Imperfect Memories - Parchment (Part 1)

Posted on 01 Oct 2024 @ 8:09am by Lieutenant JG Montgomery Vala
Edited on 04 Dec 2024 @ 2:35am

590 words; about a 3 minute read

Romulus - D'tan's Rest, Ra'tleihfi city
2365 - 27 years prior to current timeline.

Rh’vaurekorn blinked and rubbed his eyes.

A cool breeze had disturbed the foliage above him, disturbing the dappled shade where he sat. The bright morning light of Eisn was blinding.

He grabbed the base of his seat and made a single movement, shifting himself back into the blessed shade. Today was not a day for the dancing lights of the morning. Last night's celebration had certainly made sure of that.

His head throbbed a little as the scraping sound of his moving chair abated. How much had he drunk? At least a bottle, if not two. Dr. Ar'Vul had continually topped him off. 'You need it after all that', he'd said. Rh’vaurekorn found it hard to disagree.

Now he sat decidedly in the shade outside of D'tan's Rest, a rather bohemian cafe in Ra'tleihfi's Mhiessan t'Charain district. The building squatted behind him, small compared to those around him. It was a sleek design, shaped out of smooth, dark stone. The edifice was carved intricately with various myths of the founding of the district, city and of his people's arrival on the planet. S'Task stood at the centre of it all, cutting the strings of his ryill.

Rh’vaurekorn looked up at him and wondered what he'd make of the Empire. Had it ended up as he had hoped?

The scent of Aesollh that gently caressed the air pulled him away from such thoughts. A waitress walked over and placed a cup before him, a pot was flourished and a stream of purple liquid was decanted therein. He inhaled deeply. It was a southern blend, one of his favourites. He didn't glance away from the mural, but muttered his thanks.

"Anything else, ihhai?" The waitress said softly, placing the pot on the table. "Some turnovers, an osol twist?"

Rh’vaurekorn raised a hand, "No," he paused for a moment still gazing at the stringless ryill, "No thank you."

The waitress bobbed slightly then walked away between the foliage and other tables.

Just him and the tea. Peace. Tranquility in which to nurse his aching brain.

He picked up the cup and took a sip. Aromatic, spicy. Nutty as ever. Wonderful.

As he put the cup back down he found it would not slide gracefully into the saucer. Upon looking down he noticed a folded note that had evidently been placed below the cup.

His stomach lurched slightly, innate Rihannsu paranoia washing through his nervous system.

He carefully set the cup down and picked up the small piece of parchment. It was thick and of a good quality. Like the sort he used for his research notes. Indistinguishable in fact.

Hairs stood on end as a shiver ran down his spine.

On it was written an address and a time in a plain, no nonsense scrawl. Nothing else.

Rh’vaurekorn shifted uncomfortably in his chair then pocketed the note. The address was only a short way away, and the time was this evening.

Questions raced through his mind and fought to be answered, but they all essentially coalesced into two: why a note and who had sent it?

He grabbed his tea and drank another sip, not enjoying it nearly as much as the first.

Then he paused. The tea. The saucer. The note…

He jumped to his feet as a few things clicked together.

He had to find that waitress.

To be continued…

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