How was your day?

Posted on Wed Mar 6th, 2024 @ 7:53am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: USS Elysium, Lalor-Richardson Quarters
Timeline: MD 05 / 2000 hours
1673 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

After having dinner, which was calm and peaceful between Phoenix and Miran for once, then bathing the twins and putting them to bed, Mattias and Phoenix were relaxing in the living room. The lighting was low and the holographic fire was crackling in the fireplace. While Phoenix relaxed in the plush couch, Mattias was at the small bar, making them a couple drinks.

Once the drinks were finished, he carried then over to the couch and handed Phoenix hers. "To a quiet night, my love." He said as he extended his glass towards her in a toast.

She tapped her glass to his. "Gods yes. I am so needing this."

After taking a sip of his drink, he lowered himself down into the couch next to his wife, lifting his left arm, so she could snuggle in if she wanted to. "Do you want to talk about it, baby?"

She shook her head. "No, but feel free to speak." She smiled at him as she snuggled closer.

Mattias smiled warmly as his wife made herself comfortable against his side. "Well, I'd say my day was a mix of boredom and something quite interesting."

"Hmm do tell," she replied.

Taking another sip of his drink, Mattias replied. "Well, it started pretty normal enough, paperwork and armory inspection. Then, the High Priestess called and requested my presence in her quarters."

Phoenix looked at him, concerned. "Do I need to have another conversation with her?" She hoped not.

Mattias shook his head. "No. Though, if T'han decides to manhandle me like he did again, there will be an issue." He took another sip of his drink, then continued. "No, the High Priestess had an...intimate subject that she needed to discuss with me, regarding her transport inhibitor injection."

"Oh? Dare I ask?" she asked as she sipped her drink.

Mattias pursed his lips briefly, then said, "So long as you give me your word that you won't repeat what I'm about to tell you?"

"hmm if you gave your word, do not tell me." Phoenix said softly. "I am fine not knowing."

He shook his head slightly. "It wasn't so much that she asked me to give my word of silence, but that she was choosing not to, as she put it, reveal more of her secrets to my kind. I doubt, as the Matriarch or this ship, she would mind if I told you."

"Okay I swear." Phoenix said softly. "I just hope there is no more issues."

He shook his head. "I don't think there will be, aside from her safety. You see, she is unable to recieve any kind of injection."

Phoenix frowned.."Religious reasons?"

Mattias took in a breath, puffed his cheeks briefly, then let out the exhale as he replied. "Nnnnot so much. More like....been dead for centuries, but magic is keeping soul attached to the mummified bones, that is covered by magically created flesh when in public, reasons."

Phoenix stared at him. "What?!? That makes no sense.... she has been beamed on board right?"

He shrugged, then nodded slightly. "She revealed her true form to me. Her bones were dry and wrapped in ancient cloth straps. I suggested that she inform Sthilg, so they can come up with another plan regarding a transporter inhibitor for her." He then thought about how to reply to her question. "What do you mean? She's been here since before we left Spacedock. And, Truthfully, I don't remember if she has ever used the transporter."

"Same..." Phoenix muttered. "Well, it's unique that is for sure. Maybe an inhibitor pin or something."

Nodding, Mattias replied. "I was thinking something similar. Or even a bracelet of some kind." He took another sip of his drink, then shook his head slowly. "I have seen some things in my life. A animated, talking, thousand year old skeleton? That's a new one."

"For both of us. I am sure we will see more in the coming months though." Phoenix murmured. She placed her glass, now empty, down beside the couch. "It is something to deal with tomorrow though."

Putting his glass down as well, Mattias smiled softly at his wife and best friend in the whole, well, two whole universes. "And what is on your mind to do for the rest of our evening? The twins are asleep, Miran has her own place now and Tristi is actually studying, now that she has a teacher who is encouraging her."

"Hmmm why don't we go out for a walk?" She suggested.

A bright smile crossed his face as he replied happily, "That sounds like an excellent idea! Hell, the last walk that I can remember us taking together, aside from our honeymoon that is, was when we were walking through the woods, looking for the secret entrance to the safe house, back on Earth."

