Taylor, Qwyyn, and The Twin

Posted on Mon Mar 25th, 2019 @ 6:28am by Commander Liselle Qwyyn & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Episode 1: Hell is a four letter word
Location: Elysium Lounge
Timeline: MD 1 - 18h30
2022 words - 4 OF Standard Post Measure

Counsellor Savar was gone now.

Liselle kept playing out their brief conversation in her mind. Over and over again. Her fingers worked along the rim her empty glass, while her mind worked along the words of their encounter. She wasn't exactly sure what had happened, but she knew that she didn't exactly trust her own interpretation of events. Things in her mind were messy. Cluttered. The upcoming visit to Trill, the Zhin'tara, weighed heavy on her.

"A drink Commander?" the server asked.

"Not just yet," Qwyyn answered. She hadn't even heard him approach. "I'll wait and see what sort of mood my guest is in first."

"Of course." He inclined his head, his eyes darting to the empty chair across from her, and with a polite smile he wandered away.

For her part, Liselle kept her eyes on the doors to the Elysium's lounge. As though, somehow, that might make Gary arrive faster.

After receiving Liselle's call, Gary hurried to her location. He had just come off his shift and was still in his uniform. Right now he needed to get to Liselle and find out what was going on. In her call she sounded uncertain, confused in search of advice? Or perhaps just an ear to listen to her. He entered the lounge, his eyes sweeping the area in search for her until he found her, sitting alone at a table. He made a bee line to her. "Liselle?" He asked, concern etched across his face as he sat down opposite her. "What is it?"

She breathed a sigh of pure, audible relief upon seeing him. The server, too, noticed her companion's arrival.

"Well then," the server said pleasantly. "Have we decided on that drink, then?"

Gary looked at Liselle and then back to the server, "I'll have whatever Commander Qwyyn is having."

"Maybe just a red wine?"

The server hesitated on Taylor a moment, confirming he was still on board to share in his companion's order.

Gary nodded, "Make that two red wines. please." He added as the server nodded and moved off. Once gone, he focused his attention on Liselle. "What's is it? What's wrong?"

"Honestly? I just need you to tell me if I'm being normal crazy, or extra crazy." She rolled her eyes at the nonsense of her own words. Focus Qwyyn. "Have you met Counselor Savar? What do you think of him?"

"Savar?" Gary repeated, "Oh. the counselor. A Vulcan but from the limited exchanges I've had with him he seems nice enough. Why? What has he done?" Gary was instantly protective of Liselle.

"Nothing," she assured him quickly. "It's not that. In fact, he offered to help me. He seemed very genuine about it, really. But -- he started to suggest a more...personal relationship. And I, I don't know what came over me. I just froze. Gods, Gary, I nearly thought I was going to have a panic attack or something. It was...I don't know. I felt...a little overwhelmed, maybe? Next thing I know, I'm calling you. Is that crazy?"

"Your drinks." Their server delicately placed two bulbous glasses of red wine between them.

Gary took the glasses and handed one to Liselle. "We'll call you if we need anything else." He told the server and waited for them to leave before returning his attention to Liselle. "He's very qualified. I read his service record. He's got multiple degrees. So I think he probably is sincere in wanting to help you Liselle. A personal relationship?" He questioned.

Her fingers gripped the stem of her glass but she didn't raise it from the table. "It's hard to remember now, but I could have sworn he said he wanted to go on a date. He used the word date. Are counselors allowed to use that word?"

Gary smiled at her. "Liselle, relax. He probably said date especially as you have said he was suggesting a more personal relationship and yes counselors can use the word date. Question is that bad? Him asking you?"

"Probably not? I suppose?" Now she did pick up her glass and allowed herself a healthy drink. "Why am I reacting this way? Is it because Matias and I ended things? Or maybe...umm...nevermind..." Her eyes darted off to one side.

Gary didn't answer right away. He was feeling slightly jealous that Savar had even asked Liselle. He had always thought that if he and Liselle got together it would be because Lia left or they ended it. Like they almost had a while back. Now he looked at her, he could guess what she didn't want to discuss and he wouldn't pressure her. "I think your reacting because he did ask. He saw an attractive and smart lady and you don't see yourself that way."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Liselle said cheerfully.

But it wasn't Liselle.

It certainly had been her voice speaking the words, but the woman across from Gary Taylor, whose mouth now hung open, had clearly not spoken the words herself.

Wearing an expertly tailored white blouse and skirt, a woman appearing to also be Liselle Qwyyn walked to their table. Her silver earrings sparkled as they dangled in the forest of curly black hair that spilled across her shoulders. Liselle was reminded of how she had once tried to dress herself at a Christmas gathering she and Gary had attended a year earlier. With mistletoe.

The woman extended a hand to Gary, her eyes on the pips at his collar. "Merella Swii at your pleasure, Commander. I'm sorry if I'm interrupting? I just got authorization to come aboard and I couldn't wait another moment for this long overdue reunion."

Gary took the offered hand and kissed it softly. "Enchanted." He said diplomatically. "Liselle and I are just having a drink." He answered as he observed her. Merella and Liselle were mirror images of each other except for one small difference where Liselle's eyes were warm and friendly. Merella's were cold and calculating. he would keep that in mind as he was reminded of the old Earth saying. 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.'

