Star Trek: Eventide 777 - cto-ughaz’udan

Having returned to his quarters to catch a nap (why was it called a nap, anyway? Eesh.) the Jem'hadar dragged himself out of bed and made his way out the door.

[D] A message had arrived. Stardate: 88876.7

This is Caddel, Lieutenant I’m inclined to agree with your suggestion of more lax security, additionally keep in touch with that engineering cadet and see if you can get L1 to remember anything that has become corrupt, it can yield information on our next steps, if it were fragmented it’s quite possible some one has tried to manually wipe her memory, look into that as well, and keep me posted. Caddel, Mona- USS. Eventide

He left for the hallways early in the morning.

To Lieutenant Ughaz'udan, Chief Tactical Officer, Starbase 777 This is your formal invitation to have a friendly ~~fight~~ spar with someone of equal ~~or greater~~ training. I wish to get to know you, the best way - in my opinion - is to bare it all in a ring. And seeing how you appear to be unscheduled and my ship is under repair, how are you feeling about the training room on the Constabulary Ring on the star base? Your ~~opponent~~ commrade, Lieutenant Commander Hanna Stone, Chief Tactical Officer USS Eventide

How he intensely hated these crutches. Intensely, intensely hated. To him they were unwieldy and flimsy-feeling and it almost felt like a joke for them to be supporting his weight when he walked. What humiliation. Nonetheless it was only with their use that he could get back some semblance of his life and so he begrudgingly accepted their use, making his way out the door.

1

He dragged himself out the door on his crutches with grunts of complaint; oh, how he couldn't wait to get these infernal things off...

To: Lieutenant Ughaz'udan From: Weyoun 7, Vorta Commanding, D.V. 161940-Omega Dearest Ughaz'udan. Having read your previously sent report the wise Founder Odo has suggested that you attend this 'ball' you wrote about. He in his wisdom says that it will be extremely beneficial for you, in your further development as a person. Take a 'date', he also said, whatever that might mean in this context. Regardless I'm sure you're smart enough to make that decision for yourself. You don't want to disappoint the wise Founder do you? I thought not. We eagerly await your next report. Remember, victory is life. Weyoun 7 On behalf of Odo Founder Commanding, D.V. 161940-Omega

(edited)

Thank Founders. His leg didn't hurt anymore at least, not like fire trying to eat his ankle at least. So he made his way out to the hallway. Time to find breakfast...

[D] A courier left a Secret Santa gift outside of Ughaz’udan’s quarters. It was a black box, and upon being opened would reveal a carefully packaged ornamental dagger. With it was a message, which said “Happy Holidays. Please don’t kill anyone with this or I’ll have extra work.”

7

[PADD] @Lieutenant Ughaz’udan

Hey Sweetheart, I was wondering if you'd like to just talk, hang out you know? There's been something on my mind recently and you've been a pretty good listener so I was wondering if we could meet at #gliqqigug′s-coffee-shop today? If your not busy that is. Let me know if your free. Toodle, Rana

I am agreeable to that. In fact I am on my way to my quarters from my duties if you would like to meet now. ~Lt. Ughaz'udan

[PADD]

Got it, I'll be there shortly - Rana

[PADD] @Lieutenant Ughaz’udan

Hello, hey I'm free at the moment if you want to go hang out like we agreed to last time. If your not too busy with everything. If not just padd me when your free later. - Rana

Ughaz'udan's head snapped up, having somehow dozed off while working on a mundane piece of paperwork. Having read the message, though, he grunted and typed a reply back:

Where would you like to go? I am unoccupied myself.

Hmm...well we could always go back to that coffee shop again unless you have another suggestion?

I do not mind. Will fifteen minutes be enough?

He was immediately off his feet and sleepily sorting through his cabinet for something that looked suitably casual.

Works for me, see you there!

Red polo shirt, jeans, simple brown leather shoes. He reckoned that was casual enough. Following that he made hud wag out the door, sleepily rubbing his eyes at every other step.

[COMMS] "uhhhh is this thing working... if it is, this is The Epsilon bar to @Lieutenant Ughaz’udan , we've got two of your officers fighting here right now. If you could stop them that would be very nice... how do I turn this thing off? Oh yeah... Carr out."

Good thing he'd been back here in his quarters for a while. He was instantly on his feet and racing out the door in uniform.

Kassell gulped for a moment before fixing his posture, taking a moment to try and ease his pride before tapping a button on the panel. He awaited to see if the Chief would let him enter.

"Come in." The Jem'hadar had slumped onto the sofa with an arm over his belly; despite the doctor's efforts his insides felt like jelly and fit to pop like little fleshy bubbles whenever he moved. Best to just sit down and wait for this horribleness to pass, he reckoned. Dark brown eyes lifted toward the door as he attempted to sit upright and cobble together some semblance of dignity.

As the doors opened, they revealed his second-in-command. Kassell stepped through the doorway and gave a small nod to Ughaz'udan. "Sir." he said. "I wanted to see how you were doing."

