Out of Uniform

Posted on Tue Oct 17th, 2017 @ 11:29pm by

2,265 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Unknown Life, Unknown Dangers
Location: Arboretum

The artificial sunshine was warm on Anika's shoulders as she sat nestled in a grotto in the Arboretum. Her bare feet played in the grass as a sketchbook lay beside her, an orchid, which was happily growing from the tree she was sitting in on the open page. Anika herself was lounging, with her arms crossed behind her head just enjoying the warmth and relaxation.

Ediras causally walked through the gardens seeking clarity or inspiration for his latest project. The client had very strict terms so balancing that and functionality was a challenge. Hed been racking his brain for the better part of two days over this.

It seemed that many enjoyed the gardrns as others were present, some with family while others held a partner, a child or a book for a few.

It was impossible not to notice the fine Nordic specimen of man when he entered the arboretum, but Anika kept herself from staring. He was damn fine, but probably had something he was here to do from the fierce concentration on his face.

Everything became potential, from the shapes tree bark made, the stones that lined around the flower gardens to the marks the water left on the bank. How could he combine what his client wanted to how they wanted it?

He knelt at the edge of the little pond, the fish, holographic of course swam effortlessly around. Some neared as if he had food to offer.

Her dark eyes tracked him as he knelt by the pond. Briefly she hoped he wouldn't fall in as she traced her fingers over her sketch book. Another moment and she'd be sketching him instead of her orchid.

There was something simple about water, it took form, shape, its fluid motion overcame obstacles, navigated them. He thought that perhaps a nano-molecular glass would be suitable for the project as most viewed water as a pure symbol or agent. Lighting could be built into it which would enable the church to decorate or adorn it as they wanted. Ediras pulled out a small pocket sized book and pencil and began to draw fleeting ideas that came to mind, thoughts and suggestions. Capturing them before they were lost, forgotten or otherwise.

Another artist? Anika's eyebrows raised and a genuine smile took her full lips. Leaning back again she captured the angles of him, before allowing her eyes to flutter closed again.

Brushing his long hair behind him he stood up and looked at his drawing, the source and back again. He knew he had plenty of time before the project had to be completed so there was little rush. Kids would however they ran around playing, chasing each other, throwing a ball or other such entertainment. A young male while being chased by a girl ran head long into Ediras's thigh, as big as Ediras was he didn't move but it did send the boy to the floor.

Feeling at fault for the fall Ediras helped the boy up, his large hands easily holding the boys much smaller ones as he lifted him up. Only problem was the boy found it entertaining to be lifted as his Mother came jogging from her bench towards them.
Anika's hand came up to cover her mouth to keep the giggle inside. Hazel eyes dancing, she watched the scene enfolding before her.

"I'm so sorry. He doesn't watch where he's going. He didn't hurt you or what you're doing did he"

"Not at all." Ediras spoke amused. In comparison he was truly gigantic and while he liked to keep in shape, work out it was not a devoted thing. Broad yes, muscular true and large in stature he put the boy down. "Run along now." Directing them to the rushing mother. Once collected he brushed his hair behind his ear and saw that he had a few admirers looking his way.

No few of the mother's playing with the kids here were looking upon him with appreciation in their gazes. Easy to do, the other woman thought as she cast her gaze back down to her bare feet.

Ediras walked the path around the small pond unknowingly towards Anika. What caught his eye was her drawing materials. "You like to draw?" He asked standing a respectful distance to night frighten her. He had seen others engage in the hobby but few actually spoke to him due to his intimidating size and build.

"I do.". Her fingers were stained with graphite as she tipped the book so he might see himself drawn upon on her page. "Please, sit."

"I'm honoured." He replied as he looked at the image of himself. "Smooth lines, detail, attention. I was not there long and you drew this?" Then again when he draws time seems to pass by unnoticed.

"I've always enjoyed capturing a moment in time. " She answered blushing with pleasure at his compliment on her work.

"I'm afraid to say that my own works I did not bring with me, I am seeking inspiration for a design project and the water gave me some ideas." Ediras replied with a smile, his black eyes staring back towards her. "I do not believe I have seen you frequent here before, new on board?" Since she wore civilian clothing he was unsure if she was service or not.

"Sort of. I've not been out much since coming on board, but I came in from Earth. I was stationed Planetside security."

"Same, I joined the ship to expand my horizons for design. Starfleet has offered me several projects they want me to work on and felt that a Starship would assist my creativity." He replied. "I admit to a degree it has but I do not get out often."

"Well that's a shame. What prevents you from getting out?"

"Work mostly." Which was the truth, one didn't get to be in his position without putting the time and effort in to get there. Even with several high profile projects under his belt he was constantly challenging himself to improve.

"A Noble thing to keep you from socializeing I suppose, but you must not seclude yourself you know." Her smile was warm as she glanced up at him.

"I have no friends on board and as you can see, making them can be a task for someone like me." He replied knowing the stigma Betazoids faced with other races and couple that with his size and build, it was understandable.

