Posted June 17, 2021, 1:02 p.m. by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) (Jennifer Ward)
Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - An Unexpected Meeting
(snip)
She looked around, seeing the signs, that were left after the storm, of her fight with Argyle. She closed her eyes gathering her thoughts. It was a story, that was all. Her story, but just a story, and Ragna was an excellent story teller. “I was over there, second to last row, at the end. I was digging up ginger and radishes. He didn’t walk up, he didn’t come through the gate, he was just there. He must have used a transporter, but I must have missed the whine in the rising wind. He said, “That’s what I love about this place…the view. And who might you be, hmmm? Didn’t take Seamus for the plaything type… but kudos. He has taste, I see.’” She met Tara and her mother’s gaze, “He wasn’t looking out at the ocean. Angus came out of nowhere, daft thing got right between us, pawing the ground, shaking his head. I put my dagger back in my belt and took the basket and the tools and stood up. I told him, he was in my home to mind his manners and introduce himself. That made him mad. He laughed.” A tremor went through her at the memory of it, it was twisted and insidious. “He started ranting, yelling, he got really red in the face. He told me this was McKenzie land, and a McKenzie house. As such, it belonged to who he said it does. He didn’t know who I was or where I came from but to answer him. Depending on what I said he’d either have me thrown in jail, or” she stopped, finding Seamus’ hand silently, “or he’d have me dress for dinner for him.”
A low rumble sounded in Seamus’s chest and he said in a deep growl “That’s what he’d say to girls in school.” and he looked at Tara who’s jaw clenched as her teeth grated together.
Then she described exactly how he was looking at her. “Poor Angus was trying to herd me around the yard. I made it to the end there,” she pointed to the row nearest the house. “I told him that this is a McKenzie house, and he was NOT the McKenzie. That you said it was my home, seanmhair.” She met Tara’s gaze again. “Then I really made him mad. I told him, ‘Eyes up here lad. You won’t be getting any of that. There will be no dinner for you unless it’s through a straw.’ He started flexing his fists, even raised it at one point. He told me he was the McKenzie and called me a harlot. I told him Seamus was my husband and he should leave till he came back. That’s when he rushed me.”
Ragna stopped, closing her eyes and laying her head back against Seamus, need a minute and needing to know he was right there. She turned her head, to look at him. “Angus charged him. That…man…kicked him, over and over. Angus couldn’t get up and I couldn’t do anything, I was afraid he’d hurt Angus more.’ Her voice was low, she ached for Angus, she loved that daft thing. “He came back towards me then. I threw the basket of vegetables at him and ran. He tried to grab me and that’s when I used the trowel and cut his face. I was…3 feet from the door when the thunder and storm broke over the house.” She didn’t have to explain why that was important. Everyone there knew why.
Slowly the rest of the story, what she could remember despite the migraine, came out. Her struggle with him, trying to get away, him dragging her by the ankle across the cobbles, trying to find something to hit him with, every foul thing the man said. “He admitted to enjoying it, that he was going to break every bone in my body and then…” she took a deep breath, she wouldn’t look at her father, her uncle, or Seamus. She locked eyes with her mother. The implication of what he intended to do was clear. “He said he was going to break me.” She glanced where her torn dress still sat on the ground, “He…he whispered it in my ear against my skin.” She shuddered, “That’s how his blood and spit got on the neck of my dress.” She couldn’t cry or waver, it would send all of them into a rage, but Seamus would feel her shaking against him, a death grip on his hand. “He grabbed my hair, and the last thing I remember is pain exploding as my head hit the ground.”
Ragna
Seamus looked up, rage and pain in his eyes, and said “That’s when I got ‘ere. Saw him dragging her by her hair and I knocked him off her. I didn’t let him up again. And if he sets foot here or eyes on Ragna ever again, I’ll not stop from finishing him.”
“So you did stop yerself then, did ya boy?” said a new voice from the side of the house. There, as if by magic, leaned a tall, thin man in a long wool overcoat and wearing a skally-cap of green and tweed against the wall. He lit a small cigar and said “DCI Tannery, at yer service. Nice place, if I do say myself. Right pain in the arse to get to, though. But ahh… Im guessing that may be the point, then.” He took a puff and pushed off the wall of the house and stepped around towards the group.
