Finding Your Meridian

Posted on Tue Mar 14th, 2023 @ 7:54pm by Lieutenant Reeza Cuyu & Lieutenant Commander Rayek trLhoell & Crewman Doria

9,640 words; about a 48 minute read

Mission: A whole new world
Location: Crew Quarters >>>> Holodeck
Timeline: 3rd day after Doria's arrival on the ship

SENIOR OFFICER QUARTERS - tr'Lhoell

As usual, Rayek was up early, despite it being his day off. Counselor R'elle had insisted he take at least one day off a week for 'self-care'. Rayek thought the idea a waste of his time.

He yawned as he stood at his room's replicator pondering his order. Normally he would select a chai tea to drink, but he was feeling rather drained this morning... so he ordered a raktajino and a simple breakfast of plain oatmeal.

As he waited for the food to appear, the Romulan stifled another yawn. Rayek hadn't slept restfully since his arrival and the accumulated lack of sleep was beginning to wear on even him and his Vulcanoid tolerance for lack of sleep. His dreams were troubled when he had tried sleeping - envisioning his wife and the Amalthea, which she Captain'd, being attacked by the warrior Dosi or the Wanderers doing the Thinkers bidding.

He ate methodically out of need rather than any interest in food, which was strange for him and his usual love of cooking. After cleaning up he considered what to do for his 'day-off'. He had some holodeck time... but the idea of spending time alone in any of the programs that he had created during his 'down-time' each evening, was not appealing. He considered calling Klarth but knew the Doctor was on shift today; and as yet hadn't made friends with any of the other staff - since most found him to be 'grumpy'.

The idea suddenly popped into his head to maybe see if Doria was available. Her test the day before had gone well and the Engineering initial report had come in. All seemed good with the android. No foreseeable issues.

He checked the time and decided to wait another hour or two before calling and spent that time updating the holodeck program he thought to introduce her to. Then he took a brisk shower and dressed in casual Romulan wear rather than his uniform. By the time he called it was only 0700hrs. Hopefully he wouldn't be interrupting Counselor Reeza's own child with his comm.

=/\= "tr'Lhoell to Doria. Are you available for an outing this morning? I have Holodeck program I think you might enjoy." =/\=



CUYU QUARTERS

Doria looked up from sitting on the blanket and rocking the doll. Tilting her head she responded, "If allowed this one would be most pleased to join you Lieutenant Commander Rayek." She looked over for permission from the Counselor.

Reeza glanced up as the comms buzzed. She listened carefully. "Yes, it's ok. You'll be with the Lt. Commander, so it's fine." She would feel less fine with it if it, were, say, one of the random nurses or the teacher or something, but her boss? Definitely ok. "Feel free to come here, or I can bring her there. I am fine with either."

After getting permission Doria then responded, "Yes Lieutenant Commander Rayek, this one would be most pleased. Shall this one meet you or would you prefer this one wait here for your arrival?"

Rayek replied back. =/\= "I'll pick you up in 2 minutes." =/\=

True to his timing, Rayek was at the door of Lt Cuyu's quarters, the door chiming his presence. Standing a short distance off was the Gamma shift security crewman assigned to watch over the android. (Tchukla was Alpha shift and so wouldn't be arriving for another hour.)

When the door slid open Rayek offered a slight bow towards both Doria and her caretaker, Lieutenant Cuyu. "Jolan'tru, Doria, Lieutenant Cuyu." he greeted them.

"Jolan'tru Lieutenant Commander Rayek, this one hopes You are well this day.", the Android smiled as she remained knelt in her traditional kneel on the blanket cradling the doll she seemed to have grown very attached to. She had worked to learn a bit about the culture of Rayek but was still in a bit of a mess due to the factory reset still having a lingering effect. "This one is happy to be allowed to come visit the holo-deck, may this one ask exactly to the nature of the deck?"

The Romulan's lips twitched into a slight smile at hearing Doria greet him in Rihan his native tongue. She had excellent pronunciation - probably from mimicking his own usage. "Thank you Doria." he responded back to her greeting before answering her question.

"The holodeck is a large room in which three-dimensional holographic simulations can be displayed. They can be used for training, lab simulations or even recreational use. There are 5 holodecks on the ship. We are headed Holodeck One located on Deck Five. Are you ready to go?"

Doria smiled listening her face then returning to a stoic look.

To help speed the process, Rayek offered out his hand towards Doria.

Only afterwards did he realize he was being a bit selfish, and he looked to Lieutenant Cuyu. "Would you be interested in joining us?"

Reeza smiled. "Yes. We were actually going to explore the ship; this will be a better use of our time. I am not on duty today." He probably already knew that.

Doria smiled and rose with Rayek's help, one arm was still firmly holding her doll. After a moment she lurched forward into a strong but not painful hug around Rayek's waist. The girl rested a cheek to him and just smiled up before lowering her eyes.

Rayek tensed at her sudden lurch forward. The paranoid Romulan, who was always expecting the worst, reacted with the knowledge he had been given. His hand began reaching towards the back of her neck. However it stilled as he realized this was not an attack but rather a child's appreciative hug. There was a moment of awkwardness from the normally reserved Romulan before he moved his hand up to her red-haired head and patted it gently. He then offered up a gentle warning. "Doria... You shouldn't lunge at me suddenly like that. I could misinterpret your intent and end up hurting you. I don't want to do that. Ask next time you want to give a hug."

She nuzzled his hand slowly and then looked up with what appeared to be eyes full of worry and concern but then with a blink her face went back to the stoic mask. Nodding gently she held to the Romulan with a tremble, "This one begs your forgiveness for being bad. This one will put that to memory so that this one shall not do such again in the future and will ask before taking liberties with the Masters personal space. Please forgive this one Master Lieutenant Commander Rayek."

