Long Time No See

Posted on Sat Feb 22nd, 2014 @ 9:57am by Lieutenant Commander Nicolao & Lieutenant Commander Gilroy

Mission: Breaking New Ground
Location: The Promenade

A small, hunched-over figure moved along the Promenade of SB900 slowly. Foot traffic around her parted and flowed, making way for her while taking no note of her as they, and she, went their ways. The figure's thoughts were alien, though her appearance was that of an aged, heavily-wrinkled human, one with grey hair poking out from under her head scarf and brown age spots covering her hand as it clutched a cane. The cane wasn't necessarily a walking aid, although, at the moment, she was seemingly using it as such; instead, it was her weapon of choice, lifted in threat whenever a younger creature failed to make way for her. Since every creature on the Starbase was undoubtedly younger than she, she was often making such threats.

Had someone bothered to take notice of the woman, they might have noticed she was making decent time, by a turtle's definition, towards her destination. That destination, judging by how she stopped just outside its front doors, was a Bajoran restaurant. Staying in the flow of traffic and letting it part around her, she stood quietly and patiently, waiting for something.

Inside, Nico continued his breakfast at a slow pace. What Robin had told him regarding Dru concerned him a great deal. She was not mentally equipped for such things. Hell, Nico himself had barely survived that time and even the echoes of it were not something Dru should experience. He’d have to see for himself what marks the experience had left on her. In the meantime, he intended to relax and enjoy his breakfast.

That changed in the blink of an eye however. Even without seeing, he knew. Part of his past had come back to join him. He shifted his eyes from his plate to the door. And waited.

A quiet mental nudge came to him, Wait not. Else I’ll go. Other things, I have to do.

Nico sighed and looked down at his food. The cosmos seemed determined to interrupt this meal, but there was always tomorrow. Or the next day, since he was here to stay for a while. With a grumble, he stood and made his way out of the restaurant. He didn’t pause at the door, but strolled over to a bench and sat down, stretching out his legs, and watched as the tiny woman approached him.

Long time no see.

For you, perhaps, little one, the woman shuffled closer and took a moment to hitch herself up onto the bench. When she was finally seated, her backend securely seated on the bench, her feet no longer touched the ground. She leaned forward, keeping her cane firmly planted before her, both hands curled over its handle. She glanced at him sideways, the irises of her eyes slitting open vertically. Tell me your heart.

That brought a harsh laugh from Nico. Are you so sure I have one left? It’s been an interesting road since we last met. On Earth, being examined and prodded and questioned. As a result, they gave me a vacation.

Some vacation, being here. The woman looked around them, watched the Promenade traffic for a moment. As she turned slightly towards Nico, her tongue flashed out, licked the eyeball closest to Nico and then disappeared again. Archadia, now there would be a place to let one’s self go. Hearty, strong women. Take advantage, you should, young buck.

Nico rolled his eyes. That’s the last thing I need, don’t you think? The woman edging closer made Nico move back a little, reclaiming the distance between them. I am in a strange place, and I’m not talking about the Delta Quadrant. I don’t need any complications. He thought of what Robin had said of Dru’s dream, her fear, and shook his head.

Too late! She crowed, both mentally and out loud. She cackled gleefully. “Complications abound, little one. No escaping them now. But physical release, that is what the Amazon... no, Archadians... offer.”

“I’ll be fine without a woman who thinks I am inferior, than you very much.” He glared at the woman, then his expression eased. “Why are you here?”

“Why would I not be here? If I were not here, where would I be?” She blinked at him then slowly smiled. The end result was enigmatic and slightly creepy: her lips parted just enough to display a row of small, yellowed, pointy teeth. “Must you know, which I read that you must know: here, is one I watch over. As I have for many years.”

Nico nodded. What she said was true, she had. Beginning with a time he’d rather not revisit. “I understand. I’m here to have the Counselor examine my head so Starfleet can decide if I am a danger...or not. Or can be made useful again….or not.”

