"Bus Boy Blues"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 hums to herself and prepares an order here and an order there. She watches the new employee as he busses the tables. Her eyes follow him as he heads for the kitchen, followed by a loud CRASH as he trips down the stairs again.

She turns and stands in the kitchen door. "Boy!" she snaps. "How many dishes are you PLANNING to replace on your salary?"

Hars Darax starts from sleep as a loud crash is heard nearby. Springing up, he starts to say, "Status report all statio..." he stops short when he realizes he is not on board ship, as in his dream. He runs a hand through his hair and sits back down, surprised his feeble legs could move him so fast. He feels a bit peeved at being woken up.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 listens to the boy stammer a reply, which her question didnt really reqiuire. She sighs deeply and kneels beside him. "You boys get so clumsy in your teen age years." she softens her tone. "Maybe you will gain your grace BEFORE you put me out of business." she begins to help him pick up the plate shards.

Hars Darax gets up wearily and goes to the door, opening it, and looking for Driss, and looking AT her with an unhappy glare.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 tosses the shards in a rubbish bucket and reaches for a mop, just as Hars comes out of the office. She thrusts the mop at the poor native teen. "Clean." she orders with a snap. Then she turnes to Hars. "I'm sorry if this one interrupted your paperwork, love." she says softly. Paperwork has become code for nap over the last couple of weeks.

Hars Darax wants to reach for her. But the boy is nearby. Smiles sleepily, whispers, "I was having a bad dream, he did me a favour, I guess."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 arches a brow at his whispered words,but keeps her game face on as well as her brother. "Now ... go ... oh ... go ... OH! Fold the napkins. You can't POSSIBLY break any." she shakes her head and moves into her office, snagging Har's hand as she does and pulling him in with her.

Hars Darax obediently follows Driss back into the room, arms naturally reaching for her once she stops moving, he says lightly, "I need my morning sweetness."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 listsns tothe door swish shut even as she turns into Har's arms. She stands on her toes for a kiss, then .. "What nightmare? Want to tellme?" she asks, not leaving his arms unless shes ripped away.

Hars Darax looks down to her, very far down, he almost wants to kneel down and hug her that way, he was sure she'd get a kick out of that, but his legs weren't up to it. He shakes his head at her, "It's dark and dreary, as usual. I'm back on the USS Armstrong, and my crew is going mad around me. I am forced to use a phaser on my chief operations officer, who has attacked me."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 sighs. "So less dream and more memory." she reaches to caress his face. "Thats why you've been napping here so often? Not sleeping at home?"

Hars Darax shakes his head, stooping down to brush a kiss on top of her head, "Just don't want to be too far. I know the Colony is relatively safe, but... " he raises his eyebrows, "Plus I get free coffee," he drops another kiss, "Don't I?"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 grins up at him. "Thank you, Hars." she giggles. "You get whatever you want for free...." her voice drops slightly as she teases him ... or is she?

Hars Darax squeezes her tightly, "Be careful, Lass," he tells her, "Don't give anything away for free, no matter what sobstories they tell. And I'm going to get security to put a call button under the counter." He looks more serious, "Starfleet has enemies, and some... are not so easily detected. Be careful of wolves in sheep's clothing," he looks down to her, "I couldna bear it if something happened to you. Now I found you, I want you to be safe."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 smiles and looks up at him, caresses his face. "I know that. I was joking." she nods. "My family is full of wolvs in sheeps clothing. Remember, my brother is the sweetest, kindest male member of my family. And you know what he is capable of." she moves into him. "I couldn't stand it either." she whispers. "You know ... i think Souley would be jealous. But he isn't."

Hars Darax still holds tight, "Nothing for your brother to be jealous of, surely? Got someone else to watch over you when he's away, like now. No reason at all," he shakes his head, but a vision of Po comes into his mind, and he recalls the Fleet Captain was and is still not very happy about his new romance. "Does he come back soon," he asks.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods. "Bu he's been my only protector for almost twenty eight years now ... since ... maybe before we were born." she giggles. "He's distracted. He came back a couple of days ago and ... it's like he's still on N'doto. His head is in the clouds." she smiles softly.

Hars Darax: "Oh," Hars nods slowly. Back two days. That means Poison is back too, and hasn't contacted him. "I think I'm still in the doghouse with Po. She's not talking to me. Not much, anyway." He looks to her again, "I hope you don't mind but... I do miss talking to her sometimes. She was a good friend for a very long time and... it feels strange to have her silent."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 cants her head. "WHy .... ohhhh." she realizes suddenly. "I don't mind your friendship at all. Especially now that I understand it and ...." she looks at him for a long time. "She may be distracted herself." she says, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Souleymane .... he's .... well ... he hasn't been like this with anybody since Kattell ... " she ooks at him, slightly amazed. "She hasn't mentioned the time shes spent with my brother?"

