Warm Sands Part 2

Posted on Wed Apr 22nd, 2020 @ 5:14pm by Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor

Mission: Challenge Missions
Location: Holodeck 1
Timeline: Before Departure
3397 words - 6.8 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Standing outside Lia's quarters with his face buried in a PADD S'hib almost forgot to chime the door until someone walked by, brushing past his tail and blinking him out of his work related trance. "Commander," He snorted, pressing the button beside her door. "It's S'hib I hope I'm not disturbing you." He said softly, sliding his PADD into the large flat pouch at the side of his uniform's belt.

Inside Lia was clearing up the cabin, the chime made her stop and cross to the door. "Come on in, Gary is on duty and I'm just clearing up". She crossed to the replicator and ordered two cold apple juices, she didn't ask S'hib to remove his footwear because he didn't wear any. "So what can I do for you?"

Nodded politely as he was invited inside S’hib looked around, admiring the aesthetics of her quarters that were so vastly different to his own. “I just finished my shift, and I thought maybe I could show you more of Sequella.” He said with a slight shake of his head. “Unless you’re busy of course.” He added, folding his arms behind his back.

Sliding the wooden wall back into its place, Lia turned to face S'hib. "It's based on a Japanese tea house, the picture is of Mount Fuji. And right now I'm not that busy, but I think we shouldn't do the naked thing. I'll wear what I call my Egyptian dress, if you don't mind". She approached the wardrobe and pulled out a white almost translucent dress, she placed her hand behind it and showed how easily you could see her hand through the dress. "That's if you don't object, I just don't want to put you in an embarrassing situation like last time".

“That was entirely my fault...” S’hib protested, hanging his head low. “I should have spoken to you at length about the social customs of my people before pushing you into deep waters.” He said, raising his muzzle to look at Lia with his head still hung low. “It’s also why I’m wearing my uniform.” He added, still trying to figure out how to blend both aspects of his life.

Walking over to S'hib, Lia shook her head. "No it wasn't, I was just as guilty for not asking what the rules were". She could see the uniform was chaffing, "Look, go start the holodeck up and get the program running. I'll get changed, put something over the top and make my way down. Same holodeck as before? And one more thing, you can lose the uniform on the holodeck". She shooed him out so she could get changed.

“I don't suppose there is any point arguing is there.” S’hib snorted through a smile as he backed out of her quarters. “And yes, same holodeck as before.” He added before skipping away, his hooves clicking down the corridor as the door shut.

Lia smiled, "None what so ever, so get moving". She watched as he skipped down the corridor, she giggled as he left but then that was S'hib. After getting changed she headed for holodeck one, a long light coat covered her and below that her "Egyptian dress".

——Holodeck 1——

Inside the holodeck S’hib was sat crossed legged on a lengthy stone bench beneath a vast marble statue, a young colt sat on his knee as he and his mother braided his short black mane and tail together.

"Computer, open holodeck one", =^="Holodeck one, open"=^= came the reply. Lia took her coat off in the corridor and placed it in a locker, quickly entering the holodeck. She noticed the scene before her and approached slowly, "Ah, am I interrupting something?" Not knowing what was going on, she waited to hear what S'hib said.

“Nope.” S’hib smiled, finishing the last few knots before letting the colt slid his legs off his lap and onto the floor. “Just a slight quirk you might find odd amongst my kind...” He said standing up as the colt was tugged back to his mother by his tail, much to his disapproval. “We have a vested interest in the well being of our young, even if they are not our own.” He said softly, leaning down to rub his snout on the mother's forehead before walking over to Lia.

“I'm fairly sure if I volunteered for the Elysium's daycare id never have time for security.” He beamed, politely nodding towards Lia.

Lia came forward and placed her hands on his shoulders, and bowed her head forward. Then she spoke, "I don't think your kind of caring would work in our world, it would be frowned upon".

“I know.” He said lowly, knowing though it did nothing to lessen the sting. “It’s why I keep to myself most of the time.” He sighed, moving his hands up to hers and leaning his head forward, resting his forehead gently against her hair.

