Star Trek: Eventide 777

[D] After getting her new quarters sorted, Aella headed to begin her rounds of collecting "good reviews". Of course she had to start with her first "friend" on the station and fellow Dominion, Ughaz'udan. She chimed the buzzer and waited. Dressed in her full Vorta commander uniform, her fashion was horrible but such is life.

Ughaz'udan was, of course, hard at work as usual, but when he heard the door chime he glanced up and stated, "Come in." Visitors were not expected, but ultimately not unwelcome.

As soon as she heard Ughaz'udas reply she scurried into the room, PADD in hand. She had her big round glasses on and her hair had grown longer now, reaching her shoulders. She stood in front of Ughaz'udan, excited as every. "Ughaz'udan!!! Hello, how are you?"

He eyed her with mild surprise. Not often nowadays he saw her don her Dominion uniform, or grow out her hair... though admittedly he didn't meet her very much nowadays either. "I am well." He responded. "As to yourself?"

She smiled as she looked at him, a strange twinkle in her eye. He looked a little surprised, was it the uniform? Well, she was performing her Dominion Liaison duties after all. "I am glad-- I have a couple questions for you," Aella looked down at the PADD she held in her hands. "It's about me. I umm.. want to know what my friends think about my performance on this station. You can be honest."

"You want an honest opinion?" He settled back in his chair with his arms folded. "You have changed very much, and objectively for the better. If the Founders have sent you here to learn and grow that much you have done. So I am pleased."

Aella waited for Ughaz'udan's reply with bated breath, nodding as he spoke. She tapped a few buttons on her PADD. "... R-Really? Ughaz'udan, you flatter me too much," She blushed at his words, she didn't think she'd be hearing such high praise from a Jem'hadar. Especially not a 2 year old Jem'hadar. well there was a first time for everything. "Me and Eshen... we're Waiyau now, trusted mates," She put her PADD down by her side and looked at the Jem'hadar. "I didn't think it would ever be possible for a Starfleet Officer and a Vorta to... Get so close."

"Are you." He settled back with a raised eyebrow and the faintest crack of a smile. "Did I not tell you that the Federation carries many possibilities within. This is one of them. I am pleased that you have seen and felt it for yourself."

"I know, but I just didn't realise there would be any hope for a Vorta," Aella pushed her glasses up and looked down at her feet. "And... Thank you Ughaz'udan. I actually have my performance review with the Founders later. I will present your words to them," She looked at her PADD again and then at Ughaz'udan.

His eyebrow twitched a fraction, possibly in surprise and/or anticipation, but he elsewise did not seem too worried. "I'm sure they will agree." He replied. "Fear not."

"Do you have anything you want to say to the Founders, Ughaz'udan?" Aella tilted her head and looked at the other expectantly. It was hard to believe that Ughaz'udan could work without talking to the Founders. Not even once. Well-- he was two. Maybe the lack fo White made him less desperate to see his gods.

"That I am content here, with my duties and colleagues." He replied. "That is all."

".... Well then I will tell them that-- thank you for answering for me!" Aella said as she tapped away at her PADD. She waved to him and then scurried out the door.

A sound rang throughout the room alerting the person inside the quarters that there was someone outside at the door.

Not too long after Aella had left, too. Maybe she'd forgotten something here, he wondered. "Come in.:

And in entered the pretty green Orion, her face in a bright smile as she entered. "Lieutenant! Guess who's back?" She exclaimed with open arms before moving forward and giving him a hug.

A grand total of one person on the entire station was capable of drawing anything more than the smallest crack of a smile from him, at least, usually - that being the Orion who now had her arms wrapped round his chest and back in a tight hug. And give more than that he did, a proper, warm-ish smile, as he put his arms around her in return, lips barely brushing the top of her head. "I thought I allowed you to use my name rather than just my rank." He murmured. "But I missed you too, Virana."

"Virana smiled and looked up at him before pulling away.* "Aw, I missed too." It has been a hot minute since she had been on the busy station, having been away for a month or two but now she was back and ready to take hold of the bar again. She had missed the station, having lived there for about six years now it has become familiar place to be. The familiarity of the bar becoming nostalgic after being away from it for weeks on end. But before she headed back she wanted to see Ughaz'udan first.

"Well, um..." He glanced round his quarters before nodding at the sofa. "Would you... um. Would you like a drink?"

Rana paused thoughtfully. "I'll just have a glass of water, thank you." She decided with a curt nod before sitting down on the sofa. "So how have things been since I've been gone?" She asked curiously. "Anything exciting happen recently?"

