Long time, no see

Posted on Tue Sep 13th, 2022 @ 9:09am by Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Captain David Tonelly [Reece]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Marine Country
1835 words - 3.7 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}

Since joining the Elysium Kara had kept herself pretty much to herself, not for any particular reason, she just hadn’t gotten out socialising. Learning that an old family friend was onboard she’d been meaning to visit him, and now seemed as good a time as any.

Heading to Marine Country she made for the Marine XO’s Office hoping to find David there. Pausing out by the door she pressed the chime.

Inside, David had been working on some personnel files, when suddenly, a smile started to form on his face. Another face from his past was approaching his office. When he heard the chime, he stood and moved out to the front of his desk. "C'mon in, Kara!"

Walking in Kara offered a warm smile as she greeted David. “Hello David, long time no see!”

David approached her and embraced her like a long lost relation. "Wow! I thought I had felt a familiar presence, but hadn't realized that it was you until you walked up, Kara! How have you been?!" He releases his hold and guided her to sit on his couch. "Other than the obvious, of course! Would you care for anything to eat or drink?"

“Something fizzy would go down a treat right now please!” Kara grinned as she took a seat. “I’m fine, finally married to Malakai, I take it you remember him?”

David grinned. "Malakai? Was he that young boy that Mattias warned away from you because he broke your heart?

Kara nodded. “Yep that’s the one!” She grinned.

The elder El Aurian grinned and chuckled. "I guess he finally changed his ways? I imagine he would have to, after the last time I saw your brother and he go at it?"

Kara nodded. “They have their moments but Matt knows true love when he sees it. He was best man at the wedding.”

David smiled. "That's wonderful to hear, my dear!" He then considered her a little more closely. "It's good to see you so happy, Kara."

“I’ll admit it’s been a long time coming, but I’m happier than I’ve ever been!”

Tag?

Relaxing back in her seat, Kara looked at David curiously. “I have a whole plethora of questions for you, but the main one...what does it mean to be El Aurian?”

Sitting down next to her, he considered the question. "You know, that's a very interesting question, Kara. Truthfully, that is something that each of us must ascertain for ourselves. Some of us choose to use our longevity for the common good, doing what we can to watch over the younger races, ensuring their stories are not forgotten. While others, unfortunately, choose to use our gifts for their own gains." He looked at her closely. "You found one of us like that, didn't you?"

Kara nodded. “My grandfather, a lot of generations removed.” She paused. “Wait...you know about me!? That I’m part El Aurian?”

He gave her a sage grin. "My dear, I have known about you since the first day I saw you. Granted, your energy isn't as strong as a pure blood, however, we can always sense when others of our kind is near. I, personally, see that feeling as a warm blanket being wrapped around me. It lets me know that I'm not alone out here."

Kara smiled. “So the sense I’ve had about you that I thought was from my Betazoid senses, is actually the El Aurian in me sensing another of my kind?” She marvelled at that thought. “I want to understand what it means to be El Aurian.”

He chuckled again. "Well, the first thing is, we listen to others. As one of the oldest races in the galaxy, if not the oldest surviving race, our people took up the mantle of watching over the younger races. Did you know that your ancestry, as an El Aurian, goes back nearly five million years? That was when our recorded history began as a civilization. We have seen many changes in this galaxy over the eons." His features grew a bit darker for a few beats. "The darkest time in our history was when the Borg betrayed us and attacked. We were very nearly lost that day. It is still unknown if we will ever regain what we once had. certainly, should we survive another five million years, we will be as different then as we are now. Only time will tell." He sighed softly and looked at her, a sad look in his eyes.

"I don't mean to upset you with this, it's just the only way I can describe from where you originate."

Kara nodded. “It’s okay, I asked. Just...what does all this mean for me? My Grandfather is hundreds of years old, what does it mean for my life span? I don’t want to out live my husband, watch him grow old and die!” Her smile faded. “Grandfather went into a cocoon of some sort, to heal himself, is that likely to happen to me?”