"Enchanté, Commander," Merella replied with a delighted smile. She turned to the other side of the table and Liselle obediently rose from her seat to greet her. With the two of them standing face to face the mirage of a mirror image was all the more pronounced. It was Merella who finally broke the stand-off, pulling Liselle into a hug. Awkwardly, Liselle put her hands on the other woman's shoulder blades.

With her back to Taylor, Merella couldn't see as Liselle managed a gesture to their table, silently asking his permission to have her sister join them.

Gary nodded his approval at Liselle's silent question. * This is going to be just dandy.* He thought sourly but managed to keep a smile on his face.

When the sisters parted, Liselle repeated her gesture to the table for Merella's benefit. "Would you like to join us?"

Merella was clearly surprised by the offer, and it took her a moment to find her words. "Oh. Yes, of course. Thank you."

Liselle gave her an uncertain smile and returned to her seat. Her sister found a place beside Taylor. Unlike Qwyyn, Merella was much more gentle in her application of perfume, clearly not sharing Liselle's love of strong flowery scents.

"You're certain I'm not interrupting?" Merella asked Taylor. "I'm officially not here to harass anyone with questions from the Trill government until tomorrow."

"Not a thing." Gary lied smoothly. "Ahhhh. Then we should enjoy this moment." He said lightly, making a joke of the statement.

"Good," Merella said happily. She turned her attention to Qwyyn. "Lizzy. Who am I sitting next to?"

"Oh! I - I - I - I'm sorry. This - this is Commander Tary Gaylor. Ah! Gary Taylor."

"Lizzy, relax. It's okay." Merella reached across the table to close a hand over Liselle's own. "I'm not here to trip you up. The purpose of this visit is simply to assess the state of the Qwyyn symbiont and deliver a report back to the homeworld. This isn't a trial."

Liselle nodded, though the tension still held in her shoulders.

"He's very handsome," Merella noted with a toss of her head to Taylor.

Qwyyn's eyes went wide.

She patted her hand playfully and fell back in her seat beside Gary. "Liselle. I'm serious. You're going to give yourself a heart attack. Let's give you a moment to collect yourself," she said, and turned her attention on Gary. "I know she's worked very hard at adapting to her first joining in a female body. From your observations she's doing quite well, isn't she?"

Gary smiled at Merella, She was one calculating lady. He had no doubt Liselle had been right when she had told him about Merella and her jealousy. Yet here and now she was playing the supportive sister. He made no comment on her compliment instead he focused on her question. "I thought you said you weren't going to start to harass anyone until tomorrow?" Gary said lightly. "However since you asked, I'll answer. Liselle isn't doing quite well. She is doing fantastically well. She's chief flight control and second officer. Has the crew's respect along with the Captain's and mine. You couldn't find a better host for the Qwyyn symbiont than Liselle."

Her features darkened. "Yes. Well. The competition for the Qwyyn symbiont was certainly fierce. But the best woman won. She always does. To the Elysium's credit, I'm sure."

The server made his way to the table, having spotted the new arrival. "Something for you, madam?"

Merella looked down at the table and the two wine glasses planted there. "I suppose I'll have the same as my sister. We've always shared similar tastes."

Liselle burst into a sudden choking cough.

For her part, Merella's expression belied utter confusion. "I'm not sure what that was about," she said cryptically. Her attention returned to Taylor once more. "You're very protective of her," she observed.

"Do you want to write down what I said? Or record it?" Gary said innocently then proceeded on. "I'm protective of all members of the crew." He corrected.

Merella held his eyes. "I think that answers my question quite well. Thank you." The wine arrived, but she rose from the table regardless. "I suppose it's getting late and I do have an early day tomorrow. Commander Taylor, would you have any time for an interview tomorrow? I realize you are a busy man, but the Symbiosis Commission is rather eager to follow up on the progress of Qwyyn."

"Of course Merella. I am at your disposal." He replied diplomatically.

Only when the woman left did Liselle finally trust herself to speak again. Her words were simple as she reached out to take Gary's hand. "Thank you."

Gary's fingers encircled hers and he squeezed softly. "Liselle you are welcome. We're not going to let her have you jumping through hoops."

"The interview tomorrow. You know you didn't have to agree to that. The Symbiosis Commission has no authority over you. Just me."

He continued to hold her hand. His eyes on her own. "No way am I going to let you go through this alone. Liselle. No way in hell. Not going to let your sister single you out." He smiled at her, "I can run interference for you and she'll never talk to you." He promised.

"I owe you," she said. "Again."

From beyond the threshold of the lounge Merella allowed herself a satisfied smile as she watched them. "Well, well," she said under her breath. "Just as I thought. I wonder what other secrets this ship is hiding?"

With that, she wandered off down the corridor.

Not knowing of the spying eyes upon them, Gary shook his head, "Nonsense Liselle. You don't owe me anything. Friends help friends and if I am nothing else, I'm your friend."

OFF

Commander Liselle Qwyyn
Chief Flight Control / Second Officer
USS Elysium

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium

Doctor Merella Swii
Appointed Representative - Trill Symbiosis Commission