Posted by Civilian Jal’na of House Duroc (Head of Physical Therapy - Sacred Heart Hospital) in House Duroc Embassy - A Hopefully Not Last Supper

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in House Duroc Embassy - A Hopefully Not Last Supper

Posted by Civilian Yavia Crockett (Nurse - Sacred Heart Hospital) in House Duroc Embassy - A Hopefully Not Last Supper
Posted by… suppressed (18) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The House Duroc Embassy had stayed closed the day after the ‘incident’ with Lord and Lady Duroc. Fortunately, the Oed Police had the forethought to change names to security aliases so the arrest record didn’t trip the news alerts.

At the Embassy, the main dining hall was set to recieve guests. Lord Duroc had made it abundantly clear that the Tenkillers would be given every opportunity to prove their honor and were not to be harmed in any way… unless he said so.

In their bedroom, Urg finished sliding on a gauntlet and looked at his wife. “I don’t care. The blade comes. They are more than fortunate I didn’t have my hammer brought in.”

.Urg, Lord Duroc

“You should have. It is a testament to you, our house, and Kavaar’ton. To see it and hear the story, tells who we are.” Jal’na pulled the medallion out from under her bodice, so it could be seen clearly. Jal’na would enjoy tonight. She didn’t believe Tenkiller was like his sister. This would prove it, and blame and challenge would go where it belonged. She was concerned. People were hot headed, especially Klingons, and did not often see other species gestures for what they were.

The comms sounded. “Lord Duroc, they have arrived.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Outside the gate, a slider came to a stop. First out was Charles. Wearing a dark blue suit and tie (a clip on, in case someone decided to use it as leverage) and carrying a long black box of lacquered wood; he stepped out and looked at the guards. A large, deep, dark bruise surrounded his left eye, and the white of the eye was a deep red. The only medical treatment he had allowed was to make sure there was no permanent damage to his vision. The guard that gave him the injury grinned, but this time Tenkiller was not submissive. They were there to show House Duroc they were honorable, yes… but part of being honorable was knowing where the lines were drawn.

He stepped to the side and allowed his mother, sister, and then father to step out. All were dressed similarly to Charles; and all carried themselves with an air of quiet confidence. Charles had spent the previous night and most of the day coaching them on how to behave, what to expect, and what to look out for.

Sharah and Yavia stepped out of the slider. Yavia was dressed in a wide legged pant suit that made her eyes look more stunning than normal, and it allowed a freedom of movement that was graceful. Sharah was wearing a long ensemble in navy with coral accents. The bodice was form fitting that flowed into a split skirt that flowed and billowed as she walked that gave view to leggin encased legs. It was beautiful and functional. The ladies stood with Mary and Donna between them.

Charles walked up to guards. “Charles Tenkiller and family to see Lord and Lady Duroc.” The grinning guard stepped forward. “They know you are here. But you know that we have to search you for weapons again.” and a deep chuckle rumble from him. As he reached for Tenkiller. Charles shifted suddenly and he grabbed the much larger and stronger figures arm and twisted and wrenched it up behind his back, then angle preventing him from moving it as Charles leveraged him into the nearby pillar. Disruptions powered up and leveled at Tenkiller and the others. Charles smiled. “Allow me to save you the time. My family is not armed. I am. And I will stay that way until we have shown Lord and Lady Duroc the measure of our family and our people. Understand?” Donna and Mary watched with a strangely calm expression on their faces. Cecil’s eyes flashed and he adopted a similar stance to Charles as he took two slow steps forward.

Tenkillers

Cecil stepped forward slowly, Sharah and Yavia did not. They were suddenly beside Charles, with enough room for him to move and without any concern for the disruptors. They looked at the guards with their disruptors with expressions of calm. In Klingon culture a woman did not stand behind nor in front of her mate, but beside him in all things. So the girls did now. It was a clear statement, and one that the guards respected and it also gave them pause. Dr. Sharah Fayth and Nurse Yavia Crockett were well known in House Duroc. They were close friends of Lady Jal’na and they had orders to allow both women entrance no matter when or where or why, with no questions asked. They were to be treated as extensions of Jal’na’s family.