Rayek kept from frowning as her face went blank and she trembled under his hand. "There's no need to beg forgiveness. You did nothing wrong, Doria. I am just over cautious. My words are just a warning to prevent misunderstanding."

The Romulan then looked back to Counselor Cuyu and continued with his offer. "I have written a program of my recently built home on Meridian. I thought to visit there with Doria. You and your daughter are welcome along."

"Thank you, we would enjoy that. Soja, please get your things put away quickly." She flipped off the replicator-a habit she had as she had an unfounded but intense worry that it would catch fire when her daughter was around, and stepped into some casual shoes. She was normally barefoot in her suite. Her daughter did the same, and she looked to the man. "Will I need my handbag, do you think?" Of course, it didn't carry money, but it WAS more or less a security blanket for her. But if he thought they'd be ok without snacks for an hour or so, she would leave it behind. "I hope we're presentable." She was wearing jeans, a sweater, and her brown hair was tied up with a ribbon. Soja wore a dress with leggings, and sandals. The little girls' hair hung loose, wildly curly like her own.

Rayek was dressed in a casual grey outfit, form fitting yet flowing. He looked over the counselor's outfit. "That is quite acceptable. Though you might wish to bring a swimwear. The house has a pool." He felt an odd compulsion to explain the extravagance. "My wife was teaching me to swim at the time that we designed the house."

Doria continues her hug to the Security Officer as she listens to Him and her caretaker. After a moment she shimmers and her form changes slightly to a Romulan child but with the same stark red hair. She looks again up at Rayek but remains quiet but hugging tightly.

Having seen Doria change her appearance from that of a Cheron native to Human back in the asteroid chamber when they first discovered her, Rayek shouldn't have been surprised, but it was unexpected right there and then, so for a moment he stared gape-mouthed. He looked to Reeza wondering if this was something she'd seen before.

Reeza looked questioningly at Rayek. "What the hell?" she whispered. She had never seen that before. Her sharp mind (well. It usually was) realized quickly that Doria wasn't a human. Ohhhhhhhh.

Looking back to Doria as a Romulan child, Rayek was reminded of his sister Kemala back when she was that age. "Doria, why did you change your appearance?" he asked gently, not wanting her to think he was upset at her. "Is it part of your programming to mirror those you are with? Because I am content with whatever appearance you choose to have. You don't need to appear Romulan when you are with me."

Doria looked up to Rayek then tilted her head and after a moment shimmered and returned to the default human form, "This one.. feels a need to be in a pleasing form to those this one finds fulfillment and..". She paused a few moments, "Joy in being in the company of. If this one is preferred to remain in a static form then I will do so." She tilted her head and looked back and forth then up to Rayek. "This one will do so. This one apologizes for slipping of protocol."

"No apologies needed for that, and the choice is yours. You make a fine-looking Romulan, though. The ears suit you." He smiled and looked to see if the others were ready to go.

She was conflicted, her eyes looked back and forth before she released a sound almost like a whimper. A small hand reached up to feel her ears. Thinking it best to stick to consistency she shimmered and reverted to her human form. "This one is sorry, this one shall remain in this one's TKon form for consistency. This one hopes to learn the customs of the vessel and adapt accordingly."

Rayek hadn't expected the choice to be a difficult one, so looked in concern when Doria whimpered. When she started her apology, Rayek gave a slight sigh opening his mouth to tell her once again that it wasn't necessary to apologize for her decision, but something she spoke caught at his attention. "T'Kon form? Were the T'Kon your Masters?"

"The T'Kon are the more common race on this ship are they not? They have the form this one shows outwardly?", Doria was obviously speaking of humans.

Rayek, who had no knowledge of what a T'Kon was, shook his head. "This ship is of Federation registry, as such it is crewed with a multitude of species. The Captain is an Orion. I am a Romulan, Lieutenant Cuyu her is Bajoran and Crewman Tchukla is a Human. There is no one species that is more common. Right now you appear Humanoid."

So obviously this T'Kon species were Humanoids. Rayek made a mental note to do a computer check for the T'Kon species later.

"The T'Kon are the race that Rongo Sir represents. If that clarifies Lieutenant Commander Rayek, this one hopes this one is not in error?", she said almost 'worried'.

"Nope. Not in error at all." Rayek stated. "We, however, call that species Human."

Reeza picked up the android, attaching her firmly to her hip. She didn't normally do that, but the child needed comforting, she could feel it. Bajorans weren't an empathetic race, but she WAS a mother, and she sensed it. "It's Ok. Take whatever form you wish, but just make sure it's YOU, ok? You're safe now to be who or what you wish." She glanced at Rayek. "Shall we head out? You can tell us on the way to the Holodeck. Do you have your doll?" She double checked everything. To Rayek, she spoke. "You said your wife WAS helping you build a pool. Is she no longer helping?" Romulan's logic was foreign to her, though she appreciated it much more than Terrans' penchant for sarcasm, a logical tic she didn't quite grasp. "WAIT. Swimwear. I'll be right back. Doria, please keep an eye on Soja. Soja. Stay right here, please, I will be just a moment." She ran back into the suite for a few moments, returning a minute later with the items. "Now we can go." She held her arms out for Doria again, in case the child wanted to held more.

The moment Doria felt the woman hold her to her hip she could have melted, her face expressed the emotions of genuine joy and happiness. She was bright and smiling with eyes lit up in joy. She nodded hearing the woman telling her to be what she wants to be but she seemed fine in the T'Kon form. Holding up her doll with a smile she whispered, "This one will watch Soja." She smiled and gave Soja hugs and held her doll up to match as Soja did too then when the nice lady returned she happily went into a gently embrace relishing being held and cared for something she had fleeting memories of from the time before the factory reset.

