Posted by Civilian Elias “Eli” Trenor (New Arrival) in The Home I Can’t Have

Posted by Civilian Vashkilu (New Arrival) in The Home I Can’t Have

Posted by Civilian Elias “Eli” Trenor (New Arrival) in The Home I Can’t Have
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻

Cmdr Salen had thought it was a good idea. Dradvia had thought about lying, saying that since they were close to Oed, she wanted to talk to Lt. McKenzie, but Salen could read her mind. And Tealor wouldn’t let her lie. Salen agreed it was a good idea to visit them. Dradvia hadn’t wanted to talk to the answering service again, so she sent a text message letting Elias know when she would be there. She didn’t know where Elias and his daughter lived. She didn’t know how to navigate Oed or manage on her own. She didn’t ask him to meet her, though. Dradvia wanted to ask, but she was too used to knowing better than to ask for things. It was a hard habit to break. For work, for her patients, she was learning to do it again, but for herself? She hadn’t learned yet.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli was standing outside the starfleet building, across the courtyard watching the front doors. He had gotten the message, but had no intentions of walking into a Starfleet building if he did not have too. He did not have any open cases with starfleet that he was aware of, but there could be some he was not aware of, and that was not worth the risk.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia had thought about going through the Oed orbital platform, through the CCDA security, but she felt safer coming through Star Fleet. She knew Elias hated Star Fleet, which was the main reason she hadn’t asked him to meet her. She took the time to change out of her uniform before she left the building. Dradvia wore relaxed jeans, a super soft pullover shirt, and then a jacket that was a bit too big. It sort of hid her. She had brushed her hair oddly to hide her jirisa from staring eyes. She was hurting, but she thought it was more from fear than anything else. She was afraid to step outside, but the prospect of getting to see Elias again kept her feet moving.

Dradvia stepped through the door and then the decorative gate that marked the entrance tot he Fleet compound. It was as horrible as she thought it would be. Immediately some man that towered over her was in her space. Commenting on her being new to Oed, he’d love to show her around, and it could be rough, and no place for anyone to go around alone. Dradvia stumbled away a few steps unable to catch her breath. It was okay; he was Star Fleet, and he was still in uniform. He wouldn’t hurt her. She tried to convince herself of that, but wasn’t it someone disguised as an officer who took her back to Mas… to Lokhar? She needed to find somewhere to sit alone so she could call Elias.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli watched as the man approached her, he decided pumling hte man for making her uncomfortable would only spoil his time with her. “Dradvia!” he called out, The giant of a man stood in his typical cargo pants and white tank top, his tatto clear for all to see. It was clear he was Maquie for anyone that knew, and for the starfleet camera’s well there was not way to avoid it. The fist time his face hit a camera on OED he was likely flagged, His last records though indicated he was a war hero, he had not been caught doing anything against the federation or their alies, though he had.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

The days of judging others for being part of the Maquie were mostly gone. Too many things had happened since then. It was a tough time for everyone. There were some holdouts of course, but there were other problems to focus on. Eli hadn’t been flagged other than to identify who he was.

Dradvia heard her name called and her eyes flew with anxiety to find the source before the voice registered. “Elias!” He watched her whole posture relax, the shadow in her eyes disappear. He was here, he came to meet her. She smiled at him and skirted around the other man and fought the urge to run towards him.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli was very gracefull in his movements, his agility clear and odd for someone whith his build. He moved quickly and before she knew it, she was in his arms and two feet off the ground. “I missed you Dove” he said. “I missed you alot,” he said hugging her tight to his chest. Vash had been scolding him earlier for not telling Dradiva how he felt, how she was scared and not a mind reader. Eli was worried that he would hurt her in some way that somehow she did not want him. Vash called him an idiot and left for the night club.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

The officer watched and realizing he was outclassed turned and left.

Dradvia gasped as he engulfed her. There was no panic though. She hid her face into his neck, her arms wrapped around him by pure instinct. She took a deep breath, getting a lungful of his cologne, soap, and something purely Eli. She felt her heart settle into a more easy rhythm and her anxiety and fear drain out of her. Dove. He’d missed her? “I’ve missed you so much, Elias.” Tears made her voice tight. She shouldn’t, she knew that, but she’d missed him anyway.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Her head and breath in his neck was euphoric and lit his heart up like a beacon, his pulse began to race. It was all to much for him, “What would you like to do while you are here, if you think of it, OED problably has it ” he said setting her down, and taking her hand in his.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia felt chilly now that his arms weren’t around her.Her fingers twined with his and held on a little too tight as she looked around the very busy street and massive city. She hadn’t paid much attention when she was here before. “Umm, I… I don’t know.” She remembered a conversation she’d had with Dr. Tessan once. “Dr. Tessan asked me once where I would go on Vacation. I didn’t know then either, he told me to think about it, but I still…” She gave that self-conscious shrug, “I told him Betazed because Kryssa,” her voice caught on the name and caught her breath. “She always wanted to go,” she finished on a whisper after a moment.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli looked down at her, “Who is Kryssa, you never mentioned her before” he asked he had heard the momentary pause but she seemed important, and Eli wanted to know everything about her. He moved toward a small park that would be a little quieter, the crowds were likely getting to her.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia swallowed, and her free hand reached up to wipe a tear away. She took a several breaths, but she didn’t speak until the entered the quieter park. It felt wrong to speak of Kryssa in the crowds. “She,” her voice cracked and she tried again. “She was my sister, my family. Like you and your daughter are family.” Dradvia hated the crowds and she was grateful Elias had turned this way, though she had no idea he’d done it on purpose for her.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

