Betazed Story collection - Sakarra Tyrax

"Innocence" - Part I

[Vathax Mountains]

Okalan sighed in exasperation. She was up to something again. Looking out over the clear mountain lake where a few participants of the family picnic were enjoying themselves immensely by the sound of it, he already knew he would not find her there. No, she was … closing his eyes for a moment, he sought out a very distinct mind, which right now was vibrating with happy excitement and the usual mischievous tinge to it … up there. Trying to peer through the dense jungle foliage the young man noticed some cliffs lined with Versina crystals and overgrown with flowering Toyar. Of course.

Looking back towards the group of Betazoids - plus one Vulcan, strangely beautiful in Betazoid attire - still seated in the shade of an enormous tree, he heard some of the amiable voices engaged in a friendly argument. “Now dear, you know Uttaberries don’t agree with your ….” “If you hadn’t eaten all the Oskoids your wife would…” “The argument is illogical, since the berries are all that is left…”

Chuckling to himself, Okalan Enaren of Betazed’s Fourth House wondered not for the first time how a lady from an alien planet so unlike this lush and lively world could move so gracefully amongst people who, by her standards, were the complete opposite of the spectrum. Wildly emotional and happily so, all the while ignoring all sense of Vulcan decency and privacy by casually tossing thoughts and emotions at their friends and fully expecting to receive the same in return. Still, if T’Sora wasn’t Vulcan, he’d swear she was loving every minute of it…

Returning his thoughts to a more immediate concern, Okalan sent a silent question towards Rel Tyrax, who was still attempting to regain possession of the disputed bowl, spilling some of the sweet Uttaberries in the process. The older Betazoid’s mind immediately focused on him, and the esteemed Lady Yulana Enaren, Ambassador Extraordinaire to the Federation, used the distraction to settle the dispute once and for all by snatching the bowl with a speed that would have put a Wanoni Tracehound to shame. Daring her old friend Rel to defy her with a look that clearly spelled “diplomatic incident”, Yulana graciously offered the hard-won berries to her favorite Vulcan.

Rel indicated his unconditional surrender to the forces that be by throwing up his hands and smiling gently, then nodded in Okalan’s direction. ‘Go ahead - and if you find some more berries, don’t hesitate to…’ ‘Oh, first you spill them, then you make my grandson bring more?’ ‘Since he’s going to find my wayward daughter anyways….’ The young man decided to ignore the amusement that erupted from the group - they were clearly thinking he had some type of ulterior motive for looking after his childhood friend - and made off towards the cliffs.

Pushing aside another tall fern, Okalan finally emerged at a small clearing. Which was just as well, because two more steps and he would have ended up in one of the small lakes that dotted this part of the mountains. Plucking some obnoxious burrs from his shirt, he scanned the cliffs overlooking the water. ‘Kara? Where are you?

“Up here, Lan!” his friends cheerful voice answered through a rustling of leaves. He followed the sound and found her - oh Four Deities, have mercy!- balancing on a branch near the top of the cliffs, reaching for an outcropping in the rock. Before he could shout a warning, her muscles tensed and she jumped, more crashing than landing on the frighteningly narrow ledge. Undeterred by the sound of pebbles falling away, she continued to climb towards the peak, pausing only briefly to wave reassuringly at Okalan who stood transfixed about 25 meters below.

Unable to utter a sound ‘if she falls, there’s no way … why is she…where are her ..’ , the young Betazoid saw Sakarra reach her destination, and found the answer to his questions when his frantic eyes caught a glimpse of the heap of clothes, carelessly flung into the soft grass.