Rayek quirked an eyebrow as the counselor 'babied' the android. Perhaps Romulan children were just more independent than other races.

At Reeza's question regarding his wife and the pool, it was clear the Bajoran had misunderstood her words. "I said my wife had been teaching me how to swim," he repeated - then explained the painful part. "It seems you were not informed. I'm not from this dimension. My escape pod was found by the USS Lionheart, and Captain Hadenbeer knew me from her time in my dimension. Tess, my wife, is still there with our son Fvienn."

Doria tilted her head, "Would Lieutenant Commander Rayek be able to return to their dimension? Would Lieutenant Commander Rayek prefer this one to assume the form of a male child?" She looked up to him showing a desire to be pleasing to behold to him. "This one knows to be you as Ma'am stated and her factor default is female. But she wants to make Sir less.. mournful?" She seemed to struggle to find the best word.

Reeza nodded. "I see." The Bajoran woman understood the basic science of alternate dimensions, but did not understand the practical applications thereof. "Yes, can you go back?! A wormhole or some such? Or are you just stuck out here, forever?" The idea made HER sad. To Doria, she spoke. "It's not your job to make adult less upset or sad. That is *MY* job, actually." She smiled. "Why don't you stay as a little DORIA girl today and the joy will come from watching you have fun?" She said. The android was heavy and Reeza wasn't sure how long it'd be before she'd have to set the child back down.

Rayek quickly shook his head at Doria's offer. "No. Just be yourself - in this 'T'Kon form'." Being reminded of his son through her attempts to be a male Romulan child would not beneficial - not in the least. Doria could never replace Fvienn.

Doria quietly nodded.

He focused then on their questions as to if he could go back home to his dimension. "The Lionheart, with her dimensional drive, made it to my dimension once already - that's how I met Captain Hadenbeer previously. The Amalthea found the Lionheart adrift. That was 3 years ago... according to Captain Hadenbeer... but only few months by my reckoning... so there is some time wrinkle in the equation. But I trust that Elle will find a way to get me home in a reasonable time." It was what he was laying all his hopes on presently - that or the Vedala.

Reeza nodded. "I see. I hope you're able to be reunited. Having family is an important thing."

Once everyone was ready Rayek led the way to the holodeck answering what questions they might have about their destination. "I think the Soja and Doria will enjoy the playroom, Tess and I designed for Fvienn."



HOLODECK ONE
(s'Lhoell Home On Meridian)

The holodeck doors opened to reveal a large two-story home in the midst of a forest background. There were no streets, no neighbours, just the home and enclosed patio in the middle the Meridian forest. From the front of the building there was a garage for a small shuttle pod and a covered walkway towards the door. There wasn't much in the way of flowers or bushes outside. Tess and he hadn't come to consensus on the landscaping yet. While Rayek wanted flowers, the Meridian government had put in place some rather stringent by-laws on introduced flora and Rayek had been waiting for the Science department to complete their study of native plants before even considering using them. So for now the front looked rather plain compared to the lush gardens his mother had always loved to tend.

As Doria entered and saw the house her face lit up again as a smile formed. After a few she returned to her former emotionless face. "The aesthetic decoration and design as well as the geometric layout of the structure is pleasing to behold, Lieutenant Commander Rayek."

Rayek smiled at seeing Doria's face light up. "If the outside impresses you, wait til you see the inside."

She set the children down carefully on a couch like thing that she remembered the Terrans called a 'bench'. "Ok, ladies, let's sit quietly. You can ask Commander trLhoell some questions but try to take turns." Was this what it was like having more than one child? If so, she might be a little happier than she thought with just Soja. She was already tired! "Commander, do you want anything from the replicator?" To the children, she handed out Doria's dolly, and her daughter's stuffed cat, plus a bottle each of juice. "Please don't spill."

"Thank You Ms Cuyu Reeza Ma'am.", Doria said as she carefully rocked the dolly as she sat and expertly handled the juice being careful not to spill. She was hoping she was not a bother. The juice was delicious as she rationed it and only sipped a little at a time. The cooling effect of the juice was welcoming.

Rayek shook his head at Reeza's offer of refreshment. "I'm sorry we don't have replicator here... unless you plan to call for one using the arch." He walked to the door and with his biometrics, it unlocked automatically. "How about I give you all a quick tour, then I'll make everyone a wonderful brunch?" Cooking for others was far more appealing that cooking for just himself and the house with it's program had a fully stocked kitchen.

Doria's face lit up in joy at the thought of experiencing Rayek's cuisine.

Reeza smiled. “That would be lovely; I’ve never seen Meridian before.” She checked the children; they seemed okay. “It already looks lovely,”’she said, as images started to dance in front of her.

He led them through the entryway past the spiral staircase. "The bedroom, bathroom and nursery are upstairs... but I think you all will enjoy what's on the other side of these French doors." He moved through the open space that housed the kitchen/dining room and drew back the curtains from the doors that exited the living room. The view opened to an expansive patio and pool. "We can go play in the kiddie pool after we eat."

Doria followed close, keeping a hand on Cuyu and being a quiet but good girl. She studied the design and architecture as was her original purpose. Old habits die hard you might say. She awed at the beauty and recorded everything so that she could play back what she saw and analyze so she could learn and ask questions.


"It's lovely," Reeza commented. "My late husband and I had discussed buying a house on Bajor, but...well. Some day I may be able to myself. I shall get your input on the design and aesthetics."

Doria looked up to Cuyu and then lowered her eyes to the ground before pressing her cheek to the woman's side trying to offer a sense of support, "This one offers condolences Ma'am. When Ma'am acquires the residence this one hopes to see it."