“Apologies for the eavesdropping. Found it always helps when dealing with such matters.”
Seamus and the Cops
Ragna was not a timid woman, she didn’t startle easily, but she wasn’t a hardened Star Fleet security officer either. Twice, now, in less than 24 hours a strange man’s voice sounded out of her eyesight and had appeared at her home while she was unaware. Her parents and Tara would see the effect on her as a thinning line of her lips and closed eyes. Seamus would feel it as her body became rigid against him and a quiet but quickly indrawn breath and the way she squeezed his hand, not letting go.
“Easy, love… easy… it’s ok. I’m right here.” Seamus muttered softly, his eyes boring into the new arrival.
Ragna nodded, forcing herself to relax against him. She was tired and wanted this whole thing over with.
None of the Edmans moved, they were all unarmed, as it were, but the blades were within easy reach. And nothing said trouble like Cuyler and Oddvar moving together far too quickly, but they both turned hypercritical gazes on the inspector. After a moment Ragna heard her mother shift as if to stand. Helka having seen the affect his sudden and meant to be startling appearance had on Ragna she was ready to give the man a very firm talking to. Ragna opened her eyes and waved a hand, more like fingers at Helka and turned her gaze on the inspector. “You’ll forgive me Mr. Tannery if after the last 24 hours, I don’t take your word for it and insist you show your badge and identification.” There was more rattling around in her brain but none of that was going to help her or Seamus.
Ragna“Detective Chief Inspector, ma’am… not ‘Mister’. And you are wise to ask… especially after the events in question.” He walked forward slowly, eyes darting to each face as if memorizing them. He reached slowly into the left side of his coat and produced a wallet, which he flipped open to reveal an Inspector’s badge and holo-ID. “As requested.” he said to Helka and the addressed the group as a whole.
Helka, and she knew Ragna as well, would reserve the designation till they’d seen his ID. Helka didn’t make the mistake of attempting to take it, but she did give it a thorough inspection, and reading the details. She glanced at Ragna and nodded, once. Ragna had asked for the identification but she couldn’t fault the man for not approaching her. She sipped her tea, clearing the dryness. “Thank you Detective Chief Inspector. You are welcome here. Would you care for water or tea? The trek out is a long one.” She was eager to get this over with, but trying to remember her manners, as it were.
“So I’m sure why I’m here is common knowledge. I am investigating the events of yesterday that occurred on these premises at approximately 1600 hours between one Argyle McKenzie and one Ragna Edman.” He looked at Ragna and said “So Miss… I’m gonna have to ask you some questions. Now normally I’d ask you to talk to me in private -” and he glanced at the assemblage, “- but I can see as that may be an issue. So I will allow…” and he looked around and then said “… the two ladies to stay. Does that work for ya, Miss?”
DCI Tannery
“Da?” and Ragna held her hand out to him. “I know you have it.” Cuyler stood slowly and walked to the opposite side of the bed, reached carefully into his pocket and passed Ragna a heavy piece of parchment. Ragna unfolded it glancing at it and nodded. She held it out to the inspector. “Mrs. Ragna McKenzie actually. We were married two weeks ago in Bømlo, Norway.” The marriage certificate was signed as presided over by Cuyler Edman and witnessed by Devlin Mattsen, Oddvar Edman, Helka [Gormsdóttir] Edman (which he would recognize, if familiar, as a royal line), and seven more witnesses.
Ragna squeezed Seamus’ hand. She didn’t like him leaving, but the Inspector hadn’t really given her a choice, but he hadn’t isolated her either. She knew her father and Uncle wouldn’t go too far, and she was pretty sure Seamus would probably circle back and be a lot closer than anyone realized. It didn’t really work for her but she nodded to the Inspector anyway. Helka walked over and spoke softly, “I’ve got her Seamus, I promise.” And she slipped into Seamus’ spot behind Ranga, helping her sit somewhat upright. Ragna squeezed Seamus’ hand one more time. “Please have a seat Dectective Chief Inspector, it will help me. It is hard for me to crane my head up at such an angle for too long.”
Ragna
© 1991-2024 STF. Terms of Service
Version 1.15.11
RSS Feed