"Terrible." Ughaz'udan winced. Even talking too loudly hurt. Ouch. How did any of his colleagues stand feeling like this? At least with the Hur'q, and then the Klingon who stabbed his foot at least he felt well enough inside. Now? He felt fit to collapse into a puddle should he so much as try to stand. It was diminishing beyond comprehension and he loathed it. "Have the lieutenant and his accomplice been found?"

He nodded. "Yes, sir. They were apprehended and are now being held in the brig." speaking of that, he placed his hands behind his back and averted his eyes for a moment. However, he quickly looked back at the Chief. "Although they were stopped, I regret to inform you that during their apprehension, I went against security protocol. Out of anger and frustration, I entered the runabout they were trying to steal and stunned them with a phaser. The security team was already there and both Buhner and McChad surrendered willingly before I arrived." he said.

On any other day Ughaz'udan might've sat up straight, glared daggers at the Cardassian and told him off for breaching protocol so intensely half the corridor would've heard him. Tonight, though, in this sorry state, the most he could do was wince and shake his head. "You would do well to... keep your impulses in control... next time." He managed, haltingly. "You are my... deputy head of department. You know our protocols well. Act like you do." Then he burst into a coughing fit that made his ribs and belly hurt, like magma bubbling within. Ouch.

"Agreed, sir. I will not be interfering with security matters." he stated. After that was said and done, he relaxed and dropped his hands back to his sides. "Now I realize how different Federation starbases and Cardassian stations are. Adjusting to this new command environment will be more difficult than I thought. If a Cardassian officer acted this way--" he stopped midsentence, realizing he would just be irritating a recovering Jem'Hadar. "My apologies, sir. I should let you rest. I will keep your office seat warm for you until you're fully recovered."

"Adapt to the new environment. That is all you and I can do. The more you ponder how difficult it will be the slower you will adapt. That is all." He stated weakly. "Nonetheless thank you for the update. En-Enjoy the rest of the evening, lieutenant. I will see you... soon. However long soon may be."

Kassell nodded, taking a mental note of his advice. He nodded. "Get well, sir." he said, turning around and tapping on the panel. The doors opened and he walked out, turning right.

Wonderful. Just wonderful. Now the Commodore wanted to see him - perhaps she had a message from home, he reckoned, summoning him back to the Vanguard Fleet for disciplinary action for failure to carry out his duty. Or perhaps she wanted him reassigned elsewhere. No one wanted a Jem'hadar who could barely stand on his own two feet without his vision swimming, much less walk after all. But she had called, he would go and face her with his back straight even if it killed him. In that there was dignity at least. So he changed into a fresh uniform and forced himself to walk out the door.

[PADD]

Hello Lieutenant, I haven't seen you in the bar for a while. Since before we last talked actually, everything alright? Or are you just busy? Just don't forget to visit me at the bar once you’re free! - Rana

He peered at the message and typed a reply as he walked through the door and sat down on the sofa:

I have been well. Of late I have been recovering from serious injuries sustained in the course of my duties. I promise to visit soon. -Lt. Ughaz'udan

Serious injuries? Well I hope you get well soon then.

I will be well within the next day or two or so sickbay says. Do not worry.

Funnily enough this message was followed by a second one a few minutes later:

Would you like to visit me in the upper habitat ring sometime?

Sure, I'm free now. Is that okay with you?

That is perfectly acceptable. I will see you shortly.

About fifteen minutes later there was a ping to let the Lieutenant know someone was outside.

"Enter.' He glanced towards the door from the sofa and stood, stretching just once.

Virana walked into the room with a calm but slightly befuddled face. "You doing alright? You said something about a serious injury?" She asked with a frown.

"Several internal injuries." He stated, nonchalantly, as if it were the world's most normal thing. Maybe it was normal - at least for his people. "I am recovering however. I have survived worse."

She frowned. "That still doesn’t sound too good." She said pointedly. "How did it happen anyway? You said something about your duties?" She asked curiously. Several internal injuries didn't sound very good at all.

"Two of my men attacked me while drunk after I intervened in their fight in the Epsilon bar. I was... unable to fend them off." He admitted, tone dropping to one of embarrassment at the very end. "Nonetheless I have survived, and here I am."

"Does it hurt?" She asked out of quiet concern and curiosity. "The docs fixed you up alright?"

"I am alive and speaking to you - so therefore they did." He stated, meant as a joke of course - if only his tone conveyed so.

"Well technically you don't to be alright to be alive and talking." She pointed out. "But I'm glad your okay." She said with a smile.

"Thank you." Then he added, in a much softer tone, "As am I. I would hate to be unable to continue being your friend by way of being dead."

"I'd absolutely positively hate that too." She confirmed and plopped herself down in one of the chairs. "Got a little worried when you didn't show up at the bar for a while." She said in teasing way.

"Afraid of not seeing me? I thought you knew that danger and risk of death are... job hazards... for me." He stated with a raised eyebrow.

"Well of course, especially on this station." She nodded. "But that doesn't mean one doesn't worry, the same for my parents and brother. The one who actually knows he's my brother." She clarified.

"So he found out." He leaned forward towards her. "Has that relationship progressed in any way?"

"I have two brothers, remember? The one who does...Variz still doesn't know." She explained. "But yes, he's been around."

