More Weird RPG Fic
Sep. 28th, 2023 08:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lydamorehouseAnd now for something completely different...
....our Starfleet Vulcan Counselor does couples counselling. And I neglected to previously note that because Li Meru issabotabby 's character, she helped with the descriptions, dialogue, etc. of this piece.
===
.
When Sular stood for the opening the door to his office, he did not expect quite so many people requesting ‘couple’s’ therapy simultaneously.
Four.
A Bajoran, a human, and two… aliens, or more precisely two people of an origin unknown to the Federation.
Sular looked around his small office and made a decision.
“First order of business, you will all help me reconfigure the office for a group therapy session.”
It was, in point of fact, a bit of a silly exercise given that one of the ‘couple’ in question was Li Meru, Chief Engineer. She could probably do such work in her sleep. But, she dutifully stepped up and began by jimmying open a console in the wall. One of the others was her second in command, a human with several facial piercings and jet black hair, Kiera Jann. The two remaining… men?--they were alien enough that Sular didn’t want to assume--simply watched as the engineers shifted actual walls and reshaped the office space to maximize its efficiency and an elusive human concept that Kiera Jann called Feng Shui.
Sular moved meditative pillows and rugs out of the way and directed the two non-engineers to help pull out chairs and a table. Once things were in place, he let them all pick a seat as he set the replicator on making some Bajoran treats: mappa bread and jam, tuwaly pie, and koganko pudding. He added a few Earth treats such as gulab jamun and mishti doi.
Once he set all of that and several bottles of Jalanda Midnight ale on the table, he said, “I must apologize. I am aware of some of you by reputation, but I believe some introductions are in order. I am Sular, the ship’s counselor.”
He’d automatically looked to the Chief Engineer expecting her to take the lead, but she was staring longingly at the ale. He didn’t know it was possible for a Bajoran’s nose to wrinkle more.
Instead one of the aliens spoke first. The alien had lovely iridescent blue skin and a speckling of similar colored jewels that started on a high forehead, followed cheekbone, down the jawline to disappear under the collar of a shirt. It was a bit captivating and distracting in the low light. “I’m Utuvu Orax Tchinau, a Ventaloid formerly of the Ventellix Consortium and current asylum seeking guest on your ship. I am the lover of Li Meru.” Utuvu gestured to where she sat on his right,”and Dariele Thumu,” on the left.
Dariele nodded, touching a hand to chest and nodding a bit. This one, too, had a number of sparkling jewels, though Dariele’s were more of a dusting across the nose, like freckles.
Li Meru didn’t respond. She just continued to stare longingly at the ale, fiddling with her earring. She looked as uncomfortable as an underperforming student called before the Vulcan Science Academy for an academic review—a feeling Sular knew all too well.
There was something of the perpetual student about Li Meru, despite her rank. He saw it often in Bajorans who’d spent their youth under occupation—runtish from childhood starvation, despite their access to Federation abundance in adulthood. Straight black hair, overgrown from weeks of prioritizing ship and cloaking device reconfigurations and time-space trajectories over personal grooming, fell into her wide, dark eyes.
Kiera Jann gave a sour look at Utuvu, sighed, and crossed her arms in front of her breasts.
So, therapy was not the engineers’ idea, Sular noted.
“I am honored to meet you Utuvu Orax Tchinau of the Ventaloids.” Taking one of the bottles of ale, Sular used his Vulcan strength and the edge of the table to pop off the top. He handed the open bottle to Li Meru, who seemed pleased to be offered, rather than having to make the move to take it for herself. She swallowed a long swig before clutching the bottle in both hands. To Utuvu, Sular said, “Again, please forgive my lack of knowledge, but do Ventaloids use gender markers? If so, is there a particular one I should use for you?”
Utuvu seemed a little startled by the question, but said, “Ah, yes, I forget it isn’t obvious to you. Dariele and I are both currently male, which is determined by our coloring.”
It was perhaps rude, but the question slipped out before Sular could stop it. “Currently?”
“Dariele and I are Ventaloids,” Utuvu explained. “All Ventaloid bodies are programmed with the ability to shift between all combinations of gender.” This got a small, knowing smirk from Li Meru, who was apparently a fan of this particular feature. “By chance, my sense of self and my original specs match. I prefer to be as I rolled off the assembly line.”
