Play Date...

Posted on Sun Jan 30th, 2022 @ 5:48pm by Captain George Charles [Reece] & Hendor Charles [Reece] & Lieutenant Samaire MacBride-Reece [Lalor] & Staff Sergeant Leilani Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Skylah McBride [Lalor]

Mission: Season 5: Episode 3: CAPETOWN
Location: USS Elysium, Charles Family Quarters
Timeline: MD TBD / 1730 hours
1608 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Hendor was excited. His new best friend, Skylah was coming over to play!! He had spent the day, helping his parents clean their quarters and then he organuzed his toys a few dozen times, wanting things to be perfect.

George watched their son from the table in the dining room and smiled. Yup, definite puppy love situation, Imzadi.

Maybe so Imzadi Leilani smiled. I’m looking forward to meeting Samaire.

She seems to be a very nice woman. And her niece, Skylah, she seemed to be full of energy, but there was a calmness when she interacted with our boy. he shook his head slightly. Maybe I'm reading more into something that may or may not be there. he grinned softly and put his left arm around Leilani’s shoulders, pulling her to him. It just warms my heart to see him so happy. With all the pain he has endured so far, all I want for him is joy and happiness.

Leilani nodded. I agree, he deserves so much in his life. After the hardship he’s had in his life so far I want Hendor to experience everything happy in life.

Suddenly feeling his parents watching him, Hendor turned and smiled. "Do you think Skylah will like my toys, Mama?"

Leilani knelt down to Hendor’s height. “I think she’ll love them sweetheart, but don’t go too mad. If Skylah doesn’t have what you have she might feel upset, maybe even jealous. How’s about we replicate a little gift for your friend?”

Hendor nodded, and after thinking about what his mother said, lit up with an idea. Moving over to his bed, he grabbed his most cherished possession in the world. After hugging it to his tiny chest, he moved back to his mother. "Can we make a friend for Pudsey?" He offered the small teddy bear, with one poorly eye, that Leilani had given him the first day he was aboard, as a reward for being so brave during his first visit, both to the ship, and to sickbay, where he met the man, who he now calls his favorite Dragon Knight, Commander Sthilg.

Leilani gave Hendor a hug. “Of course we can! How’s about you help me input the details into the replicator. It’ll make whatever you tell it to make.”

This idea seemed to excite Hendor, giggling, he took his mother's hand and pulled her towards the replicator.

George laughed happily. Yup, he's got it bad for her, and he doesn't even know whatit is yet!

I think you’re completely right! Leilani grinned as she looked back towards George before turning her attention to Hendor and his teddy bear requirements.

For the next several minutes, Hendor and Leilani worked hard on trying to create the perfect companion teddy bear to give to Skylah, when she arrived.

The chime sounded in the cabin. Outside, Skylah bounced on the balls of her purple sneakers.

Samaire stood beside her carrying a bottle of wine for the Charles's.

George smiled when he felt the presence of the McBride's. "They're here!" He said as he looked down at his son. "Hendor, why don't you go and invite them in?"

The young boy didn't need to be told twice. Carrying both teddy bears with him, he ran over to the door. "Come in!" He called out, laughing happily.

Hearing the permission given, the computer unlocked and slid open the doors, revealing Samaire and Skylah outside.

"Skylah!" Hendor called out excitedly, he ran over to her and gave her a big hug.

“How’s about you let your friend in the door at least,” Leilani grinned as she walked over to greet their guests. “Hi, I’m Leilani. Please come on inside.”

Hendor looked back at his mother shyly. "Sorry, Mama." He bounced back into happiness when he remembered the toy he had just made for Skylah. His eye lit up as he turned back to her, pulling her into his home. "Sky! I made you something!" He then presented the small teddybear to her. "Her name is Betsy! I made her have fur the same color as your hair, with an outfit and purple shoes, just yours!" He then held up his bear. "This is Pudsey. He's Betsy's best friend. Mama gave him to me my first day here, when I was so brave and let the Dragon Knight scan me! See, he has a...a.." he looked over at his mother and asked, "what did you was the kind of eye he had, like me, Mama?"

