Shoreleave Plans

Posted on Thu Oct 31st, 2024 @ 5:27pm by Lieutenant Vura & Captain Edmund Merrick
Edited on on Tue Nov 5th, 2024 @ 12:30am

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Cafe and HoloSuite - Empok Nor
Timeline: MD001 1200 hrs

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The crew was getting ready for shoreleave, but there was only one person on Vura's mind...the person that understood her the best: Edmund Merrick. She was certain that he would likely spend time with his newer paramour, Rowena, so it was imperative to get time with him quickly.

In a sing song, playfully flirtatious voice, Vura called out, =^= Edmund, oh, Edmund, where are you, dah'ling? =^=

Edmund was packing a bag with the clothing he would be using on Empok Nor. He also was thinking of Tyler, being freed from the entanglement of the entity that had held his friend hostage.

The call from Vura startled him, Edmund shooting a glance up towards the speaker. It was a couple of moments before he tapped on his commbadge,

=^=Hello Vura, what can I do for you?=^= Edmund closing up the small duffle bag in readiness to make his way to the station. He was weary and was looking forward to some RnR and maybe spend some time with Rowena. Hopefully, possibly he would get that time, but he would have to see what happens.

=^= Did you really ask that of me, Edmund? =^= The innuendo in her voice could not be missed. =^= Would you really want to give up on your paramour already? =^= The counselor tried to giggle but it came out as a choke. =^= Well, I wanted to spend some time with you. We have not had a moment to do so lately. =^=

A bit of a smile crossed his lips, Edmund caught the tone of her voice. Silently he chuckled, giving a shake of his head. He did need to see for himself, how she was doing since she and the others were swept away into that place.

=^= Where do you want to meet at, a coffee shop? =^= Edmund said while walking towards the door of his quarters carrying his small duffle bag.

=^= Always the gentleman making sure that you have us seen in public, =^= Vura teased. Her voice continued to tantalize and tease Edmund. =^= You just name the place and I will be there with bells on, or anything else that you might like me to wear. =^=

Bells on? Or anything else I might like her to wear? Edmund was starting to think he may have blinders on or a set of clueless glasses that he was wearing. Was Vura having some feelings for him? Nah she couldn't be. He will have to be a bit more observant this time around.

"There is a little cafe on the promenade and I'll meet you there." The door to Edmund's quarters on the Pioneer closed behind him.

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The cafe.
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Edmund was there at a table where he could watch those coming and going on the promenade. Edmund had already gotten himself a place to stay. Had changed into some comfortable slacks, a pair of runners and a light blue Tee shirt. He had ordered some tea for himself while he waited for Vura.

The moment that Vura thought she might be anywhere near Edmund's or the cafe's eyesight, she started to sashay towards him. Dressed in a navy blue V-necked dress. The short-sleeved A-line dress had light ruffles on the sleeves. It also had chiffon lining at the bottom. From the knees down, her legs were visible. She wore a matching pair of navy blue, stiletto three inch heels. To complete the outfit, she wore two gold bracelets on her left arm and made up her face with rose blush, blue and purple eyeshadow, and rose lip gloss. When she waved happily, "Hi, Edmund!"

Without waiting for an answer, she sat down delicately. "Have you ordered for me, or were you waiting just for me?"

Edmund wasn't dead, he gave a smile seeing Vura. He watched keenly with an artistic eye, the way that Vura walked, just as graceful as he had first met her. He still needed to get that portrait he had painted to her. "I've not ordered for you, as I wasn't certain what you would like. Coffee or tea. I ordered tea for myself." He motioned towards the half moon tea pot that was next to him on the table. Inside the tea pot was a combination tea of ginseng, ginger and honey. He reached over to pour himself another cup. "You look rather lovely, Vura."

"I do?" she asked putting her hand delicately towards her chest. "Why, thank you for noticing. You are getting better, Edmund. I'm very impressed," she told him in a sing song voice. "But, you should know me. I am not finicky. I like the new experiences. I would have appreciated the order. Perhaps I will just share yours." She gave a small, short giggle, and then a sweet, flirtatious smile at Edmund.

