Revisiting

Posted on Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 @ 11:30pm by Cailus Griffin & Lieutenant Eiri Ashshy Ph.D & Ashshy Ayan & Eva Griffin
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:12pm

Mission: Divided We Fall
Location: Crew Quarters
Timeline: After AU Timeline

A Mission Post by Lieutenant Cailus Griffin & Lieutenant Eiri Ashshy Dr. & Aoife Brennan & Ashshy Retol Ayan
Mission: Divided We Fall
Location: Crew Quarters
Timeline: After AU Timeline
Wed Sep 26th, 2018 @ 11:53pm

Eiri stood on the couch and held the painting up a little higher. “Here?” he asked the tall Bajoran standing across the room.

Ayan studied the painting from across the room. “Maybe a little to the left?”

Eiri did his best, but a little to the left was a little too far for the tiny half-breed science officer and he tumbled over, his eyes wide in surprise, onto the couch below, painting held out so he didn’t break it with his fall. He lay on the couch, not moving.

Ayan rushed to his side. “Are you alright, love?” He knelt next to the couch, looking at Eiri in concern.

Eiri turned to face him, laughing softly. “Yes, I am fine. Just feeling a little foolish. How is it that I am holding the painting in place when you are much taller and the more obvious choice.”

Ayan laughed a little in relief that Eiri was okay. “You’re right, of course. I will hold the painting and you can tell me where it looks the best.”

Eiri righted himself and stood up from the couch, but not before kissing Ayan firmly. “I do still like the painting a lot. Where did you say you got it again?” he asked, holding the painting out to Ayan. It was a long narrow painting that hung in a landscape view across the wall. The painting was a beautiful space scene with a row of very dramatically beautiful planets.

“There was a shop… on the recreational deck. I gave her a piece of the pottery I’ve been making in trade for it. All of her paintings were beautiful. I wouldn’t mind getting more.” Ayan grinned warmly and took the painting from Eiri’s hands.

Once it was hung up, which was indeed much easier with Ayan holding the painting. Ayan turned the conversation to what he had been doing with his free time, aside from babysitting. Shae and Cailus’ little girl, Aoife, had been much of the topic of conversation between the two, lately. Ayan was completely in love and really enjoyed his time with the little girl. Eiri saw her less, but he tried to make sure to communicate with her each time that he saw her.

“So while you’ve been so busy in sickbay and everything… I learned a little bit about my harp,” Ayan admitted, almost as if he was guilty of something.

Eiri looked surprised. Ayan had the little harp the entire time he had known him, but he had never played it. Eiri had just assumed that it wasn’t something that Ayan was interested in and that the little harp would continue to be decoration.

“Tisar taught me. He even helped me restring it. He’s actually very talented. I really never thought of Cardassians as being musical, but he is different in many ways. He’s been teaching Aiofe to play a little flute. She loves it a lot.” While he spoke he retrieved the little harp that he’d had for years. It was amazingly clean with new strings and all of its pieces polished. Ayan sat down on the couch and put the harp in his lap. He began to play.

Eiri was startled. He had no idea that his husband had such a talent for the harp. The song he played was even rather complicated. Eiri sat down on the sofa, next to Ayan, and listened quietly.

Down the corridor, another budding musician was showing off her skills to her papa! Aoife, Cailus, and Rebekah had just come from the holodeck, their hair (and tail) still wet from the aquatic PT, when Aoife began to show off her new flute. Once Rebekah had explained where Aoife got the flute and how she came to learn how to play it, the next course of action seemed obvious, to go to the Ashshy residence to express gratitude for Aoife’s sudden burst in development!

While initially highly amused at Aoife’s musical experimentation, Cailus’ amusement soon turned to amazement and pride at the tunes she piped out as they walked. Aoife was in his arms now, Cailus having recovered swiftly, and he listened with serious interest to Aoife’s repertoire.

“I never knew that she liked music,” Cailus commented to Rebekah in between Aoife’s tunes. “Shae sung to her, of course, but it was always hard to judge if she liked the tune or just her mom singing.” He smirked at Aoife, waggling his eyebrows. “We’re going to have a lot to show Mama when she wakes up, won’t we? She’s going to be so proud!”

