Cascade – Endeavour to Endevour
by Arrival Atlana Durak & Arrival Sarish Anjar
Post Details
Atlana Durak had enjoyed a vivid morning of customers and getting to know the people of the station. She had met many human's and others that she took a liking to almost instantly. Atlana's long raven hair was pulled over her shoulder with a beautiful emerald green ribbon in the end, she liked it sitting over her shoulder as she conversed with people. And talked about all the wonderful unique pieces in her store. From time to time she forgot that she was a spy, from time to time Atlana forgot she was capable of killing. For a while she was simply happy as a little shop owner on a starbase that no one really noticed.
Gracious and polite Atlana worn a genuine smile about herself all morning long, only when thoughts of Anjar and the PADD on her desk in the back of her store did the smile disappear from her eyes. But it never left her face. She was enjoying all of this and happily committed to the life she was living for the moment.
As the hours passed her stomach made her aware that she had missed breakfast, and since she had to go to Endevour to give Sarish Anjar the PADD anyways she thought she would attempt to have a peaceful lunch there. Although if he asked her to leave she would, without complaint. It just was the way she was. Atlana did not push issues that did not need to be pushed, and stirring the pot as it were wasn't necessary at the moment.
Atlana closed the door to her shop with a soft sigh, she had hoped to see Lt. Muz. She had dressed in a green emerald dress that was typical for Cardassian civilians, it was long and looked very much like the dresses won in Earths Renaissance era long and flowing, as if she were a damsel, although it was rare that Atlana was in distress. The neckline was wide showing off her ridges of her shoulders and the hint of a scar hidden under a drapped green satin like scarf.
It was comfortable belief it or not... and as she walked into Endevour with the padd in hand Atlana decided she needed all the comfort she could get.
Sarish liked working the lunch crowd himself. It was smaller than the dinner one and he could mingle more effectively.
He saw her when she first came in and it sent e wave of mixed emotions running through him. He approached her and in his best neutral tone said, "So we meet again. Thanks for coming would you prefer a table or a booth?"
She heard the emotions in his voice, anger, fear... confusion... distrust. She'd earned them all, there was also a hint of curiosity. Atlana swallowed past her own emotions, her own discomfort and held up the PADD for him "I would rather a booth, but if I am not welcome I won't stay. I've just heard wonderful things about your cooking."
His face softened slightly,"I'm sorry I'm being a bad host. Of course you can stay. I know just the place for you." He led her through the restaurant into the kitchen, "It's called the chef's table. I hope you enjoy it."
Atlana followed him, "Your the chef though..." She retorted after a moment. Tucking the padd under her arm, she walked with him, noticing there wasn't another Cardassian in the restaurant. Atlana got a sinking feeling in her stomach that he was putting her in the back away from everyone else for reasons she didn't want to think about. But then again she deserved it. So she willingly followed, as long as her life wasn't in harms way she could see no reason why not to put up with a little humiliation if that's what made him feel better.
Unaware of the thoughts he showed her the booth and handed her a menu. "Take your time with your selection. Do you know what you'd like to drink now?"
Atlana put the PADD down on the table and took the menu with a nod. "Thank you, Kava juice if you have it." She answered him politely. "It's a secret indulgence of mine."
His left brow rose. "Really? It is? It is one of my favorites too. Of course I have it. I'll be back in a minute, let you decide what you want to eat."
Atlana lifted her own eyebrow as he went to get her the juice, it was interesting that he would willingly share that information with her. Perhaps it was just a slip, she thought it ironic that they would like the same juice, but surely it was just one minor commonality. Atlana opened the menu, she smirked to see no Cardassian dishes, her eyes did span the wide varity of foods that Sarish offered, and if he cooked them all then he truly had talents other than the ones she knew of. It took a few moments as she sat there looking around his kitchen, it was quiet and isolated, the kitchen cooking utensil were cold. Atlana's discomfort grew within her even if she wouldn't admit it, and she tried not to show it.
He returned a few minutes later with a perfectly chilled glass of juice for her. "Here you go, its fresh. Not fresh from the replicator but really fresh. Did you have a chance to make a decision?"
