Re: Of Course It Hurts (Judy/Saya)

[Ozu Saya]

[Estate]

Saya nodded as Judy rose to leave. I will be out shortly to get some food. I do appreciate your offer to bring it to me, but I will at least do that much for myself. She watched as the older woman made her way out of the room.

When Judy entered the kitchen again, Kyo was just turning the kebobs a tiny bit further. They had made almost a full rotation and were sizzling and smelling delicious. He'd stirred the rice and lentils a couple of times to keep them from sticking.

I think we're about ready here, he said. Did Saya tell you what's wrong?

[Judith Eastman]

[Estate]

"Seems like she's having a weird mood that's completely throwing her off," Judy replied. "Hopefully it's something she can just sleep off."

Judy moved to examine the food. It seemed to be doing well.
"You're a capable cook," she complimented Kyo. "That's definitely going to be helpful with Saya, having that skill on both ends of the relationship - when you guys get serious enough to move in."

Judy's choice of "when" over "if", rather than indicating inevitability (as the words would seem to do at face value), was meant rather as a subtle statement of support and encouragement.

[Ozu Saya]

[Estate]

Kyo gave a small sigh of relief that Saya was apparently okay.

Thanks, he answered. I helped my mother cook a lot when I was at home, especially when all my little cousins came over. That was like feeding an army! The corners of his eyes crinkled as he grinned.

To Judy's other comment, he said, I think we're a ways off from that. Though being on the ship will be close enough, probably. At least I hope. I know she'll be busy with her duties, but I really hope that we'll be able to spend enough time together to see if this can go somewhere.

My parents think I'm a bit crazy to give up the symphony and follow a woman aboard a starship.

[Judith Eastman]

[Estate]

"That's understandable," Judy replied. "You're giving up a career, a fixed and respectable source of income, for a courtship, not a long-term commitment. Even in a relationship, it seems to me like she'll be the one to wear the pants in the family. As a parent, I'd be concerned too."

Judy then made a sudden turn in her rhetoric, one which mildly surprised even herself.
"However, if you didn't do it, you'd probably spend ages thinking about what could have been; you could well end up comparing the next five girlfriends to Saya. Sometimes, you just have to follow the heart."

She went to stir the pot one more time. It looked like two more minutes of cooking at most.

[Ozu Saya]

[Estate]

Kyo shrugged abashedly. Saya wasn't the only reason; but she was the catalyst. I'd been considering leaving anyway to focus on composing instead. I was starting to find the symphony a bit stifling - always playing the music of others. And my costs have always been low, so I'm not too worried about not having income right now. And all my basics will be taken care of on the Tempest.

But really... He hesitated. Kyo hadn't told anyone about his experience. It had seemed so fantastic, but then he'd run into Saya, literally, and it had all made sense.

I...I had a vision from the Prophets. At first I thought I was dreaming, but the way they spoke to me, and what they said- Kyo shook his head. I had to believe them, and I met you and Saya the next day. My parents may think I'm crazy. You probably think I'm crazy now; but I know that Saya is the one for me. The more time I spend with her, the more I'm convinced of it. I just have to be patient until she realizes it.

[Judith Eastman]

[Estate]

"I don't think you're crazy," Judy replied. "As a scientist, knowing the scientific record about the Prophets - at least what little I remember - I'd say it's plausible."

She retrieved a serving plate for the kebabs, then leaned on her cane with both hands.
"Honestly, I think she knows too. I can just see it in the way she is around you. It's not just attraction. It looks like that sort of feeling I got a lot more skeptical of after catching the third or fourth affair. It may well be love."

Judy lifted one hand off the cane, and began to move the kebabs.
"There are a few subtle ways we can sniff out the idea. When she feels better, we can try to find a few songs about love, marriage, and all that stuff, and have you suggest them one after another. I can then gauge her reaction. It'll probably be a raised eyebrow, but we'll have to see how much of one."

Judy would have completely surprised her past self. Wasn't she the one who'd articulated, in late 2394, that love is a pile of malarkey, and that successful marriages are just friendships with a shared bed?

[Ozu Saya]

[Estate]

Kyo began opening cabinets and drawers to find dishes and cutlery. He had to pause to laugh outright at Judy's suggestion. That is downright sneaky, he answered with a chuckle. But, I guess I'm not above a little innocent trickery. Kyo grinned a little and went back to searching for plates.

