Unexpected Ambivalence - Part IV

[Laehval tTemarr 0]

Unexpected Ambivalence - Part IV

A shoreleave log by El'Riov Laehval t'Temarr

Featuring El’Riov Lerak tr’Pexil

 

 

Several things about that night surprised me. I was surprised to have been invited to Destorie’s country manor, mainly because of our inconsistent history. I was surprised to find myself pleased to have been invited though the troubles of the day still weighed heavily upon me. I was also surprised that he thought enough of me to introduce me to his new companion.

 

I was not all that surprised to find that his companion was male. I had long suspected that his sensibilities were evolved in that respect and that he had no specific gender preferences. Perhaps it was because he never seemed fully committed to one sex or the other, but always found something equally attractive about each. I wondered if his broad acceptance also included inter-species relationships that many Rihans abhorred.

 

The pang of jealousy that hit me upon seeing the two of them together was quite unexpected. Watching two people enjoying one another so soon after my own disappointment was too much for me to contemplate. There was also a small part of me that had always wondered what it would have been like to have a relationship with him. The fact that we were polar opposites made it that much more intriguing.

 

I was also surprised when my communicator – which I thought I had deactivated – began to beep, signaling an incoming transmission. I had a fleeting thought that it might be D’elon, but knew the notion was ridiculous. Despite that, I was thankful to escape Destorie’s kitchen for a few moments, if only to give me time to compose myself. My ordeal with D’elon had brought many conflicting emotions to the surface and it would have been all too easy to let them escape if given an alternate outlet.

 

As I excused myself and slipped out into the hallway, I activated the communicator. Though not completely unexpected, hearing Lerak’s voice was comforting. We did work closely together and I received dozens of reports from him on a daily basis. It was familiar, it grounded me, and it served as a reminder that there were some constants upon which one could always depend.

 

“tr’Pexil to t’Temarr,” Lerak repeated patiently.

 

“Lerak?” His voice was unmistakable, but I needed validation.

 

“Yes, and I’m back from my long and lonely flight.”

 

“I did not know that you had anything special planned.” Long and lonely? I mouthed the words to myself, pondering the unspoken meaning.

 

“I went to pick up a package based on a message I received when we docked. I hope I’m not interrupting you. I have no idea where you are.”

 

“No, you are not interrupting. I am just visiting friends.” I hesitated to share the details, only because I had no desire to answer the questions that would be certain to follow. “What type of message? What package?”

 

“Hmm, coordinates and what seems to be a rock,” he answered after a moment of hesitation. “I would have asked you along, but I didn’t imagine that you would want to spend your leave in a starship.”

 

“You assume correctly. I was anxious to get off of the Talon and spend time planet-side. However, I would have made an exception for a scavenger hunt with you. It sounds interesting.”

 

“There is still time. Shall I meet you where you are? I can be there quickly.”

 

He sounded eager. I wonder if he truly wanted my company or if he was simply excited about his recent find. Regardless, I would not be so rude as to abandon Destorie’s party. “I think it is a bit late for that. I have other obligations at the moment. However, if you are free tomorrow evening, we could meet somewhere then.”

 

“Oh yes, I’ve lost track of time,” he said. I could hear the slight frown in his voice. “But I do not have any plans for the rest of my leave. I am free until we are all due back on board.”

 

“Very well. Where would you like for us to go?”

 

“How about a beach? I have not seen one in a long time.”

 

“Nor I,” I answered. “That sounds lovely. I am staying in a small village in the lake country province. Would you be able to pick me up there?”

 

“I have a ship at my command. Just give me a signal when you are ready,” he said confidently.

 

I wondered if he had borrowed one of the Talon’s scouts or had contracted one of his own. I couldn’t imagine t’Rexan allowing someone to borrow a scout on personal business, but perhaps she would have made an exception for Lerak. He specialized in them after all, and may have taken the opportunity to run flight efficiency tests.

 

“You are far too kind and accommodating,” I replied, meaning it wholeheartedly.

 

“Until tomorrow then. I will be looking forward to it. tr’Pexil out,” he said happily before he severed the communication.

 

I stepped out onto the landing of the stairs and leaned on the railing. Lerak had always been a difficult person to read. I had no true idea of his motivations or aspirations save that he was extremely loyal and had never tried to displace me as Daise’Engineer… unless, of course, he had been behind the faulty ceiling tile incident that knocked me unconscious. I highly doubted that. He was the one person on the Talon that I trusted implicitly. I did not think he would betray that trust.

 

Marginally cheered by the prospect of spending the day with tr’Pexil – knowing full well that I could unburden myself to him as I could no other – I found it easier to smile. It was amazing to me how such a brief conversation could have so great an impact.

 

Slipping the communicator back into my pocket, I pushed off the railing and turned back to the kitchen. Destorie and his friend were waiting and so I decided to make the best of the situation and enjoy myself as much as possible. Perhaps I might even make a new friend or two despite the lowly standing of house Temarr. After all, Destorie had invited me and not because he needed a replicator repaired or his power systems upgraded.

 

Though, I asked myself, would it be rude to take a look at his power grid anyhow? The lighting needs a slight adjustment. It is at least point oh two eight three variables off prime illumination. I found it astonishing that I could detect that without any instrumentation. Astonishing and slightly depressing.