Reeza smiled. "If it happens, you will be permitted to see if I can find you. And thank you, dear. Please be careful when you're hugging people, place your juice on the table." She said, gently. She looked to Soja. "Anything you see or touch in the house you can investigate but please be careful and put it back in its spot if you pick it up."

Rayek nodded solemnly at the Lieutenant's mention of her late husband. Then nodded again more affirmatively at her suggestion to enlist his aid on the design of her Bajor home. "Certainly, though to be completely honest, the aesthetic is 99% my wife's doing. Tess has an artist's eye, whereas for me, it needs to be functional - that's all. "

Carefully Doria sat the juice on the table and followed the instructions, the android girl carefully examined things with great care and moved through the house taking careful mental notes. After a bit she disappeared from sight being quiet as a mouse normally. She was away for a while with no word.

Rayek led the way out onto the patio, pointing fun this like the billiards table, foosball table, then led them through Tess' office and into the playroom.

"Tess designed the access specifically that way. She and I both were concerned about the a child slipping out of the playroom and into pool unobserved." He nodded out the window towards the water. "You can't see it presently, but there's forcefield over the water. Only authorized individuals can unlock this safety feature."

When Doria went off to explore on her own Rayek smiled. "I'll get started on brunch."

Brunch consisted of crisp bacon, toast and butter, yogurt & granola, and a chopped fruit salad, made from a selection of Earth and Meridian fruits and Tess' favorite from Ba'ku. Sunberries!

This was notable as Ba'ku was a planet that didn't typically allow technology like scanners. So he'd had to sneak the replicator scanner onto the planet - all as a surprise for his wife.

When brunch was ready, Rayek set the food out at the table to others to help themselves. He waited but Doria didn't come when he'd called. So he went in search of her.

Reeza followed behind, in case the girl was using the bathroom or something, and then when she realized, she stood outside the door. It was likely as painful for Rayek as it was for Doria. She quietly took Soja and returned downstairs.

Doria was found upstairs, in the nursery staring indepthly at the crib. She was knelt beside it staring with her head carefully to the bars as she whispered, "I do not understand. Why does this object make 'me' feel safe?" Looking up to those who entered, "I.. this one. This one is sorry for the breaching of language protocol this one does not understand why this object makes this one feel safe? Is it something to do with this one's programming? This one still has some gaps because of the factory reset. But this object is soothing and comforting to this one."

Rayek's reaction to the vacant crib was less positive. It made him feel lonely. He shook his head. "I don't know Doria, maybe because cribs are designed to keep infants safe." He looked to the crib. "Fvienn was just settling into the routine of being laid to sleep here rather than his bassinet which we kept in our room. I don't think he was fond of having his own room." Rayek said thoughtfully... then recalled why he'd come searching for the Android. "Brunch is ready"

Doria nodded listening to the information before placing a hand gently to the crib with a look of sadness as she forced herself to move away.

When they returned, and Reeza had inquired about the child's whereabouts, she was at once concerned, and upset. "Please don't leave without telling someone where you are going. It's frightening." She sighed. "I heard you two talking. You felt safe because it is where your mother put you, but also, all creatures, with few exceptions, feel safer in small, confined spaces. That's why bears hibernate in dens and caves, and big cats do the same, and so on. It mimics the mother's womb." She said. She expected the next question to be "what is a womb?" so she headed it off. "A womb is where your mother or birth giver, in some races, gestates-or carries-you before birth."

Doria did indeed ask the question next about what a womb was but then she looked away as she sat at the table. "This one.. has no Mother. This one was created on a table by the Masters. This one will not wander any more, this one begs Ma'ams forgiveness and asks if this one is to be disciplined?"

Rayek, who moved the food out to the dining room table, listened to Reeza's explanation - while it would make sense to many, it didn't explain Doria's reaction unless the Exo-III creators had programmed the same impression into the android, which didn't make sense to the Romulan. "As an android, I doubt she has those same pre-natal impressions."

Reeza shrugged. "Then it's anyone's guess, honestly, unless she's a genetically modified being and not a true android," Reeza postulated. Otherwise, she had no idea.

Rayek began serving up food onto his guests plates, first to Soja. He was about to do the same for Doria but she'd taken the initiative and served herself. He nodded his approval.

Doria timidly took a tiny bit of each thing except the bacon, her eyes looked to the meat but then back up to everyone else. "This one hopes the meat will please you both, she may not eat it only the Masters may have meat. More reason that you both and Ms Soja are the Masters." She however dug in, each and every fruit was so wonderful. Pointing to the sunberries, "This fruit causes a positive response to this one." She smiled and then nibbled a bit more with renewed happiness.

Hearing Doria's explanation about meat and Masters, Rayek was pensive. Was it a control mechanism to ensure the android did not turn on it's Master? Or could her android digestion system simply not breakdown meat? He had the report from the Engineering team.. but didn't recall that being mentioned. He'd have to reread it later.

Rayek smiled when Doria pointed to the sunberries. "Those are sunberries. A berry plant native to a small planet called Ba'ku deep within the an area of space known as the Briar Patch. Tess was born there and loved sunberries. We found out that her stepdad had snuck samples of the biota with him when left to return to Earth. I scanned those and have been replicating sunberries for Tess anytime she is feeling homesick."

Reeza made a face. "It's ok for you to eat meat now if you'd like to. We're not your "masters", you are fully autonomous with us. Sure, there are rules and regulations to follow, but that is different from us being an overlord or some such." The Bajoran disliked the connotation of anyone having power over others; she'd been born at the very end of the Cardassian occupation of Bajor and it was still kind of a sore topic. "It's ok, however, to decline food for your own reasons-if you don't like something, for example, or your system can't process it," Reeza reassured her. She tasted a sun berry. "I can see why she'd miss these, for sure! Aren't replicators fantastic?!" Reeza tended to be a pretty happy-go-lucky personality, and did her best to try to lighten the moods of those around her.

