Melly and Cyrus

Posted on Thu Jan 12th, 2023 @ 8:51pm by Lieutenant Commander Cyrus Marner & Crewman Melly

3,730 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Medical/holodeck
Timeline: 2431-03-11, 10:30

Tags: Sensitive Subject Matter

Medical was all a buzz with personnel going about their various duties. Cyrus came out of his office, a pencil behind one ear, just watching as things progressed. He had to take a moment or two for a break before he went back to his paperwork. He could only shake his head at the fact that he was in charge of this whole facility. It still mystified Cyrus that he had been placed as the man in charge.

"Oh for a few moments to go fishing, I am going to have to schedule that. I tell others that they need to take the time and do some relaxing but no... I am a workaholic for the time being." he raised his shoulders into shrug then proceeded to return to his office. He placed a hand upon the door leading into this office when a voice came from behind "Sir?"

Cyrus turned to face the person who had gotten his attention. "Yes may I help you?"

"Well there is someone to see you." was the reply from the man in security clothing.

"Bring them into my office please." Cyrus stated, and he turned once more.

The security officer returned to the lobby and motioned Melly to the Doctor's office. Once he was sure she was in the security officer left quickly having other tasks. The girl seemed nice and wasn't a issue for him but security is never a slow occupation.

The small girl, looking like a human eight year old girl entered the office and looked around. She could tell a man was busy so she gently brushed her French braid to one side of her gold operations uniform. With the softest of voices she whispered, "If you are busy Sir.. I can come back later. My name is Crewman 3rd Class Melly of Miri. I am asigned to the station and need the introductionary check and go over by medical. If Sir is busy I can happily return later."

Even her voice matched her age, which was likely off putting to some.

At first Cyrus had looked eyelevel (his) to see who had arrived then realized he was not looking in the correct direction. Glancing downwards his eyebrows raised.

"Hello there, Crewman Melly. You are from Miri? That name sounds rather familiar but can't recollect it at the moment." his voice taking on his southern drawl, and his tone filled with warmth. "Lets get you looked at, I am sure you've heard all this before. You are wearing a uniform but, you seem too young to be doing so. However, you are here." giving a smile his smile reaching blue eyes. "Shall we?" giving a motion towards an empty bio bed. "And would you like me to give you a boost to the table or, a footstool?"

Melly stood at attention as the man spoke, her eyes looking over the man and feeling instantly more calmer then when she met Security Chief Patton.

"A pleasure to meet you Sir, yes I would be happy to begin", she whispered to him looking up to the man.

The girl smiled and gave a childlike giggle as he asked if she needed a boost but shook her head. Instead she walked to the bio bed and hopped up but didn't make it, then hopped again and didn't make it, finally she hopped and eeeped loudly as she clung to the side of the bio bed like a possum.

Melly looked up to the man from upside down, she was embarrassed but she tried to get onto the bio bed but slipped landing on the floor with a crinkle sound and started pouting.

"Maybe.. I should get a boost or the stool Sir, Your decision which..", Melly said sitting on the floor a bit ashamed.

Cyrus promptly sat next to Melly, "Well, I think I made a mistake in asking if you'd like a boost. That would probably embarrass me, if someone were to ask me that. I am sorry I did so. And I also just realized that I could have done this."

He pressed a button which lowered the bio bed down to where Melly could have gotten on it herself. My apologies. Care to try again?"

Melly looked as the bed lowered and then tried to not give a very stern pout up at the man. Standing she smoothed her uniform before laying carefully on the bed and wiggling a bit to get comfy with another crinkle. She then stretched out her legs in the bed and tried her best to relax as she moved her hands to rest under her to not fidget.

"So how may I be of service Doctor?", Melly asked.

Cyrus once she was situated on the table he rose from the floor and raised the biobed.

"That was quite the stern expression you gave me there, Crewman Melly." Cyrus remarked, as he proceeded to start the scans for medical records. "It wasn't my intention to give offense." he said calmly, running his medical tricorder over her as well. "May I be so rude and ask you your age?" having a slight teasing twinkle in his eyes.

