looked similar to Tenkiller, but here were scattered other ethnicities throughout. They were roughly two hundred or so people, all gathered around a large circle on the ground. It was dirt, but the dirt had a color unlike what most people thought of at the word ‘dirt’… this was red. Brick red and packed down solid. Outside of the circle was grass, cut or worn short was anybody’s guess. A few stands were scattered around the circle, and on one side was a large set of bleachers. On the other, a raised platform on which set a large table with eleven chairs. Behind it was thing the flag of the Osage Nation.

The clearing itself seemed to be set in a large, open field. Tall trees of oak, ash, cedar, and evergreen set the border; and a drive of sorts led off to where dozens of ground craft sat parked. The sun was almost mid-day, and it was hot.

Tenkiller looked at her and said “Welcome to Oklahoma.” and started forward.

Tenkiller, CoS

Family

She had figured there would be his Tribe, but how it hadn’t occured to her that it would include his family, made her almost balk as the door opened. She stepped in but it was with shock and daze. She was startled on so many levels she was stuck like a startled deer in the scope of a weapon. “Ten…” she half whispered his name with a sense of confusion and no light level of fear.

She walked towards the others with him, though slightly behind to the right of him. “It’s beautiful,” she smiled the best she could as he welcomed her to Oklahoma.

Toveka
CSO

He smiled and said “I’ve always thought so.” and he laughed. As the movermd forward it seemed that every face turned their way. “So this is in real time. The holo-emitters there probably just kicked on so they can see us.” and he waved and got more than a few waves and smiles back.

As they walked, the crowd mumbled and whispered and glances at Toveka were apparent. Then they parted and a man and woman slowly made their way through the opening. The man was tall, his dark hair covered by an almost identical hat to Charles’s. He stood straight and looked so similar to Tenkiller it was like looking into the future. The woman next to him was shorter, but built like a solid stone sculpture. She wore bluejeans and a red and white checkered button down shirt. Her long gray hair was in two braids that fell one over each shoulder. She wore a faded baseball cap with a dog, probably a Husky of the Earth breeds, on the front of it. She rushed forward and stopped just short of them and smiled a happy but wistful smile.

“I can’t hug ya, son. All this tech and I can see but not hug ya.” and a tear welled forth and rolled down her cheek. “I know.” Tenkiller replied. “And I’m sorry. But this is better than nuthin’, right Ma?” and he smiled and said “Ya look good, lady. You keeping that old man in check?” and he looked past her to the man. “Hey, Pop. Missed you.”

The man was obviously trying not to show it, but he was so happy the tears were visible in his eyes. He cleared his throat and said “Been a bit, boy. You doing ok?” As he asked, his eyes flicked to Toveka. “And that her?” he asked a bit gruffly.

Tenkiller

Toveka walked with him till the man and woman came upon them. She stopped, a few steps before Tenkiller did. She smiled seeing the exchange and a tug at her own heart at hearing the mother and father titles from his lips.

When the man looked her direction and ask if she was ‘her’, she straightened slightly and clasped her hands before her. Her Science Chief persona slipping down to bolster her spine.

Toveka

Tenkiller said “Yep. Mom, Dad… this is Lieutant Toveka Brine. Toveka, my parents… Donna and Cecil Tenkiller.” and he looked past them at the crowd of smiling faces and shy waves. “And that looks to be about the whole town of Pawhuska.” and he laughed and looked at his mom. “You make black berry cobbler or somthin’?” and he smiled.

“Hush, you.” his mother said and went to Toveka. She looked at her long and hard, and then said “Welcome, Ms. Brine. We offer you food and drink, and a place at the table. May you bring peace in with you, and leave with more than you entered with.” The older man walked up and put his hand around his wife. “You’re a Romulan, is that right?” he asked, a slight edge to his voice.

Tenkiller

She was finding it hard to breathe and her heart was racing as the woman came up to her. As the woman offered her peace and warmth, she nodded with a slight bend in respect. “Jolan Tru,” she responded. “It means, basically, ‘find peace’. And I thank you for the greeting in kind. You have a large and warm family. I can see where Ten… where Charles gets his great attributes from.”

