JDL | Princess Xue'Daio & Ambassador Pal'Maar - "Goodnight Moon"

Posted on 241505.17 @ 8:06pm by Civilian Xue'Daio Nox & Civilian Pal'Maar Ilex

The walk back to their quarters had been done in relative silence, but Xue'Daio could feel her guardian's heavy eyes burning holes against the bare skin of her back. Each step felt heavy, lead laden with dread and exhaustion. To say the encounter with the Romulan had thrown her through a chaotic loop and turfed into some sort of melodramatic chasm of psychological warfare wouldn't have been accurate enough. She needed sleep. Needed... Something. The next step would be to figure out exactly what it was that had been done to her. What was it that had left her hurting and grieving for something and someone that had never been hers? She knew the emotions weren't hers. She knew the memories weren't hers. They were his and that was the most damning part of it all.

Stepping into the living area of her quarters, the young Albino began to disrobe. "Say what it is you wish to say. You have until I fall asleep, Pal'Maar." She said as her saree hit the ground and she kept on walking towards her bed chamber, seeking out the solace of her comforting cocoon of blankets, pillows, and mattress.

"Why were you speaking in tongues?" He picked up the discarded article of clothing, and draped it across the back of a chair on his way to follow her into the bedroom. "And why did we not sacrifice the Romulan for the indignity and abuse he put you through?" He stopped in the door, and stood with his arms crossed.

"Tongues? Hardly. I spoke Rhiannsu." Xue answered matter-of-factly. She sighed softly as the comfort of her night slip slid over her skin and blocked the cold from continuing to nip at her. Starships, she'd decided, were inherently freezing. "Maybe because we can't afford a war with the Romulan Star Empire yet? Maybe because he could be worth more to us alive?" She turned the questions back around, peering at him as she gestured towards him and then her hair. As always, it needed to be braided before sleep could successfully happen. A better part of her weary mind wondered if the thick, silken length of it would honestly choke her while she slept if she left it free to do as it pleased.

"He hardly seems like he could be useful," he dismissed as he obediently moved to plait her snowy tresses. "Though disposing of him in a way that doesn't link back to us might be a prudent move. Why waste the resources for a war if it can be avoided? He still insulted you gravely, and his tongue is hardly worthy of passing your lips. Something must be done to repay."

The Albino considered her guardian's words for a short moment, weighing the options as his fingers deftly moved through her moonbeam mane. "His aunt is the Praetor." She replied almost tersely, "They're a barbaric race, prone to emotional outbursts and tantrums like over grown green-blooded children." Xue huffed, folding her arms over her chest, "If he's to die, it would be best if we employed the old Klingon mantra of revenge being a dish best served cold." But she didn't want to kill the Romulan, not just yet. His spell, for lack of a better term, would need to be disenchanted before she'd see his blood spilled. Her day for retribution would come and on that day the goblin would know what it was like to hurt the way she hurt for him and because of him.

"There is something to be said of those barbarians being accidental sages," he insisted with a smirk and a head shake. "I still do not like the idea of him not only having free reign of the ship, but being in charge of the security. It does not matter if he's incompetent, or simply pretending for whatever dark motives he has — either way he poses a threat to you. The fact that the captain of this vessel dismissed my complaint against him out of hand, and shunted you and me off without another thought, as if we were the temper tantrum throwing children, is also worrisome. If something does happen to you because of that Romulan, I shall see that the Captain answers for this."

"And answer for it he will, if and when it comes down to that." Xue replied in a most demure fashion, taking a step forward to aid in Pal'Maar's work on her hair. "He fears me." She voiced with a chirp, "More to the point, he fears what it is I, and you, can do to him. Let us use that to our advantage?" Her bright rose-hued eyes narrowed slightly in thought, glittering brightly with the prospect.

"He behaves like a cornered animal though. That is dangerous," Pal'Maar pointed out as he reached the end of the braid. He collected a hairband from the night table, and tied off his efforts. "We will have to be careful about how we interact with him, lest he lashes out. His position aboard this vessel is too strong, and the captain blindly protects him. I do believe the captain at least means well, even if he doesn't see the viper for what he is."

Once freed of Pal'Maar's hands, the Princess sighed and shook her head. "They're feeble creatures, don't ever forget that." Her slender fingers tugged on and straightened the nearly sheer fabric of her night shirt as she turned to face her guardian with a lifted brow, "Worrying about them and calling them vipers only denotes that there's fear. I don't fear the Romulan or the Trill Captain, neither should you." She leveled with him, "Don't give them such power, Pal'Maar. You are Makta. They are nothing."

"There is no power in recognizing an animal can cause harm. It merely means recognizing it, and handling the threat correctly and safely. Bravery is not simply running into danger and getting killed for it, bravery is recognizing what must be done, and doing it regardless of if it can get you killed — but ultimately getting done what needs to be. Strength and power lie in not having to sacrifice yourself to get those things done." He crossed his arms, looking at his tiny pale charge with concern. "Do not fear them, but do not underestimate them either. If they catch you unprepared, you will be not remembered as brave for not fearing them, you will be considered foolish."

"Fair enough." Xue admitted with a small dip of her head, "But if I over estimate him, them, then I'm compromising and admitting that they have some sort of power over me." The young woman grimaced as she hoisted her delicate body into the comfort of bed, folding her legs as she looked up at him once again, "And they don't. They're trash, Pal'Maar. Refuse. Garbage. Space scum. I won't allow one ignorant elf-eared mongrel ruin what it is we've set out to accomplish, and neither should you." She hissed, drawing breath enough to puff up in irritation. She needed to solve the puzzle, the mystery of whatever it was that tr'Verelan had infused within her. Had to.

"Of course. It is a fine balancing act, being prepared but not conceding ground that shouldn't be lost. Simply take your time in evaluating the situation, and proceed cautiously and wisely. I trust you can do this well," he insisted, a small nod of his head directed at her. "For now, rest well, and please allow me to accompany you when you further explore the ship. Wandering on your own gives the Romulan more power over you than he deserves."

The young Princess scowled and frowned at his request, "Hiding behind you gives him more power than he deserves." She shot back, dropping herself backwards and into her nest of pillows with an involuntary grunt at impact. Her eyes searched the ceiling for some unheard answer to her questions, and she knew Pal'Maar wasn't going to let the issue of her security slip into the ether. The point of the matter was that she had no intention of hiding from the Romulan and every intention of forcing him into answering her demands for information and a cure as if their encounter had left her with a sickness.

"Leaving yourself without ally when facing him down gives him power to abuse his position, for it's a game of your word vs his, and unfortunately these people take his word above yours. Surrounding yourself with other people, to let them witness what happens, gives you power. They do not seem to like him, even though the Captain defends him." Pal'Maar shook his head. "It is vexing, and confusing, that they would put someone they don't trust into a position of such authority on their ship. For now, sleep, and we can discuss it further in the morning."

"We'll discuss it in the morning indeed." She replied, not bothering to look at the glowing guardian. "Good night."

"Good night," he returned, a soft frown tugging at his lips. He turned and exited her quarters without further comment.

=/\= End Log =/\=

Pal'Maar Ilex
Caste leader; Makta
Royal Guard

&

Xue'Daio Nox
Crowned Princess of the Stenellian Ascendancy
Lady of Aleine
Regent of Apsha
Stenellian Ambassador to the Federation