The First Conversation

Posted on Fri Jan 17th, 2020 @ 8:58am by Lieutenant Rianna Repatha Thibideaux & Commander Curtis Thibideaux

1,258 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Aftermath and Downtime
Location: TBD
Timeline: TBD

ON:

Rianna was trying not to be so obvious, but on a ship this size it was almost impossible. From the first time she laid eyes on Curtis, she had been taken by his mannerism. He was handsome, considerate, understanding and warm in how he held himself. It literally blew her away. Now since their talk in the mess hall alone, even more so was she taken by his words of concern. Still she wanted to get to know him better. She continued to wander through the Valiant hoping to runinto him.

Curtis leaned against the wall of the companionway, musing. They were in hot pursuit.

They weren't sure where they were going.

When they would get there.

And they didn't have an idea of what they'd find when they got there.

Despite all that, they were making good time.

Wherever they were going.

Curtis stood, leaning against the corridor outside his quarters, musing on that when motion caught his attention and he looked up to see Valiant’s chief engineer round the curve of the companionway. The executive officer nodded absently,acknowledging the Betazoid without really focusing on her as his mind sifted through the tasks he knew they’d have to do.

Then there were the things that they couldn’t plan for.

That’s what he worried most about.

"Commander, I see smoke coming from your mind. You are doing too much thinking will give you an ulcer", Rianna said smiling warmly

Turning his head, it took Curtis a moment for his thoughts to clear and his eyes to focus on the Chief Engineer. "Smoking machinery would be your specialty, wouldn't it Lieutenant? Gears not meshing and all that.?"

"Actually Commander,. I was thinking more of your sanity and your health. You know I can sense your emotions and both you and I are worried about the captains wife. I think for the moment maybe we could go some where quiet and let me help you to relax a bit," Rianna said. She was still quite taken by him and their previous conversation in the mess hall.

Curtis's left eyebrow rose at that and he considered the Engineer's words and her. "Lieutenant, thats an interesting suggestion. The Captain has the bridge and until we catch up to that ship, I suppose some distraction might be welcome. What did you have in mind?"

"I can understand your reluctance but when one is this preoccupied, a littlle relaxation does help to focus and center the thought process", Rianna said. Happy beyond words that he agreed....."Well being that the ship is small, it does limit quiet places but maybe the mess hall or," she hesitated a moment....."quarters might be good. Some meditation or perhaps a quick massage would be sufficient?" she added.

Curtis considered all of that. He knew how fast rumors spread on small ships, even amongst the most innocent of things. "My quarters should be quiet enough and we can leave the hatch open for proprieties sake," he said, speaking his thoughts as they processed. "Perhaps start me slow on some meditation, Chief...?"

"Sure, we can do that, leave the hatch open. It is a simple meditation and friendly masage. I want you to relax and so your thoughts can work for you clearly," Rianna said softly.

Curtis led the raven haired brunette into his quarters, looked around and chuckled. "Hardly enough room to swing a cat, but it will do I suppose. So, where do we start Rianna?"


Chuckling she told him, "Sit here and we can start with a simple medatative temple massage," she said turning on the small device that held the music for meditation. Placing her first and second fingers on each side of his head, just behind his eyes and began to circle the area slowly and gently maintaining constant pressure. "Relax and think about something that the music allows your mind to pick out. Something positive and focus on that," Rianna said softly.

He sat as commanded and closes his eyes because it seemed the thing to do. Curtis pushed, or tried to re-direct the cares and concerns he carried about to one side as she instructed and the first thing his brain chose to focus on was her touch. He could feel her warmth near him, her stray breath teasing occasionally at his hair as she spoke and all of a sudden other things were definitely on his mind that shouldn't be.

He attempted to push those thoughts aside as well but knew his complextion was giving him away. Curtis shifted slightly and kept his eyes firmly closed as he said, "Ok. So, what...like ponies or something? I don't think I'm very good at this..."

"Commander you are not relaxing very well. Don't worry what thoughts enter your head. Don't resist your feelings what ever they may be. You may not like feeling vulnerable but it is your vunerabilities that you have to accept and deal with. What ever enters your head listen to the thoughts and feelings. Feel what your true feelings feel and what your heart tells you. Don't be afraid to explore your deeper inner most feelings. They are what makes you who you are", Rianna said gently massaging his shoulders and to the back of his neck. Gently working his neck she eventually got to his temples on the side of his eyes where it is a tender spot and moves her fingers in a clockwise motion. The feeling is relaxing and calming.

Curtis did feel a calming effect spread over him.

Calming enough that he started to nod off.

He caught himself and focused for a moment, then asked. "That seems like a lot when there's work to do. Isn't this better suited for when you don't have stressors pushing at you from the edges? The barbarian's at the gate principle I think they called it at Command school."

"Why Curtis! I do believe you are straying from the subject of relaxation!," Rianna said laughing softly. Coming to stand facing him, she smiled warmly. "Are you trying to avoid what your mind and heart are saying?", she urged on chuckling.

He looked at the Betazoid for a moment, measuring her from heel to crown before saying, "Well, Rianna you seem to be reading me. What is my body language saying to you?" Then his eyes twinkled and he said, "I hadn't really considered you to be a barbarian before. Perhaps you're in disguise?"

Laughing softly, "A barbarian? No, a woman who knows when her superior officer needs a break and some relaxation downtime, yes. It is exactly this when the stress is pushing you that these measures need to be done. Once completed, you will be able to tackle them with renewed energy and clarity", Rianna said smiling.

Closing one eye, Curtis let the other regard her for a few more moments before it closed and he tried to find this energy and calm she spoke of.

Then the comm hooted and his eyes snapped open.

"Commander Thibideaux to the Bridge," came Day's voice and he sighed.

"Oh well," he said, starting to climb to his feet, "No rest for the wicked, it looks like. "Thank you, Rianna. We'll have to pick this up another time I'm afraid."


"Well maybe when we get to the station we can pick this up again, and not be interupted," Rianna said smilimg as she watched him leave. For a split second she read his thoughts and smiled knowing there would be a next time.

 

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