Posted by Ensign Dradvia (Medical Officer) in Too Often to be Coincidence

Posted by Civilian Sisnil Zoi (Intelligence Consultant) in Too Often to be Coincidence

Posted by Ensign Dradvia (Medical Officer) in Too Often to be Coincidence
Posted by… suppressed (23) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
He took it and easily hefted it to his shoulder. “Don’t be. Actions, remember? I’ll prove you can trust me.” The he winked, and headed off towards engineering.

~ Zoi

A little color spread over her cheeks. She hoped he did. She didn’t know why, but Dradvia hoped he did prove it. They dropped off tricorders and her PaDD that listed the errors. Then she had to go back to finish her reports before her shift ended.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

While Dradvia did her reports, Sisnil picked a quiet spot to sit down and work on a little side project of his.

~ Zoi

Dradvia had trouble concentrating on her reports. Normally the routine allowed her to forget the rhings she wanted to avoid, today it came wiggling back to her foremost thoughts. Her feelings about Sisnil were confusing and scary and she didn’t want to think about it.

She finished her reports and rounds with the incoming doctor. She hung up her coat and headed for the door, only to come face to face with the person distracting her. She stopped and looked at him quietly for a moment. “You’re still here?”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“I needed a quiet place to work,” Sisnil said with a shrug as he stood. “You’re off shift already?”

~ Zoi

“It… it’s been just over an hour.” It had seemed to drag on forever to her. She’d had trouble concentrating on her work. Did he know that? Did he know what she was thinking about instead? She hoped the fact he was surprised she was done meant he had been too focused on his own work. “Yeah, yes I’m done for the day.”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

He was, lucky for her. Sisnil smiled and headed for the sickbay door. “Come on then, dinner time.” He said. He looked at her, judging. Did she want to spend more time with him or did he need to leave her alone for a while? He knew without his twin, he could be too clingy, it was a bit much for most people.

~ Zoi

Dradvia was nervous, but she didn’t want to eat alone in her quarters. Other than the pushy ops Officer she hadn’t met anyone. She was lonely and so was he. She didn’t want him to be lonely, and she liked his company. “Okay,” and she accompanied him out toward the mess.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

When they got there, he got them food. The pushy ops officer was at the only open table. So Sisnil stood over him menacingly, voicelessly saying, go away.

~ Zoi

The officer looked up, on alert, from his half eaten meal, feeling the threat. He saw Dradvia just behind, and his thoughts went soft and excited to see her again. Not so much Sisnil. There was plenty of room at the table, and he wasn’t going to be intimidated by some civilian. “Can I help you?” he asked Sisnil.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“Just looking for a place to sit.” He sat on the far side of the office, gesturing for Dradvia to sit on the other side of him. But he still gave the officer an intimidating glare.

~ Zoi

Dradvia did not want to sit there. She knew how the man was looking at her, even though he kept it more subdued this time. She was suddenly too upset to her stomach to eat. People would notice if she ran away now though. She must not draw attention to herself. She sat with Sisnil between her and the other man.

He smiled easily at Sisnil, “There is plenty of room here. Have a seat. You too Dradvia.” He gestured to a chair. His eyes narrowed as Sisnil gestured Dradvia to a specific seat and she took it. It made him suspicious. She didn’t look comfortable.

“How are you liking the ship so far?” He moved in his seat so he leaned closer toward her. He smiled reassuringly at her.

Dradvia shrugged, “Fine. Smaller than the Academy.” She looked at her food, focusing there, wishing she could leave.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil eyed the officer. It was a look that would probably terrify Dradvia were it directed at her. “How’s about we eat silently, eh, Ensign?”

~ Zoi

Dradvia missed the look because she wasn’t watching, she was focusing on trying to look like she was eating. The other Ensign was good looking, and she was sure most girls would be flattered. She was just uncomfortable.

The young man was full of hubris from words like service and duty as well as the ego of the Ego of Star Fleet. He paled at the look though. Then became indignant. He had a strong urge to tell Sisnil if he wanted silence, he could shut his own trap. However, he did notice how uncomfortable Dradvia was. “Is that a cultural thing? I had a Bwtazoid roommate that rang a gong through every meal, but it never stopped him from talking.”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“Does it have to be a cultural thing if someone wants some peace and quiet?” Sisnil replied. “We don’t have a silence thing, just something against people with big mouths.”

