Childhood reunion

Posted on 14 Apr 2016 @ 11:52pm by Lieutenant JG Lenaris Marika & Ensign James Langley
Edited on on 16 Apr 2016 @ 9:11pm

1,533 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: Kendra Museum of Bajoran History
Timeline: MD 73 (following Two's company)
Tags: Lenaris Marika, Chin Yui, Bajor, Museum, Reunion

[ON]

Marika looked at the entrance of the Kendra Museum of Bajoran History. It’s large doors and intricately crafted windows were perfect replica of the Leor era. She smiled with pride, appreciating the detail and work put into it. How could one not be inspired by such craftsmanship?

Like the child she had once been, Marika jumped up the stairs to the entrance with much amusement. Her summer dress caught in the light breeze at every step, shimmering, it’s flowery pattern changing color ever so slightly with every step. Once at the top she smirked and giggled to herself. Let’s see how she deals with a little surprise visit.

Stepping in, Marika looked around with wonder. Still after all these years, she looked at everything with the eyes of a child. The marvel, the wonder, the awesomeness in these walls overwhelmed her for a moment. Then she heard her friend’s voice, and grinned. Putting on the beret style hat she had brought, and phony mustache, she turned towards the voice and quickly jumped into the crowd following her childhood friend.

It seemed to be one of those school outings she had loved as a child. Children and their parents, milling about, looking and listening to the young Chinese woman’s explanations. She was good. She had that ability to make anything she said interesting, and occasionally amusing. A talent marika had always admired as they grew up. Where Marika was great at getting herself in trouble, Yui excelled at crafting a great tale out of it.

A few of the children looked at her and grinned, while the adults tried to ignore her. She returned the attention by making funny faces at the parents, eliciting a fit of giggles from the children. Looking past them, her eyes connected with those of Yui, who was half scowling, half trying to stifle her own giggles. At that precise moment, the young Bajoran felt like she’d come home.

It was impressive how well the two of them could read each other and in no time at all Marika could tell that Yui had no idea on what she wanted to say. Her eyes seemed to scream "cut it out, goofball," but the barely stifled smirk across her lips seemed to admit "but I know you wont." No matter what she was trying to say though, it was obvious that there was absolutely no disappointment. She was ecstatic. How long had it been?

"Now if you'll follow me this way, you'll get to see what is probably my favorite place in the whole museum." Yui was normally a patient woman, but with a sudden upkick in physical speed and vocal tempo it was obvious she wanted to get to something. Whether it was the next part of the tour or the end of it so that she could shed the facade of professionalism and embrace her best of friends in an absurdly long hug remained to be seen. For now she just started to lead everyone down one of the many halls of the historical establishment. "Can any of you guess what that might be?"

Jumping in excitement, Marika tried not to shout it out. This was after all the kids visit, not hers. But museums always made her feel this way. So much knowledge, so much insight into the past, into things they would never truly grasp. And yet, despite ones inability to understand everything, it was perfect, it was grand it was .. "B'hala!"

She slapped her hand on her mouth the second the word escaped her lips. Her eyes widened, hoping she hadn't ruined her friends big reveal. But looking into her eyes, all she found was an amused patience.

Yui couldn't help but smirk at the outburst. She decided for the moment to skip the obvious fact that this 'visitor' amongst the crowd had cheated, for it was no guess for her at all, and instead attempted to channel the everbright energy emanated by her closest of friends to the children around them. “Excellent guess. Maybe we have a potential detective or archaeologist amongst us. And I can say with certainty that no matter her choices in life she will most likely succeed. That is the kind of energy that is needed to accomplish your goals, children, and don't you ever lose that.”

A few of the parents had grimaced at the thoughts of their children with such rambunctious energy and maybe a one of them were worried their child would adorn similar gag garbs as the oddity in the room by the look on his face, but most of them smiled at the positive advice. The kids certainly liked it. They were barely kept at bay by the accompanying parents. A minute of carefully guided walking later and they had arrived, Yui smiling as she gestured to the large room before them.

“And here we have it. The B'hala exhibit of the museum.” The way she spoke it sounded as though she had arrived home. As though in a moment she'd carefully guide everyone over to her humble abode completely intact after thousands of years. Alas, it was not her home, but it was close enough. “Follow me,” she said with barely restrained excitement as she guided the group into the room.

Upon entering, Marika spotted it immediately. The reconstructed tablet. The one the emissary had smashed to release the Prophet and Pah-Wraith. Ignoring the presentation, she walked up to it and started. For a moment she truly pitied all those species who didn't have proof of their gods existence. Her people truly were blessed. For a long while, she simply smiled and stared, pondering about the Prophets and their ways.

It was enlightening really, letting herself get lost in such deep thoughts. She could have stood there for hours and she probably would have, completely forgetting about Yui and the group, were it not for a sudden wisp of air entering her ears with an accompanying sound to break the concentration.

“Don't think I'm going to let you off easy for all of this goofy humor,” Yui's voice quietly passed through her ears.

Whatever thought she had been having at that moment vanished, replaced by an unapologetic grin. She turned around brusquely and realized the tour was over. Without another moment's wait, Marika hugged her childhood friend with vigor as joy filled her heart.

"I've missed you so much! You're so good at this! It's like you were born to teach people about all this. I wish I had your talent for it. Cross that, I'm glad I don't. It's yours and helps make you even more special. I love you! I've missed you!"

Yui couldn't help but smile lovingly, hugging Marika with equal fervor as she rested her head upon her long lost friend's shoulder. “And I you! Now tell me, what is an explorer and adventurer such as yourself doing in such a stationary and defined place as this? Don't tell me you've come to throw in the reigns of exploration and discovery to tell people of the stories they could only hope to dream of experiencing. You'd make a terrible tour guide," she practically laughed out loud.

"Ha! I would wouldn't I?" Pushing herself off enough to look her friend in the eye, but not letting go, Marika took a moment to take her in. "The new job does you good. But no, I'm not throwing my career out the door. Just here for some shore leave, and I had to take the time to see you. And if your a nice meimei, I have friends to present to you later."

“Nice? Coming from the jiejie who tried to ruin a perfectly good presentation of history with some gag props,” Yui questioned her in obviously mock disdain. “Well I do hope you introduce me to them at any rate, though your appearance alone is more than enough! But tell me, do they have the same choices in attire as you? Must I keep my eye out for a gang of masked marauders running through these halls?”

"Two out of three yes. Oren is a civilian, although sh.. he does hold an honorary commission. You'll like them. Ells has a lovely stick up his very cute butt. Cyrin is so shy it's adorable, and Oren is just .. familiar, yet new." She stared at her friend for a moment and mused. With a slight shrug and a grin she pushed back whatever thoughts had overtaken her for a moment and dragged her friend along with her. "What say you we get out of here, and go surprise our parents?"

"I say 'yes,'" came a reply as she was dragged along by her friend. "You lead the way [as if there was even a choice in the matter]!"

[OFF]

Chin Yui
Best Friend; Tour Guide; Historian
Kendra Museum of Bajoran History; Bajor
Guest-written by James Langley

Ensign Lenaris Marika
Archaeologist/Anthropologist
USS Galileo

*meimei (Mandarin - little sister - often used by very close friends)
*jiejie (Mandarin - big sister - often used by very close friends)

RSS Feed