Aoife giggled at her Papa’s funny dancing eyebrows, nodding in agreement. Then as if on cue, she began to play the song Shae would sing; she still lacked the dexterity for the lovely Irish trills in the song, but by now she had the main melody down by heart.

“I was just as clueless as you,” Rebekah admitted; she was carrying Cailus’ cane in case he needed it. “I played music during some of her sessions, but she never really seemed interested; and assuming she lacked the interest and dexterity, I never gave a thought to having her try playing an instrument. She has been challenging a lot of the preconceived notions I had about teaching special children.”

“Aoife does tend to do that,” Cailus agreed quietly, still smiling as Aoife tooted away merrily. He was still in civilian clothes, having been strictly prohibited from returning to duty for another three days, and while that hadn’t stopped him from checking in with his people and giving some orders, Cailus’ strict professional veneer had been lowered. Thus he was more relaxed than usual as he looked at the doors that they passed, reading the designations. Upon reaching the Ashshy quarters, he shifted Aoife a little in his arms, giving her a more serious look that quite plainly meant it’s time to be polite now. With that, he tapped the chime.

Aoife smiled as she stopped playing; she was always polite!

Eiri stood and went to the door, looking at Ayan with a puzzled expression. Ayan shrugged. Eiri pressed the panel to open the door and was pleasantly surprised at the presence of Aoife, Rebekah and the returned Cailus. He sort of smiled, in that strained Vulcan sort of way. “It is good to see you up and about, Chief. Please, come in, Rebekah, Aoife.” Hello there, little one. It is good to see you again.

Ayan jumped up, happy to see Rebekah and Aoife. He stood behind Eiri, grinning from ear to ear in stark contrast to the tiny, emotionless Vulcan. “Hello there, everyone!” He waved as if they weren’t right there in the doorway. “It’s great to see you all! How are you feeling, Chief?” he asked Cailus.

Aoife chirped happily with a wave to greet Eiri, then again with Ayan, smiling brightly to see them both.

“I don’t plan on staying, just wanted to make sure Cailus didn’t over exert himself,” Rebekah chimed in. She leaned the cane just inside the door, just in case he needed it for the trip back home. “If he looks like he needs help getting back to his quarters, don’t hesitate to give me a call or just walk him home yourself. Have fun you guys!” she bade them with a wave as she headed back down the corridor for the lift.

“Help,” Cailus repeated with grumpy sarcasm as Rebekah cheerfully walked away. “I’m not an invalid.” Returning his gaze to Eiri and Ayan, Cailus nodded curtly. “Lieutenant, Mister Ashshy. It’s a pleasure to properly meet you both.”

Ayan was beaming and making faces at Aoife. Apparently, this was something they did together.

Eiri nodded as well. “It is a pleasure to meet you as well and please… here you can refer to us as Eiri and Ayan.” He thumbed at Ayan when he said his name. “Would you like to come in and sit down? Perhaps something to drink? I made some Vulcan tea, but not everyone likes that.” Eiri turned away from the doorway so that people could come in comfortably.

Aoife growled playfully at one of Ayan’s faces, then giggled with delight when he made yet another face, then she made a little face in return.

“Yes, thank you,” Cailus replied to Eiri politely, although he had one eye on Ayan and Aoife’s facial antics. After sitting down, he thus fixed Ayan with a severe, disapproving look. “Tell me, Ayan. Is this what you’ve been teaching my child? To make silly faces?”

Ayan plopped down in front of Cailus on the floor, cross legged and grinned up at him. “Some of what we do together. It helps her to relate later with other people. It might seem silly, but it’s actually useful. We also color. Don’t we?” he asked Aoife. “Coloring helps her dexterity and it’s fun. She’s allowed to have fun… right?”

Eiri sighed softly. “Would you like something to drink? What would you like? I will bring Aoife some juice.”

“Just some tea, Martian blend, thank you,” Cailus replied with an appreciative nod, already much preferring the Vulcan/Betazoid half of the duo. Still, he gamely looked at Ayan, and while Cailus didn’t smile, he was at least less intense. “You’re quite right, Ayan, and I thank you. We were extremely worried about Aoife while we were gone, but more than merely helping her, you became her friends and encouraged Aoife to develop. I cannot say how grateful I am to you for this.” Hefting Aoife a bit, a miniscule smile finally emerged as Cailus looked at Aoife. “You scared the life out of me, little one, do you know that? Calling me ‘papa’ like you did?”

