Twenty Questions - Part 3/3

Posted on 09 Feb 2015 @ 5:58am by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Alexion Wylde & Lieutenant Commander Amynta Markos & 2nd Lieutenant Carus Markos & Laeon Wylde

2,662 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: Starbase 84: Amynta Markos' Temporary Quarters
Timeline: MD 09 - 2230

ON:

Alexion smiled where he was curled up on the sofa, sipping the drink, but mostly watching the others over the rim of his glass. It had felt good, to relax and socialise. And any awkwardness had faded quickly with the warmth amongst the group. "I bet you are popular amongst your comrades, cooking like that."

"Somewhat," Carus admitted, sitting on a cushion on the floor, one leg pulled close and the other stretched out. "We train hard. Play hard. And sometimes, we do things like this. Everyone bring a dish, we do some barbeque...it's good. Social. A brotherhood."

"A family," Amynta said, leaning back against Alexion, sipping her drink as she looked at him. "Good. I am glad you're doing what you want. Never let anyone dictate your dreams."

"You taught me that," Carus whispered before smiling, shaking his head.

"Maybe I should join up," Laeon grinned, looking around them all as he sipped his drink carefully.

"Over my dead body," Alexion said gruffly, tilting his head to see Amynta. "That is the phrase, yes?"

"It is," Amynta said and chuckled softly, her eyes gentle. "There's nothing wrong with it though, if Laeon ever wants to join..."

"It's pretty harsh training though," Carus said and smiled as he looked at Laeon. "I mean, knackering stuff. The sort that makes you regret the decision every two hours."

Laeon smiled warmly at that, shaking his head firmly as he let out a soft breath. "I can't believe you regret it."

Carus smiled as he touched his arm, chuckling. "When you're carrying close to ten stones on your back through mud, you start regretting everything you ever did. Now, looking back? I'm happy."

Laeon smiled warmly to him, touching the hand on his arm. "You must have found it easy. You're almost 2 metres tall...." he teased.

"True, barely reached me ankles," he teased, his eyes warm as he took a quick hold of his hand to squeeze it.

"Did you always want to join the marines?" Laeon asked with curiosity, turning so he could see him properly.

"I wanted to be part of something," Carus admitted and looked down. "I think...it was what I needed. Is what I need. I mean, when it comes down to it, I'm...a refugee. So I want to be part of something big. Something special. Besides...the uniforms..."

Laeon frowned at the words, his chest tightening with the feeling. He knew the feeling of being a refugee, he understood it only too well. Maybe it was the answer. "Maybe...maybe there is no such thing as refugees."

"Maybe," he said as he looked at Laeon. "We're all alive, all part of the universe. So maybe...it belongs to us? All of us?"

Laeon nodded with a frown, letting out a shaky breath as he rested his head on his drawn up knee. "Exactly. Why should territory matter? It doesn't matter when it's inconvenient."

"Laeon," Alexion said quietly, frowning slightly as he shook his head gently.

Carus smiled gently, moving up to sit next to Laeon. He reached to pull him closer, so the boy could rest against him. "I think..." he said, his voice soft in the room. "That you can do whatever you need. You can change the universe by being yourself, by being a good man. And don't let anyone stop you, you know?"

Laeon watched him with awe at the words. They seemed beautiful to a youth who had already been through a lot in his life. "Dad says I can be whatever I want."

"He's right. And Amynta always told me that too, even when others tried to...tell me what I should be doing," Carus said and smiled, shaking his head as he stroked his shoulder reassuringly.

Alexion nodded, watching them with a fond smile. "And I mean it too....you will never be something you do not want, Laeon. Never."

Amynta smiled gently, stroking over Alexion's arm. "Mm...I bet I could make you," she teased, her eyes playful.

Alexion laughed gently as he slapped her arm playfully with the back of his hand. "That does not count...."

She laughed warmly, moving to rest her head against him. "Shame..."

Carus rolled his eyes, taking a deeper breath. "I can't imagine anyone in this room...just doing something because others tell them they should."

"Dad did," Laeon laughed gently, motioning over to Alexion. "He hated being a doctor."

"Still hate it?" Carus asked, with concern as he looked at Alexion, studying him.

"I have gotten used to it," Alexion chuckled, nodding as he watched him. "We had a system where you are given your career based on your Talent....and there is no negotiation."

Carus frowned at that, gently touching Laeon's arm, almost protectively. "Sounds rough. Sounds...suffocating."

"That is why Laeon will never go through that," Alexion said firmly, shaking his head. "He will be whatever he wants."