“Oh?” Eli inquired as he found a small bench near a pond to sit and enjoy each other. “Will you tell me about her?” he asked cupping her hand in both of his. He now felt a need to be close to her, he was not sure when they would get together again.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia sat and held his hand a bit tighter and it trembled. “Kryssa was… beautiful. She was Betazoid. She had shinny red hair and a laugh that made everyone else laugh. She liked to weave and made the most stunning cloth and clothes. We… we grew up in the orphanage together. She hated poetry but loved to make different drinks for all us kids to try.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli listend intently as she described her, it made him think of his sister, oh how he missed his sister, she was a spitfire that captured everyones attention. “Go on” he said with genuine interest.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia didn’t want to, she didn’t want to think about how it all ended and what Lokhar had done. Or what she suspected he had done. “Her mother worked at the orphanage when we were little. She brought Kryssa with her every day. We were always best friends. Her mom died in an accident when she took a group hiking. Kryssa became one of us. She liked to camp on the beach with a bonfire. She would make blankets for all the new kids, no matter how old, that came. We were going to open a little shop in the market and sell her clothes and my jewelry.” Her other hand picked at the hem of her coat, eyes fixed on nothing on her lap.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli’s hand pulled her face up so he could look in her eyes. “She sounds very nice, do you like to camp?” he asked woundering now what they would do for the next day or so if she was scared to be around people. Maybe they could rent a hollosuite for the few days and go camping somewhere.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia’s eyes were filled with an emotion that Eli was very familiar with. Grief and Guilt. Tears shimmered there. “She was.” The word was hung loud between them.

Dradvia swallowed the grief and pain down past her throat. She sniffled once and took a breath. “Camping? I… I used to when I was kid. I um…” his eyes were so warm and she couldn’t seem to look away. They distracted her, she could look at his eyes all day. She was never afraid he’d get mad if she did. She dreamed about his eyes.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli smiled never taking his eyes away from her’s, she was something special to him now, a hope maybe a promis that was never met or he thought he would never be able to get in this life. The last time he had felt this it had meant everything, and cost him it as well. “Is that a yes?”

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia blinked slowly trying to remember what he had asked. Camping, he had asked about camping. Her eyes dropped, it was instinct, but there was no fear in the action, just hard learned instinct. “Yes, I think so. I haven’t been since I was a child.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

He let out a sigh, “umm is it ok if Vash comes with us, I know she really wants to get to know you” he asked. He needed her to get along with Vash, if she could not then there was not hope for the two of them. “It would be on a holosuit I dont really know anywhere here we can go” he noted

Thalen Kirell
Owner: Soma Nightclub.

“No, I don’t mind if she comes.” She wasn’t even disappointed. She liked how Elias included his daughter in everything. Dradvia started twisting the hem.of her coat again. “Are… I… I don’t think she would want to see me, Elias. I was really mean to her.” She bit her lip, trying not to get upset. “I… wasn’t very nice or… behaved when I was with you.” Shame engulfed her.

Maybe she could make up for it. “My counselor I had when I was here. She… she said her family had land near a Colonial wild park. Where people can camp and hike. But there are a lot of rules I think. Because the land is so fragile I guess.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

His hand glided under her chin pulling her eyes to his. “I like it better when you look at me, it makes be feel seen” he said softly. “I can’t speak for my daughter, but she is full of compassion, and knows what you were dealing with, she could feel it like your feelings were her own. ” he said as his thumb stroked her cheek.

Thalen Kirell
Owner: Soma Nightclub.

Dradvia’s breath caught in her lungs. He liked her looking at him? How could anyone not see Elias? He carried himself in a way that drew others to him or made them run. That made her grin slightly. “I’m sorry I hurt her and you. I… I wish I could say I don’t remember what I did, but I do. I’m so sorry.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

He brusehd her hair aside, he did not like her face being hiden behind it, “I can tell you that she is not mad, and neither am I, There is nothing to be sorry about” he did not even want to mention Lohkar’s name. “Which would you like Dove? Real or a hollo?” he asked her

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

His touch was warm and so gentle. She pressed her cheek into his palm before she could stop herself. Hours she’d spent wishing for him, to feel just the slightest touch. To not feel alone. It was always Elias she thought of.

