Hungers

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"Madam, you have bereft me of all words, Only my blood speaks to you in my veins; And there is such confusion in my powers."

 

- The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare

 

"I'm glad you were punctual Victria. It means I won't have to put a reprimand in your record." Atticus grinned as he took a seat at the dining table in his quarters. He folded his hands together in front of him as though he were some evil villain meeting his adversary. "It is a pity as well though. I had it all planned out. Lots of character degrading, suggestions for possible punishments. Shame I can’t use it"

 

 

 

"It seems to me that you enjoy being in charge entirely too much." Peering at him from across the table, Victria's lips curved into a slight smirk. "But after your harsh rebuke earlier, I thought it best to be here on time lest I suddenly find myself declared a danger to this ship and thrown into the brig."

 

"I'm honoured you decided to accept the invitation to my humble abode." Lieutenant Segami said with a slight bow of the head. "Pardon the bareness of my quarters but for a man with a lot of memories I've strangely never been the type for keeping mementos."

 

 

"I didn't notice. My quarters are sparse as well." Her attention drifted briefly to their surroundings, studying what little adornments decorated the room. "I dislike clutter."

 

"That's something we share. If I were to keep a set of ornaments for each of my incarnations you'd be banging your elbows everywhere you’d turn. I appreciate that items can bear significance but I cherish my space and its order dearly"

 

"Now I wasn't going to be presumptuous before you arrived so I wonder, is there any type of music you'd like me to play while we dine? Or perhaps a change in lighting? I know that many people are quite fastidious about the mood and setting of their mealtimes."

 

 

 

He continued to grin, his attention shifting briefly to domed tray cover that sat in the center of the table between them. He was obviously withholding some secret and not doing it well on purpose.

 

Her calculating gaze studying his face once more, she leaned forward and rested her arms on the table. "Al-Ucard have no need for ambiance. Our meals are usually taken on the run," she said, baring her fangs slightly.

 

 

 

"So I have noticed. Once again may I say your demonstration in the holodeck was magnificent to behold...it was savage but there was beauty to it.' He paused as a memory from earlier hit him. "I did not find such an air when I was onboard our survivor’s vessel."

 

"Does what you saw on the freighter disturb you?" Still leaning on the table, she searched his expression and scent to discover the truth.

 

"It did. No question about that. However the thing that shocked me was not the slaughter itself but how much it differed from your own hunt. You went straight for the kill when you got your chance in the holodeck simulation. You did not make the beast suffer for long. It showed respect or honour of a sort."

 

A cold look of personal opinion entered his eyes.

 

"But what occurred on that freighter was purely...vicious. The amount of mutilation to some of the victims was far more frenzied and less precise. The easy kill being purposely avoided to allow further damage. In a word, sadistic."

 

 

She nodded knowingly but did not comment further on the circumstances. She was certain that he would be disgusted if he knew the truth. Her method of killing was the exception rather than the rule, but she had participated in the torture of many Lucam in such a fashion. Instead, she turned her attention to the tray on the table, waving her hand at it. "Well? I'm assuming that you have some sort of surprise planned? The anticipation in your voice is hard to miss."

 

He let out a quiet but good natured laugh, glad to be returning from the idea of work. "Yes Victria, I do indeed, and I believe you may be quite interested at my choice." He stood up and placed his hand over the handle of the large silver tray lid. "Are you ready?"

 

She leaned back in her seat, brows raised expectantly, curious to see what he was so excited about. "So long as whatever is in there isn't going to kill me."

 

With a flourish, he deftly lifted the lid to reveal the reason for its large size. Underneath was a heating unit of some sort with many small glasses surrounding one large goblet in the center. Though not all held red liquid, their contents were unmistakably blood.

 

"Ta da," he said softly, watching her as he set the lid aside and reclaimed his seat. "What do you think, Victria?"

 

Her tongue probed one of her fangs as she leaned forward to catch the aroma. "Replicated?" Her icy-blue eyes flitted to his face, her expression tense and serious.

 

"All but one," he said, gesturing to the large engraved goblet. "That is yours to have alone. Each of these containers holds vitae from a different species across the galaxy. I assure you this platter was quite hard to get hold of.

 

 

"I've also kept them warm just in case you were particular - all at the internal temperature for average humanoids."

 

Her nostrils flared and she rose slightly her seat, her gaze shifting back to the glasses. "A sampling of different species. Something I've been meaning to do but have not had time to pursue. Are you trying some as well?"

 

 

"Of course. I said we would share this evening. It would be rude of me to do otherwise. Besides I've always been open to trying new... experiences."

 

"Wouldn't that be harmful to your body? From what I understand, you are made to process other types of nourishment." Though she most wanted to snatch up the center goblet and drain the contents, she managed to show a small amount of self control. Instead, she selected one of the smaller glasses and brought it to her nose to sniff.

 

If I did this every day, I'm sure it would cause damage to my system but there are even humanoid cultures on planets like earth that once considered drinking a bowl of animal blood an extreme delicacy. So I'm sure one evening shouldn't cause me too much harm. He took his own small glass and held it up.

