Visiting a brother

Posted on 21 Sep 2020 @ 10:06am by Lieutenant Syvar MD

Mission: Mission 4 - Race against the machine
Location: Syvar and Amelia's Quarters
Timeline: TBD
2247 words - 4.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Michael walked through the corridor leading to where Syvar and Amelia lived, tucked under one arm was a box about 16 inches by 36 inches in width and a foot high. Inside the box were some plants and seeds. Under the other arm he carried a bag of soil, enough to fill the wooden box he carried. This was a surprise he had put together for Syvar, thinking that it would help his brother from another mother, heal a bit more.

When he neared the door, he set the bag of soil near his feet, and pressed the chime. Hopefully he wasn't disturbing Syvar at anything, but still hoped he wouldn't mind the visit.

Still mostly off duty, Syvar ducked his head from out of the bathroom as the chime went, hair dripping wet. "Come!" he called out, "I'll be out in a minute!"

Literally within a minute, the young Vulcan stepped out, expression brightening first and then filling with question as he spotted the bulky packages. "What are those?" he asked curiously.

"Thought I'd bring you the makings of a mini garden, something you could grow some plants.. maybe some herbs. " he smiled. "Sometimes, a person needs a little spot of green to chase away stress. What do you think? I'll get a grow light which will help the plants to thrive. My mother uses them for her indoor plants. Where would you like this put?"

"Uhm...." Syvar gave the man a somewhat bewildered look before glancing around his home. "Over there?" he suggested, pointing at a vacant corner nearby the big window. "I like foraging for herbs and medicinal plants but I've never grown any."

Michael nodded, "I can help you with that. And you may actually like having medicinal herbs to grow here, and maybe...use one of the labs near medical to... have a place to grow plants used for medicine. What do you think?" walking over and setting the box near the window, and retrieving the soil, to place it near the wooden box.

"I like the idea of having natural means for healing on hand," Syvar agreed, "I can get myself lost for days if I'm not careful, when trying to find plants in the wild. I have gotten myself lost once... I was assigned to a colony, a shared federation and Romulan empire colony. The weather was bad and I literally got lost as I had no tricorder and no communicator, and i walked right into Romulan territory."

"How did that turn out, and.. at least the experience didn't kill you, otherwise we wouldn't be talking at this moment." with a bit of a laugh. Sobering up quickly though as he thought of what it would be like without Syvar being here. He didn't like that idea at all.

"How are things with you and Amelia?" he asked, while opening the bag of soil.

"We are well. I told her I would take care of the baby's room but so far I have not done much with it. Thankfully we still have several months to finish, and come up with a name." He paused. "I am rather tired of the gossip though, I mean... Everyone seems to think that I've just shifted attention from one Amelia to the other but that's not the case. I know better but they don't want to understand. I went to get a second opinion from another counselor and he thinks I'm depressed."

Syvar paused again, his eyes sparkling angrily. "Do i look depressed to you?"

Michael paused, stood up straight and gave Syvar a thorough, visual examination. "I don't think that you transferred attention from MU to Amelia. I saw what she did to you, I know she did a whammy psychologically wise to you. You were tortured, she abused you, in a rather heinous intimate way. And she tortured Amelia as well. I don't think you are depressed but, I think you maybe a bit anxious of something due to that horrible experience." scrutinizing Syvar a bit more.

"I can see a slight furrow in your brow there." pointing towards the space between Syvar's two eyebrows. "And there is the tell-tale sign in your eyes, besides you being angry. What's causing you concern? Other than the frustrating opinions of others."

"I don't think she's dead," Syvar answered, "somehow, I got the feeling she'll be back and she'll come after us. I'm not sure but that's how I feel. I'm worried for Amelia, and I'm terrified I won't be able to protect her. I couldn't fight Fox, I should've been able to, I know how to defend myself and yet I couldn't... I tried to defy her and it nearly cost me my life. I'm afraid Michael. I'm not depressed but I am afraid. And I don't know why."

Michael stared at Syvar for a long moment, his face growing a bit pale. "You have that feeling as well? I've been feeling that same way. I tried to talk it over with the Chief of Security, but she didn't want to speak of it. I was also told that the shuttle, MU was piloting was destroyed taking her with it. She is a rather Machiavellian mastermind and with her skill and knowledge, she would have been able to have faked her death. I suggested looking for places where a ship could have been placed for her to transport there without anyone knowing. It was sort of scoffed at."

Michael growled, "It made me a bit angry, but I kept it inside. Its a relief not to be the only one who feels like I do about her possible return." Giving a nod to Syvar. "I know why you are afraid, she put the fear in you made you feel helpless due to her training, her skills. She raped you. And having something like that happen, it is a violation of your physical and mental being. You don't feel safe right now and that causes your fear. She wants you to remember what she did to you, and to control you that way. You didn't do anything wrong, you did your best to defend yourself."

"The only thing I did wrong, was not telling the captain straight away," Syvar answered darkly, "and now I wish I had. But ironically if I had, I wouldn't have Amelia as my mate." His expression softened a little. "And I still don't understand why either, but she completes me. And I can't wait to be a father, even if we definitely hadn't planned for this." He nodded down at the crate. "So what kind of seeds did you bring?"