Aoife suddenly grew quite shy, like he was somehow putting her on the spot, and she hid her face against Cailus’ chest bashfully, but this sudden shyness did nothing to diminish her smile or the happy waggling of her curly little tail.

Eiri actually chuckled, bringing Cailus’ tea back from the replicator. “Aoife and I met on a rather sleepless night for both of us. Rebekah was struggling.” He handed Cailus his tea. “Hope you wanted that black, otherwise I have sweetening… things. I was honestly not in the mood for crying that evening, so we had a discussion. I am just grateful that she could hear me and understand. Not everyone can. Being Vulcan and Betazoid does give me several interesting abilities, but I cannot make anyone hear or understand me if they are not open to the experience.” He sat down on the other end of the sofa with a cup of tea in his hands as well. “We had a short discussion, Aoife and I, and talked through some important issues for her, I believe.”

Eiri looked down at his hands and realized he still had the juice he was going to give to Aoife. “Oh…” He held out the cup. “This is hers.”

Aoife took her cup happily and slurped at the juice, then paused to offer a little chirp as a ‘thank you’ before drinking more.

“So I gather,” Cailus said, watching Eiri with considerable interest. It was virtually impossible to safely drink his tea while Aoife was merrily enjoying her juice, so he put the cup and saucer on the table. “I have some experience with Vulcan mind melds, but none with the kind of mind-to-mind contact that you describe. How well can Aoife communicate like that?”

“Very clearly,” Eiri replied. “She understands perfectly, although sometimes her thoughts are more… concepts or images. Because of my parentage I am incapable of shutting my abilities off. I can essentially feel and hear everything in everyone’s thoughts in a particular radius around me. It is rather annoying to be honest and it took a lot of discipline for me to function at all. I find though, that only a few people have the mental capacity to be able to respond.”

“I can hear you just fine…” Ayan offered with a little grin.

Eiri made a little noise that sounded like a chuckle. “Yes, love. You can hear me because we have a very special bond. It is not like that with everyone. Take your partner, for instance…” he said, turning back to Cailus. “I cannot feel her emotional state, nor hear her thoughts. It is sort of a relief to have at least one blank slate.”

Aiofe grew still in Cailus’ arms as she looked at Eiri.

Mama hurts inside, her little mental voice rose up for Eiri to hear. She only lets Papa see the hurt, but I see it sometimes too.

Of course you do. She’s your Mama. You will find though, as you get older, that most adults have hurts inside of them. It is part of life. Sometimes those hurts even make us strong, Eiri explained to her. He sipped at his tea and then put it on the table.

Having noticed Aoife stop moving, now looking up at Eiri with such sudden interest, Cailus’ eyebrows shot up as he followed her gaze. “Intriguing,” he said quietly. “You must be a very special individual, Eiri. Aoife is very particular about who she opens up to.”

I like people who give me cookies, Aoife chimed in.

“Ayan,” Eiri said softly. “You should see if you can find some cookies. I am not sure about how special I am, Chief.” Eiri turned his gaze from Aoife to Cailus.

Ayan snorted as he stood. “Don’t let him fool you, he is special.” He moved toward the replicator. “My Eiri is a rare breed. Other Vulcans and Betazoids have produced children as well, but most of them lose their minds because of their abilities. He has an amazing amount of discipline.” Ayan returned from the replicator with a small plate of cookies. He offered one to Aoife.

Eiri shook his head. “I think you might be biased, my love. Aoife is the one that is special. Like I said before, Chief. Not everyone has the control and discipline to return my conversation. She does and she is much younger then most of the people who have tried. Ayan can hear and speak to me, but once again, we have a strong bond that transcends just the physical.”

Cookies! But she only had two hands and they were occupied by her cup of juice! Aoife handed her cup to Cailus, then wriggled out of his lap so she could stand, then she took the cup and placed it safely on the coffee table where she then took a cookie to eat. Then she plopped herself on the floor, sitting on her feet while munching away happily.

Cailus watched with amused exasperation, even as he took the opportunity to take his tea. “Okay, little one, but no cookies tonight,” he warned her half-heartedly before taking a sip of his own beverage, looking at their hosts. “She’ll probably find a way to get them anyway, but Shae and I do try to maintain at least a veneer of discipline.”