Now that he asked, she realized the idea of the holodeck had made her nervous. It took a long moment to figure out why. When Dradvia realized why she shied away from the memory. “Real please. I… I don’t want to go back to a holodeck.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli seemed to understand, though he did not know why he suspected it had to do with her old life. “Ok Dove, would you like to go back to our flat, get some food delivered.. We can talk till vash comes home and then we will make plans ok?”

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

A little flush and smile hit her cheeks when he called her Dove again. She wanted to ask him why he called her that, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for the answer. Just coming to visit him was overwhelming enough. “I’d like that ifit’sokay.” If not she could stay at the fleet complex. She didn’t want to, she wanted to be with Elias.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli took her by the hand and stood, they walked rather quietly through the city. Eli pointed out various land marks and things to look for if she got turned around. When they got back to the small flat, he led her inside it was a humble lay out with minimal furnishing. The furnishing that was there though was warm and looked expensive. “well here we are” he said handing her a small coms device. “In case we get seperated, so you can reach Vash and I” he noted. He pressed it into her hand with urgency, concern on his face. “Please have a look around”.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia didn’t mind not having to talk. She paid close attention to everything he said. The things that he sounded excited about, the things that took a hint of boredom, the places is posture was more relaxed and where he was more alert. It was like he was her own personal Giger counter of danger.

Their flat was simple. She liked it. After her years on Lokhar’s ship, luxury and extravegance equaled danger for Dradvia. She took the comm and held it tightly. The concern on his face made her heart start racing, but not in a good way. Was something wrong? She was afraid to ask. She didn’t really move around; Dradvia was too timid to explore.

The flat was open, but with various areas. A thick plush rug, floor pillows that would no doubt be like laying on a cloud. Fabrics of various textures, but high quality. The colors were simple though, earth tones that were masculine, but with splashes of floral colors. It looked a little like a meadow. His daughter’s influence she guessed. There didn’t appear to be any personal items in the main room. Except there was a blanket that looked older, the corner of a book peeking out from under a cushion, and what looked like a cleaning/maintenance kit for a weapon. Dradvia swallowed.

She gravitated toward the most utilitarian spot in the room. A set of wooden stools near the kitchen counter. Even those weren’t plain. They were made of expensive hard wood, made by hand, and covered in luscious cushions. She got a slight peek through an open door that led to a bedroom. There she saw more personal items, or it appeared anyway. There were dishes with a left over meal on the kitchen counter, as if waiting for someone to grab on their way out. It was tidy, but lived in. There was a life here, this was someone’s home. Elias’ home. Her heart ached a little.

Dradvia cleared her throat as she looked at the comm. “Umm… I… I have my Fleet comm. I have to keep it on me. I… is… is that okay?” She should have asked before she came here with him.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli watched as she took everything in, she was still so tramatized he smiled at here as she finaly took a seat. “It’s ok, I have nothing to hide at the moment” which was mostly true. “Make your self at home, you can have my room while you are her, I can take the couch” he said moving to the kitchen. “Do you like meat?” he asked.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia froze. She hadn’t thought about where she’d sleep. She looked at the couch. It was comfortable, but it wasn’t big enough. And well how did she explain the last time she’d slept in an actual bed was when he and his daughter had stopped and they stayed at that hotel? “Yes, meat is fine.” She twisted her hands together trying to figure out how to tell him. He’d think she was worried he’d join her, and she wasn’t. She knew Elias wouldn’t do that. “Ummm… keep your bed. I can’t sleep there.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli put a stake down and makes up some stirfry and rice. “Still having a hard time sleeping on beds?” he asked not really phased by the statement. “Vash may have a few floor pillows if that will work you can place them on the floor in my room if it will make you feel safer” he noted.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia nodded with a swallow that semi stuck in her throat. She had tried something similar with Cmdr Salen, but when she woke up, she had panicked thinking she was with Lokhar again.

“I sleep on the couch or in the corner,” she said quietly. “I… was doing better before I went back to my ship.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli smiled, “Stand” he said.

Her response was immediate. Dradvia stood before the word was even out of his mouth. She hated herself for that because it wasn’t an order, and it didn’tscare her. But she couldn’tstop the knee jerk reaction.

Once she had he lifted the couch and placed it in the corner of his bedroom.

Dradvia’s eyes almost bugged out of her head. “What…?” She followed him down the short hall and watched as he placed took the couch into his room. She was extremely curious about what his room would look like, but she was too stunned to notice.

