Ball and Chains

Posted on Sat Jun 16th, 2018 @ 9:04am by MERCHANT RANKS Kas Shar’zhen (NPC) & Master Steward Othor Jaxz Ghost of the Second Star
Edited on on Sat Jun 16th, 2018 @ 9:04pm

2,144 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: A good start...
Location: Second Star- Kas Famiy quarters
Timeline: Pre-launch

{Kas- Family Quarters}

Inia stalked around the quarters, Baby Tor in her arms, Keela toddling behind. She couldn't find their third child, and bellowed for her husband to come.

"Where is Zala, he can't be left alone.. Avor...Avor!"

Avor was playing a large stringed instrument similar to an Cello but better for a relaxed sitting position. The Alakk Harp was an escape, distraction for what plagued him. Plucking the strings without plan, an improvised bass line emerged and he let himself play in between the notes. He was in the middle of ignoring Inia for the third day in a row, a skill he had learned early in their marriage.

"Where is Zala?! Avor?! AVOR?!"

The tone of her call was murderous, she was not asking where her child was. She was looking for a reason to scream more, and Zala had given it to her. Quietly, he placed the instrument on the plush seat, and moved to the kitchen where the panrty closet offered a good hiding spot.

Realizing he was hiding in the small pantry of their small quarters Avor cringed to himself. This was not how any of it was supposed to go, when was service to a racial ideal ever so important as to submit to such misery? Zala had fallen and cut himself, Kas had taken him to the the doctor and explicitly told him not to tell their wife.

The pantry door yanked wide open. Inia didnt even bend over to peek inside, she just spoke with disdain evident.

"Hiding? How pathetic. Where is Zala?"

Avor managed to slump further, "With Kas."

Inia stared at him through wood and plastic countertop. Avor said nothing and she curled her lip in disgust. When he said nothing more, she slammed the door shut again.

"Computer, Family location services...Kas Shar'zhen"

"Family link accepted. Kas Shar'Zhen is in the primary infirmary."

Inia had her kids in tow when she stormed out of their quarters, heading forcibly to the turbolift.

Avor came out of the small room and wasted no time, he immediately began packing his things.

[Infirmary]

Children were a constant in the universe; they were active adult units moving along the DNA projected growth track and tended to use their ; what huemans called it, 'Formative Years' in a type of physical therapy learning to use the bodies that the procreation process had given them while those bodies are in the growth process.

That is to say; kids make coordination mistakes that end up getting; again the Earth term, 'Boo Boos along the way. Quill like children; especially those of other individuals, so any chance to be with a child was a treat.

He had the littl 'Tyke' up on the table sucking hard on a bit of Candy especially for the children; of course the dosage did not help any aches for an adult but they too tended to enjoy the sweet treat and a little pain reliever never 'hurt' anyone really at the 'Doctor's Office.'

The female Andorian; the family structure of this race is fascinating to say the least; he had several races that had shared gestation; though there are few of them actually, and having a family unit on the ship would be good for his expanding knowledge of people and their individualized psychology database. Having children; miniature versions of the people, for observation would also help Quill in the future in aiding the Andorians he will treat. Like observing plants grow; the blossoming of life, and great source of information to a Physician that takes the time to observe.

"I have noticed that children tend to lead with their craniums." Quill noted as he was using a Dermal regenarator on the cut.

"And how the normal dimensions of furniture to a toddler stage child is at the perfect height to be a hindrance in the controlled fall that is the process of the walking curve." He chuckled as the child was sucking on a well flavored lollipop that had taste enough to occupy the child while Quill repaired the damage. "He bumped his antennae; a normal occurrence for Andorian children at this age."

Quill looked up to the "Guardian' with a toothy grin. "The candy has a mild bit of medicine to help with any headaches." He winked. "As Hue-mans put it, 'A bit of sugar helps the medicine go down?" He nodded reassuringly. "No real harm it is just a hazard of the growth process and easily mended."

Kas wasn't listening.

The Doctor was skilled and sweet, and Zala took to him, bless him. She needed time to think. Kas was emotionally numb, crippled by guilt, blindsided by her hateful wife. There was no escape, and even now Zala looked to Kas for Solace only to find she had none to give.

Dear Gods below... she was about to cry.

"Stop it Kas..." Her inner voice pleaded.

She had not heard a word the Doctor was saying and he knew now. Did he know how she really felt? Or did he see the icy exterior everyone assumed was all their was?

Even the best facade was not enough to get past Quill; he had known Vulcans and the way they suppress emotions and how they were able to 'open a little' under strictest confidence and other friendly ways upon occasion. But all people have emotions and how they are in public is not always how they are when alone. This woman looked conflicted; confused about what to do? He enjoyed his Xeno-Biology observations and used them to associate similar types of alien beings. Humanoid commonalities did span the various races. Deep contemplation and confusion in those pondering is similar across the board.

He hoped she did not jump when Quill put a hand to her shoulder. "This 'is' normal for children."

Quill made sure to make eye contact with the troubled female; who did have a nice figure accented by her attire of course. "As it is said 'Do not worry your pretty head over it."