Assembly line? Sular looked more closely at his alien guests. They were androids? If so, they were highly-sophisticated, shockingly beautiful androids. Utuvu, in particular, had something about his countenance and his posture that was both sensual and inviting. His lover, Dariele, meanwhile was more handsome in a brooding, standoffish way.
“Utuvu and I were recently reunited. I am from--” Dariele leaned forward to catch Li Meru’s eye. “What is it we’re calling it?”
“Hebert ‘verse,” she supplied, barely looking at him. She pronounced the name “Err-bear.”
“Yes, the Hebertverse,” Dariele said. “I have also been granted asylum on your ship. I… left the Utuvu of my timeline in order to join this one.”
Sular’s eyebrow raised at the hesitation. There was a story there, but it was probably not for this session. “I see. So, you are a recent addition to the polycule.”
“Not the newest,” Kiera Jann said, raising her hand, jewelry jangling as she did. “That’d be me.”
Into her ale, Li Meru mumbled, “I have no idea how this even happened.”
Sular popped the top of another ale. Bringing it to his lips, he took a long, thoughtful draught. The Turing had only been in the alternate timeline, the “Hebert Universe,” for a couple of days. If Kiera Jann was the newest addition, this relationship gained two new people in less than a week. Sular sat back and continued to drink and observe.
It was clear that this polycule was hinged around Li Meru. She was the central point for all of them, with the possible exception of Dariele. Yet he clearly deferred to her, though that could perhaps be cultural. Sular made a mental note to do more research into the Ventellex and the Ventaloids for the follow-up sessions.
Setting the now empty bottle down on the table, Sular steepled his hands. Tapping his lower lip with his fingers, he asked, “Are you non-hierarchical or are Utuvu and Li Meru the primary couple?”
“They’ve been together the longest,” Dariele said, perhaps by way of objection. “In this universe.”
“I’m not sure your relationship with a totally different Utuvu should count,” Li Meru said, still not looking at Dariele. To Utuvu, she said, “Do you even know this guy?”
“I might say the same for Kiera Jann,” Utuvu returned.
“I should probably just go,” Kiera frowned. She looked like she might get up and do just that, but she, instead, reached across the table and grabbed a bottle of ale. She sat back down and started trying to twist off the cap.
And continued to struggle.
Sular hesitated. Surely these engineers had bottle openers or could repurpose something? It must be a sign of the depths of their troubles if neither of these brilliant, tool-oriented women thought to reach for one. Sular stood up to fetch a bottle opener from his cabinets, but before he could Dariele reached a hand across both Utuvu and Li Meru for the bottle.
Kiera cautiously handed it to him.
In one deft move, Dariele broke the seal and handed it back.
Utuvu and Li Meru watched the whole thing with twin expressions of surprise.
Kiera tipped her bottle to Dariele. “Uh, thanks, man.”
He nodded. “Think nothing of it. You may be the secondary ranking female, but you are still female.”
“Uh…” Kiera suddenly looked less impressed by his kindness. “Okay.”
Sular took a mental note that the deferrence Dariele showed was definitely cultural. He was otherwise quite dismayed. This group seemed to barely know how to interact with each other. How were they all one unit?
Perhaps they were not.
Not yet, at any rate.
Sitting back down, Sular cleared his throat. “If you are unaware of what kind of polyamory you are practicing, I must ask: have the four of you had any actual negotiations?”
Li Meru folded one skinny leg under the other, then apparently thought better of it and sprawled over the chair instead, the bottle balanced on her knee in front of her face almost like a shield. Utuvu and Dariele exchanged a confused glance. Kiera just started chugging her ale as if it were water and she was dying of thirst.
This was not good.
Sular pinched the space between his eyebrows. After taking a centering breath, he folded his hands in his lap. “All right. I will ask a first, very important question of each of you in turn.” He turned first to Kiera. “Lieutenant Jann, do you consent to be in a non-monogamous relationship with Li Meru, Utuvu, and Dariele?”
She let out a dainty burp. “I kind of forgot that Li Meru came with others? I was thinking of, you know, just a fuck in the Jefferies tube after that amazing chemistry we had working together? Then, I wanted it again and, so, like somehow now we’re all in therapy?”
