Meeting the locals

Posted on 17 Feb 2021 @ 3:45pm by Civilian Arjyn & Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari & Lieutenant Commander True Keading

Mission: Mission 5 - Season of the Witch?
Location: Locals encampment
Timeline: MD4 20:00
3784 words - 7.6 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

"In hindsight," Jon said as they climbed up another hill, "Perhaps I should have waited until this morning. I didn't realise this hike would be so long."

"Maybe you need more exercise sir," Aidan chuckled, "other than boxing... you need endurance exercise."

Natasha was quiet as they hiked towards the top of the hill, looking around at the scenery and getting the lay of the land. Her first official diplomatic venture and Natasha hoped it would turn out well. Natasha also was steeling herself for what may come about. She had the hope, that it won't be difficult but also had the mindset that this just wasn't going to be easy.

From her position at the crest of the Hill she could see them climbing towards her, two women and two men. She could only assume that the men were there as servitors for the female delegation. She slipped her hands into the elegant sleeves of her white gown, the sleeves openings almost reaching the ground. She said and did nothing, just watched.

Jon could sense a presence though. The closer they got. She was in the shadows. Very alien. A power in her like nothing he had sensed before.

"We are being watched," he said simply. There was a clearing up ahead and he could see smoke to the left. They were definitely close to this encampment now.

The observer retreated into her small abode to make some tea while she waited for the newcomers to reach the crest of the hill.

"Not far now," Jon said a little breathlessly. "You keeping up back their Lieutenant Datari? Ladies?"

"Any reason why you think I wouldn't be keeping up sir?" Aidan asked as he caught up, "what would you like us to do, spread out and approach that encampment? I'd like to get closer, and get a feel for the language if I can. I hate relying on the UT."

"Nope we are not spreading out. They knew we are coming," Jon said simply. "No point. But yes that's our destination. And please get anything you can on the language. There ..." he pointed up. A figure had appeared and had something steaming.

"She's up there ready to receive us," Jon said. "Come on not far now." The steepness seemed to even out as they approached the top.

She continued to watch, observing their hierarchy and she feared that the inferior males seemed to be the ones leading the small group, something she would not tolerate. She continued watching until they stood before her, her indignation almost palpable. She said nothing.

True had been panting slightly. She knew she should have worked on cardio a bit more but hated to run. When they stopped it took them a moment for her to catch her breath and see the person looking back at them. True didn't say a word, it was Jon's job to make introductions if he so chose.

Natasha made it to the top of the hill, feeling the burn of the hike in her legs and relished it. Her long dark hair had become loose from its ponytail during the hike, it hitting just at her waist. Some strands of hair moved in the breeze, and she stood next to the others, her green eyes sparkling cheeks flushed from the exercise. Natasha stood tall and confident, next to the others, giving a bit of an inquisitive and accessing gaze towards the woman they now stood in front of.

Natasha decided to break the ice and said, "You have a beautiful view here."

Aidan wasn't out of breath much, given the time he used for working out. Still he said nothing as he observed their hostess, watching her body language closely. He adopted a passive stance, somewhat but not too relaxed as he waited for her to speak.

Jon managed to get his breathing back to normally and stood forward smiling at the woman. He couldn't shake that there was another presence also here. Something ancient.

"Good evening. Jonathan Reynolds. Captain of the USS Andromeda currently in orbit. This is my crew Commander Blackthorn, Lieutenant's Keading and Datari. We were wondering if we could speak with you about the Federation Colony?"

"You may not" she turned and moved back into her abode, it resembled a simple wooden hut, a single door with no widows but had been built into a old tree, mostly dead now.

Jon raised an eyebrow at that but as he had always been told not to give up at the first hurdle he stepped up to the doorway and politely knocked on the doorframe.

"Maam, I don't know what we have done to possibly offend you and apologise if that's the case but there's some strange going on's at the colony. We could really use your peoples help to figure out what's going on. I know you have conversed with Federation officials before so respectfully ask that you bestow the same courtesy on us please," He tried.

She rounded a table, every move deliberate and measured, her eyes locked with this being, a man no less, who was attempting to ask for her help. This would not do. And the other man, coiled as if ready to strike behind him... No this would not do at all.

She took some dried leaves from the drying wrack above the work bench, placed them in a marble pestle before placing a kettle over the open fire to boil the water. She turned back to the Pestle and began to grind the leaves into powder.

