S Dnem ​​Rozhdeniya II

Posted on Tue Sep 26th, 2023 @ 11:18pm by Lieutenant Commander Lyra Cassiel & Lottie & Captain Ivan Petrov & Lieutenant Commander Andrei Petrov & Lieutenant Commander Yana Petrova & Ensign Mika Petrova & Ren

Mission: In-Between (S1:E5-S1:E6)
Location: Crew Quarters
Timeline: Date 2371-08-30 at 0630
3926 words - 7.9 OF Standard Post Measure

A quick kiss stolen from each other before they walked in, they finally entered and Lyra was immediately hit by the sounds and smells of cooking food. Her eyebrows briefly lifted and she sighed internally, wondering if Andrei expected her to learn to do that. Perhaps not, he seemed content enough with her as it was. Her surprised expression gave way to a smile as she immediately made room in front of Andrei for his family. She was of course secondary, but still greeted them with a surprisingly warm, “Good morning.”

Ivan was dressed almost in uniform with his black pants and one of black undershirts he liked to wear. One could see a stocky build underneath. He was a man who was clearly no longer working out as he once was but used to be quite built and was still strong, especially considering his age. His salt and pepper mane looked particularly good with black. As Andrei and Lyra walked in, he looked over from his seat and a white smile appeared between his lips. Andrei was wearing a white button up shirt with gray pants and a matching vest. He stood and approached, wrapping his arms around Andrei who seemed to reciprocate without leaning in too much.

“Dobroye utro, syn,” he said, and released the man, giving him a firm shake. Then he moved back to make room for his mother. “Happy Birthday.”

Yana was wearing an all-lace pale pink dress that fit her body quite well. It had a crotchet-like top that added a tone of regality and modesty to her covered shoulders. With matching pale pink shoes, it was every bit a dress for a Lady of the Empire. She looked fantastic and, unlike her husband, she didn’t skip her workout routines.

“Andrei, moy mal'chik. Ty vyglyadish' tak privlekatel'no.” she said as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Andrei beamed, suddenly losing a touch of the superior attitude he typically displayed. He was younger now, and he smiled as a boy smiled. Yana pinched his cheek and moved her hand to adjust his collar and tie a bit. “I see that Lyra dresses you well.”

“I pick out my own clothing, Mama.” he said, lifting his head slightly but clearly not taking offense at the suggestion.

Yana ignored it, moving to Lyra and leaning in to kiss her cheek more politely.

“Lyra. Welcome.” she said, and smiled, her silver eyes bright. “I love your dress.”

Lyra always noticed Andrei’s reaction to his mother; it was sweet and spoke to their relationship, but she hoped it wouldn’t become problematic for her in the future. She didn’t want to be at odds with Yana, they both wanted the same thing, but sometimes mothers had trouble stepping back from the role of main woman in their son’s lives. Maybe he looked at Lyra herself in some way similar when she wasn’t looking; women often didn’t notice those kinds of looks from men. When Yana leaned in to kiss her cheek, Lyra returned the gesture politely and appropriately. The fact they ended up dressing in a rather similar fashion was hard to miss, but Lyra wasn’t put off.

“Thank you. I love that color on you.” She returned appropriately and then briefly looked at Ivan, offering him a respectful nod and smile.

“Lyra. Good morning.” Ivan said, returning the smile. “How are you feeling?”

The fact that the question was about her recent ordeal was obvious, and he asked it with a certain tenderness that was both paternal and formal.

“I’m well, thank you, sir.” She replied graciously, though there was a certain lack in the eyes.

While Yana and Ivan were greeting Lyra, Mika walked up in a yellow ruffled sundress that came down to her knees. She gave Andrei a big hug and held him for quite a while before pulling back and smiling at him.

“Happy Birthday, big brother.” she said, and then she moved to Lyra and smiled the same way, coming in for a hug.

Lyra wasn’t much for hugging, but she had immediately accepted that Mika would just have to be an exception. She returned the gesture with every indication of warmth and acceptance and when they pulled back she smiled at Mika. “You look lovely, Mika.”

Mika blushed at that, of course, and stepped aside sheepishly to let Lyra pass.

“You’re too kind.” She said, beaming.

“Well, everyone, the breakfast is prepared and we’re ready to sit down.” Yana announced before turning and moving to the table. Lyra and the rest of the Petrov family followed with Ivan sitting between Yana and Mika.

Lyra sat down in the chair next to Andrei after he had pulled it out for her as a gentleman would do and rewarded him with a small flash of a smile in thanks. She placed the box she had been carrying to the unoccupied side of the table and looked across to Ivan, Yana, and Mika.

