Shipwrecked

[Remec]

"Me?" Stonehammer said. "Why would ya 'sume I had anything to do with whatever happened to yer friend?" He cracked a smile that admited much that his words of protest were denying. The dwarf looked back at Teyha and cocked his head to the side a bit. Glancing to Kaura, he said, "Offhand, I'd say someone helped themselves to a bit of T&A and used yer friend's perty mouth for a stress reducer." He stepped a little closer to the witch and peered closer at her face and neck.

"And he was either clumsy or dropped a really big load...looks like it didn't all stay in between her lips."

"Really, Stonehammer," Aldarras began. "I thought we had agreed not to do anything until we saw what their financial and social states were."

The Dwarf's smile broadened and he laughed. "Dat was before Newell ran the positioning specs through the nav-chart. Like I said...here we are in open space under the Urchai Mandate...and these two lovelies have progressed from unknown travellers to rescue charges to the best part of this salvage operation in no time flat." He continued to laugh as he looked both women over with an open hunger in his eyes.
-----

 

[Kikora]

Teyha's eyes widened briefly in shock at the blatant way the dwarf described using her for his pleasure. She pulled back when he leaned in to peer at how his seed had leaked from her mouth. "What are you blabbering on about?" She demanded as she fastened the last of her buttons.

"Exactly as he said, Teyha." Kaura told her quietly, taking her hand to lead her in away from the dwarf. She sat the distressed girl in a chair, but Teyha still glared at one man then the other in turn. "We must earn our keep while on this ship, however they wish us to." She told her softly, trying to comfort her some.

"I'm a doctor, I can earn my keep without being violated while I sleep!" She growled, shooting the dwarf a sour look.

Kaura sighed softly and shook her head, moving back to stand before Aldarras. "She is normally far more amiable." She said softly, "But as I have said, she does not react well in these situations." She paused for a moment, and shot the young girl a pained look. Teyha had bent over herself and rested her forehead against her knees, shivering slightly. "Could we allow her a few moments alone while you explain to me precisely what it is you desire from us, please?"

 

[Remec]

"Well," Stonehammer began as he moved away from Teyha, "I was hoping to hear that question."

The sound of a throat being cleared from the doorway to Sickbay interrupted the dwarf and saved all in the room from what was, no doubt, a long and lavish set of things for Kaura to do--with or without Teyha. "That'll do, Mr Stonehammer. If you would please return to Engineering and make sure we are ready to jump at a moment's notice. Thank you."

Stonehammer gave Anderson an open-mouthed look and then shook his head and started to grumble under his breath. "Afterwards, we will need the retrieval vessels cleaned up and brought online so that we can finish salvaging the Psallo." Stonehammer nodded and stormed off mostly in silence, although everyone could hear his low noises grow into mutterings once he was away from the group.

Aldarras shook his head and lightly sighed. "Why we...you...put up with that crass little person. It's just escapes me."

Frank shrugged. "He's really good at his job, and can do the work of three or four regular engineers or mechanics. Plus, I can keep him in line, mostly." The captain stepped fully into the recovery room and offered a hand to Teyha. "I'm very sorry Stonehammer jumped the gun when it came to you...um...is it Doctor Teyha, then?"
-----

 

[Kikora]

Teyha slapped the Anderspn's hand away, and glowered up at him, her eyes lit with a burning fire. "Don't apologise if it's only because he violated me too soon." She growled, and stood, moving away from him. "And it's Dr. Lockra, if you would." She told him, leveling a steady glare both at the captain, and the retreating back of the dwarf. Her fist clenched briefly, and she honestly considered using her magic to punish him from across the room.

"Teyha." Kaura said softly, interrupting the girl's thoughts before they turned too violent. Shes stepped forward, and placed a hand lightly on her shoulder, rubbing it absently for a moment. "It seems I injured my shoulder in the attack, Mr. Aldarras scanned it..." She broke off as Teyha moved forward, brushing past the captain without even sparing him a glance. She inspected the wound closely, reaching out with gentle fingers to knead gently at the tender flesh.

"You didn't damage the bone, thank goodness." She said softly, and closed her eyes for a moment, drawing in a deep breath. "This wont be pleasant..." She warned, and embraced her magic, opening her eyes again to begin weaving. To all but Teyha's eyes the wound seemed to vanish all on it's own. The deep purple and sickening yellow stains melting away to the even pale ivory complexion once more. Kaura tensed slightly, and winced, feeling her own energy drain some before the little witch pulled away once more. "I'm sorry." She apologized. "Energy for healing has to come from somewhere, the patient, the healer... Normally I use my own, but I didn't have it this time." She explained, and Kaura just nodded, resisting the urge to roll her shoulder and check for any painful kinks...

