Illusions of the mind

Posted on Tue Feb 16th, 2021 @ 7:34pm by Lieutenant Dessame Sar & Lieutenant Commander Savin

Mission: The Shadow of Arachne
Location: Dessame's quarters
1190 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

He'd held off visiting her in what he considered her private space, having met so far either in his office, hers or his own quarters. But with all the strange things going on, including his own utter nightmare-ish experience, he just wanted to make sure she was alright. And to do that, he was now stood in front of her quarters, because the ship's computer had directed him here. "Dess?" he called out as he pressed the chime again. "Let me in please..."

The chime of her door startled her. Dessame had not left her quarters since her encounter with the Orion that had damaged her so many years ago. She had managed to trash her quarters, a smashed table here, damaged property there, tables turned over and just a very general disaster looking area. The chime came again and she heard the muffled noises of someone familiar.

Taking her Cresana she approached the door and opened it. "S-savin?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered simply, taking a small step back at the sight of her weapon. "Can I come in please?" he asked again, chancing a glance beyond her into her quarters. What was left of it. "Please?" he prompted, reaching out to her, palm faced upward to show he was unarmed.

Poking her head outside the quarters she gave the surrounding area a quick scan and then pulled him inside. As she did she clutched him close, tight to her body. It felt safe.

Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close while surveying the damage to her quarters. "Are you alright?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice, shifting so he could see her face even if lately most of their conversation was telepathic. "What happened here, were you attacked by someone?"

"Bit of spring cleaning as Humans say. Must have been a bit of enthusiastic." She deflected his question. "Are you okay? You look terrible..." she commented on just how he carried himself and the general distress she could recognise from him.

"Something about a pot versus a kettle," Savin countered, "no I am not okay. I function but I find myself wondering when the next illusion will strike. I was in engineering earlier, and I was blinded and robbed of all my senses. Imagine being dragged across the ship, not knowing which way is what or even who is with you." Having her in his arms was a comfort, a relief to know that this at least was real.

For a moment she felt his grief, his fear and it swelled in her. As he talked about being totally lost she knew what that felt like but in a different manner. She took her hands from around his neck and cupped his face in them. As she looked at him she kissed him gently, "I am always with you, you know that." she said softly. "My experience was, well, it caused the redecoration of my quarters." For a moment she looked at her closet where Ubil, or the representation of Ubil had been, her clothes emptied from it and scattered across the floor. Truly it had been an awful experience the first time, but to relive it in a place you now stay, a place of safety. It was not even as if it was out of fear she had thrown things aside, more so the search for her sister that was never there.

He simply nodded in understanding, having no need to ask because due to their closeness, he already knew. "Do you want to come with me?" he asked carefully, relishing the touch of her hands against his cheeks, is own hands still resting across her back. "Or do you want me to help you clean up?"

Dessame smiled, "I would never ask you to clean up a mess I have made." she said honestly as the echo of the Orions laugh filled her ears. For a moment the hairs on the back of her neck stood up as her state became agitated but she soon calmed herself by measured breathing. "I think picking up a few chairs might be a good idea to shake some of the ghosts from here."

He sensed her agitation with ease and reached to touch her cheek with the back of his fingers. "I offered," he reminded her, "you do not need to ask. And this place seems to agitate and upset you, would it not be prudent, to get out of such an area?"

Looking back at the room she sighed and nodded. He was right, she had came to expect that from Savin most of the time. "Yes, I suppose it is probably a good idea not to stay in a trashed room... probably cut yourself on something." she half joked.

"We do not want that to happen do we?" Savin asked with a ghost of a smile. "Where would you like to go? The holodeck?" He reached to touch her cheek with the back of his fingers. "Anything to help you feel better."

Dessame flinched as he touched her cheek, the unexpected feeling sent chills through her as she recalled what she had just went through and she felt herself regressing. The child that was abused so many years ago coming back to the surface, angry and upset, confused and scared. "Somewhere not so dark would be a good start." she smiled weakly.

Feeling her flinch under his light touch, he pulled his hand back. At the same time a sense of fear and anger washed over him. Quickly leading her out of her quarters he then gave her a long look. "A warm and sunny beach?" He asked her, not knowing of anywhere lighter than a very sunny beach. He knew the feeling of fear and anger weren't directed at him, though he still experienced a mild sense of rejection as it happened.

"Y-yes. A beach would probably be a good idea... need to get a hat for your head so you do not burn." she said as she felt his own feelings wash back over her. "Are you okay? Really?"

For a moment, Savin considered offering a lie, but just as quickly dismissed that idea. Not only was telling a lie not something he was very skilled at -also considering his condition-, he was facing an extremely skilled telepath who he shared a telepathic link with. "No," he finally answered, "I am not. The experience of being robbed of all senses was extremely frightening, and it not one I care to repeat." He paused, offering an apologetic look. "Or talk about," he added slowly.

Dessame nodded. She understand the want to not talk about something that had happened so vividly, and so recently. "Okay my love." she said squeezing his hand tighter. "We will always have the beach." she smiled acceptingly. It was nice to have someone to support her, someone to be there for her, someone she cared deeply about. She never thought she would ever and she did, in Savin. Their bond was more than what she had imagined it would be, and for that she would always be grateful.