“’Kara, NO!” he yelled, when he finally figured out what she had planned all along - but as usual, she didn’t listen. Okalan felt his mouth go dry as he watched the figure atop the cliff take in the splendid view “I can see grandma’s house from here!” and then, with a happy laugh, leap out into the air, arms spread wide like a bird taking flight. ‘Cliff diving into a lake she doesn’t even know‘, Okalan thought while racing around the water to the far side, where she should - where WAS she? He had heard the splashing of water, but now Sakarra was nowhere to be seen. No no NO this time she really got hurt…

“Oh goodness, COLD!” sounded a cheerful voice and Okalan felt his heart jump with both relief and joy. She was paddling towards the shore, and he slowly walked over to meet her. “’Kara, one of these days you’re going to give me a heart attack. One of these days you’re going to give yourself one. What were you THINKING…” You’re such a worrier, Lan

Still grinning, the young woman pulled herself up onto one of the boulders lining the lake and started squeezing water out of her hair. Stop giving me reason to, then! Your body isn’t meant to handle this cold water, and as for your relative weight…

Vulcans aren’t exactly first class swimmers, I know. But I AM half Betazoid, Lan

“You know, sometimes I wish you were a little more Betazoid” he said scrambling up to the boulder “NO empath would have done what you did after sensing how scared I was!” “As I said, you’re a worrier” she turned to face her old friend, her expression softening when she saw the deep frown on his handsome features. “But I’m sorry I scared you. Friends?” She held out her hand to him and he grabbed it with a sigh, noting with relief that it was almost as warm as it was supposed to be. “Ever and always, ‘Kara. You know that!” and with a little mischief of his own he added “but if we had an audience right now, they’d probably suspect something… a little more”

She looked back at him with a blank expression, then burst out laughing as realization dawned. "Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind; The thief doth fear each bush an officer" Sakarra answered mockingly, poking Okalan’s shoulder. “Hm, Henry six?” he grinned back at her “and I plead not guilty on grounds of possibly complete insanity.” “Four, actually” Sakarra decided it might be a good idea after all to get back into her clothes, since a light breeze had started to rustle the leaves around them and she was starting to feel a bit chilly. “Insanity?” sliding off the boulder, she started walking back towards the patch of grass on the other side of the lake, her arm companionably wrapped around Okalan’s.

“Absolutely” he nodded, “as some of my friends and parts of both our families would not hesitate to point out” “Lan, not THAT subject again, please…” “Think of it like that, ‘Kara; as long as they believe - whatever they believe - there’s fewer admirers you have to fight off”

“Right….” Sakarra frowned. They had reached the spot where she had left her clothes and she started to pull the first layer of the dress over her head “You make it sound like… help me with this, will you?” Okalan couldn’t help but chuckle at the sound of Sakarra’s muffled voice and gently untangled her wet hair from the lacing. “Oh, better, thanks. You make it sound like half of Betazed’s eligible male population is standing in line at grandma’s door” “Last I heard it was more like two third” he answered teasingly, quickly dodging the smack that was about to connect with the back of his head.

“Whatever you say, Okalan Enaren” she grumbled, adjusting the upper layer of her dress and brushing some grass off it. “But you MAY have noticed I do not exactly conform to Betazoid beauty ideals. I therefore submit you’re exaggerating as usual.” and in a softer voice she added “but I appreciate the badly hidden compliment I think you were trying to make me” “And you’re missing the point as usual, Sakarra Tyrax”

Okalan smiled at his friend, who was currently trying to put on her sandals while at the same time pulling a branch out of her dark curls - how that had gotten there, the Deities only knew - and pondered what she had said. True, she was rather lean and long-legged instead of curvy, and her skin had her mother’s copper-tone rather than the golden-bronze of a Betazoid who spends much time outdoors or the elegant ivory of one who doesn‘t. But he personally knew at least two young men who found precisely that her most endearing features. And several others who couldn’t care less what she looked like and were simply drawn to her vibrant, if sometimes unpredictable personality. He also knew that telling her any of those things would be pointless.

“Then enlighten me, please” she had finally managed to get into the footwear and stood up, vigorously shaking out her dress. “Huh?” “The point I supposedly missed!” “It’s the ears” he said with a grin “They’re just irresistible, you know?” and remembering Rel’s request he added “What do you say we find some more Uttaberries for the hungry bunch down there?” “Berries it is” she laughed “I think I saw some on the way up here” and with a leap she was off into the underbrush, waving for him to follow.

