hormonal imbalance

[warpfairy]

They study Klingon. They work out a sleep schedule. They approach Betazed.

They are two days away from the system when Isabella notices something - troubling.

She takes longer than usual to compose herself that morning, and emerges from the living quarters with carefully measured steps, and avoids eye contact.

"Do you," she asks Lalita quietly, "have the ability to fly this class of ship?"

Comments

[dream_me_up]

"Oh, I have," he agrees, laughing. "Want to hear about it?"

[warpfairy]

"Yes, please."

[dream_me_up]

"I've been to see a Klingon opera," is the first thing that comes to mind.

[warpfairy]

"On a Klingon world?" breathes Isabella. "I didn't think relations were ever that good."

[dream_me_up]

"Between the Klingons and the Federation? No," he says with a slow grin. "Between the Klingons and me? Oh yes. Or should I say - between a Klingon and me. Her name was Shenara."

[warpfairy]

"Ah. It's still not obvious how a human would manage to get into the audience of an opera without trouble, but an escort would help."

[dream_me_up]

"It's amazing what the rich and eccentric can get away with. I find that's true across any culture where the concept of 'rich' is relevant," he says. "Bringing her alien concubine to the opera was the least of her exploits."

[warpfairy]

Isabella laughs softly at 'alien concubine'.

[dream_me_up]

Lalita giggles. "Well, I was. For almost a year."

[warpfairy]

"How did you wind up in that position?"

[dream_me_up]

"She captured me while I was out on one of my first trips into deep space. I flirted. She was charmed. She decided to keep me."

[warpfairy]

"...Ah."

[dream_me_up]

"I really did like her," he adds. "She was a lot of fun."

[warpfairy]

"I suppose that's considerably better than the alternative. She let you go, or you escaped when you were done?"

[dream_me_up]

"Option C: assassination. One of her rivals got her, and I stole Harley back from the spacedock and ran for it."

[warpfairy]

"I suppose that works too. What's Klingon society like up close?"

[dream_me_up]

"Violent. Structured. Beautiful. A lot like their opera," he laughs.

[warpfairy]

"The violence sounds unpleasant."

[dream_me_up]

"It wasn't always."

[warpfairy]

"I suppose you're probably about a match for a Klingon if you decide to be."

[dream_me_up]

"Shenara liked that about me."

[warpfairy]

Isabella laughs.

[dream_me_up]

Lalita grins.

[warpfairy]

"What other improbable civilizations have you visited?"

[dream_me_up]

"Oh, the Klingons were definitely the most improbable."