Mentor or Menace

Posted on Tue Apr 27th, 2021 @ 11:12am by Lieutenant Baeryn Whavi-Tonelly & Captain David Tonelly [Reece]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Holodeck 3
Timeline: Saturday, 1256 hours.(Two weeks after the Challenge side arc)
3257 words - 6.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Seated Indian style on the beach, Baeryn sat across from David with her eyes closed. The sun was warm on her cheeks, bright enough she could see the bright rays through her eye lids. The waves crashed on the beach, rushing up and darkening the sands, the only sound aside from the Marine's steady breathing. She was supposed to be concentrating on her own breathing, in calming her mind enough to open it up and let in the energies around her. Having not said anything for what seemed like an hour, she peeked open one of her eye lids just enough to look at David.

David was also sitting, his legs folded, wrists perched on his knees. His eyes were closed and he had a serene look upon his face. Suddenly, as if knowing that Baeryn was peeking, he spoke. "You're not concentrating, Baeryn." His voice quiet, but strong.

Huffing a sigh she said, “This is ridiculous, it’s not working.”

Opening his eyes, David gave Baeryn a playful grin. "It's not working because you aren't following the steps I gave you. Now come on. Focus." He closed his eyes again and seemed to reenter his trance immediately.

Grunting, Baeryn leaned back on both arms making a face towards David. The process seemed simple, concentrate, clear your mind, then reach out to your surroundings. Seemed simple, except the betazoid hybrid could do none of it. Attempting to still her mind was like a Ferengi willing to volunteer for charity. Unlikely to ever happen.

The control Baeryn had on her mind was like a rubber band. Whenever she pulled she was met with resistance, a force unwilling to open but ready to snap back at her when she least expected it. So was that what was holding her back? Fear? Fear didn’t seem to stop the flood of emotions and energies that flowed in when she least expected it. Her mind would take everything and anything in, but never let anything out.

“I’d much rather focus on other things.” She teased.

David arched his right eyebrow slightly when Baeryn made a face at him. While he didn't actually see it, as his eyes were closed, he felt her energy spike around her head, so, knowing her as he was beginning to, he knew she had done something rude. He could see that her three energies were still out of alignment. Until she calmed and listened to her insides, she would always remain at odds with herself.

At her comment, he smirked slightly, though kept his eyes closed. "If you would focus on these lessons, you might discover that those other things will be even more enjoyable."

“And here I thought those noises you made meant that they already were.” Baeryn slammed her eyes shut before David could open his and scold her for the retort. Her shoulders shook with the laugh she held in.

David opened his eye and smirked even more as he watched Baeryn try to contain her laughter. Without a sound, he moved up onto his knees and then leaned in towards her. He was a mere two inches from her, and yet, his training had made him all but invisible. It was one of the things that earned him the moniker Ghostwalker when he was stationed at Camp Amazon.

"Focus," he finally said, quietly. "Can be the difference between life and death."

Baeryn jumped, not expecting his voice to be so close to her. When had he moved? Opening her eyes she silently reigned in her laughter, taking a deep breath she did as instructed.

Smiling to himself, David could feel that she was starting to follow his guidance now. Moving back to where he had been seated, he got back into position and closed his eyes. Reaching out, he felt her energies start to change.

The waves were suddenly louder then they had been, the sound of the water and sands colliding so colossal she could almost feel their impact. In her mind she could see a wall. A giant towering wall made of tree lumber with branches occasionally poking out. What was on the other side of it? The wall stretched on for what looked like miles, never ending or beginning. There must be a door. Baeryn reached out a hand and pressed her plan to the wall. It felt alive. Moist from the early morning dew. She ran her hand across the wall, bark bristling off with her light touch.

Baeryn's breathing evened out as her curiosity rose. What was this? Who had built it? It felt like a piece of her, like it had always been there, a fortress to keep her contained. But what stopped something from coming in?

