Family and Friends

Posted on 18 Jan 2018 @ 8:09pm by Ambassador Soral Varro & Commander Marisa Wyatt

2,807 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Varro House, London England
Timeline: MD 29: 1300 hours

ON:

Varro and Blaze had woken up early and run their errands. Varro had stopped at his business office for the first time in a long time and had actually looked over a few cases. He had also connected with Starfleet and made them aware that he was updating his records with them.

It was around noon now and he and Blaze were expecting their lunch guest Marissa. Varro began chopping the veggies as the door chimed.

Marisa was looking forward to a casual lunch to see how Varro and Blaze were doing, and to simply relax with an old friend and hopefully make a new one. She'd brought a bottle of Vulcan cider as a gift. After she rang the chime, she took a moment to appreciate the surroundings while she waited.

While Varro cooked in the kitchen Blaze had been getting some work done in the study. She'd always liked Varro's home. It had five rooms, five bathrooms, a basement, an attic, a study and a whole lot to keep her busy. She had fallen in love with the Library the first time she saw it. He had just finished cleaning up the Galan case when the door chimed. She shut down the computer terminal and headed to the door. Varro had talked a lot about Marissa. She was looking forward to meeting her. This was a casual lunch so she padded down to the door in her thick warm socks, jeans, and a warm black turtleneck.

They had rested after the wedding and were still going through the gifts. Varro insisted that they write personal thank you cards for everyone. She smiled as she thought of her new husband. Her family had been thrilled when they learned of the marriage, his family...not so much.

Blaze was startled from her thoughts by Duchess her Great Dane. She gave the dog a pat on the head and then opened the door. Smiling she welcomed their visitor in. "Hello! Welcome."

"Hello," Marisa said, pleased to see that Blaze was also wearing jeans, although Marisa chose a sapphire-blue blouse. She bowed in greeting. "Thank you. I brought you a bottle of hand-pressed cider from Vulcan."

She grinned and accepted the gift. "I love Vulcan cider. Thank you." She waved Marisa in. "Come in please. You look amazing." While Blaze and Varro had many friends and acquaintances in common she knew little of his fleet life. "Soral's doing the cooking I'm terrible at it." She led the way to the cosy living room area. It was furnished with furniture from the late 1800s that all centred around a massive stone fire place, above which were the IDIC and the Romulan bird as tribute. The chairs, an off white and grey plaid pattern, were covered with silver throws and hold pillows. The room was dimmed for tranquility and it matched the sullen gray of the London foggy day. "Welcome to the study," Blaze said as she placed the cider on the drink tray. "Can I offer you something to drink?"

"What a beautiful room," Marisa said, looking around. "I am fine for now, but please, help yourself."

Blaze smiled, "Would you like a tour?" It was rare that Varro invited guests over. Blaze loved the house. Varro had asked her to decorate when he'd bought it. He'd known she loved decorating. She'd taken to the task taking in the historical side as well as the man who owned it.

"I would," Marisa said, returning her smile.

Blaze's excitement was obvious. She slipped her arm through Marisa's and led the woman up to the third floor. She stopped outside the double doors at the top in the Attic. The doors were heavy wood and intricately carved with Vulcan and Romulan symbols and others that looked ancient. She turned dramatically to Marisa. "From the moment Varro got this house he let me decorate it. Even before we were an item. This is by far one of his, and my, favourite rooms. " She turned and opened the door. Inside the room looked like a cross between a Vulcan shrine and a Romulan one. Green emerald statues and silk hung from the ceiling. Incense filled the room, citrusy smells with deep sandalwood. The room hummed with energy and light music played as they entered, calming, relaxing. Two pillows sat by what appeared to be a low table with candles, "This is the meditation chamber. This is where Varro comes to relax."

Marisa looked around. "Yes, this would be a very nice place to meditate." There was an air of peace that made it a welcoming place for contemplation.

Blaze smiled. When they had looked around the room she took her a level down to the bedrooms. "There are themed bedrooms all based on Varro's historical preferences." She took her room from room. Each one was themed differently. There was a room that was based on Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Bajor, Cardassia, and of course their bedroom themed after Romulus. Each room was more extravagant then the next. Finally she brought her to the main level. "Well you've seen the living room area, would you like to see Varro's favourite room in the house?"

"Sure," Marisa said. She was quite impressed with what he'd done so far. She was eager to see what rooms were his "favorite."