"How do you feel about it?" He asked.

"Conflicted, he asked me earlier today of I could help him find his family. I just wish he would just...drop it. He doesn't need to know."

"Perhaps you should simply give him the truth." He suggested. "What do you gain from hiding the truth from him?"

"Alot." She said simply. "One, I get to spend time with him like a sibling with Serri because who knows what he'll do when he finds outand two, it keeps him away from the rest of the family and I honestly don't know how they would react."

Ughaz'udan grunted. He didn't understand family dynamics and likely never would so long as he lived. His crewmates could be so impossibly difficult to decipher at times... "I wish I were of better assistance." He commented dryly. "Perhaps a solution will come to you."

"Possibly, I hope so anyway. But we'll see eventually." She shrugged. "So, how are things with you?" She asked to change the subject.

"Normal. Apart from my injuries my life has been... normal." He remarked dryly. "I have been given things to... think about. To try rather."

"What have you been thinking about?" She asked curiously.

"What else I should do in order to properly experience and learn from Federation life." He replied. "Though I admit that I am stuck as to where to start."

"Hmm..." She started thoughtfully. "Have you ever used the holodecks for fun? From what I've seen that's something alot of people do."

"Not really." He said. "Do you have a program in mind for the purpose?"

"I mean...I don't do holoprograms too much either." She admitted. "I usually just work."

"Perhaps it is time we both explored a program for ourselves." He remarked. "What do you think.:

"Sounds good to me." She nodded." "We'll have to find a good program though." *She said thoughtfully.

"I suppose a combat simulation will not do.' He quipped sarcastically. "I shall find something else you may like."

She chuckled. "Sounds like a plan. Might have to ask around to." She said thoughtfully. "Then again, I do hear alot at the bar. Maybe I can pick out one of the popular programs that I hear so much about."

"Surprise me." He quipped. " I am eager to see exactly what you come up with."

She nodded. "I'll see what I can do." She said again in thought, thinking of the many popular programs that were so widely talked about in the bar.

"Meanwhile." He sighed and sat back, glancing down at his PADD. "What can you tell me about going on 'dates' as humans seem to call it? Commander Stone dared me to try it a few weeks ago-"

"Dates? Essentially it's when two people like each other and want to develop their relationship by going somewhere or doing something with just the two of them." She explained.

He grunted in response. Founders know if he could find a single person on the station that could like him in that way. "I suppose that shall have to wait for some time yet..."

"Honestly, it might not be too long for you. I mean you're pretty nice, you listen and care and you're not bad looking." She reasoned.

"You think I'm nice." Ughaz'udan gave a short bark of laughter. "You are the first to tell me that in fact."

"Really?" She looked suprised at that. "I figured that most people would say the same when they get to know you."

"Because no one save you tries to get to know me." He muttered - which, admittedly, was due in part to the fact that he rarely, if not never tried it the other way round either. His people simply didn't really function that way. "But I suppose... there is still time."

"I'm sure people will find out soon enough." She said with a reassuring smile.

"There is time. As long as the Founders see fit to allow me to stay here." Ughaz'udan remarked. "I do not know when I will be recalled to the Gamma Quadrant."

"Well hopefully you'll be here for awhile." She responded.

"I hope so as well." He leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes to rest - at least for now.

"You know, if you want...I could help with the dating thing." She suggested with a flirtatious smile. "You know, for practice."

"Oh?" He raised a scaly eyebrow. "You like me enough to want to do something like this?" Yes, he sounded genuinely surprised - and maybe a bit apprehensive. At least in combat or in his duties he was in familiar territory. What they were both about to embark on was unfamiliar ground - maybe very unfamiliar ground in his case.

"I'd love to help out a friend." She nodded.

"I welcome your help." He responded. Did he mind doing things like this with her? Well... no. Not at all.

"Well I'm glad to give it." She said with a bright smile. "It'll be fun." She said confidently. "I'll teach you everything you need to know.*

"Excellent." He sat up a little bit. "When do we start?"

@𝚐𝚑𝙸𝚛𝙸𝚕𝚚𝚊' 𝚓𝚘𝙷

"How about tomorrow?" She asked after a moment. "Or wait, how long until you fully recover?" She asked curiously.

"Tomorrow is acceptable." He stated. "I should be able to recover in a day or so so long as I do relatively... tame... things."

"Noted." She nodded. "I suppose I'll see you later then." She smiled and stood up from her chair. "It's a date.""

He nodded his response and closed his eyes to rest for the time being. "See you tomorrow. I look forward to it."

"See you then." She nodded before leaving.

[PADD]

Hello Lieutenant, ready for the next "date?" When are you free? I'm thinking next time we meet up we can go take a walk or have a picnic in the #botanical-gardens. - Rana

[PADD]

I am ready - and I am agreeable to that. When would you like to meet?

[PADD]

I'm free at the moment now too, how about we meet in the environmental corridor in about twenty minutes?

I will see you then.

He made his way out the door and into the hallway.

Now back in his quarters following his shift he'd replicated himself a bowl of hot soup which he half ate from, half worked on the sofa in silence.

