The Other Side of Silence (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on 15 Nov 2017 @ 4:47pm by Petty Officer 3rd Class Constantin Vansen & Verity Thorne
Edited on on 19 Nov 2017 @ 12:29pm

1,834 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Earth - Starfleet Medical
Timeline: MD 35, 1800

[ON]

Sticking to his word, Constantin showed up outside room 23 East, wearing a dark blue jump suit. Easier to be in zero g with, even if the top of the jump suit was pushed down and the sleeves tied around his waist, exposing a grey tee shirt instead. He had been scanned, poked and prodded before sent on his way. So far, all he got was non-committal sounds from the medical staff, but no one was rushing so he took it as a sign he was okay.

Verity made a point of walking to the door to open it himself, letting out a soft breath at seeing him. "I wasn't sure if you'd change your mind."

Constantin watched him with surprise, holding his eyes. "Why would I do that?" he asked with a warm smile, offering his hand.

He took it easily as he moved out, leaning on the cane in his other hand. "It can't exactly be relaxing, sharing with a stranger."

"If I relaxed any more, I'd be dead," Constantin confessed with a shake of his head. "I am bored. I feel oppressed and bored and I liked talking to you earlier. Nothing wrong with that, right?"

"No," Verity relented easily, smiling across to him as he shook his head gently. "Nothing at all. I'll just accept graciously then."

He chuckled softly, nodding to Verity as they walked. "So. We talked a lot about me earlier...tell me about you?"

"What do you want to know?" he asked softly with surprise, shaking his head. "I don't want to bore you though, I'm not sure how easy it is to sleep in zero-G..."

"Surprisingly easy," he said as he smiled, holding his eyes. "And I want to know everything."

"Everything? Am I being investigated?" Verity teased softly, but his smile remained gentle. He hooked his arm through his as they walked for better support, and finding it more comfortable. "Well, before this I was serving on a starship, like you. I hadn't been to earth for a while before that. It's strange being here again."

"But you are from here?" he asked as he watched him, happily leading him to the room. He let the heavy door open and led him inside, eyes warm.

"Yes. born and raised," Verity confirmed the suspicion with a wry chuckle, carefully setting his cane and jacket aside. "I worked here for a good while too. It kept me....very busy."

Constantin nodded as he took the jacket and cane and secured them. He took his hands, moving him to the centre of the room. "Have you had much experience with zero g?"

"Only the brief flirtation in training. And it wasn't like this..." he looked around the chamber with a small smile, holding onto his hands tightly.

He smiled warmly, nodding. "Relax your shoulders..." he adviced him. "Computer, initiate zero gravity..." The second he had finished the gravity disappeared and they floated. Constantin smiled as he watched Verity, holding his hands firmly. "Just ease...it can be compared to being in water. You can move with it..." he let go of him and pushed back, smiling as he spun back slowly before coming towards him again.

Verity laughed softly at both the feeling, and seeing how easily he moved. He wasn't so elegant himself, but he could already feel the relief on his body...and his mind. He closed his eyes for a moment, just breathing deep into his lungs, feeling it fully.

Constantin watched him fondly, seeing how he relaxed. He chuckled softly, moving to the wall. He gripped it easily, blue eyes shining with warmth. "They say you find it easier to breathe here, as it doesn't take much effort..." he said lightly. "Not the same resistance."

"It feels it," Verity admitted with a small smile, having to take more effort than the other man to move over and join him, laughing at his flailing attempt. "I've never had to...think to move before. I've had to do that during recovery. It's...tiring."

He smiled gently as he reached for him, pulling him close to him. He held his eyes, wrapping his leg gently around Verity's to keep his arms free. "I know what you mean. It's like...walking through a thick fog. You have to tell your body to do it all, nothing happens on instinct."

Verity nodded with a slight frown at that, searching his eyes at how aptly he'd described it. "You've been there too?"

"I'm there every morning," he said softly, smiling weakly as he held his eyes.

Verity frowned at that, swallowing hard as he shook his head. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't..." he sighed, looking down. "I should have learned to think before I open my mouth by now."

"No, it's okay," he said as he smiled warmly, eyes gentle. He reached out to stroke his cheek. "You don't know me yet."

"I should have realised from what you said about your condition," Verity said quietly, but shook his head, taking a deep breath to start again. "It must be such a strain for you. Everyday..."

"Only in the morning. The hypo helps," he said and smiled warmly, stroking over his hair before he grinned. "Takes care of it all."