Hars Darax shakes his head, "I knew she was away, and I guess she'd gone to see him, because there was nothing official in the reports. But no, she didn't let me kknow when she'd be back, which is... not what we usually did. So either she's mad at me, or feeling uncomfortable, I don't know which."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods. "What SOuleymane has told me ... she is very uncomfortable at what they have become. I think she was sort of thinking it was all for Fukujuso but ... SOuleymane is about to apply to adopt her .. without Poison." he tells her. "Hars ... my brother is in love with her and ... and .. maybe its not a one sided thing. I know he was surprized by her visit to N'doto .... but then he clammed up .. which means .. whatever happened was very private to him."

Hars Darax whistles softly, "All sounds rather dramatic. 'All the world's a play and all the people in it merely players,'" he quotes Shakespeare. "Beware the Ides of March, too," he adds. "I hope the two of them figure it out so I can figure it out. I miss my friend. But I'm glad I've got you," his legs are starting to tremble so he slips around, hopefully taking her with him, so he can perch on the side of the desk.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 moves to the desk and nudges him to take the chair. "She will work it out. I know she is strong. I can feel that about her." she sits on the desk if hes in the chair. "Hars ... SOuleymane is going .... well ... he's really going into the inport/export business." she sounds plain awed at the idea.

Hars Darax takes her advice and sits in the chair, but tries to hold on to her, "Don't go too far away, it's cold," he complains with a grin, "If it's legit then good for him, and it will be good for Po too." He wants to nuzzle his face in her sleeve. At least when he's sitting down she's easier to reach, and he murmurs, "Cuddley."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 schooches to the center of the desk and sits with her legs outside of his. She very primly spreads the materialof her slirt over his legs. "I am your blanket then. To keep you warm." she caresses his face. "It will be. He needs to be legitimate .. not just for Fuku but also ... I mean really ... it would not look good for the Fleet Captains boyfriend to wind up on a civilian prision colony someplace." she scoffs and leans over. "I like this cuddling stuff." she tells him. "I've never done anything like it." she begins to get comfortable when another CRASH sounds from the kitchen. "I'm going to kill him ...." she announces. SHe hops up, kisses Hars quickly and heads out of the room, growling in her native tongue.

=^=

"Short Days Riot"

[Ra Wakhashem, First Overseer, Welkin Mid, Takaar]

The riot was over. Five had been stunned and removed to the High. The Water Temple had been cleaned, cobbles brushed, weeping females calmed. The Long Dark was soothing. Best time of year, Short Days. Cold, it was, but better for all. Too bad it got disrupted. 

The Welkin Overseer left the temple. His office was on Mid. He'd prefer to go home for a drink with his feet up, but no joy this night. Elds would want his report at daybreak and they don't wait.

Ra Wakhashem took the Credit from his pocket, placed it in the aperture, heard the beep of acceptance. Took it back, stepped on the pad, and in a moment was in Mid. Walked along the path. Normally it would be busy with people out shopping, eating, resting in the square. Not this night, not now, for he'd ordered all businesses closed when the trouble began. 

In his office, he closed and locked the door, opened the window to the cool air, lit the lamp and sat down. Fumbled in his pockets for a small piece of metal, which, when inserted into his desk, allowed a drawer to open. Inside, a small container. Water. He took it out of the drawer, removing the covering, and took one small sip.

He'd learned since childhood to drink only one mouthful.

Leaning back, swinging his feet up to the old scratched table that served as a desk, he began his report.

"Fellow Nut died noonish in the Highest. Was to fix one Solar Collector that did not move correctly. He stayed too long in the Light. Perished from Heat Atrophy. His family grieved mightily. His Mewet collected all the relatives to complain. Loudly in the mid and low, others joined. Some hid. Some stayed inside. Those with Credits came to the Water Temple. There they talked loud about Water Rights and Work Conditions. Some youngers throw rocks at the Temple and Overseers, then starting a fight. Two Overseers blooded, then we told them to stay back. Five stayed forward, we made them lie down with stunning. They were identified and sent to the High where they will work their Sentence for Disturbance. The Nut family was took home, and an Attendant brought to aid the fellow's Mewet. The Water Temple was cleaned and made straight. All is now well."

