<USS Avalon> "How to Crush a Good Mood in Seconds"

"How to Crush a Good Mood in Seconds"
Lieutenant Colonel Soliel 
 
Soliel sat at her desk working on reports. She normally  hated paperwork. Her 
role as second officer seemed to triple the amount of padds  on her desk, 
which meant she put in far more hours doing paperwork then the  normal chief 
engineer, but for once she wasnât irritated by the work awaiting  her 
attention. 
It seemed that her evening with her cherished Dear One had put  her in a very 
good mood. Sheâd actually found the faces of her engineers rather  funny as 
she 
greeted them sweetly that morning. You would have thought, by the  looks on 
their faces, that the four horsemen of the Apocalypse had just waltzed  into 
engineering singing itâs a small world after all. 
 
Leaning back in her chair, Soliel placed another  finished padd down onto her 
out pile, she then stretched out the stiffness in  her body from sitting so 
long. She rested her head against her chair and closed  her eyes. Allowing her 
mind to fill with memories of the night before and of  this morning. Vevay had 
been divine. Sheâd been insatiable with the small amount  of freedom sheâd 
been given during the night. Sheâd been an angel to sleep  beside. And then 
without hesitation sheâd slipped seamlessly back into her  proper role. 
 
A soft knock on her door brought Soliel out of her  wonderful reflections. 
She frowned slightly, but refused to give up her good  mood. âEnter.â She 
called out as she sat up properly in her desk chair. 
 
A young man of barely twenty-five years stepped warily  into the room. He was 
a handsome young man with ebony skin, short coarse hair,  vibrant green eyes, 
and strong yet unsure hands. He swallowed hard as the door  behind him 
closed. He lowered his gaze, hands behind his back, waiting for  permission to 
breath. 
 
âYou wish to speak with me, Mister.â It was more of a  statement then a 
question. Soliel knew without reading the young manâs thoughts  that he had 
come 
to her with something on his mind. He was the type who had to  question 
everything, which often got him into trouble, yet he persisted in  questioning 
her 
repeatedly. It was rather irritating.
 
He was not permitted to look at her yet. She hadnât  given him permission to. 
So Markus continued to look at the floor. âYes Lady I  do.â 
 
The use of the term Lady confirmed that this wouldnât  be a professional 
conversation; not that she had a reason to have a professional  conversation 
with 
someone from Science. She reached over and pressed a button on  her desk that 
would ensure them complete and utter privacy. âI need to know  why.â He 
confessed. 
 
Soliel perked up an eye brow. âNeed to know what,  Mister?â 
 
Markus flinched. He didnât understand why Soliel didnât  use the same terms 
of endearment she used with the others, and she couldnât seem  to make him 
understand that the use of nick names were earned. 
 
âYou told me that you could not keep our time because  you were tired and 
wanted a night alone. Yet, I saw her enter your quarters last  night.â 
 
Her anger flared in the pit of her stomach and began to  climb to the far 
reaches of her insides. âI do not appreciate being spied on,  Mister 
Defray.â 
 
âI was not spying, Milady.â Markus replied, his head  jerked a fraction of 
an inch as if he were going to look at her, but then he  jerked it back down 
again. âI took a second shift after you canceled dinner with  me. I was on 
your 
deck heading back from a repair I had been making. I saw her  ring your chime 
and then enter your cabin. I waited to see if you would dismiss  her, but you 
did not.â 
 
Soliel tired hard to keep her anger from her voice as  she sat back in her 
chair. However, she could feel the warm flush rising in her  cheeks and she was 
glad that Markus wasnât looking at her. She didnât want him  to see her 
anger 
with him until it was too late. âNo I did not dismiss her. In  fact she 
stayed the whole night with me.â 
 
That comment caused Markusâ head to snap up. He looked  at Soliel and this 
made her spring from her chair. âYou were not given  permission to look up, 
Mister.â 
 
âWhy do I get cast aside for her?â 
 
Soliel moved out from behind her desk and over to  Markus. She struck him 
hard and Markus went to his knees. âI do not owe you any  expiations. Nor do 
you 
have the right to ask for reasons for what I do.â Her  voice was cold and as 
sharp as a sword. âHowever, I will answer your question.  Though we have been 
over this many times Mister Defray. There is order and  position amongst us; as 
it has been for millennia. Although Thomas maybe have  been my first aboard 
this vessel, she is my dearest. For them all others can and  will be cast aside.
â 
 
âIt isnât fair, Milady!â
 
âLife is not fair, Mister Defray.â Soliel hissed. âGet  up.â 
 
âMilady?â 
 
Soliel grabbed him by the front of his uniform and  jerked him to his feet. â
I do not like repeating myself, Mister, you know this.â  Markus went to offer 
an apology but Soliel stopped him. âThe fact that you have  come to me today 
gives me proof of what Iâve long thought. Your not cut out for  this 
lifestyle, 
Markus. In fact the only reason your in my circle is as a favor  to your 
brother.â 
 
There was a mix of emotion in the young manâs eyes.  What amused Soliel most 
was the mix of fear and relief. âYour discharged from my  service, Markus.â 
 
âPlease donât do this.â He replied softly. 
 
âGo find yourself someone to marry and settle down  with, Markus. Youâll be 
happier with a life like that.â 
 
Markus was quite for a moment. Then he asked, âWhat of  Malcolm?â
 
âYour brother would beat you within an inch of your  life for failing not 
only me but him as well.â Soliel replied honestly. âIâll  see to it 
youâre 
black balled. Now go live your meek little life.â 
 
Soliel turned her back to him without another word. She  returned to her desk 
and released the secure seal around the room. Markus  remained where he was 
for a moment longer. He then turned and left the room. 
 
Sinking into her desk chair, Soliel could feel the  beginnings of a headache 
coming on. Maybe next time sheâd be allowed to remain  in good spirits 
through 
lunch time. 
 
Another knock on her office door made Soliel moan. She  called out to whoever 
it was but didnât look up from trying to rub the tension  out of her 
forehead. Suddenly her nose was filled with a wonderful floral scent,  and when 
she 
opened her eyes a young man stood before her desk with his gaze  down cast and 
a 
tray with her favorite Betazoid tea on it. Soliel didnât say a  word, she 
simply sealed off her officer again, and nodded to the man with the  fair skin 
and sandy blonde hair. 
 
Thomas poured her a cup of tea and then moved behind  her to rubbed her 
shoulders. âYour a sweet boy, pet.â 
 
âI saw him come in. I thought you might need to relax a  little once he was 
gone.â 
 
Soliel smiled. âIt would appear that I have some free  time this evening, 
Thomas.â 
 
âDinner at six and a hot bath by seven thirty.â 
 
âGood boy.â

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