Posted by Vashkilu (Infiltrator) in Life Back on Pause

Posted by Noril Zoi (Captain) in Life Back on Pause

Posted by Vashkilu (Infiltrator) in Life Back on Pause
Posted by… suppressed (92) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Vash had spent the last few hours with Eli. It had been the most amazing birthday, even if it had been a bit late. She didn’t blame him. She had forgotten too. She stood in her quarters staring in the full length mirror. She had never been overly moved by emotion. Not until she got here and learned how to be. She couldn’t seem to stop the tears for the moment. She blotted carefully at her eyes.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

There was a knock at her door, and the familiar presence of Noril. He waited patiently for her to open it.

~ N, Captain

Vash dabbed her eyes quickly and checked her expression in the mirror before calling “Come in.”

Vash stood in the middle if her room, wearing the most exquisite dress Noril had ever seen her wear. It was cream with spaghetti straps. It came to a almost not modest v neck, but the back dipped low to her lower back. It was made of Ja’kali, a Bajoran silkworm but the fibers were 100 times softer than silk, and very, very rare. She wore an intricate chain of silver encrusted with white diamond-like gems along the entire chain. The center gem of the necklace was missing and just a frame rested there. The chain was a choker necklace that connected to earrings that both connected to loops along her upper arms and then her wrists. Her back however was bare.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril paused in the door and took her in. “That’s beautiful, Vash.” He said, almost breathlessly, forgetting for a moment his own daring birthday gift. She would know what it was immediately. Noril wore an open fronted silk bath or bed robe, in a deep maroon that complimented him well. Underneath it he wore tight, very.... revealing underwear, and nothing else.

~ N, Captain

Her cheeks turned a darker shade of green. “Thank you. Papa,” did he know? “Eli gave it to me.”

Vash stared at him for a long moment. She wasn’t uncomfortable with the humanoid body and she didn’t get embarrassed about it. But it was quite unusual for Noril to walk around like that. “Is everything alright?” Yes he and Sisnil were physically identical, but she never found Sisnil attractive the way she did Noril. It was too bad Noril never seemed to feel the same.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril laughed, hard, then strode over to her and took her hand. Don’t you think I’ve been aware of what you want, Vash? He asked, using telepathy as he allowed their talents to form their connection.

~ N, Captain

Vash held his hand. She couldn’t help it, she liked the connection. She always had. She raised a haughty brow. You and Sisnil know everything. I’ve never denied it. I kept it to myself to protect your sensibilities. I’m not a child. She glanced down at herself, the dress and the jewelry. Not anymore. You can dismiss it as a child’s crush if you wish.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

She could feel Noril’s disappointment. A child’s crush? He asked, looking at her. Are you saying you don’t want… Well, me?

~ N, Captain

He felt her waver. It was all bravado. Trying to save her pride. Want you? She looked over him again and she allowed herself to acknowledge what he was doing. She looked up at his face. Not… not that way. Though her attraction was obvious. I want your heart. You’ve always had mine, from the moment you entered Mezerc’s house. I want you to want mine. I don’t want a romp in the sheets. I want a lot more than that. I want someone I belong with, that knows they belong with me too. Someone who sees me as more than just a pretty body.

She looked around the room and then back. I want something long term, permanent. Not a trick or a tease or a way to hit our next mark. I want someone that wants that too. Unspoken, but so clear, was the You she wanted that someone to be.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

There was a sense of embarrassment, but deep affection. I knew I shouldn’t have taken Sisnil’s advice. He thought annoyedly, but then shook his head and took her into a hug. I didn’t mean to imply that I just wanted a night. I just thought this would be a fun way to prove I still wanted to be with you. He told her gently.

~ N, Captain

Sisnil? Of course. This must have been planned months ago. She’d lamented to Sisnil many times about Noril’s lack of interest. He probably planned this to have a good laugh at them both.

Vash stared at him wide eyed. The word ‘still’ echoing in her head as he held her. Noril had hugged her plenty, but this was different. It was warmer, closer. I’ve been waiting almost 3 years for you to kiss me again.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Let it be to our credit that this time, I am not under the influence of your pheromones, Noril said, his telepathic voice just the slightest wisp in her mind. Then he leaned in and kissed her in exactly the way she was hoping.

