JP LtJG Tito and Ens Trovek: The Frog and the Scorpion.

TLea · October 6, 2021

Good character building from both of you. Love the snark, and hints of caring, but not caring. We all know your characters secretly like each other.

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((USS Juneau, deck 8, Tito and Arys shared quarters))

It was late, Tito felt a bit tired and was half asleep.

Trovek: Are you sleeping?

Without opening his eyes he mumbled.

Tito: Yes, I am sleeping…

Trovek: … If you were, you wouldn’t be answering. Unless you are sleep-talking.

Arys was… still awake. She didn’t like being here - she hated not working, and she hated having people around her when she wasn’t. People were difficult, and even though Tito was hardly a bother, his mere existence bothered her.

Tito shook his head. He was trying to find a way to help Arys as she was helping him, but seriously she was harder to reach than a rainbow.

Tito: Fine, I am trying to sleep.

Trovek: :: sitting up and looking around to find her uniform:: I will just check on some paperwork real quick.

Tito face palmed himself in the dark.

Tito: Really, it's over 2200… I am so tempted to let you go so that I could sleep, but you should rest dammit... ::He sat down in his bed looking at her in the darkness:: Here, not sleep in your office.

Trovek: I can’t sleep. It’s weird, my head is full of things I need to do, and I can imagine better things than being unconscious for a few hours. I mean coffee exists for a reason. And it’s boring.

Tito: What, do you need a teddy bear to cuddle? A lullaby?

Trovek: I mean I wouldn’t say no… but I am also not saying yes, don’t make this weird.

oO Weird? No, having a Counselor workaholic is perfectly normal… Oo

He stood up, stating the commands as he turned to the replicator.

Tito: Computer, lights.

He blinked as the light’s in their quarters turned on, at the beeping sound of the computer acknowledging his command. He rubbed his eyes as he made his way to the replicator and raised a finger to Arys.

Tito: Don’t say a word…

Trovek: … A word. Oh... sorry.

He looked up wondering if this wasn’t actually a nightmare of his. He raised an eyebrow at that since he recalled having better nightmares than babysitting Arys. In the back of his mind, a little demon was putting thoughts in his mind.

oO Let her go, then you can sleep. Oo

Forcing himself not to yawn or follow that thought he programmed the replicator.

Tito: OK no lullaby, but I will get you a teddy bear and a bedtime story. And no I don’t find it weird…

Trovek: It is pretty weird, Tito.

Arys rolled her eyes. She was tired, true, but she was also pretty much awake. The light however seemed to annoy her and she went to pull the blanket over her head.

Trovek: Really, I am sorry. I am trying not to be annoying but I am not used to any of this. My office was basically also my living quarters for the past ten years.

Tito finished programming, the whispering sound of the replicator working made him yawn at last.

Tito: Computer dim lights by 70 percent. ::The beeping and the dimming lights were in sync, he grinned as the replicator finished.:: Like I am used to it, I am the anti-social one here.

Trovek: Well I imagined you more anti-social. For someone who hates people, you talk a lot. What’s next, hugs?

oO Ew. Oo

He picked up the replicated stuffed animal and walked to her bed

Tito: Here, cuddle this…

He grinned as he held it. In his hands was a stuffed Mugato.

((OOC: visual reference here: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41C3rABF1cL._AC_SY450_.jpg))

Arys… didn’t actually know what to say to that. She looked at the.. thing and then back at Tito raising an eyebrow and feeling very Vulcan while doing it.

Trovek: You are not really taking me seriously, are you?

He narrowed his eyes and resisted the urge of throwing the stuffed Mugato to her face.

Mentally he did…

He offered it to her.

Tito: I am a Tactical officer, not a Counselor. But if you don’t want it I will just recycle it…

Trovek: Hey no I didn’t say I didn’t want it...

She sighed and reached for the… thing.

Trovek: Besides, you are off duty. So am I. Apparently..:: she stifled a yawn and lay down again:: So are you telling me you never did the insomnia thing? :: She asked curiously and looked at him::

He tilted his head and walked to his bed, sitting down.

Tito: No we are not, that is why we should be resting Arys. And yes I did, but I am sleeping much better now. Actually, it’s your fault.

Trovek: It.. is?

He laid down and covered himself with his bedsheet.

Tito: Computer, lights out. The counseling is helping. I am not having as many nightmares as I used to.

Trovek: What did you use to dream about?

He yawned and stretched before replying.

Tito: Honestly... oO Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t it…Oo It isn’t as bad as I thought…

oO Yes… Keep lying… Oo Having you as roommate that is…

Trovek: That doesn’t answer my question:: She sighed:: I’ll share if you do. Deal?

He shut his eyes, taking a deep breath.

Tito: I wasn’t answering… But we have a deal, go on...

Trovek: When I was younger, my brother had his room next door. And I would hear my mother tucking him in, reading a goodnight story, things like that. So I would wait for her to come to me afterward, but she used to say I was already asleep when she came. So I started sneaking some coffee to stay awake longer. I was a dumb child, honestly.