Beep beep Aella kept trying to adjust her headset so she could actually see what was in front of her. Did she take the right turn? Maybe it was left.. or right? She had no idea. The tiny Vorta could see an exit up ahead, hopefully it was to Ughaz'udan's quarters but she had no way to be sure. Someone was in there, but she didn't hear any voices.

The Jem'hadar was nothing if not observant; the footsteps and clacking in the Jeffries tube opening in his quarters was suspicious enough to make him pick up his phaser, prime it and simply wait at the entrance.

Clack, clack Aella's heels kept hitting the walls around her as she tried to stay quiet. She heard the person in the room move and the sound of what she assumed was a phaser. Unfortunately that didn't give her any hints as to who the person may be. "Zhimata," Aella mumbled a single word under her breath in Vortawa to see if the person on the other side was Ughaz'udan. If it was, he would surely hear her. If it was anyone else, perhaps they wouldn't have such good hearing.

He knew that word. The Vortawa term for a closely related one - why exactly Aella (or at least he assumed it waa Aella judging by the sound of the voice) said it he did not know, but right now she was dangerously close to one of the last things he wanted in his private space. He stepped forward and flung the cover open, stating "Stop hiding, Vorta. I can hear you moving in there. Come out!"

"UGHAZ'UDAN!" Aella rushed out of the tiny hatch and scrambled to her feet, dropping her headset in the process. "I knew it was you, I know the sound of your movements so well," She was lying, of course. She threw her arms around the Jem'hadar to hug him, a very brave Vorta.

Blinking and shocked at the sudden (unwelcome) gesture of affection Ughaz'udan snarled and peeled her off him, stating "Why have you come here, Vorta? What business do you have?"

"I just missed you, that's all. I didn't want you to push me away again," Aella feigned saddness, pouting at the lizard man. She looked down briefly and noticed her headset behind Ughaz'udan's foot and wondered if he would pick it up for her out of pity.

She was lucky that he did, snatching it up and handing it to her with a grunt. "You missed me? After a single encounter with me!?" He demanded. "Did you not complain about how I dared to defy you the last time we met?"

Aella took her headset back, but didn't put it back on. Instead she just smiled at Ughaz'udan. The typical Vorta smile that means she is definitely up to something. "Well I thought we could put that behind us. I want to apologise for how I acted. I am sorry for embarrassing you, Lieutenant." "I think I need help with this though," She said, holding her headset out and hoping Ughaz'udan would help her. Just another way she wanted to try and control him.

"Help yourself." He stated, holstering the phaser and taking a half step back from her.

Aella pouted, but didn't make any moves to put her headset on herself. "Well then I guess I won't be able to see you then. Shame, I really wanted to see what you looked like. You are much different from other Jem'hadar. Oh, wait was I interrupting you?"

"No." He stated, reaching out, grabbing the headset and sticking it wonkily back on her head (just to oblige her, blegh) and then sitting back on the couch.

Aella giggled at the brief skinship, any excuse to get closer to the warrior lizard. She took a few seconds to properly adjust her headset so she could see the other. "Good, now I just want to get to know you. Lieutenant Ughaz'udan," Aella skipped over to the couch and sat beside him, sitting awfully close. "What do you usually do here on the station?"

"I am the head of the tactical department." He stated flatly. "What else do you want to know about me?"

"Do you have any favourites? Favourite foods or... Colours? My favourite colour is scarlet and my favourite food is hm.. qiyava," Aella remembered what she learned from the nice Vulcan-Klingon earlier. She was thankful he was so respectful towards her and taught her some tricks for making friends.

"You mean the texture of the dish is your favorite, lest the replicator found ways to make it from kava nut and rippleberry. The fact that Vorta have no sense of taste is well known among Jem'hadar." He stated flatly before adding, "I enjoy food and desserts made with peach - oddly enough I suppose. As to my preferred color-" *He shrugged.& "I do not yet have one-"

"You're no fun, Ughaz'udan," Aella pouted again, really trying to whole 'innocent and cute girl' tactic. "Oh no favourite colour yet? Hmm, well let me ask you this next-- How are you doing without the White? Do you ever miss it?"

"I have no comment on that matter." He stated flatly. "Do you? Without it you have no more control over my people, do you?"

"Aww no comment? I was hoping you would have more opinion than that," Aella moved a bit closer to the Jem'hadar, touching his shoulder now. "It was the price for peace. And whilst white did ensure your obedience, we all listen to the Founders. That is the order of things. When I was back in Dominion space I didn't have a problem with the new Jem'hadar, in fact they treated me very nicely," Aella was lying. She had more than her fair share of clashes with her soldiers who were free of the white. Not necessarily over command issues, but because she often demanded strange favours whether it be describing food to her or carrying her across the ship. She was a girl who had grown accustomed to being pampered by everyone.

"Of course they did." He muttered. "Does my now independence scare you, Vorta? You act as if it does."

"No it doesn't scare me, in fact I like a man who has an independent mind," Aella giggled, trying to snuggle up to him. "Are you trying to scare me? You keep asking me if I'm scared, but I am not."