~ N, Captain

It was exactly like she remembered - tender, warm, passionate, and so much more. She shivered slightly before letting her arms slide around him. She felt like the ship was in a free fall, and Noril was the only solid thing in her world. No one had ever affected her like this, only him. Noril her voice sighed through his mind.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Their minds interlocked, meshing similarly to the way his and Sisnil’s did, except this was so much more. He felt at home. And with Sisnil away, that was an addicting feeling. Oh, Vash....

~ N, Captain

Something happened as Noril interlocked their minds. They had done this before, but it was different this time. Her Deltan gifts seemed to uncoil and spread out. She’d been told about it, but she hadn’t been sure she had that particular gift. There had never been anyone she had wanted this closeness with. It weaved them together on a fundamental level.

Noril was suddenly having her emotions. He didn’t sense her emotions, they were his. Joy, happiness, there was a shiver of shyness and worry. She’d loved him for so long if he changed his mind, it would destroy her, their, heart.

She was in love with him. She had been for a long time. Not infatuated, not attracted, purely in love with him. He was home for her and she never wanted to leave. I love you, Noril.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

This was different than his normal abilities, he couldn’t tell whether the emotions were hers or his, they were both. She felt his, too. I love you, too, he said, and he let the kiss end and rested his head on her. I don’t want you to let me go.

~ N, Captain

I don’t want you to let me go. The thought was his, hers, both of theirs. It was confusing, something Vash couldn’t control or understand. She didn’t want to. It felt right. She pressed in closer, raising her lips to his again. Never.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

He kissed her again. It seemed like the tension in his body dissolved and he melted into her. Happy birthday, he thought, somewhat amused.

~ N, Captain

She couldn’t stop kissing him. It was like she was dying of thirst and he was the oasis in the desert. I don’t want you for my birthday. She was too lost in him to share his amusement. Want you always. Her hands moved up his arms, over his shoulders, down his back. She leaned into him, stepping closer, like the lack of air between them wasn’t close enough. Noril… she wanted him to hold onto her so tightly he’d never get his arms to let go, so that she’d never forget what it felt like.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril did exactly that, hugging her tightly to him, a hand on her lower back, another along her side. You have me. Always. I promise.

~ N, Captain

Emotion, something more spiritual than words could describe, rose and crashed over them with his promise. It pulled them under, keeping them lost only in each other for quite some time.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Sometime later, Noril was laying with her, looking more relaxed than he had since Sisnil’s disappearance. He looked sleepy and content. “I’m glad I had the balls to go through with it. Even if these are the least comfortable underwear I have ever worn.”

~ N, Captain

Vash laughed hard, but it was a light delightful sound. It tripped and danced over his skin, raising goosebumps. “Mmmm me too.” She sounded sleepy. He’d never sensed her this relaxed or peaceful “I should say don’t ever wear them again if they are uncomfortable, but I’d be lying if I said I would like to see them again.” She turned on her side so she was tucked up close to him, her head resting on his shoulder. “Don’t leave.” There was something else Noril had never sensed in her before - vulnerability.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril laughed too. “Especially when I saw you in that dress… Well, let’s just say things feel very… Compact.” He commented. He turned and pulled her back into his arms. “I’m not going anywhere. I swear it, Vash.”

~ N, Captain

The chuckle that rumbled out of her was seductive, though she didn’t mean it to be. “I’ll have to tell Papa you approve. Not sure what he’s going to think about that.” She always referred to Mezerc as Tahedri. She wasn’t speaking of him, she was thinking about Eli. She nuzzled into his chest, closing her eyes. “Okay,” her arm slipped across his stomach, holding him.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

“Why do you keep calling Eli “Papa”?” Noril asked her curiously. He didn’t even open his eyes, just kept resting on her. He could get all the information he needed empathically.

~ N, Captain

Giddy happiness flooded off her, even as she was drifting off to sleep. A swell of love and pride rushed up as well. “He adopted me. That’s why he gave me the dress and the jewelry. They’re heirlooms that mark me as his daughter.” Her mind swirled with the revelation. It was no secret that Eli cared about Vash and had always protected her. Noril and Sisnil did too. But it had always been more than just crew mates.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril smiled. “Good.” Then he sat up a little and looked at her. “That makes him my father in law if we ever married.” He made a playful ‘ew’ face.