“Can I say, before we start, how much it means to me to be with my family sharing special moments and rights of passage in life.” He said, his brown eyes gleaming. “I didn’t always appreciate this; I didn’t always appreciate you. But now I know how much you mean to me. All of you. I just wish Kassandra could be here, but I understand. Thank you to Yana and Mika for preparing this lovely breakfast for Andrei.”

While Mika smiled adoringly at her father, Yana’s expression was slightly less fawning. Something sour was written across her face which slowly dissipated as she turned and smiled at Lyra.

“Thanks to Lyra for arranging it.”


Lyra caught the expression that had crossed Yana’s beautiful face as Ivan spoke and noted exactly when it appeared. When Yana addressed her, she gave another small smile and demurred slightly. “Oh I didn’t do anything really, just made the suggestion.”

Her dark eyes lifted and briefly grazed Yana’s silvery gaze, sharing a look with her that only two women like them could understand, and then she looked up and nowhere in particular, simply around. “The food smells absolutely delicious.”

“Oh, thank you.” Yana said, returning the look subtly and smiling wider and more sweetly. “You’re still off duty recovering, aren’t you? You should stop by sometime and let me show you around the kitchen. Assuming you don’t cook already. Do you?”

“I don’t.” She confirmed, not ashamed of the fact. It was simply how things were - she was too involved in other training to take up the more unnecessary mundane domestic duties. Replicators existed. “But I would enjoy that. It is always good to learn new skills.”

“A woman never knows when a tray of cookies will help her cause.” Yana commented, referencing one of their earliest interactions. “Besides, it will give us some time to chat; get to know each other.”

“Yes, that’s true. I look forward to it then.” And she did, in a way, but she knew it wasn’t just Yana being nice. She crossed her legs at the ankles, her knees slanting just slightly. Her eyes watched as the two high ranking command slaves moved on Yana’s order and began to shuttle the food over to the table to set out. The male was an odd choice but also a welcome one to some extent; those black eyes told her all she needed to though; be wary.

“So how have your first few weeks of shifts as a full fledged doctor been going, Mika?” Lyra asked and then smiled, “Or do you prefer Doctor Petrova?” she added with a mild tease.

“Oh, I still like the ring of that.” She responded with a giggle as she began to spoon some bilini onto her plate. “It’s been a big adjustment for me going from the lowest-ranked member of the crew to number four in Sickbay. We have an unusually high number of doctors, so I’ve been able to learn on the job, particularly those roles which doctors typically don’t have time for.”

It was an incredibly optimistic spin on an annoying situation. Brasken was totally happy with giving her all of the grunt work and she completed it without challenge. Such was life when your boss didn’t like you.

“How’s your time off?”

“Fine. I’ve tried to make it productive, but I’m hoping to return to duty in the next few days.” Lyra replied, passing the dishes on as they came to her once she had taken her portion. When there was a pause, her hand alighted on Andrei’s forearm briefly. “Andrei has been taking wonderful care of me.”

She turned her head to him and smiled at him, a softness to her eyes reserved for him alone. “I’ve appreciated it so much.”

Andrei smiled and grabbed Lyra’s hand, using the other with his fork to gather food and bring it to his mouth. He tended to be less talkative around his family, and seemed perfectly content just to sit and be there.

“Andrei’s always been a thoughtful boy when he wants to be.” Yana said with a grin. “I know you probably enjoyed the display on the Numiri homeworld, hmm? That’s the price for touching a Terran. I certainly did.”

“I did.” Lyra knew that it was likely the topic of the Baneans and Numiri would come up in some way so she had done her very best to make sure she would be prepared. “I was quite grateful when I was allowed to deliver the blow to them myself even though I wasn’t on active duty.”

Her eyes moved to Ivan briefly in acknowledgement then started back down to her food but as Lottie reached in to top off her orange juice, she watched the slave’s hands keenly.

Lottie for her part didn’t seem to notice and quickly topped off all of the drinks around the table and withdrew.

“It was a pleasure to have you do it.” Ivan said with a wink as he popped a piece of sausage into her mouth and chewed. He had never been quite as focussed in looking regal as all the lords around him and, even as a young man, held a common touch that made him popular in the military environment. Lord Petrov was known to be fair and level headed by his people, even though much of the governing of Russia had been done by Yana for much of the past twenty years.

“So, as the great great granddaughter of an emperor, that would technically make you a countess in royal rank, wouldn’t it?” He asked, looking to Lyra and making conversation.

“You’re right, I am.” Lyra took a sip of her orange juice. It was a title that was her own by birth, but she hadn’t heard herself be called Countess since she was twelve. “My mother is, of course, Duchess and my children will be barons or baronesses. I suppose it really hadn’t occurred to me in quite a while.”

