Posted by Civilian Caitlyn Dillon (Director, The House Sanctuary) in I Don’t Mean to Interrupt Such a Busy Person… (Tag Hyrushi)

Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in I Don’t Mean to Interrupt Such a Busy Person… (Tag Hyrushi)

Posted by Civilian Caitlyn Dillon (Director, The House Sanctuary) in I Don’t Mean to Interrupt Such a Busy Person… (Tag Hyrushi)
Posted by… suppressed (17) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Hyrushi enjoyed good food, but today it was the company that intrigued him the most. “So tell me how you came to become a chef, if that is not too personal a question. You obviously have a gift for culinary art. Was it something you discovered early on?”

Hyrushi, Governor

Caitlyn nodded, dabbed her mouth with her napkin and then carefully reached for her class to clear her throat. “It was.” The expression on her face changed, she was remembering and far away for a moment. There was a hint of fear in a way that only a child can understand it. “I remember being able to see and going blind. It was terrible, losing that input. The loss of color and distance and shape and position. My parents had me fit for a VISOR of course, as soon as I was well enough, but it took a long time to adjust, I was so little and it was hard to adapt, to understand what was happening. So even after I had it, I couldn’t always use it, and things looked so incredibly different than they were supposed to.”

“Eating was incredibly difficult, everything was. Then one day we went out to eat, I don’t remember why, and my parents were reading the menu to me and I smelled something. It smelled delicious and I wanted it. Of course I had no idea what it was. The server tried to help, and finally the chef came out and took me into his kitchen and let me smell everything. He explained to me what each scent was from the spices to the meat and how it was cooked. I’d never really paid attention to the aroma of my food before,” she smiled ruefully, “most children don’t. Unless it is very bad. I just knew if it looked good and tasted good I liked it. After that I hounded my mother constantly to let me smell what she was putting in the food, to let me add things and try cooking. I wanted my food to smell good. I guess it was something that I felt was uniquely mine at the time and incredible, not difficult or a struggle.”

“Some things, the aroma was wonderful, but the taste was horrid and we couldn’t eat it.” Caitlyn laughed, “but I learned and I enjoyed it. That’s how I knew what they were making in the kitchen. I was able to identify the aroma. It’s turned out a useful skill, I don’t need to have a menu read to me all the time.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

Kenzo listened intently, more so than he realized, and then he asked “May I ask why you do not use the VISOR? Or have cybernetic prothesis? If that is too personal, please simply say so. I mean no offense and I do not want to seem like I am prying. I am simply curious why you choose not to pursue that avenue.”

Hyrushi, Governor

She knew the question was coming. It always did, but even after all these years, the memories were still hard, frightening, painful. The burden never got less heavy, it just became familiar. “It is a fair question.” She paused, her whole body still, even her breath. “The answer is why I went to the House. It is not a pleasant story, and not for those that have a weak constitution.” She carefully set her fork down, in a way that indicated she was simply pausing in her meal, and not ready for it to be removed. “I will tell you, but you must promise to say if you wish me to stop. I will not be offended.” He could feel the rush of nervous energy, fight or flight, but a very quiet resolve. She would not let Gavin and the memories take one more moment from her.

“I had a VISOR, as I said. My parents opted for that because cybernetic prosthetics were still in the developmental stage when I became blinded. They didn’t want me to go through several surgeries so young. Despite the struggle to adjust to it, I loved my VISOR, and if it was my choice, I would still have it.” That was the easy part to tell. Her face was expressive, and the fear, remembered pain, and terror were physical for him. It was a long moment of silence as she picked her words carefully, the pulse in her throat was visible as it pounded in a very wild rhythm. “My ex-husband was a malicious man.” Caitlyn forced a deep breath, as memories flashed before her unseeing eyes. “His favorite form of torment was to steal my VISOR. He knew I was afraid to be alone in the dark, and that I had never learned to navigate without my VISOR. It… brought him great pleasure to see me afraid of him and then have to beg for his help.” That was not the extent of Gavin’s depravity, but it was the part relevant to his question. He could feel how hard it was even now, to accept help from anyone after that, but despite the deep aversion, she did. From Ashran and those in the House and even from him. Which had been difficult.