Atlana looked at the glass of juice, fresh like fresh squeezed?! There was no way. "You know we're not around anyone else you don't have to be overly nice to me, I don't expect you to be anything other than yourself." She said matter of fact. She truthfully was waiting for a dagger or poison in the juice. Something!
"You are my guest." he said almost as if he here reading her mind. "We Bajorans are known for their hospitality. As long as you're my guest it is my duty, my responsibility to treat you with honor."
She nodded, "Yes, the Bajoran Culture is very gracious and warm towards visitors and guests, they always have been. It's a remarkable trait, to which they're known throughout the galaxy for." She sighed. "Would I be imposing too much if I asked for moba fruit and a small Terran Salad?" She asked there was a wince in her eye as if she were asking her father for permission to something she wasn't entirely sure she'd get a yes to.
"Of course, whatever you want I can..." he paused looking her in the eyes for several long moments. "Are you okay?"
Atlana met his eyes, he had hazel embers, she had memorized them over the years
but something about them in person made her stomach do flip flops. She looked
away, down at the table quickly. "Honestly? No." She retorted. Don't say it,
don't say it.... oh for the love of everything Cardassian don't say it! "I'm
nervous." Are you insane?! the voice in her head was screaming at her.
He sat down opposite her his face puzzled. "What are you nervous about? We almost killed each other the last time we met. but we have a truce now. What is their to be nervous about?"
Atlana looked at him. "Just because we have agreed to a truce does not mean I have the right to invade your... sanctuary." She pushed the PADD towards him. "Especially with this information. I have got given you a reason to trust me or vise versa and yet what is on that PADD makes me sick to my stomach."
"What is there?" he asked her curiosity mixed with dread in his voice.
Atlana looked at him. "Proof that the Obsidian Order leaked incorrect information to a known snitch." She said. "They didn't know who it was that would take their bait but they knew someone would leap at the change to attack a Cardassian training facility... the children's playground equipment was removed two days before your attack. And had the building painted, that's why there weren't any decorations in the windows. They knew when you were coming, down to the day. They watched your ship enter air space and they watched from a distance." She'd memorized the information, that was how many times she'd read it. Memorized it.
Sarish said nothing at first. He just picked up the spare plate where he was seating and hurled it against the wall. DAMN it!" he shouted. "So did anyone on my team know the truth? Anyone else in on it?"
Atlana actually jumped when he yelled, not when the plate hit the floor but his voice, his anger and his pain made her jump. She felt bad, and really hadn't wanted to be there when he read the report. "I can't prove it." She retorted quietly. "If one of your team knew it would suggest you were a target, and there's no indications of that." She said.
He looked at her his eyes cold and hard, though she may have gotten the impression they were not cold and hard towards her. "Then we hunt down whoever was responsible and, and deal with them. I don't like to be a pawn."
Atlana saw the harsh cold depth of anger in his eyes, rage and pain. Betrayal and the need for vengeance and couldn't see it's direction, it was blind as far as she knew. "No I don't imagine you do, and neither do I." She was calmer than he was, one of them had to be. "I will continue to go back through the database and see what more I can learn. You have to understand that the Obsidian Order is in shambles whoever is responsible may be dead."
"if they aren't now then they will be." he vowed
She nodded her head. "I have no doubt of that." Atlana took a sip of her the kava juice and then stood up. "I should go." Having a truce with Sarish was one thing, but she still had that feeling in her stomach and she had that flight feeling again. Atlana couldn't explain it, being around him made her feel out of sorts, uncomfortable but not uncomfortable, she was really at a lose for words.
"You, you don't want your food?' he asked at her retreating figure,"I can fix it to go if you're in a hurry."
Atlana turned her braided hair flopped off her shoulder taking the corner of her scarf with it, exposing the nasty white gash that he had left on her collar body and down her chest. It vanished into the material of her dress. "I don't want to be part of your anger, Sarish. I don't want to fuel your anger, you already hate me, you don't want to work with me." When she realized her scar was showing she quickly tried to cover it up.
"STOP." he shouted but only to get her attention not because he was angry. "I'm not angry at you and I don't hate you. I kinda even li... respect you for some reason."