Doria slowly reached out toward the meat with a shaking hand but with drew it as if the meat was a vicious beast going to bite her. "This one can digest the meat, but that would make this one a person. Only the Masters are people. People eat meat.. this one is not a person. The first lesson programmed in was that this one is not a person but a thing, an object, and the next lesson programmed was to please the Masters threw actions and service. To keep ones self clean and presentable to be pleasing to the eye." She stopped and began nibbling the chopped fruit salad with a smile forming. Up until the yoghurt where she only had a dab on her plate but her small frame shook a bit after trying the yoghurt. "This one finds this.. causes a unpleasant reaction."

Rayek took in Doria's explanation and offered up his own thoughts on it. "I guess in that respect you and those that created you have different interpretation of what is a person, compared to myself and, I suspect, Miss Cuyu. If you interpret that a person can only be biological in nature then yes, you would be by your definition not a person. I, and many on the ship however, interpret a 'person' to be any sentient being.. not necessarily just of flesh and blood. There are several sentient species made of rock or crystal - such as the Horta or the Tholians. What is important is whether you meet the criteria of sentience."

Later when Doria took a dislike to the yogurt, Rayek chuckled. "I guess it's an acquired taste." And took an extra helping of the yogurt to mix in with his fruit salad.

Doria continued to happily eat and listen to the words of Rayek. After a bit she tilted her head to the side curiously. "This one's kind are made... in a odd way. But this one may be sentient? This one fears, this one enjoys, this one hurts. This one is aware of this one's surroundings. Maybe that is due to how the Masters make my kind. Some... of the memories remain. The factory reset took away a lot but some.. things are still in this one's memory. Of before. Before this one was made by the Masters.." She started to look slightly upset thinking.

Reeza watched carefully, quietly helping the children to eat. Though she was pretty quiet, she WAS taking mental notes, which she'd put onto a PADD later to share with R'elle and the Captain. She knew that eventually, she'd want to work with Doria to explore what she was "before", as she kept referring to, but firstly, they need to work on her need to please. It wasn't healthy for any being, android or not, to look at some as "masters" and some as "slaves" or whatever.

"The Commander is correct; sentience is what differentiates you from a paper towel or something. That means that you are ALIVE. And you are entitled to autonomy and the ability to make your own decisions." When Doria got ill from the yogurt, she extended the child a napkin. "Spit it out here." She would toss out later. "Do you need some more juice?" She had to remind herself to not be an overbearing parent figure-while Soja was only four, and her biological child, she, too, was capable, and though it was hard for Reeza as a mother to let go, she KNEW she needed to not panic so much.

Doria took the paper towel and did as ordered, almost instantly visibly 'looked' in more relief.

When the subject of her creation seemed to upset Doria, Rayek decided to back off the topic a little. "We can leave talking about that for another time if you prefer. This was intended to be a pleasant outing."

With another few mouthfuls, Rayek had his meal finished and began clearing away the dishes placing them into the sink for washing. Tess and he had talked at length about the addition of a recycler unit in the kitchen or not. At the time both felt that the immediate convenience of a replicator/recycler would not be good for Fvienn - especially down on Meridian. They wanted their son as he grew up to see and experience the full cycle of a meal - Preparation, Presentation, Nourishment and Clean-up.

Reeza dropped the subject then, seeing as how it made her upset, and helped the girls to finish their food. She, as usual, was the last one finished; Cuyu Reeza hadn't had a hot meal to herself in six years, between marriage and motherhood. Finally, the last bits were done, and she waited for Rayek to explain if they had a recycler or not.

"It's washing by hand here." he pointed out as he cleared away the last of the dishes. Technically, he could have left the dishes and had holographic program deal with the clean-up when the program ended but that negated the whole purpose of not having the kitchen designed with a recycler.

As the table was being cleared and the dishes tended Doria looked up, "May this one aid Sir?" She did not wish to be a bother but she wanted to at least help out. "Please just order this one and they will do whatever task assigned." She seemed overly eager to please.

As Rayek ran the water into the sink, he looked back towards Doria. "Certainly, if you want to try washing dishes you may. I won't say 'no' to help. Just slide a chair on over so you can reach into the sink better."

Doria carefully slid a chair over and stood on it so that she could reach. Once the base observations were done she began to help where allowed as she washed the plates while humming softly a odd tune in a unidentified language. Inspecting the plates as she helped she made room so that Soja could play and splash a bit. "This one finds purpose in helping, tasks make this one feel.. useful."

He looked over to Soja. "Would you like to join too?" he asked. "There's space at this sink for as many who wish to join in. And yes we can play with the bubbles some - after the dishes are washed and rinsed." the Romulan added.

Soja nodded, and Reeza helped the girl up to the sink, and quietly just watched from a corner. Rayek was good with children-of course, he had his son, but that was....well. Years ago, kind of, but also yesterday, kind of. Weird. The children handled themselves well, though. "Mr. trLhoell, if you tell me where things go, I can assist in putting them away," she offered. He'd need to reach anything higher than 5' in the air, as Reeza was short, but anything else, she could do.

Rayek smiled as both Soja and Doria joined him at the sink. He was reminded of happy times with his younger siblings doing much same. Rayek made sure to wash, rinse and dry the knives himself and then left the rest of the dishes to Doria after her statement of finding purpose in helping. He understood that very well.