He smiled as he held the child who had taken to the candy with some zeal since the medicines seemed to be helping. "This one is healthy and might; I must put in the disclaimer, be a little more aware about the dimensions of furniture."

Professionalism compelled Kas to react with whatever brainpower she could muster. A faint smile in acknowledgment of his kind nature, and a simple, meek, "Oh.. yes."

He kept eye contact. "Are you okay?"

She only looked at him, the face was so young but she carried such pain in her micro expressions.

He asked with a hint of concern. "You look more troubled, Nurse Bunny?... could you put some colorful bandaging on the Little one?" Bunny was of course already doing just that, making it a game.


..."if you would like to talk?" He smiled. "I am the New doctor I like to get to know all the patents and those who are with them?" He winked as Nurse Bunny; the ever present assistant, took the child and was talking about the bright and intriguingly etched band-aids that were in stock. "Come have a seat, I am of Federation, lived on Earth, I believe in healing whole person and that means listening as well, I have very good lobes for listening." He nodded.

Kas had achieved her emotional center once again through sheer will. Holding up a hand to decline his offer for a friendly chat, she replied with steel in her voice."Thank you Doctor, for your kind words. No winters last forever, and no spring skips its turn. You were very good to my boy, so I thank you again."

Kas lifted him from the bio bed planar surface, "Are you feeling better Zala?"

"Bunny gave me a tickker!" Zala had a small bandage extension square stuck to his finger, a bright fiery orange.

Kas loved Zala, she truly did, but this child was Inia's. Dure had served to complete consummation, so Avor was more akin to a Brother. Kas had nearly died and struggled in misery during her pregnancy. Inia of course had an easy time of it, but took a second turn when Kas wasn't ready. Zala was Inia's strength and Kas's failure. Despite the marital woes, she loved them all and felt responsible for Dures death. All of this was felt in an instant every time she looked into his beautiful blue eyes.

"I will take you on your offer I think Doctor, another time. I must get this one back home."

Zala was adorable in his farewells and many of the staff even followed them for a few steps just to be recipients to the love he gave. Walking down the corridors Kas felt the stirring of uplifting spirits, and damned as fools are, dared to breathe easy.

She passed the bio lab adjoining to the Medical suite, what would be the Science Officer and also Inia's departmental offices. As if summoning the Demon, she also heard her wife around the bending path. Inia had a voice measured in triple digits.

"OH?! So you let Zala gash his head open and try to slink off for the doctor to cover it up?"

Zala was immediately upset and began to fuss. Kas pulled back as Inia reached for him.

"I am growing very tired of this Inia. You push too far."

Inia growled, a primal rage fomenting deep within. "You are not tired of anything, You always get exactly what you want and shirk the rest-"

Kas cut her off, they were both very loud in their conversation and many of the passersby tried not to eavesdrop, while others plainly watched.

"Take the child then, if I am to be marked as a selfish brat then I will at least live the benefits."

"I will leave you-"

"You must always threaten, like a child with no other recourse. Let me tell you one other thing. At home you may talk down to me as that is your nature. Out here on this ship you are a resident crewmember under my command. Got it?!"

"Oh I will be sure to wear my fleet jacket on work days sir. How long are you planning on dragging your family around? Til our other bondmate dies and we all slide into extinction--"

"Enough! I will see you at our quarters. Be sure to think of something highly insensitive and hurtful. For Now, go set up your biolab, or return to your quarters that is an order."

Inia had kept a cold fury running up to this point but she was ready to explode.

"Do you even care how completely ruined my life has been by your indecision, am I an annoyance to you, the children? You birthed Kee, so maybe you only feel for him."

Kas hugged Zala, fully upset and squirming. Inia was wrong, but felt unable to defend herself.

"I have lost everything and you treat me like a burden, like our child is a burden! You are a coward to hide behind your position. I am only here to be with you!"

There was nothing to say to that. For all of her anger, it came from love, and a felling of abandonment, or worse, betrayal. Kas handed Zala over and left Inia standing behind, her heart heavy. She looked into the baby blues and decided it was nice to have her kids with her, and wanted it to work at the moment more than she ever had. Coming back to the fold meant she would need to carry out her familial obligations and carry their fourth child.

His voice snapped her out of her reverie, and it was no solace.

=0= Avor to Kas, I've... gotten us quarters. You don't have to go back to her. We can raise the kids without her venom."

Inia was only a hundred feet behind her, He had to have packed his stuff and moved to be calling her. Kas knew right away what he meant.The idiot had actually completed what was fractured into a break. It was tempting, but she had already eloped with Avor once and Dure had come to bring them home, had died trying.

=0= Avor... Return to our quarters. Put everything back. We will discuss everything tonight.

She heard the disappointment in his tone.
=0= I can't handle the constant hatred. I am not living in guilt, I have done nothing wrong. Subject yourself if you must-

She snapped, her revelation of how selfish he was reflected on her decisions too.
=0=Avor! I am not leaving them again. Do as you must.

There was no reply, and she was grateful for that one mercy. Kas needed to be in charge, if this place wasn't home, then where else was? Where else could be?

-End-

Austen
Darrell

 

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