Teyha turned away, and moved to the chair that Kaura had set her clothing. "You should shower and eat." She told the Elf absently, picking up the once snowy white uniform top that was now stained dingy grey from soot and debris following the attack. She held it over the trashbin and smacked it a few times, watching as the grime fell off in sheets, gathering unnaturally while the clothing was cleaned perfectly white once more. Teyha tossed the garb onto a chair, and repeated the process with the rest of Kaura's clothing, cleaning them only to leave it all in a messy heap where she was sitting.

Kaura chuckled softly to herself, and turned to the captain, completely unfazed by her nudity. "As you can see, her magic is extremely useful... If not always reliable." She told him softly, "Surely, then... You can find work for her aboard the ship that doesn't involve... Whatever it was Stonehammer did that upset her so greatly."

((Gah! DX BM hiccupped and lost my post T_T I had to retype it... I liked the first better too.))

 

[Remec]

The captain and his science officer watched the display of Teyha's abilities with a mix of curiosity, wonder, and scientific interest.

Aldarras' own mystical powers did not include healing arts, and he was unsure if he still recalled the cantrips that would enable him to clean items the way she had her friend's clothes. Captain Anderson, on the other hand, was capable of some minor celluar regeneration--handy when a vacsuit's sealant wasn't so realiable.

Frank shrugged. "I'll admit, I have thoughts along the same lines as Stonehammer when I meet up with beautiful women such as yourselves." He tried to catch Teyha's eye when he hit a slight stress on the plural words he used. "And, yes, since we had not made any decision on how to treat you or handle you, part of the apology was for my Dwarven crewmember's early violation of the Doctor there..but I will not say that such activity and skills might not be expected from you as we travel through this area of space."

The elven man coughed slightly and Frank turned to regard him a moment. He nodded as he returned his attention to the women. He paused for a moment before speaking, then met Kaura's eyes and said, "From both of you, that is. Do I make myself clear on that point?"
-----

 

[Kikora]

For the same of Teyha's temper and excess of modesty Kaura dressed quickly once more. Though clean her gown was still fairly ripped and tattered, repairs Teyha could not manage to stitch together using only her magic. She pulled it in place all the same, drawing herself to full height as the captain finished speaking. She looked at him placidly, trying to decide the best way to address the conditions for their safety.

For Teyha's part she didn't seem even ready to humor the men. The deep red flush darkened her cheeks, and she looked between the elf and the human as if they had both gone mad. "Beautiful women?" She snorted first, "Do you really think flattery would soften my mind to this exploitation?" She demanded, glaring up at the captain, her hands balled and placed firmly on her hips. She had already made a show of her power, more than a show really. Healing Kaura was enough to exhaust her once more, and cleaning the clothes only furthered the damage. Earth was her second weakest element, manipulating it even in small quantity left her far more drained than the spirit, water, and air she used for healing. She knew the display was impressive, but in the end if seemed to do nothing to help her, and that agitated the witch further. "I could do so much for this crew." She said darkly, "But all you care about are the shriveled masses in your pants, and whatever pleasure you can gain from it!" The small woman raged, pointing an accusing finger to their zippers, but refused to look herself, her cheeks heating further at the mention f what was hidden in their clothes. Still she refused to stop, ignoring the small protests Kaura made to try to stop the rant. "I am a skilled physician, and a trained witch, I can more than earn my keep, and Kaura's as well."

"Teyha!" Kaura finally managed to break in. She took her friend firmly by the shoulder and pulled her around, forcing her to look up at her shipmate rather then their 'rescuers'. "I have no issue with what they want." She said softly. "I do not understand it all, but they saved us, and brought us here when they did not have to. They are not asking us to remain here forever, to service them forever, surely you can allow them this."

Angry tears brimmed in the younger woman's eyes, and she glanced back at the two men in the room, trying to hang onto the last bit of anger she still had. "Fine!" She growled, yanking herself free of Kaura's touch. "You lose yourself like this. Let your first memory of sex be some bribery for your life, but I wont. I refuse to be used as some sex toy to be manipulated and discarded as they please!" She huffed, and turned to the door, wanting nothing more than to return to a fresh medical bed to lay down on, this time shielded against anyone who wanted to invade her space. She paused though, not looking back at the group. "You should feel lucky. At least one of your captives is willing, and it's the lovely Elf. Just leave me out of it. And don't insult me by comparing me to her either."

 

[Remec]

As Teyha had ranted, Frank kept tight rein on the impulse to roll his eyes at his Science Officer. He had no particular reason to celebrate the findings Newell had reported to him. Unlike Stonehammer, he was a man who walked hand-in-hand with both the decorum afforded by an upbringing among what was commonly called 'civilized society' as well as the more primal impulses that governed much of the Dwarf's behaviour. In some ways, he found it interesting that so many of the Eleven Clans worked in such structured fields as engineering and the like. But, at the same time, he wasn't a celibate or eunuch and it had been quite a while since he'd last known a real woman.

Vids and holos are only good for so long. Anderson always found them much like eating steak and potato flavored rations versus having hot, pink sirloin and a plate full of buttered taters (heavy on the garlic).