"Well... no. The Commodore has returned to the Diplomatic Corps and been replaced with another officer as commanding officer of the station, but elsewise... no." He handed her her glass of water as soon as he returned from the replicator with it, and sat down next to her.

"Has she? That's a little sad, how's the new commanding officer?" She asked curious. Not someone who's kill her business with unwanted regulations she hoped.

"He seems... alright." He reckoned - from his limited experienced with captain Mo, at least. "I will miss her."

"That's good then, and from the limited interactions I had with her the Commodore was quite nice. I think I'll miss her too in a way, it'll be strange seeing someone else in her position." She mused thoughtfully.

He nodded and sat a little bit closer to her with a sigh. "Did your trip go well?" He asked. "Surely it must have, seeing that you are well."

"It went exceedingly well, though I did miss this place. And you of course, it was nice to get some new surroundings for a bit though I support. Nice to be back home."

"It is good to have you back." He agreed. "I missed you greatly. I believe I still owe you a date..."

"That you do." She grinned. "I can't wait to see what we do, although I can’t remember if it's my turn or your turn this time."

"I don't think it matters..." He reasoned. "I shall come up with a location and time this round, then..." He then proceeded to awkwardly wrap his arms around her, nuzzling the top of her head. (edited)

She leaned into him. "How's my bar been while I've gone? Has the people gone down? Or has it stayed the same? If Serri's been messing around, I swear-"

"The bar has grown... quieter. I hear customers asking why you aren't there." He muttered. "I don't answer them - not usually."

"Ah well, I'm back now anyway. At least things can go back to normal now. I really do miss the bar, but I wanted to say hi to you first." She said with a cheeky grin.

Ughaz'udan found himself smiling. No, really. Widely, at least for him. There was something warming about that sentiment - which he liked. "I shall visit more often, then." He replied. "Considerably more often."

"I should think so! Especially since I haven't seen you in so long." Her grin grew wider seeing his own large smile. It was the widest she'd seen from him before, she was pretty sure. "I'd love to make up for lost time."

"You already are." He replied softly. Only to her would he show this softer, quieter side to him.

She tested her head on his shoulder. "Good, but I don't think it's quite enough don't you think? We should spend double the time together since I've been gone so long." Rana teased.

"You are welcome to spend the night - if you would like." Hs responded. "I will be working somewhat late. You can take my bed..."

"Really? Sure, what are you working on by the way? A report?" She asked curiously.

"Reports. And... reading." He replied dryly. "Nothing big."

"Well reports are pretty important, what are you reading about though?" She yawned, stretching her green arms outward before bringing them back in to hug herself. "Generally when I read it's about marketing plans or something." She chuckled.

"...interpersonal relations." He admitted after a short period of embarrassed silence.

"Interpersonal relations? Oh, sweetheart what do you need that for? You have me." She clucked her tongue teasingly with a shake of her head.

"Can't I do my own reading in addition to you?" He said cocking his head to the side. "But yes. You are better than any article on the subject..."

"Mhm." She preened jokingly.. "That I am, aren’t I?

"Far more informative. Better to hug and look at." He remarked. "Less boring than some guides can be."

"Most certainly, you don't need to read books about all that kind of stuff. You just need me." She chuckled. "What does it say anyway? Personally I've never read anything like it before." *Rana said curiously.

"Dry explanations of the expectations of each party to any relationship. Tellarite writing can be incredibly boring at times..." He huffed. So much for their other works too, or so he'd found.

"That does sound quite boring." She giggled. "Plus each culture has their own little thing, you know? Cardassians for one fight with each other verbally to show they're interested in each other."

"And what do Orions do?" He asked - completely missing the implications of what exactly he might have meant.

"Well, for one thing we're famously attractive." She said dramatically in jest. "And for another, it's generally the same as most humanoids I suppose. I mean, it is...a little different m"

"Perhaps." He reckoned, lightly nuzzling her hair with a soft sort of half growl half purr. "Though I admit - I am still having some trouble with... well..."

"With what?" She asked curiously, looking up to face him.

"Um." Was orange spreading through the gaps in his scales? Holy hell was he actually blushing? What a rare sight! "Figuring out how exactly a relationship starts. As more than friends-"

Was he blushing? How adorable, she mused. "Well not every relationship starts with friendship but if it does it starts by simply telling the other person."

"Wait. Is that so." He raised an eyebrow in surprise before sighing and dipping his head a little bit. "Well... um... Virana..." It probably wasn't hard to discern exactly what he meant.

4

"Hm? What is it?" She asked curiously, lifting his head back up so he could look her in the eyes.

God damn, did this have to be so hard, he scolded himself. Just do it. "I... have thought about whether I'd like to, um. Further our relationship..."