Smiling her dazzling smile Blaze led her to an intricately carved wooden door. It had been a wood ordered straight from Betazed, hard, heavy, and unyielding and that is why the carvings on it made it more rare. She entered a code that only she and Varro knew and the door lock clicked. She pushed hard at the brown wooden door and it swung in, aided by the levers and gears on the inside.

Marisa ran her hand along the front of the door appreciatively.

The large windows released a burst of light into the room momentarily blinding those that entered. When their eyes adjusted the sight that greeted them was breathtaking. Extremely high ceilings and an octagonal room that held a carved wooden desk, comfortable chairs, a fireplace and wall to wall, floor to floor, books of all kinds. Ladders that would need to be climbed to pull the books that were rolled when needed and beneath their feet a deep hunter green carpet. The windows were framed with heavy purple velvet curtains.

"Welcome to the library. Although he has a study he's put a desk in here so he can spend a lot of his down time here." Blaze let out a gleeful sound. "Have you ever seen so many books!"

Marisa looked around in awe. "Not in a house like this. This is truly spectacular." She grinned at Blaze. "I've always dreamed of a library like this. You're both very fortunate." She took several minutes to look at the books themselves to see what the library contained. It was absolutely amazing.

The library was filled will books from Vulcan, Romulus, Earth, and many other planets. It was filled with history, philosophy, and anything else you could as for under the sun. Blaze had that same awe that Marisa had when ever she walked in. "You are most welcome to come anytime and take any books for reading. Varro prefers books to PADDs. This room...well it's his prized possession. I just decorated but Varro...well he reads a lot. It was his escape when he was a child and he started collecting back then."

"I collect books, too, but it's hard to keep them with you on a starship," Marisa said, reverently touching a book or two. "This room is far too tempting. I'd never get anything else done." She grinned at Blaze. "Probably a good idea I won't get a place like this until I settle down." She appreciated the offer. If she staying on earth much longer, she might just take Blaze up on her offer and borrow a book.

Blaze studied the woman. "It's okay to take what you'd like with you. I'm sure Varro won't mind. Besides, there is only one book Varro is attached to and it's in that locked chest. Not even I have seen it. Other then that I'm sure it would be fine."

Before Marisa could answer Varro walked int. "What would be fine?" He asked. He walked over gave Blaze a quick kiss on the top of her head and greeted Marisa.

"That she takes a few books with her," Blaze said.

Varro smiled, something he rarely did, "Of course not. Please help yourself to any books that call to you."

Marisa smiled back. "Thank you. That's very kind." She glanced at the books again. "I may just take you up on that, depending on what history books you have."

He grinned, "I try to pick them all up as I find them. Now ladies lunch is served."

Blaze took Marisa under the arm and the two walked ahead of Varro. "Varro is a really good cook. I'm so happy you came to visit us."

"I am, too," Marisa admitted with a smile for her new friend.

They entered the extravagant kitchen with the chef's counter of stainless steel and new shiny appliances. Everything was old earth circa early two thousands AD. The delicious smells were overwhelming.

Varro spoke, "I made a few options. Vegetarian and a roast Turkey with the works."

"While I am half-Vulcan, I am also half-Human. I'll go for the turkey," Marisa said.

Blaze smiled. She settled herself by Marisa just as the kitchen door opened. A young man with intense blue eyes walked in. He had raven hair and his eyes seemed to be outlined in a black liner. He gave Blaze a hug an waved at Varro. "Hey pop."

Varro's eyebrow rose. "I told you not to call me that. Dad, father, all good. Pop not so much."

The boy grinned and sat across from Marisa, "Hi, I'm Ilan." He extended his hand.

Varro brought over the Turkey and other food and sat down. "Marisa this is my son Ilan."

The boy, in his early to mid twenties, obviously had no resemblance to Varro.

"Hi, I'm Marisa," she replied, shaking Ilan's hand. "At least it's not Papi," she said to Varro with a grin.

Varro rolled his eyes, "Don't encourage him."

Ilan smiled, "Whatever I call him he's a better father to me then the biological donator ever was." Ilan still had issues about Marcus although he shouldn't have brought them up. He looked at Varro. "Sorry."

Varro smiled at Ilan, "Not necessary. But how about we focus on the now rather then the past."

Ilan rasied an eyebrow at that, "Well! That's a first. Sounds good. How about you focus on a large plate of food for me."

Varro laughed, "You have no filter." He shook his head. He piled a full plate and handed it to Marisa, "Guests first."

"It takes a few years to develop that skill," Marisa said, taking the plate with a smile of thanks.