"I wouldn't," he began but was cut off by Aldarras.

"Doctor Lockra, one does not compare wolves and lions," the Elf said in a quite tone. "One acknowledges the strengths and admirable qualities of each, and, quite possibly, has a distinct preference for one over the other; but beyond the superficialness of both being four-legged, carnivourous predators, one cannot argue that preference with any sort of accepted logic."

He continued to speak as he picked up the items he had brought in with him from the main Sickbay. "Mr. Anderson is an honorable man. He will, no doubt, find an appropriate series of displeasing tasks for Stonehammer to occupy himself with but, no offense to your self and your sense of being violated, there will be no disciplining since--by law--there has been no such violation."

With the scanner repacked, Aldarras bowed to the back of the white witch and then turned and did the same to Kaura. The Science Officer then quietly withdrew and Anderson watched him for a moment before shifting his attention back to the women.

Frank shrugged and idly brushed his hand along his chin and around the back of his neck while he thought. With a sigh, he lightly shook his head. "Well, this isn't starting out so well, is it?" he said. "Newell has cleared you both as far as moving about the Dryad. But, I will have to ask you both to remain clear of Engineering and Stonehammer, if you are up to dealing with us socially, dinner is in about three hours and we can speak more on what work you might do for us."

"And, yes, some of it might be that sort of work. Just how it is."

He met Kaura's eyes and tried to get a reading on her emotions and surface thoughts. Frank didn't need his psi-training for Teyha at the moment, he had come back to Sickbay from the Bridge on sensing her anger and distress...although he had originally sensed a massive outpouring of want and desire and wasn't sure what to make of that.

Then he turned to follow Aldarras out of the room and get back to work.

 

[Kikora]

There was no other way to describe Teyha's emotional state then hysterical. Sex was taboo, sex was something other people did, and she was more then satisfied to be left out. She wasn't like her friend, who didn't take a mate simply because it was never convinient for her to do so. Her very culture differed from Teyha's greatly, seeing acts of the body as simply that. A grown Elf could take several mates in the privacy of their own home, and none would think to question their integrity. It was little wonder then that she would seem in no way disturbed about the prospect of laying with the men on the ship. Watching her now no one would believe she was every bit as innocent as the scared and shy girl by her side. Kaura even bowed deeply back to the men as they left, barely giving Teyha a passing glance as she moved into the sickbay to rest before the evening meal.

And that easily Teyha was left alone with her thoughts, a nauseous feeling of guilt gnawing at the pit of her stomach when she realized that her temper and lack of restraint would serve to make the job of one of the crew that much harder. "But he violated me!" Teyha growled at the empty walls, as if hoping for some kind of reassurance that her reaction was necessary, the absolute silence she received in return almost painful to hear. Sighing the girl moved to the shower, stripping off her dirty clothes to wash before dinner. At the very least she should be clean.

~~

Three hours passed all too quickly, and for the last bit Kaura and Teyha helped the other look respectable. Whatever they were on this ship it wasn't beggars, and they fully intended to present themselves as guests aboard the ship. Kaura washed as well, leaving her young friend to dry and brush out her long hair, braiding it back intricately across the crown of her head. Long wisps curled free around her face, an almost playful look to her elegance. Teyha, in contrast, simply let the waves of her dark hair fall free around the moon of her face. She liked it better that way, the thick curls shadowing her soft green eyes, and another level of protection between her and whoever was trying to push under her defenses. "Let's go." Kaura told the other girl gently, taking her hand to lead her away.

With the aid of computer maps avoiding Engineering and finding the mess hall were easy enough, and the pair entered together. Oddly it was Teyha who seemed more eager, standing up on the tips of her toes to try to peer above the men's heads, searching for Anderson.

 

[Remec]

"So, like, is Stonehammer going to be coming to dinner or didja tell 'em to stay in quarters?"

"As long as he's civil, I don't have a problem with him being here," Frank answered.

"Sweet, wish I had some popcorn," Newell said with a big grin. He laughed as he went about finishing the preparations for their meal. He didn't always relish being on KP, but it was nice to have new people to cook for--and Newell actually cooked, rather than let the 'puter do all the work. He just dialed up raw ingredients from the ship's stores and combined it with spices and canned goods he had procured here and there as they traveled the lanes through this or that system.

And, bonus for the evening, in spite of Stonehammer's big blunder, was getting to show off a little for pretty women--pretty single, apparently hetero, women--who might possibly find their way into his quarters. For a moment, maybe...and into my bed for the evening, eventually, if I'm lucky and charming and well-mannered.

Newell smiled again. It could happen. I mean, I AM THE ANTI-STONEHAMMER!!! He giggled to himself, then stopped and laughed while leaning over the pot of sauce he'd made for the pasta that was draining at the sink.