Dr Fayth was a small petite and gentle woman, but everyone knew she had stood before Lord Duroc and stared into that insane gaze, been judged, and never flinched. She may be small and only have very basic Star Fleet hand-to-hand training, but she had grit and bravery. And Yavia, well everyone knew she was just plain crazy. It was also known that the three were together, but they hadn’t expected to see the two women appear as part of Tenkiller’s family. It put them in quite the conundrum.

Sharah and Yavia

A loud, bellowing laugh carried across the courtyard. “She said yesterday that I should tell you that the Major General let you smack him around!” Urg bellowed as he approached in full ‘ceremonial’ armor. He stepped up to the gate and looked at the guards, then their weapons, then to the one pinned against the pillar. He looked at Charles, smiled, then looked at the guard.

“But where would the fun be in that?” he asked rhetorically. He looked down at the box still in Charles’ hand. “That for me?” he asked as if asking about the weather.

Urg, Lord Duroc

Charles smiled back. “Lord Duroc, a true pleasure to see you again. And yes, it is. I’d love to present it to you, but ah…” and he nodded towards the guard in his grasp.

Tenkiller

Urg laughed loudly again. “Of course, of course.” He looked at the guards and barked in Klingon and they lowered their weapons. Looking back at Charles, he said “I think you can let him go. He knows a guest when he sees them.”

Urg, Lord Duroc

Charles let the guard go, and they spun around with rage in their eyes; but a glance at Urg and then a look at Tenkiller subdued the flame of anger. “Apologies, General.” Tenkiller shook his head and said “No apologies needed. You are loyal to your Lord, there is no greater honor.” He then looked at Urg. “My Lord, please meet my family.” and he introduced each by name.

Tenkiller

Urg nodded to each, but the reception was cooler than his norm… although not wholly unfriendly. “Welcome. Come. Let us get this meeting moving.” and he gestured for them to follow them as he turned and moved towards the black Embassy building.

Urg, Lord Duroc

Sharah was unphased by the cool reception. She was also undaunted by the absolutely massive man and, of course, the other that was always with him. After having ‘met’ the rest of herself, Sharah was acutely aware of how often she had been in Kavaar’ton’s presence. Lord Duroc may be crazy (and who wouldn’t be with a god in their head) but she trusted him and Kavaar’ton to be fair and keep them safe. She smiled impishly up at him, “Lord Duroc, I am so pleased to see you again. We will be greatly honored to have you and Lady Jal’na at our home next week. I doubt we could do Klingon cuisine justice, but we can make her favorite - pesto chicken.” She said it as if gathering together was a regular occurance and the outcome of this dinner was already decided.

Sharah

The doors of the embassy opened and Jal’na stepped through the doors, followed by her guards. It annoyed, but she was gracious about Urg’s need for her safety. “Yavia, Sharah!” Her voice carried across the courtyard as she descended the stairs. She took each woman in turn into an embrace. Then she looked at Tenkiller, “Major General, I’m glad you could join us.” She looked at the two older people. She could see where Tenkiller got his honor and pride from. It would be too soon to say so out loud unfortunately.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Yavia and Sharah both hugged her back. Yavia put a hand on Mary’s shoulder. “Lady Jal’na,” Yavia hid a smirk at Jal’na’s reaction to the title. The situation was too serious to relax though. “May I introduce General Tenkiller’s parents, Cecil Tenkiller, Donna Redcorn Tenkiller, and his sister Mary Tenkiller.”

Yavia

Jal’na nodded at each of them. Her gaze was softer and her manner more warm than the others, though there was still the air of formality to it all. “Come inside. No one will harm you, you have my word.” She joined Urg and led the way inside.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

“Not yet, that is.” Urg said with a level of finality that allowed for no further discussion.

Urg, Lord Duroc

Jal’na hated Klingon posturing, but she only grinned at her husband. She knew this would never be easy, and she would have to give way a lot. But she absolutely would not have the name of their house soiled or cause the people in their care to question their place. Urg made a point of judging each person by their own actions and not casting a wide blanket. She would not let that start now.

Charles took a breath and led his family inside, following behind Urg and Jal’na far enough back to be respectful but close enough to give any would-be attackers pause. Klingon Houses were rife with intrigue and scheming, and Charles knew that if someone wanted to make a play for the House leadership; now was a pretty good time to do it. Urg had not killed the assailant of Lady Jal’na. And now he had invited the assailants family to dinner in his home. Regardless of Jal’na’s stance… it was an opening if anyone decided to take it.