He took on the role of dish dryer, using a clean dishtowel to pat the dishes dry before handing them to Reeza to be put away where he indicated. In all it took maybe 10 minutes to clean up. "Thank you all so much for making quick work of that task. What should we do next? The pool?"

Doria tilted her head as she slowly got down and helped Soja down as well. Moving the chair to the original spot the android asked curiously, "What is a pool Lieutenant Commander Rayek? This one can only speculate that it is an area with some form of liquefied fluid or metal is stored?"

Reeza chuckled. "It's a man-made body of water where you swim. Swimming is like...bathing, I suppose. It's quite fun. Are you...waterproof?" She could replicate a wetsuit, she supposed. "I brought you a piece of clothing that the Terrans call a "swimsuit," it's a piece of nylon fabric, usually, that is water resistant but still covers you for modesty." It was the only way she could think of to describe it. "It might be nice; seems like good weather out. Does Meridian have seasons, Sir?"

Rayek smiled at the notion that he wasn't the only one new to swimming. Hearing Reeza call Earthings 'Terrans', Rayek almost interjected. It had been pointed out to him by an rather upset Lieutenant, that a Terran was a Human from a Mirror Universe - as encountered by Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew. Most Humans from Earth took offense to being called a Terran. He'd have to point that out to both Reeza and Doria later.

At the question about the seasons, Rayek nodded. "Yes and being relatively untouched - there are no weather modulators on Meridian so her storms can be quite temperamental.. however for this simulation I kept things pleasant." Rayek set the dishtowel atop the tap to air dry and turned to head upstairs to get his own bathing suit - something which Tess insisted on if they were to host 'pool parties' with their friends and coworkers.

Doria tilted her head and nodded, "This one is water proof and pressure sealed save for ports used for removal of coolant or other such. Ah bathing. The act of immersion into water to remove mire from the body. So this one is to change from this ones smock into the new outfit?" Almost immediately without sense of modesty or decorum she undid her outfit and let it fall to her feet. Reaching down she folded her smock and held her shoes. From a casual glance she appeared when undressed as any other human looking species. However her programming did not understand the concept of modesty. Likely still garbled in factory reset.

Reeza nodded before she knew what had happened. Quickly, she moved into gear, scooping up the child and carrying her around the corner. "Excuse us for a moment, please." She set Doria down in a hallway. "Listen, you can't just undress in any old place you like, especially when you're back on the ship. We have something in the Federation called "modesty." It is...well. I suppose it's a bit outdate of a concept, but it is the concept that people's bodies are private and changing clothes is a private thing, ok? Especially when people of other genders are around. Not that the Commander would hurt you in any way, please don't think that." She bent down to Doria's level to look her in the eye. "Does that make sense? Please stay RIGHT here. I'll be back with the swimsuit in a moment."

Doria was confused as she got a bit carried away (by the Counselor). Once she was sat back down she listened to everything said and nodded. "Regulation added. No disrobing in front of others unless otherwise ordered by this one's superiors or the Masters. Query, you state that the Lieutenant Commander would not hurt this one if she was undressed. Does this mean this one should worry for being hurt if in a state of undress with some individuals?"

Reeza sighed. "Not exactly. I just mean that you can't always trust who you want to. I will explain it more fully later on, ok??" It was going to be one of those tough conversations she'd have to broach when they were alone and possible after a glass of Kanar had been had.

Doria's unexpected disrobing in kitchen, almost earned a chuckle - having grown up in a culture where communal bathhouses were common, a bit of nudity was hardly remarked on or noticed - but given Lieutenant Cuyu's reaction and quick scoop up of the android, Rayek suspected that she might not find the situation as amusing. The Romulan stayed Soja in the kitchen, keeping the 4 yr old occupied while Reeza dealt the situation.

Reeza jogged back to the dining room, where she snatched her bag up and went back to the hallway. She fished out the pink swim dress for the girl. "Here. Please put this on. Do you know how this works? Well um...replicate you a different one later on, of your choosing. This one is Soja's, actually, it was her cousins first. I kept it for when she's bigger." Reeza explained, helping the girl to re-dress herself. "I forgot to bring footwear, so please put your shoes back on for now." She held out her hand for now. "You are not in trouble, and no one is upset or mad at you. I didn't explain that society norm, and so it is my fault." Reeza knew the girl had a habit of dropping her clothes where she stood; as she had done it the night before to put on her night clothes, but hadn't realized it was because she didn't understand the concept of modesty.

She looked to the bathing suit and gathered the concept to wear, putting her legs in and allowing the Counselor to help her finish getting properly attired. Looking down to the pink she almost smiled before looking up in a bright smile. The outfit seemed to make her happy but so did the reassurement that she was neither in trouble or angering the Counselor. "If allowed maybe a list of common social norms could be supplied to this one? Such as the visual animations that Ms Soja watches for education?"

Reeza nodded. "That is a good idea!!"

When the two returned with Doria dressed now in a pink bathing suit, Rayek looked to Reeza mildly curious. "All good?" he asked.

Doria looked to the Lieutenant Commander and held her arms up and twirled once. When back looking to Rayek, "Ms Cuyu Reeza explained to this one that Lieutenant Commander would not hurt this one in undress but that this one should not do so around others without being ordered to."

Rayek watched as Doria twirled - much like how Kemala used to as a child - showing of her new outfit. Rayek nodded in approval. However, the Romulan seemed taken aback by Doria's words. Innocently though they were spoken, Rayek had concerns that Doria would misinterpret their meaning. He turned then to Cuyu with a significant look that clearly stated they would need to talk privately later.

Reeza didn't miss the man's look. "Sir?" She wasn't used to being looked at like that by her superiors; she was generally quiet, kept to herself, a good officer. When he didn't continue, she figured he'd let her know later.