----------​

As his navigator and copilot was fixing the evening's meal, Anderson was doing his share by setting the table and reviewing the words he'd had with Stonehammer. Frank had not asked for an apology; he knew better than that. But he had read the Dwarven engineer the riot act as far as how he was going to act at dinner.

"Should ah even bother comin' ta eat?" Stonehammer had asked afterwards.

"Up to you," Frank had said. He then shrugged and left the Dwarf in Engineering and joined Newell in the Mess. Once Anderson was gone, Stonehammer grumbled and fussed as he made the rounds through Engineering and made note of the settings on all his gauges, then he filled out the shift's paperwork and dropped the clipboard on the desktop.

Stonehammer wasn't so keen on a lot of the little electronic doodads Newell was always going on about, but he could see how some of them were worthwhile. He opened the desk's top drawer and pushed aside a mostly empty hypo of Seraphina and fingered a small vid-disc. "Wonder if Newell has one o' dem conversion programs? Always wanted ta star in me own holo...hehehe"

----------​

Aldarras was heading down the hall when he came up behind the two women. He slowed his progress a bit more and regarded them both. As lovely as they had appeared earlier, the difference in their appearance both shower and rest was remarkable. As crass and unpleasant as Stonehammer was, Aldarras found himself almost envious that the Dwarf had had even a passing carnal knowledge of Teyha's charms.

Confound him and his do-what-I-feel-like mentality

The Science Officer cleared his throat. "Good evening, ladies. I'm glad you've decided to join us. Shall I escort you in? I am quite sure Mr Anderson would love to see you and, no doubt, Newell is anxious to show off his culinary expertise."

 

[Kikora]

In sharp contrast to their earlier behavior, Kaura and Teyha fell easily into their usual roles. When Teyha couldn't place Anderson in the sea of faces and bodies she sank back again, somewhat deflated. Kaura took a half step forward, positioning herself between Teyha and the casually, knowing that the edge of security would help calm the small witch. It was like this on the old ship, Teyha almost cowering behind the more confident, experienced, and powerful. A mixture of her timid and shy nature and a fiery temper she gained from her mother led to a degree of unpredictable behavior for those who did not understand her moods just yet. Kaura, on the other hand, was rarely rattled by the behavior of those around her. Her words were often powerful and snapped firmly at those she disagreed with, but lacked the venom and spite that Teyha sometimes showed.

The differences in their personalities were made very clear when Aldarras approached from behind, giving a polite sound to announce his presence before choosing to speak. Kaura spun quickly, her hands lacing behind her back before she even completed the move. She smiled easily at the science officer, giving him a polite nod of her head in reply. "Good evening, Mr. Aldarras." She greeted, "And thank you, we would be delighted."

Far more awkward Teyha half turned, only able to manage the semblance of a smile. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other nervously, unsure exactly what to say or do. "Hello, Mr. Aldarras. Yeah... I wanted to apologise for before, I was startled and acted badly. I... I just don't know how to feel about this."

Briefly Kaura smiled at her friend, but moved forward, placing a gentle hand on both her and Aldarras' shoulders. "We can talk unpleasantries later, there is no need to repeat the scene before." Kaura told the girl softly. "For now we should be good company to those we owe our lives to."

 

[Remec]

Aldarras smiled and offered Kaura his arm, then turned to Teyha. He regarded her for a moment and did the same with his other arm. "Well, then, allow me," he said. Just then, Anderson poked his head out into the hall and his expression brightened.

"Oh, there they are," he said. Frank stepped further into the hallway and then looked back into the Mess and called to someone out of sight. "Found them! Looks like Aldarras was keeping them to himself." He regarded the three of them and smiled. "Bad Science Officer!"

Aldarras sighed and rolled his eyes. "Mr Anderson. You will give these ladies the wrong idea about our intentions. Shall we eat?"

 

[Kikora]

Kaura accepted the arm of the Science officer, her mouth turning up into a slight smile. He was comfortable to be close to, she decided. Comfortably strong, well mannered, and dignified. 'If it has to be someone...' She thought, content with the situation.

The witch hesitated at accepting the man's arm, but was luckily saved from being rude by the pilot's appearance. He poked his head head out, looking friendly and pleased to see the women. Despite herself Teyha laughed for the first time since boarding the ship. "I swear it feels like we're celebrities." She joked to Kaura, who smiled back in amusement. "Well, mostly anyway. I take it there aren't many women on the ship?"

 

[Remec]

Frank laughed. "There aren't many people on the ship," he said. "Doesn't take a lot of bodies to maintain a vessel like this, and most of us have double or triple skill sets so we back each other up when necessary." He stepped more into the light of the hall and the women could see that he had both cleaned up as well as changed clothes.

He was now wearing what might have been a dress uniform for some service once, but time and the stress of more than one misadventure had had their toll and the repairs that had been made kept the base shape and form of the outfit but altered it into something not immediately recognizable. Anderson offered his hand to the doctor, but gestured towards the mess with his other in case she wasn't ready for that sort of imtimacy with people who she'd just met.

