JL | Adm Red, Commo Ivanova, Capt Neyes, Cmdr Neyes - "Between Sun and Moon Pt. 2"

Posted on Wed Aug 10th, 2016 @ 10:34pm by Admiral Rochelle Ivanova & Fleet Admiral Blyx Red & Commander Tristan Neyes PhD. & Admiral Alexander Hark & Captain Landon Neyes

3,162 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Resurgere

Finding that damn gown wasn't going to happen. It wasn’t something that she kept in plain sight, likely locked away in storage somewhere, and there simply wasn't going to be enough time left to locate and get into it before they were due to do what they needed to. Then there was the fact that corset closure gown backs were a two person job at the very least, and Rochelle simply didn't have anyone at hand to help her - letting Landon spearhead the task would likely have proven to be counterproductive on top of just plain old bad luck.

Instead, the dress she'd pulled on was soft and feminine, hardly the lavish gown she'd chosen to be wed in, but just as beautiful in its own right. It was primarily lace with delicate cap sleeves that clung precariously to her shoulders in same manner drew clung to a petal; ready to fall at any second, but still fighting gravity by sheer magic. A sash, blue as the skies over Earth, wrapped about her narrow waist, modestly tied behind her with a bow cradled by the small of her back. In front it hung at knee length before angling down until it reached the floor behind her, leaving her shapely legs bare and her out of place cowboy boots out for the universe to see.

Peering at herself one last time in the mirror, Rochelle was given a chance to appraise what she saw staring back at her; a woman had replaced the young girl that had first stepped foot on the Vindicator those years ago. Her eyes were still just as wild, filled with stars and wintery whispers of tragedy and triumph, knowledge and passion. Her face still shining with youthful exuberance as it rested in a frame of nearly hip length copper and bronze waves. Fire. There was fire that had refused to be extinguished and, instead, had been stoked to further life by the man who had given her a child in addition to his life. Everything was simple, but radiant - a testament to her psyche and spirit. Moreover, it was perfect beyond any of the black tie formal gala craziness that had been in planning and demanded of them given their fame and her pedigree.

Smiling at the sight and drawing a deep breath, Rochelle bid her reflection adieu knowing it would be the last time she saw it as Rochelle Andreevna Ivanova. The walk to the new ship's holodeck was hardly a lonely one even if it was completely devoid of another life form. Landon had skipped off to ready himself and Javaan, likely mustering Tristan and Blyx as well. She didn't need to ring the chime, knew to simply let herself in and did so after gathering her nerves and the last of her jitters. The future awaited. All of it had to have been a hefty plan, something Landon had cooked up and worked on in secret. Rochelle hit the brakes to allow her eyes to adjust to the brightness of his elaborate programming. It was almost reminiscent of one of Pond's with the way the details came rolling together in perfectly grand synchronicity. Above, Cesparia's early morning summer sun filtered through heavy boughs of tropical foliage, defying the shadows cast by the jagged jungle carpeted mountains looming over them. The fragrant scent of exotic wild flowers and the calls of birds she couldn't even begin to identify blended in harmony with the sound of heavy surf beating against the rocks below the wide cliff they stood upon. She knew if she looked she'd be welcomed to a sight of silver and turquoise undulating against barnacle basalt rocks. Finally, stepping out into the bounty of sunlight, Rochelle's boots crunched against the mineral laden ground, sending small pebbles scattering beneath their heels as she walked a little faster towards her destiny.

"We were beginning to think you'd changed your mind." Blyx smiled warmly at the appearance of not only her niece, but the two men close behind her. It wasn't often that someone of her occupation lived long enough to watch a wild eyed little girl transcend and metamorphose into such a beautiful woman. Susan would have been proud of a lot of her accomplishments, that went without saying, but that very day above all else would have been the crown jewel of moments. She'd have been remiss to say that she felt out of place, witnessing such an event when such an honor should have fallen to Susan or Xander. Worse, she'd have been lying if she didn't feel torn by the prospect of keeping the happy moment a secret from Rochelle's father even though she knew quite well that it would have been easier when all was said and done. Impromptu and dramatic radical shifts never had been his forte both in his private and professional life, and still she couldn't steal this pivotal moment from him. She'd sent him a note, demanding him to quickly table his morning tasks and make way to the Vindicator. While it would have been saving him from what likely would have been a massive coronary or grave injury dealt to poor Landon, the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle was an honor she couldn't at least offer him the honor of. The appearance of the Klingon at his side, however, left her a little uneasy. At least for Landon's sake. Beside her the Trill shifted nervously in her peripheral vision and she couldn't help but steal a quick glance at him. At weddings, when everyone else was gawking at the beauty of the bride, Blyx chose to watch the groom. Why? Because his face usually said it all. There would be a gorgeous mix of raw emotions painted across the face of a man looking down the aisle, or this case cliff side, at the woman that would be his for the rest of their lives. Landon was no exception, bringing joy to even the coldest reaches of the seasoned Admiral's heart as she watched him watch the Phoenix ascend the stones to where they stood in wait.