From low in her throat came a rumble, something much like a growl but with more gravel present. The rumble stopped as she suddenly coughed and came damned close to seemingly hacking up a lung. With derision in her voice, she finally managed, “The Fleet. No place to decide one’s worth, they have. Be useful, child. Find my stone, you should.”

“My stone, you mean.” He shrugged slightly. “I’ll have it back today. Then I have to see Dru, find out how hard she was hit. I’d thought I was over that, but the dream hit me on my way here.” He turned slightly, looking fully at the woman now. “Will that time ever leave me alone?”

“An unstirred pot tends not to smell,” she opined. “Poking tends to wake bears.”

“Agreed, which concerns me, for the Counselor’s sake. And Dru’s.” A frown settled on Nico’s face. “He’s good though, maybe he can…..you know….clear out the cobwebs.”

“Best he use a flamethrower, then,” she said, without much inflection to indicate whether she was kidding or not. “Speaking of webs, many are built on this Station. Find the weaver, you should.”

“The weaver?” That puzzled him. It was obscure, even by her standards. “I’m not on duty now. I’m here purely for rest, relaxation, and therapy. It says so on my orders. No intrigue, no playing with the Archadians, none of that. The Fleet is afraid I might be dangerous, so I’m not going to reinforce that worry.”

Quietly, the old woman turned her head towards him and just stared at him. “Do you fear you are dangerous?”

“That’s the question, isn’t it? I don’t know. I suppose that depends on your definition of dangerous. I suspect the Fleet won’t seriously think so as long as I am on their side.” He paused as a small group passed by them in colorful robes. Dendrians. Interesting.

“One of many,” she said, also watching the colorful group. Once they were far enough along that watching them was uncomfortable, she added, “Is the side the side of a wall or one side of an octagon or of an enneadecagon?” She shrugged.

“Maybe it’s the side of a deep well.” He paused as a new question occurred to him. “What am I going to tell her? She will want to know what that place is.”

“The truth, is there something wrong with?”

Nico shrugged again. “She’s not ready for that.”

With a speed belied by her earlier movements, the old woman swung her cane and nailed Nico’s shin with a sharp rap. Her words were equally harsh: “For her, think not. Grow up, child.”

“I grew up too fast a long time ago.” His tone was bitter as he rubbed his shin. “And I have to think of her, and the Counselor. They don’t have a clue what they are in for. She offered to be my friend. Can you believe that?”

Again, the cane connected with his shin. “Do not be daft. They cannot have a clue unless you give it to them. So, give it to them. Friend, she wants to be, I believe that. You should too. Protecting them, you should not be.”

“Stop that!” He rubbed his shin once more. “You’re dangerous with that thing. And without it too.” He glared at her, then leaned back against the bench once more. “Well, let it be noted for the record she offered. She asked me if I would return to active duty if it was offered. Interesting question and one I have no answer for.”

Lifting the cane, she merely threatened his shin this time. “Lying to yourself, stop. You know the answer. Like it, you might not. Get used to it, you will.”

“True, what else would I do? Take up painting?” He smiled, amused at the thought, then his expression grew serious. “Jan’s here. And Jackson.”

“Know me not, those two,” she commented then fell silent, watching the people on the Promenade. “Get my stone back, little one.”

“Names from my past, that’s all.” He nodded slowly. “It was a moment of over-reaction. It won’t leave me again.”

“Good,” she patted the back of his hand then valiantly attempted to scoot off the bench seat to stand. It was an effort, but she managed. “See me, come.”

“In a few days. I have some things to do.” He watched as she began to move away, her pace unhurried. “Watch yourself.”

Without turning back to look at him, she lifted her cane with one hand and shook it in the air. Watch themselves, these young ones ought to. Several paces from Nico, she merged into the foot traffic and was gone.

*************
Nicolao
Suddenly Popular

Unnamed, Strange Old Creature
Cryptically Challenging