After Grass

Posted on 29 Dec 2012 @ 2:14pm by Lieutenant Kiri Cho & Lieutenant Theron Rhodes

2,347 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: Vega Colony, Galileo Crash Site
Timeline: MD 06 1900

[ON]

Everything packed away and transported back to the ship Kiri felt rather tired again. With a deep breath she knelt down in the grass, brushing it with her fingers. She was tired and worn out, her limbs felt stiff and her shoulder hurt. The sun was setting and wanted to take a moment to watch it. A moments rest before going back to working on the sensor upgrades. Going until she couldn't and more, then finally maybe, giving up and trying to sleep. There was a chance maybe she wouldn't have those dreams again, she wouldn't suffer. Already she was scared of sleep though, which was why she looked so harrowed lately. Her back was to the ship and she had thought everyone was already gone. Suddenly there was a noise behind her though, causing her to whip her head round.

Theron stood there with a gentle encouraging smile. "It has been a very good day." It was more of a statement, than a question.

For Kiri, well at least it had been a good evening, "Yes," She lied. Looking up at him she could feel the temperature starting to drop. Placing her hands between her knees she remained on the ground a moment longer, "Did you enjoy it?"

"Of course I did." Theron stated with a smile. Then looking concerned, but tried to encourage her, "And you should too."

Standing up she brought her arms about herself, "Yes," She could agree that maybe she should have enjoyed it. Shooting hadn't been that negative, neither was her brief victory. Yet she couldn't shake how she'd not really been of any use, her head was so fuzzy it started to spin.

"Are you okay?" Theron asked, seeing that she seemd a little uncertain on her feet.

"I am fine, sorry," She forced a smile and planted her feet firmly on the ground. That morning had been the most horrible of her life so far, the fact she might have to go through it again tonight made her judder. She wanted to scream, to shout at someone to fix it, but they would likely send her away if she did that. Squinting into the distance she spoke after a long pause, "I was thinking about watching the sunset."

"Ya know." Theron said softly and smiled, relaxing his shoulders. "I think that is a great idea."

It meant not going to bed, that made it a grand idea in her eyes. It took a while before she gathered what he might be meaning, "Did you want to stay?"

Theron looked right then left, getting his bearings. He calculated that the Vegan sun would set in about 30-40 minutes. Pointing over to the right, there is a large rock on the top of that rise over there. "We could sit there and do just that." The hill he had pointed to was only 80 meters away. He hoped that would not be too much to ask.

Kiri took that as a yes, while she didn't feel a need to climb a rock she didn't protest. Nodding she took a step but waited for him to take the lead, it wasn't something she had done with another person before. Many times she had watched the sunset on Earth alone, it was never a social activity before. What sort of context was it in, what should she do?

Theron saw her hesitation and walked ahead of her, glancing back fro
Time to time making sure she was doing fine. As they approached the top of he hill Theron held up a hand of warning.

Kiri came to a staggering halt, she'd been mindlessly blundering forwards half trying of think about the situation half asleep. Looking around she didn't see anything and looked back to him rather confused.

He pulled out his tricorder and glanced back, "I just want to make sure that no indigenous life forms will bother us. Many live under rocks. Activating the device, he scanned the surrounding area. Then smiling and looking at Kiri, as he put it away, "We should be fine. Just a few insects."

That meant no people either didn't it? So they were alone here, part of that made her more comfortable, another made her rather worried. Clambering slowly up the rock Kiri took a seat at the top, looking out at the setting sun in silence.

Theron allowed her to get settled before he followed her up onto the rock. He carefully sat down on her left side, just forward of her a little so that his lower legs could dangle off the rock. He did not turn around, but just looked out upon the wide horizon before them. The Vegan sun was close to setting. The atmospheric inconsistencies were causing what appeared to be layers in the sky for the sun to slowly fall through. He did not have the opportunity to see this kind of natural beauty with his own eyes very often. He was enjoying this moment immensely.

Kiri enjoyed it, her brain was allowed to slouch for a few minutes as she disregarded everything. How tired she was didn't seem to matter, how the training had gone, the fact that anyone was remotely close to her. Watching a spectrum of colours as the distant star sunk lower into the horizon she shivered slightly, not noticing it herself.

They sat in silence as the sun began crossing the horizon. It was a good time of silence. Sitting slightly forward of Kiri, Theron could not see any actions or reactions. In a way, she was there by herself.

Then, as the last of the Vegan sun went below, and the last of it's direct light went out, a large bird lauched into flight up through the spectacular colors. "Did you see that?!" Theron exclaimed. He chose not to turn to see Kiri, but continued watching the bird until it was out of sight.

Kiri watched its long tails, but didn't say anything, just nodding. It almost took her as a dragon, a small one. Lifting her knees to her chest she watched as the light started to fade, this planet seemed to spin faster than Earth.

Theron was not much of an animal lover or pet owner, but he could appreciate a beautiful animal in nature. He then turned to Kiri. The soft lights of dusk gave her a gentle glow about her face. Theron found it odd when his throat went instantly dry and he couldn't think of a thing to say.

