Recovery

Posted on Fri Apr 21st, 2023 @ 11:38am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commodore S'thenosis Gorgox & Remal Kajun

Mission: Planet of the Dinosaurs
Location: Camp
Timeline: Day 8 pre-botany bay

The serum had worked, and a sigh of relief was had by just about everyone, the largest of all was the Captain and Dr Wilson. Rhenora kept a vigil in the med tent as Remal and S'thenosis slowly reverted back to their pre-ailment states. Dr Wilson monitored them both carefully but didn't need to intervene further, allowing their bodies to reclaim their own natural equilibrium.

Rhenora had remained mostly silent, using the time to hold Remal's hand and contemplate yet another brush with death. Such encounters seemed to be coming far too often and she couldn't help but feel that the ship was cursed. Or maybe it was her, a luckless blunder from one failed mission to the next. It made her question her sanity, her integrity and her very reason for being in space in the first place.

For Remal, the days passed quickly, bleeding together. His recovery had left him reeling with his own thoughts. The disease, a DNA alteration, had de-evolution effects which were exacerbated by something in S’thenosis’ physiology. The night of the storm, Remal had spent a good amount of time in close quarters with the Dragoness. Now, as he swung his legs around and planted his feet firmly upon the terra firma, his mind was just starting to be his own again.

S’thenosis on the other hand had begun experiencing what she considered as a brooding period. She had mentioned her body was changing to allow her to give birth to her second brood of children due to the disease. This change abruptly stopped and reverted the moment she was injected with the cure. For S’thenosis, her change back carried with it emotional baggage filled with regret and embarrassment.

While Remal had been able to function enough to leave the med tent and rejoin the crew, even his wife in their tent, S’thenosis was left to seek counseling for what she considered as trauma.

“Good Morning” a soft voice from outside the tent wafted in as the flap opened to reveal Rhenora. “ You’re looking better this morning, how do you feel?” She asked, pressing a mug of ‘pseudo’ coffee into his hands “It’s almost drinkable” she commented with a smile.

He smiled and then grunted to show his disdain for the fake coffee. “Give me real coffee or give me death.” He then sipped, winced, and swallowed hard. “Death it is then.” He was grateful for the company though.

“Depending if there is any left on the ship, I did have a special selection that only Ronson and yourself knew the location to. I don’t know if it survived the crash though. “ She sipped the concoction herself and sighed “So… you want your grave dug over here or over there?” She pointed with the mug in two different directions.

“Hmm, beneath a tall tree high upon a ridge where the stars are bright.” He was feeling dreamy. “Glad you stopped by. I am feeling much better today. I was thinking about making the rounds, to lift spirits.”

“ Would you like some company? People are feeling it, despite the fact we’ve knocked the virus on the head, hopes are starting to fail that we’ll get off here anytime soon.” The Captain lamented, casting an eye through the open tent flap to the crew who were milling around. Many seemed to have lost purpose.

“Of course. Your company is the best company and the crew looks to you.” He stood up and wrapped his arm around her waist. “It’s been a rough few days for just about everyone.” His mind began to wander and he tried to reign it back in again. Since his time as a vegetable he had experienced a lot of mind wandering periods and random moments of daydreaming.

She noticed the absent look in his eyes as they stepped out of the tent, not realizing the full effect the last few days may have had on him mentally as well as physically. “Are you sure you’re ok? You kinda zoned out there for a minute” She asked cautiously, squeezing his hand.

He caught himself and looked into her eyes, finding strength, "I will be. My mind seems to be struggling to find the discipline it once had. Every so often I drift off to wherever my fancy flies." He gestured for her to lead on so they could begin the walk, all the while grateful for her to be his rock, the center for his distressed self to find focus.

They headed out towards the centre of the camp, the sun shining down on the tired crew as they toiled with a dwindling feeling of hope.

"They've been through a lot" Rhenora commented absently as she smiled at a a passing crewman. "You've been through a lot, yourself and the Commodore particularly. Give yourself some grace"

Grace, a time to allow for repayment of suffering, was exactly what he needed. "I will do my best but I am also trying to put forth my best self for the sake of others, as you do. You set the example for us all you know." He mused as to what her rebuttal might be as he bent over to lift a crate and move it for a young ensign.

