Quiet Meeting

Posted on Fri Mar 1st, 2019 @ 4:05pm by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Gary Taylor & Commander Liselle Qwyyn

Mission: Season 2: Episode 3: Determination is not always a good thing
Timeline: MD6 - Late at night Before Mission wind up
1074 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

IC

Phoenix summoned Gary and Liselle to her ready room, late that night. It was late but no other time had allowed for this meeting.

Gary just entered his quarters when the page from Phoenix came through. She wanted to see both Liselle and himself in her ready room. Not allowing himself to get comfortable he did a quick 180 degree turn and headed back out the door making his way to her ready room. Arriving, he didn't see Liselle, maybe she was already here. He'd find out soon enough as he pressed the chime and awaited entrance.

Before the door opened, Qwyyn fell into step beside him. She tugged uncomfortably at the sleeves of her uniform. This whole business with the upcoming Zhian'tara was making her feel oddly uncomfortable around her crewmates as of late. At first she had been elated when several of them had agreed to participate in the ancient Trill ceremony. But now, as the day grow closer, she found herself utterly self-aware of the profound intimacy she was about to share with them. It was not a feeling she was particularly enjoying.

Gary shot her a sideways glance. He could sense her unease something was bothering Liselle and he had a good idea just what it was. He tried to ease her concern. "Liselle. Everything is going to be alright. You'll see....relax."

Her long held breath escaped her in a nervous laugh. "It's just this Zhian'tara thing. I can't stop thinking about it."

He nodded in understanding. "I thought as much." He said quietly. "You know thinking about it, is just making it that much bigger in your mind. Find something else to think, focus on."

She reached over to give his hand a quick squeeze, hers colder than usual from the stress. In her mind she heard the song he had played for her in his quarters. It was the one about growing as old as sixty-four by The Crickets. The memory relaxed her. "Thanks, Taylor."

He gave her hand an answering squeeze. "Your welcome. Now relax. What could go wrong?"

The door opened and Phoenix stood there. "Are you two standing out here all night? Get in here."

Gary looked at Liselle and then back to Phoenix, "Well.... actually." He began before moving aside to let Liselle enter first.

The notion of being a part of these three-person meetings alongside the Captain and the XO was still new to Liselle and she found an uneasy tautness in her stomach each time. She imagined it would go away after a time. She hoped it would. "Everything alright, Captain?"

"It will be. Please have a seat." Phoenix waved them to the conversation area, rather than her desk.

Gary was silent as Phoenix replied rather cryptically. He knew she would tell them what was going on when she was ready and not before. So he didn't force the issue.

Once they were seated, Phoenix took a breath. "I had an interesting comm call a short while ago. One I think you both need to know about. I got a call from your twin Liselle."

Gary shot Liselle a look. They had just had a conversation about Liselle's twin sister just the other night and here she was already making her presence felt by contacting the Captain

Liselle pulled in a nervous breath, pushing it out heavily as she spoke. "She contacted me earlier, to let me know that she was going to ask to come aboard on behalf of the Symbiosis Commission on Trill," Qwyyn admitted. "I was going to come talk to you about it beforehand. I just didn't expect her to do it so...soon. Then again, I'm sure she went out of her way to make sure she got to you before I did."

Gary saw and heard Liselle's unease and nervousness at the mention of her sister's name. It was obvious Liselle and her sister were even now competing against one another or at least her sister was and it was wrecking havoc with Liselle.

Phoenix reached out a hand. "Being a twin is never easy. I know being one myself. Liselle, there is no official reason to keep her off the Elysium but if you want I can restrict her access to certain parts of the ship."

"Being an only child, I can only imagine what it's like to have a sibling let alone a twin." Gary replied as he leaned forward in his chair. "Personally that would be ideal but realistically, it may be counter productive. If we restrict her sister's access other than from classified areas, she may think you have something to hide and make things harder for you."

"I appreciate the consideration. Both of you," Liselle said. She relaxed visibly. "I haven't been around her much in the last few years, but I honestly don't think she's going to cause the ship any problems. Me? I'm sure she'll use every opportunity she can to torture the hell out of. But I've toughened up since the last time we spent time together. Since I've been aboard the Elysium, I've dealt with much worse than a petty sibling."

Phoenix nodded. She knew that Liselle had grown a lot since she first met her, sitting side by side at the front of the bridge. "Very well. I will send a message letting her know to meet us at DS9."

Gary nodded and smiled as Liselle's statement. "Give her hell Liselle. Remember you aren't the bottom to any pile."

"Speaking of which..." Liselle edged into an adjacent topic. "You're both still okay to take part in the Zhian'tara? I understand I'm asking you to give me all of your upcoming leave, so if something else has come up..."

"Liselle...." Gary sighed, his eyes narrowing in mock anger. "We've been through this. However let me make this crystal clear for you So there is no misunderstanding. I'm not backing out on you." He finished with a grin.

"Neither am I" Phoenix said softly. "This is going to show them that you are wonderful host and a wonderful officer."

Liselle took a moment, smiling as she looked to each of her friends in turn. "Let's just hope we haven't pulled out all of our hair by the end of this," she joked.


OFF

Captain Phoenix Lalor
Commanding Officer
USS Elysium

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium

Commander Liselle Qwyyn
Chief Flight Control / Second Officer
USS Elysium