Sleepless Night

Posted on Wednesday, 15 July 2020 - 1:35pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali

Mission: Operation: Jabberwocky
Location: Various (Memory Log)
Timeline: 2393 - MD 03

{ON}

==/\ ~ PRESENT TIME ~ /\==

Alex was sleeping. Soral could not sleep. He felt tired and restless and his dreams seemed to have turned against him. For the first time he wished he could go to a counselor to talk. He didn't know where to turn. He'd talked to Alex about it little but he didn't want to overburden her. He sighed.

Looking up at the stars he wondered what T'Lanna was doing. He felt like sending her a message to see if she could put all this into perspective. The new sister, the feeling he was not getting the full story...Haru's grandmother's death it was all too much. Perhaps he should meditate. He thought back to a few days ago when T'Lanna was going through her own emotions and he wondered if he should use the same meditation.


==/\ ~ MD 00 JUST BEFORE STAR BASE ARRIVAL ~ /\==

T'Lanna headed towards the holodeck for her usual morning meditation session with Soral. Her emotions were more settled now thanks to her talk with Ryan and the most passionate night she’d ever spent with Raith. Both of them had spent most of the night making love and amongst it all T’Lanna had allowed herself to ‘blend’ into Raith’s mind. Granted it wasn’t the same as the Pon'farr bond which was much more powerful but she had made the initial bond that lovers shared. She knew it would take time for Raith to feel her through the bond but she was already feeling his presence in her mind and it comforted her immensely.

Arriving at the holodeck she walked inside and smiled at Soral. “Good morning Soral.”

Soral turned to face T'Lanna. "Good Morning."

Walking over to her usual meditation spot T’Lanna made herself comfortable. She wasn’t sure whether to mention about her ‘blending’ with Raith or not, it was a private thing. No doubt Soral would mention it if he picked up on it. “How are you feeling now after surgery?”

"I am better." He said. The two away missions had been a trial but he was slowly recovering. They were on their way now to the starbase where he and Alex would catch a shuttle to Earth.

“That’s good to hear” She nodded and smiled. “I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not going to be purposely throwing myself into danger from now on. Being on that ship .... it terrified me. It’s thanks to Ryan and Raith that I’m feeling better now.”

"It was not the easiest of assignments. I think you decision to be wise to avoid it. We have shore leave coming perhaps it is time for you to take a vacation and rest. Perhaps a trip to Vulcan."

“Perhaps” T’Lanna nodded. “I’d like to introduce Raith to my father. I’m not sure if he’ll home though, he has his own ship so he maybe half way across the universe for all I know. Last I heard he had a diplomatic mission ahead of him.”

Soral gave a nod.

“Actually Raith and I ...” She paused to think how to say it. “He told me not to hold back, so I didn’t. I can feel him ...” She tapped her temple. “In here and it’s a feeling I like.”

"I see." Soral wasn't thrilled with this news as she was yet untrained in mind melds. "The starbase we are heading to has a Vulcan priestess. I would feel better if you both consulted her to ensure the bond was correctly set." He worried and wanted to make sure both were alright.

T’Lanna looked concerned. “I didn’t mind meld with Raith, I just ... let my mind open and let it happened. I don’t feel any worse for it about if there’s likely to be any risk to Raith then of course I’ll consult the priestess.”

"It is best. Mind Melds are tricky and opening the mind to him is the same as a meld the weaving of minds. While I can train you in the use of them not even I am qualified to verify the bond. I will write ahead and ask the priestess to review your bond." He paused.

“Thank you Soral” T’Lanna smiled warmly. “I know this isn’t even a notch on the scale that Pon’farr creates so I’d like to be sure our bond is ready for when that time comes. I am considering my father’s suggestion that we have a priestess bond us at that time.”

He gave a nod. "Indeed." He paused. "I will be away for the leave time. Alexandra and I are heading to Earth."

T’Lanna nodded. “A private wedding by any chance?” She offered a big smile. “Just promise me you’ll throw a party when you get back so we can all celebrate with you.”

"Indeed. I will speak with the captain." He paused. "Have you made any progress with Grol?"

“Grol ... heavens it completely slipped my mind!” She looked guilty. “I will make an appointment with him today.” She shook her head. “Some Counsellor I’m turning out to be.”

"You had much on your mind. Do not turn this around as a negative. When you have the time."

T’Lanna nodded. “Of course. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to help him.”

"Perhaps. There are some who do not wish to be helped. I will be...working with him as well." He paused. "Have you tried to meditate since your return?"

T’Lanna shook her head. “No. I should have but I wasn’t in the right frame of mind.”

"Then we will try a meditation for calm today." He paused. "Alright. Take a deep breath and close your eyes."

T’Lanna nodded and did as she was instructed. Taking in a slow deep breath she closed her eyes ready for their meditation to begin. She couldn’t help but smile at the sense she had of Raith through the bond they had begun.

Soral studied her. He sighed. "You tried to bond."

“I thought we had, at least in a way.” T’Lanna looked at Soral. “I can feel Raith and I know he can feel me, at least in some rudimentary way.”

He raised an eyebrow. "You both seem anxious to bond. Perhaps when we reach the Starbase I can have the Vulcan elder there conduct the ceremony for you."

“No, thank you.” T’Lanna offered a smile. “When I went home my father offered to have a ceremony on Vulcan to have Raith and I bonded properly. I’d like to wait until my time comes and have the bonding ceremony there.”

He gave a nod. "Indeed." He shrugged. "Now back to the meditation. Deep breaths and try to let your thoughts float away as before."

T’Lanna nodded and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths she let her thoughts clear and let herself relax.

The meditation lasted an hour but when it was done he hoped that some of the stress had ebbed. He opened his eyes. "And slowly become aware of your breath and when ready open your eyes."

T’Lanna slowly opened her eyes. “That feels so much better” she smiled. “Thank you Soral.”

"When we arrive at the Station Alexandra and I will be leaving right away. I hope that you will take some time to rest."

T’Lanna nodded. “I will, I promise.”

He gave a nod and stood. "Excellent. Upon your return there will be some new crew for you to review."


==/\ ~ PRESENT TIME ~ /\==

Soral snapped back from his thoughts. He wondered if Raith and T'Lanna were getting on alright. He'd seen her father lurking about when he'd left the station with Alex and he wondered if they were well. He thought about the rest of the crew as well.

They would, of course, have a reception when they returned to share their wedding with the crew. It would be something light, a dinner perhaps. He had wanted to talk to the CO also about having a chef brought onboard for the crew. Something to make them all feel at home. He knew that they would to together for a long while and he wanted them to feel cared for and good nutrition was always important.

He sighed and stood. He would go back and lay down and perhaps try to get some sleep.

{OFF:}