The Blademasters (Closed)

[Chigorra]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Staging Area | IKS TajHu]

Nira could see the sweep coming in. She could immediately see what will happen: She'll have to parry with both her blades, leaving her vulnerable to the d'k tahg. But that was the downside. The upside was also that Nira anticipated this, and she was ready: She would parry with just one dagger, putting her strength in her right arm, hooking it in the curve that formed the second blade above the hilt; then use her left to deflect or hook the d'k tahg.

With that, Nira did just that: She caught the mek'leth by hooking with her blade in her right hand, and she parried with the left hand to counter D'Lorra's d'k tahg...and, to her astonishment, her jambiya caught the d'k tahg in the recess in the middle of the blade, also hooking it.

[Staging Area | IKS TajHu | Warping Toward the Danjika System]

D'Lorra saw it happen, saw her daqtagh stolen away, and... there was nothing she could do about it! She had been outmaneuvered! "Damn!" came a curse, slipping out, but she didn't surrender control entirely. Nira's hooked dagger slithered right into the open space of her weapon, and the Klingon could fight to keep it in her grip, but she knew she would lose that fight. Instead, remembering a lesson learned from Battlemaster Thiq just today, she knew that her open hand could be a weapon as well. D'Lorra released her daqtagh, allowing Nira's focus to remain on it as she disarmed her, and with the suddenly freed hand, the Klingon sought to steal away Nira's other jambiya! With Nira's other blade against D'Lorra's mek'leth, the Klingon girl used a flat palm to just barely manage to acquire the dagger.

In a rush, D'Lorra pulled back. She had lost her daqtagh, her own House's blade, but she held Nira's Jambiya in trade. The Klingons around them looked on in a hush. Among their people, losing one's daqtagh could mean a dishonor, but the two women had traded their cultural blades! Nira had said that her jambiyas were from her family; to the Klingons, they were equal to their daqtaghs. Several Klingons spoke a phrase in their native tongue, and others nodded, repeating the phrase. D'Lorra, catching her breath, grinned. She lowered her mek'leth, and with a nimble movement of her hand, flipped the stolen jambiya around so that its handle faced Nira, as though she wanted the Betazoid to take it back. Perhaps in trade? The Klingons watched wordlessly...

[Nira Said]

[Staging Area | IKS TajHu | Warping Toward the Danjika System]

D'Lorra saw it happen, saw her daqtagh stolen away, and... there was nothing she could do about it! She had been outmaneuvered! "Damn!" came a curse, slipping out, but she didn't surrender control entirely. Nira's hooked dagger slithered right into the open space of her weapon, and the Klingon could fight to keep it in her grip, but she knew she would lose that fight. Instead, remembering a lesson learned from Battlemaster Thiq just today, she knew that her open hand could be a weapon as well. D'Lorra released her daqtagh, allowing Nira's focus to remain on it as she disarmed her, and with the suddenly freed hand, the Klingon sought to steal away Nira's other jambiya! With Nira's other blade against D'Lorra's mek'leth, the Klingon girl used a flat palm to just barely manage to acquire the dagger.

In a rush, D'Lorra pulled back. She had lost her daqtagh, her own House's blade, but she held Nira's Jambiya in trade. The Klingons around them looked on in a hush. Among their people, losing one's daqtagh could mean a dishonor, but the two women had traded their cultural blades! Nira had said that her jambiyas were from her family; to the Klingons, they were equal to their daqtaghs. Several Klingons spoke a phrase in their native tongue, and others nodded, repeating the phrase. D'Lorra, catching her breath, grinned. She lowered her mek'leth, and with a nimble movement of her hand, flipped the stolen jambiya around so that its handle faced Nira, as though she wanted the Betazoid to take it back. Perhaps in trade? The Klingons watched wordlessly...

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Staging Area | IKS TajHu]

Nira's own observational awareness, for all her analyses, never saw the possibility of an open hand seizing one of her own daggers. Now there was an exchange of weapons; Nira took D'Lorra's d'k tahg, and she took her jambiya in turn. Now that was certainly something Nira never saw coming.

Surprised as Nira was, she was, in fact, impressed. She could see the Klingons were waiting on what would happen next. She didn't even need to be an empath to see that she could feel the anticipation around her like she was an eye of a hurricane and they were the rest of the hurricane, if a hurricane was made of ancipation.

She flipped the d'k tahg so she held the blade and handed it back to D'Lorra in a gesture of respect. "Well fought, D'Lorra, daughter of House JuDop," she said with a smile of praise.

[Chigorra]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Staging Area | IKS TajHu]

Nira's own observational awareness, for all her analyses, never saw the possibility of an open hand seizing one of her own daggers. Now there was an exchange of weapons; Nira took D'Lorra's d'k tahg, and she took her jambiya in turn. Now that was certainly something Nira never saw coming.

Surprised as Nira was, she was, in fact, impressed. She could see the Klingons were waiting on what would happen next. She didn't even need to be an empath to see that she could feel the anticipation around her like she was an eye of a hurricane and they were the rest of the hurricane, if a hurricane was made of ancipation.

She flipped the d'k tahg so she held the blade and handed it back to D'Lorra in a gesture of respect. "Well fought, D'Lorra, daughter of House JuDop," she said with a smile of praise.

[Staging Area | IKS TajHu | Warping Toward the Danjika System]

The blades"¦ were exchanged. "And you as well, Nira Said." D'Lorra said in return, catching her breath with effort. The moment seemed to be significant; as the family blades were returned, the Klingons watched intently, as though they wanted to remember this moment for later. Briefly, the moment passed and the crowd returned to their own sparring sessions. D'Lorra turned away and approached a fellow member of her House, demanding that the male spar with her in a loud voice. The male agreed in a surprisingly deferential way; Nira had not seen other Klingons react to D'Lorra before.

Chigorra stood nearer to Nira, then, the taller woman's voice reaching the Betazoid under the din of combat. She seemed genuinely impressed. "You handled that well, Lieutenant." she said slowly. "You disarmed her, but were disarmed yourself. An equal taking, and an equal return among warriors. Have you been reading Klingon poetry, I wonder?"

