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 (11) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
“Understatement there, Chef.” Kus said. He then looked at Hyrushi. “Governor, as always, good to see you. If you need anything at all, we are at your service.” Hyrushi inclined his head and then said “Did Georgia have her baby yet, Chef?” Kus beamed and said “She did. We named her Bernadette after Georgia’s grandmother. Mom and daughter are doing great and came home a week ago.” “I am so pleased.” Hyrushi said. “With your permission, I would like to send them a small gift.” Rus shook his head and said “Sir, that isn’t necessary.” Hyrushi looked at him and said “Of course not, Chef. That’s why it is called a gift.” and the chef chuckled. “Very well, Governor. And thank you. Good day, sir. Chef, it was a pleasure.” and he walked away. Hyrushi looked at her for a long moment and then said “How does it feel being called ‘chef’?” he asked quietly.

Hyrushi, Governor

Caitlyn congratulated him and thanked him again for the wonderful meal. It was such a small universe it seemed. She missed it, so much. His voice pulled her back from the memories, and she sighed. “Truthfully? It’s devastating.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

“May I take your hand again?” he asked softly. “Not to do anything but speak.”

Caitlyn reached out her hand for his. Her hand tingled and sparked as his fingers wrapped around hers in a warm grip. It gave her a sense of stability and grounding, and it made her inhale just a bit deeper.

When her hand was in his he said “We are not defined by our past, but we are shaped by it.” His voice was firm, but not scolding. It held emphasis without being preachy. “Like your pottery clay, we are malleable… we change with pressures and direction. But unlike your pottery, fire does harden us to the point that any change shatters us. It can test us… but it never has to hold us unchanging.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “You. Are. A. Chef. You always will be, even if you do not cook. You have an ability few others do. But just because you do not cook now does not lessen who you were… nor the person you are now. We are all a myriad tapestry of experience. All of those experiences combined make up who were are. Being a Chef is a part of you… and it always will be, no matter what happens in the future.” He held her hand for a long moment in silence, and then slowly drew his back; his fingertips trailing across her palm as he let go.

Hyrushi, Governor

Sparks trailed behind his fingers as he almost caressed her palm. At the last moment, her fingers curled and caught his, holding just a bit longer. “I know. It’s just,” she sighed again, “moments like this remind me how much I lost, Kenzo. It took me a long time to learn how to cook again. I do cook, but I miss the challenge, the intensity, even the competition.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

Kenzo kept her fingers in his. “The future is unwritten. Perhaps someday a way to experience that will present itself. Until then… ” and he squeezed her fingers, “… you have an entire world to explore.”

Hyrushi, Governor

“It’s not just being a chef. That’s just a small but wonderful part of it. Because of the brain damage I had to learn a lot of things all over again. It was almost like being a toddler. I lost my friends and colleagues, my livlihood, my home, my identity, my independence.” Her fingers squeezed his as she smiled, “But I’ve mostly overcome those things, and that makes Oed so exciting. Everything is brand new. I have no memories to compare these experiences to. I’ve finally but the foundations of my new life together and now I get to find it.” Yes what she lost was always going to be painful, she would mourn the loss of those things, of who she used to be and what she thought her life would have been like. But she wasn’t trying to go back and live in the past.

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

“Anyone who would choose to lose anyone remotely like you as a friend is a fool.” Hyrushi said plainly. “But I will be honest, if I may… I take no small measure of personal delight that your journey has brought you here. And I, for one, am very intrigued by what you will bring to the colony… and those that live in it.” His words were spoken in such a way that is was both possible and yet not clear if he was speaking of the community… or possibly himself.

Hyrushi, Governor

His words suggested he might be upset on her behalf. She hadn’t lost her friends because they turned their back on her. It was just a consequence of having to go into hiding. Even if he was only being polite, his comment made her happy, created a warmth in her she hadn’t felt in a long time. He could tell she was delightfully flattered that he liked she was there and said so. “I’ve been here less than 16 hours and Oed has already given me much personally. I am excited to see what happens next.” Her emotions were quite clearly focused on the man she was sitting with.