"And...?" She bite her lip in anticipation, looking at him expectantly. (edited)

"And... that was what I wanted to say. I was not sure if you would agree."

"Yes." She blinked, staring at him for a moment before a smile crossed her face.

"...what?" He blinked hard. Had it been this easy all the while? Really? "Are you certain?"

"Yup, certain all the way up to 100%." She nodded seriously. "Why? Do you have any doubts?"

"No." He muttered, wrapping his arms around her a little more tightly. "No. Not anymore."

"Good." She smiled, snuggling in close.

Again he found a smile working its way across his lips as she hugged him, and he settled in a little bit more leaning into her warmth against his chest. "Well. Um." He ventured. "What do we do now?"

"What we've been doing pretty much." She said thoughtfully. "Although this has turned a bit awkward hasn't it?" She chuckled.

He shrugged and nuzzled her hair once. "Somewhat. Is this... awkwardness... common to relationships also?"

"Mhm, very. Well, most of the time from what I can tell. When they start out like this anyway." She mused. "I've had it where some people just go up and flirt with you."

"Did you not likr that experience?' He asked, seeming more curious than anything else.

"Hm? Well, it's flattering for sure." She shrugged. "I mean I don't hate it but if they get a little creepy that's another story. Not that I pay them any attention anymore, hm? I've got you.".

That idea was somehow warming to him, deep in his chest. It felt good. "Yes. You do." He confirmed. "If you'd like to use my replicator I do not mind - make yourself at home. That is the term used isn't it?"

"I believe so, and hey I've already got everything I need right here." She chuckled, taking a sip of the water he had replicated for her earlier.

Was that orange creeping through the gaps in his cheeks? Yep. It was! He was definitely blushing as he replied, "I... I am pleased to be that to you-"

"I'm glad too." She took another sip of water. "I was pretty thirsty." Rana said teasingly.

"A glass of water - and my company. Was that what you wanted?" He laughed dryly. "Nonetheless. I am pleased that I have in some way been so much to you-"

"I mean at the moment? Yes." She nodded. "Want wise anyway, however I always enjoy your company."

The edges of his face turned lightly orange, and he leaned in gently pressing his lips to her forehead. Unintentional perhaps, but sweet. "I enjoy yours as well. To think we might come this far-"

Of all the things Ughaz'udan was known to be, sullen was not one of them. Even when stabbed in the ankle and rendered unable to work for a week his eyes had retained that steely fire that they were supposed to have, as all Jem'hadar were. Today, though, those flames were smothered embers, buried under suffocating boards of steel. Hell, almost all life seemed to have drained from them tonight as he lay sideways in bed. Weak. He felt so weak. He hated that, to feel it, to have it debilitate him so, to have it be shown to others. Jem'hadar were born to fight, to bring down anything that came their way, to seize victory with both hands - and here he was, laying in a big, scaly heap, insides all mushy and fit to liquefy if he ever dared to move. Imagine if anyone from the Dominion Gamma Vanguard Fleet saw him now - he'd become a laughing stock in seconds, or executed if he were lucky enough to be accorded that end. 'You might be out for a long while, sir,' The attending nurse had said, "You were banged up pretty bad. Best I estimate for you is three weeks to a month, and even then you won't be a hundred percent. Ain't anyone walking off fine from a crushed spine and all the perforations you got.' Words to seal your fate, anyone? Ugh. Fine. He'd have to ride out the next many, many days, then, and only then could he return to some semblance of his former life - but for what? He'd never be the same, would he? What would the point be?

14:25

Was this how it felt to be so diminished? To feel so useless that you couldn't live? How did his injured colleagues do this? How did they stand the boredom, the pain, the frustration of it? How? He couldn't wrap his head round it.

The door pinged.

"Who is it?" He asked, painfully dragging himself upright to look at the door.

"It's Rana!" A muffled voice came through the door.

"Come in." He muttered sitting up straight and straightening his back. No, he would not look weak in front of her. Not in front of Virana. Not in front of the one he cared for the most.

The Orion entered the room with a small frown on her face. "You alright? I heard you came from that nebula mission that got stranded on the L-class planet recently."

"Correct." He muttered laying back down in bed. He looked incredibly weak, somehow, which was absolutely out of the norm for him, almost lifeless. Maybe something serious had happened on the mission. "And I lived. Barely."

"But hey, you survived...that's something right?" Virana said softly, coming over to sit on the bed next to him.

"Correct." He muttered. "I survived. That is all."

"Well what happened?" She asked curiously.

"In summary. Shrapnel and sheets of metal fell on me."