Ra carefully locked away the precious liquid, and waited until sun's rising for his replacement. They exchanged pleasantries, Ra told Akhet his report, and went home to his lodgings in the Low.  His work was not always easy or nice. But because of it, his Mewet, his Hemet, and their youngers all had shade, good water, and schooling.

=^=

Surprises & Secrets

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 walks around and past the shiny Starfleet place. Something about engineering. She sighs and heads over the bridge, walking slowly. The move didnt take as long as shed thought it would and Souleymane was a wonderful guest but .... she missed the cooking ... she knew she shouldn't have gotten used to it but .. the end of the cafe meant the end of a lot of things. She spots Hars and moves up to him, reaching out a hand, but hesitantly. Hed no doubt talked to the Kap ... maybe it was more than just the cafe shed lost .. maybe it was Hars as well.....

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 stops near him, her hand still outstretched .. almost touching him, but afraid in many ways. "Hello, Hars." even her voice sounds down .. depressed.

Hars Darax: Hars waits outside the building he's rented. Worked some hours to get it cleaned up and ready for his surprise. Turns to watch Driss walking towards him. Sun gone out? Moves towards her, takes her hand in his, smiles warmly to her, "Got something to show you."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 smiles a little as he takes her hand. Maybe she hasnt lost EVERYTHING. "Alright .... " she agrees and holds onto his hand, swallowing hard. "Souley has Fuku ... so I have plenty of time." her voice drops, as if she no longer knows what to do with her free time.

Hars Darax looks down at her, glad to see the smile begin. "Come this way." Leads her along the walkway. Turns, pulling her gently, takes her through the door and into the room. Set up with tables and chairs. Even menu's, laboriously copied from what she'd done in the garden. "There," he says, letting her hand go, moving in front of her, turning, and opening his arms wide, "this, is yours." Grins at her.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 sees that it is a cafe ... that much is obvious. Maybe Hars had found her a job. That would be nice but ... she really preferred the way she was doing it. It gave her purpose. As they go inside she sees the menu and stares ... his hand drops hers and she listens to him. "Mine ...." she blinks. "I ... you? You mean ... mine?" she raises her eyebrows, but looks a little like a kid who is afraid that a candy will be snatched away from her.

Hars Darax laughs out loud at the look on her face. "It's all yours, love." Moves towards her, just closing the gap between them, looking down at her again, reaching a hand to cup her chin if she'd allow it. "Glad to see you smile again." Then he steps back and gestures toward the kitchen, "Better get cracking, I'm hungry," winks at her.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 's jaw drops in his hand. "Mine?" she blinks .... and then blinks again .... and then begins to cry. She hugs him tightly. "Oh Hars! Really?" she begins to really look about the place. "Oh you got my MENU!" she squees, still clearly crying and she vanishes into the back. "Oh! The KITCHEN!" she squeals and then a soft sound .. the electronic door opening. "Oh ..... Oh ... HARS!" and she begins to cry. Hard. In the office. Women!

Hars Darax accepts her hug with a big smile. Follows her as she dashes into the kitchen, finds the office. Tears are running down her face. It strikes him that she's never looked more beautiful. Tremendously glad her woebegone face has disappeared. Vows never to see it again if he can help it. Walks up behind her, as she cries. "Hush now, mo chridhe. I thought you'd be happy," he says lightly.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 turns and finds he's followed her. She turns and goes to him. "Happy?" she asks, as if surprised. "More than that." and impulsively she takes his head in both of her hands and kisses him, deeply if allowed. "I love it .. I love you!" and suddenly her face registers shock at the worsds that had come so unbidden from her mouth. She backs off a few steps, drops her head and bows a bit. "I ... forgive me.." she murmurs, flustered. "I didn't mean .. I mean .. I meant .. I .... I ... I .. know theres ... the Kaptain ..." she whispers. She hadn't meant to let this happen. To get between a man and his ... whatever Poison Toocool was to him .. even if she did know the goings on between her and her twin. Souley had told her .. almost everything. But now she is embarrassed . as she worries about loving an unattainable man.

Hars Darax: Surprised. Chuckles to himself even as she kisses him. Sweet. So sweet. Makes a sound in his throat. Love? Loves what he's done, an expression? Or more? Examines her face. She backs away. Didn't mean to say it, then? Clears his throat, a bit flustered himself. The simplicity of her. "Poison knows," he says in a gruff voice. He's hurt Po. "I told her about you, so don't worry. Shake off those dark worries." He moves towards her, and opens his arms to her. Wants to comfort her fears.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 looks up slowly as he speaks. She knows ... "You ... told her ...." she says, cautiously. She walks into his arms. "I ... didn't. I didnt' want to love ... someone I couldn't have ... and .. me ... my .. darkness ...." she bites her lip. She does not want to make the time worse but ... if she puts it off ... the pain would be worse. "My ... husband ... I .. should tell you the rest ..." she bites her lip and again begins to cry .. joy mingled with terror.

