Posted June 22, 2021, 2:42 p.m. by Civilian Luana Iolani Kaili (Director of Medical and Social Services) (Silke Fahl)
Posted by Civilian Karilan Massat (Owner - Parchment and Quill Bookstore) in Oed Streets - After The Opening
Posted by Civilian Luana Iolani Kaili (Director of Medical and Social Services) in Oed Streets - After The Opening
Posted by Civilian Karilan Massat (Owner - Parchment and Quill Bookstore) in Oed Streets - After The Opening
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻(snip)
Karilan nodded appreciatively and then said “That is most impressive. I am surprised more of your people are not in Staf Fleet. I know a few Security Chiefs who would have given bodily appendages in exchange for someone with that ability.” and they laughed softly. “So does the ability hold any significance or use in your modern society?”
Karilan
Now it was Kaili’s turn to become a little awkward. Her cheeks turned a fain pink colour and she looked a little sheepish as she said, “To be honest, I have no idea. I’ve been to Xahea only once and that was the only time I’ve been around other Xaheans. My mums did their best to teach me about the culture and everything of my people. But neither of them is Xahean. So there are limits to what they were able to do.”
~Dr. Luana Iolani Kaili
“Oh… oh I am sorry. I didn’t mean to-… I mean… I was… um…” Karilan stuttered and stammered for a moment and then stopped talking and walking and took a breath. “I… am sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. And as for not knowing much, then perhaps I could help? I do own a book store after all. I’m sure I could find a text or two… if you would like?”
Karilan
Stopping as well, Kaili positioned herself right in front of Karilan and looked them deeply in the eyes. “Please don’t apologise. You did nothing wrong. I like that you want to know more about me and my people. Please never stop asking any questions you may have. Okay?” she replied gently.
The smile on her face deepened and Kaili said, “As for looking for information: I’d really appreciate that. Thank you Karilan.”
~Dr. Luana Iolani Kaili
It was the look that did it, really. Karilan, without really thinking about it, reached up and touched her face gently. “You are most welcome. Anything I can do for you… just ask.” Then the sudden realization seemed to crash down on them and their eyes widened slightly and they took their hand away. “Oh… I am so so sorry. I didn’t realize I was… I’m sorry… that isn’t like me I promise… I just… it was… you looked…” and they stammered as they took a step back.
Karilan
At first Kaili had continued to look Karilan deeply in the eyes as they touched her face. The smile on her face had softened and a warm, tingly feeling had started to spread from her stomach. A split second before they had pulled their hand away, she had closed her eyes and begun to lean her face carefully against their hand. But as Karilan pulled their hand away, Kaili’s eyes snapped open again and it took her a moment to understand why they were apologising. She wanted to close the distance between them that had been created when Karilan took a step backwards. But she also wanted to give them the space they needed. As much as she was able to. So while her instinct also was to reach for their hand, she merely placed her fingertips lightly on their wrist. Smiling warmly and gently, she looked them once again deep in the eyes and said sincerely and tenderly, “You don’t have to apologise. You did nothing wrong. When you touched my cheek … that felt really good. I know we only just met, but yu are a wonderful person and I really like you.” It took all her will power to stay where she was and instead taking a step forward, cupping their cheek with her hand in return and kiss them.
~Dr. Luana Iolani Kaili
The look of shock on their face was crystal clear. They stood in silence for a few moments and then swallowed… hard. “I… uh… I l-… I like you as well. I think we should… go… eat. And… talk. There are some tings about me that… well… that might change how you feel and I don’t… I don’t want there to be any confusion about… well… me. So… um… shall we? The restaurant is right up there.” and they indicated a small patio area about half a block away.
Karilan
“Okay,” Kaili replied softly as she dropped her hand from their wrist and turned around. Feeling like they could both do with a moment to think, she walked in silence next to Karilan till they reached the restaurant. Turning her head to look at them, she asked, “Where would you like to sit?”
~Kaili
Karilan looked around and selected a booth with low lighting near the back. As the hostess walked them over, Karilan kept glancing at Kaili and then looking away. When they reached the table, they let Kaili sit first and then sat opposite. A server came over and gave them water and menus, and said someone would be by to take drink orders momentarily. As they left, Karilan picked up the water glass with a visibly shaking hand and took a drink before looking at Kaili. “I’m sorry. It has been a very long time since I have been… out… with someone… and never with anyone like you, that is for certain.”
Karilan
Her eyes locked once more with Karilan’s, Kaili placed her left hand on the table top; close enough for them to reach for it, but not so close that it might feel intrusive or making them feel pressured. At least that was her hope and intention. “You don’t have to apologise for anything Karilan,” she said gently. “I care about you and I want you to feel comfortable, happy and at ease. I’d also like to get to know you better, spend more time with you, if you like to as well. And when I do or say something that makes you feel uncomfortable or I’m moving to fast: tell me. Please.”
~Kaili
Karilan sighed and said “You care about me? You just met me.” and they reached forward and took Kaili’s hand in their gloved one. “But I think I understand. I… I would like ot get to know you better as well. Spend time… together. And you are the one that makes me uncomfortable, no. That has always been me.” and they sighed and squeezed her hand.
Kaili squeezed Karilan’s hand in return while her gaze never wavered from theirs. After a few heartbeats of silence she asked softly, “Why?” She had an idea, but didn’t want to make any assumptions and instead open the floor for them to share as much or as little as they felt comfortable.
“My species evolution is one of… sexual and gender fluidity. That, coupled with the potency of our pheromones and the Deltan reputation for… well… I am sure you are aware… has led me into some very… um… awkward… interactions. Foremost amongst them was when I was a junior officer in Star Fleet on my first ship. I use an inhibitor to keep my pheromones in check. Indeed, in Star Fleet it is a requirement for my people in order to serve. The Medical officer on board the Tappen Zee, my first vessel, was more than problematic to deal with… to the point that they neglected to give me my inhibitor. The Engineering team was affected, refused to work just so they could be close to me… and that caused a near-catastrophic failure while at warp. By the Gods favor no one was killed, but I was nearly arrested before the truth came out. When it did, I was transferred. I felt so ashamed, Kaili. And that took me a long time to process. That coupled with my species tendency to fluidity of gender has made romantic involvement… well… so complicated that is no longer a thought to me. Or rather… hasn’t been. Now… here… I find that thought has returned. And as such, I am nervous. For many reasons… part of which is the differentiation between my body and my mind. I am hoping that makes some semblance of sense.” and they chuckled slightly.
Karilan
As Karilan told her what had happened during their first assignment and how they had been treated, anger flashed briefly across her features. Only to be replaced by a tender smile as they shared part of the reason they are nervous. Still holding their hand, eyes still locked with Karilan’s, Kaili said softly and with the utmost sincerity, “Gender and body parts have never played a role for me. I consider it a mere coincidence that being assigned female at birth happens to be the gender that feels right to me, that feels like me. But a person’s gender or genitalia never played a part in why I feel attracted to someone. I feel attracted to people because of who they are as person. And you, Karilan, are a wonderful, kind, caring and thoughtful person. Someone I’d love to spend more time with in whichever ways.”
~Kaili
© 1991-2024 STF. Terms of Service
Version 1.15.11
RSS Feed