Yoga Class

Posted on Mon Jul 12th, 2021 @ 1:09am by Warrant Officer Arin Merkara & Lieutenant Amanda Rose

1,925 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: The Lonesome Road
Location: Holodeck 2

Amanda needed a distraction. Her work seemed to be going along very well. She felt like she was engendering the trust of most of the crew that she met with. There seemed to be a lot of angst and anger among her more recent client visits and she needed to shed some of that negativity. She also hoped that she would be able to clear her mind and push aside all the thoughts that she had regarding the various romantic interests she had developed. After all, most likely, none of them would develop and she was seeing something there that was not. Was that not the way of it on the Avenger?

Seeing that there was a yoga class on holodeck two, she figured some nice relaxing stretches would help her mind and potentially also help with her figure. She changed into a rose pink and red leotard and headed to Holodeck 2.

The class hadn't started yet, Arin like to arrive early to get a decent spot and to limber up. She had her mat with her. Wearing a grey muscle t-shirt SFMC emblazoned on the front, the four large letters curving around her bust. Skin tight black lycra and workout slip-ons completed her outfit.

Seeing the only other person in the room Arin walked up and unrolled her mat next to her. She tossed her towel on a nearby bench. "Hi. Arin Merkara." She slipped a clear head-band just to keep her hair out of her face. It wasn't long enough for a ponytail.

Amanda smiled, as she tried to do something with her auburn locks, which were not cooperating to form a ponytail. "Nice to meet you, Arin. I'm Amanda Rose." She looked over Arin and stated sweetly, "I hate pointing out the obvious, because it makes me sound stupid, but there's not many Orions or part Orions in Starfleet. Your life must have had some interesting twists and turns. How did you wind up here?"

Arin chuckled. "I don't think we have time for the long version. Short version, I am half human. My father was a starfleet captain. I grew up on Earth." Walking over to her towel, Arin tore a strip from it. Using her hand, she twirled the fingers in a motion to suggest Amanda turn around. When she did so, Arin gathered the long hair and quickly made a simple simple pony tail. "Mom instinct is strong." Arin offered with a smile.

Laughing, Amanda replied, "Thank you. My hair can be quite the bother sometimes." Switching topics, Amanda noted, "You look very young to be a mother. May I ask how old you are?"

"31 and my daughter is almost 12. Legal but young. Your hair reminds me of my daughter Lisa. Long and flowing, though hers is darker like mine. I might have to mimic that color though. Looks good on you and could be interesting on against mine. " Arin commented. "What job brings you to the Ontario?"

"I'm the Chief Counselor," Amanda answered simply and hoping that did not frighten Arin away. She was not here to do an evaluation but so many people initially felt that way when she met them for the first time. "What is your position here? Is Lisa here with you? And, well, as to my color, um, I'm glad you like it. I, well, I've always had to deal with it and the thick waves. It isn't as glamorous as you might hope."


"No, Lisa is with her dad. My Ex. Grand lookin' man but a thick headed donkey when it comes to anything but business. Too dangerous to bring her on a starship." Arin rolled her eyes. "If you need help with that mop O' red, I would happy to help. As for me, the engines are my specialty. Warrant Officer Merkara at your service. If it goes, you're welcome."

Amanda laughed at that. "Thank you," she replied with another giggle. "I do find it interesting that you think of a Starship as too dangerous. Many people bring their children aboard." She then blushed. "Of course, what am I talking about? I've not gotten even to the stage before having children. Need a guy for that, right?" She laughed awkwardly. "I can't say that I'm good at that. I doubt you have issues, though."

Arin place her hand on her chest. "Issues. Ha. I don't trust someone with NO issues. They are hiding something. And it's not me that thinks starships are dangerous. It's Michael, the ex. As for procreation, you don't even really need a male, though it's easier and can be far more fun. It's the repercussions that are the potential nightmare. Do you want a wee one or two? " Arin asked, genuinely interested.

"So, you just gave into your ex?" Amanda asked curiously. "Or was there mutuality to your decision?" She then shyly smiled, "I'm a bit more traditional. I do want children and I want a husband before I have those kids." Amanda then laughed, "God help them if they get this hair or my bottom half."

Arin's skin flushed and got darker. "There was no giving in. He sued for sole custody. My green skin and enlisted rank didn't sit well with the judge. It took me a couple of years to get visiting rites. Working on joint. It's total shite. My hope is that she's getting older and is beginning to see through the thin veneer of humanity covering his rotting carcass. Probably why the two places you can find me in most when off-duty is working out or drinking." Her skin returned to a more normal color. "Just a bit bitter." Arin offered. "I've earned that bitterness."

