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The Performance of a Lifetime: V'alura Arrives on the Ogawa

Posted Oct. 29, 2022, 8:19 p.m. by Lieutenant V'alura Belmont (Scientist on Medical Leave) (Abigail G)

V’alura opened her eyes and smiled. Not a dazzler full of charm and beauty, but something small and undeniably warm. “Must we be so formal?” She asked, teasingly as she stepped off the platform. A brief wave of dizziness caused her next step to falter but she seemed to right herself and carry on as though nothing was wrong. She paused before him, taking in his face and posture. It almost didn’t feel real, to finally stand before him in person. V’alura wondered if he felt the same. “I am here on medical leave,” Try as she might, she couldn’t keep her tone entirely carefree and light. “But I’m happy you came to see me arrive.”

Solal shrugged absently, almost awkwardly. She was dizzy. Was she okay? She looked awful. He knew not to say that aloud. It was strange to see her in person, he almost expected her not to respond, as if she were simply a part of one of those programs of hers. But no, she was really, truly here. “I am sorry you are here for such an unpleasant reason.”

She clasped her hands together, least she do something Solal would deem unnecessary and emotional. Especially since she felt very emotional in that moment. Her mask remained in place, but inside she felt like a rainbow of emotions. Fear and uncertainty lingered beneath warmth, joy and disbelief. V’alura never told her mother about Solal and part of her felt guilty for that. It was the right choice. V’alura couldn’t bring that to her poor mother, who was so hurt, so scorned by her Vulcan father that his very mention dredged up terrible, emotional pain. Maybe one day V’alura could tell her mother about her wonderful and smart half-brother who grew up in France and plays the violin.

Like Solal she was an only child, but to say that she never wanted a little sibling would be a big fat lie. Over the years V’alura had many close friends and her wonderful human family but there was something special about being a big sister.

“Congratulations once again on your promotion,” She had already congratulated him before, in writing, but she wanted to say it again now in person. “And it’s not too late to have a proper celebration for your achievement.” V’alura doubted Solal did anything to celebrate his accomplishments. She’ll have to make up for all the lost time. “And though I’d love for a grand tour, I don’t think I have quite that much energy left in me. Not without a power nap or two. Is there a room for me somewhere? I’d. . . rather avoid sickbay if possible.”

V’alura

Solal nodded once. “Thank you. It was unexpected.” He looked at her with a slightly awkward look, but also like she’d grown two heads. “There was a celebration at the promotion event. Our captain… I believe she loves a party.” There was a hint of… Something like scorn in his voice. He did not like parties.

V’alura couldn’t help but laugh, Solal’s distaste palpable to her. V’alura loved parties, especially when she was the the person who planned and threw them. Perhaps she and the captain will get along swimmingly. “So no party celebrating the doctors curing us?”

Solal, not realizing she might be joking, hesitated momentarily and then shrugged. “If you would like a celebration for that, you are free to have one.” And if she asked him to attend it, he would. He might even try to drag Lt Cmdr Bonner, too, she hated parties as much as he did.

“I was joking but now that I’m thinking about it maybe we should.” Though she spoke with a serious tone, there was humor in her eyes and smile.

Stood next to each other, their familial resemblance was clear. The same pointed ears, the same general build and facial structure, similar heights. Besides the difference in skin tone, it was absolutely believable they were related. A fact not missed by Solal.

Nor by V’alura. She recognized the features that they shared, and where they differed. Could see how she could pass as human with the right hairstyle and make-up while he would have a more difficult time. Though her skin was darker thanks to her mother of African heritage, they possessed the same green tint and flush of Vulcan blood. Half-human, half-vulcan and half-siblings.

He pointed out towards the hallway. “I will walk with you. I volunteered to take care of your boarding tour. You will be boarded on the recovery floor… Deck six. They are full quarters. You will be most comfortable. I am housed in the crew quarters, but I always answer a page, so if you need anything, please do not hesitate.” His delivery was most Vulcan, but it was considerably more than he’d do for someone else. He never, ever, gave boarding tours. He answered pages… For emergencies. “And… I’m on medical leave, too, now.” That was a recent change, “So I will be available any time.” Solal hated having so much free time.