"O! she doth teach the torches to burn bright". Okalan thought, shaking his head slowly as he carefully navigated his way through the trees “That old earth writer must have known someone just like her. Wonder if he got into that much trouble for it, too….”

Botany and the Cactus

[Arandel]

“You’re coming in too steep, Sehlat. You’re going to miss your donut” “Then I’ll have a cookie instead, Moshe” the young woman chuckled, leveling her aircraft’s descent a bit for the sake of avoiding an argument. Her eyes were already fixed on her target and she knew intuitively that she wouldn’t miss this one any more than she had the previous ones. “Just need to show off, don’t you?” Moshe Astrun of Arandel Flight Control joined in Sakarra’s laughter but quickly got serious again “target confirmed, you have a go” “I thought you’d never ask” with a grin Sakarra tilted the small atmospheric fighter’s nose and shot down the practice drone in an almost leisurely manner before banking sharply to port, accelerating fast, then turning the craft into an upward spiral. “Whatcha doing up there, dancing a Tango? Crew Chief’s going to have your head on a platter if you make a mess of his baby again!” “Moshe, let a girl feel the wind under her wings a little and stop acting like a mother hen. And I didn’t make a mess of his baby, those scratches were barely visible!” Still, one didn’t antagonize the ground crew unless one was looking for serious grief, so Sakarra opted to be a good girl for once. She stopped her ascent, leveling out just under the pink cloud cover and marveled at the sight of Betazed’s sun setting in the distance.

“Humph, from what I hear you still had half a tree stuck under that wing. And speaking of hens - time to return to the nest, Sehlat.” Moshe sounded still mildly amused “Got you cleared for Two-East - no other traffic so come as you are” “Roger that, Arandel.” The young woman went through her routine - weapons safe, engines and landing gear good to go… “By the way, have you thought about sticking with us yet? I mean, botany… come ON!” Sakarra chuckled again at the slightly scornful tone of Moshe’s voice “Thought about it, still thinking about it, will continue to think about it a little more. And don’t you say botany in that tone of voice either. Some plants can be positively vicious, you know?”

But truth be told, Sakarra could understand Moshe’s doggedness in getting an answer. Betazed’s tiny planetary defense force was grateful for anyone who signed up, since most Betazoids still found the whole idea of joining any type of military organization rather repugnant, no matter how informal and non-militaristic. Even the occupation had not quite changed the pacifist mindset of the people inhabiting the “Jewel of the Outer Crown”, although some concessions had been made. A little over two decades ago Betazed had learned the most bitter lesson of them all - that even those who wish no one harm cannot count on being left in peace.

With a small shudder the young woman thought about the few instances when her grandmother had remembered those times - thoughts, images, sensations still vivid in the elder lady’s mind - and the horrible price they’d had to pay to drive the Dominion off their home planet. But now as then it was painfully clear that if Starfleet couldn’t help them in an emergency, they were still ill equipped to defend themselves, new orbital defense system notwithstanding. Trying to contribute to her home’s defense, in whatever small way, was certainly a worthy undertaking.

But just as Sakarra knew that flying would always remain her first love, she also knew with every fiber of her being that she wanted to go out and explore. Be it toddling behind her father through Betazed’s wilderness or fly through space with M’aih, nothing could compare to the sense of awe and wonder she experienced during those times. The young woman vividly remembered the time M’aih had taken her to an observation window on the Bellerophon to show her the magnificent swirls of a class 3 nebula - she must have been two years old, maybe three. So fascinated she had been, so completely enchanted, she had barely been able to believe her mother when she’d said there were many more like this in the galaxy. Some similar, none ever quite the same. In her own way, T’Sora had given her daughter a first idea of “Infinite Diversity” and the expeditions with her father had only served to increase Sakarra’s curiosity and appreciation for the wonders of nature. There was something deeply satisfying about working with plants, from uncovering the delicate balance of an ecosystem to watching a tiny seedling sprout, knowing it would one day become a majestic tree. Botany boring? Sakarra smiled. Only people who’d never experienced the adventure of wandering through a jungle in search of a rare orchid could say such a thing and mean it.