~ Zoi

He saw an opening and took it.”Hmmm… must be why you aren’t on Betazed anymore.” Afterwards he realized he should have gone for a different approach. A low blow like that wasn’t going to win him points with Dradvia. But he didn’t like the way he was always around and controlling who she talked to.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“Helps that I’m not from Betazed in the first place,” Sisnil replied easily, completely unbothered. “Might want to find a few more brain cells before you go trying to be clever.”

~ Zoi

Dradvia had expected worse. Sisnil was calm though, never rising to the bait. Of course, all she could judge by was the tone of his voice. She almost wondered if Sisnil was provoking him on purpose so he wouldn’t bother her.

The man shrugged. He wasn’t going to be provoked over his intelligence. He may not have been the top student, but entry exams guaranteed ever Academy entrant was intelligent. Instead he turned his attention back to Dradvia. “Has Dr. Tessan put you on a regular schedule yet?”

Dradvia shook her head. He had, but she didn’t want to say that. “I’m sure he will soon,” he reassured her, “then you’ll have time so we can all get to know you.”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

At least he wasn’t a total moron. One could pass the Academy’s tests and still be dumb as a box of rocks in other ways. Sisnil grinned, “Are you sure she wants to get to know you? I think that ugly mug’s what makes her uncomfortable.”

~ Zoi

He sat up and looked between them. She was more uncomfortable. “No.” He turned his attention to Dradvia and reached a hand across the table. “Drad, it’s alright. You can do whatever you want. You don’t have to worry about what he thinks or wants.”

Dradvia’s heart was pounding in her chest. Run or fight? She wanted to run, but she couldn’t let him disparage Sisnil like that. She pulled away from him, outright refusing to go near the offered hand. She was uncomfortable, but she belinged to herself and didn’t need anyine’s permission to make choices. She looked at him, eyes angry. “En. Stevens, I make my own decisions. No one makes them for me and no one controls me.” I side she was screaming, shaking, falling apart at the attention. “I take orders from my superior Officer, but no one owns me.” She spoke quietly, no one else could hear her. Then she stood, returned her tray and left.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil was proud. Really, happy for her. He shot Stevens one last look, took his tray and cleared it, and then exited the galley himself. He reached out for Dradvia’s mind. Did he go to her? Or did she need to be left alone? He wanted to know before he acted.

~ Zoi

Dradvia was a mental and emotional mess. She didn’t know what she wanted, except to get away. She had entered a survival mode. She had to get away, hide, before anyone realized what she had done and what she had said. She had to hide before they came to punish her.

She was arguing with herself that she didn’t need to do that. She was safe here, and she counter-argued that she could realize that when she was safe. The problem was, nowhere on the ship felt safe.

Meanwhile, Stevens had decided he needed to find Dradvia and apologize, and had left the mess.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil decided to let her be for a little while and then go find her. He wasn’t sure going after her now would really help. She needed time to calm herself. Not knowing Stevens had gone to find her, he took some time to work on his side project. In another few minutes he’d go looking for her.

~ Zoi

“Computer where is En. Dradvia?” Steven’s asked. The computer quickly told him and he headed in her direction. He was cautious, he knew she was mad and that Civilian that was always around her had followed her out. He didn’t want a confrontation.

He found her waiting for the lift and she was alone. Her arms were crossed over her and her mouth was a thin line. She was mad. He had insulted her, but he was just worried. “Hey Dradvia.” He said from a few feet away. She flinched and locked her gaze on him.

Inside her heart felt like it was going to give out from strain. He found her a lot quicker than she expected. He looked like he was trying to calm a wild animal. A trick, she’d seen it before. To get close and then capture. She didn’t want to talk to him. She reminded herself she didn’t have to. “What do you want?”

Well at least she answered him. He moved closer hands out palms up. “I’m sorry. I did not mean to insult you.”

“Apology accepted.” It was said with finality. She was done talking to him. That wasn’t what he was hoping for.

Stevens wanted to explain, make her listen. He had hoped she would ask for an explanation. He tried again. “That man, he’s very possessive of you.”

“I do NOT belong to him,” Dradvia reiterated.

“I know, but he won’t let you talk, he tells you where to sit, he won’t let anyone else talk to you.” He took another step toward her.

She had nowhere to go. He was in her space and she didn’t like it. She felt trapped. Sisnil wasn’t possessive, was he? Other people had talked to her all day, and he had never once been hostile or rude to them. It wasn’t just work conversations either. He knew Stevens upset her, scared her. Sisnil had said he wouldn’t let him bother her. He wasn’t there now though.