"Find your way in," came a voice, both tender and strong.
"Focus. You're doing well. Keep going."

The voice was like a warm breeze rushing gently through her curls. An encouraging gesture to continue. She brought her other hand up and placed it to on the wall. Under her palms she could feel a thrumming. Like a current moving within the wall, stirring at her touch. Then a force pushed back. The wall felt like it breathed. The motion caught Baeryn off guard and she jerked both hands from the wall and began to retreat.

Turning she readied herself to run from the wall, to put as much distance behind her and whatever was on the other side of the wall but the moment she turned around she slammed into another wall, a twin to the first. Panic started to rise in her stomach. Baeryn took off to the left and ran. Ran alongside the wall, she would find its end and go around. She was led into a corner, where the walls adjoined.

“No...” she muttered. Her breathing hitching as her heart began to race.

"Calm yourself," the gentle, masculine voice uttered. "If you loose focus, you will not be able to pass through the obstacles in front of you."

She would not allow herself be boxed in, there had to be a door, a way out. The wall must end somewhere. Running again along the wall that seemed to go on forever, Baeryn found another corner. In frustration she pounded on the wall. Let me out! She screamed at the wall, as if it would listen to her, as if it were an extension of her she could command.

Nothing happened. In full panic she started walking backwards from the wall, her breathing coming in shallow breaths, she was running out of air. Then there was another voice. Different from the first. Feminine. Familiar. Coming from behind her. She spun to find a mirror image of herself. Smiling at her. Taunting her.

No. It wasn’t a mirror. It was wrong. The eyes. They weren’t her eyes, they were a bright forest green, like emeralds, eyes filled with light unlike her own obsidian pair that seemed to lack the sparkle these green pair possessed.

"Pay no attention to the obstacle in front of you. It is nothing more than negative energy trying to keep you isolated. It cannot harm you. You are in control of your mind. Focus." The male voice did not sound rushed. In fact, it sounded assured and confident and above all, loving.

Baeryn could barely hear his voice over the pounding of her own heart in her ears. The walls seemed to be closing in. Shrinking. Her lungs couldn't fill with air fast enough. The woman across from her was speaking, but there was no sound. A sharp pain erupted behind her skull and Baeryn cried out, squeezing her eyes shut, her face fell into her hands as the pain grew stronger, like a drilling into her temple. Then everything went black, quiet.

Baeryn lost consciousness, falling back into the sand her body went completely lax.

David moved quickly to catch Baeryn and secure her head as she collapsed. "Baeryn?!" He called her name as he carefully laid her down. "C'mon, honey! Don't do this!" He quickly began to check her vitals. She wasn't breathing and he felt no pulse. Slipping back into 20th century emergency medical training, David quickly repositioned himself and began giving Baeryn CPR.

There was a pressure on her chest, some force pushing her down, repeatedly. Suddenly she was coughing as the air rushed in and out of her lungs. Her esophagus felt raw and burned with each breath. Baeryn flung her arms grabbing onto the source of the pressure on her chest and dug her nails in, frantic to get as far from it as possible.

"Easy! Baeryn, it's me!" David said, trying to hold her so she didn't hurt herself, or him. He cringed slightly when she dug her nails into his chest and left arm.

The ocean, waves cresting and rushing towards the shore filled her vision. No, it wasn’t the ocean but blue eyes, filled with concern looked down on her. He was saying something but her mind couldn’t register what. She loosened her grip when she realized it was David.

Seeing that she was starting to calm, David spoke to her again. "Baeryn, can you hear me?"

Baeryn simply nodded, instantly regretting the movement as the drilling headache returned and she winced. The pain so excruciating her stomach threatened to empty itself onto the sand.

"Easy, honey," David said soothingly, trying to ease her pair. He gently rolled her to her side and held her head, applying reverse pressure on her skull to fight the headache he knew, from experience, that she was having.

