The Path Not Taken: A Day In Okinawa (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on 28 Dec 2023 @ 2:24pm by Lieutenant JG Montgomery Vala & Ensign S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor

2,014 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 19 - Tomorrow's Galileo
Location: Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, Earth
Timeline: Early 2396

Previously on The Path Not Taken: A Day In Okinawa...

The hour walk to return to their home was enough time to order her thoughts again. As she walked up to the covered porch that extended around the perimeter of their house she saw some wrapped in cloth on the deck in front of her door. After the news today, the unknown object filled her with trepidation, but she crouched down, placing her bag and the melon next to the brightly wrapped object and untied the fabric. Inside was a basket filled with vegetables, hakusai, mizuna, and kabu, no doubt from her neighbor’s garden. An offering of thanks.

She gathered up all of the goods from her porch and brought it in the house and put the food stuffs in the stasis unit to keep the items fresh until use. Tilting her head, Sera considered the time; Montgomery would be returning home shortly.

She walked over to the main room and crouched to open a low credenza against the wall and pulled out a bottle which contained a vibrant blue liquid and two rocks glasses. Pouring out two servings, Sera returned the bottle to the small cubby and closed the door. She walked through the opened rice-paper doors out onto the covered porch that overlooked the tranquil garden and sat on one of the pillows, placing the glasses on the low table set between the two ‘seats’ and waited patiently for Montgomery to arrive.

And Now, the Continuation...

[ON]

===Evening===

The municipal transporters lay on the very edge of Bise, a fifteen minute walk from their little home. Vala moved at a steady pace, doing his best to take in and enjoy the quaint environment. He was, of course, looking forward to seeing S'Ers-a, but he hated to rush through the community that he now called home.

He knew this village well, he had lived here during his last stint at Daystrom several years prior. It was a quiet place and the locals kept mostly to themselves. He enjoyed the tranquility. Particularly now the sun was setting. It cast a warm, golden hue over the streets. He wandered past small, traditional houses, their wooden frames and paper windows adding a touch of rustic charm amidst some of the signs of the technology of the era. The air was filled with the salty tang of the sea and the faint sounds of waves lapping against the shore.

As he walked, he passed by locals who acknowledged him with only a look. He knew this was not meant as rudeness, it was just the way of things here. Few non-humans chose to live in such rural conditions. He was sure a few of the glances were prompted by today's news, but things did not feel much different to the day before.

The street was adorned with hanging lanterns that started to glow softly as the evening crept in. Vala breathed deeply as a gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly cooked seafood from a nearby restaurant, which he could not help but savour. He glanced around as he neared their tiny street. Flowers in small pots added splashes of colour to the wooden balconies of the houses. Cats lounged lazily in the fading sunlight, watching the world go by with sleepy eyes.

As he reached the end of the street, he paused to gaze at the horizon through the fukugi trees, where the ocean met the sky. For just a moment, he felt a sense of serenity and connection to this charming corner of Earth. He turned down the narrow path to their dwelling, already sensing that S'Ers-a was anticipating his arrival.

Sliding the door open, Vala was immediately met by the curious cat they shared the dwelling with. It gave a little chirp and weaved around his legs until he bent down to give it a long, slow stroke from its head to its tail. He smiled a little. The small creature was a strange being. It seemed to possess a spirit of mischief, and often caused chaos. Its adorable nature meant it was difficult to ever be frustrated by this reality though.

He looked up from his stroking duty and saw S'Ers-a atop a pillow on the opposite side of the room. She was stunning as ever. He smiled widely, the monotony of the day departing his mind in an instant, "Y'hhau, Rhiana, e'lev," he said softly in Rihannsu as he crossed the room, "I confess I have missed you more than usual today."

Sera looked over her shoulder and gazed upon her mate. This was her most preferred time of day. He was back within her presence, and all was well. She rose from her pillow and grabbed the two rocks glasses and walked towards him with slow mincing steps. Y’hhau, Varin. How…” Sera’s normal inquiry halted. He did not have an agreeable day. Not with the news. ”I have missed you as well, Ashayam.. She substituted instead, holding out the glass to him.

He accepted the vessel with a bow of his head, the sanctuary of their home closing around him. The space felt like the only thing that was truly theirs. Outside there was chaos and violence in the galaxy, but here they could afford to focus purely on each other. No xenogeology, no holovids, no glances. It was truly a home.

“It has been a… trying day,” he said softly, before taking a sip from the glass, “I do not know if you heard, but the Star Empire joined the war…”

”I was informed when I went into the city. A customer chastised Suki-san for serving me. She erroneously… Sera halted. Continuing the statement was unnecessary and she did not want to bring any further conflict within their home. “Did you know they deliver? Suki-san gave me her ‘business card.’ It may be something to consider.“ Sera took a sip of the kali-fal after her statement. The cool blue liquid belied a fiery nature. She found the dichotomy within the intoxicant to be quite satisfactory.