“There now you can feel safe and be comfortable.” he said taking her hand he moved into the kitched, stat her down at the table and then when back to cooking.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Eli’s hand was warm and stong and she liked how it felt wrapped around her own hand. “Thank you,” her voice was whisper quiet. She cleared her throat and tried again a bit louder. “Thank you.” He didn’t have to do that, but they both knew that. She thought it would be ungrateful for her to point it out, so he didn’t say it.

She at the table quietly a moment overwhelmed by his kindness. It was a big deal to Dradvia. Really big. Salen was kind to her, but she never just did anything knowing it would be easier. Dradvia had to ask. Dradvia knew there was a reason for that and didn’t feel slighted by Salen.

This felt so much more than kindness though. She glanced away from him while she struggled to stop the emotion from spilling out of her eyes. She didn’t think she could explain if he asked. After a moment, the sting left her eyes, and Dradvia was able to turn back and watch him. She shouldn’t, but Elias was handsome, devestaingly so. She’d never really noticed that about anyone else. Before her thoughts could run away from her she searched for something to say. “Can I help?”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli sat and listened to her as he cooked. He could tell something wat up her poster was gaurded more than normal. It was ok if she needed to keep some composure, he did not mide. “Yes Dove, if you like, come here. Have you cooked stirfry before?” he asked

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Every time he said ‘Dove’ it felt like something clicked into place. It shocked her she liked it. She’d never liked nicknames. But she likes Elias doing it.

She stood and walked over to him. She liked being close to him like this. It settled every nerve and worry inside her. “No. I’ve never cooked much.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Well no time like the present” he noted, as he pulled her between him and the counter both arms sheltering each side of her as he, “The trick here is to cook the meet to being just past rare,” he said point to the meet with th tongs, His body was close. He pulled out the onion, peppers and rice. Showing her and helping her cutt and prepare each things the cook it in the wok. He liked being close to her, more than he should, sometime he wondered if vash had slipped him the OX-9 to make him connectect with someone. He knew she would never do that but still.

Thalen Kirell
Owner: Soma Nightclub.

Dradvia loved spending time with him. There was something really easy about it. With him so close, Dradvia felt warm and safe. He’d held her much closer than this while he helped her through the withdrawl.

She didn’t even flinch when he picked up the knife. She just watched as he expertly cut the food. Then he gave her the knife to let her try. She went about it all wrong, but he showed her. After a moment she began to laugh. It was light, soft, and simple joy.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli was enjoying teaching her something trivial, something that there was no realy purpose in other than to enjoy it with someone else. When he heard her laugh his heart skipped a beat, he had never heard her laugh, and woundered if she had laughed ever, in her recent memory. I was the sweatest sound he had heard in a long time, other than maybe vash agreeing to be his daughter. He squeezed her tighter, not making a point of the laugh but to continue the instruction and the fun. Though his breath released and a small laugh escaped.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

When he squeezed her, Dradvia leaned back against his chest briefly. His arms felt safe..she heard the small laugh and the smile on her face grew. He had a deep wonderful laugh. The moment was so… normal? No, this wasn’t normal, at least not the way Dradvia knew it. It was safe. She was holding a knife and not being punished. Chopping onion and it was all horribly mismatched and uneven, and she wasn’t afraid of being in trouble. “This is easy.” Her tone made it clear she wasn’t talking about chopping onion.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli was sure she did not mean the cooking, and he had to agree. “Easy” he said in response with another squeeze. His cheek pressing down momentarily on the top of her head. He did not want to eat, just stay and cook all night, that was not real. He moved the bowls of vegatbles, “Ok little bit of oil now in the wok, add the vegatble and Sir” he said with yet another squeeze

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

A wave of warmth spread over her as Elias put his cheek against her head. Dradvia grabbed the oil and catefully added 3 drops to the wok. The wasbwhen Elias squeezed her again. She giggled, but ended up dropping more pil into the pan. “Oh no.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli laughed a little, “Its ok, grab the ladel and spoon some out before you put the vegitables in” he said pointing to the ladel. He had always wanted someone to share little things with, and vash had filled part of that void, but there were parts that could not be filled.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia grabbed the ladel and scooped some of the oil out. She turned to find the sink to pour it out. Elias was close, so wonderfully close. She was distracted by him. She bumped into him, the oil splashed over onto the floor with a wet splat.

The color drained from her face and she backed up against the counter, staring in horror at the mess she’d made. “I’m sorry. I’ll clean it up. I’m sorry.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli looked at her, Grabbed the ladel scouped up some oil and poored it out on the floor..

Dradvia watched him utter disbelief. He just dropped oil all over the floor.

“Oops” he said with a wicked grin on his face.