It had been a complete surprise when an aide had handed him a padd with a personal message from Blyx, the greying Human had nearly had a heart attack when he had opened it and saw that his daughter was running off to the holodeck on her ship to elope with the Trill. He was a man that Xander had read plenty about, but had not had a chance to interact with on a more personal level. Ch'Krang had been visiting his makeshift office when the note had come in and had insisted on following along and Xander had quickly replicated himself a set of dress whites and was still affixing his various pips and medals to the baldric that the Klingon had presented him with when he was introduced into the House of Ch'Krang as he rushed up to Rochelle's side and placed a hand gently on her shoulder.

Rochelle nearly quailed when she realized just who it was that had joined the group. The presence of her father and the Klingon raised concern and suspicion, leaving her with a defense fresh and ready on the tip of her tongue just in case the nature of his appearance was anything less than supportive. "Blyx told you, didn't she?" She asked, looking up at her father beside her. His handsome face was cast alight by the sun and the crisp, starched white of his uniforms in all their glory. The baldric draped across his chest and shoulders was a sharp contrast, but the appearance of all of his accolades seemed to soften its nature. The mere fact he'd come forth in uniform set the little Commodore at ease - it was a non-verbal announcement that he was there to honor her choices and decisions, there to take up his position as her father. Ch'Krang, however, was a Klingon there to support his brother and come up with another excuse to party. Pushing a wayward and windswept tendril of copper hair back behind her ear, Rochelle smiled softly and reached to straighten her father's pips.

"You should have known that she would never have let this happen without my involvement, she's not a cruel woman," Xander replied with a soft smile as he pulled his daughter into a hug and kissed her softly on the temple, "If you'll indulge an old man, I'd like to give my daughter's hand in marriage."

"No," Rochelle nodded in agreement with the aging Scot, "Blyx is a lot things, but cruel she isn't, but it wasn't meant to be cruel we just didn't exactly plan for it to happen to--" her babbling stopped as her father enveloped her slight form into his arms, pressing her to his chest. She was nervous, she realized, nervous and babbling like a brook. Rochelle Andreevna Ivanova herself was a blushing, nervous, nearly giddy bride - a hard line to buy, but the Gods’ honest truth. She'd been caught up in the energy of it, even if the act had been sudden, and away it had swept her into the dervish of emotions and joyful chaos that walked hand in hand with weddings and pledging oneself to the one you loved. Standing on tip toe, she pressed a kiss to her father's cheek and looped her arms around his trunk to return his hug with one of gratitude. "Please?" She nodded, taking a step back and resting her hand on his arm, "I wouldn't want it any other way." Later she'd apologize for not having reached out to him herself, but she knew that however surprised she had been by his sudden appearance, all was as it should have been. Xander was a relatively new development in her life, but she loved the man as if he'd been there all along. In many ways he had been, albeit as a silent shadow and overseer trying to guide her in the right direction out of respect for her mother. Where some would have shirked the knowledge of a child away, especially a child that had long since become an adult, he had chosen to step up and fill the role not only of father, but of 'dad'. There was a significant difference and that difference meant the world to the glowing redhead.

Nodding slightly, Xander gently guided his daughter’s hand through the loop of his arm, turned to face Landon once again, and directed her back on course, “Let’s get you married then.” He replied with a chuckle.

A hologram of woman, clad in a gorgeous sun dress and a weave of golden bands in her brown hair, stood in the small audience and raised a violin. Playing a soft and melodic march for Rochelle and her father to move down the leafy walk toward the cliff-edge where Blyx and Neyes stood. A little gasp sounded from the chairs near the bride, and Zed was beaming with mouth open wide. His soft hair was combed over and he was clearly dressed up by his father, Tristan, who sat next to him with an equal level of gentlemanly sprucing up as further proof to Landon’s forethought to the morning’s activities. The brother of the groom smiled gently as he watched Rochelle, proud of the way she’d harnessed what once could have been tragedy and contempt waged between them. Their friendship was one he’d always cherish, and now they’d be family… Officially.

At the end of the aisle, Landon stood with the Admiral waiting patiently for Rochelle to make her way to him. She walked with a man he knew only by the legend she painted him with. Though Rochelle was reticent to speak of him too often, she did impart a vague image of a man who filled the role of absent, and critical father. Neyes was well beyond family drama at this point, though, choosing instead to become enraptured in the sprinkling of light dancing off the woman of his dreams as she slowly made her way toward him. As the foliage around them eased up, her glow was even more radiant in the full light of the tropical sun circling the world of his birth.

Choosing Cesparia was no mistake, as it represented the things in his life he loved and treasured most. Adding her now would be as natural as any other decision he could make out of love.