She stood there for a moment, willing to listen to him because this all made him the victim. "I swore when I became an Operative I would do the right thing, not what the order wanted but what I felt was right." She sighed. "You're not my enemy, Sarish. You're a victim..."
He started to contradict her to argue with her but instead he said, "We were both victims. I say let's quit being the victim. Let's play the victor instead."
Atlana frowned and looked at him with a realization of how different they were. They'd been countering each other for year. Whether they knew it or not. But he was the only person she had actively engaged, and it had left her wounded badly. "I'm not a victim, I might have been manipulated and young and stupid but I wanted to do what I did and have done. I take responsibility for everything I've done." Atlana did carry a sense of honor about her. "I don't want to jeopardize what I have here, or what you have here. I won't go looking for a fight with what left of The Obsidian Order."
The Bajoran's face flushed with anger again. He came close to calling her a coward. But stopped himself before he could do so. Atlana Durak was many things, not all of them good, but a coward she was not. "I take responsibility for my actions too. Perhaps we just have different definitions of what a victim is. At any rate I can't say I blame you for feeling the way that you do and I do appreciate what you have done so far. I, well I just know what I have to do. I have no other choice, i will go after them even if I have to do so by myself."
"The hell you will." She retorted. She could hear coward in his words even if he hadn't called her one, "Why risk everything you want in life, everything you've done here. This is your home, it's my home." She offered. "Is revenge worth that risk?" She sounded like she was pleading with him. "Sarish, they failed, the war is over Bajor is safe... why does this matter so much?"
He looked at her. "Because it just does. It doesn't matter to me that the war is over. They are still around. The people that did this to me, to you, to your family. They are like a cancer that needs to be eradicated.
It's not revenge, is justice, its not retribution, its making sure they don't start another war, do this to someone else. Its not payback its making sure t don't have a target on my back.
The war isn't over for them, it never will be. So it can never be over for me. If you think that Bajor is safe you know nothing about our history.
Look I know the war may be over for you. Praise the Prophets for you . I understand its not your fight, but it is mine. I can't let it rest. I won't let it rest.
So stay here and build a life for yourself. You deserve it I suppose. I'll not ask you to fight my battles.
I'll be leaving in a few days. I've got a capable staff they can take care of the place while I'm gone. I will look youk you up when I get back."
She was starting to angry and she wasn't entirely sure why, but she didn't want him out there alone, not against the entire Order. "I don't want you out there alone! I want you here with me." She stopped herself the instant she said it. What the hell was she saying... why was she saying that?! Atlana wanted a normal life she really did but she didn't deserve it any more or less than Sarish did. And she didn't want to be on the base without him now.
Atlana closed her eyes for a moment and tried to think of another way of keeping them on the station, keeping him out of harms way. Why she cared she wasn't exactly sure. "You're not afraid of the Order but you were afraid of me, I don't understand that." She finally opened her big blue eyes. "Sarish, I know Bajor isn't the strongest of planets. Your Culture is about peace and harmony not war and fighting. I know your history better than some Bajorans, that doesn't mean I respect it less. But I know it's not in your nature to go looking for a fight. Please... don't go looking for this fight."
He looked at her his eyes resolute. "I'm not looking for a fight. They started this, years ago. I am simply going to finish it. I have made my decision. I will see you when I return. Your lunch is on me today."
He slid out of the booth and stated to walk away, "Now if you'll excuse me. I have other customers to deal with."
She moved quickly, maybe too quickly and grabbed his arm. "No." Her blue eyes cooled. "If you go... I go."
It looked for a moment as if he would pull away, but he didn't. "You've made it clear this isn't your fight, why would you want to come with me then?"
"Because I don't want you going out there alone." She admitted. "I hunted you, I killed your team. I hurt you. And I can't make up for any of that, but I've come to respect you. Respect you enough to know I don't want you going out there and facing off against Obsidian Order agents alone, Sarish." She stopped short of saying she cared about him because that was silly. She wanted to protect him from her kind and if he was foolish enough to go out looking for them well then she'd just have to follow.
"Well, I may be a fool, but I'm not a damned one. We'll leave in four days I just need to make some arrangements. Oh, and thank you."