[Nira Said]

[Staging Area | IKS TajHu | Warping Toward the Danjika System]

The blades"¦ were exchanged. "And you as well, Nira Said." D'Lorra said in return, catching her breath with effort. The moment seemed to be significant; as the family blades were returned, the Klingons watched intently, as though they wanted to remember this moment for later. Briefly, the moment passed and the crowd returned to their own sparring sessions. D'Lorra turned away and approached a fellow member of her House, demanding that the male spar with her in a loud voice. The male agreed in a surprisingly deferential way; Nira had not seen other Klingons react to D'Lorra before.

Chigorra stood nearer to Nira, then, the taller woman's voice reaching the Betazoid under the din of combat. She seemed genuinely impressed. "You handled that well, Lieutenant." she said slowly. "You disarmed her, but were disarmed yourself. An equal taking, and an equal return among warriors. Have you been reading Klingon poetry, I wonder?"

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Staging Area | IKS TajHu]

Nira nodded in respect with a smile. This was the first time a Klingon referred to her by her name, as opposed to her nickname "Princess." She suddenly became aware of the Klingons watching them intently. She wondered if they were watching this moment so that they can remember the moment. Nira had a feeling it was a significant moment, that she had made quite an impression among the Klingons, first with taking down that walking whale that was a poor excuse of a battlemaster, then the duel when their family blades were exchanged and exchanged again.

Nira saw D'Lorra demanding a new spar, but getting a response; Nira never noticed D'Lorra getting a reaction. It was understandable, she was a child, after all.

Chigorra got her attention and she replied, "No, but I've learned plenty of what to expect among Klingons. I wasn't expecting to make such a big impression. Besides, how is the exchange of blades significant among Klingons, I wonder?"

[Chigorra]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Staging Area | IKS TajHu]

Nira nodded in respect with a smile. This was the first time a Klingon referred to her by her name, as opposed to her nickname "Princess." She suddenly became aware of the Klingons watching them intently. She wondered if they were watching this moment so that they can remember the moment. Nira had a feeling it was a significant moment, that she had made quite an impression among the Klingons, first with taking down that walking whale that was a poor excuse of a battlemaster, then the duel when their family blades were exchanged and exchanged again.

Nira saw D'Lorra demanding a new spar, but getting a response; Nira never noticed D'Lorra getting a reaction. It was understandable, she was a child, after all.

Chigorra got her attention and she replied, "No, but I've learned plenty of what to expect among Klingons. I wasn't expecting to make such a big impression. Besides, how is the exchange of blades significant among Klingons, I wonder?"

[Staging Area | IKS TajHu | Warping Toward the Danjika System]

"A Klingon's daqtagh is an important symbol." the Ambassador began to explain. "It carries the icon of their House, and in addition to being a weapon, it is a sacred thing to the warrior who holds it. To lose one's blade is a dishonor, and to take another's blade is to conquer them. Your own blades, by your words Princess, are your sacred weapons, your daqtaghs." Chigorra looked to D'Lorra, who was engaging herself mightily against a larger, stronger Klingon foe in sparring combat. "When you traded daqtaghs in combat, it mirrored events in Klingon stories and songs. You were much like Woj'ha and Ghralgha, or the warlord Cro' and his mistress-turned-murderer U'ulka, foes who stole and then wielded the other's blade in combat."

Chigorra mimicked the stance Nira had held when she and D'Lorra had faced off. "In that moment, you could have fought to the death, slain each other to see who deserves their blade back. You would've ended up just as Cro' and U'ulka, one dead, one living to take the throne. Instead, you acted as Woj'ha and Ghralgha, honorably returning the blades taken in battle. It was riveting to see in person." Chigorra straightened out of the mimicked stance, her smile wide and wild. "You are not meaning to, Princess, but you are building a small legend for yourself among the people of the TajHu, and this is helping to elevate the young daughter of House JuDop beyond her father's position as a lackey of House I'Prgho!"

Her words revealed new details, new clues about the behaviors Nira had been seeing. D'Lorra was a proper daughter of her House, not just a regular ranking member. And there was clearly a strong relationship between JuDop and I'Prgho, one hinted at in the deference the warriors of the former had shown the Battlemasters of the latter.

********

In time, the training concluded, with Klingons eager to return to their crewmates to share stories of recent events. Klingon honor-based culture and reputations were based strongly in talk; though the people tended to sneer at discussions, it was through talk that they spread stories of valor, or cowardice. The tale on many lips, spoken in the language Nira did not understand, included names Nira recognized; D'Lorra, Kergh, Shas... And a word she had heard in reference to herself and which she was beginning to understand... puqbe'Day, or, 'Daughter of Lord'.

Chigorra, in her position as First Officer, called for the end of the training, and ordered those present in the staging area to report to the 'Mess'. The crowd seemed energized by this order, hustling and bustling along the cramped TajHu hallways toward their eating area. The ship's scent became even stronger as they reached the very active eating space; crewmen who were lingering in the mess hall, chewing on the final dregs of their meals, were jostled out as Nira's group entered. It all seemed to be in good spirit, with the lagging crew teased mercilessly for eating more than their share. Logistics crewman manning the Mess were thrusting carcasses and hunks of meat onto hooks along the walls for Klingons to pull their meals from. Bowls were thrust onto tables into the center of hungry Klingons, and clawed and grasping hands reached into the bowls to pull out gobs of urchin-like organisms and curls of leathery, twitching eels.

Nira was left, again, with choices as to whom she would associate with at this meal-time; there was ample space near most of the Klingons she had grown to know. It was obvious which logistics crewmembers were on staff, in case she had a specific request. The Klingon replicators were also pre-programmed to accept her voice and her language as well, and there were several of them along the walls if she should choose to use them.

[Nira Said]

[Staging Area | IKS TajHu | Warping Toward the Danjika System]

"A Klingon's daqtagh is an important symbol." the Ambassador began to explain. "It carries the icon of their House, and in addition to being a weapon, it is a sacred thing to the warrior who holds it. To lose one's blade is a dishonor, and to take another's blade is to conquer them. Your own blades, by your words Princess, are your sacred weapons, your daqtaghs." Chigorra looked to D'Lorra, who was engaging herself mightily against a larger, stronger Klingon foe in sparring combat. "When you traded daqtaghs in combat, it mirrored events in Klingon stories and songs. You were much like Woj'ha and Ghralgha, or the warlord Cro' and his mistress-turned-murderer U'ulka, foes who stole and then wielded the other's blade in combat."