Hars Darax takes her into a warm, long embrace. His lips by her ear, he whispers, "shhhh mo chridhe. hush now." Couldn't bear to see her crying. "Don't let the darkness take over." Brushes his lips on her neck, holding her close, feeling her tears on his skin.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 still cries. "Qinisela .... he forced me ... I ... he isnt who I wanted. I didnt know who I wanted but not him ...." she buries her face in his chest. "He drowned ..." she considers Souleymanes harsh words .. hard but true ... but ... "because I drowned him ... to be free .. to find Souleymane." and she begins to shake with her tears of grief and guilt that she never allowed herself to feel before now.

Hars Darax stills for a moment. A bit shocked. Loosens his grip, but only to bring her to the couch, inviting her to sit down with him.

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 allows herself to be led tot he couch, still crying. "I didnt want anything to .. start ... until you knew ... I am an animal." she sobs. "You can't love an animal." she bemoans

Hars Darax draws her close to him again. Sighs to himself. She's clearly held this inside for the years between. Perhaps only himself and her brother know the truth. Souley's told him how women are oppressed in their culture. He can't judge her. He can't applaud what she did, either. "Hush, he says, raising a hand to brush away tears with his thumb, "I'm glad you told me. No secrets between us," he says, his eyes serious. "No matter what you do, you tell me everything, I do the same."

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods and begins to calm. It's off her chest. "No secrets. I swear." she swears to him and she means it. She hesistes .. leans into him a bit. "This place s so beautiful." she whispers. Then she sits up. "Did you spend money? Latinum? I paid the Kap for the use of her land. Two bars of latinum. I can pay the rent here too and pay you back besides." the words still rush out. She does not want to be beholden, obviously.

Hars Darax looks to her, "I mean everything, Driss. If you are attracted to someone, you tell me. If you feel sad, tell me. Ifyou argue with Souleymane, you tell me. We have to be open with each other. Warts and all." Shakes his head, "No paying me back. It's a gift. But the rent will be due at the end of this month. You can pay that. And I expect to pay for my meals," he grins to her, "no free meals. For anyone. Or you'll fail." More serious, "Po and I, we were companions. We spent most of her free time together. I understood her responsibilities. She helped me heal. There was nothing more between us. We love each other. We will stand by each other. But we were never lovers. Do you understand?"

Idrissa.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods. "I am attracted to you, Hars." she tells him, honestly. She looks as if she will balk at the idea of not paying him back and paying for his own meals. "Well. .... alright ...." she hedges. And then she listens. "You and Poison are like Souleymane and I ... well close like that." she nods. "I understand." she searches his face. "So ... perhaps ... if youd like a lover ... I .. would be ... her." she lifts her head. "I am free to choose my lover now." she announces, almost defiantly. It is not something shed ever be able to do before. On Earth. Then she pats his hand. "And the way to a man's heart is through his stomach." she announces and stands. "I will feed you and you will be the first paying customer here at ... The Cafe."

=^=

Sizing Up

Souleymane.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 watches first Po and then Idrissa vanish .. one to duty she'd tried to avoid and the other to begin immediately showing Fukujuso the place. Driss DID have a slight smirk when she left. Both humored and worried. He was left with the man ... so he turns to him and folds his arms, not realizing Driss had done the exact same thing when shed first met him. "So you are Hars....." he rumbles. No smile, no expression of any kind to speak of.

Hars Darax looks towards the brother. Seems very... taciturn, compared to his twin. No smiles or laughs. At least not now. "I am," he says dryly. Folds the towel he's holding, puts it on the table beside him. "Hars Darax," introduces himself, steps forward, putting out a hand.

Souleymane.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 watches him. Sizes him up. It is a habit formed long long ago. After a moment, he takes the hand in a firm grip and shakes it once. "And of course I am Souleymane Senghor. Idrissa's twin." he knows how ironic fraternal twins can look. "She likes you, I understand." his eyes narrow slightly. Suspiscion, perhaps even sibling jealousy. For the first time in a long time another man has Driss's affection.

Hars Darax returns the firm grip and then drops his hand. Thankfully it's only his legs that are weak. THey're aching. He won't let on. "Pleased to meet you, Driss speaks of you often." Polite chat, called for, eh.