"Vorta have silver tongues. You people will never allow anyone save our Founder gods to know how exactly you feel." He argued. "Is this not so."

"Don't you think you are generalising too much? I may be a Vorta but I am not here to deceive you. We are both Dominion, there is no reason for either of us to lie to one another. So tell me, Lieutenant, why are you trying to scare me?"

"I am not." He stated firmly. "Like you said. There is no reason to lie to each other. Don't you trust me? I thought the Vorta depended on their soldiers."

"I don't have any soldiers here, I'm all alone," Aella frowned, playing the pathetic Vorta card now. "It's really lonely and you're the only other Dominion on the station. I just thought we could be friends, that's all."

Friends were good - but elsewise, likely not, he decided. The Federation was a place of change and unexpected beginnings after all; perhaps this might prove to be a positive one. "Go around the starbase and speak to people. You shan't be alone then.:

"But you know it's hard being the only Vorta. I talked to the Founders and even they agree it would be nice if we were friends. I'll leave if you promise we can do something together in the future. Maybe have a drink or something?"

"I am agreeable to that." He stated.

“Then it's a date! I knew we would see eye to eye, Ughaz'udan." Aella was absolutely glowing with excitement. "And also now that I can see you clearly I still stand by what I said. You are very handsome." She stood up and zoomed out the door, fastest vorta on the station.

Hey, Ughaz'udan. You have time this afternoon for that dinner? Also, do you have any dietary needs or preferences?

A very, very simple reply:
Yes, and no - though I was not aware that *dinner
is usually had in the afternoon.

~Lt. Ughaz'udan

Er, you're right, sorry. I meant this evening. 1900, my quarters?

I will be there. Am I expected to dress casually for the occasion? ~Lt. Ughaz'udan

I will be, so please, don't make me look like a fool.

Point taken. See you this evening.

Aella arrived at his quarters and ran the buzzer, hopefully he was there at this hour.

Did she have to come by at this hour? Poor Ughaz'udan groaned and shifted in bed, fumbling about in an attempt to make himself presentable before yelling "Who is it?"

"Aella, please let me in, I promise I'll be brief," Aella said as she stood at the doorway with her head down as she shifted her weight between legs. Eshen seemed to have a lot of confidence in her, but for some reason she was still hesitent.

A muffled 'harrumph' came from behind the door. Some muffled bumping around and cursing later the door hissed open; Ughaz'udan had somehow managed to put on a dark red shirt and jeans on - the former thing backwards. Oops. "What is it?" He asked irritably. "And why did you see the need to seek me out at 2243 hours?"

Aella stepped into the room and tried not to laugh seeing Ughaz'udan with his shirt backwards. That helped her lighten up a little, but she was still nervous about what she was about to say next. "Well... I wanted to apologise for being rude to you, Ughaz'udan," Aella said as sincere as she could possibly be. She wasn't sure if he would accept her apology or if he would assume it was some sort of trickery of the Vorta.

A Vorta? Sincerely apologize for their rudeness or pomp or attitude? Unheard of - even in Federation space. Ughaz'udan barely hid his disbelief at the idea; his expression said it all. "What brought this on?" He asked. "Have the Founders bid you to do this?"

Aella could see the look of shock on the Jem'hadar's face. She had a feeling he would react this way, he probably suspected some form of trickery. "I.. I guess I just had some time to think," Aella hoped it wasn't too obvious that she had just been crying. She lifted her head and looked at him. "The Founders have not told me to do anything. This is my own free will," If he doesn't believe me, at least I did my part. "So, Lieutenant Ughaz'udan, I am sorry for my actions. That's all I came here to say, I'm sorry for bothering you at this hour."

He found himself glancing bleary-eyed up and down the hallway. Someone had put her up to this, surely - Eshen perhaps, or Virana on an off chance. If the latter was true he owed the bartender a favour, definitely, of some kind. "You have been crying." He observed seeing her tear-stained face.

"... Vorta do not cry," Aella snapped back at him, her old ways could not be changed by just a simple date. "I mean.. Many things that were thought to be impossible have become possible," She said in a soft voice. "I experienced art for the first time, it was.. Moving."

"...and?" He blinked, utterly failing to see how her newfound appreciation of the visual arts (or perhaps in other forms) was related at all to their current conversation - and why it had driven her to apologize to him.

"And I... I realised I hurt you," Aella was clearly having a hard time putting her feelings into words. "I regret it. That is why I came to apologise."

Riiiiiiight. Right. And this wasn't all some kind of trick. Ughaz'udan rolled his eyes. "I see." He said, "Well, fine. I forgive you. May I now go back to bed?"

"Yes, good night Lieutenant." Aella said before shuffling out the door. That went well. Kinda. It went better than she expected.

[PADD]

Are you free? - Aella

I am. Why do you ask? ~Ughaz'udan

I have a gift for you, may I come over? - Aella

Very well. I will see you in ten minutes.

Once Aella got to Ughaz'udan's room she pushed the buzzer and waited for him to respond.

Having made a point to get back to his quarters earlier than she (only out of politeness, of course), Ughaz'udan had settled down on the sofa in silence. What the Vorta want? What kind of gift did she want to give him? Where had she gotten this gift from - courtesy of the Founders perhaps? Very many questions indeed, but no questions he'd have answered by pushing her away. "Come in."