That grin did something to her. It made him look mischievous and playful but not dangerous. She wanted to see it again. But she glanced down at the mess realizing she should be more worried about making a mess…

“Guess I’m sorry too” he said, it was not to mock her, but to show it was ok. He laughed louder now.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

On Purpose! He did it on purpose. Elias dumped so they were both at fault. His laugh was contagious and the most amazing sound. Dradvia smiled, but the swirl of emotion and unnecessary adrenaline spike overwhelmed her making her eyes water. “You… you didn’t have to do that.” She was smiling at him, and then spotted a towel and grabbed it to clean up the mess.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Elias took hold of her arm as she moved to reach for the towl. “Leave it, we’ll get it later” he said tugging her back into his arms and turning her back to the food. His lips pressed against her head softly as he held her close to himself. “We would not want our meat to get cold, add the veggies and the noddles” he said softly.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia looked up at him, she was still when he took her arm, but there was no fear in her gaze. A shock of surprise gasped out of her as he tugged her back and spun her back around. She was right back where they started, wrapped in his arms working on their food. She felt his lips press against her head. Eli felt this weird little shiver of tension and relaxation ripple through her.

Did… did he just kiss her? It wasn’t a kiss kiss, but he still kissed her, right? Why wasn’t she freaking out? She should be freaking out. Shouldn’t she?

Then his words settled. Slowly, as if afraid she would shatter the moment she added the veggies and the noodles to the wok and carefully and slowly began stir them.

Tealor?? What should I do??

Vashkilu, New Arrival

tealor could be hear laughing playfully when she asked. Enjoy the time with him, enjoy his touch, touch him back just be Dradvia, there is little right or wrong to it, just enjoy it and if your compatible it will hold, if not you will have had fun!

But! That wasn’t helpful. Honestly though, Dradvia wasn’t expecting anything else. She wasn’t sure she wanted her boss giving her relationship advice anyway. Except she had no one else to ask, and she was unsure and anxious.

Eli squeezed again, being with her again, this time with her being more her then slave made things so much easier. He did not want her to return back to starfleet. Part of him wanted to take her to his home world and hide her, but he knew that would not be good for either of them.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia sighed back into him when he squeezed her again. It didn’t feel the same as it did before. Before she had this feeling she was dying even when he held her. Now she felt… solid. But she’d missed him so much, missed him holding her.

The veggies and noodles were stirred slowly making sure they didn’t stick or burn. Dradvia didn’t want to go back to Star Fleet. She didn’t feel safe there. She had no where else to go though. And she wouldn’t tell Elias. She knew he’d try to save her again, and that felt like using him. So she’d listen to Tealor and just enjoy the moment.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

It was not long before the food was ready and he sat the plates down next to eachother not across. “Have a seat,” he said pulling the chair out for her.

She wouldn’t hesitate, she wouldn’t hesitate, she told herself as he pulled the chair out for her. It was …

*He is courting you how sweet” tealor quibbed

Her face flamed bright red. She looked down to hide it. You can go away now.

If you wish, I’ll just be over her if you need me his voice rang out in her head sarcastically.

She almost sighed. I’m sorry. She was, she didn’t want to be rude or mean. Dradvia just didn’t know how to explain that she had the mind/memories/patial soul of her boss in her head.

Once she was seated he sat down next to her, almost shoulder to shoulder. He paused a moment, vash told him to be honest to stop being so stuborn. “I’ve missed you” he said pouring her some water.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

She looked up at him, turning her head to see him. She couldn’t imagine he really had missed her. The person she’d been then was not someone she wanted him to miss. But she’d missed him. More than she should. It hadn’t stopped. It hadn’t gotten better, she’d just gotten used to it. She didn’t feel like she was dying without him around anymore. Dradvia didn’t say those things because she didn’t want him to think she was looking for praise or compliments. “I’ve missed you too. A lot.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli started to smile then the blood drained from his face and he shoot out of the seat like a wild Targue was chasing him. He disapeared into what he had said was his office .

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia reached for his arm when he went pale. Was he sick? Then he was gone. Just like that. She shouldn’t have said anything. She’d offended him or something. She wrapped her arms around her stomach. She couldn’t eat now.

I should not follow him. So much for him courting me. It was a stupid thought. Elias wouldn’t want someone with her past. No one would.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli came seconds later, though it felt like an eternity. In his hands a giant bouque of pink roses, tied with silver silk, and in a crystal vase, the workmanship she had never seen but it rivaled the best she had ever seen on Lohkars ship. It hid his face from view it was so large all 36 roses fanned out, and in his other hand a small bear wearing a silver necklass witha crystal on it that she did not recognize. The way the light reflected through the crystal was hypnotic. He sat it down in the center of the table. “I forgot to put these out, I got them for y..” he looked at here. “Dradvia I’m sorry i just, I did not mean to.. ” he scratched his head, “These are yours I ”

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia stared at them. Speechless. She felt like she was having emotional whiplash. Pink… roses? Those were roses right? Yes, roses, one of her roommates at the Academy had been given them once. Red ones. These were prettier. And … wow there were so many! She glanced up at him. “For me?” Her eyes landed on the bear. He got her a bear! It was so cute and looked super soft. “W…” she licked her lips. She should not ask why. That might offend him. But she didn’t understand why he got them.