Chigorra mimicked the stance Nira had held when she and D'Lorra had faced off. "In that moment, you could have fought to the death, slain each other to see who deserves their blade back. You would've ended up just as Cro' and U'ulka, one dead, one living to take the throne. Instead, you acted as Woj'ha and Ghralgha, honorably returning the blades taken in battle. It was riveting to see in person." Chigorra straightened out of the mimicked stance, her smile wide and wild. "You are not meaning to, Princess, but you are building a small legend for yourself among the people of the TajHu, and this is helping to elevate the young daughter of House JuDop beyond her father's position as a lackey of House I'Prgho!"

Her words revealed new details, new clues about the behaviors Nira had been seeing. D'Lorra was a proper daughter of her House, not just a regular ranking member. And there was clearly a strong relationship between JuDop and I'Prgho, one hinted at in the deference the warriors of the former had shown the Battlemasters of the latter.

********[/color]

In time, the training concluded, with Klingons eager to return to their crewmates to share stories of recent events. Klingon honor-based culture and reputations were based strongly in talk; though the people tended to sneer at discussions, it was through talk that they spread stories of valor, or cowardice. The tale on many lips, spoken in the language Nira did not understand, included names Nira recognized; D'Lorra, Kergh, Shas... And a word she had heard in reference to herself and which she was beginning to understand... puqbe'Day, or, 'Daughter of Lord'.

Chigorra, in her position as First Officer, called for the end of the training, and ordered those present in the staging area to report to the 'Mess'. The crowd seemed energized by this order, hustling and bustling along the cramped TajHu hallways toward their eating area. The ship's scent became even stronger as they reached the very active eating space; crewmen who were lingering in the mess hall, chewing on the final dregs of their meals, were jostled out as Nira's group entered. It all seemed to be in good spirit, with the lagging crew teased mercilessly for eating more than their share. Logistics crewman manning the Mess were thrusting carcasses and hunks of meat onto hooks along the walls for Klingons to pull their meals from. Bowls were thrust onto tables into the center of hungry Klingons, and clawed and grasping hands reached into the bowls to pull out gobs of urchin-like organisms and curls of leathery, twitching eels.

Nira was left, again, with choices as to whom she would associate with at this meal-time; there was ample space near most of the Klingons she had grown to know. It was obvious which logistics crewmembers were on staff, in case she had a specific request. The Klingon replicators were also pre-programmed to accept her voice and her language as well, and there were several of them along the walls if she should choose to use them.

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Staging Area >- Mess Hall | IKS TajHu]

Nira was agog by Chigorra's words. What she did was comparable to that of two legendary Klingon warriors who exchanged their blades back. Now wonder the Klingons looked at the exchange like that. She definitely felt she had made a lasting impression on the crew. But what surprised her was that House JuDop was in league with House Korath's rivals, if not a lackey...which they were, as Chigorra said. That would've explained D'Lorra's behavior up until now.

Nira also took in the words about d'k tahgs being an important symbol. She remembered the story of her ancestor from her human stepfather's side who killed many Klingons in a boarding party during the brief War of 2285. To take another's blade is to conquer them...her ancestor had killed many Klingons, then took the d'k tahgs of the dead to study their blades, what their blades were made of, and to reforge his ancient knives to be as hard and sharp as Klingon blades. Of course, her human ancestor was curious about them, and the d'k tahgs were from dead Klingons. Though she hoped they were just rank-and-file knives, not from a House.

Eventually, Nira's group made their way to eat. Nira could tell the mess hall put an emphasis on the word "mess" just from the smell, which seemed to her the strongest smell aboard yet. But Nira knew it was to be expected, though she mentally noted to herself to take a day off when she got back to Discovery and spend it bathing...maybe with Savar, if he had the time.

Of course, on the way, Nira took note of the Klingons conversing. Much as Nira didn't understand Klingon for the most part, she recognized some names: D'Lorra, Kergh, Shas, and a word in reference to her: "puqbe'Day." She figured she was referred to as "Princess," as usual, though she eventually learned its meaning and found it was close enough: "Daughter of Lord." She definitely felt to ask about her Betazoid parents when she got back to Discovery...if she had time, given her busy schedule.

Nira stopped by a replicator to order food. She was glad to see it was programmed to recognize her voice and commands. Of course, of the Klingon foods she sampled before she left for the TajHu, the one that appealed to her the most was gagh. It was a preferred Klingon dish among officers, rumor had it, but it appealed to her because of a childhood dare to eat worms, and being the dumb child she was back then, she found worms delicious. Nira relied on that memory to make eating gagh more bearable, and she did so now as she ordered.

"Filden gagh," she ordered. She tried different gaghs, given the fifty-one varieties, but filden gagh appealed to her most because they were more close to the worms she ate as a child. Filden gagh squirmed, exactly like the worms she ate.

With that, she got a big plate of filden and sat next to Chigorra, among the Klingons she had gotten to know. And she then got a handful of gagh, thought of the worms of her childhood, and ate up.

[Chigorra]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Staging Area >- Mess Hall | IKS TajHu]

Nira was agog by Chigorra's words. What she did was comparable to that of two legendary Klingon warriors who exchanged their blades back. Now wonder the Klingons looked at the exchange like that. She definitely felt she had made a lasting impression on the crew. But what surprised her was that House JuDop was in league with House Korath's rivals, if not a lackey...which they were, as Chigorra said. That would've explained D'Lorra's behavior up until now.

Nira also took in the words about d'k tahgs being an important symbol. She remembered the story of her ancestor from her human stepfather's side who killed many Klingons in a boarding party during the brief War of 2285. To take another's blade is to conquer them...her ancestor had killed many Klingons, then took the d'k tahgs of the dead to study their blades, what their blades were made of, and to reforge his ancient knives to be as hard and sharp as Klingon blades. Of course, her human ancestor was curious about them, and the d'k tahgs were from dead Klingons. Though she hoped they were just rank-and-file knives, not from a House.