"I will be right back I'll get you a cup, and I will get a refill of the tea as well." Edmund rose up from the table and headed over towards the counter. In a short time, Edmund returned with a tea cup and another half moon tea pot. He deftly set down the tea cup then set the newer pot of tea down, picked up the former one and poured Vura a cup.

"There you go, a lovely cup of tea." Merrick giving a slight bow, then took his own seat. "How are you doing since your experience?"

"Why thank you, Edmund," Vura replied with a sly smile after being served her cup of tea. "As to experiences, I was going to ask you the same thing. How are you doing? I'm fine. I did not have much to do, as everyone else had the know how to get us out. Though, encountering a spiteful version of you in the pocket universe was somewhat unpleasant."

That last part elicited a raised eyebrow from Edmund. "A spiteful version of me? Well now that is rather interesting to know. What did that evil twin of mine do to you?" He then commented, "My experience on the ship was well... Challenging but it got resolved, somewhat, as in, the entities are not inside Malbrooke and McGowan anymore."

Vura was pleased that Edmund was defensive of her, and she smiled gratefully. "Your doppleganger was rude, nothing more. Told me that I did not know you and that we all had a darkness inside and that I was getting in the way of your business. Hermia knew you were not you. I was fairly convinced as well," Vura quickly added. "At some point your doppleganger accused us of being figments." She shrugged nonchalantly as she sipped some tea delicately. "I know you too well."

"As to the entity, I wish I could say that I knew more about it than what I've read. I will have to assist the crew with all the trauma, of course." She looked down for a moment and then blinked in Edmund's direction as she lifted her head back to meet his eyes.

"Everyone did go through a bit of trauma during what happened. I got my so called self confidence shaken. It is times like what happened that makes a person have to address possible issues they may have. As for what that entity had said, there is some truth, everyone has a little bit of darkness in them. It depends on how the person decides to act upon it. I will disagree that you and Hermia are figments of my imagination. Definitely sounded like you both were being tested by the entity." He shook his head and took another sip of his tea.

"Edmund darling," Vura started by crossing her legs and leaning forward towards Edmund. "You know that if you need to talk about your self confidence, or anything else that I'm here for you." She gave him a sly wink.

She changed to a more serious tone and said, "You're not wrong about the dark side, Edmund. However, it is how we recognize it and handle it. We both know each other and our wounds." Her eyes lowered, leaving the top of her bald head most visible to Edmund.

"We did make a bit of a connection when we first met, my not knowing you being a Deltan, and our personal losses. Something that you tend to withdraw from, as you feel the hurt, as that pain is something that can stay with a person. " Edmund's voice softening as he spoke quietly. where no-one but her could hear. "You also know that I wouldn't go out of my way to hurt you either."

"I know you wouldn't, Edmund." The Deltan looked away for a moment and then smiled weakly at Edmund as she turned back towards him. Why is everyone making me think about Cannir today? Lightly, she placed both of her hands on the table and said, "So, what else should this average looking Deltan know about your shore leave plans?"

"Well, being a friend of yours, I had been thinking of taking you out dancing, but without you making physical contact. It's something that my sister had taught me." He stifled a slight feeling of irritation when she called herself average. Though there was a momentary flicker of irritation in his eyes. "Or would that be too much for you, Vura?" He gazed directly into her eyes.

"Are you really challenging a Deltan?" Vura asked interestedly and with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.

Edmund laughed, "I already know better than to challenge Deltan. Let's finish the tea, then I will show you. It something my sister choreographed and had a holo program made."

The program that Edmund had put in place opened up to a dance floor upon hook were some scarves and the beat of dance music. "My sister had come across people who wanted to dance but it was taboo to touch physically or just didn't want the contact of skin to skin." He walked over to where the silk scarves were hanging. "Those who wished to dance together but not have physical contact, took one end of each scarf or even two just to represent their hands."