“I finally managed to arrange to get away from him. I was scheduled for surgery to have cybernetic prosthetic eyes implanted. I wasn’t going to let anyone do that to me again.” She set her hands in her lap, shifting in her seat as the memories became present. “Gavin found out about the surgery and then he found me. He followed me to where I was staying, after my pre-op appointment. He was very … thorough.” Caitlyn couldn’t stop the hitch in her voice and paused, reaching for her glass, and then changing her mind, feeling her hand shake, and returned it to her lap. “No one knew I was hurt or came looking until I missed my surgery. My doctor sent the police to check on me. I suffered a concussion, broken bones, chemical burns,” this time she moved her hair away from her face on purpose, showing the scarring where the VISOR implants had been. “I have permanent brain damage to the occipital lobe, so a VISOR or prosthetics won’t work for my anymore. Medical science is wonderful, but the thing about the brain is that it must be treated quickly in order to reverse the damage. Gavin made certain that I would always be trapped in the dark, and cognizant that I was.”

She was shaking from the tension, and had a need to get up and move. The adrenaline from the retelling, but she knew where nothing was in the restaurant nor the colony. But there was also a deep resolve to not run from ghosts of memories.

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

There was the sound of him adjusting in his seat. “Ms. Dillon, please give me your hand, if you would. There is something I would like to give you.”

Caitlyn didn’t respond right away. Her brain needed to switch lanes of thought before it registered what he was asking and not just the sound of a voice near her. There was that instinct to pull into one’s self, an act of protection. Caitlyn knew though, that was a valuable instinct in the correct situations. Her gaze somewhat focused towards him.
She was not in the past but the present. She didn’t think the Governor of the colony, nor the man behind the office would hurt her. She felt that with a certainty. She reached out cautiously, sliding her hand over the table so that she didn’t knock anything over.

When her hand was on the table, Hyrushi took it in his own very lightly. “As I said before, I am only half human, with my mother being Betazoid. A gift from her side of my lineage is this…” and suddenly there was a a wash of calm and tranquility flowing through her. At the same time, there seemed to be a kind… siphoning, for lack of a better word… that seemed to draw all of the feelings of fear and hurt and anger and the need to run into a single point in her mind and then it simply flowed away. There was a sensation of heat form where their hands touched and, after a brief moment, he pulled his hand away. “I appreciate your trusting me with such powerful memories so soon after meeting me. I will not divulge any of that to anyone. But.. I am sorry that you ever had to know a person like your ex-husband. I trust he was brought to justice?” He used the words he spoke as a cover as he silently dipped his napkin the water glass and then wrapped the cold, wet cloth around his fingers.

Hyrushi, Governor

Caitlyn gasped, her hand jerked in his, but not in fear only surprise. Both and the sudden spark the contact created and the flood of tranquility. It was strange and felt rather intimate. It left her flustered with nervousness, but then that too was eased by the tranquility. “How…?” she started to ask but then the fear and the panic and hurt was gone. She’d never experienced anything like it. She was left not knowing what to say. She wondered if he could feel her gratitude.

“A skill I have developed over the years.” Hyrushi said softly. “I don’t make the ability public knowledge, but I felt that you could use some… comfort… in dealing with such memories.” He looked at her for a long moment, contemplating something.

Belatedly she realized he had let go of her hand, and she was sitting there simply waiting for him to take it again. She pulled her hand back quickly. “Yes. Yes, he was. He’s still in jail. He’s not up for parole anytime soon. The Court will let me know if he is.” She folded her napkin in her lap. “It’s not your fault. It’s not mine. It’s his. It… is hard to share, but nothing is gained by being silent. Silence perpetuates the myth that the victims are at fault. That we did something wrong to deserve such treatment. I can’t be an advocate for others, if I don’t live my convictions.” She didn’t quite smile. “I don’t tell many people, it’s personal and painful. There are times and places for complete openness and Truth. I felt this was one of them.”

Her head tipped to the side and she seemed to actually see him for a moment. “Thank you. That was very kind of you to do for me.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

“It was my pleasure. I am glad it helped.” Hyrushi said. He took a few bites and then said “Is there anything about me you would like to know? It seems only fair that I extend to you the same honesty that you have shared with me.”

Hyrushi, Governor

“Oh. Well putting me in the spot.” Her tone was lighter, a result of his help, and a glimpse of the personality beneath the struggle. “Not going to give me the days between now and dinner to come up with an endless list of potential topics incase the conversation lulls?” Her words were banter rather than teasing or flirtatious. Though perhaps a hint of the later.

“Somehow I get the impression that lacking in conversation won’t be an issue.” Hyrushi said, with a noticeable warmth that wasn’t there prior.

