Try to keep up.

Posted on Sat Jun 6th, 2020 @ 6:28am by Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Ensign River Lokaa

Mission: Season 3: Episode 4: Cause and Effect
Location: Security Training Holodeck 3
Timeline: MD 9
3534 words - 7.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

S'hib snorted loudly as he ran, the treadmill below his hooves moving in excess of forty miles per hour and increasing; if there was one thing he knew how to do, it was run.

Foamy sweat dripped from his bare chest and legs as he moved, head level the entire time despite the movement of his body.

This was his odd way of zoning out, relaxing and passing time between shifts. As such he didn't hear the door open in front of him, let alone register the two people now standing there.

For reasons beyond her, River had gained a shadow in the past few days in the young form of Abbey Wyatt the daughter of one of the marines station onboard the Elysium. "So he's a horse?" Abbey asked from her side ready for a gym session, which she was not looking forward to in the slightest, the young woman was every bit as annoying as she was when she was her age and it was unbearable.

"No he's... you ask too many questions and we've covered this already." River was taking Abbey on regular gym sessions to build her fitness ready for her application into Starfleet Academy and since Aurelia didn't want to come to the gym with her much anymore she had to find a new partner which unfortunately fell in the form of Abbey. She was quick on her feet and willing to please but in terms of strength, the young girl had what River called matchstick arms.

"But you like him?" She said again this time in that condescending tone that only a teenager could use, Abbey got a thrill of watching River panic especially since neither had noticed who else was present. "Like like him? I don't get it, what's wrong?"

"No I don't, he is spoken for its just their customs I told you this and it's also private so but out..." River chose this moment to notice the very person they were talking about across the room very much engaged in sweaty workout. River could do nothing but turn a slight shade of pink before Abbey snapped her fingers in front of her face and was most certainly going to take away Abbey's holodeck privileges or just throw her out of the airlock.

"I'm going to say hi" And before River could do anything she was already halfway across the room. "Hello Lieutenant" Abbey stood a little way from the front of the treadmill and watching the officer run, he was easily maxing the treadmills capabilities and wondered just how fast he could run if he wanted too. From behind her, she could feel Rivers' presence looming over her right shoulder.

S'hib blinked as he looked over slightly to one side, only now noticing the young woman near him. "Hello?" He asked curiously before tapping the controls on his treadmill, slowing it down somewhat.

Abbey bowed her head in the way River had taught her in, though she mocked her new metro she was like a sponge and had taken everything the young security officer had told her especially everything about her and Elasians, S'hib and Sequus. "Am I doing this right?" She asked leaning her head slightly to River her eyes searching for hers for approval before going back to the center again incase she was insulting the much larger form that was S'hib.

"You're meant to place your hands on his shoulder but since he is currently running on a treadmill Abbey yes you're mostly doing it right." Explained River with only a small hint of annoyance "Sorry Lieutenant, this one... she's a handful." Though annoyed she was glad to have the opportunity to speak to him, and this would be the first time since their holodeck encounter.

Still somewhat spaced out as he thumbed his treadmill to stop, S'hib simply looked at the unfolding scene with a mix of confusion and amusement. "You haven't... taken her there have you?" He asked as he slowed to a gentle jog and then stopped altogether, the thick muscles in his legs burning from the intense sprinting he had been doing for some time.

Of all the things he could have said that was not what she expected "No, of course not she's far too young." River quickly stifled Abbey from arguing that she wasn't which caused her to grunt and storm off towards the cycling machines across the room. "And I haven't been back since, least not until I spoke to you." Seeing as Abbey had decided to abandon her she took up the treadmill and turned it on.

"Too young? Do you think Sequella doesn't have children?" S'hib asked, projecting his voice so both Abbey and River could hear, his amusement growing by the minute. "I did tell you my people are strange... by your standards anyway." He said quietly, addressing River and River alone.

River picked up the pace on the running machine, "Now you're just twisting my words you're just as bad as she is!" This too was done at the same level of voice so both he and Abbey heard, from the corner of her eyes she could see the young teen sticking out her tongue and putting in earphones. "So have you been avoiding me?" Her voice sounded slightly of balance as she increased her speed again.