“OMG,” Li Meru said. “Same.”
“Plus, she’s my boss, and that makes things complicated.” Kiera tipped the bottle back again, but seemed disappointed by the amount left. With a sigh, she set the empty down on the table. “I think what I would like is just the occasional mutually agreed upon roll in the hay, no strings.”
“Sold,” Li Meru said without hesitation. It was the first time Sular saw her smile.
This seemed like some progress. “Very good. I would like you both to promise to continue to check-in, however,” Sular said. “Expectations and feelings may change.”
“Roger that,” Li Meru said with a little tip of her bottle. In a fairly decent imitation of the Captain, she said, “Consider the standard Starfleet consent protocol adhered to. Though it can still be fun.” She shot Kiera a lecherous wink.
Sular tried to keep his unhappy noise to himself. It was troublesome that Li Meru was the lynchpin of this polycule. He had to wonder if this kind of free, no strings coming together was her generally preferred relationship mode. “Li Meru, do you consent to be in a non-monogamous relationship with Utuvu and Dariele?”
“Well, it’s a complicated operation, isn’t it? Can we do one at a time?” Li Meru spoke to her now upraised knees. Sular was impressed that the Chief Engineer was so flexible as to be basically a Bajoran ball on a chair, but then he remembered she was actually quite young. “I can’t really deny Utuvu his long-lost beloved, can I? But, Dariele was suddenly just in my quarters. I’ve barely gotten used to living with someone else; now I’m living with two someones.”
“We could move out--” Utuvu started.
“No,” Li Meru protested. “I don’t want you to leave!”
“I can be assigned separate quarters,” Dariele said. “I would like your permission, Li Meru, to continue to see Utuvu, however.”
Li Meru looked embarrassed and frustrated to be asked, “You don’t need my permission.”
“But I would like it,” Dariele insisted.
Li Meru pursed her lips. “I mean, of course.”
Dariele reached out and squeezed Utuvu’s hand. “You are correct, Li Meru. I don’t know this Utuvu the way I did my own, nor he me. But something called me here to be with him and I would like to continue to try to understand what pulls us together. It is clear that this one loves you as much as he once loved the me he knew. I would like to honor that.”
“Cool,” Li Meru agreed.
Sular prompted, “Utuvu? Do you consent to be in a non-monogamous relationship with Li Meru and Dariele?”
“I do,” he said, reaching out he took Li Meru’s hand, as well.
Sular had been wrong. Utuvu was the hinge, the piece that connected that actual polycule. There was a lot more the three of them needed to discuss--a LOT more, but Sular felt as though they had reached a good first step.
“I will put in the order for accommodations to be assigned to Dariele,” Sular said. “I’ll attempt to find somewhere convenient to where you are currently living, Utuvu, but I can’t make promises. A ship’s counselor doesn’t have nearly as much sway as one might hope.” He kept that comment dry, but gave them a quirk of a smile so they could understand he was teasing. “I would like you three to have more discussions either with me or on your own about boundaries and expectations, but for now, let’s just get everyone physically sorted first. Kiera can continue as a satellite to a hierarchical polycule in which Utuvu and Li Meru are the primary couple. I would like the three of you--Dariele, Utuvu, and Li Meru--to create a schedule that provides some romantic and sexual dates for Utuvu and Dariele. The cohabiting couple should also consider the value of regularly scheduling their own special date nights, perhaps singularly devoted to romance. What do you think of this suggestion?”
Li Meru unwound a bit and nodded.
Utuvu nodded solemnly.
Dariele seemed a bit subdued, but agreed.
Kiera, meanwhile, had filled a plate with treats and was watching the rest of the session like it was a holodrama. When she noticed Sular looking at her, she gave a thumbs up.
Sular put his head in his hands. It was clear no one was truly happy. Still, it was a start. This was going to take a lot of work to untangle. “I’m sending some worksheets to your PADDs.” He let out an uncharacteristically, deep and heart-weary sigh.”For the love of all that is logical, please talk to each other. Please.”
Li Meru shared a wicked and knowing smile with her partners. “Heh, guys, I think we broke the counselor.”
Despite the fact that he was the butt of it, Sular felt the laugh they all shared was… progress, at least.