NO COOKIES? But but but… How would she ever go on without cookies?! But that was okay, Aoife had enough snacks squirreled away in their quarters to last her a while.

At that, he paused, frowning at the thought of Shae’s plight in the Bubble before shaking it off. Then, realising that Eiri probably caught such a strong, emotion-laden thought, his frown deepened. “My apologies, Eiri, if my thoughts are disruptive. Shae mentioned your telepathic gift, but it is easy to forget. I can shield my thoughts if that is more comfortable for you. I learned a few tricks from a kholinar master whom I served with.”

Eiri shook his head. “It is not an issue. I hear so much all the time that I rarely pay any attention and I know you miss her. Why hide it. There are quite a few people aboard that have been constantly unhappy about the missing crew.” He took a deep breath. “It has been hard for me to remember my place.” He looked up at Ayan, who smiled at him and then sat down on the floor in front of him. Eiri smiled just a little.

Companionable silence reigned for a few moments as Cailus sipped his tea, keeping a weather eye on Aoife as she nibbled on her snack. “Gentlemen,” he said after some contemplation. “Since you’ve both been such wonderful friends to Aoife, I feel obliged to repay a debt. Shae will likely think of something when she recovers, but in the meantime, I can do something as well. Fitness training and marksmanship tuition are both possible, should you wish to have some fun, or possibly a home cooked Martian meal at the Box.”

Pausing (and choosing his words very carefully with Aoife listening), he added, “I can also recommend a couple of select holodeck programs for recreational pair activities, along with some of my holodeck time. If you prefer that.”

Ayan opened his mouth, as if he was going to say something, but Eiri cut him off. “I am unclear as to why you think that payment is necessary,” he said in his flat Vulcan tone. “It was enough to be able to spend time with your daughter. Ayan and I will never have children of our own for obvious reasons. It has been rather enjoyable to interact with someone so young.”

Ayan opened his mouth again, but paused a moment, looking at Eiri to make sure he was done speaking. “Holodeck programs would be awesome,” he said with a little grin. “I’m also still more than willing to babysit if you need it. I know Rebekah was exhausted when we first met.” He smiled.

I know what Mama and Papa do in the holodeck! Aoife chimed in, proving that even with tactful responses that she could follow a conversation if she was keen to.

Eiri’s gaze flicked to Aoife briefly. Oh? Do you now? And what is it that they do in the holodeck?

Aoife’s response at first was a memory, a rather vivid…. graphic memory of her Mama and her Papa doing… things… under the blankets, and afterwards they smelled a LOT like each other. They smell like each other when they come out of the holodeck, she then said, connecting a clear correlation between events.

Eiri was not phased by this information. He was privy to so many people’s personal lives that the fact that Aoife understood that there was a physical relationship beyond the parenting, was not exactly surprising. It only furthered his belief that there was really nothing wrong with Aoife that a little more confidence and coercion wouldn’t correct. You know that is not information that you should share with just anyone, right? You can tell me, but I am certain that if you shared with everyone your parents might be embarrassed. That is very private. Do you understand privacy?

Aoife simply nodded and then returned her attention to more important things, like the cookies that needed eating!

Impossible as it was to miss the telepathic communication, with Eiri and Aoife both being quite silent as they ‘talked’, Cailus looked at Eiri with a piercing gaze. “Anything I might want to know?” he asked, but with the tiniest of smiles to defuse any tension in the question.

Eiri turned his gaze back to Cailus. “Aoife’s comprehension is well beyond her capacity to speak. Her capacity to speak is, at this point, mostly held back by her own stubbornness. I am certain that there was trauma in her history that caused the initial shut down, but she is not shut down anymore. Her silence at this point is more of a habit. I do not want you to think that I am commenting on your parenting or anything like that, but she speaks and understands perfectly well in her mind. She told me that she knows what you do in the holodecks. I asked if she understood what privacy was and that those sorts of things were private. This, of course, is all my opinion as a counselor.”

“Privacy,” Cailus repeated curiously, his mind running the connections. He and Shae did several things on the holodeck, after all, but how did that relate to…

As realisation struck, Cailus froze, his eyes widening in alarm. His eyes flicked down to innocent Aoife before he cleared his throat loudly, looking supremely awkward. At least he could thank his lucky stars that Mindo and Fick didn’t hear this, or he and Shae would never be able to live this down.