Groaning she muttered, "You and your damn nicknames." Bracing one hand in the sand she pushed herself upright clenching her eyes shut. The artificial sun was killing her. "Computer, End program." Within seconds David and Baeryn sat in the center of the empty holodeck, the lower lighting giving her instant relief.

Grinning softly, David gave Baeryn a steadying hand. He chuckled at her gripe. "Hey, you should feel honored by them. I don't call anyone else those names." He gently cupped her left cheek with his right hand, pulling her eyes to his. "But, if they bother you, I'll stop." His eyes were full of love for the woman in front of him.

Struggling to keep her eyes focused she half grinned at David. "No nicknames. I like hearing you say my name." Baeryn leaned in, pressing her forehead to David's mouth and released a sigh. "I would prefer to never to that again. There are much more pleasant things to do on a beach that I would gladly show you."

Grinning again, David replied. "Okay. No nicknames. But, don't be angry if, every once in a while, one might slip out." He winked playfully. However, he would respect her wishes. "And what you're doing will only make you stronger." He gave a soft sigh. "But, perhaps you've worked enough today." He gave her a toothy grin when he heard her comment. "I'm sure you would." He paused and then said. "Okay. As a treat for your very hard work, for the rest of the weekend, we will do whatever you want to do."

A half hearted laugh came from Baeryn, "I find it adorable that you thought we would do anything other then what I would like to do this weekend." Her head was still pounding but she smiled up at him, she wasn't able to hold it long before dropping the smile and closing her eyes again.

Chuckling softly, David slowly and carefully stood, helping Baeryn stand as well. Then, after gently picking her up and cradling her in his arms, he said aloud, "Computer, site to site transport for Lieutenant Whavi and myself to her quarters, please." In seconds, the pair was whisked away from the holodeck and delivered to the requested destination.

Baeryn didn’t protest one bit as David lifted her in his arms. She wrapped her own around his neck, pressing her lips feather light to the spot just below his right ear.

Without a word, David carried Baeryn to her bed and lowered her gently upon it. "Computer, lower illumination to ten percent and play Tonelly Meditation music, volume three, and lower the sound volume to 12 percent."

As soon as her head, which felt like a sack of bricks, hit the pillow she gave a sigh of relief. Not opening her eyes as David roamed about her quarters. The pounding had begun to lessen greatly, effects of whatever it was he was burning, or perhaps it was due to the low lights. She was too mentally exhausted to determine which case it was. Her heart filled with such gratitude for this man. Never in a million years did she think someone would care and tend to her the way he was so effortlessly.

As his orders were carried out, he covered Baeryn with a thin blanket. He then moved off to her replicator and ordered some incense. After bringing it back to the bedroom, he lit the incense and placed its holder on the night table closest to Baeryn. From the hidden speakers, soft Tibetan monk bowl music began to play. "There now," he said quietly as he knelt on the deck next to Baeryn. "You rest now. Later, when you're feeling better, we will come back to the idea that you had."

She reached her hand out towards the direction his voice came from. Wanting desperately to feel him near. “And what idea would you be referring to marine?” Her attempt at a tease fell short given the growing drowsiness fighting to pull her under, into a deep sleep.

David smiled as he leaned forward to kiss Baeryn on her forehead. “Oh, I imagine it has something to do with you ripping my clothes off and having your way with me.” He gently ran his left hand over her forehead and over her curls.

Baeryn smiled, not raising her head from the pillow. Her fingers found his shirt and she weakly gripped it, the soft caress of his touch lulling her to sleep. “Mmmmhh. Twenty..... twenty minutes. I just need.... a n-nap first.”

After Baeryn had fallen asleep, David gently laid her hand on her chest. Then, after watching her quietly for a few minutes, carefully stood and went into the living room.

Moving to the replicator, he requested a few items, one of which he had to enter design specifications for. Once he had the items, he moved toward the center of the room. Closing his eyes, he seemed to concentrate on something. Breathing deeply, he slowly turned in a circle. Finally, after opening his eyes, he was facing the bulkhead next to the door leading into the corridor.