Aella stepped into the room and bowed her head to greet him. It was something she had learned from studying different cultural customs. It apparently was respectful. "Hello again, Ughaz'udan," She gave him a sweet smile. It was nice to finally be able to see him clearly with both eyes. These glasses were fantastic!

A Vorta bowing to a Jem'hadar. Either the world had gone crazy, he was hallucinating - or perhaps whoever Aella kept for company had managed to change her even just a little. All three were plausible, all three were equally ridiculous, but Ughaz'udan chose to accept the third option. "Hello." He grunted. "I see you have acquired seeing glasses. They suit you." That, at least, was an honest opinion.

"Thank you. Yes, my headset had malfunctioned so I sought out an alternative means of sight correction," Aella said, not mentioning that she was the one who destroyed her headset in the first place. "How are you?" She asked, her tone the same as before. Always hungry for information and intel, but this time she was genuine.

"I am alive. And well." He deadpanned. Was that genuine curiosity in her tone? "How are you? I imagine losing your seeing aid must not be easy at first."

"I am... Better than I thought," Aella said, full honesty this time. "It is not a tragedy at all, I love these glasses, I have even gotten a few compliments," Aella blushed when she thought about Eshen's reaction. "Including one from you. Thank you again, Ughaz'udan. I respect your opinion, especially in terms of aesthetics."

"You are welcome." He folded his arms, head canted to the left, as if studying her. Had someone actually managed to instill sincerity into a proud, Founder-loving, ass-kissing Vorta? Whoever they were, he needed to meet them - and possibly thank them. "You mentioned a present."

"Yes, a present," Aella said as she took out a small plate of metal from her pocket and presented to Ughaz'udan. The plate had a button on the top. "I thought... Perhaps you may be lonely. I find this helps me when I need guidance." Aella pressed the button and a small hologram of a shapeshifter appeared. It changed forms a few times before disappearing. "You can programme any image into the device, an animal, a person, anything," She explained. "I made it. I have one myself, but I created a second one to give to you."

"You gave me an image of a Founder." Ughaz'udan seemed somewhat incredulous, actually - but he accepted the gift anyway, idly flicking it on and off as he spoke to her. "...thank you." He managed. "As to lonely..." Ughaz'udan fell silent - was he lonely? He certainly wasn't alone, being surrounded by the starbase's crew and his own department all day, but was there that something else that supposedly differentiated both concepts? "...perhaps I might be." He reasoned.

"Well.. I was not quite sure what sort of gift you would like. But I know we both love the Founders," Aella said softly, clearly this was her first time giving anyone a gift. Especially something so personal. "But you can change it to whatever you like," She added. "I was thinking if you're free you'd want to do something together? I am still trying to find... Hobbies, I would be interested in learning what you're interested in, maybe I can find my own hobby from there."

"I train often on the holodeck - Federation combat simulations tend to be far too tame for me, but they keep my mind sharp all the same." He replied. "Elsewise I have spent my idle time reading - informational articles about the norms of Federation species-" And general personhood, he did not add, "-and some fictional works. Lest you happen to be particularly interested in either of those things..."

"Fictional works! I have been exploring fictional literally. Historical romance novels," Aella said with enthusiasm. The 3rd E from Eshen's rules! "I would be very interested in any literature you could recommend. I want to read a lot of different things," Aella was slowly gaining confidence. "The holodeck.... What sort of training do you do? I can't fight, but I was considering exploring different holodeck simulations. For leisure. I want to explore leisure activities."

"I... do not use the holodeck for leisure." He admitted, perhaps with a shred of sheepishness. "That said - if you would like, I am agreeable to exploring."

"Can we? I would really appreciate that, Ughaz'udan," Aella's eyes lit up when the other agreed to help her. "It was my choice... To do all this. I want to be an individual, not just part.. of the Dominion war machine," Aella's expression suddenly became solemn as she remembered all of the things others had said to her about the Dominion.

Ughaz'udan narrowed his eyes at her, and he leaned forward in his seat, fingers firmly clasped together. "The Founders have allowed you to pursue this goal?" He asked softly.

"Yes. In order for me to learn to be my own person," Aella seemed sad, not looking-for-pity sad like Vorta were all too good at, this was genuine sadness. For some reason when she was around Eshen and Ughaz'udan, she was not afraid to show her true emotions. She wondered why that was. "My communications with the Founders will be less frequent. To let me grow. I will still speak on their behalf but I assure you from now on my choices are entirely my own."

Again he studied her, mostly unbelieving - but he relented eventually, letting out a soft grunt of a sigh. "Very well." He conceded. "If the Founders have seen fit to give you your autonomy, I shall not oppose their judgment. I trust you will use this opportunity to its fullest."

"So... Does that mean we can do something together? Holodeck, chat, anything. I want to do whatever you enjoy," Aella sensed Ughaz'udan probably still had suspicions, but it was not surprising. The Vorta and the Jem'hadar may have worked closely, but the two races only put up with each other because they followed the same gods. Aside from that, the two got along like cats and dogs.