David thought for a moment, then replied, his tone a bit somber. "Kara, my dear, unfortunately, as you have El Aurian blood running in your veins, the possibility of out living your lived ones, barring some catastrophe, is very real. Now, does that mean it'll happen? Not at all. Anyone of us could drop dead at any moment, for a myriad of reasons. The best thing that you could do, for both yourself and your family, is to simply live your life as best as you can. Worrying that you will lose your loved ones will only cause you pain." He got a bit quieter. "Believe me on that fact."

He then took in a breath and shook his head slightly. "As for your healing cycle, we call it rastalla, I don't think you need to worry about that. I have never known or heard of a hybrid going through it. If nothing else, you may simply heal a bit fast than others."

Kara nodded. “At least that’s something. I’m going to have to sit down with Malakai and talk about all this, no matter what I’ll live my life with my family. I’ll enjoy every moment.” She couldn’t help but feel unhappy at the thought of possibly outliving her own husband, and what of her children? She took a deep breath trying not to think about it.

David reached over and put a comforting hand over hers. "If there's anything I, or Baeryn can do, please don't hesitate to ask."

Kara offered a smile. “Thank you David, be careful what you wish for! There’s always babysitting duties once this little one is born.”

David gave her a warm grin. "Oh, I'm sure Baeryn and I would love to help you out, when the time comes. Provided, of course, you wouldn't mind returning the pleasure?" He grinned happily as he thought about his an Baeryn's baby, growing in her belly.

“You’re having a baby too!?” Kara grinned. “Congratulations to you both!! That’s so wonderful David. Of course we’ll return the favour!”

The El Aurian nodded and chuckled. "Yeah, took me a long time to find her, but, Baeryn is the other half if my soul. We're both very excited by it all!"

“I’m very happy for you both David!” Kara gave David a hug. “I’m looking forward to meeting Baeryn.”

David returned the hug with equal warmth. When they let go of each other, he nodded and grinned as he replied. "I'll talk to her about it. As not only Baeryn the Ops Chief, she is also the Second Officer, so, you can imagine that she is rather busy." His words were full of pride of his mate.

“You’re obviously very proud of her, and you should be!” Kara smiled warmly. “I’m so happy for you!”

He nodded. "I am, very much so!" He had a very happy smile on his face. "Thank you! And I am so happy to see how much you and Matty have grown." His features darkened some. "I am sorry to about Matt's first wife and son. Had I known, I would have been there to offer you both whatever support I could. And for you, following your attack." He paused a moment, reaching out to gently placed his right hand over her left. "From what I've heard, your brother found all of those responsible?" He wasn't asking to turn Mattias in, he would have done the same thing to those animals.

Kara nodded. “He did, but he never told me that’s what he was going to do. Though it came as no surprise. He’s always protected me. I guess you don’t know about my daughter...” she smiled. “Her name is Ezri, she may have been conceived as a result of what happened to me, but I love her and that will never change!”

"And nor should it," he said with a soft smile. "I'm sure she is as lovely and intelligent as her mother is."

Kara nodded. “Thank you David, you always were the charmer!” She grinned. “You do know I used to have a crush on you as a kid, even back then I felt there was something about us, I guess I never understood what that truly meant. At least now I do, I just need to learn all about our El Aurian heritage now.”

He smiled softly and gently patted her hand. "I know, my dear. Though, I imagine your eyes had been set on another at the time." He didn't mention Mattias as he could feel that there was something between the two of them, which was not his place to say. "As for learning more about your heritage, I will gladly offer my knowledge to you when you need it. You have but to ask me."

Kara gave a surprised look as David mentioned her having eyes for another, had he noticed her feelings for Mattias back then? “Then I’m asking David, I need all the help I can get learning about my heritage.”

He chuckled softly and nodded. Reaching up to his breast pocket, he pulled out his small personal PADD and typed a few commands. "I'm sending you some history books that you should have and read, most purebloods learn all of this by the time they reach their thirties. I am also sending you the contact info for a couple clerics and priestesses that might be able to help you, spiritually."

Kara nodded. “Thank you David” she stepped up and kissed him on the cheek. “What would I do without you?”

David grinned. "Oh, I'm sure you would've found your way. You've always been very clever, my dear."

“Like someone else I could mention!” Kara grinned before heading on her way, feeling a whole lot more reassured than she had when she’d arrived.

{OFF}