Burning Dove

Posted on Tue Aug 17th, 2021 @ 4:18am by Lieutenant Percival Bálor Ph.D & 1st Lieutenant Dahlia Acker

1,818 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Out of Time
Location: The Maple Leaf, Deck 8, USS Ontario
Timeline: [Backpost]

1st Lieutenant Dahlia Acker had changed from her uniform to black jeans and a white tee shirt, her hair free for once. Hell, she had even slapped on some makeup. She hadn't had much time exploring the ship since she stepped foot on it, but...well, it felt like about time. She wore her favourite boots too, which basically looked like her combat boots with a little bit more of a heel on. Because her feet deserved to feel comfortable.

Stepping into The Maple Leaf was in itself an experience. If she had been Betazoid she was pretty sure she could feel how relaxed people were. Instead she just had to take in the general atmosphere. She looked around for a moment, her blue narrowing as she spotted the bar. She got herself a drink...synthehol lager. She took a sip of the bottle as she walked, grimacing as she bumped into a man. "Sorry..." she said, licking her lips. Plus side, no beer spilled, so she wasn't making a complete fool of herself. Downside. She had just bumped into another person. "Wasn't paying attention..." she smiled to the man, a quick smile. "I'm Dahlia."

Percy nearly spit his drink out and chuckled. "Oh really now?" he replied setting his drink down and having a look at the woman. Being a Botanist it was hilarious to find someone with the name of any sort of plant, a flower especially. There was of course Amanda Rose and she lived up to her name, beautiful to look at, thorns that pricked, and a disappointing lifespan if clipped and removed from the bush of people.

"That's either a very beautiful name or a very unfortunate one," he commented. Probably not the best thing to say, but he did not really care. A dahlia could be symbolic of wealth and dignity, but on the flip side a black dahlia symbolized dishonesty and betrayal. There was of course the whole Elizabeth Short matter, something Percy uncovered years ago in his binge of true crime holonovels.

Dahlia laughed at the words, giving a small shrug. "Well, it could have been worse. Some of the names my parents were toying with were apparently Belladonna, Zinnia, Primrose and Sage. I think I got off lightly..." she said lightly, raising an eyebrow as if to challenge it...but playfully. She had always been convinced her mother wanted a name, girly name for her daughter and had suspected if her father had gotten a true say she would have a name like 'Amira' or 'Malin'...or 'Hunter'. She would not put it past her father to have wanted to call her that. "All things considered anyway. I don't think I am a Sage."

"Sage isn't that bad of a name," replied Percy. "I knew a guy named Sage once. You really want to curse a child you name them Amanda. I swear, almost the worse name from Earth, probably second only to Brittany. Have you ever met a pleasant Brittany?" Percy shrugged. "I'm not one to talk though. My parents wanted to name me Percy but it wasn't fancy sounding enough so I got dealt with Percival. Who does that?!"

"Percival was a Knight at Arthur's Round Table...I think it's a nice name," Dahlia met his eyes, holding them. "Did you know that originally, he was the one on the quest for the Holy Grail? Then Galahad took all his glory later because some writers are lazy..." she paused and shook her head. "Sorry, I like history. Which sooner or later leads you to legends...it's a vicious circle. Do...you mind if I join you?" It was an opening for him to say no and she'd leave him alone.

He laughed. "You are good with Earth's history, but how's your literature?" he asked. "That's what my parents were into. So, I'm not named after a Knight of the round table, but flattered that's what came to mind," he added. "I have no planned company. So, feel free to join me."

She nodded and took a seat, biting her lip as she considered her own literature skills. "I have read books, if that is what you mean. And I do occasionally read fiction but mostly I read history books or manuals..." she admitted with a grimace. Now that made her sound boring. "I like being up to date."

"Do you hang out here often?" he asked. "I can't say that I've really noticed you before, but then again I've been avoiding coming in here. Long story. I have been trying to avoid someone."

"I...it is my first time," she confessed as she held his eyes, smiling gently. "I just haven't had the time since coming onboard...now, you avoiding someone...that sounds like a story," she sipped her drink, a small and cheeky smile coming to her.

Percy scoffed. "Less of a story and more of a retelling of a nightmare," he replied. "I met someone while assigned here, a good someone, but the Ship's Counsellor was interested in them too, but also in the Captain maybe? I don't really know. Either way, the Counsellor made no moves towards either of them."