Her finger gently brushed some of the petals. They were silky soft, and there were so many she didn’t have to get closer to smell them. They took up the entire table. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

He looked at her and sat back down. “The pink means new or a milestone, and comfort, and sweet, and new beginings” he said with a smile, “All things I want for yo, us” he said. “The bear, well I thought it was cute” he laughed.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia looked at the roses with new perspective. Her eyes flew to his when he said ‘us’. She didn’t even register what he said about the bear. But he was laughing and it made her smile. Us? He had to mean him and his daughter and then for her. He couldn’t mean him and her… “Us?” Her voice was soft. It was hard to tell how she felt. She wasn’t panicking and running away. But she had to have misunderstood. Right?

Vashkilu, New Arrival

no he meant you and him, you silly girl tealor said with a laugh, And did you not see the necklass? it looks ......nice

She hadn’t noticed the necklace. Dradvia was more excited about the teddy bear.

Eli looked at her had he upset her, she seemed confused, maybe she did not like him that way, I mean he was way older than him, maybe he was just being stupid. “Im sorry if I overstepped, Im..” he paused. “Im too old for you, I ” he paused again and looked down at his food. “Im sorry I get excited sometimes, I’m sorry if I upset you”

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Hesitantly, uncertain, she set a hand on his arm. “Too old for me?” She was confused. Slowly her mind filtered through everything and came to the conclusion Tealor was flashing big neon arrows at.

Dradvia chewed her lower lip. She was unsure of what to say. Not sure she was brave enough. She certainly wasn’t confident. “Elias… you aren’t old.” She chewed her lip again, her stomach churning in knots of anxiety and shyness. “I umm I’m not upset. You.. I … I mean why? Would you want… No, ummm overstep. They’re beautiful.” Her other hand was twisting the hem of her shirt. “I’ve really missed you. So much. I listen to you sing when I’m scared.” She was rambling. “But ummm but why? I mean I… I like you, but I’m… I..” She looked away. “I was a slave, Elias.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli shook his head, “im old enough to be your father, gandfather in my culture” he said , he was not sure how to explain it. “I dont care that you were a slave, you are many things, as am I” he said. “Including a thief and a killer” he noted. “Ugg i ruined the night im sorry”

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

She was biting her lip enough she might bruise it. She was confused… no conflicted… no she didn’t know. Then a horrid thought occurred to her. Why he was making a point of his age. “You…” she closed her eyes, turning her head away, her voice small. She wanted to cry. “I understand… I think. You… you’re just trying to be clear. You… you don’t want me to… to … to want you. To be attached. IknowIactedverybadly. I’m sorry. I… I can go. I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable, Elias.” She paused trying to stop the ache in her throat. “Thank you. For making me safe.” She reached for the bear and hugged it. She didn’t even really look at the necklace. It was pretty, but the bear… just meant more. “Can… can I keep the bear anyway?”

Vashkilu, New Arri1val

His voice was but a whisper, “no” he said and there was a long pause,

Dradvia clutched the bear tighter when he said no. Just the bear, she wanted to keep it. To remember him. Elias was… he was her safe place. Or… she thought he was. She closed her eyes with the silence. She didn’t want this to be real. She needed to go; she’d made Elias uncomfortable.

“please don’t go, I have wanted to be with you since the first time I saw you, something inside changed that day Dove” he said. “Please stay, please want me, I don’t think I’ll survive if you go.” Eli’s face was pleeding he was holding his breath.
Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia’s eyes flickered up at him. Her brows drawn together. She dropped her eyes back to the bear. “I don’t want to go.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “You’re the only place I feel safe. You make me smile… and laugh. I…” Her voice dropped lower, “I do want you. I feel it here,” she tapped her chest, “but I don’t know what that means. I just know I feel it.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli placed his hand on hers, “i dont know what any of it means, ” he said almost as soft, he reached fornher cheek with his other hand. “I mean i do, i have felt it befor and its scares me, “

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia’s fingers twined with his. She’d missed being so close to him. Her eyes closed and ber cheek pressed into his hand. Her other hand was absently playing with the necklace on the bear. “I don’t want to scare you.” She couldn’t imagine anything scaring Elias. Except loosing his family. Having her around risked that. “Mas.... Lokhar is powerful. You’re afraid for your daughter. He could hurt her or you because of me. I don’t want that.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Lohkar, Eli was not afraid of him, he had respect for the power but on on one he was sure he could kill him. He spat on the floor, “i dont fear Lohkar,” he said with a snort. “I fear losing you” he said. “I cant love someone again and lose them” he said lowering his eyes. “I wont survive it again.” He said his thumb stroking her cheek.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Three names were whispered into the silence. His wives and Alana, his sister. Dradvia remembered their names. He had a daughter and an unborn child. He lost his parents. Dradvia didn’t think she compares to his wives. To be loved the way she heard in his voice.

