From: rneces@mastnet.net (Lynnaea AelCaymarth)
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 20:44:10 -0600 (CST)
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE:  Late to Dinner 

SD 90303.2445
MD 01.2105
Scene:  Turbolift 3
___________________

        Aelyria thought the turbolift ride would never end.  Her pulse was
racing and she was sure the nervous tremor was obvious.  She *had* to get
out of here before she completely broke down.  
        Finally, the doors opened.  She turned to Anne and said, "Go on.
I'm going to go freshen up right quick -- tell them I'll be right in."  With
that, she made her way to the nearest facility. 
        And broke down.  That question about the hostage situation had
brought so many painful memories to the surface... ones she'd buried for so
long.  
        She paced, trying to work off some tension.  She needed a holodeck
exercise desperately... the fighting drained the tension from her body and
the emotion from her mind when she got 'into a flow.'  When the kicks came
instinctually, the blocks arriving before the blow -- then she was most at ease.
        She remembered her father, John Keyrin, vividly.  He had been her
idol.  Impossibly brilliant, witty, and gentle, he had taken her for walks
in the park.  He had _talked_ to her.  She had gone to him whenever she had
needed anything... advice, a shoulder to cry on (that had been rare; she
hated crying), a good listener.  Her mother had tried but Aelyria felt that
she had not understood Lyr as her father did. 
        And then he was taken from her.  Stripped away before she had time
to know him, thank him, say goodbye.  The tears stung as they trickled down
her face.  She missed him... oh, God, she missed him so much... 
        She hadn't been close to Theresa either.  Theresa had been older,
with her own problems, and her own pursuits.  She had never been one to join
the family... 
        So Aelyria had been alone, ever since.  Alone, with few friends, and
no one she fully trusted. 
        She leaned over the small sink and splashed her face with cold
water, breathing deeply, initiating some of the meditative centering
techniques her martial arts had taught.  
        After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and looked in the mirror.
The traces of pain were gone.  She made sure her makeup hadn't smudged, ran
a hand through her hair, and squared her shoulders.  Her hand went to the
knife at her thigh, feeling the hard metal reassuringly snug in her palm. 
        *Chin up.  It's dinner time.*  

 ... 

        She strode into the room, all business.  She nodded to the Captain
first, XO second, and finally acknowledging everyone else under the sweep of
her eyes.  "Sorry I'm late.  We have some overzealous students running
diagnostics on the turbolifts... what did I miss?"  

_________________
NRPG:  
I think it's official -- this ship has enough emotional baggage on board to
sink the Titanic several times over.  Fair warning:  Aelyria's level-headed
most of the time, but you mention her father or hostage situations and she's
gonna lose it.  (Don't understand why?  RTFB = Read the Fracking Bio.  *grin*)
Amy:  Sorry, it seems you just ended up with a squirrely crew.. *winklaugh*
We're  just nutty-fu-fu all to hell... 
All:  Just to kick off dinner... though I'm hesitant on what to expect
(suspect? ;), so don't expect anything else from me until I see a post that
kinda tells me what's going on.  *grin*   Sorry Lyr's late but I didn't
honestly think it'd be wise for her to walk into a social function *that*
emotionally wound up and armed with a knife. 
Masako:  Last post was great -- no virtual sledgehammers here.  *Grin*  As
for timeline, I'd say Keyrin's about ten minutes late for the meeting.
Christine:  Expect Aelyria to show up in sickbay for her medical (without
complaint!) after she gives the XO the SEC/TAC status report (which has
already been posted).  

Respectfully submitted, 
Lynnaea AelCaymarth, aka
Ensign Aelyria Keyrin
CSO, USS CHESAPEAKE
___________________
rneces@mastnet.net

Go to messages for March 1997 or Main Archive Page