Vura raised her painted on eyebrows in surprise. Did Edmund know what these sort of dances represented? Should she tell him? Or let Rowena know? "You? You want to dance with me?" she asked, putting her hand toward herself daintily.

"Vura, am I stepping into something I do not know about where Deltans are concerned. If so please, enlighten me." Edmund called for two chairs to appear in the holodeck upon one the other was for her. "I am not a diplomant, nor do I know much about Deltans." He had caught Vura's look of surprise, decided to not go any further.

"I've not had time to truly delve into the customs of the Deltan race. As when we first met, if you recall right, I had no idea as to the fact you were a Deltan." Edmund seemed to be a bit frustrated on this matter.

"Yes, Edmund," Vura started in a voice that was barely keeping off a giggle. "I know that you seem to have been born under a rock. I know that you recall nothing of Deltans and seem to have less sense about women." She smiled more broadly. "I adore you regardless."

She giggled lightly and then asked, "Do you know why dancing was banned in some of the more extreme Terran cultures?"

"It is due to what was considered too sensual, too sexual. And now that you are bringing this up, some cultures have done a dance with scarves, which is also a mating ritual - an act of seduction. Blast, thank you Vura, for bringing me to my senses." Edmund's voice softened. "I am truly sorry, Vura. And yes, I thought I would, I could dance with you somewhat, in safety. That you can have some social interaction."

"You are sweet to worry about me, Edmund. However, I made this sacrifice to be here and there is a another Deltan on board should I need more physical touch." She cleared her throat and looked away. "I am..." she hesitated before finishing, "fortunate."

She walked up as close to Edmund as she dared. He might be able to feel her breath, which smelled between a cross of strawberry and raspberry. "Rowena is lucky that I'm only a flirt, don't you think?"

Edmund took two steps back, his movement graceful like that of a skilled dancer of which he was. He did catch the scent of Vura's breath, and her comment made him a bit concerned.

Edmund called out. "Computer end program." The scarves and the chairs faded away. The holo deck went to its yellow grid pattern against a dark background. "Vura, you are fortunate that you have someone to be able to have physical contact with, where you don't have to worry about affecting them and I do know that you made a sacrifice being here." His words faded away, Merrick looking at Vura for a moment or two then he spoke gently.

"You may feel that I am clueless about women, and you have made that opinion rather clear on several occasions. Vura...." He stopped so many words he could say because they could be rather wounding. "I apologize for this turning into something less than what I had imagined for a friend, perhaps even opening some wounds to the heart." Edmund decided to stop there. Too much, too much. He cared for Vura as a friend, but there were definitely bumps in the road.

Vura tilted her head to the side curiously. "I don't think you're clueless, just naive." She thought about him having backed up. "I have made you uncomfortable. I am sorry. That was never my intent. I do appreciate what you were trying to do here. Ironically, you're not the only person who seems to have been focused on my inability to touch anyone or, well, more...." She shifted uncomfortably, her eyes shying downwards when she avoided the topic of a relationship.

She called out, "Computer, please replicate my office couch here."

Dutifully, the computer did so. "Sit, Edmund. Please." The last word was uttered as an afterthought. Her words, while gentle, made it known that he should not refuse as she sat down on one end of the couch, giving Edmund plenty of room to be on the other side.

Without waiting for him to sit, she looked towards him. "You know about Cannir, Edmund. You're the only one that does on this ship. Cannir is why I left Delta IV, Edmund. That's why I took the Oath." There was obvious pain in every word that Vura spoke and it only became more so as she continued. "After that, I chose this life. I don't want to be with anyone again.... The thought....hurts. Too much. I can't."

Tears started to form in Vura's eyes. "Every single thing I know suggests that I should allow myself to try and find love again. To be open for it. I..." She choked back another tear. "I don't want to," she rushed out.

"Computer, tissue!" A tissue appeared in her hand and she wiped away the tears and gave a soft, short blow of her nose. "Sorry, Edmund. You should not have had to see or hear any of that."