Rayek watched over Doria while Cuyu and Soja got changed, then it was his turn. Soon everyone was ready and the shallow end of the pool beckoned invitingly.

"Doria, do you float?" the Romulan asked as he lead the way in to show that it was safe and to demonstrate how to use the steps and safety bar for the Android and Soja's sake.

Reeza watched carefully as Rayek used the stairs and handles for safety; Soja had learned to swim two years ago. Her husband had insisted, especially because many of the Starbases and even the ship they were on had large pools and he wanted her to be water-safe. Bajorans were more or less buoyant, anyway, due to the light keratin makeup of their scaly skin. She wouldn't interfere with the man's work with Doria, quietly helping Soja into the water, and helping her to start swimming and playing in the water. Still, she kept a firm eye on the two; a second set of hands could always be helpful when dealing with youngsters.

Doria held to the bar as she carefully stepped into the pool. Going down the steps and to the bottom of the shallow area as shown she began to scan around. "This one is waterproof and this one is unsure if this one can float." To test this she walked toward the deep end and disappeared under merely standing still as she contemplated how the officers look threw the lens of the water. Opening her mouth to speak to state she apparently can't float the water flowed into her mouth and slightly overwhelmed her internal capacity. She was quick to close her mouth but she struggled under the water as her systems began to flash and she attempted to slowly move toward the shallow.

Rayek moved with Doria as she headed towards the deep end. The way that she walked down into the water with no trouble whatsoever. Told Rayek that Doria was most certainly not buoyant. He had expected her to stop and turn around once that fact was determined and because she was waterproof he hadn't initially been concerned with her being submerged. But that apparently had been a mistake on his part.

He watched as she opened her mouth. The quick reaction to close it again told Rayek something was wrong and he hefted her up out of the water and onto his shoulders as he waded out of the deep end. "Doria! What happened? Are you okay?"

Once he determined that the water was low enough that she could stand he dropped to his knees so she could climb off.

Rayek moved faster than Reeza did; thankfully, he was able to help Doria as she swam-ran quickly to the Android girl. "Doria, are you all alright?" She was panicked a little; it hadn't occurred to her that Doria couldn't swim. It hadn't really occurred other that Rayek couldn't, as well, but at least he knew enough seemingly to be water safe. She turned her head to look at Soja, who was happily splashing around, feet firmly on the pool floor. Thank goodness. "I guess swimming lessons are in order for you two!" She said. "If you have her, I will return to Soja. You can meet us there to play." She turned back to return to her daughter, but her careful eye remained on the two. She didn't do well giving up control, and was taking her role as caregiver to Doria seriously. But that could have been a disaster and she felt terrible.

Doria was limp when lifted but her self repair was desperately trying to situate the large amount of fluid that overwhelmed her internal capacity. The quick thinking of the Lieutenant Commander saved her from an automatic shutdown but she was not 'out of the water yet'. Feeling the Lieutenant Commander put her down head above water she began as if on instinct walking toward the steps but when she got to them she crawled up and out of the pool. Unceremoniously she began to expel the water from her mouth, an almost comical amount if not for the situation being so worrisome. As she expelled the water she ran several diagnostics before she expelled three liters of water. "Fluid expulsion complete. Self diagnostic complete. System shutdown to allow for hibernation and self repair until system reset engaged by a Master." She then collapsed on her stomach with her eyes closed.

Reeza was out of the pool; pulling herself up out of the water with the sheer force of her willpower. Landing on her feet on the stone, she caught her balance quickly, reached in to scoop up Soja, and then went to Doria's side. "Doria. How do I reset you?" DAMMIT, engineering had been dragging their feet on getting HER the specs for the girl. Never mind that the senior staff had them-they weren't her main caregivers. She looked up for Rayek's help, but frantically searched. "Soja, sit, be quiet, please." Soja was dancing around, likely out of a stress response. "I don't have any schematics yet." And she was just a counselor, not an engineer or scientist!

Rayek had thought the situation under control once he got her head above water. He watched curiously as Doria crawled out of the pool and then his eyes widened in surprise at the sheer volume that the android expelled. Still given Doria's earlier assurances that she was 'waterproof' - he thought that would be resolution to situation. However the automated report her issue before collapsing, told him his assumption had been wrong.

He watched as Lt Cuyu rushed out of the water - taking Soja with her, he noted gratefully. He made his way out of the water, moving first to take hold of Soja carefully and guiding her to a lounge chair and setting her down to sit. "Wait here," the Romulan stated firmly, but then seeing her concerned expression he added in a more gentle tone. "Doria will be fine."

Turning then to Doria and Reeza, Rayek addressed the almost panicking mother. "Lieutenant, calm yourself. Place your hand at the back of her neck wrapping around with your thumb and forefinger. Press gently on both sides of her neck simultaneously." Rayek instructed, repeating and expanding on the instructions he'd been given by Doria herself.

Reeza nodded, and did as the man instructed. "Thank you!!" She did the maneuver, and shut her eyes as the report came that Doria was doing reset procedures. "I haven't gotten the schematics from Engineering yet." She let herself calm down a little bit. "I am sorry for panicking. I just...she's my charge and I can't let anything happen to her!"

After a moment Doria's eyes reopened and she sat right up as if nothing happened. Tilting her head side to side a bit she looked up to the Lieutenant Commander but then to the Counselor. Her eyes began to drip coolant, as the girl lurched forward and clung carefully to Reeza and started sobbing loudly. It did not come off with a rhythm or as if a rehearsed sound, instead it was genuine fear and panic.