“Ohh Pudsey has a poorly eye sweetheart, just like you do.” Leilani smiled warmly. “But to me you’re both as special as each other.”

Hendor smiled warmly. He loved his mother deeply. Tuning back to Skylah, he repeated what she had said. "He has a poorly eye, like me. But soon, my Dragon Knight said he would give me a new eye, and then make my face look good!" He was very excited about the idea of not standing out anymore.

Skylah tilted her head "You look fine" she said honestly.

Samaire smiled as well "I know the doctor is very good at his job," She held out a hand to Leilani. "Sam" she introduced herself.

“It’s nice to meet you Sam” Leilani smiled as she shook Sam’s hand. “Please feel free to call me Lani for short.”

Sam smiled.

Hendor smiled softly, as his young mind computed what Skylah had just said to him. "You...you don't think I look weird? I only have part of my face." He reached up and gently touched the metal and heavy duty plastic shell that was the building frame to give him a face like everyone else.

Skylah gave a shrug. "So?" She asked. "Lieutenant Gorta had a transparent skull and we could see his brains right Aunty Sam?"

Sam gave a smile. "Yes he did." She replied to Skylah.

“Wow, I bet that was a very...different thing to see.” Leilani smiled.

"He is a Gal-lam-ite." Skylah said slowly enunciating the word.

“Now that is Excellent pronunciation Skylah!” Leilani smiled warmly.

Hendor was stunned. "You could see his brain?! What did it look like?"

"It is bigger than our brains" Skylah said. "He said it is because he reads too much but Aunty Sam says its gene-tic"

Hendor nodded, not fully understanding what she was saying. He then smiled and changed the subject. "Wanna see my room and toys?!"

"Sure" Skylah grinned at him.

The two children ran off into his room and he started to show her all the toys his Mama and Papa had given him since he came into their lives.

After they ran off, George smiled and asked Samaire, "Would you care for anything to eat or drink?"

"No thank you" Sam said with a smile. "I am fine. I wanted to thank you both for the invitation."

“It’s our pleasure Sam.” Leilani smiled warmly. “Hendor thinks the world of his new friend, it seemed only fair to invite you both here.”

George motioned for the three of them to sit down in the comfortable living room. "Yeah, if possible, we think he might even have started to grow a little puppy love crush on her. He spent the last hour, arranging and rearranging his toys, just so they would be perfect when she arrived." He chuckled softly as he thought about earlier.

Sam smiled at that. "Skylah has never had a friend so she is excited as well."

“She’s never had a friend?” Leilani looked astonished. “That’s so sad. Well she’s always welcome here, and if she ever needs someone to talk to then I’m here. I’m a Counsellor aboard ship as well as a combat medic.”

"Yes," George agreed. "You both are always welcome in our home." He took a breath and then turned serious. "And, while I hate to be the spoilsport, we should discuss how we are going bring this situation to the attention of the Captain."

Sam nodded as they sat down. "I figure we tell them what happened and see if they are going to do something about it."

George nodded slowly. "Perhaps we should also see if Avalon can replay what her internal sensors recorded. There would be no way that that woman would be able to talk her way out of it."

"I am sure she will try that. She has had it out for Skylah for ages, I was trying to work with her on it." Sam said softly.

“I just wish I’d been there instead of being in quarantine at the time.” Leilani sighed.

Sam gave her a smile. "That teacher's mind was made up, I doubt even the Captain would be able to change it."

George mused quietly. "Well, he could always fire her."

"One could always pray for that." Samaire said softly. "I have never seen such a person illsuited to education."

“It’s not for us to surmise about, we’ll just have to hope it’s sorted to our liking.”
Leilani offered a brief smile.

George nodded in agreement with both women. Before he could say anything, though, Hendor had come back into the room and went of to Leilani. "Mama," he asked softly, "what's for dinner? Skylah and I are getting hungry."

“Well we can soon sort that” Leilani motioned to the replicator. “Let’s go find something yummy for you and Skylah to enjoy!”

~OFF~