There was quite a lot she would like to know about him, but what would be a place to start. She smiled, “Well, I won’t ask your favorite food. That seems a bit unfair, considering my training. Instead tell me what you wanted to be when you were a kid. If you are that, why and if not, why not?”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

There was a soft chuckle. “Now if only the press would come up with such questions, I might be inclined to do more interviews.” He took a drink, his black eyes still set on Caitlyn. “When I was very young, I wanted to be a samurai. I learned all the stories and legends of them, watched every vid or movie I could find, and even learned the code of Bushido. Unfortunately, the last samurai- Saigo Takamori- committed seppuku in the late nineteenth century as a final gesture of loyalty to Emperor Meiji.” and he chuckled again. “So… not a lot of openings for that particular field. After that, my father was insistent that I be educated and learn a field that would benefit the family and others in the community. So I attended Kyoto university and received a dual masters in Civil Engineering and Psychology. It was then that the war began. My father and mother had moved us to Norvella, a small planet with a great deal of potential… and also unfortunately caught directly between the Federation and the Cardassians. My time there was… intense.” The edge in his voice was positively palpable, but when he continued it was 9mostly) gone. “My father was a prominent figure and tried to negotiate with both sides. The colony was then handed over to the Cardassians. I was named the Chief Negotiator for the colony with the Cardassian administration on the planet. For two years, we did reasonably well. But a new administartor was brought in and… well… his priority was not cooperation, shall we say. My mother is a diplomat and a member of a High House of Betazed. She was allowed to leave to stop any kind of ‘incident’, but my father and I had to stay.... for ‘leverage’.” He paused and took a drink. It had been years since he had spoken of all of this. Why he felt moved to do so now he didn’t understand, but he continued.

“Two months after my mother left my father was arrested on false charges and taken away. An arrest warrant was issued for me, but I was elsewhere and they were unable to take me into custody with him. After a few months moving around, I was found by the Maquis. I assisted them as a negotiator, but a year or so after I was arrested by the Federation. I was sent back to Earth to stand trial. But, as my mother is someone of influence, the Betazoid government stepped in. They made sure that I was kept out of court. The Federation also took into account that no Federation citizens had been harmed by my actions with the Maquis, and they placed me on five years supervised probation. As I wasn’t allowed to leave Earth, I decided to pursue further education. I was named a Rhodes Scholar, attended Oxford University, and earned a Doctorate in Political Science. My probation was ended after three years, and I went to say with his mother. She is the Betazed ambassador to Bajor. I continued my education while working as a civil engineer, and earned another doctorate in Interspecies Relations with an emphasis in Crisis Management. Simultaneously, I was the Chief Federation Negotiator working to bring some of the disaffected colonies back into the fold. My time with the Maquis gave me a bit of credibility with those who view the Federation as… hmmm… how to say it… ‘less than trustworthy’. And that led me to being named Governor of Oed V.” He stared at her for a long moment and then said “Which is a very long-winded and verbose way of saying that I am not, unfortunately, a samurai.” and he actually laughed… albeit softly.

Hyrushi, Governor

Caitlyn’s expression was thoughtful. “If I remember correctly, Bushido has 8 virtues. Justice, Honor, Politeness… I can’t remember the rest. It was a long time ago. It seems to me you have those things in spades. You would have to build a time machine to go back and live exactly like they did, but it is really more the spirit of creed than the exact replication. Especially as society changes as the future arrives.”

“Justice. Courage. Benevolence. Politeness. Honesty. Honor. Loyalty. Self-control.” Hyrushi replied almost reverently. “Most practitioners viewed Justice as the most important virtue of the Bushido code. It showed one’s ability to weigh situations on a logical and moral scale, decide upon a course of conduct, and act without hesitation or straying from that course.”

“Justice in that capacity is a hard line to walk. Many think they do, but they don’t. They turn and twist justice into a thing to be feared and uses for their own gain,” her tone carried insight and experience. “Anyone who strives to maintain justice in its honest form has a lot of character and Is a person to be admired. I imagine it is not a virtue that is ever mastered but constantly learned and striven for.”

“What happened to your father, after he was arrested? If it’s not too personal.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

Kenzo could be heard taking in a deep breath and exhaling. “No, it is not too personal. I do not know, at least not for certain. It is most probable that he did not, like countless others, survive his captivity. If he did, he chose not to return. Either way… by death or by choice… he is no longer a part of my current life. I have mourned him. And my family held a funeral for him before I came to Oed. So there was a small bit of closure, at least.”

Hyrushi, Governor

“I’m so sorry,” and she was. She understood the pain of losing a parent. Not knowing for sure must be 1000x worse. “I can’t imagine how difficult it is to not know. You sound as if you were both very close. What about your mother? You said she was allowed to return to Betazed.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

“She was. ” he said. “She lives on Bajor.” He paused and then sighed softly. “She and I have never been ‘close’, per se. I often think she had a child because it was expected of her, not out of any desire to be a parent.”

