Seventh Tally

Posted on Friday, 5 March 2021 - 4:41pm by Crewman Leopold Eberhardt & Lieutenant JG Adrianna Eberhardt

Mission: Operation: Trail of Tears

Adrianna's seventh tally was her final one so far. It was one she had mostly forgotten as it had ended in the couple's first time. Her nightmare surrounding this Tally though was rather different.

She was very much alone. No one was there to catch her, or rescue her.

The stunning view of Baku faded to being on fire. The rocks became hot, feeling more like embers, rotting in retaliation to the ferocious heat. Adrianna scrambled to find cooler holds.

***

Leopold was sleeping rather blissfully. His dreams were relatively subtle and calm. The man was dreaming about home and the thought of his fiance meeting his parents.

Adrianna flinched and tossed a little in her sleep as the nightmare played out. She mumbled inaudible sounds.

***

Adrianna looked up, seeing grotesque, alien Eagle like creature, flapping towards her. Its face seems to look like it was melting, its feathers sparking, fear inducing licks of flame.

Adrianna's fear overtook, her hands slipping as she tried to fight of the avian monster.

Finally her fingers gave up and the woman started hurtling down the cliff face into the hell pit below, screaming.

***

Adrianna awoke, breathless. Her conscious body jumped as her subconscious body hit the ground. Her skin suddenly felt very cold, feeling quite the contrast between the nightmare and their quarters. He felt like a deer in headlights. Her mind was still in the dream though she was definitely awake.

Adrianna's sudden movement triggered Leopold to wake up, looking to see what was going on. He saw the look in Adrianna's eyes and she was evidentially awake, quite wide awake. "What's wrong? You look like you saw a ghost."

Unfocused Adrianna heard his voice as a squark and without thinking slapped at him. She yelped as she did, scared.

"Ow!" He shouted back and grabbed a good of her shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze and shake. "Hey! Hey, are you in there? It's me. You are safe."

Adrianna stared at him. Regret and guilt filled her as she realised she'd just slapped her husband to be. "Oh, mi dispiace!" She grovelled in horror the brought herself to try standard, "sorry! Sorry! Sorry!"

Leopold sighed and gave her a hug. "It's alright, you just surprised me." He wanted to just keep embracing her, but he needed to check on her. "What happened?"

"I falling, Baku," The woman replied in stuttered standard as her brain still tried to piece her communication abilities together in her sleep deprived brain. She embraced him tightly, feeling the safety in his arms. After a moment, Baciami pulled away. Adrianna lifted the bottom of her pyjama top. She counted the tallies. That was the last one. She felt relief wash over her. Would that mean no more nightmares? "Last one. Last one."

"Ba'ku,"he echoed back. "Like the planet?" he inquired. "You're going to have to give a bit more to work with."

Adrianna sat up properly and rested her back on the headboard. "Baciami's have tattoos signifying near death experiences. My last one was whilst we were on Ba'ku. When the-" Adrianna flapped her fingers, unable to remember the word, "and I fell. I've been having nightmares lately, reliving each one."

"That explains yours tattoos," he replied teasing her a bit. "And here I thought they were decorative choices. I didn't know I could read your near death experiences on your body."

"Well at least they don't represent beings I have slept with," she offered a small smile trying too add to the lighthearted comment. She couldn't believe it had taken her this long to tell him. "I've not been sleeping well because of them. In that vision with the orb, I had 12, with his attempt being 13. I'm not soo-suppa- I don't really believe in luck from that point. But between having nightmares of Soral killing me in a crazed murder-suicide, and reliving those, I haven't slept well in weeks. I'm glad you're on the day shift for a little while."

"Inking the names of individuals you sleep with is problematic," noted Leopold. "My sister used to do that when she was in love. Sadly, the love did last as long as the tattoos. She has had several of them removed by laser scalpel and dermo regenerators."

Leopold teased a bit when thinking about Soral. "I think we all have that thought about Soral."

Adrianna chuckled at hearing the anecdote about Leopold's sister. They hadn't really discussed his family much. Adrianna kissed his cheek, "well, that's the last Tally-- the dream I just had, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see how I get the marks between now and thirteen." She then added a tidbit, "on Earth they say its bad luck to ink a name. It's like breaking a mirror, but on you're relationship."

"I could see why," he replied nodding. "I had met a guy in basic training on Earth. His family had Korean roots and shared with my that culturally, one's name in red ink was a bad sign," added Leopold.

The man comforted her the best he could. "At least we will be making the memories together."

Adrianna kissed his cheek again, "in one sense, I hope not. You don't need to see me almost die. Equally, I don't want to lose you either." She smiled and tried to change the topic, "I sent that message by the way. If your family replies, we'll have it in the next few days."

Leopold returned to kiss. "Thank you, I know that they will appreciate it." He thought about what she had said. "We serve on a Federation starship. I think we are destined to add to those tattoos whether we dive head first or let the waves of time take us with the current."

"More so me than you," she sighed then added in an almost child-like wonder, "you know, I always wanted to be a chef or a doctor. In fact, there was one time in my life, that I thought I'd be a lounge singer or dancer."

"So," Leopold said with intrigue. "When are you going to do it? I am sure the crew would love to hear you sing. We could probably make that happen" Leopold teased yet there was a seriousness to it.

He smiled. "I am sure nobody will complain if you volunteer to man the galley in a one off appearance. Just a little something special."

Adrianna giggled and nudged him playfully, "Do not be silly. I have a job." She kussed his cheek, "doesn't mean to say I won't wear a one piece for you."

"Jobs are jobs," Leopold replied. "Hobbies are hobbies, and you can wear a one piece for me anytime you want."

Adrianna laid back down and snuggled into him, "young dreams are gone dreams." Her words faded as slumber crept back into her conscious.

"A boy can dream," he teased snuggling up against her.