Rayek felt a pang of guilt at seeing the android cling to Cuyu in distress. This was due to him. If he'd considered the possibility that the water might not interact well with her electronics, he could have prevented this. "I'm so sorry. Computer, activate pool forcefield."

Reeza hugged Doria close to her. She looked at Rayek. "Do not feel badly; neither of us knew this would happen. I certainly would've advised against it otherwise!!" She didn't blame him at all. She let Doria cry for a moment, and then rubbed her back lightly. "It's ok, you're safe now. I am sorry that happened. Can we talk about it? Tell us what happened." She asked, quietly.

After a few more moments of sobbing Doria's face returned to its normal neutral emotional view. A few drips of tears continued streaking but it was as if her programming was trying to over ride her fear. "This one went to the deeper section to show that this one is waterproof, but found an inability to float. So this one opened their mouth to announce such. While this one does not have lungs the fluid filled this ones food processor unit to overflown and an emergency shut down almost happened but this one with the Lieutenant Commanders aid got out enough to expel the fluid before self repair systems started. However the shock was enough to temporarily shut down this one. This one trusts the Lieutenant Commander showed how to turn this one on?"

Reeza nodded. "He did. You are ok now, and now we know. No floating. Next time we try a pool, we'll try a floatie or something!" She looked to Rayek. "I think she's ok, Commander. It'll be ok." She let out a sigh. "Yes, his quick thinking got you out of the water fast!! Maybe it's time to cut this short, and head back? It's up to you!"

Rayek was glad to hear that Doria seemed fine after her dip in the pool, but was having second thought about being assigned one of her caretakers. Perhaps it would be best if he had someone else take over the role?

After Doria calmed she looked to Rayek, "Permission for this one to hug?"

The request brought a slight sad smile to his face. He didn't deserve a hug after having put her in a dangerous situation. However as the hug was something Doria apparently needed, Rayek nodded and before he could move to go down to her level she had wrapped herself about his waist. He stroked her damp red hair and offered his apologies quietly to her once more, earnestly in Rihan. "Mosekhesai ahefvi."

She hugged so much to Rayek, but not too roughly. She after a few moments looked up, "Thank You for saving me." The first time she had said a personal pronoun without correcting. Maybe it was the shock of the incident.

Rayek so engrossed in his own self-recrimination did not pick up on the pronoun use, but nodded at her thanks.

Now that Doria was OK, Reeza went to Soja, to check on her and make sure she was OK. "Thank you for listening to Commander trLhoell." She took the little girl's hand. "Doria, let's go put your smock back on, ok? We'll try swimming and floating again later." She said. She smiled at Rayek with a reassuring smile. It was OK; things happened with little ones and you couldn't blame yourself.

He nodded at Reeza, understanding full well her decision to cut the holodeck outing short. Despite her reassuring smile, Rayek was not assured. In the back of his mind was the nagging thought, what if such an incident would have happened with Fvienn? Fvienn did not have a reboot protocol.

While the girls made use of the poolside change room, Rayek headed to the main bedroom to change. In the privacy of the locked room, the Romulan sat on the edge of his bed and let the fear, worry and self-blame fill him. Tears ran unchecked and his hands shook as he stifled the sound of his sobs, smothering them against his palm.

Ten minutes later, the Romulan was downstairs in the Entrance way appearing as calm as a Vulcan, except for the warm smile that he gave his three guests as they prepared to leave. "Thank you for all joining me. I hope we can do this again."

"Of course," Reeza replied, softly. "This was a trial run; now we know what bugs to work out!" She remained positive. "Next time you bring someone, you'll know better."

Doria had her usual emotionless face but offered out her arms as if to ask for a hug but fearful. She said nothing but remained in the position.

Rayek recognized the stance. "Did you want another hug Doria?" The Romulan asked as he crouched down and open his arms towards her. "I too could use another. If you are willing."

Doria slips over and gently hugs to Rayek, resting her head on his shoulder before looking up with a gentle and happy smile, "Thank You Sir."

"You are most welcome, Doria. Anytime you want to return here, let me know. My home is open to you." This was saying a lot for the Romulan. He was surprising himself. He rose and took a step back, looking to Reeza next.

Reeza nodded. "Thank you for inviting us. I had a good time, regardless of the problems. Children are...tough, but they're resilient. They will be ok." She tried to reassure him again. She didn't know what the proper, off-the-clock, Romulan protocol was to say goodbye. A hug was too personal, but a wave seemed too..casual. Instead, she opted for a smile and a wave as she led the girls out of the Holosuite. "Are you going to stay awhile?" She asked, quietly. He may want to, alone. She would, likely.

"Thank you for accepting my offer." At the Reeza's wave, Rayek bowed his head in acknowledgment. "Jolan'tru" The word was both a greeting and a farewell. Her question, when asked gave Rayek pause and he glanced back towards the house, but shook his head after a moment. "No. I'm just going to save and close the program. It is too empty to be here on my own."

Reeza nodded. "If I may...maybe sit with that feeling for awhile." Counselor mode. She rarely shared things like that "off the clock" but he seemed to need something, some kind of reassurances, maybe.

Doria on her way out raised her hand in the Vulcan Ta'al. Being unfamiliar with the difference in Vulcan and Romulan she had hoped the similarities would be appropriate.

Rayek, who was none too fond of any Vulcan, sighed when Doria raised her hand in the Vulcan ta'al. Normally, he'd pointedly remark that he was NOT Vulcan. but because it was Doria, he merely nodded and raised his hand and gave her a human wave goodbye in response.

Doria noted his response and gave a human wave before hurrying off. She then followed Reeza close.



OFF: Lieutenant Commander Rayek tr'Lhoell
Lt. Cuyu Reeza, Counselor
Crewman Doria, Chief Android.

 

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