“She thought you a Rihannsu,” he finished her sentence for her. It was bound to happen, now more than ever. The Vulcans of the Institute lived on site, and rarely left. “We should not have to hide like hlai'hwy…” He shook his head then sighed. There was no sense in getting upset about it. They would face these challenges together.

Sera decided to change the subject. No good would come of it. ”My apologies, Varin. I was delayed today getting to town so I was not able to prepare end-meal. Perhaps we could go to the restaurant by the wharf, the one overlooking the ocean. Sera had felt that such a suggestion would be well-received.

“You do not need to apologise, e'lev, it would be extremely pleasant to sit by the ocean and eat with you.” He smiled at her, then brought his hand up to stroke her cheek lightly, “Lets finish our drink then proceed.”

Sera did not need to be told twice. She tilted the rocks glass back and imbibed the rest to the kali-fal. She may have made an inadvertent facial expression from the potency of the liquid as it ran down her throat.

Vala chuckled a little, “It’s more of a… sipping drink,” he said, then shrugged and mirrored the action. Having access to kali-fal was one of the silver linings of being forced to leave the Galileo. Their home was not a dry one.

“Shall we,” Vala said graciously, walking over to the door and sliding it open for her, “The evening is quite beautiful I think.”

–

The walk to the small restaurant located off the fishing pier was a pleasant one. Although the weather overall for Okinawa was cooler than what Sera was used to, it was not outright disagreeable. They walked down the sandy paths, close enough to take each other’s hand if they so desired. However, such intimacies were better suited within their home, away from any prying eyes.

“You were agitated today.” Sera began by way of conversation as they made their way to the restaurant.

“I was. I am,” he shook his head a little, “I always am. What I do here is purposeless, and it has led you to a similar fate.” He tried not to feel guilty about it. They were one and they suffered and celebrated together, but it was a situation that, while out of his control, was caused by his background. “I would be happier if I knew what they intended for me. For us,” he referred to his fellow Rihannsu, “I got another rejected transfer request today…”

”Such a response was not unexpected. We could transition the storage room into a lab of sorts; you could study what you desired there at least? It had been offered before, but Montgomery had declined. She had been feeling his increasing discontent through their bond, and not being able to affect meaningful change was distressing for her.


“I…” He sighed. It was a beautiful gesture. “Our home is perfect. I do not need to focus on research when I am there. I only wish to focus on you.”

Sera tipped her head in acknowledgment ”I only, as always, seek your happiness.” She paused for a moment then continued in Standard, “Our neighbor’s condenser broke today. I repaired it for her when the sound of her disagreement with the repairman reached our garden. She gave us a varied assortment of vegetation in return. I believe I shall inquire if she has any further needs tomorrow.”

“That is kind of you, e'lev,” he spoke softly, happy that she had made a connection in this isolated place. The soft light of the lanterns cast a red sheen over the road and nearby buildings. It had a striking effect. “I am sure there are many here who would appreciate your skills if they knew how effective you are.”

“Perhaps once.” Sera pointed out. “After maintaining a warp core, the vast majority of technological components found in Terran homes are rather…rudimentary in their design and application.” Sera responded easily, finding it no challenge at all to slip back into the technical side of things. Although illogical to miss what could not be, Sera was feeling rather restless. This was not quite the life she had envisioned, but she was with Montgomery, and therefore it was more than adequate.

“Of course,” he nodded, “Of course. It is quite ironic in a way that Daystrom is situated alongside some of these idyllic islands of tradition. Were we situated in most other places you would have gainful employment doing something… well… interesting.” He bit the inside of his mouth in thought, “I could enquire as to whether there is a position for you at Daystrom?”

Sera looked down and dipped her head in a negative gesture. “Unnecessary. Given where you and your colleagues have been placed, they would inevitably give me an assignment that would prove to be disagreeable. Besides, who would protect our domicile from the cat?”

Vala smiled and wordlessly accepted her refusal. Surely their circumstances would change in the near future…

They reached the small restaurant, the server bowed to them both and showed them to a table in the corner which opened up onto the ocean and the beauty of Sol setting on the horizon. Sera lowered herself onto the mat and tucked her legs under the table, into the square shaped depression underneath designed for such.

To be continued...

[OFF]

LTCMDR Montgomery Vala
Chair of Xenogeology
Department of Xenogeology, Daystrom Institute

S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor
First Born daughter of Clan Lyr'Zor
Currently between jobs

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