Carus smiled gently, looking over at Laeon for a moment. "Well....that is something, right?" he whispered softly.

Laeon smiled warmly to him, nodding firmly. "But I have no idea what to be, it's the other side of it now, too much choice."

"And no rush," Alexion said firmly, but smiled to take the edge off of his voice as he shook his head. "Absolutely no rush."

"Laeon's...a lot older than he looks," Amynta said softly, smiling gently. "He's a smart one, he will find out one day."

"I am 52 human years," Laeon made a face, shaking his head with a sigh as he ran his hand over his face. "But to my people, I am still a minor."

Carus smiled at that, shaking his head. "You seem more mature than most teenagers I have met," he said quietly. "You just look...younger than a fully grown man."

"He's the equivalent of a human teenager," Alexion assured, but with a grin, knowing what Laeon would think about that.

Laeon shook his head with a sigh. "You have no idea how frustrating that gets....."

Carus chuckled as he met Laeon's eyes, searching his eyes for a moment. "I was a teenager a few years ago. I remember the feeling."

"I have been a teenager for years and years now," Laeon laughed softly, shaking his head as he watched him with warmth.

"Well, you clearly need it," he teased, reaching for his glass to finish the iced tea.

Laeon slapped his leg playfully, laughing as he shook his head with a blush. "Not fair...."

He laughed warmly, his eyes shining. "I needed it too," he said as he smiled gently.

"Well..." Amynta smiled gently, shaking her head as she touched Alexion's arm. "Aren't they growing up soon. Does anyone want another drink?"

"Please," Alexion nodded as he stroked her leg with a warm smile. "Whatever that mix is, it is fantastic."

She smiled as she stood, her eyes gentle. "I can't take the credit..."

"I think...maybe it's time that you two are left alone," Carus said with a chuckle, watching them. "I can walk Laeon to his quarters?"

Laeon watched with disappointment, but stood up all the same. "Fair enough...."

Carus smiled gently, holding his eyes. "We can always have some iced tea as well in your quarters."

"Sure, see you later, Amynta, thank you for inviting me," Laeon smiled warmly to her, moving to hug her whether she liked it or not.

She smiled, relaxed enough to easily hug him back and stroke his hair. "More than welcome."

"Behave," Laeon smiled innocently before moving out with Carus, looking to him as he touched his arm. "Thank you...your cooking was amazing."

Carus smiled gently, holding his eyes. "Let me walk you home," he said, leading him out. "Leave them alone before they get too...physical."

"Oh yes," Laeon shook his head, closing his eyes tightly as they started walking down the corridor. "Just...wrong...."

Carus laughed as he wrapped his arm around his shoulders. "So this is safer."

"But thank you," he said with a warm smile, shaking his head. "Your mother showed me some cooking."

"She knows more than she lets on," Carus said as he smiled gently. "You get on well with her."

"I like her," Laeon's smile warmed at the mention and he nodded easily at the admission. "And Dad likes her. She makes him happy."

"He makes her happy, I know that," Carus said and smiled gently. "I'm glad. I really am. She deserves that."

"It's all that matters anymore," Laeon said quietly, stopping as they came to his door. "Want to have a drink?"

Carus smiled as he watched him, searching his eyes. "Sure, I'd like that."

Laeon led him inside, smiling as he shook his head. "I'm sorry, it's much smaller than your mother's room."

"I like it," he said, quickly, watching him for a long moment. "I really like it."

"Hm," he chuckled as he shook his head, clearly not convinced as he moved to get them drinks. "Here we go, try this...."

He smiled gently, trying the drink. "Mm..." he said, his voice soft. "That's good."

"Dad made it," he smiled warmly, moving to sit with him with his own glass. "Are you scared? Being in the marines?"

He watched him for a long moment before looking down. "No. I am not scared of being in the Marines, or in my job. I...suppose I try not to think of the risks."

Laeon watched his face with awe. He was brave and strong as well as beautiful. He glanced down with a small smile, shaking his head. "Just be the best."

"Or try," he said, his eyes gentle as he watched Laeon. "What about you? What do you like to do?"

He watched him, unsure if he should say in case he thought it was silly. "Art stories," he whispered.

"You like art?" he asked with surprise, his eyes shining. "And you do art? Can I...see?"

Laeon smiled with surprise at the reaction, sitting back with a nod. He moved to his room, taking the case out to sit with him and show. He opened it up, pulling out one to show what he meant. It was black and white, the background sweeping scenery, a man in the foreground from shoulders up, long dark hair over his shoulders. It was only when looked at carefully that the delicate writing was noticeable with how it was woven into the lines of the drawing.