Eventually, Nira's group made their way to eat. Nira could tell the mess hall put an emphasis on the word "mess" just from the smell, which seemed to her the strongest smell aboard yet. But Nira knew it was to be expected, though she mentally noted to herself to take a day off when she got back to Discovery and spend it bathing...maybe with Savar, if he had the time.

Of course, on the way, Nira took note of the Klingons conversing. Much as Nira didn't understand Klingon for the most part, she recognized some names: D'Lorra, Kergh, Shas, and a word in reference to her: "puqbe'Day." She figured she was referred to as "Princess," as usual, though she eventually learned its meaning and found it was close enough: "Daughter of Lord." She definitely felt to ask about her Betazoid parents when she got back to Discovery...if she had time, given her busy schedule.

Nira stopped by a replicator to order food. She was glad to see it was programmed to recognize her voice and commands. Of course, of the Klingon foods she sampled before she left for the TajHu, the one that appealed to her the most was gagh. It was a preferred Klingon dish among officers, rumor had it, but it appealed to her because of a childhood dare to eat worms, and being the dumb child she was back then, she found worms delicious. Nira relied on that memory to make eating gagh more bearable, and she did so now as she ordered.

"Filden gagh," she ordered. She tried different gaghs, given the fifty-one varieties, but filden gagh appealed to her most because they were more close to the worms she ate as a child. Filden gagh squirmed, exactly like the worms she ate.

With that, she got a big plate of filden and sat next to Chigorra, among the Klingons she had gotten to know. And she then got a handful of gagh, thought of the worms of her childhood, and ate up.

[Mess Hall | IKS TajHu | Warping Toward the Danjika System]

Chigorra's eyes were on the crew around her as she chewed a ragged, uncooked hunk of... something. A rather stringy piece of it was caught in her fangs, and she pried the thing loose with a shard of bone as Nira approached. The Klingon woman nodded vigorously as the Starfleet officer joined her, and she shoved her own plate over to make sure there was room for Nira's own meal. It was notable, perhaps, that Chigorra did not marvel at Nira's choice of food; instead, she seemed to accept it as natural. The Betazoid was well accepted now, and her choice of food was not irregular to the Ambassador, at least.

To two warriors who bore a symbol Nira recognized of House JuDop, however, Nira's food choice was a shock! The braver between the two spoke out. "She eats gagh!" she said, and her male companion added "Filden!" They overcame their surprise in due time, returning to their own meals and looking a little impressed. As this moment passed, Chigorra spoke to Nira in between bites from the dead flesh in her hands. She asked her question loudly, as was the Klingon way.

"Tell me, Princess, do you have a mate on your own ship?"

Nearby conversation quieted only slightly, conversations becoming just a little distracted, as nearby ears tuned in to hear the answer to this question. Surely these Klingons weren't children, so ignorant about the mating practices of other species that such a topic was of profound interest... Surely?

[Nira Said]

[Mess Hall | IKS TajHu | Warping Toward the Danjika System]

Chigorra's eyes were on the crew around her as she chewed a ragged, uncooked hunk of... something. A rather stringy piece of it was caught in her fangs, and she pried the thing loose with a shard of bone as Nira approached. The Klingon woman nodded vigorously as the Starfleet officer joined her, and she shoved her own plate over to make sure there was room for Nira's own meal. It was notable, perhaps, that Chigorra did not marvel at Nira's choice of food; instead, she seemed to accept it as natural. The Betazoid was well accepted now, and her choice of food was not irregular to the Ambassador, at least.

To two warriors who bore a symbol Nira recognized of House JuDop, however, Nira's food choice was a shock! The braver between the two spoke out. "She eats gagh!" she said, and her male companion added "Filden!" They overcame their surprise in due time, returning to their own meals and looking a little impressed. As this moment passed, Chigorra spoke to Nira in between bites from the dead flesh in her hands. She asked her question loudly, as was the Klingon way.

"Tell me, Princess, do you have a mate on your own ship?"

Nearby conversation quieted only slightly, conversations becoming just a little distracted, as nearby ears tuned in to hear the answer to this question. Surely these Klingons weren't children, so ignorant about the mating practices of other species that such a topic was of profound interest... Surely?

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Mess Hall | IKS TajHu]

Nira raised an eyebrow at the two members of House JuDop being amazed - in their own way - that she would be eating gagh, let alone filden. Why would they be amazed that a non-Klingon would enjoy a Klingon meal...? Then she realized she had answered her own question. But still, it would be necessary not to show weakness; disgust with any Klingon food would mean they wouldn't take her seriously. Besides, Nira was feeling nostalgia for her childhood.

When Chigorra asked the question, Nira thought a moment about telling them about Savar. Nira felt she could trust these Klingons; she had made quite an impression and felt they even became her friends. But Nira decided not to go into too much details.

"As a matter of fact, I have," said Nira, quietly but compassionately. "He's a Vulcan. Though a very unusual Vulcan, even among other Vulcans. You could say he was part of a culture, albeit a dying one, where Vulcans learned to exist without suppressing emotions. Oh, they believe logic is essential, but it was needed more to complement emotions, not exclude them. The V'tosh ka'tur, that's what they are called. Of course, they're a dying culture, as I said, it's rare to find one outside Vulcan, let alone outside Federation space.

"But what drew us together was that we were lonely telepaths," she said. "With limits of what we can do, mind," she added hastily, know how Klingons feel about telepaths. "He, being an emotional Vulcan but able to maintain control, while I, a Betazoid raised by humans, with few friends before she joined Starfleet...we were meant for each other. We, with our bond..."

Of course, Nira didn't want to elaborate that she began her relationship with Savar because Savar was undergoing Pon Farr when he first met; it's too intimate and she wasn't friendly enough with the Klingons to share that. And, as a telepath, bonding in Pon Farr was the most wonderful experience Nira had enjoyed.

Nira, of course, kept her story short, given that Klingons wouldn't like talk, but she wondered how she would word her relationship with Savar in the style of Klingon poetry.