Blaze finished serving everyone. As they sat together and began eating Blaze turned to Marisa. "So tell me a bit about yourself." She said.

"I was born on Vulcan, but my family eventually moved to earth, so I have learned to appreciate both cultures," Marisa said. "Much like Varro. By trade I am a scientist who specializes in history, archaeology and anthropology. What about you?" She wasn't going to mention that she had also been a counselor until recently.

Blaze looked impressed. "Wow, sounds like you did a lot of studying." Blaze took a drink of her wine, "I was in the academy for a while but a path lead me down a different road. I trained as a body guard with Galaxy Guard and then opened my own bounty hunting business, with Varro's help. I am now a certified bounty hunter and body guard. I also did a private degree on New Romulus for Galactic Archeology and just am finishing my thesis for my PHD."

Varry looked over at the counselor and spoke, "I did not know you had a history degree. What is your speciality?"

"In history I focused on Pre-Columbian Central and South America, Medieval Europe, and 18th Century North America," Marissa said. "I studied the Incan and Mayan cultures which tied in nicely with my love of archaeology and anthropology," she said to Varro.

Then Marisa turned to Blaze. "What's the subject of your thesis?"

Blazes' eyes sparkled, "Ohh well mine is on the importance of adopting more primitive Archeological methods and how it will benefit not only the artifacts found but provide a more accurate assessment. Of course not in all things there are exceptions to the rule, exceptions such as artifact dating techniques." She smiled at Marisa, "Earth's Medieval European history always interested me too." She gestured to Varro, "For him it was always Ancient Civilizations."

The dinner progressed and soon only Varro and Marisa sat in the living room. Ilan had retired for the night and Blaze was making coffee and dessert. Varro and Marisa had talked about the ship, what had happened and now they sat talking about the future. "So where to from here?"

"I don't know," Marisa said. "That depends on what opportunities come my way. What about you?"

He shrugged, "I have been looking at returning to space. I will be looking at openings. I just...have a hesitancy to it."

"Yes. After the past few months, there is definitely that," Marisa said. As much as she wanted to move forward, she could not escape the affect Kreanus had on her. "I'm just hoping someone will accept me. So far, everywhere I've applied I've either been rejected outright or the position was already filled. It's been a lot tougher than I anticipated."

Varro studied her a moment. "Kreanus was difficult," he said as if reading her thoughts. What she didn't know was that his thoughts mirrored her own. "I'm sure that what happened has been spreading through the fleet. I wonder if that might be the cause for the rejections. I've heard from many that this is an issue. I've also heard that they are rebuilding the Galileo. A rumour but I find that there is always truth in rumours no matter how small. Would you consider that ship again?"

"I applied for the new Galileo," Marisa admitted. "I was rejected." She shrugged. "As you said, word of Kreanus is spreading. I'm considering taking a leave of absence to get back to field work if I can't get an assignment on a starship. It might be good to get away for a year or two and focus on history and archaeology. What about you? Are you considering applying to the new ship?"

He thought a moment. "Sounds like you have a plan but I would apply again. Since you seem to like science and hold degrees have you thought about another posting...I mean other then a counselor? As for me I will be looking into what positions are available where and then applying."

Marisa hesitated. "I am not longer counseling. I'm now working in science. A leftover from Kreanus."

Varro studied her, " I don't think I understand...What do you mean by left over from Kreanus." She'd been a great counselor. What would make her want to quit?

She paused, wondering how much she should tell him. "Starfleet Medical thinks I need to take some time away from counseling because I have unresolved issues from my time on Kreanus. Namely, I have not come to terms with the death of several of my friends and my inability to be there when they needed me."

Varro sat forward a bit, " What happened at Kreanus wasn't easy for any of us. We lost some good people there but you cannot, and I mean this, you cannot blame yourself nor think that you were not there. You did the best that you could. You fought the best way you could and I know that you were there for people when we were on the planet. You held strong and you didn't yield and that was not a weakness it was a strength." He gently took her hands, "Marisa," he started using her first name for the first time. "You cannot let what happened steal from you that which you love. I can understand taking a break, taking some time, trying something new but never doubt your bravery during that time."

Marisa smiled, grateful for his concern. "Thank you, my friend. Science has always been my first love. Counseling...we shall see how things go."

Varro allowed himself a smile, "As long as you are doing what you love. My door is always open for a chat."

OFF

Lieutenant JG Marisa Sandoval
USS Galileo

Ambassador Soral Varro
Diplomatic Officer
Earth

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