“Vicious, huh? That would explain why my neighbor’s cactus fell on my head last week. I knew that thing never liked me!” obviously Moshe had decided not to press the matter any further. “That particular incident is probably more likely to be blamed on your neighbor’s wife, Moshe. As I recall, she wasn’t too happy about a bunch of rowdy flyboys trampling through her flowerbeds in search of you. Serves you right, too, after you left us hanging with the bar tab!” Sakarra finally approached the runway and, just to spite Moshe who was probably expecting her to pull off some last minute mischief, she performed a textbook touchdown. “Speaking of bar, Sehlat. That’s ten for ten for you today and the drinks are on you. Nice landing by the way, are you sure you’re feeling alright?” “Oh, go eat a cactus, Moshe!”

"Innocence" - Part II

[City of Rixx - outside the bar known as “Drunken Spaceman“]

‘I told you, you should have brought a coat’

‘Lan, it’s late SPRING in the name of…’

‘Uh, mind your manners ‘Kara what would your grandma say…’

Shivering slightly in the cool evening air, the young woman wrapped her arms around herself. But she’d be DA .. Well, anyways, she was NOT going to admit that both grandma and Okalan had been right… again. Eyeing her friend suspiciously, Sakarra noticed that at least he was not laughing at her. Trying hard not to, anyways.

‘You sure about this? They’re a bit of a rowdy bunch, you know?’

‘Yes, you only told me that about a hundred times’

The young Betazoid finally couldn’t help himself any more and started laughing, gripping his friend’s hand who by now had put on her best “Fine, see what it’ll get you” face. Going away party indeed.

“I’ll have to get used to it anyways, ‘Kara. Starfleet is just as mixed a bunch as your flyboy friends and guess who does the flying on starships” “Whatever you say, Lan. And by the way, two of them are flyGIRLS” “You don’t say” his grin could have meant anything. With a snort Sakarra started towards the “Drunken Spaceman“, dragging Okalan behind her. From the sound of it, most of the bar’s regulars had already arrived; as Sakarra pushed open the old wooden door they were greeted by enough noise to drown out a starting fighter. The deafening sound of happy conversations, clinking of glasses and shouting for more drinks quickly turned into cheers of welcome, and the two young people found themselves more dragged than led towards the corner where - naturally - the noisiest bunch of them all had set up camp.

“Sehlat, about bloody time!” “Moshe, Renn, Kolan, Mira, James, Sirta - meet Okalan Enaren” “We got ourselves a SPACE CADET!” The group broke out into happy laughter and slapped a smiling Okalan on the shoulders, only ‘SnowFox’ Sirta - the lone Andorian in the bar - settled for raising her glass of blue ale. Still, as Sakarra noticed with an eloquently raised eyebrow, her antennae seemed to turn towards Lan in a rather meaningful way.

“And just for your information, I’m a doctor. Not a cadet. Yet.” “Right you are. Mr BREL we’re DYING here where’s that ALE. But you’re leaving for the Academy day after tomorrow, yes?” James ‘Wellington’ Kelly asked with his Galway drawl. “I am” Okalan nodded and gratefully slid into the seat Sirta had vacated for him. While the Andorian went to appropriate another chair for herself, Mr Brel could finally be seen making his way through the crowd, carrying the much clamored for ales and a mug of Turkish Blend, extra strong. “How’s my favorite chef today?” he winked at Sakarra, who looked as embarrassed as ever when the white haired Betazoid made a reference to last year’s incident. “Chef? You can cook?” Since Okalan could not possibly be drunk yet he was either truly not understanding the tease or trying to embarrass his friend even further. Either way, Sakarra felt it appropriate to jab him in the ribs just as he reached for his ale, hoping to divert everyone’s attention. Unfortunately, to no avail.