She didn’t understand what he wanted though. He begged her to stay and then kept giving her reasons he needed her to leave. “I understand… sort of.” She’d lost everyone she had when Kyrssa died. Her sister and her whole family.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

“Im so bad at this” he said , then something came over him, a way he could show her. He pulled her face up so.he could see her eyes, his mouth met hers so softly he was not sure she could feel it. His ha d pulled her close as thier lips came together foe the fiest time. Elies heart skiped a beat, and time slowed to a stop as real lofe and his heart finally aligned.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia’s brows drew down. How could he be bad at something that had no right way? His hand was insistent but gentle as he got her to look at him. She loved his eyes.

Then he leaned in. He was going to kiss her! She panicked. She wasn’t ready for this! She didn’t think she ever would be. But she held still in her panic.

Her last coherent thought was it didn’t hurt. Then Elias had pulled her closer, and she was lost. She was safe; she was home.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Thi kiss was soft, loving and gental. It was noninvasive and just them. When he finally pulled away. he brushed her hair aside, searching her eyes for clarity, for understanding. “Now do you see?” he asked.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia was lost in warmth and softness and something she never felt from anyone. It was Love, but she didn’t know that. When Elias pulled away, Dradvia began to tremble. Her heart knew she was safe, but instinct told her to run. Except Elias was her safe place. She wasn’t sure when it happened, but he was. Her eyes fluttered closed as he brushed her hair aside, the. They opened, caught in the impossibly kind and strong gaze.

He continued to search her gaze, would she understand, he was not sure he fully understood, but the feeling he knew all too well.

She looked away, but like a magnet her eyes came back. Still she trembled. “I… yes…” Her gaze dropped again, but again she couldn’t seem to help herself as she looked at him again. Her eyes held wonder and hope, all centered on Elias. But there was worry and loneliness and fear too. Something was bothering her, but she was loathe to say it.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

“What is it Dove?” he asked her, he could see the question trying to reveal itself, something she feared, he would kill it.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Her face flushed, but this wasn’t a shy innocent flush, this was flush filled with trauma, shame, and guilt that she couldn’t hide it and keep it from ruining everything.

Dradvia’s eyes dropped again, unable to look at him now. She worried the hem of her shirt, chewed her lip. Her body trembled like she was slightly cold. “People…ummmm,” she swallowed, “people who are… are ummm.... together. They ummm they are romantic.” Her chest felt tight and tears stung and closed her throat. “I… I can’t.” She thought she might want to some day, but… she couldn’t now.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Oh she’s worried about that, it had been more years than he could possibly remember, it was certianly nothing he was worried about. He had his heir and daughter he did not need more. “Dove, don’t worry about that, that is not what Im after” he said. “I would be honored if some day that were to occure, but I will be happy with you with out it.” he said pulling her eyes up, so she could see the truth of it.

Her eyes didn’t lift right away. She was embarrassed and uncomfortable with the topic. But she had to be honest with him. Her eyes did lift to his eventually though.

“It’s ok, we will be ok” he said

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

She didn’t believe that. Elias could see that. She hoped it was true. He could see that in her gaze too. Dradvia didn’t know what to say to him. She was still a bit dazed over him kissing her. She was stunned she hadn’t broken down in hysterics. She clutched the bear tighter. It was soft and the perfect size.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

He could almost feel her doubt, His mouth moved close to her ear now, so close she could feel his breath.. “Dradvia, I have not been with a woman in any capacity in almost a decade” he said with a soft whisper, “I can wait, I promis” he said, “And if It never happens, then I have you” he said

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

A shiver raced over her skin when he was so close. She liked it. She felt nervous, but in a good way. One word in all that made her feel seen. It was stupid, but it meant so much. “Say it again?” she whispered, a plea. “My name, say it again?”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli was not sure how she was responding , but he liked being close to her in any way he could. When she asked him to say her name he was not sure why, but it was something she wanted so he would accomidate. “Dradvia” he name brushed softly accross her ear, from the strong whisper that proceeded from his lips.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia shivered as his voice rippled over her. And like once before in the shuttle, she curled herself into his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck. The bear was caught between them. She breathed him in, like she had only an hour or so ago when she arrived. Tears stung her eyes and then spilled over.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli pulled himself around her his chin resting on her head. It was a long time before he responded, he sat just taking it in. “Im sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” he said frinally. “I just really wanted you to know how I feel”

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia shook her head, “You didn’t.” Her voice was choked, and she was silent for awhile longer after that. Trying to calm down. She wasn’t scared or hurt, but Elias made her feel safe which just caused the emotion to pour out more freely.