Atlana frowned but nodded her head. She slowly unwrapped her fingers from his wrist. There was a very worried expression on her face, but she would deal with that later. He had customers to take care of, she wasn't very hungry anymore. She had to think about what she was about to do... she was going to go head to head with men she'd trained with. The government she'd sworn to protect. Because of Sarish? No she decided, because of Tayla.
Anjoar flexed his wrist. "Wait a minute," he said. He went back to the booth found her juice and handed it to her. He reached over to the counter and poured himself a glass.
"Here is to justice." he said as he held up his glass. "Truth and justice."
Atlana looked at her glass, this went against her better judgement, "Truth and
justice." She offered. "And maybe just a little more than a truce..." Since this
was going to require trust as well as respect. She touched her glass to his. It
was odd that they both favored Kava juice.
The corners of his mouth turned up slightly at the mention of more than a truce, but it might not have been. It was difficult to tell.
So when shall we meet again?"
She sipped her juice for a moment... watching him the whole while, she saw the corner of his mouth turn up and for a moment thought there was a smile there. She found herself hoping for one, she still didn't understand why her stomach was doing flip flops. "Tomorrow?" She offered. "Exchange of ideas and information? I should know more if I am able to access the Orders archives."
His face had lost much of his hardness, but it had also lost his smile, if there had ever been one. He drank a bit more of his juice, "Until tomorrow then. If you'll excuse me I really do have to get to my other customers." He turned to walk away and just before he walked out of the kitchen he turned back, "Your place or mine?"
Atlana watched him walk away and enjoyed it oddly enough. She always told him so, but stopped herself short of sounding too much like a female. "I chose the date you choose the place."
He paused, his hand on the door leading out of the kitchen.
"Then my place. say about 1800?"
It was the safest decision for him she understood that. She nodded. "Go on, Sarish." She offered him a compliment. "The fleeters aren't going to wait for the best cook on the station forever."
He finally was out the door and back waiting tables. This time he was wearing a smile, if she could only see him.
She went back to her Moba fruit and kava juice her mind was already beginning to work, she'd have to use back door access to the archives, if the Order found her snooping they'd be curious and if they got curious it would give away her location and more so Sarish's. She did not want orders to kill him.
Atlana Durak
Shop Keeper
Deep Space 5
Sarish Anjar
Shop Keeper/Chef
Endevour
by Arrival Atlana Durak & Arrival Sarish Anjar
Post Details
| Title | Endeavour to Endevour | |
| Mission | Cascade | |
| Author(s) | Arrival Atlana Durak & Arrival Sarish Anjar | |
| Posted | Mon May 13, 2013 @ 10:02pm | |
| Location | Endevour | |
| Timeline | 1300 SD 72 |
Gracious and polite Atlana worn a genuine smile about herself all morning long, only when thoughts of Anjar and the PADD on her desk in the back of her store did the smile disappear from her eyes. But it never left her face. She was enjoying all of this and happily committed to the life she was living for the moment.
As the hours passed her stomach made her aware that she had missed breakfast, and since she had to go to Endevour to give Sarish Anjar the PADD anyways she thought she would attempt to have a peaceful lunch there. Although if he asked her to leave she would, without complaint. It just was the way she was. Atlana did not push issues that did not need to be pushed, and stirring the pot as it were wasn't necessary at the moment.
Atlana closed the door to her shop with a soft sigh, she had hoped to see Lt. Muz. She had dressed in a green emerald dress that was typical for Cardassian civilians, it was long and looked very much like the dresses won in Earths Renaissance era long and flowing, as if she were a damsel, although it was rare that Atlana was in distress. The neckline was wide showing off her ridges of her shoulders and the hint of a scar hidden under a drapped green satin like scarf.
It was comfortable belief it or not... and as she walked into Endevour with the padd in hand Atlana decided she needed all the comfort she could get.
Sarish liked working the lunch crowd himself. It was smaller than the dinner one and he could mingle more effectively.
He saw her when she first came in and it sent e wave of mixed emotions running through him. He approached her and in his best neutral tone said, "So we meet again. Thanks for coming would you prefer a table or a booth?"
She heard the emotions in his voice, anger, fear... confusion... distrust. She'd earned them all, there was also a hint of curiosity. Atlana swallowed past her own emotions, her own discomfort and held up the PADD for him "I would rather a booth, but if I am not welcome I won't stay. I've just heard wonderful things about your cooking."