Tenkillers

Such posturing, and Sharah knew Jal’na hated it. She also knew the Lady had put much on the line to stop Urg from killing Abby and Charles. She walked just behind the rest, letting her mind stretch out and listen and feel. She trusted Urg, she knew Charles would never let them be hurt, but she, like Charles, knew this was the perfect opportunity for someone to try and challenge Urg, or create dissention among his house.

Yavia could only sense what was immediately around them. Jal’na was tense but optimistic, their guards were cautious, and Urg, well he was always hard to figure out.

Urg led the group into the grand dining hall. “Sit.” he commanded and then took his seat at the head of the table in a massive high backed chair. The table before them was covered in food and drink. A whole roasted targ… goblets of bloodline… large bowls covered with silver domes… dark, rich breads… and more.

Urg grinned as their ‘guests’ took their seats. “On my honor, everything is safe to eat and drink. House Duroc does not resort to poison to deal with slights to our honor.”

Urg, Lord Duroc

Charles pulled out the chairs for his mother, sister, and partners. Cecil waited to sit until Lady Duroc had seated herself. He took his seat and looked at the table. “I gotta say Lord Duroc… you put out a helluva spread. Even if I never seen most of it before, it looks great.” Donna sat next to him, but her eyes stared on Jal’na. Not in a negative sense… but more of assessing the woman who held the very life of her daughter in her hands.

Jal’na met the woman’s gaze. “Madame Tenkiller, Yavia told me it has been some time since you have had the opportunity to visit your son. My own parents recently arrived on Oed. It had been seven years since I had seen them. It is always a good day when one can be with family.”

“Not every day, Lady Duroc.” Donna replied. “Today, for instance.” and she held the Klingon woman’s gaze without flinching. Her daughter was in danger. Regardless of fault, her daughter was in danger and she would not back down and watch anything happen.

Sharah sat and looked at the food. It smelled great, but the hesitated over the bloodwine. She would have to drink it she knew. Usually Jal’na had carefully and quietly placed something non-alcoholic at her seat. Tonight was different. She reminded herself to drink slowly and hope no one got too inebriated that night.

Mary was undaunted by the whole affair. She leaned forward and looked directly at Urg. “Yavia said I get to try gagh. And I want to eat it the proper way. Will you show me, Lord Duroc?”

Tenkillers

Yavia grinned, Mary was precious. She and Sharah had also warned them that the food looked strange, but was actually quite good. And a very traditional way of Klingon’s testing the metal of their acquaintances was to offer fresh gagh. Klingons fully expected and accepted that non-Klingons would not be able to keep it down, the important thing was not to refuse or throw up before swallowing. She had also warned them about bloodwine. To drink if it was offered, but to be very cautious. Klingons knew that very few could handle it and it would flow freely.

Yavia

Urg looked at her for a long moment, appraising her… and then he grinned. “Oh, that I will. But only true warriors eat gagh in the traditional way. I hope you have a strong stomach.”

Urg, Lord Duroc

“The food is always excellent, Lord Duroc. Kishet is an excellent cook. It is always such a pleasure to partake of her skill.” Sharah and Yavia both had eaten at House Duroc many times, though nothing ever this formal nor this dangerous. She looked at Mary, “I’ve never had gagh either, but I do enjoy Kradok leg,” and she nodded toward a disk just down the table.

Sharah

Jal’na laughed. “And even those of us who are not warriors enjoy it,” she said to Mary. “Sharah, you are both in for a treat. The gagh is especially fresh tonight.” She picked up her glass and drank and then waved toward the door, “We will start with the gagh.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

A moment later, two servers came in with large trays on which sat bowls with lids on them. A bowl was set in front of each diner. When the trays and servers were gone, Urg grinned. “Gagh. Klingon bloodworms. They are live, fresh.... and delicious.” He set his hand on the lid. “Watch. Then do as I do. If you do not crush the head first, they will bite you. And it will hurt.”

Urg lifted the lid and revealed a writhing mass of glistening bright red worm with dark black rounded heads. Urg grabbed one and picked up the writhing and thrashing invertebrate. He found the head, pinched it about an inch back, and rhen set the head between his back teeth and bit down hard. A loud CRUNCH was heard. The wormncontinued to wriggle, but it was obviously dying. Urg chomped it down bit by bit. “Delicious. Please… enjoy.” and he gestured to the guests to join him.

Urg, Lord Duroc