Tito tilted his head. He suspected that Arys had mommy issues and that finally confirmed it. However he smiled, it looked like she was really opening up.

But her sharing brought up some pain. Breathing and trying to calm himself, as Arys told him he turned sideways to look at her in the dark.

Tito: I was five when my mother died. I have very few memories of her. But my nightmares… They are with Vetras, my wife. Some… I revived her funeral… Their funeral… ::his throat began to tighten:: Paris…

Trovek: Who is Paris?

He began to feel his eyes burning.

Tito: Paris was the name of our daughter… They both died in labour… ::He rubbed his eyes and took a deep breath:: I think we shared enough Arys…

Trovek: ....Yeah. I’m sorry about your family. I know I am supposed to say they are in a better place, but to be honest I don’t know. The only thing I can influence is the place you’re in… and I think they’d be proud of you for trying.

She sighed and closed her eyes. She hoped her former patient, or rather her mate, would be able to do the same. Move on eventually, even if it hurt.

He rubbed his eyes and fought away the thoughts.

Tito: Need a bedtime story? I am not as good as Sil, he is great at making stories up, but I think I learned enough over the years.

Trovek: You know what… yeah, why not. Make it creepy. Someone needs to die.

Although laying in bed he shrugged and opened his arms.

Tito: Really? Fine, and I know just the one… So a long, long, long time ago there was a frog. He found himself near a stream. He sees several lily pads and works out a way to cross it.

Trovek: Why does he want to cross it? What’s on the other side? Why isn’t there a bridge?

Tito nearly grabbed his pillow to hit Arys with… He took a deep breath and replied as nicely as he could.

Tito: The answer to all that is that it’s a tale and that doesn’t matter. You're just supposed to listen. Now as I was saying the frog is about to cross the stream.

Then there's a scorpion nearby that addresses him. "Hey are you thinking of crossing over?" asked the scorpion. The frog raises, what should be an eyebrow, if he had eyebrows. "I am" he replies back.

Trovek: Is the scorpion going to murder him? Or mug him? Does the frog have possessions?

Tito: You mean you never heard this story before?

Trovek: Nope. I mean probably not, I am sure I would remember. Keep telling the story.

He shook his head… And then an idea began to take shape… In the darkness, he smiled.

Tito: The scorpion smiles "Can you take me? I can jump on your back and we can cross it together". The frog retorts. "No, you would sting me and we would both die.""Do you really think I would do that, and risk myself?" says the scorpion. The frog nods "I do"

Trovek: Told you, he wants to murder the frog. What happens next?

Honestly, aside from the fact that this was fun, Arys figured it wasn’t bad for Tito to take care of someone. And telling someone a goodnight story was harmless enough.

Tito: "I mean it is my nature, but surely you can trust me." said the scorpion. The frog shakes his head. "No, I don't trust you." “Please” pleaded the scorpion, leaving the frog to wonder for a moment.

Trovek: Uh, he’s gonna make him trust him. Don’t do it, Frog. I’m a psychologist, trust me.

Tito laughed. He was now imagining Arys giving counseling sessions to frogs and scorpions, with trust issues.

Tito: I admit you are a skilled counselor, but I thought the fantasy animal kingdom was a bit out of your league

Trovek: Never.

He gave it one final thought and changed the original version, where the frog takes the scorpion and then he stings him, and they both die.

Tito: The scorpion shrugs. "Fine I will try and find another way".

Seeing the scorpion's sad look the frog regretted not helping him. But he knew the scorpion would sting.

Trovek: No mercy. You need to be tough or the scorpion will sting you. It’s better this way, don’t let him fool you. Also, how does a scorpion even look sad?

Tito ignored her comment and prepared himself for the grand finale.

Tito: The frog looked at the stream again. He looked at the scorpion, slowly making his way upstream. He shrugged. He took a few small jumps and joined the scorpion at a safe distance, jumping at his side. "I won't have you on my back to cross the stream, but I might walk along it with you." ::Tito grinned as he raised his voice:: THE END.

Trovek: … wow. No one died. How am I going to fall asleep when everyone just ends up… happy? Bleh.

Tito: Just one of life’s little disappointments. If I pampered your every wish you would end up a spoiled brat. You asked for a sad story, you got a nice one, tough luck…

Arys smirked. Fine, she had that one coming. But at least he got to take his mind off other things.

Trovek: I will ask for a nice story next time::she yawned:: And really we’ve been staying awake long enough for you. Try to get some sleep.

Tito: You too, and don’t go sneaking out when I am sleeping… Deal?

Trovek: Sure. But you’ve been talking all night so, clearly, I am not the one with sleeping issues. Goodnight.

Well, Arys decided, this hadn’t been too bad. Even if the story had been far too happy for her taste.

End Scene

Ensign Trovek Arys

Counselor

USS Juneau

J239809TA4

and

Lt. J. G. Vitor R.S.Tito

Tactical Officer

USS Juneau, NX-99801

O238907VS0