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

There was that pause again! But when he spoke, it didn’t take an empath to know he was speaking solely about her. “I am as well… Caitlyn.” He took a breath and said “Now I am afraid that work is going to impose upon my desire to stay and speak with you. But I can have a car take you wherever you would like to go.” She could hear him stand up and come closer to her. “I am going to take your hand and place it on my arm now, so that I may guide you outside. Is that alright?” he asked from her left side.

Hyruahi, Governor

That pause was driving her crazy, but not in a bad way. She was disappointed the afternoon was over. But disappointment wasn’t bad, and she had tomorrow evening to look forward to. As much as she might like to stay, she wouldn’t keep him from the work he needed to do. She lifted her hand for his, “Of course.” She stood letting him lead her out of the restaurant. “Thank you, Kenzo. I enjoyed the meal and the company very much.”

She felt the sun on her face as they stepped outside. “If there is a bench or place to wait? Ashran will pick me up. I just have to call him.” It was not ideal to sit alone in a place she was so unfamiliar with. She had told Ashran where she was going and he had promised to wait and pick her up, and they would go back together. She would be alright for a few minutes.

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

“There is a bench here.” and he guided her to it and helped her sit. “When is your ride coming? I must go, but I can have one of my detail stay with you, if it would make you more comfortable.”

Hyrushi, Governor

Caitlyn had pulled out her comm to call Ashran, and she paused to look up at him. The offer was unexpected, but mostly because she hadn’t thought about Kenzo having a security detail. “He should only be a few minutes. It would if it’s not an inconvience.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

“Not at all.” he said and set a hand lightly on her shoulder. “Akiro. Kanojo to issho ni koko ni ite, kanojo ga zettai ni anzendearu koto o kakuninshitekudasai. Karera ga taizai shite iru basho ni mukatte karera no ato o otte modorimasuga,-sū kiromētoru ijō wa oikakenaide kudasai. Mata, sorera ga junshu sa rete inai koto o kakuninshitekudasai.” (Stay here with her and ensure she is absolutely safe. Follow them back towards where they are staying, but do not follow them more than a few kilometers. Also ensure that they are not followed.” An unfamiliar voice (to Caitlyn) said simply “Hai.” (Yes.). Kenzo then said to her. “Akiro will stay with you and make sure you are on your way safely, Ms. Dillon. I look forward to tomorrow. I will see you at seven. Have a wonderful day… and welcome to Oed V.” He gave her shoulder a slight squeeze and then he was gone. There was the sound of a slider and then … just the sounds of the city around her.

Hyrushi, Governor

Caitlyn noticed the more formal address. She didn’t know if he did that for his own privacy alone, or for both of theirs. She was glad though. “Thank you, Governor Hyrushi. I look forward to tomorrow.”

She listened to the slider move away, and she suddenly felt very alone. She was distracted briefly by her comm as Ashran told her he was close. “Akiro? If it doesn’t distract you, could you describe where we are?” He was so silent, not even the hint of shifting weight or sound of his breath. She hadn’t heard him move and she had no idea if he was in the same place or not.

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

“I, err… do no speak standard well. Moment, please.” the ‘Hai’ voice said with a very thick accent. There was a tapping sound and then a similar voice seemed to echo the language (presumably Japanese) Kenzo had used. He said “I will speak through this PaDD. Please repeat what you said.” It was odd to hear him speak softly and then for the device to suddenly translate a heartbeat later. Like it was a movie and the soundtrack was off just a bit.

Hyrushi, Governor

Oh, she hadn’t considered Kenzo had spoken in Japanese (or she assumed so) out of necessity, rather than privacy. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize.” She turned slightly toward the voice. “I had asked if you could describe where we are for me. That’s alright though. Mostly I just wanted to know where you were.”

Dillon, Director, The House Sanctuary

The Japanese started and the PaDD said “You are seated on a bench on the north side of the street in the middle of the block. There is a sidewalk in front of you that runs right and left in front of you. It is approximately three meters wide, and there are trees near the street every fifteen to twenty meters. The restaurant you at is behind you and to your right. To your left next to it is another restaurant specializing in Bajoran food. Across the street is a clothing store and to the left of that is some kind of accessory shop.”

Akiro, Governor’s Security