When they returned to walking he asked earnestly, "So how is our Dragoness anyhow?"

"Why don't we go pay her a visit?" Rhenora smiled as she looked around the camp for the woman most referred to as 'dragon lady'. The two had shared a checkered past but had formed somewhat of an alliance over the last year.

S'thenosis, embarrassed by her ailment and what had occured in the shelter the evening of the storm, had been holed up in her shelter, alone. Stubborn as she was proud, she was refusing all company and all food. Instead choosing to pout and sulk about what others may think about her behavior. Her people had come a long way from their history and in only a matter of days she had been their ruin.

They rounded the corner of the Commodore's tent and Rhenora knocked on the frame to announce their presence. "Commodore?"

Lifting her head up from her well read book, S'thenosis responded, "I do not wish to appear temperamental from my ordeal however as I told the previous patron, I do not wish to entertain any more well-wishers at this time. If you don't mind." She finished with her normal snarky attitude as though she had been disturbed far too many times to count.

Remal chuckled slightly, "she sounds fine to me, better than her usual I think." Then he stood back and waited for Rhen to decide if it was worth it to enter or not.

Rhenora took a breath and bit the proverbial bullet, not allowing S’Thenosis any more time to stew, wallow, pout, pity or whatever other emotional blanket she was trying to wrap herself up in. “It’s Rhenora and Remal, and we’re coming in so I hope you’re dressed” She called, waiting a few moments before drawing back the tent flap.

Allowing a slight growl to escape her breath, S’thenosis stood to greet her unwanted guests. If there were any one person who would disregard her wishes, it was Captain Rhenora Kaylen, stubborn and defiant to the last breath. She smoothed the front of her dress, “Captain. I trust all is well and that I do not have to call forth the good doctor in order to have your hearing checked?” Her tongue escaped her mouth as her scales ruffled.

"Oh my hearing is well and truly fine. Whether you wish to be left undisturbed or not, I have a duty of care to make sure you are well enough to indeed be left alone. Lest you wish to bite the good doctor's head off instead" Rhenora retorted as she stood in the doorway with Remal by her side. From all external appearances the Commodore was indeed fine, the scowl on her face spoke of a thousand dark moods that would best be avoided if possible.

“Ah, well, stubborn idiocy it is then. Allow me to repeat myself, perhaps slower this time. I, do not, wish, to be, disturbed.” She mouthed slowly and deliberately. “My ordeal has left me feeling a tad moody and I do not wish to take it out on the innocent, if you do not mind.” Her hand was clinging to her chair as though it was the only thing keeping her from lashing out.

Remal stepped forward. “Alright Commodore, we’ll be leaving. But before we do, I insist you schedule time with me or one of the other counselors regarding your ‘mood’. Would that be agreeable?” He asked earnestly in order to keep from having his head bitten off.

Bless Remal and his ability to diffuse a difficult situation. It was clear that S'thenosis was not dealing emotionally with her ordeal, and Remal was the best to deal with those kind of things.

S’thenosis clenched her jaw. “When we are removed from this planet, I will schedule my regular counseling session as predicated by my mandate. Is this an acceptable offer counselor?”

He bowed his head in a sign of respect, “I do, thank you.” Then he touched Rhen on the shoulder to indicate they should vamoose while the vamossing was good.

"Good day to you Commodore" Rhenora took his cue and stepped out of the tent, allowing him to proceed her in the escape path. He wasn't wrong when he thought she would have been 'brooding'.

“Sorry about that.” Remal said in solemn defeat. “I thought she may be feeling better by now. Apparently not.” He looked around in the late evening sunlight. “I’m all yours for a little while unless you have things to do on your own?” He knew there would be a gathering at the fire later in the evening and as always she was a busy woman, but even she needed comfort sometimes.

"I would love to spend a little quiet time with you. We haven't had much with everything going on" Rhenora admitted as she sought out one of the high ridgelines with her eyes where they could disappear and just be themselves for a while. "Up there, we can keep an eye on the camp but have some privacy" A quiet honest conversation was what she needed to keep her strength up in these tough times. Soon she felt they would get a turn of luck. Soon they would go home.

TBC