Sad News

Posted on 24 Nov 2014 @ 5:05pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Pieter Van Zyl Ph.D.

2,113 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 6, 06-1003 EN
Timeline: MD-22, 1600hrs

[ON]

After his talk with Holliday, and his subsequent demotion, Tyrion felt utterly drained. He hadn't really slept in two days, and now all the stress just fell away and again he found himself shedding a fountain of tears. He all but ran back to his quarters, needing to get out of this uniform even though it was crisp and clean. He wanted nothing of it today, he had no duties today regardless.

Ripping his uniform off as soon as he got inside, he just tossed it aside and raced for the bathroom. A sonic shower to soothe his frayed nerves, and then a hot chocolate. The Betazoid sank down on the couch when he got himself dressed in a plain blue house suit, and somehow, cried himself to sleep.

After what felt like a longer, tougher day than usual, Pieter dragged himself to his empty quarters only to not find them so empty anymore. Though startled at first by the curled up form on the couch, he felt relieved when he identified it as his roommate, obviously released. 'Or escaped,' his mind supplied, but Pieter pushed those thoughts aside.

Watching the man for a few moments, Pieter tried to move as quietly as he could picking up the clothes that seemed to have been thrown around. Then again, he was hardly an expert in what could be considered 'quiet' movements.

Tyrion stirred as his telepathic senses picked something up on the outermost edges of his senses. He rolled over and thumped to the deck with an unceremonious cry as he missed the edge of the couch. "Ow," he complained, rubbing his shoulder and then his head. Which, in fact, started to pound again. "Piet?" He saw his roommate stare at him. "What are you doing here?"

Pieter had continued to pick up the clothes, for once not minding the mess when a blur of moment caught his eye. As he turned back to the couch, he was met with the sight of his roommate stuck to the floor, rubbing his head. Frowning, he put the shirt he'd been folding aside and went up to him.

"I live here," Pieter said as way of explanation before helping Tyrion up, his touch surprisingly gentle.

"Yes I know that but shouldn't you be on duty?" Obviously, the young Betazoid had no idea how long he'd truely been asleep. He rubbed his eyes, allowing the touch, finding comfort in it.

Helping his ragged roommate up onto the ouch once again, Pieter sat down next to him. "My shift is over," he revealed, worried. "When did you get back?"

"After meeting with the captain," Tyrion answered, his voice breaking though he fought to keep it together. He didn't want to seem weak. "A little after nine, I think. I... I got released. I paid a terrible price Piet..they stripped me of my commission."

Pieter frowned deeply, looking down at his lap. He could tell by the way Tyrion's lower jaw was shaking slightly that he was incredibly upset. Who wouldn't be? Losing your commission, as an officer; Pieter could hardly think of a worse fate. Even going to prison seemed more favorable than just getting your position taken away and getting tossed out like this.

"What are you going to do now?"

"I'm demoted to chief petty officer and I can stay in my position. But it just, it a lot right now and I'm scared."

Pieter let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. "I know. I'm sorry." He put his hand on Tyrion's shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. "What do you need?" he asked, wanting to help in any way he could.

"A friend, probably the most," Tyrion breathed, trying hard not to start another crying fit. He was starting to hate those and his head still hurt on and off but he was too proud and too full of self-loathing to mention it to anyone. He lifted his eyes, a hopeful expression on his face. "A hug?" he whispered. He so wanted to be held... it didn't matter by who, as long as he felt a pair of arms around him that just held him for a little while.

As the sight of Tyrion slightly shaking to keep from crying, Pieter was reminded of the many situations like this with his siblings. As the eldest, he always felt it was his responsibility to support them and make sure they don't break under whatever strain life seemed to put upon them. This felt no different, although the affection he felt towards his roommate couldn't really measure up to his feelings for his siblings.

Shifting closer to Tyrion on the couch, Pieter just held his arms out silently.

Gratefully taking the offer, Tyrion slid closer and accepted the hug. Without any ulterior motives, he rested his head against the botanist's shoulder and sighed. Thank you. The rare telepathic communication reached his roommate; the mental voice filled with gratitude.

Pieter was startled slightly by the presence in his mind, but didn't let it show. After a few more seconds, he finally gave Tyrion a few supportive pats on the back before pulling away. That was enough sentimentality for one day.

Sitting up, Tyrion rubbed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Thank you," he said again, "I needed that so much. Despite your friendship I've been very alone, and lonely."

Pieter still kept one hand on Tyrion's shoulder, giving it a small squeeze before replying. "I know." The large Botanist sat there, awkwardly for a few more minutes, unable to think of anything meaningful to say. Instead, he turned to what he did know about situations like this.

"I'll replicate some food." Because food always helped.

"I'm not really hungry," Tyrion lied, too quickly because his stomach gave him away then and there. "I'll just need a few days to find myself again, don't mind me too much. I don't want you to feel embarrassed or awkward around me. But don't worry, I won't make any move on you. I know you ah...don't swing my way. Don't worry."