"Why would I do that?" S'hib frowned, wondering if he had unintentionally given her the cold shoulder.

"I thought I had upset you, by intruding on your program and then by well embracing your culture fully and mentioning your girlfriend" River was never good at beating around the bush as she explained pointedly what she thought was going on in his mind.

"You hadn't upset me... you just caught me at a bad time," S'hib said as he stood on one leg, lifting the other so he could grab it in his hand and stretch. "I'm still figuring things out, about... myself and I apologise for shouting at you." S'hib said with a slight grunt as his hoof clacked back down loudly on the treadmill before starting to walk.

"Well you know you can speak to me... about those bad times. I'm a bit much at times, rude arrogant presumptuous but I do know when to shut up and listen." River had slowed the machine again opting for some HITT interval training, short and sharp. "You still can speak about them." She added hopefully.

"You sound like a true Sequellian," S'hib smirked as his treadmill slowly gained more speed, his hooves thumping away as he got back to his routine. "And I thank you, but... I'd rather talk about the good times." He snorted, as he looked down and thumbed the controls over another notch.

River chuckled and appreciated the compliment "I have been researching... ALOT!" For the next few minutes, the pair ran alongside each other the sound of the treadmill, their footsteps, and their lumbered breathing the only sounds they exchanged until again River found his speed and endurance far greater than hers "We should create some new good times." She added breathing heavily and taking a rest her legs either side of the treadmills conveyer belt.

"We should, though wouldn't anything we do now technically have already happened?" S'hib inclined, as he thumbed the treadmill as far as it would go. "Because I've been thinking about that a lot since we got... here? is it here? or should I say when." He rambled in between breaths, thumping away on the treadmill with his head down, sprinting as fast as he could as the track beneath him got faster.

Confused River began running again, she put S'hibs muddled words as fatigue and let it slid. River tried matching S'hibs pace but there wasn't a chance in hell she'd be able to keep up with his muscular form.

From behind them, Abbey stood watching them her arms folded. "I'm gonna head out, you two not love birds can have your alone time. Peace" She didn't wait for a response before turning and leaving the room her own Phys session shorter than she planned but that just meant more time for relaxing.

Too busy trying not to be thrown off the end of the treadmill S'hib didn't hear what Abbey had said, he was fighting a losing battle as every hoof hit fell further and further back along the gritted belt. With one last defiant neigh, he pulled himself back to the centre before throwing his hooves either side of the belt. "What was I saying?" He panted heavily, leaning over the controls as the belt continued to spin between his legs.

"You was declaring your unyielding love for me" River teased as her treadmill came to a final stop and she wiped the sweat away from her eyes. "And I had to remind you that you have a very lucky woman on board... Not too sure about that one though" Sipping her drink she watched S'hib from over the upturned bottle with a cheesy grin.

"Oh, I see..." S'hib said, still panting through flared nostrils. "Well, you're right... I do, I love seeing you struggling to keep up with me." He said with an exhausted laugh before throwing his back and standing up straight, letting out a long exhale as blood rushed from his face.

Stepping off from the treadmills platform she rolled River rolled her eyes "I would argue that I am at such a disadvantage that it's like telling an ant to race against a human!" She took another large gulp of water letting the now lukewarm liquid refresh her hydration levels. "You was going on about time and how its... relative? I'm not sure I think you were rambling... A rambling horse" She teased again sitting on the bench to watch him.

"I dunno... I've seen people run pretty fast even when I've told them not to run." S'hib grinned as he climbed down off his machine, the belt finally coming to a stop.

"As for my ramblings," He snorted before leaning down and stretching, rubbing his hands down the length of his legs as he did so.

"I just find time travel a little confusing is all." He said quietly as he stood back up and moved his arms high above his head, stretching his back with a satisfied groan.