“Thank you, you’re quite right, Eiri,” he said stiffly, shuffling on the couch a little to try to recover some dignity. “I suspected early on that Aoife was much more aware than was generally known. Some of this may be due to the intervening months, but she is truly wonderful. Her progress is entirely her own.” Now awkwardness turned to unabashed pride as he smiled down at the little one.

Eiri smiled, just the tiniest bit. “I am glad you have been reunited. She will be happy to see her mother as well. She told me that she could talk to her mother, much like she talks to me. I explained to her that you would like to hear her as well. I put her in your shoes. She was upset at first, more disappointed with herself for not seeing it that way. I hope that she is speaking to you now… she promised me she would.”

“Aoife and Shae have a unique way of communicating,” Cailus explained as he put his empty cup back on the table. “If you’ve ever heard Aoife chirp, or make a similar non-verbal noise, that would be it. As far as talking goes…” Glancing down at the little one, Cailus leaned forward. “Do you want to show Eiri and Ayan your words, Aoife?”

He wanted her to talk?! Aoife placed her hands over her mouth shyly, wiggling closer to her Papa so she could hide her face against his leg.

With a sigh, Cailus bent down and picked Aoife back up, letting her take shelter in his arms. “It’s alright, Aoife,” he reassured her, smiling softly. “Ayan and Eiri are our friends.”

Ayan giggled softly. “Awww… so you’re shy when your Papa is here, huh? She wasn’t shy when we practiced saying “Papa”.”

Eiri shook his head. “If she does not wish to talk, do not force it. We know she can talk. She is not fooling anyone at this table.” He was looking at Aoife as he spoke with a little smile.

Knowing precisely what Eiri and Ayan were about, Cailus shot them a distinctly unimpressed look. “They are our friends until the teasing begins. Then I join in,” he said pointedly, the look turning into a harsh glare that was only softened by the corner of his mouth that twitched into a miniscule smile.

Ayan snorted and then laughed. “Anyway… she did really well. Tisar has been coming by for music lessons. He gave her the flute and had done really well teaching her. I mean, he’s been really nice, for a Cardassian.”

Eiri looked at Ayan. “That wasn’t very nice, love. Ayan’s having Cardassian issues. Not that Tisar is a problem. He is a lovely man, but history and all.”

Ayan frowned. “It’s not about him, per sae. It’s about being so surprised by him. It’s a good surprised. I was sure I was not going to like him, but I do, in spite of myself. He’s actually taught me a lot about music and my harp.” He then grinned. “It helps that he’s personable, but I’m sure Cailus doesn’t want to hear about all that.”

Eiri looked at Cailus. “I am not certain. If I was a father, I would want to know who my daughter was spending time with in my absence.”

“Most assuredly,” Cailus agreed with a formal nod, and with Aoife snuggled securely in his arms, he stood. “We’ll be going to see Tisar next, actually, so he and Aoife can show off what they’ve been doing together. Thank you, both of you.” With a small smile, he glanced between Aoife and the two husbands. “I will most certainly be using you both for babysitting duties, if you are both amenable, since Aoife is so fond of you both, and Shae will certainly agree.”

Ayan got up to walk them to the door, not that it was far. “You’re more than welcome. I think we’ve actually enjoyed it more than she has.” He chuckled, obviously teasing a little. “Thank you for coming by. It’s nice to actually meet you, like… for real… in person…”

“He understands, Ayan,” Eiri interrupted. “Of course we are willing to continue helping. Ayan has more time than I do, but I can assist.” Eiri also stood.

“Harp!” Aoife finally decided to blurt out, holding out her flute to indicate that she wanted to play with Ayan.

Ayan giggled. “Awwww! I want to play too, sweetheart! But your papa is going to take you to Tisar and I’m sure we’ll get another chance soon.”

“Most definitely,” Cailus confirmed before shifting Aoife a little to catch her attention. “We’re going to see Tisar next, Aoife, then you can show me everything you can do, okay? And we’ll come back to visit Ayan and Eiri tomorrow, I promise.”

Ayan waved to Aoife and grinned. “See you tomorrow!"

"Tisar!" Aoife said, raising her little flute into the air.

END