Melly opened her mouth a bit shocked and lowered her head a bit, "I am very very sorry Sir. I did not mean to forget my place. I will be a good girl.". She then realized he was joking and sighed realizing she did not understand. But she does now.

"I am Two Hundred and Seventy One years old Sir. Do to the Preservers.. I age one month every one hundred years. This means I shall be an eight year old for a while now.. the age slowing starts when the virus sets in on you.. so a lot of the super young of us aged normally then it locked in."

Cyrus gave a nod, he paused to look at the padd pulling up her files, health condition wise. "It looks like you have been suffering from night terrors, of which I am sorry about that. " he looked further down the list then took a look at Melly, "I am going to say you have come along way from what happened in your past." he put the padd away. "Are there things you like to do that make you happy?" The doctor had a pleasant smile and it was a genuine one.

Melly turned her head away with the man spoke of the night terrors, she was expecting a quip or snark about the nappies as she had been mocked in the penal colony but something deep down told her this man was not that way. Hearing his apology she looked up to him with a happy look as he was indeed nice.

Her head dipped back down though, "I wish Ms Tavera was still counseling me.. but she..". Melly was visibly upset as her vitals spiked from anxiety but hearing the man continue calmed her slightly. "I..", she had never thought about what he asked. But she thought and then looked up, "I like playgrounds on the holodeck? The slide.. the swings.." The more she mentioned the brighter her face got.

Cyrus smiled, when he saw how happy Melly was becoming. "Tell you what, I can show you a playground that I used to go to when I was a boy. Would you like that? Its my break coming up and I would dearly love to step away for a short time."

Melly instantly lurched forward into a deep big hug as she whimpered slightly and then smiled. "Yes please yes. That would make me smile. But not too long as I am to meet Ms Haynes for a semi late lunch. But we need to get this done first, I will answer any questions so ask away Sir." She then peeked up unsure if she was bad by hugging so she froze.

Cyrus didn't seem angry at all, instead he gently patted her back then stepped back in order for Melly to get off the bio bed by herself. "You are welcome, so lets get going." he giving a smile.

She melted from the pat but tilted her head slipping down from the bed, "But? What about the medical evaluation?" She offered up her hand to him and smiled happy to get to go play but also trying to keep her mind focused despite it being difficult as she wanted to go have fun.

Now Cyrus didn't take her offered hand but, he did say, "At this time I won't hold your hand, as we are in uniform, and will be walking down the corridor to the holosuite. And as for your medical, you are showing signs of getting healthy, but you are fit for whatever duty, they maybe having you do. What will your position be Melly?"

Melly lowered her hand thinking she might have overstepped but nodded softly, looking up she whispered gently. "I eat slave Nutri-Goop for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I am told it is very nutricious, but also fitting for bad people like me. Ms Jasmine is trying to get me to eat different things.. so I am trying to change my habbits. As for position I am Yeoman to High Commssioner Jasmine Haynes." She smiled and motioned with her hand, "Lead on Sir."

Cyrus noticed the expression in her eyes. "Melly I don't hold your hand out of respect for you. You are a member of the crew therefore you are also due respect, the same as me. I can tell you are intelligent, I can see it in your eyes. As for nutri-goop, do you think I can get a sample of it, it almost sounds like poi which is a Hawaiian dish. I've eaten that before, now I am curious as to what your nutri-goop is like. And I am glad Jasmine is going to get you to try some new dishes that will have more flavor to it than your nutri-goop." Cyrus leading the way to the holo suite. When they arrived, he put in the code for the program.

The door slid open revealing a small park with a swing set, a slide and a merry go round, there is also some bars looking like a metal ladder supported by metal frame. Near by there is a small pond with some ducks as well as a couple of swans.

"I used to come here often on a nice spring day or even in the summer where I would take my shoes off and let my feet dangle in the water." once they stepped inside and the door closed, Cyrus held out his hand, "Okay if you want, you can hold my hand." he smiled.