 

"Bon appetit." He threw it down his throat like a shot of whiskey, showing Victria that he was not timid.

 

She lifted the glass to her lips and took a small sip, savoring the flavor, trying to distinguish differences in other vintages she knew. Her gaze remained on him, however, watching for his reaction. "If you really want to sample it, you should not gulp it down all at once. That is pointless, unless you need it for nourishment." She licked her lips and replaced her glass on the tray.

 

He smiled widely, traces of red now on his own lips. "I would have done. But I was afraid of that glass. I knew it was some kind of lizard. So I thought a quick gulp best!"

 

 

"But less on my own drinking tactics and more on your own. You are being quite cheeky. You know the one you want to reach for. I bet it’s the only offering on this table that’s really appetizing to you. The others are mere candy."

 

He gestured to the large glass. "So go on, please. As chef I insist. Once you have drunk it down, I promise we can talk as much as you like about my poor table manners."

 

"You went to much trouble and I have no wish to be rude." She selected one of the other smaller glasses and lifted it for inspection with a slight scowl. "Are you sure this is blood? It is very... pink."

 

"Have a try. I assure you it is. I did wonder if you might appreciate the rainbow of colour the life-essence of creatures on this side of the wormhole come in. From Vulcan green all the way to Bolian blue. These quadrants have such a variety in the anatomy of their species that humans once got confused and thought Klingon blood was purple!

 

He licked the remaining lizard blood off his mouth.

 

Sip and take a guess what it is. I'd like to see if you get close."

 

"I am afraid that you have the advantage over me here. I have not had time to research even a fraction of Federation species," as she took a sip to sample the drink.

 

Each was sampled in this manner while he revealed which species it belonged to, instructing her on their physical characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. He also imparted her with knowledge on the best way to disable each one, both with weapons and without. She stored away the information for later use, convinced he could teach her far more than any database.

 

 

 

They also brushed on topics of past, present and future aspirations. A common bond forming as they worked through the remaining samples.

 

After Victria finished the last of the smaller glasses, she replaced it on the tray, wondering if she would recognize the tastes from a pure source if she ever had the chance to feed from a living person again. "Very interesting..."

 

Atticus looked down at his off duty clothing. A few drops had escaped his mouth and stained his shirt. A pity, as the shirt was one of his favorites, but the experience of the evening far outweighed a single ruined outfit. The final cup lay on the tray, waiting.

 

"Dessert?"

 

Victria lifted the last goblet from the tray with both hands - almost reverently. She brought it close to her face and inhaled, scenting it as one might do with wine. Over the rim of the glass, her eyes met his and searched his expression. "Why? Why go to such great lengths?"

 

"You've felt like a stranger here on Excalibur since the first day you arrived. Not even your Captain shows trust in you, even though you've cut yourself off from your own people. I felt it was up to me as your commanding officer." He struck a comical over-the-top-serious-hero pose briefly, then smiled and relaxed in his chair again. "But more importantly, as someone who wants to be your friend, to show you that you are not alone. At least less alone by one. "

 

Finally, because she could no longer keep herself from partaking, she brought the glass to her lips and tipped it back, drinking greedily. Her eyes half closed in pleasure, she continued to drink until the goblet was completely drained. Careful not to spill or let any overflow, she savored every single drop and ended by licking the rim of the glass so as not to waste what little remained. She sighed softly as she lowered the glass back to the table, eyes still closed, unwilling to release herself from the experience. Relaxing, totally sated, she licked crimson stained lips and finally opened her eyes to stare at him.

 

His own eyes were trained back at her. The Al-Ucardian's primal enjoyment of drinking from the cup not entirely unpleasant to watch. "I assume that was a little bit tastier than from a replicator?"

 

"I wish I could explain the difference, but words are not adequate." She looked mournfully to the empty glass as she slid it back to the center of the table. "That's the first satisfying meal I've had since I left Al-Ucard."

 

The Trill continued his study of Victria as he raised his left arm, unbuttoned his cuff, and pushed the material to his elbow, revealing his bandaged arm. "I'm glad you approve," he said in a voice barely above a whisper.

 

"Trill." Glancing to his bandaged arm, she licked her lips again as if memorizing the taste. "It smelled of you, but then your scent permeates your quarters so I could not be sure."

 

 

 

"You do realize that now I'm going to want seconds...?" Her gaze lifted slowly to meet his own, the blue depths mesmerizing.

 

"Oh really? And who's to say that I am not going to have a taste of you?" He stood and slowly walked to her side of the table, perching on the edge and sitting just within arm's length.

 

She smiled a slow, calculating smile. The tips of her fangs showing, she rose and moved in closer until they were only inches apart. "Doesn't your Starfleet frown on fraternization? You are my direct superior officer." Her challenging gaze as though daring him to ignore the regulations.

 

"I don't think they'd mind too much. We are only sharing a meal after all. Just two colleagues enjoying each other's company and nothing more." The hand that slid round to the curve of her back and pulled her against him openly defied his words.

 

 

 

"Sharing a meal. I like that." Her smile grew incrementally as her arms twined round his neck and she leaned forward to kiss him.

Edited November 20, 2006 by Images