Was Sisnil jealous of Stevens? Stevens was showing all signs of jealousy. He was crowding her space, disparaging Sisnil, trying to mask his attraction as friendly concern. Blowing a situation out of proportion without the facts. Or was he? She was confused and felt cornered. Scared, she shouldn’t have to feel scared and threatened here. The feelings boiled off of her.

Sisnil had teased her about her feelings for him. But she wasn’t sure how she felt about him. Sometimes she was afraid around him, but not of him. She didn’t feel threatened by him. She knew that, but she wasn’t sure what else she felt.

Stevens was still talking, but Dradvia had no idea what he was saying she wasn’t listening. He seemed to relax, but why? He reached a hand toward her and she took a half step back. “Hey, I just want to make sure you get where you’re going. It’s a small ship, but he just worries me. He’s dangerous, Drad. You don’t know what people in this universe can be like. You’re protected in the Federation from people like that.”

She hated that nickname Stevens used. Like they were close. She had no time to contemplate that though as his words sank in. She knew all about the dangers of the universe. She knew how dangerous Sisnil could be. She had never seen it, but she had lived in the same world as him, she knew how bad it could be. “I don’t need an escort.” Why wouldn’t he leave her alone?

“We don’t have to talk, I just, I feel bad about what I said in the mess. I just want to make sure no one bothers you. Really.” He gave her his most charming and disarming smile. It always worked. “We have to look out for each other out here, right?”

She didn’t like that smile. She recognized that smile. Lokhar wore it when he knew he’d won and he was about to enjoy his ‘fun.’ She felt the panic rising. It was hard to breathe and she had a ringing in her ears. Why was the lift taking so long? “Please leave me alone.” She hated the desperation in her voice. She hated she couldn’t trust people’s st their word.

She sounded really scared. What was she afraid of? Stevens watched as she scooted past him, and then glanced behind her to make sure he wasn’t following. He was going to find out what was going on.

Dradvia hurried to the next lift. She wanted to get away from there. She didn’t want to be alone in her quarters, but at least she could lock the door. She desperately wished Kryssa was there.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil had gone to find her by then. He felt her panic and hurried towards her. He bumped into her in the corridor near their quarters. “Dee, you okay? You feel… panicked.” He was keeping his distance, not crowding her, not blocking her. “I’m… I’m sorry. We should’ve just sat someplace else. Shouldn’t have provoked him like that.”

~ Zoi

She looked ready to cry. She was on edge, but his voice was familiar and non threatening. She relaxed just slightly. She wanted to tell him, but she was afraid of what he would do. She didn’t know why, he had never been aggressive. She somehow knew he wouldn’t like that Stevens had followed her and scared her.

She wanted to not be all alone in the universe, for someone to just make it alright. Okay, not someone, she wanted Sisnil to make it alright. She wanted to let him hug her while she cried like in the holodeck with the Orion monk. That want terrified her though, as much as being caught by the Syndicate again. She had always been alone with no one to take care of her, and she didn’t trust it or her judgement.

She shook her head ‘no’. She wasn’t alright, and there was no point lying, he could sense it. Other than that she couldn’t make a decision and just stood there.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

He stepped a little closer. “Do you want my help?” He could already hear it was about Stevens. “You know me, Dee. I won’t do anything. Even if I wanted to, you… Well, it wouldn’t make you happy.”

~ Zoi

Dradvia didn’t know what she wanted. She hated it here. She hated the feel of the warp drive, she hated constantly being around strangers, she hated being alone in her quarters, she hated how people expected her to socialize on their terms, she hated she wasn’t normal, she hated that Kryssa wasn’t there, and she hated herself. She could only nod in agreement. She knew he wouldn’t which was totally backwards. He was part of the organization that made her this way, but he was also the only one who was concerned about what she wanted and how she felt. Everyone else was concerned with how they felt or at best how they thought she should feel.

She didn’t know how he could help. Dradvia was unaware of how he used his empathy to help her calm down. She didn’t even know a Betazoid could do that. She wanted someone to hold her, hug her, for just a moment, but too much primal survival instinct wouldn’t let her. She gave that pitiful shrug, “I don’t know.”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

He started doing it now, letting calm wash over her. He wasn’t sure she’d like it if she knew, but it helped, and if he could give her a little relief then maybe it was worth it to keep quiet about it for now. He hated that she hated herself. “Can you tell me what happened? Do you want to?”

~ Zoi