Especially ones who might have ulterior motives towards her and harbored one who had secretly violated her.

Aldarras, meanwhile, walked past Anderson and Teyha and escorted Kaura into the mess. A bright-eyed young man with sandy brown hair and greenish-brown eyes put down a basket of rolls on the table and stepped quickly to the Science Officer and his companion. "Hi there! Welcome aboard and all that, right? You're Kaura, yeah? I'm Newell. Pleasure to meet you, haven't ever had the chance to meet a female elf before. And you're not the same...what do you call that?...sub-species, yeah? That's the word, isn;t it?...as Aldarras here. He's always a little offputting...but you, I dunno, you're not really like that, or are you?"

"Newell," Aldarras said firmly in a tone and with an expression that made it seem that the young man's name was said that way often...too often. "If you would breathe now and then, I'm certain our guest would be able to speak and you can have answers to what I'm sure will be a myriad of questions."

"Guest?" Stonehammer chimed in from across to room. He laughed and made a raspberry sound, but said nothing more and did not come any closer to the others.
-----

 

[Kikora]

At least both women seemed more or less complacent now. They listened intently to the captain, "So you only take on crewmen who are exceptionally talented." Kaura said with a nod, more of a statement then a question, and that rosebud mouth turned up for a moment before she gave a courteous nod of her head. "Then we will do our finest as well." She smiled at the captain, but let the other Elf lead her forward, proper and dignified. Always her opposite Teyha stood awkwardly in place, unsure whether to take the captain's hand and move forward, or retreat back to the mess to defend herself later with 'At least I tried'.

But Kaura herself didn't move far before a excitable human boy stepped before her. Not a bad looking boy, but with a certain pep and enthusiasm that made the young women laugh lightly. "It is a pleasure as well, Newel." She returned with a bow of her head. Her arm tightened slightly around the older man's for a brief second, the playful glint ever present in her eyes almost dancing with amusement. "And of course I would be more then happy to satisfy your curiosity. I am indeed not of the same species as your science officer, though we may share some common ancestry, the link between many Elven societies is often a bit hazy. It is, however, always a pleasure to meet another Elf among the stars." She continued, casting Aldarras a smile. "There are far too few of us here."

The boy's chipper and friendly nature even seemed to loosen the tiny witch some, and she smiled slightly before she caught the sound of the Dwarf's voice from across the room. She looked at him nervous before dropping her eyes down to her hands, fidgeting nervously for a few moments before she finally took Frank's offer and moved forward into the mess. "I... Wanted to apologize." She told the man in an undertone, her eyes darting from his back t her hands once more, "I'm often not myself when I get angry, but Kaura and I had a long talk while back in the medlab...." She paused briefly, hesitating even in her steps before she finally plopped down in an open chair, deciding that was far less uncomfortable than standing awkwardly. "I don't want to come off badly to you people, especially when you went out of your way to save my friend and I...But I don't know how I can make anyone on this ship happy, besides being the doctor."

 

[Remec]

Frank glared at Stonehammer from behind Teyha and motioned to him in the Silent Speech they had learned while in the volcanic tunnels beneath the pirate and slaver base on Biscayne. With a couple short gestures and some twisting about of is fingers, Anderson managed to convey a very definite message to his Engineer.

"Behave or begone. With a pay cut."

Stonehammer snorted. Humans, always have to go for the cheap shot. He nodded, making a stray motion that those versed in the language of the Dark Ones would know to mean he agreed. The Dwarf sat mostly in silence and hate and drank while the others were getting acquainted. He smiled as the memory of his own private getting acquainted party with their new doctor made his cock hard inside his jumpsuit.

"Wonder how her friend is when it comes to sucking dick?" he muttered to himself. Anderson gave him a slight look and cocked his head, but didn't say anything--either silently or aloud.

The emotions of desire and lust Stonehammer was giving off were a touch strong, and threatened to colour Frank's own feelings when it came to the two women, but he took a breath and mentally adjusted his shields as he had been trained to do. He wished he'd had the time and money for a more complete psi-training, but he was mostly a wild talent to begin with and he was learning more all the time on his own.

With Stonehammer shut out of his mind, for now, Anderson was able to redirect his attention back to Teyha. He smiled and leaned in a bit closer, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips as he bent to her. His blue-grey eyes remained on her the whole time as he quietly asked, "Have you seen a mirror recently? Trust me, doctoring--as good as you might be--is not the only way you have of making someone happy." He flashed a wider grin at her as he lead her further into the mess and towards the table Newell had laid for them.

"You might find it makes you happy too, y'know?" Frank added as he released Teyha's hand, stepped over to get a plate, and began filling it with meat and vegetables. He gestured over the table. "Tables for eating at are along the wall. They hold seats for all of us, or we can spread out as people choose."