Souleymane.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods in approval. "She would. We've been seperated for so long." he grumbles. "I was worried about her here." he glances around the obviously harmless place. "Until she met you and you started spending time together." he nods at the table. "Lets sit and talk." he suggests. For him it is a way of saying he trusts him enough not to NEED to be standing to attack.

Hars Darax leans against the table. Bandied words with the best, he has. A suspicious brother no different. Diplomacy required. Souleymane wants to sit and talk? "Happy to" he grabs a chair, grunting despite himself as he folds himself into it. "She's wonderful," simply. That's her to a T. "I wouldna see any harm come to her."

Souleymane.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 sits, noting the grunt, but saying nothing. "Despite her family, I agree." he watches the man. "I am glad to know that. Not everyone can be trusted. She seems to trust you." he inhales and exhales slowly. "She told you about her past?" he wonders.

Hars Darax nods, moves his legs under the table, stretches them in relief. Shakes his head slightly, "Can't say anything to prove myself to you. Words mean nothing. Time and experience tell the truth." Calm, as usual, but decisive. "She shared some, yes. Enough for me to know, she'd been battered and bruised. Yet somehow, she... still smiles."

Souleymane.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 arches both brows. "Truth." he pronounces his statement about proving himself. "Battered and bruised is a bit of an understatement. But she can see the positive and lets the sun shine through her eyes. She says we are a world. She is the day and I am the night. But she doesn't make it sound like a bad thing." the ghost of a grin touches his lips. He leans forward and dangles his hands between his legs. Very casual. "Is there a reason you would WANT to prove yourself to me?" he asks, as if asking if he'd like come tea. "Besides the fact that Driss IS very old fashioned. We were raised in a very old fashioned environment. Dark jungles of Africa. Where her closest male relative can dictate every move she makes." he pauses. "And she will obey him." meaning her twin. He already knows her attraction and strongly suyspects his. Now Hars probably knows too.

Hars Darax fingers a forgotten spoon. Eyes Souley as the man leans forward. Shrugs, "You said 'not everyone can be trusted.'" Listens. Shakes his head, "I'm an old fashioned man myself. But not in that way," he gestures with a spoon. "I don't give orders. Not anymore. If - and it's a big if," he points out, "she wants me in her life, she'll be my equal, not my slave."

Souleymane.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 looks at him and the spoon he wields. His eyebros arch ... and then higher. Finally he chuckles. It's only a bit dark or that may just be because his voice is so deep. "Males and females are not equal. Not on a genetic level, at any rate. She will never be as strong as you and you can never bring forth a life from your womb." he tells this enlightened ex-Starfleet. He straightens. "And that 'if' isn't as big as you seem to think it is. But even if it was, Driss would not be anyone;s slave. I made sure of that a long time ago." he announces, dismissing the whole slavery analigy away with his hand like a bothersome fly.

Hars Darax: "Not going to debate male and female genetics. It's too... myopic, to think gender affects ability. What you say might be partially true of humans, but... throughout the galaxy, there are so many variations. It's limited to think of him and her. I believe we are more than the sum of our parts. Driss is a bright spirit in the dark skies. I'd honor that, whether it's as friend or.. more."

Souleymane.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 nods slowly. "We were born and raised on Earth. I didn't see my forst non-human until I was in my teens, working with my father and brothers. Driss didnt meet her first non human until she met ..." he pauses and then continues. "one I brought into our village." he inhales and exhales slowly. "But I care about very few beings. My sister is one. She is a bright spirit. I'll do no less now than I did as a boy to KEEP her that way." he closes his eyes and sighs, half grinning. "No, I know he is not." he whispers so softlyt Hars may miss it.

Hars Darax looks to him. His jaw works a little. Breathing deep, he leans forward, "Be careful with Po, please. You don't know her as I do. She's been... badly scarred." He sits back, "She wouldna say it, but I read between the lines. Unusual for her to.. take time away. There's something," he studies Souley's face.

Souleymane.Senghor @hypergrid.org:8002 's jaw drops slightly, registering genuine shock at the sudden revelation from Hars. He recovers quickly, but likely not quickly enough. The man took him completely by surprise. He's sharp, this Hars. "Yes. There IS something." he agrees, aloud. "But ...." he pauses and looks directly at Hars, into his eyes even if allowed. "My feelings for Poison are probbaly identical to yours about Idrissa." he stands slowly. "If not stronger." he nods. "I should get back to her and Fukujuso now." he wants to escape before he betrays more than he already has. And hes revealed more to Hars than he'd planned.

Hars Darax watches the man stand up. He can't rise yet, his legs won't allow it. He says, "Souleymane," with a nod of farewell.

=^=