“Your children will be princes.” Andrei said with a neutral expression as he gathered his next bite onto his fork. Mika smiled and shook her head at his comment.

“Why stop there?” She said jokingly, clearly cheerfully amused by her brother’s ambitions, whether she thought he was serious or joking.

“How right, Mika. My children will be Masters of the Universe.” Lyra grinned and then shared a good natured laugh with Mika; Mika’s was genuine as always and Lyra’s both looked and sounded genuine as well, but she was quite serious. Her sons - their sons - would be destined for greatness. Her hand found Andrei’s leg under the table and rested on his thigh for just a moment before coming back up to grab her glass.

“I see you selected a new command slave to fill the second role,” she started, looking at Yana. “An unusual pick at that. I don’t see many males assigned to domestic roles, but from my experience they tend to take to the work surprisingly well. How are you finding this one?”

“Yes, I chose him as a fitting replacement to Immy. Lottie was very close with her and his Betazoid race makes him attentive to her feelings in a way no other slave truly would be. He is also good at the work.” Yana said before raising her eyes to Lyra and giving a smile that was quite intensely real. “And, if I have the yeomen right, neither of them will be interested in him for non-professional reasons.”

This time Lyra did grin in response to what Yana had said. Immy and Jasper hadn’t exactly been discreet of course. “No, I imagine not.”

Lottie stood quietly with her eyes downcast as her masters spoke of the slaves. It was something she was used to of course, but she found something slightly unsettling about the exchange and she wasn’t entirely sure what or why. Quickly she glanced over to Ren and then to the table to see if anyone needed another refill, then back down. She was a good slave.

The meal continued and the conversations flowed easily with Lyra and Andrei’s family; it was pleasant and polite with little jokes being made and looks of deeper understanding shared usually between Yana and Lyra. Andrei was of course involved from time to time, but he was never pressed for much given his propensity to being quiet at family gatherings. He seemed to be enjoying himself from what Lyra could tell, and that was what mattered in the end. With the food finally gone, everyone was relaxing in their seats while the slaves cleared the immediate mess away. Lyra’s hand was resting on Andrei’s leg above his knee for no other reason than enjoying the contact with him.

“That was delicious, thank you.” She smiled as she looked at Yana. Gifts would be next, but it wasn’t her place to move the event along.

Ren watched the family meal with interest, his keen emotional sense picking up the interplay between Yana and Lyra. He refrained from staring, but could hardly help thinking about them, as it was really the only interesting thing happening for him and Lottie.

As the dishes were pulled out in front of her, Yana laced her fingers on the table and smiled at the compliment. Mika also showed some sense of pride at the meal. Breakfast wasn’t terribly difficult, but everyone knew that even a simple thing could be ruined much to the annoyance and inconvenience of those who had to endure it.

“You’re very kind.” She said, and then her lively gray eyes shifted from Lyra back to her son. She beamed, her love for him obvious. “It’s time for gifts.”

The woman stood and walked quickly over to the couch, her pink dress flowing with her slender body. When she reached it, she grabbed a medium-sized red box with a gigantic tan bow and brought it back to the now clear table. Putting it down, she sat again.

“I had to employ the help of some Delta Quadrant technologies of the Vidians with a huge amount of Officer Ocara’s ingenuity, but eventually we made this work.” She said, looking quite confident.

Andrei smiled and reached across the table, grabbing the red box with his left hand and pulling it toward him. He found the bow with his fingers and pulled it off the top of the box without damaging it. Then he set about ripping the paper off in an uncareful fashion, a subtle excitement rising in him which could be seen especially in his visible eye. Underneath the paper was a black box made of a light metallic material. He opened it and pulled out the prize, a gorgeous, cherry wood violin that looked like it was designed and built by a master.

“Oh Gods!” Andrei exclaimed with a smile.

“Do you like it?” Yana asked eagerly.

“I love it, Mama. I really do.” Andrei said as he balanced and tested the weight in his hand. He looked to Lyra then. “I can’t wait to use it.”

Lyra hadn’t noticed Yana looking at her; her eyes right now were only for Andrei. It was rare to see her actually display the warmth and love she had for him, but she did so now if only for a moment as he held the violin. She soaked in his happiness and genuinely seemed to enjoy seeing it.

“Try it.” She encouraged him with a smile.

Andrei grinned and brought the instrument to his neck. He took a few moments to tune it, and finding it already very close, he was done soon. Then, picking up his bow, he placed it on the strings and began to play Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto in D Major. Starting very simply, he soon began to linger on some notes and to play with great feeling. For the next two minutes, the Commander lost himself in the song, smiling with closed eyes and seeming to sing his soul out in the moment. It was a testament to the passion he held within and a sensitivity he otherwise kept to himself.