"As for your backside, if he can't deal with it, get out. You can see mine isn't exactly two small handfuls either. I'm gonna push him down and ride him into oblivion. If he dies, he dies. Life it too short already to have to deal with pretenders. I'd also expect the reverse to be true. At least that's the ideal. I don't mind being a bit aggressive occasionally but a steady diet of it is boring. I want an equal, not a milque-toast. Rant over." Arin said.

It was Amanda's turn to blush. While she was not a prude, such blatant and aggressive sexuality was not her forte. She was a romantic and she wanted to be wooed and have a guy do most of the work. "It is important to find an equal in a relationship," Amanda answered, her color starting to return closer to normal. "I must say that you have quite a healthy attitude about finding partners.'

Turning back to a more comfortable conversation for Amanda, but likely less comfortable for Arin, the Counselor sympathetically replied, "It really is unfair and wrong for people to have prejudices based on skin color. I would have hoped that we, as a society, got over that a long time ago. It is so barbaric to judge based on external features. We should be judged solely on our actions. That being said, how do you plan to do joint custody when he's on the planet and you're here? That seems practically very difficult."

"I'd like to apologize. My mother would scold me for that outburst. Why do I let myself fall into the stereotype? Is it nature or nurture? The curves and green skin make it worse. A defense mechanism to be sure. A session for us if we feel the need.

"As for custody, I've been biding my time. Working on my career and gathering evidence over the years as to the type of father and partner he has been. Plus Lisa in no longer a baby, though I have no doubt that he still sees her that way. Something to be controlled. I didn't allow that and in the long run, Lisa won't either. That's what I need to get through his thick skull." Arin breathed out a huge sigh. "He's used her over the years as a bargaining chip and I hate him for it."

"There's nothing to apologize for," Amanda assured Arin. "However, I am required to complete your psychological exam, and if you ever feel the need for counseling, I'm here to help, whether as a counselor or a friend." She gave Arin a genuine, wide grin. "And I'll be there for Lisa, too, if you manage to get her aboard. I cannot imagine that would be an easy transition and she will likely have her own issues all tied up with her father's actions and your absence, whether you desired it or not."

Arin chuckled. "I have no illusions about having a teen to raise, part Orion or not. I gave Colleen, my step-mother, at a least a few grey hairs. Help will be appreciated and taken gladly."

"Did Lisa get your coloring or her father's?" Amanda asked curiously. "What is she like? What are her interests?"

Arin signed before replying. "She has a paler version of my coloring, and his eyes. She looks a bit more like him I think. His nose and eyes. My smile. So a mix. Sadly the rest of what I know is fragmented. Horses, but what young girl doesn't like horses."

"Horses are quite majestic," Amanda agreed. "Myself, I was always more into dance and theatre. All the arts, frankly."

Arin picked up her mat. "I'm sorry, but yoga isn't going to cut it this time. I needs to let out some aggression. Maybe a sword fight with someone with a passing resemblance to Michael."

Amanda turned whiter. She wondered if she had offended Arin in some way. "Do you care to tell me what upset you? It wasn't me, was it?"

"It wasn't you that caused the offense. I miss Lisa and Michael as usually pisses me off. I'm not mad at you." Arin said and even offered a light smile. "It was nice meeting you Amanda. Come find me if you need to talk. I'm sure you need to bare your soul as it were. If I'm not here, I am usually in the bar or Engineering."

"I appreciate you willing to be that kind of person for me. I look forward to our next meeting, Arin."

"Let's make it soon. Even if it's non-formal."

"I agree!" Amanda replied readily. "This was not formal, so why should the next time be? Of course, we do have to have one appointment, but if you're more comfortable, you can set that up with someone else in my department. It is a requirement," Amanda told Arin apologetically.

"You should have enough already with me talking!" Arin quipped with a smile. Slumping her shoulders in mock defeat, she added. "If I have to."

"I'm afraid so," Amanda replied with an understanding smile. "But, who said that it would be long. I book an hour, but if my professional sense tells me that everything is OK, then we can just chat the rest of the time, right? It might be fun," she concluded beaming at Arin.

"Therapy doesn't bother me. Talking to people is not a big deal. Like anything else in life, it's the lies to yourself and others that get people into trouble." Arin said. "Maybe we'll get lucky and meet somewhere else as well. Good day Amanda."

"I can hardly wait!" Amanda said honestly. "You have a great attitude!"


Arin smiled. "You just need to remember that when I tell you to bugger off...Counselor." Arin winked at her and walked out the doors.

 

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