"Yes. We may." He stated. "Perhaps this represents an opportunity - which are abundant in the Federation, or so I have learned."

"What should we do first, Ughaz'udan?" Aella asked, for once letting someone else make the decisions before her. "Anything, I have decided the only way to find what I enjoy is to try everything first."

"We could visit Earth on the holodeck." He supplied after a few moments of silent consideration. "Later if you'd prefer."

"I would like that," Aella blushed a little as she smiled. She wasn't sure why, but the thought of going to the holodeck to see earth with Ughaz'udan made her very happy. "You can message me when you're ready and I'll be there."

"Why wait? We can go now if you'd prefer." He stated, now standing and walking into the bedroom to change.

".. Now is good, I can go now!" Aella said, her eyes lighting up as she waited patiently for Ughaz'udan. This would be now her 4th time in the holodeck. She was skeptical at first but she actually was starting to like it.

The Jem'hadar emerged in an ash gray t-shirt, jeans and what looked like boots, accompanied by a black trench coat - typical off duty wear for him nowadays, sometimes sans the coat. "I have a few places we can visit in mind." He quipped while heading to the door.

Aella followed Ughaz'udan to the door. "Anything you have I will try it," She paused before thinking of what to say next. " I like your off duty clothes, you look-- Well, if I could understands aesthetics, I would say you are very handsome," It was so hard not to pull out her old tricks, but she was really trying this time! Eshen and Georgia's lessons seem to have really resonated within her.

Whether he bought the compliment was unclear - but he did crack a smile as he walked out the door.

When Aella reached Ughaz'udan's quarters she pressed the buzzer. Hopefully he was back, the Eventide had been docked for almost a day now.

"Come in..." The Jem'hadar snorted and glanced up from bed, having only burrowed into the covers to sleep about an hour ago before being rudely awakened, and trudged off to put on a shirt, hitting the light switch along the way.

Aella stepped into the room and smiled when she saw the sleepy lizard man. "Ughaz'udan, good morning-- well good day," She giggled. "How are you?"

"I am alive. And well. And decidedly not a member of the Borg collective." He returned in a dark grey shirt and stretched a little bit, working the odd ache that'd settled into his neck. "I trust the station did not meet with much trouble, seeing that you stand in front of me similarly untouched."

"It was lonely," Aella said, looking down. "I was worried about you and everyone and..." There was something Aella wanted to say, but she just couldn't find the right words. "I consider you my friend, I trust you and I would be sad if anything happened to you."

At least in that she was consistent. Maybe Eshen's efforts had paid off after all, he reckoned. "All of us have returned safely and decidedly not Borg drlnes - you therefore have your reassurance that we are safe." He deadpanned sitting down on the sofa.

Without any warning Aella sat next to her favourite war lizard on the sofa. "I am glad. Although I really didn't think the Borg would be foolish to try and assimilate a Jem'hadar," Aella smiled. "I was thinking about introducing Eshen, my Zhimata, to the Founders. What do you think? He really wants to meet them."

"Knowing him he shall find a way to charm even a Founder. It woulf be amusing to watch." He remarked. "Though he mighy likely not succeed."

"Do you know him, Ughaz'udan?" Aella asked, wondering just how much the other knew about Eshen. She knew he dated around, but wasn't quite sure if him and Ughaz'udan had crossed paths.

"We have met. I consider him an acquaintance." Ughaz'udan muttered rubbing the sleep from his dark brown eyes. "I take it that the two of you spend much time together."

"We do," Aella said proudly. "Actually.... He has been teaching me about social interaction with solids,“ She explained. "He took me to see Klingon opera and he hugged me. What was the nature of your interactions with him?"

"He made me dinner after I defeated him in a sparring match." Then he added quickly "The nature of our dinner was not romantic - if you must know."

"Romantic," Aella giggled, she had a feeling if it was Eshen making dinner it was certainly romantic, even if Ughaz'udan didn't think it was. "Zhimata is very charming-- What did you think? Were you impressed?"

2

"Suitably impressed." He remarked. "You consider him someone close to you?" Of the very, very few words in Vortawa that he'd ever learned, zhimata was one of them, and he knew that it was rarely used lightly.

"Yes, he is someone I trust," Aella said proudly. Ever since her little ordeal with Georgia in the holodeck she had slowly begun to gain more and more friends. She was very proud of herself, she was probably the first Vorta to accomplish such a task. "What about you? There is no Jem'hadar term for Zhimata, is there?"

"No. Have you seen your men take romantic partners? Or make close friends?" He grumbled. "

"No, I have not," Aella replied. "But language is always changing and the Founders want us to explore free will. Maybe it is time you make one," She winked at him. "I have been thinking about it actually... About exploring romantic relationships, what do you think?"

"So have I. I will not stop you from trying." He answered. "As for myself - I suppose I shall have to simply keep looking as our human colleagues say."

"Ohhh?" Aella raised and eyebrow and moved closer to Ughaz'udan. "Anyone you find appealing? I know Jem'hadar have an eye for aesthetics. Us Vorta have to rely on personality, but you can experience aesthetic attraction. Tell me, has anyone caught your eye on this station?"