"I'm glad," he nodded with a frown, letting out a soft breath. Different people had different challenges in their lives. It didn't make it easier to witness though. He felt for him, and what he had to go through. He would pray for him, but he didn't say it, unsure if he was the kind of person who would appreciate it or not. "Do you get to do this often? Or is it only here?"

"Well, on my old ship we lost gravity after an asteroid field damaged the ship, so I got to play around with that..." he said with a warm smile, shaking his head. "I...it depends. Not all ships or bases have this feature. It's...a bit unnatural for people and not often needed. But most computers have the ability to do this for small areas. It is just a matter of getting permission. I suppose...the answer is I only really do this here. Unless I am in space or on shoreleave and have rented a shuttle that I can manipulate."

"You must be rather handy to have around in an emergency though," Verity added with a small smile, imagining how agile and alert he would be compared to others.

He nodded, a small smile on his lips. "If you need something repaired, I can do it. It won't be by the book, but it will work..." he watched him before he gently pushed him, so he could float more on his back.

Verity let himself go with it, sighing as he stretched his back and held his arms out to the side, warmed by not needing to hold them there with so much effort. "I like to think I do the same with people...." he laughed softly.

"You are really easy to talk to," Constantin said before he smiled, almost slyly. "And good looking."

Verity met his eyes with surprise before laughing softly, shaking his head quickly. "I'm not sure that's considered a good atribute for a priest," he tsked, his head tilting slightly.

He watched him for a moment, blinking before he smiled gently. "Well, still valid," he said simply. "Can't change what you are."

"More's the pity," he gave a small but playful smile, arching an eyebrow before closing his eyes with a sigh. "Perhaps we should just hide away here for a year."

"Don't think you'd like what it would do to your muscle mass," he said lightly, eyes shining as he moved to float. He closed his eyes as well, sighing. "Strange...I love this freedom."

"It's what you're used to," he said softly, his head turning towards him, but he didn't open his eyes. "Or at least, closer to it. Perhaps it even brings back feelings from another time."
"Uncomplicated life," Constantin said into the air, smiling weakly before he opened his eyes. "Just the ship. Just making sure we could stay alive. Repairing what needed to be repaired. Fall asleep watching the stars. Feeling as if...I am both insignificant and magnificent at the same time. And no one but the crew to worry about. No interactions. No...clutter. Simplicity."

"Life in Starfleet. It is...a priviledge. But it comes with a heavy weight on the shoulders," Verity said softly and lightly, as if just chatting away rather than directing the conversation.

"Does come with companionship too...potential friendships..." Constantin said quietly, smiling gently. "I like that. I like other people."

"And they can help to carry the burden," Verity said gently, turning his head so he could watch him, smiling softly.

Constantin opened his eyes and turned his head to watch him in return. "Support each other," he reached out, taking his hand.

Verity nodded, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "So if you need anything, just ask," he said quietly.

Constantin watched him for a moment, insecurity coming briefly into his eyes. "Can...I come to yours tonight? Just...for some company? I...it's so quiet in my room."

"I'd like that too," Verity assured quickly, sighing as he shook his head with a half smile at the confession. "It's been so quiet. Some of the doctors and nurses visit for a little while, but..well, they're busy people and I don't want to steal their time away."

"Yeah," Constantin whispered as he smiled, holding his eyes. "And...I am not used to the silence of...having my own room. I am used to hearing another person breathe."

"The joys of being a crewman," he chuckled softly, nodding with understanding. "Please, come. You can be a bad influence on me. I've been waiting a long time for a bad influence."

Constantin grinned at the words, laughing warmly. "I will do that," he said and watched him with shining eyes. "Want to spin?"

"So long as you don't let me crash..." Verity laughed softly, trying to push himself using the grip on the other man's hand.

"Promise," Constantin nodded before he pulled back. "Tuck your legs in a little and..." he reached and pushed him, watching him slowly spin in the air.

Verity laughed warmly, closing his eyes to just feel it as he held on to his legs. "Is this where you leave me like this..."

"Oh, it is tempting!" he smiled warmly as he watched him, eyes shining. He reached out to stop him, floating close to him. "How do you feel?"

"Better," he confessed with a smile, taking a deep breath as he relaxed, his body slack. "Much...much better. Thank you, Constantin."

Constantin smiled warmly and nodded, stroking his arm for a moment. "Let me know if you need this again. I have daily slots..."

To be Continued

[OFF]

--

Verity Thorne
Chaplain
[PNPC Blake]

PO3 Constantin Vansen
Operations Officer

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