"No actually I don't see" she answered with a tiny smile. Betazoids were the same in her mind as any other race, but with the added benefit of being able to read minds. While that made her slightly uncomfortable, she knew better . She knew that no Betazoid would invade her mind purposely. "Explain it to me."

"The stigma associated to Betazoids is obviously known, Telepathy, Empathy. Many feel exposed when around us because we can sense emotions, when someone is lying for example, worried, in pain, fear. Many wonder what else we can sense but also do considering there are documented incidents where a telepath as raped another, violated them in such a way there is no defence." Ediras spoke, his words soft as if speaking them were a stain on his character.

"Unless you yourself have committed such acts you are innocent of them. The fear of others is a stupid reason to sequester yourself away because of your race. You merely tell them that they are right about you when you do so."

"Perhaps." This was not the first time he'd been told that, but the voice or opinion of one meant very little to the masses.

"May I ask what brings you here to the ship? I doubt its being an artist." Wondering if she was service or civilian with a service partner.

"Anika Yashui- executive officer. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"A pleasure, the executive Officer." Not what Ediras expected but welcome none the less. "So this must be a welcome break for you then when you are off duty?"

She chuckled at the surprise on his face "Aye it can be"

Taking cue and smiling he looked around at those gathered here. "I hope I am not taking up too much of your time, being the Exec you must enjoy any and all time off you can get on a ship like this."

"Pish. If I had not wanted to speak to you I would not have offered you a seat."

"True point." Ediras replied. "Id be interested in seeing more of your works if you are open to them being seen?" He asked, not everyone was sharing of works, some viewed them as poor or unsuitable for others to see but some.....some were happy to.

"Surely, perhaps at a later time? I am in no hurry to leave at this moment." She handed him the book that was in her hand for him to flip through. There were charcoal and graphite sketches of people and things there.

Ediras carefully went through the offered book, her pictures had form, smooth lines with grace and beauty. "These are really good, you can see the moment, passion caught in them."

"Thank you." She murmured, her cheeks darkening with pleasure at the praise.

"Start at a young age or something you picked up as you got older?" He asked. For him he could always draw, a natural talent but he was interested in her story.

"I started when I was 4 or 5. Sketching from the window of our apartment with Crayons."

"Same actually." He smiled remembering the days he'd spend perched on the sill of the window, especially during rainy days drawing what ever he saw.

She chuckled "Fond memories of childhood aye?"

"When time was simple and everything an adventure." Ediras replied closing the book having filtered through them each in turn. "My collection is a variety of buildings, project works, a few memories from my youth. Even a terrible pictures from my younger years to remind me of where I came from, where it all started."

"Everything is still an adventure." She fired back with a gentle smile on her lips.

"True, but not the ones we imagine ourselves taking when we are barely a meter tall." He replied with a smile.

Her laughter this time was softer and more pensive. "True. Very true."

"I remember when I first arrived on Earth I was drawing a coastal area, a harbour. The ships coming in, some sailing away to the horizon. I could smell the salt on the air but I was so taken by the view I didn't notice the clouds sweep in from behind me." He smiled as he recalled it in his mind. "It rained on me so suddenly that I still have the ruined picture in my collection, a reminder of when I lost all my equipment for the first time."

Her chuckle was soft as she tucked the book into her small bag that often travelled with her. Glancing up over her shoulder, her smile widened at the look on his face. "A reminder that you need to pay attention to everything around you and not get caught up in the beauty of only one view."

With a grin he nodded, a true enough statement and a lesson well learnt. "I admit to being distracted at the time but yes, being mindful of the bigger picture I suppose is what landed me where I am now. However I can not complain, I do something I enjoy, it allows me to draw and others get to see it."

"Sounds like you fell in the pudding if you'll pardon one of my fathers colloquialisms."

"I did a bit yes." Looking around he saw kids playing, adults and parents chatting, watching or relaxing. For him it was a little strange that a ship of thousands and yet so few were present. It didn't occur to him that there were more than one of these such places on board but his knowledge of the ship was limited.

Anika relaxed back into the embrace of the tree "And so, you come to the arboretum to get inspiration..."

He nodded, it was better than sitting in his quarters surrounded by monitors of images in an attempt to be inspired or he could go out and see it himself, with others around and how they interaction, react to and enjoy it.

"So, what's the inspiration here?" she asked softly tucking her crossed arms behind her head again.

"Materials." He replied. "I have a project for a church, they want a Bridge built but they want it to be a symbol of purity, spirituality and durable. I used the water for inspiration and the effect, lines and movements of the water." He pulled out his little book, opened it to the page where he made his scribbles, notes and crude drawings and showed her.

"Very nice." she commented "What kind of church?"

"Next page." On it held notes and details on what they held for ideals, the surrounding environment, weather and materials the church was made of.

She turned the page and nodded slowly in comprehension "Difficult task. Luck to you."

"Thanks." He'd need it given the complicated elements involved in the project. "Well I hate to spoil the moment but I have a design to attempt to draw up. Perhaps..if you are not busy we might do this again sometime, duties permitting of course?"

"Of course, I would enjoy that very much." she smiled softly, and twiddled her fingers at him by way of farewell.

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