"I'm making food, and you're eating it," Pieter just said. "And you don't need to tell me you won't hit on me as if it's the worst thing to possibly happen. You're hurt and you're vulnerable. So just shut up and let me do something." He then turned to the replicator and began tapping commands into it, wondering why Tyrion always felt the need to point out how he wasn't going to flirt with him and how he shouldn't worry. He wasn't afraid or uncomfortable with people flirting with him. If he wasn't interested, he told them, there was nothing he felt he had to be nervous about.

Being vulnerable also meant his normally carefully maintained mental walls weren't as carefully maintained, so he caught some of his roommate's surface thoughts. "It just feels wrong," he explained carefully, fidgeting awkwardly, "and it's not just for your benefit that I say it but mine too. I don't want to do anything that might hurt our friendship."

"Don't be ridiculous, Tyrion," Pieter just chastised before taking a plate with a large amount of food on it and bringing it over to the couch. He put the plate in front of his roommate. It was stacked with the usual comfort food - pasta, chicken pot pie, french fries...

Idly, the Betazoid picked away at the items on the plate but put none of it in his mouth. Though his stomach churned, he really didn't feel like eating. "How is that being ridiculous?" he challenged, "it just wouldn't be right to try and kiss you, however much I want to do exactly that."

"I'm a big boy, Tyrion. I know what you mean to say, and I know that you're feeling very hurt right now, so you're not responsible for your actions as you are. I understand. You don't need to explain yourself to me, or justify anything. I'm your friend. I can handle awkwardness, trust me," Pieter explained, watching him pick at his food.

"I suppose you do," Tyrion murmured. "What is it like, to not be able to hear anything at all?"

Pieter tilted his head curiously. He wasn't expecting that question.

Shrugging, he replied. "What's it like, having to hear everything constantly?" He'd always found the idea of not being able to turn the outside world off daunting, to constantly be assaulted with stimuli, whether you liked it or not.

"Exhausting, confusing...." Tyrion shook his head. "I learned to wall myself in, keep all the noise out or I'd go crazy. I was born telepathic so I had to learn very young. Most Betazoids who are born this way go crazy you see, and I don't want to go crazy, so I wall it all out."

Pieter nodded. "I wasn't born deaf," he revealed with a shrug. "But I still wouldn't change it, like you would change being telepathic."

"We are who we are, and what our ability or disability made us to be. Doesn't mean I have to like who I am. I'd rather be plain Human."

"Being Human has it's own burden. For one, people think everything is your fault," Pieter explained, rolling his eyes as that.

"Well... how do you like to be bossed around and told wht to do by your own sisters, and by default be expected to do as you're told by your own sisters? Because it's protocol, and just the way things are done? My sisters think, or well, thought they needed to find me a girlfriend. A woman suitable for my family's standards. How would you feel if you're expected to marry by standards, rather than love? I wouldn't want a wife to begin with but if I'd stayed at home I'd be made to take a wife. My family is traditional that way."

Pieter leaned back at the sudden mass of words popping up on his screen. Taking a moment to read through it, he held up his hands to Tyrion in mock surrender. "Tyrion. I understand. I'm not judging you. Okay?"

"I'm sorry. Sometimes, I forget you're deaf and reliant on that thing."

"It's fine. I was just surprised by the amount of text," Pieter explained. "And don't worry. Most people forget."

"It was inconsiderate of me. It's just, the way we interact it's very easy to forget."

"The robotic tone of my VOICE isn't a constant reminder?" Pieter asked, then quickly added. "That was a joke." He knew what Tyrion meant. It was like getting used to someone's speech pattern so much you don't notice how many grammatical mistakes they actually make.

"I don't really hear that anymore. I've gotten used to it as being your voice," Tyrion admitted ruefully. "Just...gimme a poke the next time I end in a ramble okay?"

Pieter nodded. "Will do. Don't get impatient with me the next time I take my VOICE off and you can't get my attention," he said back.

"I'm a telepath," Tyrion reluctantly reminded him, "I won't have trouble getting your attention."

"You don't like using your telepathy."

"Doesn't mean I won't if I have to," Tyrion countered, still picking away at the food Piet had given him.

Pieter nodded, looking down at the plate, which looked as if it hadn't been touched. "Do you want something else?" he asked, motioning to the plate.

"No. I told you I'm not hungry, maybe later." He set the plate aside and curled up on the couch again, innocently leaning against Piet. "Maybe I should try and get some sleep."

Nodding, Pieter stood up and walked over to the bunks, to Tyrion's in particular. He picked up the blanket and, walking back to the Betazoid, draped it over his body, tucking him in.

Surprise flickered across the Betazoid's face at the gesture of kindness Pieter offered him. "Don't go out of your way on my account," he offered in return, "I'll sleep even if a bomb were to go off."

"You and me both," Pieter just replied, giving him a pointed look. "Now go to sleep." With that, he reached for his wrist to take his VOICE off with a snap before going back towards his own bunk. Taking up a paDD, he flopped down onto it and began to read.

Thank you. Tyrion closed his eyes as he sent the telepathic message. You're the best friend I ever had. The only friend.

OFF?

CPO Tyrion Faye
Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC T'Vanna]

PO1 Pieter Van Zyl
Botanist
USS Galileo
[PNPC Idris]

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