His face softened slightly,"I'm sorry I'm being a bad host. Of course you can stay. I know just the place for you." He led her through the restaurant into the kitchen, "It's called the chef's table. I hope you enjoy it."
Atlana followed him, "Your the chef though..." She retorted after a moment. Tucking the padd under her arm, she walked with him, noticing there wasn't another Cardassian in the restaurant. Atlana got a sinking feeling in her stomach that he was putting her in the back away from everyone else for reasons she didn't want to think about. But then again she deserved it. So she willingly followed, as long as her life wasn't in harms way she could see no reason why not to put up with a little humiliation if that's what made him feel better.
Unaware of the thoughts he showed her the booth and handed her a menu. "Take your time with your selection. Do you know what you'd like to drink now?"
Atlana put the PADD down on the table and took the menu with a nod. "Thank you, Kava juice if you have it." She answered him politely. "It's a secret indulgence of mine."
His left brow rose. "Really? It is? It is one of my favorites too. Of course I have it. I'll be back in a minute, let you decide what you want to eat."
Atlana lifted her own eyebrow as he went to get her the juice, it was interesting that he would willingly share that information with her. Perhaps it was just a slip, she thought it ironic that they would like the same juice, but surely it was just one minor commonality. Atlana opened the menu, she smirked to see no Cardassian dishes, her eyes did span the wide varity of foods that Sarish offered, and if he cooked them all then he truly had talents other than the ones she knew of. It took a few moments as she sat there looking around his kitchen, it was quiet and isolated, the kitchen cooking utensil were cold. Atlana's discomfort grew within her even if she wouldn't admit it, and she tried not to show it.
He returned a few minutes later with a perfectly chilled glass of juice for her. "Here you go, its fresh. Not fresh from the replicator but really fresh. Did you have a chance to make a decision?"
Atlana looked at the glass of juice, fresh like fresh squeezed?! There was no way. "You know we're not around anyone else you don't have to be overly nice to me, I don't expect you to be anything other than yourself." She said matter of fact. She truthfully was waiting for a dagger or poison in the juice. Something!
"You are my guest." he said almost as if he here reading her mind. "We Bajorans are known for their hospitality. As long as you're my guest it is my duty, my responsibility to treat you with honor."
She nodded, "Yes, the Bajoran Culture is very gracious and warm towards visitors and guests, they always have been. It's a remarkable trait, to which they're known throughout the galaxy for." She sighed. "Would I be imposing too much if I asked for moba fruit and a small Terran Salad?" She asked there was a wince in her eye as if she were asking her father for permission to something she wasn't entirely sure she'd get a yes to.
"Of course, whatever you want I can..." he paused looking her in the eyes for several long moments. "Are you okay?"
Atlana met his eyes, he had hazel embers, she had memorized them over the years
but something about them in person made her stomach do flip flops. She looked
away, down at the table quickly. "Honestly? No." She retorted. Don't say it,
don't say it.... oh for the love of everything Cardassian don't say it! "I'm
nervous." Are you insane?! the voice in her head was screaming at her.
He sat down opposite her his face puzzled. "What are you nervous about? We almost killed each other the last time we met. but we have a truce now. What is their to be nervous about?"
Atlana looked at him. "Just because we have agreed to a truce does not mean I have the right to invade your... sanctuary." She pushed the PADD towards him. "Especially with this information. I have got given you a reason to trust me or vise versa and yet what is on that PADD makes me sick to my stomach."
"What is there?" he asked her curiosity mixed with dread in his voice.
Atlana looked at him. "Proof that the Obsidian Order leaked incorrect information to a known snitch." She said. "They didn't know who it was that would take their bait but they knew someone would leap at the change to attack a Cardassian training facility... the children's playground equipment was removed two days before your attack. And had the building painted, that's why there weren't any decorations in the windows. They knew when you were coming, down to the day. They watched your ship enter air space and they watched from a distance." She'd memorized the information, that was how many times she'd read it. Memorized it.
Sarish said nothing at first. He just picked up the spare plate where he was seating and hurled it against the wall. DAMN it!" he shouted. "So did anyone on my team know the truth? Anyone else in on it?"