Edmund had gingerly settled upon the very edge of the couch listening to Vura, her opinionated statement calling him naive, rankled him. He rose from the couch, saying, "Computer office chair please." the requested chair appearing. He took a seat upon it and crossed one leg over his knee.

"Vura, I am glad that you feel that you can talk to me about this and I do know about closing one's self off from allowing you to love again. However, I truly think you do need to go talk with Zhara. I had spoken to her about my own issues of not allowing myself to feel attraction towards another or even allow myself to open my heart due to the loss of my wife." There was a flicker of emotion at the mentioning of his dead wife but continued on.

Edmund lowered his leg back to the floor and leaned forward. "Vura, I feel you need to get on the path of self-healing. Speaking from personal experience Vura, letting that sort of pain gnaw at me, it didn't help me much. It in essence kept me from progressing. Of course I had to make the conscious decision for myself." Edmund crossed one arm over his chest. "Opening that door of my self-made prison to set myself free, it is helping me enjoy life a bit more. Go practice what you preach, go seek counseling. That is my advice as a friend to you."

Vura tried very hard not to roll her eyes. She knew that Edmund was trying to help. Did he not know that all counselors had counselors? It was part of their training curriculum. She could articulate all of this because she knew it with her own discussions. She could articulate so much more. She wanted Edmund to know. She did not want his help. She wanted him to understand. Men are so stupid, she finally concluded with a small exhale.

"Edmund, dear, I have a counselor. It is not Zhara, but we talk." She sprawled out on the couch, not caring how it might appear since Edmund refused to join her on the couch. "You had a Deltan free your heart more completely. With me, Edmund, it is more complicated. And it is also why I don't want to be touched. I don't need saving, Edmund. I don't want anyone to worry about me and my needs. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. Is that clearer?

"You know something Vura, if you don't want anyone to worry about you or even show that they care, so be it. And truth be told, enough of saying I am naive. Yes, you did help me at the beginning. However, I chose to take the next steps. So, pull up your big girl panties, help yourself; sink or swim, it is all up to you. There are other counselors here that are a bit closer at hand and may have other perceptions that are different than the other counselors might have." Edmund exhaled a frustrated puff of air. "Matter of fact I think this maybe a good time for me to take my leave." He made a move to get out of his chair.

Vura's eyes narrowed dangerously. She just revealed her deepest, darkest self to Edmund and he was going to walk on her? Who the hell did he think he was? What happened to the kind man that she was helping? To the man that she would have done anything for, even help with his relationship with Rowena? He was naive, no matter what he said. A child could say that they were grown up to make their own decisiosn but that does not mean that they were ready. She exhaled a small hiss. "Don't presume to know my conversations or what my counseling entails, Edmund."

So much more hung on her tongue. She was angry but for now, she was holding back on doing anything rash. Deltans could be extremely emotional. She knew that she was now. How dare he trample on her darkest feelings? Discount them?

"I don't know about what you talk about with your counselors as that is personal and private. Right now, my emotions are running high, and I can see that your emotions are running high as well. In any situation like this, when emotions run high, it's best to step away and cool down. And that is what I am going to do." Edmund moved towards the door, to take his leave. Any sort of relationship, whether it be friendship or being married, there had to be a good habit of stepping away and allowing one's head to cool down and be more rational. And this certainly had turned into a volatile situation and it was time to let things die down.

"Go!" Vura commanded Edmund, having been the first thing that she agreed with him since she revealed her secret. "Enjoy your time with Rowena!," she continued more harshly than intended, even if she meant every single word. She wanted Edmund to be happy more than anything else.

Edmund paused at the door when she mentioned Rowena, and just shook his head. Any words he wished to say, Edmund kept locked up tightly. Vura was hurting. He hoped she will find happiness and he just wasn't in the mindset to even be a listening ear. He stepped through, the doors closing behind him, Edmund gave a little bit of a growl. He needed to let off a bit of steam. First off, back to his quarters on Empok Nor.

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A Joint Post By,


Captain Edmund Merrick
Company Commanding Officer Officer, The Cure
USS Pioneer


Lieutenant Vura
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer

 

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