Melly listened as she walked with the 'older' man. He was very kind and his reasons for not holding her hand made sense. "I am sorry for my error. As for Nutri-Goop... it's in the replicator. It's for slaves and meant to taste bad, I am told it can taste slightly better hot but I feel it best for people like me to eat it room temperature."

Once the doors opened her eyes widened and she gasped in happiness looking to the pond, to the monkey bars, to the merry go round, the slide, and finally longingly at the swingset. She was so bright and happy. She then turned to pond and watched the animals not exactly knowing what they were but they were pretty.

She looked up and smiled so brightly listening but pouted a little, "My feet are sensitive.. so I am not sure how that would do for me but I can happily try." Hearing him and spotting his hand she reached a gentle hand up to hold his, smiling from ear to ear.

"I trust you.. I am warey of gentleman do to the Admiral.. but you feel safe.", she said visibly relaxing

Cyrus gave a nod, then asked, "now where do you want to start, the swings, the monkey bars, the slide or the merry go round? Or do you want to take your shoes off and put your feet into the cool water and feed the ducks?"

"I...", she was indecisive but then whispered. "The swings please they are my favourite, they make me feel like I can fly again. Then we can try the.. ducks are they? I assume those pretty things in the water. Unless you want to suggest something else?", the three foot eight inch girl smiled holding to the doctors hand and visibly relaxing after her earlier stress.

"I like the swings, so lets go swing." Cyrus giving a chuckle, as they headed in that direction. "Do you want me to give you a push or shall we swing on our own?" the doctor giving a laugh. " Then you and I can fly together"

Melly smiled and skipped along with her free arm out giggling. "Let's both swing, that way we can both have fun. I don't have a horribly long time but I have scheduled time for the medical so lets both have fun. Then I need to meet Ms Jasmine for lunch in the promenade." She smiled and wiggled into a swing and started swinging slow but getting a little faster but keeping safe as she smiled so happily hoping the Doctor can enjoy too.

Cyrus chuckled and got into his swing gave a push with his feet going backwards then lifted his feet from the ground. Back and forth he leaned the swing his legs stretched forward then they went back. Back, forth, higher and higher he went. Enjoying the feel, it had been a long time. He tilted his head back and laughed without a care in the world then he hollered "whoo hoo!!" his voice echoing. He glanced over towards Melly to see how she was doing.

Melly continued to swing and smiled as the Doctor equally had fun it seems. She was so happy and after a good while of swinging in which she was equally giggling while watching the doctor before she slowed up and stopped swinging. Looking up to the man she smiled, "Shall we see the ducks? As we go I would like if allowed to ask something?" She was smiling but she did have a curious look on her face.

Cyrus brought his swing to slower pace then gracefully leaped out from the swing, landing on his feet. He turned to look at Melly, "All right, you may ask your question." holding out his hand towards her once more.

Clapping happily at the landing Melly smiled and gently held the Doctors hand. As she walked toward the pond she looked up to the man and asked, "This all makes me happy.. but why Sir? So few people are kind for kind sake. I am not wanting to question... but with my past how did you not know I was a dangerous person like they say? Why go out of your way to be nice like this? Don't get me wrong, it makes me so happy... but why?"

Cyrus walked alongside Melly, silent for a moment while he worked out his answer. he stopped at the waters edge and sat down on a large rock which was flat on the top. He removed is boots as he spoke his thoughts. "Because, Melly, I meet someone for the first time, I don't go dig into their past. Not yet anyway, some say that is dangerous, but you came into my office, and you are part of the crew. Should I have looked at your record first? Some people would consider that as a protocol. The records that I look at were medical. From what you have revealed, even the most minutest comments, you had uttered, I can tell someone treated you badly."

She walked with him as he remained quiet and she also removed her boots and rolled up her pants legs before placing them into the water with a eeeeep. Her eyes watched him as she she looked down at her own reflection and moved her foot to distort it so she would not have to look at herself. "He hurt me.. I can't seem to wash him off me, I still smell him. I worry he is going to come and I won't be able to fight him. He's an Admiral.. I..". Melly rested her chin on her knees as she whimpered. "If I am bad he was going to sell me to an Orion Slave Market. So I was a good girl. Then I was bad and stabbed him. I could endure so much he did.. but that night I stabbed him over and over and over and over and over..." She paused to catch her breath, "He was going to do other things.. and I.. just couldn't."