[Chigorra]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Mess Hall | IKS TajHu]

Nira raised an eyebrow at the two members of House JuDop being amazed - in their own way - that she would be eating gagh, let alone filden. Why would they be amazed that a non-Klingon would enjoy a Klingon meal...? Then she realized she had answered her own question. But still, it would be necessary not to show weakness; disgust with any Klingon food would mean they wouldn't take her seriously. Besides, Nira was feeling nostalgia for her childhood.

When Chigorra asked the question, Nira thought a moment about telling them about Savar. Nira felt she could trust these Klingons; she had made quite an impression and felt they even became her friends. But Nira decided not to go into too much details.

"As a matter of fact, I have," said Nira, quietly but compassionately. "He's a Vulcan. Though a very unusual Vulcan, even among other Vulcans. You could say he was part of a culture, albeit a dying one, where Vulcans learned to exist without suppressing emotions. Oh, they believe logic is essential, but it was needed more to complement emotions, not exclude them. The V'tosh ka'tur, that's what they are called. Of course, they're a dying culture, as I said, it's rare to find one outside Vulcan, let alone outside Federation space.

"But what drew us together was that we were lonely telepaths," she said. "With limits of what we can do, mind," she added hastily, know how Klingons feel about telepaths. "He, being an emotional Vulcan but able to maintain control, while I, a Betazoid raised by humans, with few friends before she joined Starfleet...we were meant for each other. We, with our bond..."

Of course, Nira didn't want to elaborate that she began her relationship with Savar because Savar was undergoing Pon Farr when he first met; it's too intimate and she wasn't friendly enough with the Klingons to share that. And, as a telepath, bonding in Pon Farr was the most wonderful experience Nira had enjoyed.

Nira, of course, kept her story short, given that Klingons wouldn't like talk, but she wondered how she would word her relationship with Savar in the style of Klingon poetry.

[Mess Hall | IKS TajHu | Warping Toward the Danjika System]

"A Vulcan!" Chigorra echoed, and she chewed as she listened with interest. Chigorra had no frame of reference to understand Nira's connection with Savar as a telepath, but loneliness"¦ That she understood. "It sounds as though he is very important to you." she commented as, without looking, she grasped a shelled, multi-legged thing which was escaping across the table. "Among our people, we often lay claim to our mates in visual, public displays. Sometimes they are mere symbols to be noticed, sometimes they are grand and loud displays in full view of our crewmates. It depends on how long-term the relationship is intended to be, and how much we want others to know."

With a loud pop, she one-handed cracked the shell of the molluscoid in her grasp, and she gestured with the broken, still-twitching thing at a few Klingons around her. "Breght, there, bears a bite mark proudly on her cheek from a lover. She is claimed, openly, and is unafraid of letting it show, though none of the Klingons around her share the mark." She took a bite from the creature in her hand, coming away with a spindly leg and what must be an antenna in her teeth. She spoke around the parts as she gesticulated toward a Klingon Nira recognized from the training, Gor'Jum. "The adopted son of our Captain, however, has his marks just under his collar, shown only by accident when he bows low." She looked for a third to point out to Nira, and grinned as she found a good one. "There's nothing like a little competition to make a pursuit more engaging. Observe those three, seated in a triangle."

Nira would see Battlemaster Thiq himself, eating at a slow and measured pace, while two female Klingons spoke in heated anger to each other at his sides. They seemed to be arguing with each other while attempting to bring Thiq into the discussion; his focus was on his meal, but a slight arch of his eyebrow suggested amusement at what was taking place. "Breght, Gor'Jum, and our Battlemaster"¦ Tell me, what do see in each of these? What clues do they give you about their relationships? I am curious to hear the observations of a non-Klingon."

[Nira Said]

[Mess Hall | IKS TajHu | Warping Toward the Danjika System]

"A Vulcan!" Chigorra echoed, and she chewed as she listened with interest. Chigorra had no frame of reference to understand Nira's connection with Savar as a telepath, but loneliness"¦ That she understood. "It sounds as though he is very important to you." she commented as, without looking, she grasped a shelled, multi-legged thing which was escaping across the table. "Among our people, we often lay claim to our mates in visual, public displays. Sometimes they are mere symbols to be noticed, sometimes they are grand and loud displays in full view of our crewmates. It depends on how long-term the relationship is intended to be, and how much we want others to know."

With a loud pop, she one-handed cracked the shell of the molluscoid in her grasp, and she gestured with the broken, still-twitching thing at a few Klingons around her. "Breght, there, bears a bite mark proudly on her cheek from a lover. She is claimed, openly, and is unafraid of letting it show, though none of the Klingons around her share the mark." She took a bite from the creature in her hand, coming away with a spindly leg and what must be an antenna in her teeth. She spoke around the parts as she gesticulated toward a Klingon Nira recognized from the training, Gor'Jum. "The adopted son of our Captain, however, has his marks just under his collar, shown only by accident when he bows low." She looked for a third to point out to Nira, and grinned as she found a good one. "There's nothing like a little competition to make a pursuit more engaging. Observe those three, seated in a triangle."

Nira would see Battlemaster Thiq himself, eating at a slow and measured pace, while two female Klingons spoke in heated anger to each other at his sides. They seemed to be arguing with each other while attempting to bring Thiq into the discussion; his focus was on his meal, but a slight arch of his eyebrow suggested amusement at what was taking place. "Breght, Gor'Jum, and our Battlemaster"¦ Tell me, what do see in each of these? What clues do they give you about their relationships? I am curious to hear the observations of a non-Klingon."

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Mess Hall | IKS TajHu]

Nira nodded pensively at Chigorra's words. "Yes, he is," said Nira. Her relationship with Savar was a strong one, even more so than she had with Malik and Evandev, her first two boyfriends. But it was more so because she engaged in Pon Farr with him when they first met. The best public display they showed was Savar's marriage proposal.

Then Chigorra described the various relationships of three others, including Gor'Jum, who's apparently Kohor's adopted son, and Thiq. Especially how two women are wanting Thiq, in some way. Granted, as much as Thiq looks like he wants to enjoy his meal, Nira can tell that he's looking amused at the exchange.