She shrugged "I just don't think about it that way it doesn't confuse me, plausible deniability or something... Eh, I don't know." River stretched out her legs and leaned forward feeling the pull in her calf as she did and going to the point of discomfort but not pain. "So how much working out have you got left, I feel like we've wasted time not seeing each other and I want to try a few things I've learned with Tour."

"Well, what have you learnt?" S'hib asked curiously as he threw one arm over his chest and hugged it tightly with the other, twisting his narrow waist the side as he did so. "Tours still a prototype so he may have missed some things."

River beamed as she placed her empty water bottle down and then said "Computer deactivate my own and Lieutenant S'hib's Universal Translators." While she spoke she walked to him unpinned his comm badge and placed it next to her on the bench she had sat on moments before and turned around. Bowing her head and placing both hands out to his shoulder she greeted him.

Returning the greeting in kind, S'hib placed his hands on her shoulders before leaning his head down against hers, though careful not to press his head against her circlet too hard.

Stepping back now that the first formalities were done and out of the way, she readied herself as she rumbled her throat and snorted before blowing out her lips in two quick short bursts the message 'How are you? River looked to S'hib for a second response, the greeting was the easy part but having learned just a few small phrases and responses now that took time.

At once S'hibs throat rumbled to life, a slight laugh emanating from his nostrils before he spoke in his native tongue, the low rumbles and high pitched neighs intermixed with his head being thrown to the side, staring at her with one eye. 'I am well he replied before licking his lips and clearing his throat.

"But Syoou," He began, attempting to form the human words over his large flat tongue. "Prr... Prrr," He struggled, twisting his brow in a knot as he attempted to speak in English. "Prrrnounced how... Syoou said Heigh, insturrd." he finished, his deep gruff voice rumbling inside the gym with an earthly quality to it, thick and heavy.

Hearing S'hibs voice for how it was mean to be heard and not through the translator was magnificent and River had to compose herself "Good" She said in the usual federation standard even her voice sounding more brought around the edges before she blew out her nose trying to make as much noise as possible, whipping her head back once before stamping her right foot, to her this loosely translated to I am excited and enjoyable though it was difficult being smaller and not naturally built for these types of engagements.

S'hib stared at River for a brief moment in silence, his lips parting ever so slightly and curling at the edges.

This composure, however, did not last as he turned away and began to laugh. "I'm Syoory!" he stuttered before bursting into hysterics.

Not understanding what was so funny "Hey!" She shouted before stamping both her feet and breathing our her mouth with a very deep and long rumble... So maybe she did get Tour to teach her a few less than civil expressions too. "What's so funny!" River added for good measure, taking her show and tell very seriously.

Unable to remain standing from laughing, S'hib attempted to sit down on the bench before opting to just fall to the floor, his laugh replaced by painful silence as his gut knotted and his eyes flooded with tears.

Storming to where she had laid down the comms badges
She pinned hers to her chest and then standing over Shib a leg either side of his body she pinned his to him taking little care if she pricked him. "Computer activate universal translater!" Standing now her legs straddling the incapacitated horse 'What are you laughing at Shib! I'm here trying to appreciate YOUR culture and all you're doing is rolling on the floor laughing! I have walked round Sequella naked for hours, I have had a sore throat for days and Tour, has I think, started to fancy me so you better explain yourself or I'm having Shib stew for dinner!"

“Ow.” S’hib yelped as she stuck the comm badge to his chest, still trying to contain his laughter. “River... I'm sorry, it's just what you said... it ... well, you don't want to know what you said.” he snorted while stifling his laugh as he looked up at her towering over him.

"Spill the beans Sequees or they'll be one less male in the herd" She half threatened half teased already calming down, and more curious to know what she had said and how badly she got it wrong. River still didn't move from her dominating position above him, however.

"Well... ugh, you see... It gets kinda lost in the translation..." He fumbled, unsure if he should say while also trying to figure out how to say it.

"You, basically said you were excited... about being enjoyed..." He said with a stupid grin, shrinking his long neck into his shoulders.

