A Moment's Peace

Posted on Fri Apr 27th, 2018 @ 12:37am by

492 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: S0:1: What Is Past, Is Prologue
Location: Alice Kuan's Quarters
Timeline: Current

Before long, there was a pile of emptied crates in the hallway and her quarters had shifted from Starfleet bland to a reflection of her own unique sense of style. A shelf over the bathtub now held a collection of scented bath oils and a cluster of fat candles now graced a low, lacquered table beside the tub. The rug invited bare toes to curl in its depths and towels, overly large and soft, now hung on the towel stand. Her favorite bathrobe, floor length with sleeves that hung nearly to her fingertips, had been placed on a conveniently placed hook ... for later. For Alice, bathing was an experience, one she savored. As much as part of the end of her day as meditation was at the beginning.

It was the last box though ... that was the one. A small wooden chest of no particular beauty though she knew it at once. She picked it up and walked over to one corner of the main (living) area. There, groupings of plants clustered around the viewport, standing along one edge of a soft mat at either side of a narrow wooden table. She knelt before the table, widening her knees just far enough to set the chest down. She touched the top as a tear slid down her face.

The box was crammed full of tea, a wonderful selection of Vulcan's finest blends, along with a set of two, small, handleless cups. Beautiful craftsmanship of a style that she remembered from a visit she'd made to Vulcan. Incentive, he'd called it, to uproot her life and make this journey. "Lesek shaya tonat," she said softly. "I would have preferred that we shared the first cup. Computer, play La'Bohemme. The one with Soral and T'Penna. Set volume at 40 percent."

The music filled the room; Alice remained where she was with her eyes focused on the stars outside, seeing but not really looking. Thoughts and memories bubbled upward, flitting across the forefront of her mind, she examined them, one by one, then let them go, trying not to hold onto any one thought for very long. The heavy black wall slamming down in her mind, cutting her off from everything, when she went into stasis. Her less than peaceful reawakening. The devastation in the science lab. The Chief spot thrust upon her so abruptly. Bits and pieces, bubbling up, churning within the vortex that was her mind.

Lives lost. Scientists. If she believed in omens, this would be a bad one.

[Later]

Long hair piled on top of her head, she stepped into the bathtub and slid down, resting the back of her head against a folded towel. Candlelight softened the harsher realities as the heated water relaxed muscles and the violin concerto playing in the background soothed her soul. She lay beneath a blanket of scented bubbles, eyes closed while tears slid silently down her cheeks to mingle with the water that surrounded her.

 

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