As the man approached, she inclined her head once more. “I am, Sir.” She wasn’t sure what the edge was for, but she bit her lip mentally and waited to see where it went.

Toveka

He looked at her a long time before speaking. When he did, his voice caught in his throat. He stepped forward and placed his hands on her cheeks and bowed his forehead to hers. “You bless us here with your spirit. The loss of your worlds was a tragedy. Know that you and your people will always be remembered here with us. We, too, know what it is like to face oblivion. But we remain. Your people will remain as well. Life is sacred. Life endures.” and he released her and stepped back. Without looking at Charles, he said “Boy. Fetch drinks and food. Your mother and I want to get to know your lady-friend better.” and he said to Toveka “I cant feel it, but I understand you can. Take my arm, and let me introduce you around.” and he turned towards the crowd and extended his elbow to her. Donna moved to the other side of her and shooed Charkes away. “GO! Do what your Pa said. And I want strawberry lemonade. We’ll be over in the shade.” Tenkiller looked at Toveka and mouthed ‘I’m sorry!’ as he was almost immediately mobbed by people who were vying for his attention.

Cecil led them to a large blanket under the only tree in the field. “Please, sit.” he said. “The boy will be a bit. The strawberry lemonade hasnt been made yet.” and he chuckled. Donna and Cecil both sat down on the blanket and looked at Toveka. “So how’d you and my boy meet?” Donna asked.

Tenkiller

As the man reached for her, she didn’t give it a second thought. He was light years away. But then she felt his touch. The holodeck was giving her a true holo experience. So while the man couldn’t feel her, she could feel ‘him’. Her eyes grew wild as the pressure of his touch pressed upon her cheeks. And her throat choked with a tear as he blessed her and reminded her that they had similar pasts. “Life is sacred…” she whispered back.

When the mom stepped up on the other side of her, Toveka was lost on ways to escape. She gave Ten an almost imperceptable nod that she would be ok as she tried to apologize. But she knew, like her, she would never go against her parents had roles been reversed. She followed the couple to the blanket, waited till Donna sat then followed suit. As she asked how they met, Toveka looked down at her hands clasped in her lap. “I crossed him, Ma’am.” She smiled slightly and looked at them both. “I had returned to the ship after an absence and returned to old habits. I was, however, unaware of the change in security leadership and as I was firing up the shuttle I planned to take out, it was ordered to be turned off and for me to report to his office.” She remembered with almost crystal clarity the first time she saw Tenkiller. Even then, looking back, she realized she was impressed and intrigued by the man. And that was almost to a distraction level. Realizing she was slipping, she blinked and smiled once more. “We spent some time exchanging words and ended up before the Captain trying to find ways to get what we both wanted without defying the other. With the Captain’s help, we came to an agreement. He’s championed me at least one other time as well, though it’s not my tale to tell. And we have worked well together since.” She didn’t feel comfortable telling more. They had asked, she had answered.

Looking up, she hoped the lemonade would be made swiftly. Surely there were things that needed to be done before the holo time ran out.

.... Wasn’t there?

Toveka

Donna chuckled and Cecil said “Tales are meant to be shared. So tell me… us… how our son played ‘champion’. We know little of his work, it would be nice to hear what he does from someone with a fresh prespective.”

Tenkiller

Toveka frowned. “Actually, he helped me get permission from the Captain to do what I need to to find out why my planet blew up. But I have to admit. The first time we truly met, I wasn’t aware of who he was. He barged into the science lab and demanded… something I had. Claimed I wasn’t capable of protecting it. We went toe to toe and it wasn’t pretty.” She looked down at her hands and shook her head. “I fear, in the beginning I didn’t like him, not him me.” She looked back up at them. “Since then we have come to realize there is a compatibility between us, if you will.”

She sighed. “And he stood up for me when another called me out as something, well… something not so nice. You raised a good man. Both of you.” She looked at them both and smiled.

Toveka
CSO