A moment passed where River simply starred at Shib before dropping her arms down by her side and stepping to one side of the male." Well maybe that's what I meant to say, bet you didn't think about that" She said stubbornly reaching down and offering to help him up.

S'hib gently reached up and gripped her wrist with his stubby fingers, glad he had a white coat to hide the rush of blood on his face.

"Probably thinking of Tour I bet." He grinned, his tongue stick between his teeth as he attempted to stand up off the floor.

The words 'I bet' hadn't even left his lips before River let go of his hand sending him back down to the floor and dropping on top of him, sitting lazily on his chest her legs straddling either side as she faced him. "Let's have a good think about the words that might leave those lovely lips of yours or the doctor will have to explain why there's one less crewman onboard" River was playful now enjoying the banter and blushing a bright red from his comment.

S'hib simply snorted loudly as leaned his head down, blowing hot air under her top before tilting his head back to look at River. "You know, his program is fully equipped... I wouldn't blame you..." He continued, grinning madly as he brought his arms up and folded them behind his head.

The snort caused Rivers hair to blow up around her which was good because it now hid most of her beaming bright red scorched face. Her shirt however also blew up and back down, Shibs breath tickling her. "Of course he is! Only you would be sadistic enough to add that sort of feature!" She said half laughing half through gritted teeth as she brought her fists down onto his firm chest the force of which probably didn't even tickle him.

"Well in my defence..." S'hib smiled, looking down at her fist on his chest. "It wouldn't be Sequella without intimacy."

This cut River short, her hands now rested open-palmed on his chest and her eyes found him before they took in the scene in front of her. It was fortunate no one had walked it because to anyone but them it would appear they weren't just being friendly. And as if River thought she couldn't turn another shade of red she did because at that moment she thought, 'Who cares what people saw maybe she wanted what they would deduce' but as quickly as that thought entered her mind she grew angry at herself. She'd never steal another woman's man from them, without reason of course and to do anything to Shib in this moment would be pure lustful greed. She rolled off him and lay facing the ceiling of the gym, their sides still touching but no longer did she feel their position was compromising.

"You ok?" S'hib asked naively, not quite understanding why she was bright red other than the workout they had just done. "I have more water with me if you need it..." He trailed off as he sat up and looked around, trying to orientate himself to where his things where.

"No, It's not that S'hib" She said with a sigh still remaining on her back resting her hand on her chest as she breathed. Her lungs expanding and deflating which in turn caused her hands to raise and lower, "I just... It doesn't matter, It not something I should be thinking nor fair to tell." River explained cryptically.

"Well, ok I won't ask." S'hib strained as he climbed to his hooves, still completely oblivious to her feelings, his mind wandering back to Tour and if he had programmed him to be a little too friendly. "Where'd your friend go?" He asked, glancing over to where he last saw her.

River looked around already knowing the answer, "Oh, I think she was bored and decided to go annoy some other officer, most likely wandering around the science labs. She not so much a friend more like a student." She sat up from her laid down position before helping herself to her feet and moving over to her things. "Well, I think I need to go get showered and changed." The truth was she now felt awkward and her rose-red cheeks weren't going away anytime soon. embarrassment was not a good look on the usually confident and arrogant Elasion, Starfleet really had made her soft and S'hib even more so, his girlfriend didn't know just how lucky she was to have him and again River chased the thought out of her mind.

"Yeah, I think we both do," S'hib said still panting heavily through his nostrils. "You sure you're ok though? you look pretty hot?" He asked, mistaking her blushing for something else entirely.

She nodded, "You're right, it's just warm in here that's all I'll be fine once I've washed and cooled down. I'll see you at work?" Rivers voice coming through broken but strong, she really needed to get a grip maybe after work today she'd go hit something hard instead of spending her free time with Tour or her head in the LCARS system reading Bout Shib's homeworld and culture.

"See you next shift River." S'hib smiled, lifting the metal bottle of water to his wide lips.

OFF:

Ensign River Lokaa
Security Officer
USS Elysium

Lieutenant S'hib
Security Officer
USS Elysium