"I have never met a father who was willing to give his daughter away to anyone, but the question begs answer so instead I ask you, Admiral Hark, do I have your blessing for this marriage?" Blyx's weight shifted from one foot to the other as the bride and her retinue finally made it down the aisle and stood before the diminutive Admiral and the groom. Her head tilted gently as she questioned Xander, though her eyes harbored the softest sense of pleading for him to behave and let such merriment transpire without a hitch. Anything less would have been a travesty and it wouldn't have pleased her in the slightest, not when it came to ensuring the happiness of the radiant redhead in front of her. It was hard not to see the dirt smeared face of the little girl she'd known and loved juxtaposed over that of the beautiful young woman staring back at her. Rochelle had always marched to the beat of her own drum, running wild and carefree from the very first of her footsteps onward. Some had once called her incorrigible; Blyx had simply honored her as the free spirit she most definitely was. Xander had never been given the chance to know that little girl or watch her stubbornly pick herself up out of the dirt time and time again. The word 'no' had never been in her vocabulary, defying logic at every twist and turn to survive and beat the odds. This situation was no different. It shouldn't have come to pass, the Trill should have been dead, but Rochelle had defied the devil yet again. It was a blessed union if ever there was one. It was magic, pure and simple, to see that child grown up and resplendent, beautiful, and so very much alive as she stood in wait to pledge her life to the man she loved no matter how controversial their story may have been.

"My blessing is given." Xander replied simply as he turned and laid a soft kiss on his daughter's temple.


“You stand relieved, Admiral,” Blyx smiled softly, taking one of Rochelle’s delicate hands and one of Landon’s much larger ones and holding them in front of her, tethering the pair in her grasp.

It was only when Blyx nodded in appreciation that Xander pivoted on his heel and moved to take his place a small distance away and it would be there that he’d stand for the duration, with his hands clasped behind his back, standing at parade rest as he had done all too many times before in his career.

“Welcome to those who have gathered here this day to share in this celebration of the marriage of Landon and Rochelle.” She beamed brightly, running a comforting thumb over the back of her niece’s hand. “These words, spoken today between Landon and Rochelle are indeed important and sacred, but they are not what joins these two together, nor is this marriage ceremony. We are not here to witness the beginning of their relationship, but to acknowledge and celebrate a lasting bond that already exists between them. Landon and Rochelle have already joined their hearts together and chosen to walk together on life's journey, and we have come to bear witness to a symbolic union and a public affirmation of the love they share.
Those of us in attendance today are present to witness a statement of lasting love and commitment. The ceremonial union of two people in marriage, in its primordial form, is as ancient as the stars themselves and yet is still as fresh as each day's sunrise. The commitment of love between Landon and Rochelle speaks of their shared experience together and their dreams for the future, of the importance of each of them as individuals as well as the special bond they share, and of the importance of their community of family and friends.

Everyone gathered here today was invited to this ceremony because you have played a special role in their lives. You are present at this ceremony to celebrate their marriage and to witness their vows of love to one another. Will all of you, gathered here to witness this union, do all in your power to love and support this couple now, and in the years ahead? If so please respond, ‘we will.’ “ The raven maned Admiral’s eyes moved slowly between each of the faces present, her grasp still gently holding the couple in place apart from one another. Even with their distance, subtle though symbolic, Blyx could feel the energy radiating between them, drawing them to one another in some ethereal form of magnetism she could only begin to understand but fully respected and revered.

“We will,” the ground answered almost in unison. It was a thing of beauty, to even have the Klingon Chancelor standing there with a toothy smile and nod of his head as he pledged to his niece’s marriage. It was a proud moment for the Federation as a whole, coming together in unity between a handful of races and alliances to make that moment come to fruition. Even the Romulans, as sneaky as they were, had a hand in it.

Blyx smiled again, nodding in appreciation. Had it gone any other way, there would have been the Devil to pay for ruining such a momentous and long awaited occasion such as this. Nodding a wayward curl away from her face, she once more concentrated on the task she’d been given, raising the hands she held by several degrees, “Landon and Rochelle, have you come here today with the intention to be legally joined in marriage? Do you pledge to choose respect, kindness, and compassion toward one another, to listen deeply to one other, and to speak to one another truthfully, today and always?”

Glassy-eyed, Landon nodded once with a quiet, "I do."

“I do,” Rochelle smiled, doing her best to steal away the butterflies that had taken flight in the pit of her belly.

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To Be Continued...
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Fleet Admiral Blyx Red
Cheydinhall Sector Quad Commander
Starfleet


Admiral Alexander Hark
Starfleet Commander in Chief (retired)

Commodore Rochelle Ivanova
Commanding Officer
USS VINDICATOR, NX 78213-F

Captain Landon Neyes
Command Liaison
USS VINDICATOR, NX 78213-F

Commander Tristan Neyes
Chief Counselor
USS VINDICATOR, NX 78213-F

Zed Neyes
Little Bit O' Awesome
USS VINDICATOR, NX 78213-F

 

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