"From my observations as you describe, Chigorra," said Nira, "public displays and showing their marks of Klingon love in their own way."

[Chigorra]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Mess Hall | IKS TajHu]

Nira nodded pensively at Chigorra's words. "Yes, he is," said Nira. Her relationship with Savar was a strong one, even more so than she had with Malik and Evandev, her first two boyfriends. But it was more so because she engaged in Pon Farr with him when they first met. The best public display they showed was Savar's marriage proposal.

Then Chigorra described the various relationships of three others, including Gor'Jum, who's apparently Kohor's adopted son, and Thiq. Especially how two women are wanting Thiq, in some way. Granted, as much as Thiq looks like he wants to enjoy his meal, Nira can tell that he's looking amused at the exchange.

"From my observations as you describe, Chigorra," said Nira, "public displays and showing their marks of Klingon love in their own way."

[Mess Hall | IKS TajHu | Warping Toward the Danjika System]

"Indeed." Chigorra remarked. "Each in their own way." she sighed longingly, an act which might have looked endearing if she hadn't followed it up with a voracious bite of her meal's struggling leg-parts. She seemed to lose herself in clouded thoughts of a lost romance, or a love never achieved. She said little further to Nira, though it didn't appear to be deliberate. She just sat, lost, and eating.

********

Time passed, and soon, the TajHu and its accompanying vessels were mere hours from the furthest edge of the Danjika system. In the intervening hours, there had been a brief rest period, further training, and a lingering sense of discomfort due to the presence of the two I'Prgho Battlemasters aboard. Thankfully, the two men hadn't done much to earn the loyalty of the crew; thanks in part to Nira's own honorable behavior, and her defeat of the turgid Shas, even the members of House JuDop had been hesitant to show great deference to  these two I'Prgho warriors. Chigorra had remarked to Nira that another factor was the actions of young D'Lorra, who it seemed was steering her fellows away from House I'Prgho as well. D'Lorra's slowly growing prestige meant that her opinions carried more weight, and apparently she thought little of Shas and Kergh. The reason for their assignment by General Chorl'goff to the TajHu remained a mystery; surely, sending members of feuding houses to fight together would lead to disunity?

Nira was on duty at the bridge, her cohort D'Lorra ready and active at her own tactical substation. Battlemasters Thiq and Thontorf were at their stations early, as was the sneering Kergh, but Shas had yet to"¦ Thwack! The sound of a door panel being punched signalled a new entrant to the bridge. Battlemaster Shas, his bronze-colored face looking slightly pale, entered the bridge. He was alert, but clearly something was on his mind. He looked about, locking eyes briefly with those who looked at him, but it was notable that Captain Kohor gave him no greeting of any kind, even a nod. Shas' failure during the trainings so recently meant that he had not trained his warriors, and he had fallen in battle to a humanoid. His prestige was falling in this ship of a House with whom his own feuded.

Shas turned, heading in the opposite direction of his station, making his way"¦ to Nira. He paused near her, clearing his throat to seek her attention. "Lieutenant Nira." he said, his voice hoarse to the point where he had to cough quietly to clear it. The next words came out with quite a struggle. "I"¦ was incorrect to call your weapons"¦ butter knives." he began. Nira would be aware of Kergh, at his station, looking particularly angry about what he was hearing. Others on the Bridge were listening as Shas, shockingly, continued. "I was similarly incorrect to label you as a flower." He was partly wrong, he had called her a flower petal, but perhaps the exact details were lost to him. "You defeated me, honorably, when I acted with disrespect that you had not earned. I"¦ brought shame on House I'Prgho, while you did well by House Korath in turn."

He paused there. There weren't the precise words of an apology, but just the same, he had laid himself bare by withdrawing the insults, and by accepting the blame for his own actions. By the silence of those on the bridge, this was a significant moment. Nira would have to decide how to respond to the man, with the ears of all these others tuned in. Even Captain Kohor's bald head seemed to be turned ever so slightly...

[Nira Said]

[Mess Hall | IKS TajHu | Warping Toward the Danjika System]

"Indeed." Chigorra remarked. "Each in their own way." she sighed longingly, an act which might have looked endearing if she hadn't followed it up with a voracious bite of her meal's struggling leg-parts. She seemed to lose herself in clouded thoughts of a lost romance, or a love never achieved. She said little further to Nira, though it didn't appear to be deliberate. She just sat, lost, and eating.

********

Time passed, and soon, the TajHu and its accompanying vessels were mere hours from the furthest edge of the Danjika system. In the intervening hours, there had been a brief rest period, further training, and a lingering sense of discomfort due to the presence of the two I'Prgho Battlemasters aboard. Thankfully, the two men hadn't done much to earn the loyalty of the crew; thanks in part to Nira's own honorable behavior, and her defeat of the turgid Shas, even the members of House JuDop had been hesitant to show great deference to  these two I'Prgho warriors. Chigorra had remarked to Nira that another factor was the actions of young D'Lorra, who it seemed was steering her fellows away from House I'Prgho as well. D'Lorra's slowly growing prestige meant that her opinions carried more weight, and apparently she thought little of Shas and Kergh. The reason for their assignment by General Chorl'goff to the TajHu remained a mystery; surely, sending members of feuding houses to fight together would lead to disunity?

Nira was on duty at the bridge, her cohort D'Lorra ready and active at her own tactical substation. Battlemasters Thiq and Thontorf were at their stations early, as was the sneering Kergh, but Shas had yet to"¦ Thwack! The sound of a door panel being punched signalled a new entrant to the bridge. Battlemaster Shas, his bronze-colored face looking slightly pale, entered the bridge. He was alert, but clearly something was on his mind. He looked about, locking eyes briefly with those who looked at him, but it was notable that Captain Kohor gave him no greeting of any kind, even a nod. Shas' failure during the trainings so recently meant that he had not trained his warriors, and he had fallen in battle to a humanoid. His prestige was falling in this ship of a House with whom his own feuded.