"Well, I have a selection here, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. I don't know if Ratty will like some of them, due to... they naturally ward off rodents. But they have health benefits as well." Michael giving a wry smile. "They are good to cook with too."

As if in cue, the little rodent came crawling closer, squeaking softly to draw attention. Syvar smiled as he picked up his pet. "Amelia might like those for cooking, Ratty will just have to find somewhere else to play. Maybe some lavender or aloe vera? I do like lavender, it's very relaxing."


"I've got several pots with those very plants in my quarters. I'll bring one of each later on. I've got to actually get a few more pots anyway since the aloe vera plant has babies growing. " Michael reaching out and stroking the top of Ratty's head.

"Ready to get your hands dirty, Syvar? The dirt we'll be using isn't manufactured from the replicator. Its the real deal. I love the scent of fresh earth." pulling out from another sack a trowel. "I forgot the watering can. But you can use this or your fingers to make a hole for the seeds."

"I'm sure we have something we can use to pour water?" Syvar rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and pulled off his gloves, neatly laying them aside. "Tell me what to do," he suggested, "but let me do it?"

Michael nodded, putting the trowel down next to the planter box, then motioned to the bag of dirt. "Just fill the planter box up to about 8 inches."Michael stated, "then moisten the dirt before you plant the seeds. Best thing to do is label what area you put the herb seed in." he stated. "its relatively simple. "

Syvar nodded as he set to work, somewhat clumsily as he spilled more dirt next to the box than that he actually put in there. He briefly got up to replicate a jar to put water in, then sprinkled it copiously across the dirt. He was so focused on his job that he barely remembered he had company.

Finally, he rubbed his fists across his eyes in an attempt to rub fatigue from them. "Oh ow ow ow..." He blinked furiously, rubbing even harder. "Owwwwww."

Michael gasped, "Oh crud, hold on Syvar, come with me to the sink. We're going to have to wash out the dirt from your eyes." Placing his hand on Syvar's arm which was covered with cloth guiding him to the sink, and running the water for Syvar to rinse his hands off and then rinse the dirt from his eyes. "I forgot to say don't rub your eyes when you have been working in the dirt. I've done that myself though."

He splashed the water into his face, a mix of tears and water now running down his cheeks. Blindly he reached for a towel to pat his face dry. "Ohhhh that burns," he complained, almost childishly, "what did just happen? How did that get into my eyes? I didn't throw any of it around, I was careful wasn't I?"

"You were careful, its just that, I also didn't warn you about not rubbing your eyes when you are working in dirt. I didn't even think about that. I've done that myself. Now, rule of thumb, have a towel near by and wipe your hands off before rubbing the eyes. Other gardeners use gloves so that if they need to rub their eyes, they take the gloves off and do that safely without getting dirt in their eyes. I prefer using my bare hands when working with plants."

Michael could not believe that he had forgotten some of the basics for gardening. "Looks like I am a bit of a bad instructor when it comes to gardening 101. I am indeed sorry for that, Syvar."

"I had gloves, I took them off to work," Syvar answered, nodding back to where his gloves were lying beside the crate they'd been working in. He reached to touch Michael's arm, squeezing gently. "I don't blame you, don't be sorry. I was too enthusiastic, I should've thought of that myself. I mean I have been digging up roots and herbs before, I should've remembered."

Michael rubbed the back of his head, laughing softly. "That makes two of us, my brother. I was excited to be giving this gift to you. Shall we get back to it?" nodding with his head back towards the planter box. "Wonder what Amelia's going to think when she sees this set up." his smile widening.

"I don't know. I suppose as long as we plant something she can use in the kitchen, or if it smells nice, it'll be good?" Syvar shrugged. "I think she'll be happy to see me happy." He cast him a somewhat sheepish grin. "I do like getting my hands dirty," he smiled.

"I do too." Michael answered "Never hurts to get dirty at times." giving an answering grin." I'll bring the other plants later on."

Almost in a very boyish jest, Syvar flicked some dirt at the man as he knelt down beside it again. "Dirty it is," he laughed.

Michael laughed, glad to see Syvar smile. "It's good to see you smile, Syvar. Now,time to plant the seeds. Give them some water and then you're done. For now. Just need to give them water and wait for the little bits of green to poke out of the dirt."

"How often should I water them?" Syvar poked his fingers into the dirt to create little holes, then dropped the offered seeds in them before covering them with more dirt.

"You should water the seeds once a day, but keep it moist and not soggy. If it is boggy and muddy then the seeds will die." Michael stated, "Then when the plants start to grow, to check to see if it needs watering, you stick your finger in the soil. If the soil sticks to your finger, it is still moist enough, if not, then you water."

"Moist, not soggy." Syvar nodded, "I will remember." He smiled happily, giving Michael a spontaneous hug. "Thank you so much for giving me something to do. Doing nothing would drive me crazy."

Michael nodded, returning the embrace. "you are welcome. I'll also bring the grow light so they can have the equivalent sunlight they will need." he got up and dusted off his knees. "I'll help you clean up, unless you want to do it on your own."

"I'll do it, it'll give me something to do or to entertain myself with while I wait for Amelia to come home." He smiled. "I may treat myself to a bath afterwards.."

"Very well, brother." Michael grinned. "I'll leave you to your fun, and be seeing you later."