She reached up and took her hair barette off, shaped like a pink butterfly. "He gave me this... said it made me a even prettier child. I wish I could throw it into the sun.. but I am scared if I do not have it on.. what if he showed up one day and asked me why I wasn't wearing it?"

She stared down at the hair barette and looked up to the Doctor, "What is your advice Doctor?"

Melly could see a rather furious cloud go over his features, his face darkening. It wasn't directed towards her it was more towards what happened to her. "Melly, I am angry but not at you. It is towards that beast who had the audacity to do this to you. As for the barette, do you like it? It is pretty but I feel that you need to get rid of it sometime down the road, if not now. If he finds a way to find you..." Cyrus paused for a moment and looked at the barette. "has this been checked for a homing device? A tracker?" It had been something that popped up in his mind, and he was slightly worried.

Mellys eyes widened in fear as she did not know if there was. A tracker? A homing device? Made of something that could be tracked? She had been looking down staring more intently at the barette but then happened to look up. He did indeed seem angry and she flinched. However his kind features caused her to settle and then look back down at the barette.

"It's never been scanned, checked, or anything.. I had not thought... could not imagine?", she stammered as she held it out to him. "Do whatever you want with it Sir. I'm now afraid to keep it. I'll take the back of his hand if he shows up and asks where it is. One of his lesson's were if i'm hit it's because it's my fault. This time.. it will be my fault, and I have decided it will be. I don't want to see it, I want to be free of the fear of his reminder."

As she sat there with her hand out offering the barette to him she asked, "Many girls have come before me. Do you think if I just endured longer, he would move on to another girl? He always threatened sending me to Orion, but none of the other girls ever were. They were promoted, many are comfortable. Should I have just... been a good girl?"

Cyrus took the barette from Melly, then stared at it long and hard wishing he could just melt it into nothingness with his gaze. That gave him an idea. "Melly, I am glad you weren't a good girl as he wished you to be. I feel if I were in that position I would have stabbed him myself. That sort of inappropriate behaviour coming from him, makes him the bad boy, the bad man. A monster, of the most heinous kind. Melly, how would you like to destroy this, atomize it to where it no longer exists?"

Hugging to his side Melly hid her face against the Doctor, between him, Ms Jasmine, and Captain Ryan she had felt so much better in so short a time. A almost giggle escaped her as she thought of Admiral Norith being a bad boy. For some reason that tickled her. With another small giggle against the Doctors side she looked up with a bit of a brighter look on her face then before.

"I do not know why it makes me giggle so much... thinking of Admiral Norith as a bad boy... it just tickled me so...", she smiled and kept up the hug. "Make him sleep on the floor, eat Nutri-Goop, him..."

She stopped and shook her head, "Wishing it on him makes me no better then him. Still a sixty eight year old Admiral in dancing silks and a pretty collar is funny... but I am better then that." After thinking a moment more she shook her head, "You do something with it and don't tell me. That way I can't feel guilty about it. I'm already gonna feel a little guilty for wishing on him what he did to me. So just do what you think is best with it."

"I will take care of it, but.. don't feel guilty about imagining him in the same situation he put you in, that and of itself lessens the hold he has on you." Cyrus remarked giving her a gently pat on the back, and a light embrace, "I know you won't do that to him, as you are a good person. A gentle kind person who doesn't wish to do harm in truth. And what you did, it was when you claimed your freedom from him. Now that piece of drek is put away, out of sight out of mind, lets instead of thinking about the troll, lets us instead feed the ducks and the swans." leaning over and bringing out a small box tucked in a crevice of the flat rock near its base. "I've got some bread and just tear it into pieces and toss it into the water." handing a slice to Melly.

She smiled feeling so so so so much better now. Taking the piece of bread she tore very small pieces and tossed them and just sat there smiling content and happy as she watched the beautiful birds eat.

 

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