Shas turned, heading in the opposite direction of his station, making his way"¦ to Nira. He paused near her, clearing his throat to seek her attention. "Lieutenant Nira." he said, his voice hoarse to the point where he had to cough quietly to clear it. The next words came out with quite a struggle. "I"¦ was incorrect to call your weapons"¦ butter knives." he began. Nira would be aware of Kergh, at his station, looking particularly angry about what he was hearing. Others on the Bridge were listening as Shas, shockingly, continued. "I was similarly incorrect to label you as a flower." He was partly wrong, he had called her a flower petal, but perhaps the exact details were lost to him. "You defeated me, honorably, when I acted with disrespect that you had not earned. I"¦ brought shame on House I'Prgho, while you did well by House Korath in turn."

He paused there. There weren't the precise words of an apology, but just the same, he had laid himself bare by withdrawing the insults, and by accepting the blame for his own actions. By the silence of those on the bridge, this was a significant moment. Nira would have to decide how to respond to the man, with the ears of all these others tuned in. Even Captain Kohor's bald head seemed to be turned ever so slightly...

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Bridge | Deck One | IKS TajHu]

As time passed, there was more training and more and more of the fact that Kergh and Shas were no more welcome than a pair of cats in a kennel of dogs. Nira was on the bridge with D'Lorra; Nira could see D'Lorra was growing closer to her. Chiefly since she had disarmed and rearmed and exchanged blades in the honorable sense. In fact, Nira could see D'Lorra had been given enough of an impression to tell her other two House members to steer clear of Kergh and Shas.

Nira, of course, noticed that Kergh, amidst his sneering on the bridge, would glare with a hardened stare whenever he laid eyes on Nira. In point of fact, that was just the least he was doing. She was informed he was outright furious that his house cohort was disarmed and brought down, and by a non-Klingon. Whenever she saw him since her training with Klingons, he always made that loathing glare, with hints of disappointment in his body language. It was clear to Nira that Kergh was waiting for the right moment when Nira was alone so he could attack her by surprise for humiliating his house. Luckily, Nira was always never alone, surrounded by Klingons at all times.

The sound of a fist strike followed by the door opening showed Shas stumbling in, his fat physique affecting his walk. He was looking a little pale, even for being a Klingon. With his physique and his expression on his face, Nira couldn't tell whether it was shame or indigestion. Then he approached and Nira was suddenly suspicious of him.

The fact that he addressed her as "Lieutenant Nira" instead of "Lieutenant Said" made Nira wonder if he was up to something. She was only addressed as "Lieutenant Nira" when nobody knew her and mistakenly used her first name. Otherwise, given everybody on the ship knew her surname, this instantly raised suspicion. And the fact that he made a sort of apology made Nira more suspicious. It had to have taken something awful serious to make a Klingon apologize...but the fact that everybody was turning heads to actually see him meant that the apology was genuine.

"I accept your apology, Shas of House I'Prgho," said Nira steely. "But know that I do not have your trust. Yours and Kergh. Neither of you are warriors of honor, nor do you behave with honor. Why either of you are assigned to this ship is beyond me, so we are stuck with you. Bear in mind what I am capable of..."

And she tapped her knives, sheathed to the side as opposed to sheathed in her boots, given she was among Klingons. She looked at Kergh, who was clearly itching to make an angry outburst, itching to lash out at Nira, but he knew he couldn't. He knew he had to exercise restraint. Should he try, even on a non-Klingon the whole crew, including House members who were supposed to come from a supportive House, came to respect, he knew the whole crew will be on him like a pack of ravenous targs.

[Chigorra]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Bridge | Deck One | IKS TajHu]

As time passed, there was more training and more and more of the fact that Kergh and Shas were no more welcome than a pair of cats in a kennel of dogs. Nira was on the bridge with D'Lorra; Nira could see D'Lorra was growing closer to her. Chiefly since she had disarmed and rearmed and exchanged blades in the honorable sense. In fact, Nira could see D'Lorra had been given enough of an impression to tell her other two House members to steer clear of Kergh and Shas.

Nira, of course, noticed that Kergh, amidst his sneering on the bridge, would glare with a hardened stare whenever he laid eyes on Nira. In point of fact, that was just the least he was doing. She was informed he was outright furious that his house cohort was disarmed and brought down, and by a non-Klingon. Whenever she saw him since her training with Klingons, he always made that loathing glare, with hints of disappointment in his body language. It was clear to Nira that Kergh was waiting for the right moment when Nira was alone so he could attack her by surprise for humiliating his house. Luckily, Nira was always never alone, surrounded by Klingons at all times.

The sound of a fist strike followed by the door opening showed Shas stumbling in, his fat physique affecting his walk. He was looking a little pale, even for being a Klingon. With his physique and his expression on his face, Nira couldn't tell whether it was shame or indigestion. Then he approached and Nira was suddenly suspicious of him.

The fact that he addressed her as "Lieutenant Nira" instead of "Lieutenant Said" made Nira wonder if he was up to something. She was only addressed as "Lieutenant Nira" when nobody knew her and mistakenly used her first name. Otherwise, given everybody on the ship knew her surname, this instantly raised suspicion. And the fact that he made a sort of apology made Nira more suspicious. It had to have taken something awful serious to make a Klingon apologize...but the fact that everybody was turning heads to actually see him meant that the apology was genuine.

"I accept your apology, Shas of House I'Prgho," said Nira steely. "But know that I do not have your trust. Yours and Kergh. Neither of you are warriors of honor, nor do you behave with honor. Why either of you are assigned to this ship is beyond me, so we are stuck with you. Bear in mind what I am capable of..."

And she tapped her knives, sheathed to the side as opposed to sheathed in her boots, given she was among Klingons. She looked at Kergh, who was clearly itching to make an angry outburst, itching to lash out at Nira, but he knew he couldn't. He knew he had to exercise restraint. Should he try, even on a non-Klingon the whole crew, including House members who were supposed to come from a supportive House, came to respect, he knew the whole crew will be on him like a pack of ravenous targs.

[Bridge | IKS TajHu | Edge of the Danjika System]

Shas swallowed as Nira spoke her piece. She was right. She was correct to issue her threat, and to declare that trust had not yet been earned. It was he who had acted shamefully. This admission was merely a step, merely talk; he had more work to do if he wished to repair his reputation further. Shas nodded, wordlessly, and moved to his assigned station. The moment seemed to pass, and the crew resumed their work. Kergh could only seethe, blaming Nira rather than his Housemate for the shame he rightfully felt.