Carus watched, his eyes gentle. He let out a breath, taking it all in. "This is beautiful," he said, with awe. "You made this? You...wow. This is what you need to do."

Laeon blushed at the words, watching with shock. "You like it? I thought you'd think it was stupid," he said gently. He shuffled through the papers before pulling out a large sheet. It was the same style, hidden, spidery words in the lines of the drawing, but this time the woman in the foreground was Amynta. "It's not finished yet."

He smiled gently, watching with awe before shaking his head. "You have the set of her lips perfectly...a little disdainful..." he teased.

Laeon laughed warmly, shaking his head as he studied the picture. "I'm going to give it to her as a gift. Do you think she'll like it?"

"She will love it," he said gently, his eyes shining as he smiled. "I know she will."

He grinned, clearly pleased with that. "Well, this is what I do at the moment. It's hardly a real living though."

"It could be," Carus said with a small smile. "You could be an artist and make this into a living. The Federation funds artists."

"Really?" Laeon asked with surprise, shaking his head gently. "It hardly seems....useful."

"Why would it be useful as long as it is what you want?" Carus asked quietly, with a small smile. "You're talented."

His blush deepened at the words and he smiled warmly, but shyly. "Thank you, that....that means a lot coming from someone like you."

"Someone like me?" he asked with confusion, meeting his eyes as he smiled. "I'm just...me. Not that much. I'm not an expert on anything..."

"You're a marine," he smiled warmly as he watched him, shaking his head. "Makes you strong and brave."

"No..." he reached out, smiling as he touched his cheek. "Just means I've been trained to physically be strong, to obey orders. I don't know if I am brave yet. Not been...in a situation to be brave yet, Laeon."

"I think just joining is brave," Laeon whispered, watching him with serious eyes.

Carus watched him for a long moment with surprise, searching his eyes. "Means a lot coming from someone like you. I can't...believe you're older in years than me."

He laughed softly, shaking his head as he looked down. "We age more slowly than humans. Dad is....227 in human years I think...."

He smiled gently, swallowing at that. "Rather impressive," he said, watching the boy.

Laeon smiled warmly, shaking his head gently. "He's a Transferer, he could live....a long time. I don't know what I will be yet."

"I think that no matter what you end up being, you'll be brilliant," he said as he took his hand, to hold.

He looked at the hand, smiling warmly as he squeezed it fondly. "Like you?"

Carus chuckled, watching Laeon for a long moment. "I bet you will be better," he said softly.

"Not possible," he said firmly, shaking his head with an almost playful smile on his lips.

"You've only just met me, Laeon," Carus chuckled, leaning closer as he held his eyes. "You don't know what I am."

"I know what you look like," he grinned, before blushing at what he said, laughing warmly. "I could have phrased that better."

Carus laughed warmly, his eyes shining as he watched him. "Devil in a sunday suit, my grandfather always says."

"I have no idea what that means, but if it means you're like a holonovel star, then yeah," Laeon laughed softly, glancing down.

Carus chuckled softly, watching him for a long moment. "What he meant was that nothing good comes from a face like mine. That it just hides the...rot."

Laeon watched him with shock at the words, the smile gone and replaced with a frown. "That is a horrible thing to say."

"We don't get on very well," he admitted before smiling. "Of course, not that what he says matters much. Not anymore."

"You're as handsome as a holofilm star," Laeon whispered with a soft smile. He got up and moved to the shelf, pulling a picture down before sitting close to him. "This is my Uncle Jaq. He's an actor, a holofilm star," he said proudly. "You're handsome, just like him. He's not rotten though, so you're not either. He's a good man."

Carus smiled gently, watching him for a long moment. "I want to be. And maybe, when I grow up properly, I will be," he said, gently wrapping his arm around him. "Thank you..."

He shook his head with a soft smile, glancing to him. "You will be. He....saved my life. As a marine, you will save lives too."

He smiled, squeezing his shoulder as he grinned. "Thank you," he said again. "I'll send you some...messages when I am out there. Annoy you that way."

Laeon smiled warmly at the prospect, his eyes shining as he nodded. "Can I send you messages back?"

"Yes," he nodded, with hope. "I'd really like that, Laeon. I think I might even need it if it gets really boring."

Laeon nodded firmly, gripping his forearm as he smiled with warmth. "I promise, once a week then."

OFF:

LT CMDR Amynta Markos
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

MWO Alexion Wylde
Doctor
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

2nd LT Carus Markos
Marine
SFMC
[PNPC Markos]

Laeon Wylde
Civilian Crew Family
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

RSS Feed