"True." She stood up and held out a hand. 'Shall we?"

Still smiling, Mattias took the offered hand and stood. As the pair left their quarters, he interlaced his fingers with hers. He felt truly at peace when Phoenix was near him. "Do you have a destination in mind, my love? Or just a casual stroll through the ship?"

"Casual stroll," she replied. "Let's just wander."

Mattias nodded and smiled in reply. Then they did just that, wandered around the ship, taking a break, here and there to rest. Even with her damaged sections, Elysium was as big as a medium-sized city, where walking was concerned.

About an hour later, they found themselves in a quiet part of the Arboretum. There were a few clusters of crew and families around, but no-one close enough to really see them, as they sat in the shade of a willow tree.

Mattias was sitting, his back against the trunk, Phoenix sitting between his legs, her back against his chest, their arms interlocked across her chest. "Phee," he spoke softly. "May I ask you a question?"

"Hmm?" She asked as she was really comfortable in his arms.

For a couple beats, he was unsure how to begin. Then, he just started. "I know you're about to reach you window, where we could start trying to have a baby of our own..." he felt awful bringing this up, especially after all their discussions and plans. "But...should we wait, at least until we are out of the immediate danger?" He desperately hoped that his words would not hurt her feelings, nor cause her to think less of him in any way.

She tilted her head back and looked at him with a smile. "I think waiting is a good idea." She said softly. "We are on limited resources and such."

Nodding slightly, he got a little quiet. "I know we were talking about trying. I just don't want you to think that I changed my mind, honey." There was a hint of sadness in his eyes as he spoke.

She reached up and touched his face gently. "One day we will have more children. And you can suffer through my morning sickness," she smiled.

"And cursing my existence during delivery?" He grinned, love filling his eyes. "Phee, you are making it sound more and more perfect!"

"At least my mother won't be there demanding the doctor deliver the male child first like she did with the twins."

"If we even have boys. For humans, the gender of the baby is dependent upon the father. I could just load you up with girl after girl." He smirked playfully, as he winked at her.

She laughed. "And watch her face. For all her growth since their escape, she still clings to certain things. And had she been on board, Miran would not be living in her own cabin."

Mattias chuckled softly, hugging Phee against his chest. "Well then, your sister should thank you, for not bringing her along."

"Wasn't a big choice. I was over her being around of late," Phoenix replied softly. "I know it's probably strange, but I do not feel love towards her. Duty yes, caring a little bit but Love no."

Nodding quietly, Mattias replied. "I can understand that, after going through all that you have, and she still doesn't seem to fully support you or Miran. Not to mention how she reacted about both me and Tristi."

"Stuck in her ways." Phoenix replied. "But she has no power over me. That ended when I left home."

Mattias gently kissed the right side of his wife's head. "It ended when you were whipped and she didn't plead for your safety."

"Had she, he would have slit her throat right there and then. Let's be honest Mattias, my mother is Erisian. And she is a female Erisian. She, for all her having to have left it, she is still Erisian and feels that her culture is perfect."

Mattias sighed softly. He had to admit that Phoenix was right. "Yeah, you're right. I just get angry every time I think of you getting whipped like that." He held her a bit closer, breathing in the sweet oils she used in her hair. It was something that always bothered him, seeing her abused like that.

She closed her eyes as they sat there under the tree, relaxing. "We should head home soon." She said softly. "I have a busy day tomorrow."

While he nodded in agreement, Mattias still held onto Phoenix, almost as if he didn't want the moment to end.

A short while later she stirred. "Lets go home darling."

Sighing in resignation, Mattias finally released his hold on his beautiful bride. "Alright, but I reserve the right to hold onto you more later tonight." He smiled softly as he spoke.

She pushed herself to her feet and smiled down at him. "Of course."

Seeing how her smile shone, caused Mattias’s own grin to grow larger. After climbing back to his feet, he put his left am around her shoulders and they walked home, side by side, happy in their life, and their love, together.

OFF