Atlana actually jumped when he yelled, not when the plate hit the floor but his voice, his anger and his pain made her jump. She felt bad, and really hadn't wanted to be there when he read the report. "I can't prove it." She retorted quietly. "If one of your team knew it would suggest you were a target, and there's no indications of that." She said.
He looked at her his eyes cold and hard, though she may have gotten the impression they were not cold and hard towards her. "Then we hunt down whoever was responsible and, and deal with them. I don't like to be a pawn."
Atlana saw the harsh cold depth of anger in his eyes, rage and pain. Betrayal and the need for vengeance and couldn't see it's direction, it was blind as far as she knew. "No I don't imagine you do, and neither do I." She was calmer than he was, one of them had to be. "I will continue to go back through the database and see what more I can learn. You have to understand that the Obsidian Order is in shambles whoever is responsible may be dead."
"if they aren't now then they will be." he vowed
She nodded her head. "I have no doubt of that." Atlana took a sip of her the kava juice and then stood up. "I should go." Having a truce with Sarish was one thing, but she still had that feeling in her stomach and she had that flight feeling again. Atlana couldn't explain it, being around him made her feel out of sorts, uncomfortable but not uncomfortable, she was really at a lose for words.
"You, you don't want your food?' he asked at her retreating figure,"I can fix it to go if you're in a hurry."
Atlana turned her braided hair flopped off her shoulder taking the corner of her scarf with it, exposing the nasty white gash that he had left on her collar body and down her chest. It vanished into the material of her dress. "I don't want to be part of your anger, Sarish. I don't want to fuel your anger, you already hate me, you don't want to work with me." When she realized her scar was showing she quickly tried to cover it up.
"STOP." he shouted but only to get her attention not because he was angry. "I'm not angry at you and I don't hate you. I kinda even li... respect you for some reason."
She stood there for a moment, willing to listen to him because this all made him the victim. "I swore when I became an Operative I would do the right thing, not what the order wanted but what I felt was right." She sighed. "You're not my enemy, Sarish. You're a victim..."
He started to contradict her to argue with her but instead he said, "We were both victims. I say let's quit being the victim. Let's play the victor instead."
Atlana frowned and looked at him with a realization of how different they were. They'd been countering each other for year. Whether they knew it or not. But he was the only person she had actively engaged, and it had left her wounded badly. "I'm not a victim, I might have been manipulated and young and stupid but I wanted to do what I did and have done. I take responsibility for everything I've done." Atlana did carry a sense of honor about her. "I don't want to jeopardize what I have here, or what you have here. I won't go looking for a fight with what left of The Obsidian Order."
The Bajoran's face flushed with anger again. He came close to calling her a coward. But stopped himself before he could do so. Atlana Durak was many things, not all of them good, but a coward she was not. "I take responsibility for my actions too. Perhaps we just have different definitions of what a victim is. At any rate I can't say I blame you for feeling the way that you do and I do appreciate what you have done so far. I, well I just know what I have to do. I have no other choice, i will go after them even if I have to do so by myself."
"The hell you will." She retorted. She could hear coward in his words even if he hadn't called her one, "Why risk everything you want in life, everything you've done here. This is your home, it's my home." She offered. "Is revenge worth that risk?" She sounded like she was pleading with him. "Sarish, they failed, the war is over Bajor is safe... why does this matter so much?"
He looked at her. "Because it just does. It doesn't matter to me that the war is over. They are still around. The people that did this to me, to you, to your family. They are like a cancer that needs to be eradicated.
It's not revenge, is justice, its not retribution, its making sure they don't start another war, do this to someone else. Its not payback its making sure t don't have a target on my back.
The war isn't over for them, it never will be. So it can never be over for me. If you think that Bajor is safe you know nothing about our history.
Look I know the war may be over for you. Praise the Prophets for you . I understand its not your fight, but it is mine. I can't let it rest. I won't let it rest.
So stay here and build a life for yourself. You deserve it I suppose. I'll not ask you to fight my battles.
I'll be leaving in a few days. I've got a capable staff they can take care of the place while I'm gone. I will look youk you up when I get back."