She could feel his pain, but also knew there was very little she could do about it. "You don't have to keep to yourself, maybe amend your behaviour so it doesn't make you stand out. But having seen you here, I don't think that would work for either you or the rest of us". She stepped back and looked around, "So where are we? And cheer up, here you're able to be yourself don't worry about me. I'm here to learn, and I can only do that if you're being normal".

“Very little about me that is normal though is there.” He smiled, knowing all too well how odd everyone found his kind. “This though... is expedition square.” He said looking back up at the statue towering over the large public space, depicting Sequella and it’s people saying goodbye to those that first left their home to live elsewhere amongst the stars. “It was erected to honour those herds that left during the migration treaties between Sequella and the federation... I was too young to really remember it, just that everyone was very sad.” He said, looking up at the statues.

She placed her hand on his shoulder, "What is normal depends on your point of view, I find you more normal than certain other people I know". Lia now looked up at the statue, "Just how many of your people left? I mean your the first of your kind I've ever met, and given your reaction to us why are your people continuing to leave?"

"A few thousand of us boarded transports and left for various colonies around the alpha quadrant," He replied, finding himself leaning his head against her hand. "My small herd, a few hundred in total settled on earth... but, it was hard for them to adapt while already being adults so none of them joined Starfleet." He said, rolling his head to the side to look over at Lia. "Though clearly I haven't faired well at adapting either." He said with a weak smile, glancing back up at the statues and those weeping at loved ones leaving.

"Maybe my children, If I have any... will do better." He shrugged somewhat, taking in a deep breath.

The number S'hib mentioned so casually, shocked Lia. "A few thousand? Boy, your people don't do things by half do they?" She rubbed his forehead as he spoke, "Oh I don't think you've done too bad, I can think of Humans who haven't adapted to normal life either". She looked over at his face and smiled, "If you have kids, let me know first. One of you is hard enough, but little S'hib's...........Only joking, I hope you find your dream".

"I can't be that bad I suppose, otherwise you wouldn't be here." He said nudging his head into her hand, enjoying the affection of her fingers through his coat. "But this isn't what I wanted to show you." He said, snorting gently against her skin before backing away excitedly, his hooves clicking in anticipation. "Let's go." He said, throwing his head up high.

Shib's reaction showed Lia at least she was slowly getting through to him, "I keep telling you, I know Humans that make you look totally normal". His sudden excitement now startled her, "Hey, slow down will ya! Where the hell are we going?

"You'll see when we get there!" He said impatiently, scratching a hoof on the floor as he held out a hand for her to hold.

Grabbing his hand, she ran behind him. "Hey, I hate to say this. But I'm not one of you, I don't go this fast normally". She now started to slow down thus holding him back, "S'hib, slow down will ya. I can't keep up with you". Her breathing was now harder but she still kept up with him, "You know something, abusing a senior Officer is an offence. I think making me run that fast can be termed abuse, waddya think?" Lia smiled as she spoke.

“I could put you over my shoulder if you want.” He quipped, slowing down. “Go for a Lil run.” S’hib snorted loudly, his tongue stuck between his lips as gently pulled her through a set of glass doors and into a vast civilian complex full of wooden shop fronts and a large communal sleeping area beneath the central skylight, showing just how interconnected the Sequellian society was with one another.

"Wow, now this is different. Is this a shopping mall? And why do they sleep here?" Lia's curiosity now hit overload, the more she learned the more it confused her. "Don't they have homes to go to? Isn't it a little embarrassing to be sleeping next to strangers who can basically touch you anywhere?" She was genuinely curious about why these people did what they did, she knew she couldn't do it.

"I suppose you could call it that, yes." He smiled, moving behind her and resting his head upon her head. "We sleep together because it makes us feel safe, it's something we have always done... a behaviour that dates back before recorded history." He said leaning his hands on her shoulders. "As for homes... Yeah, they do, but Sequus sleeping habits are very different from humans... and as such we sometimes enjoy a short nap in communal spaces like this."