The Chief Science Officer shrugged. "I did. I made the move and I'm happy about that, but the Counsellor seems hellbent on ensuring nobody is happy. I think she blames me for her not getting either other and being alone. Really, it became a personal war and I've tried to call an end to it, present a peace treaty, but she won't allow it to happen."

"Wow..." Dahlia shook her head with disbelief and she let out a soft breath. "I always find it funny how much drama there ends up being when it comes to inter-personal relationships..." she sat back and met his eyes. "Good on you for making the move. Life's too short not to."

Percy nodded. "That was part of my motivating factor. The Chief Medical Officer told me not to waste time and go for it. So, I went for it," he explained. "Apparently, I was supposed to not go for it and wait months or years for our ship's counsellor to decide if she was going to make her own move."

Dahlia grimaced and took a swig of her beer, stretching her legs out. "I suppose everyone has their own schedule...pretty sure most species would be extinct if it went that slowly. So...did you get the gal?"

Percy snorted. I got better he thought to himself. "I got a lot out of it in the end including a headache with the Counsellor. It has practically turn into a war" added Percy. "I'm still waiting to see how it will go."

Dahlia nodded, watching him for a long moment. "Well, I know they say all is fair in love and war...I also believe in nothing being worth that much of a headache," she said and shook her head. "But then again, I've never been in love." A big statement but she was open about it. It was just one of those things in her life.

"I would gladly go to war for a chance with them," Percy replied. "So, the counsellor had better be ready because I do not give up. I will entertain peace, and I tried that. I tried my best to have some sort of peace accords, but the counsellor was not having it."

"Which...can be problematic," Dahlia said as she looked at the man, studying him closely. "Well, if she won't have it...make sure you win the war. What is your battle plan?" she finished her beer and put the bottle down, her hands resting on the table now.

"When your adversary is the counsellor, you've already won before the battles begin," replied Percy. He took another sip of his beverage and sat the empty glass down. "My plan is a simple one. Psychological warfare until she compromises."

"Against a counsellor whose career has been about picking apart and manipulating minds and emotions..." Dahlia said and grimaced, taking a breath. "I think I am going to need something stronger to drink..." she stood and smiled, reaching to take his glass. "As do you. Another round, squire?"

Percy scoffed. "Her studies for her career may have bee. In picking apart minds, but she's a gobshite counsellor. At least when it comes to her own wants, needs, and desires. She does not like to be reminded that studying and analyzing people is part of her position. She also likes to say that the war is in my head and that I and others have problems, but she fails to realize she causes her own problems."

He dismissed the drink. "I'll pass on seconds. Another time, sure. Tonight? I think I need to just lie in bed and contdmplate the mental and emotional topography of this battleground since we've decided to douse the dove in gasoline and torch the bird."

She watched him for a long moment, holding the empty bottle and glass, her blue eyes gentle. "Think you just psychoanalysed the counsellor pretty good, so yeah...maybe not the worst idea," she said as she looked down. "You know...everyone has problems. And everyone handles it differently. Some project. Some just...ignore. Some spend time going over their mistakes until it makes them so angry they break their hand on the wall. And in those times, being called out on them might be the best thing. So if you haven't called her out on hers, I suggest you do. Maybe that is the final shot of the war. Truth."

"A porcelain rose shatters when thrown against a wall of truth, but this rose was broken well before I entered the garden. Paint me as a serpent as much as she wants, the harsh reality is she's trapped in her own damn labyrinth, and no man - no Theseus is going to come rescue her. The Counsellor needs to be her own hero and escape the prison she's built for herself. "

She watched him with awe before she chuckled, taking a breath. "Wow," she whispered and shook her head. "You certainly have a way with words, Percival. And maybe you have a good point. I do enjoy shattering things though, so..." she gave a weak shrug. "I...hope I will see you around soon. It's nice to find someone to talk with. And to talk about things that weren't tactics, weaponry or the finer points of communication protocols for the SFMC."

Percy flashed a smile before leaving. "Oh we talked tactics and weaponry. Love and war, just under a different lense. Have a nice evening, and it's Percy unless you are kitting me a jumper"

She watched him leave, laughing softly. "Better get my circular knitting needles out then..." she whispered under her breath and headed to the bar for another drink.

 

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