Slightly behind him and to one side, Aldarras and Newell both gestured for Kaura to go before them. "Customarily, we allow Mr Anderson to go first as the captain. After that, I believe it is proper ettiquette to let guests go next, especially female guests."

Newell smiled to Teyha. "That means you, too, Doc. I'm Newell, by the way. Go on...I'd like to know what you ladies think." He waited, even stepping back behind Aldarras. In a whisper he told the Science Officer, "You before me. Cook always eats last where I come from."
-----

 

[Kikora]

Despite her pleasant demeanor, Kaura kept a close eye on her young friend, examining her every moment for signs of distasteful or unpleasant behavior. The Witch hadn't lied when she said the Elf spoke with her, though she hadn't touched on details. A 'gardener' officially, but both women knew that on rank Kaura could easily influence the decisions of even the captain on their old vessel, had she ever felt the need to. It was why when the disaster struck she found herself shoved alongside the little witch, who only had enough power to save them both.

Two hours of re-learning her position and Teyha's ears still buzzed, the harsh outline of what she would and would not do outlined in her mind. She need not disgrace herself, Kaura had told her, but she would not tolerate the same childish bickering and blows with these crewmen who weren't asking for more than either woman could give.

With that in mind Teyha let the captain take her hand in his, and only flinched when his very soft lips pressed to her hand, before ultimately pulling away with a wide grin. 'There's just not enough Kaura to go around'. She thought dryly, but kept her jaw clenched shut when she caught Kaura looking at her out the corner of her eye, a perfect eyebrow raising as if to say 'You wouldn't dare'. And she didn't.

Instead each woman lined up behind the captain, Teyha in front and Kaura standing just behind, talking pleasantly with both the human and Elf. "I have always held a great deal of respect for those who can cook." She told Newell, smiling pleasantly once more. "I have always had great trouble with anything that goes past using a knife."

"And by that she means she can burn water and melt the pan." Teyha chipped in with a giggle, smiling pleasantly for the first time on the ship, her sweet face lighting up with an almost childish amusement.

Kaura nodded in return, filling her plate with mostly vegetables, opposed to Teyha's mostly meat platter. "Same as my young friend here has the extraordinary ability to trip while standing still." And that earned the Elf a glare.

 

[Remec]

Anderson looks to Kaura with an expression of doubt. "Really? I don't buy that. Most ship doctors need a fair amount of dexterity, first off, and with legs like those, I cannot imagine that Teyha doesn't have quite a bit of grace in her movement." Frank beamed a smile to the doctor and flashed a glance to Aldarras and Newell as if to ask if it was too much.

Newell seemed oblivious to anything besides two pretty girls, but Aldarras did raise an eyebrow ever so slightly.

From the corner where Stonehammer was eating a slight snort could be heard. It was followed by an under-his-breath comment that Kaura's sharp hearing picked up fully. "Heh, yeah, she moved pretty gracefully on that examination table." No one in the crew except Aldarras seemed to have heard the dwarf's words, but Anderson turned his head to regard the Engineer as the emotional heft of the short man's lust was quite palpable to the captain's empathy.

"Did you have something to add, Mr Stonehammer?" he asked.

Stonehammer pushed his chair back from the table and shifted it about to better regard the rest of the room. He stood up and took a moment to crack his neck then shrugged. "I always have something to add," he said with an evil grin. "Question is, which one of them is going to receive it and where?"
-----

 

[Kikora]

Things seemed to be moving fairly well, up until the Dwarf's interruption. If just briefly both girls were smiling, sharing the moment of amusement that came from the other's fault. Anderson's comment made Teyha shift, glancing down at her long legs, neatly hidden by the generous folds of cloth that wrapped around each lithe limb. A ballerina's body, the old ship doctor had commented once, an observation that cost him a wicked cold glare and nearly three weeks of silence on her part.

Kaura's smile faded some when her sharp ears caught the dwarf, and inwardly she sighed. Had Teyha heard that she would be in an uproar, no doubt. She could only hope that the dwarf had the decency to keep his observations to himself from then on.

Of course he didn't.

Kaura sighed softly, stepping between the witch and Dwarf at least for the moment. "As I recall that is one of the things we were told we would discuss here." She told him with an all too pleasant smile, but after hearing the full story of what had happened between him and her friend Kaura's eyes no longer held the usual degree of humor and warmth others enjoyed. Instead she regarded him coldly, every bit as chilling as an Elf could be. "I have, of course, spoken with Teyha and she's agreed to be more willing to meet the requests of men aboard this ship." At that Teyha shifted from side to side, looking from one man to the next as if asking who exactly she'd be 'Paying' for her stay, before her eyes dropped to her hands once more. "That said." Kaura continued, reaching out with her palm upturned, like a mother asking for something her child was not meant to have. "You should have no use for Seraphina. If you would give it to me then I am sure it would make the young doctor feel far more comfortable. A request, of course, but as one who has known Miss Lockra for a few years now I assure you it is the wisest course of action to take."