Hyrushi, Governor

“That must have been difficult for you growing up, and frightening knowing she was leaving and you and your father had to stay un such a turbulant situation. I’m glad you made it out.” Trauma. She had heard it in that single word earlier. It seemed to be everywhere and touch everyone and everything. “It sounds like you are close with your father’s family?

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

Kenzo paused… a lot. “That… is a discussion for a future meal. One that has a very complex and very… informative… answer.” But he then added “But it is something I find myself wanting to share with you… if that is not too bold of me to say.”

Hyrushi, Governor

When the conversation started his pauses worried her because she didn’t know what they meant. Now she was starting to be aware that he spoke carefully. The pauses didn’t indicate danger, but thoughtfulness. She was unaware of the slight flush to her cheeks. “I can tell a lot by tone and inflection, but those can be an affectation. I have no idea if I am providing decent conversation or if you are nearly falling asleep to the drone of my voice.” It was true she didn’t know, but there was that tone of banter in her voice again. It might be bold, but I appreciate the candor. I look forward to hearing those stories when you’re ready.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

“Do you like sushi, Ms. Dillon?” Hyrushi asked immediately after she finished talking. “And if you do… could we have our next meal tomorrow evening? I do not wish to pressure you, and you are free to decline until a later date, if you would prefer. I would simply like…” and there was the pause again, “… I would like to enjoy your company sooner rather than later.”

Hyrushi, Governor

Surprise and nervousness and uncertainty. She had agreed to dinner, and she very much wanted to spend the time with him. It had been a long time. Not since Gavin when she entered the House. She didn’t quite trust her instincts. Was she ready to date? She had agreed and she wanted to. Did layer rather than sooner really make a difference? Probably not. He was the first stranger in years that didn’t provoke an anxiety attack in her. Her heart raced as she took that leap. “I want to, but I don’t know if I can. We’ve only just arrived. Would it be terribly rude of me to take out my comm at the table to check. Or you could direct me to the foyer?” Caitlyn was raised with manners and she felt it rude to be distracted by devices when your focus should be on the people with you. She had only answered the comm earlier because he had said he had sent her his contact and she wanted to make sure she got it.

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

“Please, do make your call. I will give you some privacy, but I will be where you only need wave and I will return.” She could hear him stand and move away, only to return the few steps he had taken and he set his hand on her shoulder. A wave of security and safety washed over her. “Just raise your hand I will come back. You are not alone… I promise.” and he stepped away.

Hyrushi, Governor

She heard him return and turned her face towards him curiously. She was not prepared for the touch on her shoulder. She didn’t flinch, but it was obvious she hadn’t anticipated it. His words struck an anguished chord in her. His words did more to reassure her than the feelings he shared, but there was still anguish over her past. “Thank you.” The words were quiet but full of feeling. Her unique comm appeared in her hand after she took a long drink of her water. Her fingers taped at the keys rapidly and she listened as the device read the response to her. There were questions, that she promised to answer when she got back. Though it was pretty obvious Caitlyn had met someone fairly unique. Only Ashran new who it was. Or at least he thought he did.

The comm disappeared into her pocket and she half turned toward where she had last heard his foot steps and raised her hand. She didn’t leave it up long, not wanting to look like a school child, and she told herself it was silly to feel that instinctual rush of fear of no one answering. At least these days thay feeling wasn’t quite so strong. He was there and if he happened to be looking away she would just raise her hand again in a minute.

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

Footsteps came towards her and Hyrushi’s voice said “I am here, on your left side.” He took his seat and said “You never told me if you like sushi.” There was a definite hint of teasing in his voice. He knew all too well the magnitude of what was being asked of them both at the moment… to lower well-established and indeed necessary protections for the sake of, perhaps, discovering something long absent from both of their lives. So… humor. An art he was adept at, but shared with very few… and none in the recent past.

Hyrushi, Governor

Her posture relaxed as he approached, but it was only noticeable to someone paying attention. “I do like sushi. But I’m a bit of a snob about it,” she added in a conspiratorial whisper, responding to his humor. “Sadly, I haven’t had it in many years.” Before Gavin, Caitlyn had been a bright, bubbly, joyful person. There was affection and fun in the House, but humor was a rare luxury. His drew her like sunshine.

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

“Well, I too am a snob.” Hyrushi said with a level of warmth in his voice that was only increasing, even it was in very small increments. “That is why I prepare it myself. If you would like to, and feel comfortable doing so of course… and your call allows for it as well… perhaps you would do me the honor of dining with me at my home tomorrow night? I would be happy to come get you… so you do not have to make the trip alone.”

Hyrushi, Governor