Kneeling down, he positioned the items he had replicated: a small wooden bowl with powdered incense and a single wick standing upright in the center of the bowl. Next, a pair of candles, six inches high and three wide, each set on a small silver plate. Finally, the item that he had to input the description of, was an eight inch tall marble statue that depicted a woman looking skyward, with the single red jewel in the center of her forehead.

Once everything was positioned correctly, he moved back a few inches and then crossed his legs, positioning his toes atop the insides of his thighs. He then rested his wrists on his knees and closed his eyes. He began to slow his breathing, and in a few minutes, the air began to feel charged. The candles and incense wick all ignited together, and he began to chant prayers over and over for the next few hours, never moving once from where he was seated.

Baeryn struggled to remove herself from the comforting force that held her safely to the bed. She felt like she was immersed in soft fluffy clouds that had long swallowed her whole. The quiet chanting from the other room raised her curiosity enough to pull her from the bed and to her feet. Staggering a bit at first, her head was still fuzzy, putting her balance off a bit.

Standing in the threshold of the bedroom doorway Baeryn leaned against it as she looked out at David, seated in front of a newly assembled shrine of sorts, deep in concentration. She was reluctant to disturb him, but somehow knew he could sense her there.

After a few moments, David felt that Baeryn was near. Slowly, he brought himself out of the chant cycle and opened his eyes. Turning his head to face her, he smiled warmly. "Hey you. How're you feeling?"

With a shy but bright smile she walked closer to David, positioning herself on the floor next to him, "Tired, but rested? I'm not sure to be honest." Her eyes left his to admire the statue in front of him.

David smiled brighter, glad to hear that she was feeling better. When he saw her look at the statue, he spoke. "That's a representation of Thallida. She's the Goddess of Knowledge and Strength. I was praying to her to help you in your journey."

"Praying for me huh?" Baeryn leaned her head against David's shoulder. "Have you been praying this whole time?"

Sighing happily, David turning his head and kissed Baeryn on the top of her head. "Yes, I was. Can you think of a better thing to do?"


Chuckling Baeryn moved to face him, playfully scrunching her brow, “Oh, I could think of a few.” She teased.

Inhaling deeply, David took in the flowery-fruity scent that Baeryn always wore. He chuckled softly as he unfolded his legs and started to stand. He then offered his hands to Baeryn, to help her stand. Once she was on her feet, he looked down into her beautiful black eyes. "And let me guess, they require both your shower and your bed?" He asked coyly.

Accepting his help up she shrugged once on her feet. “I’m not picky, the floor or the wall work just as well.” She laughed at her own forwardness. Being around David was so easy that Baeryn had to remind herself constantly he was real.

David couldn't help but laugh. He found Baeryn's forwardness very refreshing. And quite stimulating. Once he was done, he looked back down at her. Reaching out, he pulled her to him. "Why don't we get clean while we get dirty?" There was a hunger to his voice as he asked the question.

The yearning in David’s expression was enough to make Baeryn's toes curl. She allowed him to pull her towards him, daring to bring her face less then an inch from his, “and then you’ll take me against the wall?” She asked sweetly, with a tilt of her head and a bat of her lashes. Baeryn could sense David’s arousal even before she looked down for confirmation. The half betazoid pulled away before their lips could meet, grabbing the bottom hem of her shirt and pulling it over her head, she then proceeded to walk backwards towards the bathroom, unclipping her bra along the way.

David gritted his teeth and growled. "You are so gonna get it, Miss Whavi." He then stalked after her as he ripped off his tank top. "C'mere!" He said as he began to chase after her through her quarters towards her bathroom.



***OFF***


Lieutenant Baeryn Whavi
Chief Operations Officer U.S.S Elysium

&

Corporal David Tonelly
Marine Sniper
USS Elysium