~ N, Captain

Married? Vash was wide awake now. Yes she and Papa had talked about marriages. Not hers, but those in his family. She’d made jokes like she always did. But married? To Noril? She thought her heart might beat its way right out of her rib cage. He had to be teasing her, so she would just tease him back. “Hey, you can’t do better than me. Apparently, I’m an honest to goodness real princess now. You’d be a prince of among men, instead of just thieves.”

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril gave her a look. “I’m a prince of thieves? And I thought I was just the dirty work guy.”

~ N, Captain

“Naw, that’s TJ,” she grinned and closed her eyes again. “I think so. You knew that of course. I mean you always know what I’m thinking.”

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

“It’s hard not to,” Noril admitted with a shrug. “It’s hard not to listen to everything. Even if I’m not trying to.”

~ N, Captain

Vash mimicked his shrug with one of her own. “I don’t want you to try not to listen. You and Sisnil have given me enough training I could hide my thoughts from you if I wanted. I don’t want to.”

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril smiled. “The apprentice surpasses the master, huh? Maybe I should test that sometime.” He said, but she could sense his playfulness.

~ N, Captain

“I’m always up for a challenge. Besides there are other things I can do,” her hand began to roam, “to distract you from paying attention to my thoughts.” Her voice turned to a soft purr.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

“Hmmm…” Noril mumbled softly. “I think I like this test.” He said, inching closer to her.

~ N, Captain

Heart pounding, her laughter was playful. “We can do this test every day,” she murmured against his ear as she distracted him.

Test their skills they did. The idea was never to be able to hide something from Noril, but if she could, there weren’t many telepaths that would be able to steal her thoughts. Sometimes they weren’t sure who was supposed to be distracting whom. And sometimes they forgot it was a test at all and enjoyed the distractions.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

From a training standpoint, it was more effective if Noril had Sisnil’s back up.

But for the kind of game it was… Well, it was very, very enjoyable. When they were resting, Noril smiled at her. “You’re wearing out my telepathy.”

~ N, Captain

“You’re just wearing me out.” She cuddled up against him again, her arm across him. Almost like she had to know he was staying.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

“Good,” Noril said, grinning at her as he rested his head on her. “That means I’m winning.”

~ N, Captain

Vash snorted a tiny laugh. If that’s what you have to tell yourself, I won’t ruin your delusions. She kissed his shoulder in a soft, sweet gesture. She was delightfully tired and comfortable. I love you, Noril. I always have.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril smiled, but there was a wisp of insecurity, as if he wasn’t good enough for something. It faded as he kissed her head. I love you, too.

~ N, Captain

What was that? Vash opened her eyes and lifted her head just enough to look him in the eye. She kissed him softly. You can tell me.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril smiled and touched the side of her face. I just miss Sisnil, that’s all, he replied gently.

~ N, Captain

I know. Suddenly the loss she’d been feeling over losing Sisnil, was stark and harsh in her. She’d been limiting it so it didn’t effect Noril. I miss him too. So much. She loved Sisnil, but it was very much identical to the way that Noril loved him. As a brother. Her hand came up and cupped his cheek. Her eyes sad, but suddenly determined. We’ll get him back. There was no other choice.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril seemed not to believe that. I’m not so sure. He passed a message through. I’ve been keeping it secret… Don’t need too many eyes knowing where he is. But I back-tracked the transmission.

~ N, Captain

Vash sat up, all sleepiness forgotten in the adrenaline rush. “You hea…!” She grabbed his hand again. You heard from him? Is he okay? Where is he? Let’s go get him!

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

On a Starfleet vessel, in deep space. He had some Risan officer send it for him. He chuckled, I wonder how he conned her into that. Then he shook his head. Getting him would be virtually impossible.

~ N, Captain

Sisnil has charm in heaps of latinum. Or he used his telepathy to make her. Either way. We know where he is. Let’s go get him! They had to come up with a plan. They could do it, they just had to plan it out. Why didn’t you tell us?

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

I found a trail… Like an electronic trace. Our contact sent that message to two recipients. Couldn’t track down the second comm link. Whatever is going on, I don’t like it. I didn’t want anyone else finding out where he is. And I trust this crew but… The Syndicate has ears EVERYWHERE.

~ N, Captain

You’ve used your telepathy with all of us before. Do it that way. We have to make a plan. Quietly she was seething. She knew the contact, and if she sent that message to someone else it wasn’t a good thing. Betrayal had a price.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril nodded. I share your assumption. Our proxy contact has betrayed us. And there is only one reason she would do so. He locked eyes with her, he expected her to know.