She was starting to angry and she wasn't entirely sure why, but she didn't want him out there alone, not against the entire Order. "I don't want you out there alone! I want you here with me." She stopped herself the instant she said it. What the hell was she saying... why was she saying that?! Atlana wanted a normal life she really did but she didn't deserve it any more or less than Sarish did. And she didn't want to be on the base without him now.
Atlana closed her eyes for a moment and tried to think of another way of keeping them on the station, keeping him out of harms way. Why she cared she wasn't exactly sure. "You're not afraid of the Order but you were afraid of me, I don't understand that." She finally opened her big blue eyes. "Sarish, I know Bajor isn't the strongest of planets. Your Culture is about peace and harmony not war and fighting. I know your history better than some Bajorans, that doesn't mean I respect it less. But I know it's not in your nature to go looking for a fight. Please... don't go looking for this fight."
He looked at her his eyes resolute. "I'm not looking for a fight. They started this, years ago. I am simply going to finish it. I have made my decision. I will see you when I return. Your lunch is on me today."
He slid out of the booth and stated to walk away, "Now if you'll excuse me. I have other customers to deal with."
She moved quickly, maybe too quickly and grabbed his arm. "No." Her blue eyes cooled. "If you go... I go."
It looked for a moment as if he would pull away, but he didn't. "You've made it clear this isn't your fight, why would you want to come with me then?"
"Because I don't want you going out there alone." She admitted. "I hunted you, I killed your team. I hurt you. And I can't make up for any of that, but I've come to respect you. Respect you enough to know I don't want you going out there and facing off against Obsidian Order agents alone, Sarish." She stopped short of saying she cared about him because that was silly. She wanted to protect him from her kind and if he was foolish enough to go out looking for them well then she'd just have to follow.
"Well, I may be a fool, but I'm not a damned one. We'll leave in four days I just need to make some arrangements. Oh, and thank you."
Atlana frowned but nodded her head. She slowly unwrapped her fingers from his wrist. There was a very worried expression on her face, but she would deal with that later. He had customers to take care of, she wasn't very hungry anymore. She had to think about what she was about to do... she was going to go head to head with men she'd trained with. The government she'd sworn to protect. Because of Sarish? No she decided, because of Tayla.
Anjoar flexed his wrist. "Wait a minute," he said. He went back to the booth found her juice and handed it to her. He reached over to the counter and poured himself a glass.
"Here is to justice." he said as he held up his glass. "Truth and justice."
Atlana looked at her glass, this went against her better judgement, "Truth and
justice." She offered. "And maybe just a little more than a truce..." Since this
was going to require trust as well as respect. She touched her glass to his. It
was odd that they both favored Kava juice.
The corners of his mouth turned up slightly at the mention of more than a truce, but it might not have been. It was difficult to tell.
So when shall we meet again?"
She sipped her juice for a moment... watching him the whole while, she saw the corner of his mouth turn up and for a moment thought there was a smile there. She found herself hoping for one, she still didn't understand why her stomach was doing flip flops. "Tomorrow?" She offered. "Exchange of ideas and information? I should know more if I am able to access the Orders archives."
His face had lost much of his hardness, but it had also lost his smile, if there had ever been one. He drank a bit more of his juice, "Until tomorrow then. If you'll excuse me I really do have to get to my other customers." He turned to walk away and just before he walked out of the kitchen he turned back, "Your place or mine?"
Atlana watched him walk away and enjoyed it oddly enough. She always told him so, but stopped herself short of sounding too much like a female. "I chose the date you choose the place."
He paused, his hand on the door leading out of the kitchen.
"Then my place. say about 1800?"
It was the safest decision for him she understood that. She nodded. "Go on, Sarish." She offered him a compliment. "The fleeters aren't going to wait for the best cook on the station forever."
He finally was out the door and back waiting tables. This time he was wearing a smile, if she could only see him.
She went back to her Moba fruit and kava juice her mind was already beginning to work, she'd have to use back door access to the archives, if the Order found her snooping they'd be curious and if they got curious it would give away her location and more so Sarish's. She did not want orders to kill him.
Atlana Durak
Shop Keeper
Deep Space 5
Sarish Anjar
Shop Keeper/Chef
Endevour