~ Solal

For a moment V’alura’s mask slipped. Concern, subtly, gently showing within her eyes. Even Solal was put on leave. This strange illness may have brought them together, but that came at an unfortunate price. That thought was the crack that broke the dam. Her hands trembled. “Oh, Solal. . .” V’alura said and she couldn’t hold back anymore. She opened her arms and pulled him into a tight hug. Mindful of her hands, V’alura gently squeezed him, her mental barriers as high as she could build. “We’ll get through this, together, I promise. What kind of big sister would I be if didn’t keep your company? Especially with all this free time we’ve suddenly found ourselves with.”

Solal was suddenly held in a tight embrace, squeezed in V’alura’s arms. He stood there awkwardly, and then cautiously returned the gesture, his arms loosely around her like he wasn’t sure what to do. He fell back on what was comfortable: “Logically, we must be fine. Ogawa has excellent patient recovery statistics.”

After one last and quick squeeze she released him, “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself. I hope you could forgive me for one display of emotion. I am a sick patient after all.” Was it wrong to play the patient card when V’alura knew she was going to be one of those patients? Yes, but she didn’t have the energy to feel guilty that moment. “How about that boarding tour? At least show me where the lounge is?”

V’alura

When she released him it became apparent he was suffering the same dizziness she was as he had to steady himself. He distracted from that fact by saying, “You have displayed emotions non stop since arriving. It is expected.” What he didn’t say and wouldn’t admit was that he kind of liked the concern that haunted her gaze, the warmth of her hug. He nodded. “Let me show you to your room first, so your helper may drop off your bags. Then I will show you the lounge.”

~ Solal

Without thinking V’alura reached out to steady Solal, and held on until he seemed to regain his balance. She smiled, hoping to cover up any awkwardness with some humor, “Oh good!” She laughed, “My emotional subroutine is working as intended. The virus infecting my system hasn’t spread too far then.” Oh, her scientists back on the AA would have loved that one. They always laughed or groaned at her dumb jokes. . . V’alura wondered how everyone was doing. If the notes she left behind detailing the work she left unfinished or incomplete. There were so many move parts to the life of a CSO and V’alura took on far more work than most usually do.

V’alura steadied him. It was a helpful, kind gesture. He murmured a quick, “Thanks.” He looked at her and blinked with her joke. “We don’t know that it’s a virus. And it hasn’t affected our brains… yet.” Apparently, Solal had a thing for taking things literally. Solal missed his own work, but at least he was on the same ship. He was allowed to have updates on how projects or patients were doing, he just wasn’t allowed to do the work himself.

“But yes, that sounds good to me. I want to get my ladies settled in before all this moving stresses them out too much.” She glanced back at the two terrariums securely settled to the top of her rolling luggage. Both her ladies darted into the safety of their burrows when she moved them from their homes into these (smaller but portable) homes. They’ve yet to step out and V’alura hoped they weren’t hunkering down within for the foreseeable future. It would be a great comfort to her to see them. Perhaps when she feeds them later they’ll feel more secure.

V’alura

Solal led her toward the lift and told it to take them to deck 6. He peeked at the terrariums, “What’s in there?” His voice sounded scratchy as he finished his sentence and then he went into a coughing fit, careful to turn away from her. It was the flu he’d picked up. When it was over, he took a longer, deep breath.

Oh no. Not him too. V’alura hoped it was only her breaking into coughing fits. Was it another symptom of whatever this illness was? Or were they both incredibly unlucky? Still, she waited for the coughs to subside before answering as though nothing had happened at all, “My lovely pets. Lady No Mercy, a pterinochilus murinus and Lady Vengeance, a chromatopelma cyaneopubescens. They’re both tarantulas.” V’alura turned to smile at the terrariums. “Perhaps once they’re settled in they’ll come out and you can see them for yourself. They’re beautiful to behold.”

When the doors open, he led her down the hall. “This way.” Finally, he stopped at a door at the end of a row in a quieter area and pressed the control for the door. “These will be yours.”

~ Solal

V’alura stepped inside her quarters and let out a quiet sigh of relief. Sickbays and medical wings put her on edge. Too many unpleasant memories and ugly associations. Here, she could pretend like she was on a humble vacation. “This will be perfect.” V’alura said. She took her luggage from the helpful NE who nodded his head before taking his leave. V’alura wasted no time in setting the terrariums on an empty shelf. Decorating can come later. “So! Where’s the lounge! And you’ll have to tell me where your quarters are. If you don’t mind me dropping by. I’m. . .” She hesitating, her voice catching on a wheeze before she stopped. “I’m. . . ah.” V’alura took careful breaths, “I’m curious but it’s okay if you don’t want me poking my nose there.”

V’alura


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