She could feel him behind her, but she trusted this being despite him being male. Something she had learned herself from Gary, nor all males were dangerous and after something. "So this isn't where they stay, its just a sort of napping area? That's something the Japanese could use, they seem to be able to sleep in some unusual circumstances. Have you ever slept here?"

"I have done more so since... what happened, but yes... It's what I think you would call a Siesta of sorts..." He said moving to her side once more and taking her hand gently between his four digits. "Don't worry, I didn't bring you here for a nap." He smiled, taking her to the right of the large circular complex, keeping the sleeping pit on their left.

Lia felt sorry for her Officer, just how could she help him? Gary had been her rock when she returned from the Romulans and then the Orions. "I've been there as well you know, went through some very dark times. But with support of friends you can get through and out the other side, if you need to talk, I'm here. I sure Naxea will help in other ways, that's if your compatible in that department". Lia felt stupid for saying it in that way, but it was the most direct and made for little misunderstanding.

"We are, don't worry about that..." S'hib smirked, thinking back to his date with Naxea. "But as for talking, about... all that happened, I wouldn't know where to begin... seems to be just easier to move on and try and ignore it." He mused with his voice slightly croaking from the sudden emotions she had sparked in the back of his mind.

"Anyway, enough about me." He said, taking Lia inside one of the many shops the lined the perimeter of the sleeping pit, it's shelves lined with hand made trinkets and totems to deities she did not recognise.

Deeper inside incense burners filled the air with intoxicating floral aromas that flowed from the shelves and along the wooden floor.

"Welcome, offworlder." Remarked a small white Sequus mare from the rear of the store, her head barely peeking over the shelves for Lia to see.

Turning towards the voice, Lia just about spotted the small Sequus. "Oh hi, how are you?" She made her way to the small mare and repeated the welcome that S'hib had shown her, "You look very pretty, is this your shop?"

"Thank you," She neighed pleasantly, moving her thin equine hands to cup behind Lia's ears. "As do you." She snorted, her voice now louder and clearer for whom the compliment was directed at. "And yes, this my shop." She smiled while withdrawing from the polite embrace, the delicate jewellery hanging from her neck and breasts shimmering in response to her movement.

Now fully exposed, S'hib and Lia could see the markings she had drawn over her body, the black makeup over her white coat giving her an almost zebra quality in appearance, accentuating her natural curves and highlighting the white plume of fur between her breasts, something male Sequus lacked.

"Is he showing you around?" She enquired, lightly shaking her delicately small muzzle to the side, moving the many braids of her mane that slipped forward when she embraced Lia.

Lia glanced at S'hib, "Yes, I've never been to a place like this before. I do like that jewellery, did you make it?" She followed the mare and watched her intently, "Do you work here alone?" For some reason, she found this size of Sequus, more to her liking.

"My sisters and I run this little place," She smiled back at Lia, moving towards a small display stand. "We make most of the items ourselves though we do have outside suppliers helping." She said while removing a delicate necklace from a shelf, similar in design to the one already around her neck.

S'hib meanwhile was aimlessly gawking around the shelves when two sharp hoof clicks grabbed his attention, seeing the mare holding up the necklace and snorting orders at him in their native tongue.

Wasting no time S'hib clumsily placed back a small stylised Sequus fertility statue and moved behind Lia, lifting up her hair in hands and allowing the mare to step close and move the necklace into place.

the dark metal was cold despite the ambient temperature of the shop, falling over Lia's shoulders in a web like weave that made her neck appear longer and more narrow. "You hairless types are quite lucky to have such blank canvases..." She proclaimed, trailing the long beads of the necklace down the centre of Lia's chest with two of her delicate hoofed fingers. "You are like him and me." She smiled, stepping back and admiring Lia for a moment while speaking in native Sequus.