Aidan watched on in astonishment, but he stayed silent for now. He studied the alien woman though, taking in her mannerisms and how she bore herself as she spoke. It was taking effort, not to speak up but somehow the Trill felt it wiser to remain quiet.

Two cups now placed by the side of the pestle and she placed the ground leaves into them and poured the boiling water over the powder.

"You will drink this!" She handed one to each of the two males in her home.

Aidan suspiciously sniffed the contents, realizing it was only him and the captain receiving a drink. Still, they needed help and if this was the way to procure it.. He drank the liquid down, feeling an odd warmth spread through his body. He went to set the cup down, only to discover he couldn't move.

Jon didn't have the best lock on her species empathically and he didn't overtly sense any danger. He figured they couldn't afford any kind of snub and Aiden had already picked his up it seemed, so he followed suit.

The taste reminded him of his grandmothers herbal tea experimentation but he managed to chug down the bitter liquid. What he didn't expect and from the emotions Aiden was throwing out was to suddenly be immobilised.

He could think, he was conscious but he couldn't move. Could he project? He was damn well going to find out. And if he could this alien wasn't silencing him.

~That wasn't very diplomatic or friendly. Why did you do that?~

She chose to ignore him focusing on the females but Jon could tell she had heard him.

True frowned, what had just happened? The body language of both Jon and the Witch seemed to change. Were they communicating using his telepathy? She couldn't be sure but she would guess that was it.

Natasha had watched as only two teas had been poured, she wondered if this was the custom of the people on this planet. She noticed the wry expression as the tea was drunk, then nothing else seemed to occur. Natasha wasn't too familiar with the Captain's body language due to not having been around him much, though as she decided to take a better look at him as well as Aidan, she was beginning to feel a bit worried.

Turning her attention to the leader, Natasha queried of the leader. "Since we are unfamiliar with your customs of your people. I do have a question, is your people of a matriarchal or a patriarchal sort of society. I noticed that you just gave the Captain as well as Lieutenant Datari some tea, but not myself nor Lieutenant Keading. Is this a custom of yours?"

"I have no time for their kind... enslavers, liars, deceptive... However I have not harmed your inferiors... yet, they will once again have their bodies under their own control in but too short a time", another passing comment sent telepathically from the Captain elicited a visceral response from the witch, she turned and with a speed and strength not reflected in her posture or poise she struck the Captain across the jaw. "And that is enough from you".

She once again moved around the table, placing it between herself and the two other women. "What is it you want of us, say quickly before I tire of you also!"

Out of nowhere, a blue blur came swooping in, putting itself between the witch and the two male officers. Though he knew he wasn't to just do this, his master's distress was a deciding factor. Sherlock screeched as he hovered, talons ready to strike at a single order.

Aidan watched as his pet winged in, and if he had been able, surprise would've registered on his face. I didn't call him. he thought, hoping the captain would catch it.

Jon might not be able to move but he could sure feel the pain from her back hander of him. It was enough he suspected for True to even sense it through their link.

Linking in eyes with Aidan he groaned inwardly at the sudden flurry of activity. How had his pet even managed to get from the Andromeda in orbit to the planet. Now screeching, Sherlock was clearly in full protection mode. Something he wasn't sure was going to make things any better with this woman.

She had, now he was still and was relying solely on his senses and closer to get a better read, a primordial dangerous feel to her.

Natasha's eyes widened at what the woman did to Reynolds, feeling her own emotions rising up as in anger. She managed to get the emotions down, as this was her first official diplomatic endeavor and it didn't seem to be going too well at this time. She was also surprised of the arrival of a small dragon? Hovering in a protective manner? Quietly she remarked, "Little dragon, can you land somewhere? This isn't going to help matters any." She then turned her attention back to the woman.

"I see, matriarchal society." Natasha thought to herself, and scoffing at herself no remembering what had been said. "We came here as a matter of diplomacy, to seek out the leader, which is you. What is the name you go by? And I also ask that you do not do anything more to my companions at all. It is not polite, they haven't done anything to you except to try to speak to you, as my representatives. I shall now go first and introduce myself. I am Natasha Blackthorn, and like what my representative had mentioned, there is trouble at the outpost and we would like to find out what is happening and why the communication between our people and yours has diminished? Is there anyway you can shed some light upon the strange behaviour of those at the outpost?"