He arched an eyebrow. “Quite.”
....our Starfleet Vulcan Counselor does couples counselling. And I neglected to previously note that because Li Meru is
sabotabby 's character, she helped with the descriptions, dialogue, etc. of this piece. ===
.
When Sular stood for the opening the door to his office, he did not expect quite so many people requesting ‘couple’s’ therapy simultaneously.
Four.
A Bajoran, a human, and two… aliens, or more precisely two people of an origin unknown to the Federation.
Sular looked around his small office and made a decision.
“First order of business, you will all help me reconfigure the office for a group therapy session.”
It was, in point of fact, a bit of a silly exercise given that one of the ‘couple’ in question was Li Meru, Chief Engineer. She could probably do such work in her sleep. But, she dutifully stepped up and began by jimmying open a console in the wall. One of the others was her second in command, a human with several facial piercings and jet black hair, Kiera Jann. The two remaining… men?--they were alien enough that Sular didn’t want to assume--simply watched as the engineers shifted actual walls and reshaped the office space to maximize its efficiency and an elusive human concept that Kiera Jann called Feng Shui.
Sular moved meditative pillows and rugs out of the way and directed the two non-engineers to help pull out chairs and a table. Once things were in place, he let them all pick a seat as he set the replicator on making some Bajoran treats: mappa bread and jam, tuwaly pie, and koganko pudding. He added a few Earth treats such as gulab jamun and mishti doi.
Once he set all of that and several bottles of Jalanda Midnight ale on the table, he said, “I must apologize. I am aware of some of you by reputation, but I believe some introductions are in order. I am Sular, the ship’s counselor.”
He’d automatically looked to the Chief Engineer expecting her to take the lead, but she was staring longingly at the ale. He didn’t know it was possible for a Bajoran’s nose to wrinkle more.
Instead one of the aliens spoke first. The alien had lovely iridescent blue skin and a speckling of similar colored jewels that started on a high forehead, followed cheekbone, down the jawline to disappear under the collar of a shirt. It was a bit captivating and distracting in the low light. “I’m Utuvu Orax Tchinau, a Ventaloid formerly of the Ventellix Consortium and current asylum seeking guest on your ship. I am the lover of Li Meru.” Utuvu gestured to where she sat on his right,”and Dariele Thumu,” on the left.
Dariele nodded, touching a hand to chest and nodding a bit. This one, too, had a number of sparkling jewels, though Dariele’s were more of a dusting across the nose, like freckles.
Li Meru didn’t respond. She just continued to stare longingly at the ale, fiddling with her earring. She looked as uncomfortable as an underperforming student called before the Vulcan Science Academy for an academic review—a feeling Sular knew all too well.
There was something of the perpetual student about Li Meru, despite her rank. He saw it often in Bajorans who’d spent their youth under occupation—runtish from childhood starvation, despite their access to Federation abundance in adulthood. Straight black hair, overgrown from weeks of prioritizing ship and cloaking device reconfigurations and time-space trajectories over personal grooming, fell into her wide, dark eyes.
Kiera Jann gave a sour look at Utuvu, sighed, and crossed her arms in front of her breasts.
So, therapy was not the engineers’ idea, Sular noted.
“I am honored to meet you Utuvu Orax Tchinau of the Ventaloids.” Taking one of the bottles of ale, Sular used his Vulcan strength and the edge of the table to pop off the top. He handed the open bottle to Li Meru, who seemed pleased to be offered, rather than having to make the move to take it for herself. She swallowed a long swig before clutching the bottle in both hands. To Utuvu, Sular said, “Again, please forgive my lack of knowledge, but do Ventaloids use gender markers? If so, is there a particular one I should use for you?”
Utuvu seemed a little startled by the question, but said, “Ah, yes, I forget it isn’t obvious to you. Dariele and I are both currently male, which is determined by our coloring.”
It was perhaps rude, but the question slipped out before Sular could stop it. “Currently?”
“Dariele and I are Ventaloids,” Utuvu explained. “All Ventaloid bodies are programmed with the ability to shift between all combinations of gender.” This got a small, knowing smirk from Li Meru, who was apparently a fan of this particular feature. “By chance, my sense of self and my original specs match. I prefer to be as I rolled off the assembly line.”