 

[Remec]

Newell and Anderson both looked blankly at Kaura as she confronted Stonehammer, but Aldarras stepped up the other elf's side. He regarded the Engineer and then advanced on him; the tall elf eyes bore down into the dwarf's. "Seraphina, is it?" he asked. "That would explain the recently used containers I found in Sickbay and certain reductions in the medical inventory."

Stonehammer shrugged.

"She was into it, but not that into it, y'know? Figured I would ease her up, make her more comfortable."

The Science Officer sighed and turned to look at his shipmates. With his hands blocked to the dwarf, he silently told the others to watch the doctor in case she should respond violently, then spun back around on Stonehammer and closed the distance to the dwarf with one swift motion. "You are claiming the unauthorized use of Seraphina on a sentient on grounds of making things better for them? Are you really that ignorant or are you hoping that maybe we are?"

The dwarf gritted his teeth and glared up into the elf's face. "Look, I was just going to tease her a bit, but she wasn't as ready to go. Would you rather I'd have just taken her like the salvage she is? We both know there's not a system around her that'd even arrest me for it, let alone charge me with anything."
-----

 

[Kikora]

More the diplomat than Kaura would like to admit, she pretty much guessed this would be the reaction the dwarf would receive when it became known he used the still experimental drug for his own pleasure. The sternness of her pretty face did not waver, though she felt quite guilty all the same. It was never a pleasant experience to be scolded, and she regretted having to put the dwarf in such a situation, but for the sake of Teyha's fragile Psyche she must know that she would not be treated as subhuman aboard the ship. Experimented upon, her will bypassed through drugs, her body violated while she lost the right to even her own mind.

More than anything she wanted to keep from breaking the young girl on this journey. If that meant making an enemy of the amusing little dwarf... She would deal with that hurdle if it came. Instead she turned her back on him, and took Teyha gently by one small shoulder, turning back to the other two men with a kind smile. "I believe we were having a very amusing conversation concerning your lack of grace?" Kaura offered with a smile, looking from one man to the next. "Perhaps we could offer a game then?" She offered, and Teyha groaned, rolling her eyes though her lip twitched up into a half smile at the suggestion. The Elf was infamous for her games aboard their old ship, precisely older human games that had long since gone out of style or memory.

"I could think of a few that I am sure would amuse the crew." Kaura continued, chuckling at Teyha's groan. "Perhaps With appropriate wagers even Mr. Stonehammer would be satisfied."

"Kaura!" Teyha protested, but again the Elf only laughed softly, giving her shoulder an affectionate squeeze.

"At your comfort, but if I may be so bold my friend it would be best that you find humor or pleasure in our stay. To get close to out rescuers at leisure in a pleasant environment... Isn't that the best you can ask for? Else you will continue to harm yourself and others." Kaura scolded in an undertone, until Teyha's jaw worked and her cheeks heated. She glanced back at Stonehammer, looking guilty for a few minutes before slowly nodding.

"I prefer twister, of all those archaic games you love." She said at last weakly, "At least I believe I could beat Mr. Stonehammer in it..."

 

[Remec]

The woman's challenge, as it were, fell upon the assembled crew of the Dryad and left them all, at first, with various expressions of puzzlement mixed with curiosity. Aldarras and Frank glanced to one another and the captain shrugged. "Sounds like it might be fun," he said. "That's what those games were for, right? 'Breaking the ice' and all that among groups of people looking to know one another better, yeah?"

"I believe so," the Science Officer said. "Although, I'm not as up on ancient Terran pasttimes as some would be; we do have similar games among my people."

Stonehammer scoffed and stepped back to his table and picked up his mug. "Whatever. If bending yourself all this and that and rubbing up against each other is your idea of a good time, have a blast. Go for it!"
He downed a big gulp of his drink and then raised an eyebrow and shrugged one shoulder. "Hell, could be decent foreplay at that," he said. "Tell us more about these wagers. What are they and how do they come into play?"

While waiting for Kaura to answer the dwarf, Newell found himself several steps back in the conversation. He used Seraphina on her. Of course...that would explain quite a bit. The images of Teyha and Stonehammer from Sickbay's security cams ran through his mind and the youngest crew member idly ran the tip of his tongue across his lips before setting his teeth lightly against them while picturing the doctor bent over the Twister map...her body hanging in space as he leaned in closer to her while making the required move on his turn.

"Oh yeah!," Newell said, interjecting into the space after Stonehammer had spoken. "I think we have one in the rec locker. Can we play captain? Hmm?"