After several minutes and took a deeper breath. “I’m sorry.” She stayed curled up beside him. “I… it means everything that you use my name. Mas… Lokhar didn’t let us have names. He changed them or called us things. We weren’t allowed to use names among ourselves. We had designations and that is all we were allowed to use.”

She trembled at the memories. Dradvia was quiet another moment, trying to find the words she needed. “You call me Dove. I… like it,” she whispered, “but when it really mattered you called me Dradvia.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli listened but lost what she said after she mentioned Lohkar, the nick name he used was causing her harm, he had not intended that, he was not sure why he was calling her that to begin with. “I’m sorry, I’ll never call you Dove again Dradvia, I never meant for the name to hurt you”

Clearly he had not hear her correctly, he never wanted her to feel small, she was larger than life to him and she should know it

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

“No!” This was why Dradvia shouldn’t be doing this. She didn’t know how to talk to people in a real conversation. How to communicate, how to share, how to be open and safe from vulnerability. She should leave, she sort of wanted to. She wanted to disappear with her shame. Dradvia just couldn’t bring herself to move away from him though. “No, please Elias, don’t stop. I like it. I do.” She tipped her head back to look up at him. “Really, I like it. It’s just… I wanted you to know how much it means to me that you used my name when you were explaining to me after,” her voice dropped to a whisper and her face turned a pretty shade of pink, “you kissed me.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Eli’s mind was full of fog not, but he managed to proccess what she said. “Oh” he said, and then she looked up at him. “Dradvia, my Dove, ” he said staring in her eyes. He pulled her close again, his lips once again finding hers.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Her face flushed brighter when he said ‘my’. It didn’t scare her like she would have thought it would. Elias didn’t want to control her. Then he kissed her again. She was so still except for the trembling. She didn’t kiss him back. It would be some time before she had the courage to believe that she could. She relaxed after a moment. She had that same instinctive feeling of home. Dradvia wanted to hold on to it forever, and her arms reached around him, hugging him and holding herself close.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

Elias felt a little sadness when he realized she was not kissing him back, he released the kiss and settled into the embrace instead. He was not sure how to process really. She was having a hard time with the intemacy and he did not want to push her further than she wanted to go. Soon he released the embrace, shall we eat?” he asked

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

A very tiny sound of disappointment left her when he pulled away. He didn’t let her go right away, and she thought he might kiss her again. Then he did and suggested their food. She scrambled back to her chair, looking at her plate to avoid apologizing for being so bad at all of this. Dradvia felt like she was failing before she’d even had a chance to try.

“Yes. It smells delicious. I… I didn’t know you cooked.” Dradvia spoke quietly and took a sip of her water. All the food she remembered having in the shuttle his daughter had made. Or, she thought his daughter had.

Vashkilu, New Arrival

“Dradvia” he said servering up the stir fry. “I don’t expect you to be anything you are not, do anything you don’t want too. Just be who you are now, it’s ok” he said pooring her a fruity drink. “If you slip and call Lohkar Master, it will not offend me, im not like your starfleet counslors. I want you to be you, flaws and all” he said. “Only, I ask that you give me the same curtisy?” he said sitting down next to her, pulling his plate to himself.

“Of course,” she hurried to say. “I promise.”

“Does that makes sense, I want you to be honest with me, with how you are feeling.” he asked. Thing was he could not read her mind, he could not feel her emotions though part of him seemed to have a sicksense of what she needed, he was human.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

“It does.” She reached for her fork staring intently at the plate but not seeing it. Very softly she spoke. “Elias?”

“Have I not given you that courtesy?” She lifted her eyes to look at him. “I try to be kind, but I know that sometimes I do things that I was forced to learn. I don’t always realize I’ve done them.”

Vashkilu, New Arrival

“you have dove, but the less desirable sides of my have not come out while you are around” he said. “Dradvia, I have hurt people, more than I can count. Killed even, tortured, I am not a perfect man” he said forking his meat and pushing a bit to her lips.

Elias “Eli” Trenor
Medic

Dradvia ate it without thinking. It was delicious, and for a moment, she closed her eyes as she chewed, enjoying the flavor. The moment was quickly gone and she sat quiet for a moment. “You… told me that on the shuttle?” It was a question because many of the first few days was a blur to her.

Vashkilu, New Arrival