Assembly line? Sular looked more closely at his alien guests. They were androids? If so, they were highly-sophisticated, shockingly beautiful androids. Utuvu, in particular, had something about his countenance and his posture that was both sensual and inviting. His lover, Dariele, meanwhile was more handsome in a brooding, standoffish way.
“Utuvu and I were recently reunited. I am from--” Dariele leaned forward to catch Li Meru’s eye. “What is it we’re calling it?”
“Hebert ‘verse,” she supplied, barely looking at him. She pronounced the name “Err-bear.”
“Yes, the Hebertverse,” Dariele said. “I have also been granted asylum on your ship. I… left the Utuvu of my timeline in order to join this one.”
Sular’s eyebrow raised at the hesitation. There was a story there, but it was probably not for this session. “I see. So, you are a recent addition to the polycule.”
“Not the newest,” Kiera Jann said, raising her hand, jewelry jangling as she did. “That’d be me.”
Into her ale, Li Meru mumbled, “I have no idea how this even happened.”
Sular popped the top of another ale. Bringing it to his lips, he took a long, thoughtful draught. The Turing had only been in the alternate timeline, the “Hebert Universe,” for a couple of days. If Kiera Jann was the newest addition, this relationship gained two new people in less than a week. Sular sat back and continued to drink and observe.
It was clear that this polycule was hinged around Li Meru. She was the central point for all of them, with the possible exception of Dariele. Yet he clearly deferred to her, though that could perhaps be cultural. Sular made a mental note to do more research into the Ventellex and the Ventaloids for the follow-up sessions.
Setting the now empty bottle down on the table, Sular steepled his hands. Tapping his lower lip with his fingers, he asked, “Are you non-hierarchical or are Utuvu and Li Meru the primary couple?”
“They’ve been together the longest,” Dariele said, perhaps by way of objection. “In this universe.”
“I’m not sure your relationship with a totally different Utuvu should count,” Li Meru said, still not looking at Dariele. To Utuvu, she said, “Do you even know this guy?”
“I might say the same for Kiera Jann,” Utuvu returned.
“I should probably just go,” Kiera frowned. She looked like she might get up and do just that, but she, instead, reached across the table and grabbed a bottle of ale. She sat back down and started trying to twist off the cap.
And continued to struggle.
Sular hesitated. Surely these engineers had bottle openers or could repurpose something? It must be a sign of the depths of their troubles if neither of these brilliant, tool-oriented women thought to reach for one. Sular stood up to fetch a bottle opener from his cabinets, but before he could Dariele reached a hand across both Utuvu and Li Meru for the bottle.
Kiera cautiously handed it to him.
In one deft move, Dariele broke the seal and handed it back.
Utuvu and Li Meru watched the whole thing with twin expressions of surprise.
Kiera tipped her bottle to Dariele. “Uh, thanks, man.”
He nodded. “Think nothing of it. You may be the secondary ranking female, but you are still female.”
“Uh…” Kiera suddenly looked less impressed by his kindness. “Okay.”
Sular took a mental note that the deferrence Dariele showed was definitely cultural. He was otherwise quite dismayed. This group seemed to barely know how to interact with each other. How were they all one unit?
Perhaps they were not.
Not yet, at any rate.
Sitting back down, Sular cleared his throat. “If you are unaware of what kind of polyamory you are practicing, I must ask: have the four of you had any actual negotiations?”
Li Meru folded one skinny leg under the other, then apparently thought better of it and sprawled over the chair instead, the bottle balanced on her knee in front of her face almost like a shield. Utuvu and Dariele exchanged a confused glance. Kiera just started chugging her ale as if it were water and she was dying of thirst.
This was not good.
Sular pinched the space between his eyebrows. After taking a centering breath, he folded his hands in his lap. “All right. I will ask a first, very important question of each of you in turn.” He turned first to Kiera. “Lieutenant Jann, do you consent to be in a non-monogamous relationship with Li Meru, Utuvu, and Dariele?”
She let out a dainty burp. “I kind of forgot that Li Meru came with others? I was thinking of, you know, just a fuck in the Jefferies tube after that amazing chemistry we had working together? Then, I wanted it again and, so, like somehow now we’re all in therapy?”