She ignored the Dragon completely, instead focusing most of her senses on this Natasha being but keeping the dragon in her minds eye just on the chance it chose to strike. In another life she could have liked this women, even called her friend but right now she was still enemy, an interloper.

"It was me... They offended me as did your two idiot males!"

Though stood frozen, Aidan's mind was racing. What had they done to offend the woman? He was sure him and the captain had done nothing wrong... he hadn't even spoken up or done anything to draw attention! His focus went to the blue hovering before them, hoping to calm his pet down.

Sherlock hissed at the woman, eyes whirling red and orange in a sign of danger, but he made no move to attack the woman. He didn't respond to the woman in his master's team, yet he did seem ready to defend if necessary. His master didn't feel like he was harmed, but why wasn't he moving? Or speaking? His wings beat frantically, carrying him upwards just a little bit, but being close enough just in case.

Jon locked eyes with Sherlock. He had managed to communicate with Aidan's pet before. ~This is not helping. Please return to the ship. We will be fine.~ he told him.

Sherlock hesitated, swooping down to hover before Jon for a moment. He keened softly, then whistled, before disappearing into thin air.

Aidan sighed inwardly, a look of relief on his face as Sherlock safely departed.

Natasha felt a bit of relief when the little dragon had left, then turned her attention to the matriarchal leader. "How did they offend you? The ones down in the outpost? And also the men here. I would like to understand what happened."

True relaxed finally when Sherlock backed down but she still had this nervous tension in the back of her spine. She wanted to help but she just wasn't sure how, plus she didn't want more people than necessary talking to this woman, it would only get confusing.

She relaxed as the winged beast withdrew, it could have been her own undoing but she had held fast, showed no weakness but surprisingly the man with red and four around his collar had called off the beast... why? He was in power and someone to abuse his power.

"I am Ajhan, and I am no leader to these people... I am the wise one, the holding of knowledge, the keeper of secrets and those beings did not offend me, it amused me to play my games with them. Your men however, they are another matter. They are in power, men in power enslave as I once was and I will not stand for it".

Natasha looked towards Reynolds as well as Aidan then back to Ajhan. "These men do not, and have not, enslaved me nor my friend here." indicating True. "They have treated us with respect and as equals. Where we are from, both men and women have leadership positions." she looked back at Ajhan. "What sort of games have you been playing with those at the outpost? We have seen indication of them playing games that children have played."

Aidan listened to them talk, finding the inability to move or speak increasingly frustrating. Yet he was glad Sherlock had gone home, glad his faithful companion hadn't struck out in their defense. His expression, though still anxious, softened just a little, colour returning to his face just a little. Still, he wondered how long he and Jon were going to remain this way, and the idea that it might take a while, was frightening.

Jon meanwhile as his other senses were dimmed due to being frozen, his empathic and telepathic ones were heightened. And he was beginning to understand that the ancient presence he was feeling was not the woman who had done this to them.

He locked eyes with True knowing his imzadi could catch his thoughts. ~True. Imzadi. There are other aliens here. Ask about the others. The old ones.~

"In my mind are you" Ajhan wheeled on Reynolds, knowing that the paralysis would soon begin to fail and the two men would once again be able to move. She rounded on his, gripping his hair in one hand and yanking his face to hers. "You have more power than I gave you credit for... Perhaps you are worth more than just a servant!"

The Trill's eyes blazed as he saw his captain being manhandled by this alien woman. He wished he could move and put all his willpower towards it, only to find he could actually move his fingers. His expression turned grim with effort as he mentally gritted his teeth. Captain! he cried out, in his mind, hoping the Betazoid would hear.

Jon did catch Aidan's thought and it seemed the witch was also able to sense his communications with others. Well that was irritating. They don't wish you a servant though do they? And if you think Im unagreeable now you really don't want me when your tea isn't in my system, he told her. This is wearing off and when it does I'll go talk to them instead. Aidan its wearing off. Try to relax he thought to the Trill.

"Hmm, it appears my welcoming gift is wearing off... You will vouch for these... individuals?"
Ajhan had turned on Natasha, pointing a talon like finger nail at the Commander.

"I vouch for them, on my life." Natasha responded, "I am willing to work out things with you." to Ajhan.

