Seeking Permission

Posted on Tue Dec 12th, 2023 @ 9:33am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Cadet Junior Grade Gérard Dirsye [Reece]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: USS Elysium, Commodore's Ready Room
Timeline: MD1 - 11h00
1385 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

After having chrs ecked and rechecked his uniform nearly a dozen times, Cadet Dirsye left his shared cabin in the Academy Annex, and made his way up to the bridge. He had an appointment to see the Elysium's Master and Commander, Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson. The purpose of the appointment had not been made clear to her yeoman, when he requested the time, as Gérard didn't feel it was their business to know. He merely told them that it was of a personal nature.

Once the appointment had bee approved and set, that was when he really started to get nervous. However, he would see it through. He cared too much for Miran to back out now.

While the journey upship had been only a few moments, to Gérard, it felt like an eternity. He checked his breath and uniform a few more times, when finally, the doors slid open, revealing the large command center for the flagship of Obsidian Fleet.

Swallowing his nerves, Gérard stepped out of the turbolift and onto the bridge. A few officers present looked over at him, but then returned to their duties. He then took a quick breath and moved smartly to the door leading to the Commodore's ready room.

Reaching up, he pressed the door chime. He then waited.

The door opened a short moment later and a voice said "Come in." It sounded as if the person was distracted.

Swallowing again, Gérard entered quickly, stopping just short of the Commodore's desk as he snapped to attention. "Commodore."

The commodore was standing by the window behind her desk. She held a PADD in her hand and was staring out the window. The sound of footsteps had her turning to face him. "Cadet" Phoenix Lalor-Richardson said calmly.

Realizing that he should get right to it, Gérard spoke quickly, but clearly. "Thank you for allowing me time to come speak with you, Ma'am!"

"Have a seat Cadet" The Commodore said calmly. She was privately amused at the whole situation, having been prewarned by her sister. "What did you wish to discuss?"

Moving to take the offered seat, the young Betazoid was so preoccupied with his own thoughts and feelings, that he didn't even pick up on the amusement coming from the Commodore. "Well, Ma'am...the thing is...I mean, what I'm here to ask is..."

Hearing himself start to babble, Gérard closed his eyes and mouth, and took in a few deep breaths, in an attempt to calm his racing heartbeat. When he was ready, he reopened his eyes and began again, calmer this time. "As you know, Ma'am, since we arrived in this galaxy, I have been spending time with your sister." He raised his hands, palms toward Phoenix, defensively. "On my honor, we have not done anything untoward."

He lowered his hands back into his lap and took another calming breath. "While she is still considered a minor, I am finding it more and more pleasing, to be in Miran's company. As I have told her, on my world, she would already be considered an adult. However, I have not pushed for anything. I respect her, and you, too much to do otherwise, Ma'am." Another breath. "What I am here, today, to speak with you, Ma'am, is to ask for your blessings that I may begin courting Miran. Rest assured, this does not mean that I will try to force myself on her in any way. It is simply my people's custom that I, as the male, would ask her matriarch for permission to spend more time with her. In this case, her matriarch is you."

Phoenix was glad she was able to stand on her own foot discreetly to stop herself from smiling. She took a seat. "I will admit that I had once thought that this conversation would be held with someone else. But I have been keeping an eye on things, Cadet, and I am aware that my sister is very much open to a courtship with you. Had we been on my homeworld, you are aware that my father would be against this situation."

Bowing his head respectfully, Gérard replied. "I am, Ma'am." A smile then threatened to explode across his face. "Then, may I take it that your answer is in the affirmative, Ma'am?" While he was pleased by the news that Miran wanted to see him more, he still hadn't heard the Commodore give him her blessings.

"Yes, but know this, You hurt her, you will regret it. I say that as a sister."

Gérard sat a bit straighter in the chair as he replied. "Understandable, Ma'am. I wouldn't think of causing Miran any harm, even if she wasn't your sister." Which was true. While yes, the fact the Miran's sister was not only the Commodore and his CO, did add some level of stress to him, Gérard was raised right. He would never do anything to mistreat anyone he was in a relationship with. He would never mistreat anyone at all, unless they were a threat to himself or those he cared about.

Phoenix nodded. "Very well. I wish you all the luck in the world. My Husband is very protective."

Gérard had of course heard the scuttlebutt surrounding the Commodore's husband. Though he had never met the man, the young Betazoid knew that Marine Captain Mattias Richardson was indeed every bit the beast to the Commodore's beauty. There were rumours about what the Captain had done to the individuals responsible for the murder of his first wife and young son.

Swallowing the knot that had suddenly formed in his throat, Gérard nodded a bit nervously as he replied. "Understood, Ma'am. Rest assured, I will never do anything to deserve the ire of yourself or your husband, Ma'am!"

"I am sure of that or this would be a totally different conversation Cadet. Now if there is nothing else, you can go about your day."

Standing back up, Gérard snapped to attention. "Thank you for your time, Ma'am!" He then turned and moved smartly out of the ready room, his heart racing with excitement. He managed to keep his exuberance contained until he was in the turbolift and the doors closed.

"Yes!" He did a small air fist bump. Then, after stating his destination to the computer, he reached up and tapped his commbadge. "Dirsye to Miran Lalor."

"Lalor Here," came the reply.

"She said yes!" He blurted out with exuberance. "Of course, she also did the big sister thing and, in no uncertain terms, warned me against hurting you. Even went so far as to mention how protective your brother-in-law is." While we he told her was serious, his tone made it clear that he wasn't worried. Afterall, he had already given his word that he would never do anything to mistreat Miran.

"She didn't." There was a sigh. "Typical of her to throw Mattias into it. Bet he suggested it. Was he there?"

Though she couldn't see him, Gérard still shook his head as he replied. "No, it was just the two of us in her ready room." He then paused before asking, "Should I be concerned about him?"

"No. He won't do anything. I have tonight free if you would like to meet up?"

"Of course!" There was happiness in his voice as he replied. "Shall I come to your quarters, or would you rather meet somewhere else?"

There was a pause. "Seeing we have moved back in with the Sister and Brother in law, you best come to the cabin."

Gérard took a breath, then replied. "Now? Or should I wait till after work hours, and join your family for dinner?"

"After dinner. Let's give you time to deal with them sans food. Dinners in my cabin are not quiet."

Gérard chucked softly. "Should I be concerned?"

"Dinner with two 1 year olds is anything but quiet. " Came the reply.

This made him grin again. "Oh, come now. Your brother and sister can't be all that bad. Though, at that age, I'm sure your sister and brother-in-law would prefer that time to be sacrosanct and family only."

"That is true." Miran replied. "I will let you know."

"I'll be ready, Imzadi. Until tonight."

 

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