“OMG,” Li Meru said. “Same.”
“Plus, she’s my boss, and that makes things complicated.” Kiera tipped the bottle back again, but seemed disappointed by the amount left. With a sigh, she set the empty down on the table. “I think what I would like is just the occasional mutually agreed upon roll in the hay, no strings.”
“Sold,” Li Meru said without hesitation. It was the first time Sular saw her smile.
This seemed like some progress. “Very good. I would like you both to promise to continue to check-in, however,” Sular said. “Expectations and feelings may change.”
“Roger that,” Li Meru said with a little tip of her bottle. In a fairly decent imitation of the Captain, she said, “Consider the standard Starfleet consent protocol adhered to. Though it can still be fun.” She shot Kiera a lecherous wink.
Sular tried to keep his unhappy noise to himself. It was troublesome that Li Meru was the lynchpin of this polycule. He had to wonder if this kind of free, no strings coming together was her generally preferred relationship mode. “Li Meru, do you consent to be in a non-monogamous relationship with Utuvu and Dariele?”
“Well, it’s a complicated operation, isn’t it? Can we do one at a time?” Li Meru spoke to her now upraised knees. Sular was impressed that the Chief Engineer was so flexible as to be basically a Bajoran ball on a chair, but then he remembered she was actually quite young. “I can’t really deny Utuvu his long-lost beloved, can I? But, Dariele was suddenly just in my quarters. I’ve barely gotten used to living with someone else; now I’m living with two someones.”
“We could move out--” Utuvu started.
“No,” Li Meru protested. “I don’t want you to leave!”
“I can be assigned separate quarters,” Dariele said. “I would like your permission, Li Meru, to continue to see Utuvu, however.”
Li Meru looked embarrassed and frustrated to be asked, “You don’t need my permission.”
“But I would like it,” Dariele insisted.
Li Meru pursed her lips. “I mean, of course.”
Dariele reached out and squeezed Utuvu’s hand. “You are correct, Li Meru. I don’t know this Utuvu the way I did my own, nor he me. But something called me here to be with him and I would like to continue to try to understand what pulls us together. It is clear that this one loves you as much as he once loved the me he knew. I would like to honor that.”
“Cool,” Li Meru agreed.
Sular prompted, “Utuvu? Do you consent to be in a non-monogamous relationship with Li Meru and Dariele?”
“I do,” he said, reaching out he took Li Meru’s hand, as well.
Sular had been wrong. Utuvu was the hinge, the piece that connected that actual polycule. There was a lot more the three of them needed to discuss--a LOT more, but Sular felt as though they had reached a good first step.
“I will put in the order for accommodations to be assigned to Dariele,” Sular said. “I’ll attempt to find somewhere convenient to where you are currently living, Utuvu, but I can’t make promises. A ship’s counselor doesn’t have nearly as much sway as one might hope.” He kept that comment dry, but gave them a quirk of a smile so they could understand he was teasing. “I would like you three to have more discussions either with me or on your own about boundaries and expectations, but for now, let’s just get everyone physically sorted first. Kiera can continue as a satellite to a hierarchical polycule in which Utuvu and Li Meru are the primary couple. I would like the three of you--Dariele, Utuvu, and Li Meru--to create a schedule that provides some romantic and sexual dates for Utuvu and Dariele. The cohabiting couple should also consider the value of regularly scheduling their own special date nights, perhaps singularly devoted to romance. What do you think of this suggestion?”
Li Meru unwound a bit and nodded.
Utuvu nodded solemnly.
Dariele seemed a bit subdued, but agreed.
Kiera, meanwhile, had filled a plate with treats and was watching the rest of the session like it was a holodrama. When she noticed Sular looking at her, she gave a thumbs up.
Sular put his head in his hands. It was clear no one was truly happy. Still, it was a start. This was going to take a lot of work to untangle. “I’m sending some worksheets to your PADDs.” He let out an uncharacteristically, deep and heart-weary sigh.”For the love of all that is logical, please talk to each other. Please.”
Li Meru shared a wicked and knowing smile with her partners. “Heh, guys, I think we broke the counselor.”
Despite the fact that he was the butt of it, Sular felt the laugh they all shared was… progress, at least.
He arched an eyebrow. “Quite.”