Ughaz'udan had to take a few minutes to consider her question, lightly tapping a finger on his bicep as he did. "Virana the bartender." He commented. "You. Somewhat..."

A bright red blush crept across Aella's face when Ughaz'udan mentioned her name. HER? She felt a strange tingling sensation in her stomach, was she nervous? excited? "M-Me? Do you mean it, Ughaz'udan?"

"You asked me if I found anyone on board the station attractive which you are from an objective view. I have given my frank opinion." He stated bluntly.

"I am flattered you think that," Aella said with stars in her eyes. "I have always enjoyed the company of Jem'hadar, if I could see aesthetics I would say I am very attracted to them," Aella really needed to ask Eshen to help her with flirting, she was terrible at it. "Like you... you're very handsome... I think."

A Vorta attracted to her own soldiers. She must have found it impossobly difficult to remain around her men, then, if they were all equally as attractive as she thought they were, he thought to himself with amusement. "You think." He quipped.

"If I could see aesthetics," Aella said, her eyes closely studying Ughaz'udan's expression. "You may not be as charming as my Zhimata, but I like your.... Freedom. I never thought I would be attracted to a free Jem'hadar," It was supposed to be a compliment, but Aella was bad at those.

Ughaz'udan blinked in confusion. So Jem'hadar she still had a hold over were attractive but ones that were left to their own weren't? Was that what she was implying? "I see." He murmured dumbly.

"Oh, I hope I wasn't bothering you," Aella said, realising she just dropped by unannounced. "I just felt like I really had to talk to you... I missed you," She acted shy, hoping to get some sort of reaction from Ughaz'udan. Jem'hadar were naturally stoic, but she really wanted to see some sort of emotion. Just anything

"I worried for you as well - which is why I asked if the station met with much trouble." He stated bluntly - though he did crack the tiniest smile. "No. You were not being a bother. I have had worse happen while asleep."

There it was! So he was worried about her."I am happy to hear that, Ughaz'udan. Really happy,” Aella said in a soft tone. "Can I... Can I hug you?"

"You may." He stated.

Without anymore hesitation Aella wrapped his arms around Ughaz'udan and hugged him. "Zhimata taught me this one," She smiled. "It shows closeness and warmth-- I have never hugged a Jem'hadar before. Have you ever hugged a Vorta?"

"The Vorta that supervised my unit was an unattractive, snobbish prune. No. You are my first." He stated.

"Ohh, I am sorry a lot of Vorta are," Aella said, pretending to feel bad for him but she didn't sound very convincing. After all Aella was just like the other Vorta a couple weeks ago. "I am glad, this has got to be a first in Dominion history! A Vorta and Jem'hadar, hugging on a sofa," She giggled at the thought. "What do you think the Founders would say if they saw us?"

"It would be a change.' He remarked wrappinf an arm lightly around her. "Which would be inevitable living in Federation space. Whether it would be well received is another matter."

2

She closed her eyes, enjoying his embrace. This was much different than hugging Eshen. Ughaz'udan had rough skin and didn't smell like roses like Eshen did. "Maybe this is what the Founders would have wanted for us, to get along as equals,“ Aella really wondered if that was true. Did the Founders envision their soldiers to become this close? "Well received? Who would oppose us getting along?"

"I do not know." He admitted. "Perhaps the Founders might view it as a change that is neither positive nor negative."

"Hmmmm maybe we'll see how they react to Zhimata, they did say they wanted me to make more relationships," Aella really did wonder what the Founders thought. Not just of Eshen, but of everyone she met on the station. "You never speak to them yourself, do you?"

"No. Never." He muttered. "I write reports to the Founders at the Vanguard Fleet but that is all. I do not talk to them per se."

"Never? Would you like to sometime? I am sure they would love to speak to you too," Aella was way too excited about introducing her new friends to her.... Parents. Well, Ughaz'udan was also in the Dominion, but it was easy for Aella to forget. He seemed so disconnected at times. "Would you want to some time, pleaseee?"

Ughaz'udan rolled his eyes. "Fine." He conceded. "Let me know when and where."

Aella's eyes lit up at his response. "Mmmm... If I can arrange it for.. tomorrow? Night? In my quarters?" Aella rested her hands on Ughaz'udan's shoulders, getting very close to him.. Like she was going to kiss him. But Vorta don't kiss so she just smiled cutely.

"Perhaps." He blinked once at the feeling of her being so close to him but that was all. At least he didn't resist.

"I will message you once I make the appointment. I can also show you my alter I made in my quarters! I did some research on...An earth custom. Called 'Fengshui'. You will LOVE it!" Aella said, way too excited than she needed to be. "I'll see you then, Ughaz'udan~!"Aella hopped off of the sofa and bolted out the door, she zoomin'

He trudged out of his quarters a few minutes later, having found that he couldn't go back to sleep.

[PADD] @Lieutenant Ughaz’udan

#restaurants-and-dining tonight for our date?

- Rana

Absolutely. I will see you there. ~Ughaz'udan

See you! ❤️

- Rana