Going Home

Posted on Thu Aug 12th, 2021 @ 10:07am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Remal Kajun

Mission: Gamma Quadrant
Location: Bajor

The sun was shining as Rhenora and Remal stepped off the transport and onto the soil of the Homeworld. A quick transport to the village where their cabin was located and the Sunfire Captain could feel the stress leaving her body as the breeze of the ocean graced her skin.

They walked hand in hand through the village, picking up a bag of fruit and vegetables as well as some other items they would need during their short stay.

A sigh of contentment escaped unbidden as they walked, no strolled down the path to their cabin, weaving its way through the scrubby vegetation that seperated the sand from the land. "I have so missed this" she whispered to her husband.

“Missed this? It’s only been two and a half weeks since we were last here, but I admit, I’ve missed it too.” He released his own sigh and lifted her hand to his lips and kissed them.

“Two and a half weeks with us nearly been blown out of the sky twice in that time” She smiled ruefully as they wandered “ I thought things were supposed to calm down after the war”

“I believe ‘things’ for us will not be slowing down for a very long time. Between this new ship, her crew and the bundle of joy you’re carrying, slowing down is not in the cards.”

"I believe you may be right, as you most often are" she smiled as they took in the early afternoon sun. A small bag of groceries was in Remal's hand, and the sea breezes kissed their flesh.

As they approached the path to their husk of a cabin, Remal noted the charred ground had already begun sprouting new grass seed. The fertile land received constant moisture from the nearby sea aiding in the recovery. There were still no Rhenoras anywhere to be seen, a sad sight.

Turning up the path, the framing structure of the first floor near completion, welcomed them with it's vision. "It seems some locals have continued working while we were away. Maybe that's for the best. It means the area has had a regular rotation of friendly eyes." Remal commented.

Within the framework was a section that would become a guest room with slatted timber weatherboards and a slatted roof, completed with a rustic door. Definitely some forethought from the locals who knew the couple would visit whenever they could.

“ And it looks like we have somewhere to sleep out of the weather,” Rhenora mentioned. Pointing to the room. Within the framework were the bare bones of a kitchen, a large sink was already framed and in situ, and a cooking burner lay waiting nearby.

He took in the sprawling frame as it rose from its base platform and couldn't help but to recall a time long ago when it was just himself, a hammer and a timber frame. It was a moment for mourning but also for celebration. Pulling himself from his reverie he asked, "So how long are we staying this time?"

Rhenora rubbed her chin for a moment, trying to recall the timeframe Kira had quoted for the repairs to be completed by. “ 3 days I think, enough time to hopefully wind down and relax before we see what the universe throws at us next” She smiled as she followed his gaze to the impressive structure.
“It’s not quite the quaint little cabin anymore is it?” She could sense the discord in his mind.

“Not quite. It won’t be too much bigger when done, just enough for three… or four perhaps.” He gave her a tiny wink. “I was just thinking about whether we should work our weekend away or if we would rather relax during our down time.” He gazed at her thoughtfully, “I know you definitely need the down time.”

“ Can we do a little of both? Just being here is relaxing enough, with the waves and the wind and the sun, and you of course, I’m still up for a little manual labour, nothing keeps the mind occupied and off other things than hammering nails and dodging thumbs.” She smiled at him, squeezing his hand tightly.

He dropped his bags upon the unfinished floor, reached over both hands to her shoulders, then peeled back her jacket until it was halfway down her arms. "Good idea. First relaxation, then work." He gave a sly grin. "Last one in the water is a rotten Tortuga egg."

Leaving her stuck with her arms behind her back he began half running, half clothing peeling as he hauled ass towards the sandy shoreline and the water.

“ Haha, is the egg or has to cook the egg?” She retorted as she tried to extract her arms from her jacket, a task that proved slightly more difficult without the use of both of her arms. “Besides points off for cheating!”

All smiles, all laughter, hopping on one leg while trying to get his trousers off of the other he called back, “Cheating? You’ve still got legs don’t ya?! Besides, I know you’re faster than me, I was just, ugh, giving you a handicap.” He got one leg out and shifted, promptly tripping himself face first into the sand with an ‘oof’.

The laughter that erupted was pure joy as she watched him faceplant the sand, the impact creating its own little crater in the beach. “You need to stay on your feet to win you know” She casually trotted after him, devoid of her jacket but still fully clothed. Spying a large rock on the sandy shore she paused and stripped off her boots and socks, trousers and turtleneck.

Determined, yet not deterred, he rolled over with the eagerness of a 20 year old, and slid his pants off. Then he scrambled to his feet and began trudging through the soft sands towards the water, stripping his shirt off as he went. If she wanted to win, she would have to take him down in the effort.

She watched him, completely happy, free of any responsibility about to dive stark naked into the waves. It wasn’t uncommon for people to indulge in the beach in this way, yet on this stunning day the beach was deserted. Now devoid of her remaining clothes she sprinted towards him, sand flying in her wake. The plan was to tackle him in the waves.

The warm sun, the crisp air, the refreshing water as it rose up to greet his ankles. This was home. This was for a lack of better words derived from a lack of better emotion, perfect. He was about to turn and celebrate his victory, but when he turned around all he could see was his pale skinned bride leaping at him from the sands. Either way, still a winner.

They collided in the shallow water in a tangle of limbs and water intermixed with a generous helping of sand. The laughter rose above the sound of the repeating waves, a pleasant sound that she hadn’t heard for too long.

“So does that mean I win?” She snorted as she offered a hand and help him to his feet - fully expecting retribution.

“Pretty confident I was the winner.” He snorted through short breathing before gently splashing her with water and watching her react as the cold water touched her warm skin.

She shivered as the cool water touched her skin, a plethora of goose flesh rising as it sluiced away again. For this exact moment, everything was as it should be.