I know, I can move my fingers. Aidan thought back, willing himself now to actually turn his head. And slowly more but it's taking effort. Can you move? I hate being this powerless, I hate being subjected to someone else's will like this.

"In that case they will be returning to normal momentarily" she waved a hand dismissively as she moved back into her kitchen workspace, this time chopping some form of root vegetable. "What is it you want here?"

"To seek a peaceful conversation and solution as to troubles that may arise. Or are you referring to me personally? What do you seek?" Natasha asked.

Ajhan rolled her eyes at the question, perhaps she would have been better of dealing with the telepathic male.

Slowly, Aidan felt like he could move again and finally he shifted to set the cup he still held down on the table. Then, he moved to a passive stance, folding his hands behind his back, but ready to grab his Ushaan should he need to. All the while, he kept his eyes on the alien woman, studying her without so much as saying a word.

Realizing that she was dealing with a rather cryptic wise woman, Natasha decided to try again. "I would like to gain more understanding of your ways, your culture. You seem to be more grounded into the natural aspects of the environment, the flow of nature, and the wisdom of what the surroundings can give you. It is evident by the materials of your home, nothing artificial. You utilize what is here. You give to the earth, the earth gives to you. A harmonious union."

Ajhan whirled around on Natasha, unleashing a torrent of white noise pierced only by the telepathic howl of her words.
'I am far more than an Apothecary girl, more powerful than you seem to be able to comprehend!'

Sensing something, Aidan moved himself between the witch and Natasha as the woman whirled around towards her. It seemed archaic to assume she might need protection, but he was trained to fight and defend, he had his foster father to thank for that. As he moved, his hand went to his Ushaan, but he didn't draw it. At the same time he sent a firm warning to Sherlock to stay away.

Natasha momentarily took a step back at the onslaught of Ajhan's mind wincing at the white noise, then her eyes narrowed, and spoke out loud. "I did not say you were a mere apothecary girl." Her words having a slight bite to them, "I have not made any judgement where your power and underlying strengths were. You instead are making a mis-judgement where I am concerned. I just made an observation. Clearly you have been hit by barbed remarks, concerning what you can do. it can be felt, it can be seen by how you live that you are in tune with the emanations of the natural energies." the white noise was un-nerving but her willpower was also strong.

She placed a hand upon Aidan's arm and quietly said, "it will be fine, stepped around to his side and slammed her hand upon the table Ajhan was using to make her teas and such. "Enough!" Locking eyes with Ajhan. "We came in peace."

In her peripheral vision she glanced towards True hoping she was all right, and then directed her gaze back to Ajhan.

"Commander," Jon stated sharply his voice seemingly returning yet scratching. He shook his head at her sudden outburst. "She is powerful but there's someone else more powerful and somewhat more friendly here. If she's not going to talk with or help us then we will go find them."

Natasha barely registered Reynold's voice, due to the white noise going on in her head, she shakily raised her free hand to her temple, keeping her other hand on the table, to steady herself. Natasha slowly nodded, wincing as she felt the sharp pangs of a headache coming on. "I concur."

"You have some bite" Ajhan smiled, releasing her assault on the women. "I like you!"

The sudden relief of not having the white noise in her mind, almost made Natasha drop to her knees, she was thankful for the sturdiness of the table and that she had a hand upon it as well. "Thank you." was all the answer she could muster out, but gave Ajhan a brief smile, before stepping away from the table.

She looked at Aidan, "Are you all right?" Natasha asked.

Still alert, the Trill nodded. "Yes ma'am, I'm fine," he answered, "just a little anxious ma'am." After all he couldn't, and wouldn't lie, and he did feel anxious. Anxious, and perhaps a little afraid of the witch's power.

Jon went to Trues side just to check she was okay as the Trill did the same with Natasha.

She nodded, half waving him away though she did feel a bit out of sorts. It was nothing that was going to make her collapse or make her unable to return to the ship when it was time.

He was cut off however speaking further as his comm. badge chirped. "Better take this," he muttered deciding to head out the door for a moment just to see the sky and hoping the fresh air would make him feel better from the prior paralysis.

He didn't expect the unfriendly medicine women to follow. Nor did he expect the ground to suddenly swallow them up as soon as he had spoken with Xu.

END