I do hope Saya feels better soon. I love spending time with her and I hate seeing her in any kind of distress.

After a moment of hesitation, he added, I'm sorry you went through that. No one should treat someone they claim to love like that.

[Judith Eastman]

[Estate]

"That's the problem with being both rich and pretty," Judy said. "I attracted all the grifters, tricksters, and scumbags, including the competent ones."

Judy then propped the cane up on the counter, and carried the kebabs to the table. It might've been some subconscious diversion mechanism, or pure pragmatism. Either way, a week after the surgery, she could walk short distances unaided.
"I know, I shouldn't, but I can and I did," she said.

[Ozu Saya]

[Estate]

It's unfortunate that in today's society people still think they can treat others so badly. I could never treat someone like that, or tolerate anyone else doing so.

Kyo raised a brow at Judy's stubbornness, but shook his head. I'm not saying anything about your physical ability anymore. But if you fall on your face, I'll help you up. Kyo flashed Judy a quick grin as he carried plates and bowls to the table and went back for silverware.

[Judith Eastman]

[Estate]

"I appreciate that," Judy said. "The floor does too - I don't think it could withstand my nose."

Judy imagined that Kyo, as a Bajoran, was no stranger to nose humor. She'd always viewed her schnoz as a sign of distinction, and a mark of her heritage, and was curious to hear his perspective on this particular organ.

[Ozu Saya]

[Estate]

Kyo snorted inelegantly at Judy's joke. He had heard his share of nose jokes, most notably from his friend Michael.

You remember Michael, from the baseball game? He and I met after he'd been punched by some guy for flirting with his girlfriend. He doesn't exercise the best judgment when he's drunk. Anyway, he was still a little out of it when he woke up and his first words to me were, 'Do you grate cheese on that?'

He's an idiot, but a good friend, Kyo said with a shrug. He was the one that introduced me to a lot of the Terran foods I like.

[Judith Eastman]

[Estate]

"Anybody's an idiot once they get about 5 drinks in," Judy remarked wryly. "I know firsthand."
And that was all she had to say about that.

"I suppose grating cheese isn't the worst he could say. Humans tell our kids that if they wrinkle their noses, they'll stay that way."

Judy let the rest of the imagined joke be imagined.

"Anyway, I've found that the best way to deal with it is to own it. If you tell all the best jokes, they haven't got any left to tell."

[Ozu Saya]

[Estate]

Kyo grunted, I did that once. Never again. One of my older cousins stole a bottle of my parents' strongest wine when we were teenagers and convinced me to drink it with him. The aftermath was not pretty - neither the natural consequences nor the three-month punishment my parents gave me. They made me work on my uncle's farm, cleaning up after the animals. Alieth and the corgis are fine, but I am not really an animal person. He could laugh about it now, but at the time it had been the worst punishment they could come up with.

I don't mind the jokes, but I've never been good at telling them. With my height, I was used to being teased by my own family before I got around people who started in on the nose. Kyo shrugged. I just roll with it.

[Judith Eastman]

[Estate]

"Happens with far too many kids," Judy answered. "The fact that it's not allowed actually makes it more alluring for children, like a forbidden fruit sort of vibe. The same went for coffee in my household until I turned 12, and now my heart pumps the stuff through my veins."

Judy had only realized this in her late 40s, after it was too late for her kids. Maybe she'd do better with grandkids.

"Regardless, I'm sure you'll be happy to know we don't raise sheep on the island anymore. My second cousin, actually, owns a farm over in what used to be the DMZ. He makes his own cheese - not as well as the French do, but pretty well, and he makes a killing."

[Ozu Saya]

[Estate]

Sheep, Kyo said with a shudder. Those are the stinky, fluffy ones that go, 'baa', right?

I visited a sheep station in Australia. Those creatures are creepy and disgusting.

There was a small noise from the doorway, and Kyo swung around to see Saya apparently stifling a giggle. She was covering her mouth with one hand, at least.

Hey! Didn't expect to see you again tonight. Are you going to join us?

Saya shook her head, dropping her hand. I just came to get food. I didn't want either of you to have to bring it to me. Her voice was low and rough. She waited in the doorway, as if afraid to come any closer.

Okay. Rice, lentils, vegetables?

Saya nodded silently.

Kyo dished up a bowl, grabbed a spoon and brought it to her. She accepted both, keeping back from him and minimizing any contact.

With a quiet thank you, she disappeared again.