If his home world had no room for animals then, did it had room for sunsets like this? There couldn't be large expanses of grass so large that they might be a sea could there? Was it clean, were there smoke stacks, did it matter. Her mind was listless as well as tired, it didn't focus on any one topic for deciding it was too hard to think about, Kiri's head drooped to the side slightly as she asked, "Do you watch sunsets at home?" Her voice was distant, her eyes brushed over him before twisting up towards the sky, the stars were starting to appear.

Her question brought his focus back to the world. Blinking from her beauty he looked to the darkening dusk. "It is not something that is done or appreciated much on Tandar." After a moment he added gentle voice with meaning. "I am truely learning to appreciate the beauty around me." He glanced over his shoulder. She still had her eyes closed. He watched her enjoy the moment in her own way as wisps of her hair played about her face.

Kiri slumped her head forwards and opened her eyes, rather surprised that he was looking at her now. Cheeks flushing slightly she looked away, she was acting weird wasn't she? Rather than remain silent she babbled, "I'd like to see the sunset on Decru's Four one day. Every few years the Trinary stars all set just after each other, it's meant to be very pretty." No one lived on the planet, but it was safe to stand on, there was just very little to eat since all the plants were toxic.

"That sounds like a wonderful adventure to look forward to." Theron looked back toward the darkening sky. He knew it was time to start back to the ship, but did not want to bring it up yet.

Kiri nodded, but didn't say anything. It was nice to be silent right now. Another shiver juddered through her body and this time she felt it, wrapping her arms around her chest. The training uniform she was wearing wasn't designed for warmth.

Theron felt and then saw Kiri shudder out of the corner of his eye. After getting to his feet he said, "It looks like you may be ready to go." and extended a hand down to help her up.

Hesitantly Kiri took his hand but put no weight on it as she rose to her feet. Clenching her eyes shut with weariness she manged a small smile as they opened, "Thank you." Keeping her arms wrapped around herself she started to descend the rock, thinking hard about what had happened today or at least trying to.

"Hey." Theron called out.

Kiri turned and forced down a yawn that threatened to escape, wondering what on earth he was calling after her for.

"We do not have to go any further in this weather." Theron said looking at Kiri almost shivering. "We can be transported directly from here."

"It's not far," She answered, "It'll only take a few minutes." She had been raised to waste as little energy as possible and it seemed lazy to use transporters just because she was a little bit cold. It wasn't going to kill her to walk back, it was just uncomfortable.

Theron thought through the situation again and wanting to respect her wishes, finally said with an understanding smile , "Alright then, if you are sure." Looking about them on the ground to make sure they had not left anything, then said, "Lead on my friend."

Friend, that made her smile even in her current state. Keeping a somewhat brisk pace she spoke very softly, "Thank you."

Theron followed for the first minute or so, just a step being Kiri. He was trying to put the day's events into perspective. Theron found Kiri to be a fine young woman. She was very reserved to the point of isolation. But in the few days on the Vega Colony, She had been involved in several activities that had shown at least a desire to be with people and not away from them all the time. He very much enjoyed spending time with her and getting to know her as a friend, but felt no emotional connection. He felt sorry for her at times, like he would for a little sister, but would not disrespect her by saying that directly to her. She was beautiful and lovely, but if he was looking for an emotional relationship, she would not be his choice. He smiled with confidence knowing that he definately wanted Kiri to be his friend.

In turn Kiri didn't know what to make of Theron. He wasn't as scary as Cyrus and he didn't speak as much. He spent more time with her than anyone else over the last few days and she had enjoyed it. Though he didn't have a face she was used to it wasn't hard to look at. His voice was nice and he didn't make her uncomfortable. When he produced that picnic for her yesterday there had been a moment when she thought something else about him. The first time she had thought something like that about someone for quite a while. It had passed though and she doubted he felt that way about her, she dare not focus on such thoughts. Struggling as she was with accepting that her idealist notion of friends might not exist, let alone her idealist notion of romance.

Theron caught up to her, side by side as they walked as they crested a hill. There they could see the Galileo standing on its landing struts, glowing in the dim light of dusk. Beacon lights were lit on its perimeter, as well as, under the craft, where what looked like more loading was taking place.

"Thank you for coming to sit with me," If you didn't I'd have been lonely. Getting attention without asking for it or even acting to display she wanted it was something she wanted. It was something she wanted in spades and he had given her a small taste, it was nice. Being polite was the only way she had to return that.

"You are welcome Kiri." Theron replied as they stopped before approaching the ship further. "I have enjoyed the time with you. It has been good to get away from the ship and crew for a while."

"Me too," She nodded and turned to him confused why he had stopped. Rubbing her shoulders she asked, "Is something wrong?"

"No." He said solmnly, "I has been a long day."

It had been even longer for her but she wouldn't say it. Having started her morning in tears before going to sickbay for her injuries. Waiting for him to catch up she kept waiting with her eyes closed.

He finally added, "My mind is already thinking of other issues, upon seeing the ship." He smiled to her, yet behind the smile was things unsaid. He had found that he had enjoyed their time, but did not want to become exclusive with this person.

Her mind was on bed but not sleeping. To curl up and pretend to sleep, maybe she could trick herself into thinking it was real. Then she wouldn't be so tired, she wouldn't find it so hard to focus or walk. At least it would be warm in her bed.

[OFF]
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Lieutenant (JG) Kiri Cho
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

Lt. Theron Rhodes
Asst. Chief of Security
USS Galileo

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