“You mean, you’re one of the four people on this planet who does not know how Sehlat tried to make all of Rixx go up in flames?” Moshe asked with a semi-serious face “Of course we all know our gal likes the heat but sometimes she just doesn’t know when to say ‘uncle’ if you catch my drift” “That’s not at all what happened Moshe” Sakarra protested “I only wanted to…” “Roast mush-mellohs, and they were pretty good, too” Sirta had managed to find another chair and strategically positioned herself next to Okalan “at least until you figured Andorian Ale would give them extra flavor.”

“Well, it WOULD have.” Sakarra was pouting now, which merely prompted everyone within earshot to laugh even harder. “Anyhow, we now have indisputable proof that Vulcans can indeed NOT hold their liquor. “ Renn commented “and that they can have the same dumb ideas as the rest of us. “ “I’ll drink to that!” James shouted “and Betazed’s newest country doc who’s going to patch up bumps and bruises for Starfleet’s finest soon!”

Sakarra’s muttered “Half Vulcan. HALF!” was drowned in the cheers just as Okalan’s amused “Country-doc?” “So, doc. Why the fleet?” Moshe waved his already empty glass in the air, trying to catch Mr Brel’s attention “It’s not like people aren’t already falling over themselves to keep you closer to home, you know?” Okalan gave one of his most charming smiles “Let’s say I feel the need to spread my own wings a bit as it were.” He looked sideways at Sakarra, who by now had finished her coffee and returned his smile. “And maybe I’ve been infected by the ‘explorer virus’, too”

“That particular virus oughta be illegal” James sighed “but here’s one piece of advice, doc. You want the pilot of your bucket to become your best buddy, have a bottle of the good stuff hidden in sickbay. Medicinal purposes, of course” “Of course” Okalan nodded most earnestly, ignoring Sakarra’s chuckle. “Although there’s no guarantee I’ll be assigned to a starship right away” “I daresay you will” Mira grinned “but if not, just wait ‘til Sehlat is done with her botany thingy and comes after you. They’ll need a good doc on whatever ship she ends up.” “You think she’ll throw vicious plants after people who annoy her?” Sirta twisted her antennae thoughtfully. Moshe shot her a ‘will you leave THAT subject be’ look, prompting the rest of the group to roar with laughter.

“Another round for our fearless explorers and us poor sobs who’ll have to make do without them!” Moshe declared “Ale and coffee, Brel! And keep it coming, I gotta drown my sorrows!”

[several hours and countless ales and coffees later, in front of the Enaren family residence]

“'ej ngIb Saw', vI', Dech je … something… 'ej Doq, SoDta ghoS SIQaaaaarrrhhh ….”

“Lan!”

“ngugh, jaj nIv law' Hoooooo …. Damn fricatives … Hoch nIv pu….”

“LAN !!!!”

“Yes, ‘Kara?”

“You’re going to wake up your parents. And it’s ‘ghoStaH SIQal bIQtIq, ngugh, jaj nIv law' Hoch nIv puS’”

“Why does it sound so much better when YOU sing it?”

“Because I’m a soprano and you’re drunk my friend”

“Oh, ….”

Sighing, Sakarra picked up her badly intoxicated friend and carried him through the door. “molor mIgh Hooooh” Okalan mumbled “you just HAD to teach me that one, didn’t you. I’ll NEVER be able to get it out of my head now” “You be quiet now or I’ll drop you” they had reached his room and Sakarra steered towards the bed, almost stumbling over the rug in the process. “There you are. Lan, either you’ve put on weight or I need to work out more.” She removed the young man’s shoes and gently pulled the covers over him. Already half asleep, he reached out for her “Stay?” “Sure, Lan” looking at her friend, Sakarra thought about the countless times they had slept here, nestling together like Tracehound pups, ever since they had been little. And always in the morning there had been Lan’s mother with a smile and hot chocolate, even when they’d both long since been grown up.

Who knew how long it might be until they’d see each other again? And would things be different then? Would THEY be different? Maybe, she decided. But one thing wouldn’t change. Friends, ever and always. That they had promised each other. “Sure, Lan” she whispered again, softly “I’ll stay” “Mmmfffffff” With a smile, Sakarra kicked off her shoes and snuggled up to the happily grumbling young Betazoid. “Hey, I want some of that blanket, too.”