D'Lorra, at the tactical substation, broke the tension as she gave Nira a verbal report. She seemed concerned. "Lieutenant, Engineering just sent us a report of their functions tests on the disruptor cannons. There have been no errors since we left our home system, but they are saying one of the cannons is now reporting a problem!" She pressed a button, and a view became available on Nira's head tactical station which she should open further, if she wished. The data would show a diagnostics error thrown by the primary system which modulated the electromagnetic radiation that eventually became the destructive blast emitted by the cannon. The error was unconfirmed; a more in-depth test would be needed to verify whether the diagnostic result was a fluke, or a true problem.

Nira's studies of Klingon Bridge practices told her that she could make a decision herself about what to do next, and then report it to the Captain. Traditionally, the Chief Tactical Officer was granted full rights to make decisions with regards to weapons, as long as she made her Captain aware. There was no shame, according to reports, in asking the preference of the Captain or First Officer given the circumstances of the mission. D'Lorra could also be asked for further details, as she was more familiar with these specific systems, though she had only been aboard the TajHu for a short while.

[Nira Said]

[Bridge | IKS TajHu | Edge of the Danjika System]

Shas swallowed as Nira spoke her piece. She was right. She was correct to issue her threat, and to declare that trust had not yet been earned. It was he who had acted shamefully. This admission was merely a step, merely talk; he had more work to do if he wished to repair his reputation further. Shas nodded, wordlessly, and moved to his assigned station. The moment seemed to pass, and the crew resumed their work. Kergh could only seethe, blaming Nira rather than his Housemate for the shame he rightfully felt.

D'Lorra, at the tactical substation, broke the tension as she gave Nira a verbal report. She seemed concerned. "Lieutenant, Engineering just sent us a report of their functions tests on the disruptor cannons. There have been no errors since we left our home system, but they are saying one of the cannons is now reporting a problem!" She pressed a button, and a view became available on Nira's head tactical station which she should open further, if she wished. The data would show a diagnostics error thrown by the primary system which modulated the electromagnetic radiation that eventually became the destructive blast emitted by the cannon. The error was unconfirmed; a more in-depth test would be needed to verify whether the diagnostic result was a fluke, or a true problem.

Nira's studies of Klingon Bridge practices told her that she could make a decision herself about what to do next, and then report it to the Captain. Traditionally, the Chief Tactical Officer was granted full rights to make decisions with regards to weapons, as long as she made her Captain aware. There was no shame, according to reports, in asking the preference of the Captain or First Officer given the circumstances of the mission. D'Lorra could also be asked for further details, as she was more familiar with these specific systems, though she had only been aboard the TajHu for a short while.

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Bridge | Deck One | IKS TajHu]

Nira kept on staring hard at Shas, even as he manned his station. She was very sure he had crapped himself just from looking at him. Her cold hard stare, complete with her black eyes, were enough to make a whole troop scared of her. The stare was broken only by D'Lorra's report.

The timing of the disruptor cannons are having a problem, especially when they're potentially about to confront Cardassian pirates, only intensified Nira's suspicion; she remembered Shas' current behavior and suspected this was more than just shame from being bested by a non-Klingon. But she can investigate whether or not the disruptors were sabotaged later.

Studying the error coming in, Nira looked over at D'Lorra and said, "Get further details, conduct a diagnostic. We need to know what's wrong with the cannons before we use them."

She looked back over at Shas and stared hard, accusingly. The timing of it all definitely made Nira more suspicious of Shas, what with his behavior.

[Chigorra]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Bridge | Deck One | IKS TajHu]

Nira kept on staring hard at Shas, even as he manned his station. She was very sure he had crapped himself just from looking at him. Her cold hard stare, complete with her black eyes, were enough to make a whole troop scared of her. The stare was broken only by D'Lorra's report.

The timing of the disruptor cannons are having a problem, especially when they're potentially about to confront Cardassian pirates, only intensified Nira's suspicion; she remembered Shas' current behavior and suspected this was more than just shame from being bested by a non-Klingon. But she can investigate whether or not the disruptors were sabotaged later.

Studying the error coming in, Nira looked over at D'Lorra and said, "Get further details, conduct a diagnostic. We need to know what's wrong with the cannons before we use them."

She looked back over at Shas and stared hard, accusingly. The timing of it all definitely made Nira more suspicious of Shas, what with his behavior.

[Bridge | IKS TajHu | Edge of the Danjika System]

D'Lorra nodded, and released a guttural "Huh!" sound, which must have been some kind of acknowledgement; the Klingon version of 'Aye'. Nira would have heard others make the same noise in the same context. D'Lorra punched up the command to transmit to Engineering, demanding a full diagnostic of the weapon. "Engineering reports they will need an hour to complete the diagnostic. That cannon will be down during the checks." she reported.

As Nira stared daggers, or more accurately, jambiyas at Shas, he caught the accusatory look. He seemed to believe that her hard stare was a continuation of what she had been giving him moments before, but then he made the connection. Was she... accusing him? Implying he was somehow to blame? His mouth opened, but before he could object to the look, Kergh shouted out first.

"Do you have something to say to my fellow Battlemaster, Starfleet?" Kergh demanded. "You stare with contempt, after Shas deigned to apologize to you. Are you brave enough to state your thoughts proudly?"

Kergh had not moved from his position, but his gloved hand gripped the edge of his workstation with violent promise. Captain Kohor was fully aware of the exchange, as his seat was in the middle of it all, and Chigorra looked between Kergh and Nira. Neither of the officers stepped in, or said a word; among Klingons, intervening in a dispute only occurred in special circumstances. Perhaps Nira had something to say?

At this time, Nira's own console flashed; one of the K-32's had routed to the TajHu a tactical scan which had detected, just for a moment, an unidentified vessel at the furthest edge of its scanner range. The ship was passing near a stellar gas cloud, and the effects of the cloud meant ship identification was not possible at this far range, nor was communication.