08 - The First Snow and the Last Fall
Posted on Tue Oct 29th, 2024 @ 4:42pm by Commander Jenna Ramthorne & Remal Kajun & Captain Rhenora Kaylen
Mission:
The Beginning of the End
Location: Bajor
Timeline: Current-ish
Bajor - Drakkar Province - Cabin
The smell of freshly made coffee permeated the air. He was first up for a change allowing her to sleep. He noted she was struggling to rest as easily be it the aches and pains or the positioning. But this allowed him a chance to make fresh coffee, decaf with a hint of her favorite blend. There was also the first assemblance of breakfast in the making, scattered upon the kitchen counters.
Standing in the kitchen he was able to look out beyond the back room and the large windows into the beach area and the oceanic waters beyond. The waves were wiley, sloshing abnormally back and forth as though a mighty storm were brewing outside. He watched as the wind swayed the trees and realized he was going to need more firewood before the day was out.
The smell of brewing coffee was the best thing to wake up to, although not having a warm body beside her own was a bit of a let down, even if said body was responsible for the delicious smell wafting from the kitchen in the first place.
She slowly rose, stretching ineffectively against all the aches and pains of her tired body. She visited the bathroom then rummaged to find slippers she could put on without the need to reach her feet. That ability had been lost some time ago.
Emerging quietly from the bedroom as though summoned from afar by the promise of fresh coffee she padded into the kitchen and caught Remal's distant expression. She followed his gaze.
"The waves are restless, a storm is brewing."
Remal squinted in an effort to see the water beyond the beach when he glimpsed movement. "I think someone's out there."
"Are we expecting anyone this morning?' Rhenora asked, raising and eyebrow at the words. They had informed those they most trusted that they had arrived but hadn't heard back from anyone. Not surprising considering the history they shared.
Cautious as always, Remal responded, "Could be anyone, but there is only one I know who would seek the solace of the beach rather than enter our home." He looked at Rhenora to see if she gathered his meaning. "Only one way to find out." He added as he grabbed a jacket and slipped a pair of beach flats onto his feet. "Wanna walk with me?" He opened the back door letting in a cold draft which caused the fireplace to flicker.
She nodded rather than replying, a sense of foreboding building within. The dark sky was ominous. Taking his hand she stepped out into the bitter wind and headed down the path towards the angry waves.
They walked, arm in arm, the strength of one transferring to the other and back again as the pendulum sways. As soon as they stepped into the sands, the winds increased as though they had just passed through a sheltered bubble. The figure stood alone, tall, dark and menacing, his profile masking his true self, but as Remal approached he began to recognize the person standing solemn upon the sands.
The figure spoke first, "This place is peaceful but not home."
"No, at least not to you." Remal responded. "Have you been here long, watching the water?"
"I have been here 12.25 hours. Before that I was 3 meters South of this spot. And I am always vigilant." Ikar'agal proclaimed in his usual regal tone. "You asked me to witness the birth of your young, is it not yet time?"
A gentle laughter from Rhenora before she found the words to explain things didn't actually happen quite like that. "The 'young' will arrive at a time of it's choosing. Generally there is little warning or notice. However it is 'due' anytime over the next week or so."
Ikar's eye ridge raised, "Inefficient and if I may say, rude." He turned back to the waters. "A soldier arrives when ordered to do so and is never late."
Remal touched Ikar on the shoulder, "I'm glad you've come my friend. You are welcome to come inside and enjoy what our cabin life has to offer you."
"Please Agi, join us if you feel able" Rhenora replied, acutely aware of how fragile Ikar'agal's mental state could be. Sometimes water was the only thing that soothed him.
Man of few words, Ikar did not respond with a Thank you as most would. Instead, he bowed his upper body, while keeping his eyes on Rhenora. As a symbol of respect and trust, he could offer little more. "I will join as the weather changes." He then shifted into a yoga pose, one leg up and tucked, hands in a prayer state.
Remal smiled, "I taught him that." He gestured as he took Rhenora's arm. "Back to the warmth of the cabin ma'am?"
"Please" was accompanied by a nod and the movement towards the sanctuary that was their cabin. It seemed as if even nature itself was unsettled aware of the enormity of the day.
They walked slowly back up the beach together, arm in arm. Just as Remal's foot stepped upon the grass, the air surrounding them shifted causing them to pause in their tracks. In the stillness, a single snowflake drifted down from above, missing the trees, the bush, the undergrowth until it landed square on the tip of Rhen's nose.
"Huh, first flake of Winter?" He asked rhetorically bemused. It was at this moment, Rhenora's knees went weak and she grabbed at her abdomen. He felt her sag on his arm as panic set in. From nowhere the snow fall grew heavy, fat wet flakes raining down.
"No!" The word was a panicked whisper that conveyed the sheer terror in her eyes. It was exactly as the Prophecy had stated. On the first fall of winter, when the moon reaches its zenith, the Emissary will be born during a great battle. Somehow she had always hoped the Prophecy would be wrong, or at least inaccurate. "It's beginning, it's exactly as it was in the Prophecy, in my visions. We need to leave whilst we still can!" Rhenora's fight or flight response had well and truly kicked in, overriding her body's natural urge to relax for the labour and birth.
TBC
Captain Rhenora Kaylen
Commanding Officer, USS Sunfire
Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer & Mission Advisor, USS Sunfire
Remal Kajun
Counselor Aide, USS Sunfire
Husband of the Captain
Played By Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Patin
Friend of the Captain, USS Sunfire
Played By Commander Jenna Ramthorne