"There isn't really a translation, but what she is saying is we are like clear water... blank or transparent, that we can easily take another form." S'hib whispered softly, letting go of Lia's hair

Looking at the delicate necklace, Lia turned to S'hib. "Could this be replicated? Because it's beautiful, and I really want to keep it". She now turned to the small Sequus, "Its fantastic, and thank you for the compliment. But you have a look all of your own, which is very delicate and beautiful". The language of the Sequus sounded strange to her ears, but after Japanese, it almost made total sense.

"I don't see why it couldn't be... If you're wearing it then it must be on file somewhere," S'hib replied not fully grasping the urgency in Lia's words until he had finished talking. "Which, I will find of course once we..." He added before another sharp hoof click cut him off, leaving his mouth slightly agape.

The mare gave a sidelong look at S'hib as he closed his mouth. "It will look all the more elegant against your bare skin," She snorted as if to say her statement could not be challenged, running her hands from her long neck and over the white plume atop her chest, trailing the delicate beads down the centre of her body with her fingers before flicking them along her ribs just below her small breasts, framing aspects of her body with an invisible brush at her fingertips. "So, when you do wear it..." She said seductively, stepping closer as she did so. "Everyone will know you carry a little bit of fire from the red sands." the mare snorted as she turned Lia by the hip, showing her off in a nearby mirror.

Looking in the mirror, Lia liked what she saw. "I see what you mean, but my species wear clothes. Naked females or males, are frowned upon. But here it works, you look spectacular but I think only a Sequus can really do that look justice". She now moved closer to S'hib and looked around the shop, "I thank you for this necklace, it's a very beautiful thing".

"Do you remember the clothing I wore during that promotion ceremony all those months back, with the yellow wraps around my arms." S'hib mused quietly, admiring another wooden statue of two Sequus in a loving embrace, the hand carved and stylised pose reminding him of a dream just on the edge of his memory.

"There are some other stores nearby that sell what... Sequus consider clothing," He smiled, turning to face Lia. "With a few adjustments, I might be able to replicate something you could wear."

S'hib's comment about making her something to wear, caught Lia by surprise. "Is this dress not suitable?" She followed S'hib as he lead the way, and wondered just how she would change into whatever S'hib had intended to make. As they entered the shop Lia looked about at the strange things, some of the statues were not exactly family friendly in fact they were certainly erotic in nature.

"No it's not that Lia, what you're wearing is beautiful... But you can't wear it around the ship." He smiled with a small pout of his lips, finding the idea more than amusing. "I want to find you something you can." He added enthusiastically, glad that they had gotten past the awkwardness of her last visit.

She stood and thought about what S'hib had said, "I can't say I'm not excited about wearing something from here, but we both have partners. And both of them are gonna want to know why you're buying me clothes, plus certain colours don't work well on me. Yellow makes me look washed out, and green can make me look ill. Shades of blue, orange, red, or even pink at a push work best for me".

"Lia," S'hib snorted stubbornly as he looked around, gesturing his point with his eyes. "Considering my world, I think they would be happy with my choice of gift... Unless you would prefer to explain an idol of fertility instead..." He quipped teasingly, casting his hand toward an overtly erotic statue carved from volcanic rock.

"Whoa there Dobbin", Lia teased. "That necklace was more than enough for me, but if you insist". She moved to where he stood, "So my merry companion, lets us peruse the clothing line". She started to giggle, "But please remember, I am a senior Officer".

"Just you wait till I get a few more pips." He smiled, his tongue stuck between his lips as moved a few items of clothing aside, pondering on what styles would work well with what he had in mind.

Looking at S'hib, Lia now smiled. "A few more pips eh? Are you after my job?" She laughed and moved closer to her friend, "I'll tell the Captain your bucking for promotion, you may even get your own office with a desk and chair". She had grown to like S'hib, some found him hard work but not Lia. "Right, now just what are we gonna pick for me to wear?"

Commander Lia Holmes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Elysium

Lieutenant S'hib
Security Officer
USS Elysium

 

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