Because the Syndicate demanded absolute loyalty.

~ N, Captain

Vash knew exactly why. The Syndicate had forced her. If that was the case… it complicated things. If it was something else, well, Vash would make a trip. We can’t use her anymore. We have to do something. Vash was afraid. Truely afraid. If they thought Sisnil had betrayed them....

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril was, too. For the first time, she felt his petrifying fear for his brother. I know. But we can’t move against the Syndicate. You KNOW what they’ll do.

~ N, Captain

Retrieving a valuable asset is not moving against them. They have to know you would go looking for him. It’s Syndicate Law if a member of your crew goes missing you have to retrieve them. No matter what. To get them back or stop them from talking. They had to do something. Don’t you know anything else about this woman?

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

I stole her Fleet records. Sisnil kept a little backdoor in case we ever needed access to their systems again. Noril shrugged. Part of her file is sealed. Even I haven’t cracked it yet. All I have is her name and service record. She’s just some Ensign. Medical.

~ N, Captain

That back door, is enough to show he’s loyal. The information the Syndicate can get from that. It will be okay. We just need to retrieve him. It would work. It had to. Any information Sisnil could bring back would help. Did her record say where she was serving?

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

The Wolverine. Information classified. It’s an Intel ship. Noril shook his head. We’d have to go in completely blind. We have no way of contacting him with our compromised proxy.

~ N, Captain

We’ve done harder on less. We just have to find the ship. We’ll talk to Nathan tomorrow and Papa. We’ll find a way. She leaned in and kissed him. It was a hopeful, reassuring touch. They were going to get Sisnil back.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril seemed apprehensive. He kissed her and his fear dissolved somewhat. Okay. We’ll talk.

~ N, Captain

Good. She laid back, Now… it’s still my birthday....

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril grinned an adorable smile. And what, my dear, would you like for your birthday?

~ N, Captain

Her cheeks flushed a darker shade of green and her eyes danced. This was a thrilling side to Noril. It made her stomach flutter. I could say to sleep in and not cook breakfast, but then we would have to eat your cooking, she teased. I have everything. Well, aalmost. To be free, so she could stay with Noril.

hmmm but since you asked. No work today for me or you. Stay here with me.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Nathan is going to hate you, Noril said, now highly amused. But I will do it. He would free her. He always planned to. He would do it.

~ N, Captain

He will not. I’ll make his favorite, and sharpen his knives for him. He adores me. Everyone on the crew did. She was the favorite sister. She would just bat her lashes and smile sweetly and everything would be forgiven.

She smiled and curled into him again. Thank you.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril smiled too and squeezed her in a hug. You’re comming him to tell him. He said with a tone of amusement.

~ N, Captain

Vash settled down further, just enjoying being held. Nuh uh. My birthday. I’m going to be lazy and stay in bed and … well I don’t know. What do lazy people do? Laughter tinged her thoughts. Those thoughts were slow and heavy though. Cintentment and safety that she’d never had in this way was pulling sleep up over her like a blanket.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

They lay around, fill their time with meaningless things, sleep… He poked her in a ticklish spot, play.

~ N, Captain

She laughed tiredly. Well we played already. Now I want sleep. Then we can find other things to do.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril smiled. You should sleep. You feel tired. He said. So did he, she’d notice. All that stress he’d been carrying was temporarily relieved and it made him very, very tired.

~ N, Captain

Suddenly he was very tired as Vash let the exhaustion and relaxation seep from her to Noril. She never had and never would manipulate him, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t help.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

His eyes closed and his breaths evened out very swiftly after that. She could sense he was asleep, and deeply.

~ N, Captain

She stayed awake for a bit longer. This was not how Vash had expected today to go, or how her birthday would be celebrated. A father and Noril loved her. She wouldn’t complain. Who knew wishes came true?

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril slept the whole night and woke the next morning with a start. “Vash?” He asked sleepily. Then less sleepily, “You still asleep?”

~ N, Captain

“Yes,” she murmured sleepily, cuddling in closer with a contented, sleepy sigh. She’d been half awake for awhile. She didn’t want to risk waking him, and then for him to have changed his mind, so she’d drifted in and out of sleep.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

“Something is wrong with Sisnil,” he said, voice urgent. “He’s too far away to tell for sure, but…” He shook his head. “Something is off.”

