STF

Unpacking More Than Books -

Posted March 16, 2023, 4:01 p.m. by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) (Lindsay B)

Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Unpacking More Than Books -

Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Unpacking More Than Books -

Posted by Civilian Karilan Massat (Owner, Quill and Parchment Books) in Unpacking More Than Books -
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

The joke in the office was that when she was in a rush or couldn’t decide what to eat Eela just grabbed soup. So no soup today. But the rajeek looked interesting. “I’ll have the rajeek,” she said, meeting the server’s gaze.

“So how are things at the shop the last few days? I know I’ve monopolized your time with the renovations so I hope it hasn’t been too much of an issue,” Eela said before sipping on her juice. It was sweet and refreshing and exactly what she needed at the moment.

~Eela

Karilan waved off her concern. “The shop is fine. It can probably run itself, in all honestly. I’m there just to get in the way and talk to customers.” and they laughed. “Or to take care of special requests… present company most joyously included.” and they smiled slightly. “I am glad to see you back in your apartment, though the Governor said that you spent a few days with friends. I hope that helped.”

Karilan

She nodded slowly. “It did. I just… I couldn’t be in there another second, Karilan. I’m sure you of all people can understand the emotional wake a person can leave. He made my place feel… unsafe, dangerous. I couldn’t breathe properly in there after they escorted him out. It’s why I asked your help to find the book. I made a couple of the recipes and even if it was just a ritualistic thing and doesn’t actually do anything in reality, I needed to cleanse the place of any of that energy.”

“I can absolutely understand the need to do that.” Karilan agreed fervently.

Eela took another sip. “Not going to lie though, I keep having moments where something in me forgets he’s gone and I don’t have to compensate. That my space is mine again. It’s very… surreal.”

~Eela

Karilan sipped their wine and then said very softly “May I ask a truly personal question?” and without waiting for an affirmative response, said “Did something happen between you and the Governor?” They leaned in and said “I am not trying to pry and I swear on my life I would never betray your trust. But when I met him at your apartment, he seemed… well… more angry than a co-worker should have been. And I hadn’t known he was an empath. But while we were looking, there was a brief.. well… explosion of emotion from him. I hadn’t realized the barriers he had. And they slipped. He was furious… and really concerned about you. Thats why I asked.”

Karilan

The question caught her off guard and she was genuinely surprised, not the least of which was that Kenzo had lost control of his emotions. Eela didn’t even have to speak for Karilan to know without absolute certainty the answer to their question. And yet, she knew she’d have to explain, not because she owed anyone that explanation, but because she trusted Karilan and she suspected they would understand in a way others might not. So Eela nodded slowly, leaning in closer.

“It wasn’t planned, that was for sure, and I believe that the heart is infinitely capable of many kinds of love with many different people. But…” Her hazel eyes shimmered. “I’m Haliian, and it’s so hard to explain what that means sometimes, but without connection in all its forms we suffer. The truth is that when I told you that I hadn’t been with anyone save for one night since my accident, that included my husband, Karilan. And I’ve been so uncertain about my body all these years that despite how much I want something wonderful to happen with Dash and I, I think I was holding back because I didn’t trust myself, didn’t trust my body.” She smiled softly. “Even if he hadn’t given me the tremendous gift of helping me feel connected to my own body again, Kenzo and I have a deep friendship that is hard to explain. The job we have is so large, so difficult some days, it’s not unlike the bonds people experience in a war zone, which I’ve experienced. Some days it feels like the two us against the galaxy, desperately trying to make sure neither us nor anyone around us drops a key piece that will make everything crumble. And, as they say, it’s lonely at the top. “

Karilan stared blankly for a moment and then shrugged and picked up their wine. “On top would probably be easiest on your back.” and took a drink with a wicked gleam in their eye.

Eela pulled back and sipped her juice before leaning back in with a tiny smirk. “Also, not going to lie, there was also a significant amount of alcohol involved. He has one I call Evil Green, and for good reason.”

~Eela

“Oh, I will have to ask for some then.” they replied. “He invited me to dinner to thank me for helping. I tried to decline but he is rather… intense.” and they snickered. “As I guess you know.” and they smiled. “I will not breathe a word. But I will tease you. Because that is ah-mazing. And I’m very happy for you. And I hope that bodes will for you and-” and they started singing “- Mister. Mister Joh-ones.” and then they laughed.

Karilan

Eela laughed. “Oh stop,” she said, even as she couldn’t help but beam. “I invited him over after I got home… Dash I mean. I felt it… necessary to let him know what all happened, because this is almost starship sized baggage I’m dragging along with me now. But…” She couldn’t help the giddy grin that traipsed across her face. “He’s just so unfazed by it all even though he knows it’ll be an up and down sort of thing. I think I can actually call our evening a proper date and it’s been long, long time since I’ve had one of those. Even a bit before my accident. I think I’ve missed dating,” she said matter-of-factly. Some people were terrified of dating, but Eela relished the process of meeting and getting to know new people. It helped that she never went on dates with people she didn’t have at least a rudimentary connection with.

“Oh, and when the Governor invites you to dinner, my dear, you go.” Eela smiled. “He doesn’t offer unless he finds someone he believes worthy of getting to know better. It’s the sincerest sign of respect you’ll get from him.”

~Eela


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