My Path is Set

Posted on Thu Mar 5th, 2020 @ 2:00am by Lieutenant Commander Lia Circe & Lieutenant Commander Anthony Duval & Commander Hsirr Duval

Mission: Mission 54: Where Snow Meets Sky
Location: Various Locations - USS Dreamcrusher
Timeline: 1145Hrs - December 21st, 2391

Lieutenant Lia Circe sighed softly as she regarded the airlock to the USS Dreamcrusher with a measure of trepidation as she considered why she had left the USS Galileo, it was partly because of her career but she had never gotten the chance to resolve things with Warrant Officer Anthony Duval whom she missed, she felt guilty because of the way things went down in their last conversation between them both.

She went over to the airlock, before she nodded to the guard on duty. "Permission to go aboard?"

"After I check your back first sir... Sorry." the Ensign responded as he regarded her before he accepted the PADD she offered him. He looked at it before he checked her bags and sure enough all looked to be in order. "Thank you El Tee. Go on aboard."

"Thanks." and with that she hefted her duffel over one shoulder as she went through the airlock onto the USS Dreamcrusher. She turned her head left then right before she continued walking forward.

Circe went into the quartermaster's office and there like a page from her past was Anthony Duval and he was talking to one of the two Caitian females. She raised an eyebrow. "Hello... I am here for my room assignment.." before she grasped Duval by the arm, she then yanked him around to face her. "Hello." she greeted him.

"Hello yourself." Duval responded. "Fancy meeting you here.." he glared down at her.

Circe regarded him. "We must talk." before she shifted her attention from Duval to one of the two Caitians, the one with the molten toned fur pattern. "I'm here for my room assignment. Lieutenant Lia Circe."

"Ahh." and with that the Lieutenant JG handed her a PADD. "Here you go."

Circe accepted the PADD as she gave Duval the look. "We need to talk." she said for the second time.

"We do." Duval then sighed. "I'll be back later ladies." and with that he turned and followed Circe out the door. "What precisely do we need to discuss?"

"We parted under bad company.. I'm sorry about that."

"You made it clear how you felt when we talked last, you resented the fact that I had to look after an eleven year old son suddenly and out of the blue."

Circe regarded him, it was true so she said nothing.

"You also didn't feel you could talk to him or get to know him... As you said... and lets see if I recall it right... Had no common ground that we could have a conversation." Duval responded. "Any of this sound about right?"

"Yep.."

"So I'll ask you again... What do we need to discuss?"

"Its been a year dammit Anthony..."

"Yeah, Ryujin is nine years old, he's very bright for a boy of his years.." Duval responded as he followed Circe down the hallway and into a nearby turbolift.

Duval knew full well that he was being led somewhere yet he held his silence as he regarded her with a frown. "So.. what do you want now.?"

"Well.. I was hoping we could at least try to work things out."

"Lia. There is nothing to work out as you made your feelings in plain the last time we spoke... Whats changed?"

"I was out of line.." Circe admitted.

"Yes, you were out of line.." Duval growled at her. "So stupidly out of line that you're fortunate I didn't throw you out of my quarters at the time. I can only guess what Ryujin was thinking after he and Lamar came back from the gym after we spent five minutes, screaming at each other.."

"I think you enjoyed it." Circe responded bitterly.

"No. I didn't.." Duval responded quietly. "But you had no right to say what you did about my son. regardless of who he was or where he came from, I got a paternity test and it said that he was of my blood which ended that dispute once and for all, Yes. I also got a second opinion from Doctor Allyndra illm Warraquim..." Duval responded. "I assume you recall who she is?" he added.

"Did you fuck her for it?" Circe inquired hotly.

"Oh, how very droll." Duval responded in a deadpan tone. "No, I didn't fuck her for it.." he shrugged. "Not that she wasn't intrested and I not that I wasn't tempted." he added.

Circe growled softly, it started at the back of her throat. "Oh you're just tryin' ta piss me off.."

"Is it working?" Duval smiled.

Circe hissed softly. "I fucking hate it when you do this.."

"You brought this on yourself... When you passed judgement that my son was a bastard." Duval growled angrily.

"That was then... time has made me realize that I was wrong." Circe responded.

"He has me." Duval responded quietly. "I will not turn my back on my son." he responded with a gentle look.

Circe sighed softly. "Yes he does... Which is a good thing." she looked at him with a sad look. "Computer stop turbolift at the next level.."

"Confirmed." came the computers response.

Duval said nothing as the doors opened and Circe slipped out, the doors slid closed behind her. "Computer, take me back to the quartermasters office."

The turbolift beeped at him as it started moving again, moments later it dropped him off at his destination, he went down the hallway and back into the quartermasters office for the third time this day.

"Lieutenant Hsirr?" Duval inquired.

"Yes." the Black furred Caitian responded. "What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering... Are you doing anything for lunch in about two hours time." Duval inquired of the black furred Caitian bluntly.

"No... I would be happy to get to know you better... Will your... friend be joining us?" Hsirr inquired hesitantly.

"No." Duval answered. "She is not available.."

"I see.. I apologize if I caused problems.."

"Do not worry about the issues of others, you have caused no trouble."

"Very well.." the Caitian responded with a soft purr. "Excellent. two hours then.. In the main lounge?"

"Sure... Until then." and with that, Duval turned and took his leave.