"Well, I think we're bound to be playing something, now that the idea's been rasied, and Twister certainly sounds interesting. Stonehammer's right, though, let's hear more about your proposed wagers, first."
-----

 

[Kikora]

In a matter of moments Kaura managed to bring to light and effectively close the dispute between Teyha and Stonehammer with only minimal friction between the two. She knew her witch friend far to well to think the issue could be left unresolved for long. The secrets and heavy weight that girl bore within that she had shared with few others, even aboard their previous vesel;... It demanded that the sensitive child know that even now she retained her rights and dignity as the simi-human she was. Just as important Kaura simply could not allow for a rift to form in the crew, nor to allow Teyha's anger to continue overpouring to the rest of the crew. From this simple, if backwards, logic the bet was born.

The idea formed and grew surprisingly rapidly, and Kaura's eyes flashed brightly, full of joy and life. "To make everyone happy I propose there be two winners, the final two left standing." She began, Looking from one face to the next as if to sum up their ability in such sport. Herself and Aldarras maintained a natural advantage, she considered. Weights on her own body would help to even the game, while Teyha would certainly need to be shielded to prevent balance spells and charms that she -would- cast if given the chance.

A brief shake of her head helped clear her mind, and she continued. "The wager is simple, the two winners are given the prize of their choice for the duration of evening and early morning." Humor quirked her rosebud lips upwards slightly as she looked over the men again. "For you gentlemen, of course, it would be either Teyha or myself as your escorts this evening." The noise Teyha made then was priceless, a sharp squeak and embarrassed groan before shrinking back away from the crowd. Only the slight upward twitch of Kaura's brow froze the girl, and sullenly she nodded. "For us..." Kaura continued as if the younger woman had said nothing at all. "We earn our own choice, or immunity for the evening..."

"Immunity?" The girl chipped in, perking slightly.

Chuckling Kaura nodded. "Or you would lose the first round, incentive child. Win and you could choose any of our fine rescuers for this evening..." A snort followed that statement, quieted by another stern look. "Or solitude. Though I stress immunity would only last an evening, it would be wise to pick if you can."

 

[Remec]

"Sounds like a plan," Frank said. "Newell, you said you thought we had a copy? Go get it. Stonehammer, give me a hand in moving enough furniture to give us a proper playing space. I seem to recall Twister needs room." Stonehammer grumbled, killed his drink, and began moving chairs while Newell disappeared out of the room.

Aldarras asked, "And my task, Captain?"

"Why don't you take care of the rest of the party prep? Program a nice punch from the food stores...perhaps locate some appropriate music from old Terra or some of the first colonies?"

"As you wish. And the ladies?"

Frank regarded Kaura and Teyha. His eyes ran down their bodies, hovered over their legs and slowly made their way back along hips and torsos to meet their gazes. "I'm thinking they might want to change into something with a little more give to it, but I leave it up to them."

He smiled. "I'm perfectly happy with them simply sitting off to the side, enjoying their dinner, and looking lovely." Anderson gave Teyha a wink, then turned to help Stonehammer.
-----

 

[Kikora]

Dinner was forgotten next to the chance they might get laid, and silently Kaura and Teyha watched the plans unfold, and everyone disperse to set up the game. The youngest crewman left, and the Dwarf set to work clearing the room while Kaura and Teyha looked the other over silently. Without a word Kaura drew a long ribbon from her pocket, and offered it to Teyha to keep the hair out of her eyes and mouth in the less than comfortable positions she was bound to be contorted into. With an exaggerated sigh the girl gathered up the messy curls with one hand, awkwardly trying to pull it up into a bundle at the base of her skull before Kaura took the ribbon from her. Instead she loosely braided each section, securing it with clips before tying it up neatly at the back of her head. "There." The older woman said, patting the girl's shoulders. "And you play fair, little one. Any magic use and I will disqualify you, understood?"

Smiling she stood just in time to hear Anderson's flirt, and shot back a teasing grin. "Now captain, how can we win if we do not play?" She asked, smiling wider still. "I will change into something more appropriate for the game, you stay here, Teyha." The elf continued, and while she sounded as pleasant as ever there was a subtle undertone of authority to her voice, as if she fully expected her friend to wait there until she returned.

And Teyha did, crossing her arms irritably while Kaura left to find a pair of pat to wear instead of the long skirt. "Who would you pick?" The girl asked suddenly, looking between the men left in the room. "Assuming I don't win and choose to pass."

 

[Remec]

The question was met with a snort of laughter. "Well, hell, that's pretty obvious," Stonehammer said. "Having a had a bit of you, I think I'd like to see what yer friend's mouth...."

"Zorimziu!" exclaimed Aldarras just as Anderson seemed about to rush the dwarf and quiet him with the chair he was holding. The Science Officer shook his head as the Engineer made more and more irate facial expressions and hand gestures in a vain effort to make a sound...any sound. Teyha could just make out the thread of sorcery still hanging about Aldarras' body as the elf turned to regard her.

"Crass fool, as if such a question was directed towards him." He gave Teyha a smile and continued, "So, were you asking myself, the captain, or both of us?"

"Just what I was wondering, Aldarras," Frank interjected. "And good call on the spell. Stonehammer, just give it a rest and finish up or I'll make you sit and not play."