~ N, Captain

That woke her up from her content little haven in his arms. Her hand slipped into his, trying to to help. She knew Noril and Sisnil enhanced and amplified each other’s abilities. She wasn’t sure she could, but the connection was there if he wanted to try. “Which way?” Could he tell? She didn’t know if he could from this distance.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril shook his head. “I don’t know,” he said miserably. “It’s just like this.... Deep pull. Like he’s slipping away somehow.”

~ N, Captain

“Try to reach him. Tell him to hang on. I’ll help.” Deltan emotions were intense and they could amplify other’s feelings. She did that now. Pouring all her gift into Noril.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

It helped, but it also amplified his feelings, and he began to shake and cry, hugging her desperately. I’m trying, but I don’t know if he can hear me.

~ N, Captain

He can feel you. Concentrate on that. You can do it. Focus on him and all the good things. How much we need him and love him. Be strong Noril. Together, we’ll pull him back.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril nodded against her. I can’t lose him, Vash. I can’t. It would be like losing half of myself.

~ N, Captain

Vash tried to sense through Noril, adding intense waves of love and family, trying to reach Sisnil. To remind him they were coming for him.

Then Suddenly…

Sisnil, the thoughts sounded heart broken. You have to keep fighting. I Love you. Do you hear me Captain Zoi! Fight. Come back. Come back for Noril and Vash. Your crew needs you. Don’t give up. Come back to me, so I can help you get home.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril squeezed Vash’s hand. It’s her, it’s his messenger, he said, somehow absolutely certain of it. She’s trying to help him!

~ N, Captain

She was and she loved Sisnil. Vash had heard it, clear as day. They couldn’t feel her emotions, but the anguish was clear. Sisnil! she called into the void. You’re my best friend. Come back! There is so much you can’t miss. Come back!

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Sisnil, I can’t lose you. You’re my brother! Noril held onto Vash. What happened to him?

~ N, Captain

Vash shook her head. I don’t know. I can sense what you are sensing, but no deeper. He must be hurt. The voice sounded again. The best pirate in history is not going to give up over a stab wound. You said pirates are too stubborn to die of something so silly. Prove it! The woman cajoled him, making him fight, but the heartache was horriple.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Vash could feel Noril’s amusement. What tall tales had he been telling? He was stabbed? How? Where? We have to go to where she sent that message from. We could pick up a train from there.

~ N, Captain

Unfortunately the voice couldn’t hear him and answer those questions. Vash squeezed his hand. They would go. First they needed to draw him back.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

There was a vision, they both saw. They saw Sisnil and the girl, Dee, he pulled from Sisnil’s mind, in Fleet quarters that must have been Sisnil’s. They kissed, they loved each other. Then it faded and Sisnil was on the Albatross bridge. And each of the crew told him how much they needed him back.

Then the link faded, and Noril couldn’t sense him anymore. Sisnil? Sisnil!!!

~ N, Captain

Vash gasped and clung to Noril. Sisnil! Her thoughts echoed his. He had to be alright. She forced her self to be calm, even though her heart wanted to race wildly with what ifs. I think, maybe he passed out. It didn’t feel…final.

She opened her eyes, looking around her room. What did they do? Find him. They had to find him.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril curled up into a ball and cried. She’d never seen him act like that. She’d never even seen him cry at all. I don’t know, Vash. I don’t know.

~ N, Captain

She couldn’t fix this pain. She couldn’t make it go away. Vash wanted to. She knew how close they were. She’d even shared in it a few times. She wrapped her arms around him and let him cry. She let him cry himself out. “Where did she send the message from?” She would get Nathan to find them a job going in that direction.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

A Starbase. He named the Starbase number. It wasn’t close. He rested his head on her and continued to cry. What if we’re too late?

~ N, Captain

She wanted to tell him they wouldn’t be, but she didn’t know that. I don’t know, but we will be if we don’t move. Come on, get up. She sat up herself, letting her hand pull away slowly. Then turned to pick up her dress and jewelry and carefully put them away. They were immeasurably precious to her. Then she stepped into the shower quickly.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril clung to her hand, not wanting her to go, but he had to let her, so he did. He got up and waited for her to get out of the shower.

~ N, Captain