As she listened, Lyra also continued to watch him. Music was uncomplicated and spoke to the soul, even ones like Andrei’s and her own. She wasn’t entirely sure he was even aware of how passionate and expressive he was when he played or if such a thing would bother him, but she also never wanted to make him feel self conscious for fear he would stop. She didn’t realize while she was looking at Andrei, her fingers were unconsciously and silently moving as if she were playing along with him on the piano.

Andrei brought his playing to a close to the applause of his family. The biggest applause came from Mika, of course, as he nodded to his parents and took his seat again.

“Oh, me next!” Mika nearly squealed as she turned and gestured to Ren who immediately reached for a package on the other side of the room. Bringing over the brown paper cover, the slave smiled and opened it, revealing a large painting of the four Petrovs standing in a garden of some kind.

“Is that the rose garden back home?” He asked, smiling at the painting.

“Yes, it is!” Mika said brightly. “An enlisted in ops is pretty well-known for his painting skills and I got him to do a family portrait for us. He was so nice and he did it for free.”

“Hmm” Andrei said, putting a bit of thought into what she said before offering her a grin. “It’s wonderful, Mika. Thank you.

Lyra looked at the painting as Andrei held it, her eyes going over their faces and the roses with interest and wondered if she would ever be able to see the gardens in person. She did like flowers. She then smiled at Mika and looked at the younger woman. “It is really nicely done.”

And possibly the last thing he would ever paint, depending on what happened when Andrei decided to pay him a visit.

When Andrei was done inspecting the painting, Lyra grabbed the box next to her and put it down in front of Andrei; it was simple and unassuming. When he opened it, he found a present wrapped in an emerald green paper that shimmered slightly; every edge and corner of it was precise. Atop it sat an attractive double bow of velvety black and shining silver. She knew his color preferences and happily gave them to him.

As he pulled away the paper, he revealed to himself a fine book. The binding was a supple black leather that had been tooled with elegant fleuron and flourish designs all along the covers and spine that shimmered with silver inlay. Thin disks of ruby rested at each of the four corners on the front and back and the top and bottom of the spine. In the center of the cover also in carefully cut ruby was a single word “Dracula”. The spine had the same and a smaller “Stoker” underneath separated by more silver design. A red silk marker was nestled between the pages, which were silvered on the edges and sewn together with a ruby red thread. The book itself was a piece of art.

“I know it isn’t your usual, but I think you will like it.”

“Dracula. The vampire?” He asked, looking up at her with a curious expression before gazing back at the book again. “I’ve never read it, but I’m looking forward to it now. Monsters, blood, and eternal curses have a special place in my secret library.”

He grinned and leaned forward, kissing her slowly but modestly in front of his family.

“Thank you.”

Lyra laughed softly in return though it was silenced by his kiss which she returned in a rather chaste fashion for the two of them. He hadn’t really shown this much physical affection for her in front of his family before, so it was a bit of a surprise but she welcomed it wholeheartedly. She kept it brief and pulled back, placing her hand on the cover. “I hope it works well in your collection. I looked over what you had and then designed the cover myself.”

“Attention to detail is always appreciated.” He said, placing it on the table and sitting down again. “After all, there are only so many ways to personalize a book. It’s nicely made.”

Lottie stepped up close to Yana’s side, bending respectfully and speaking softly. “Mistress Petrova, you asked that I keep an eye on the time…”

She seemed loath to interrupt, perhaps even a bit afraid, but she had been asked to make sure that time didn’t get away in the face of enjoying family. They all had jobs to get to after all. Well, most everyone.

“Yes.” Yana said with a pleased smile before looking to Ivan and the others. “0715 means senior staff has a meeting in fifteen minutes. I need to get out of this dress and into my uniform and I’m hardly the only one.”

Andrei stood in response to the warning.

“Of course. Thank you for the breakfast, Mama, Papa. And for the gifts from all of you. I’m fortunate to have a family who cares for me, and people who love me.” He said, smiling brightly as he picked up the book and nodded to Ren to help him carry the rest.

“Happy Birthday.” Ivan said, seeming happier than one might have anticipated. After all, he had missed so many birthdays.

Lyra’s eyes shifted to Ren as he moved to pick up the painting and violin, then went back to the Petrovs across from her as she stood. She smiled and offered a respectful nod to them while giving them room to say their farewells to Andrei.

“Thank you for hosting. This was lovely.”

With the pleasantries said, the Petrovs said their goodbyes to Lyra and to each other, and as Ivan and Yana disappeared into their bedroom, Mika, Lyra, and Andrei made their way into the corridor.

END