How Do I Not Screw This Up

Posted on Thursday 3 December 2020 @ 01:24 by Commander Save'ena (Sav) Tillatix & Lieutenant Marbim Rejal

Mission: Homeward
Location: Commander Rejal's Quarters
Timeline: Prior to making it to Earth
2222 words - 4.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Out of uniform and in some comfier clothes, Miles was pacing his small room. Finally, he makes a decision, replicates a mug of earl grey tea with lavender essence, cream, and sugar in it and sits at his desk desk.

"Computer, place a call to Kendra Tillatix on my behalf."

==Information Received. Placing call now.===

The viewscreen showed the countdown for the call, then across Slipstream space connection. There was a 7 second delay between Apollonia and the Merlin, so little thanks to being near the strong receptor/transmission communication buoys in the center of the Federation and the newly established Buoys out among Diplomatic planets, such as Apollonia.

On the screen, a young, female Mephetian, black with white markings, amorphous birthmark on the forehead, appeared. She was in PJs with Dolphins and Humpback Whales upon them. Dray looked overjoyed to see Miles calling her.

=^= "Hey, Miles, how is it going? *churrs* I gather you have been progressing with my sister? *her face grew inquisitive* Umm, or is this an emergency call for help?"=^=

Smiling back, "Nice PJs. Yes, I, uh, hmmm, I have asked your sister to be my mate and she agreed. I'm not sure what to do next. Humans give rings, Klingons host parties and a review of bloodlines and honor, Cardassians don't do any of that. Most of our marriages are arranged, or the few that aren't generally are to build or consolidate power...help."

=^= *Churrs* I see, you definitely need help, soon to be Bro. I bet Enna is going absolutely crazy in wondering when your going to Braid your clans beads and accoutrements into her hair, give her a vow ring with a couple precious gems of your families tradition onto her right hand, but sized for her left third finger, and a request to talk to her father. *giggling* I wonder if I should have you call back in a couple of weeks just to see how frazzled she becomes? *holding in laughter*" =^=

"I uh, what are clan beads?" Suddenly blushing, Miles pulls a small box out of his desk, "My Grandmother gave me this. It was her's. it was supposed to go to my mother, but as no one really knows who my father is, she gave it to me. I've never opened it. I doubt it will fit her, wait, it goes on her right hand, but needs to be sized for her left third finger, ugh, I need something stiffer than this tea. Speaking of, how long has Sav drank earl grey with lavender essence in it. She made some for me when I surprised her with breakfast the other day. As to your parents, yes Sav and I will need to call or meet with them. She wants to broach the topic of what happened to her, and our relationship. I think she's more nervous about that talk than I am..."

Watching the comm screen, Kendra smiled while gently churring as Miles talked out all of the thoughts in his head from trying to get his mind wrapped around what was involved for getting engaged. However, the tea comment threw her a little.

=^= "Hey, there, Miles, Shush... calm down. We will get you through this. *Waiting for Miles to look at her* Okay, first things first, on the tea, no, that has never been Sav's tea of choice. Hers is a licorice spice herbal, as well as a cinnamon citrus spice. However, since she served it for you at breakfast, it must have been a memory of hers of a tea you had drank in the past, especially as she made it, for you, which shows that she is very much wanting to further her companionship with you. Next, clan beads. Those are beads of semi-precious gemstones and rare woods with carvings of clan heritage, familial crest, and honors so far in your life. Example, a bead with the Merlin's special comm mark, then a bead showing XO, a bead showing rank, a gem with your last name in Cardassian, a gem with your Grandma's first name and place in your family, etc, are in the 'clan beads'. They are a symbol of who you are. There usually are two or three strands of them, which attach to a crest pendant that you Weave Sav's hair through, showing she is with you and seeking you only. Does this make sense? And, no matter what, I can help you with making them. I could even send over a hologram showing them off, and then you take it somewhere to be made. Again, make sense?" =^=

Reaching into his desk drawer again, he pulls out a Bajoran earring. Delicate and crafted of precious metals with a large vibrant violet gem. Looking at it he says, "During the occupation of Bajor, my Grandmother ran an orphanage. She, uh, she had a relationship with a Bajoran man during her time there. My grandfather remained on Cardassia and was busy with the war council, he never knew, or if he did, he didn't care." Looking up at Dray, "Would this work to hold these clan beads. It would make Grandmother happy to know I had found someone to give this to."

=^= *Joyous Expression* *Churring* Oh, Miles, that would definitely work. We can definitely consider that your Family Crest Pendent. It is gorgeous to hang the clan beads from. *Thoughtful look* Hmm, can you find the materials and gems to make some more like that one? You'll need them for any more wives or for If you have any boys, he or they will need them for their future wife or wives." =^=

Looing down at it, "Yes, I'm fairly sure I can make or commission more to be made, however, your sister is the only mate, spouse, companion, not sure what the right terms is, I wish." Looking up at Dray, there's an almost sad look on his face, "Sav mentioned finding a Cardassian to complete a trio, how important is that?"

=^= *Churr-laughter* Important, but not important. We Mephetians are very, very family orientated. There are two types, one of pure core, the other of extended core. Pure core is one wife, I think Terrans call it a 'Nuclear Family'. The other type is of 1 to 5 wives. With more wives, better the ability to take care of children, keep the family going when the Male is between jobs, changing of chores, etc. More wives means a better chance to have a heir for the Male to continue his bloodline. Sav is from the second type of family, extended core. So, Miles, when Sav mentioned a Cardassian female, she was thinking of making sure you had a son, as... well, even though it is known that Cardassians can get other races preggers, she isn't sure if you can get her preggers. Her joy is to bare you children and take care of them. However, again, One... to... Five. If your decision is only Sav for a spouse, so be it. As the hubby of the family, it is your choice in these matters. *Dray Churred* Besides, who knows, in the future, you may find another Cardassian, who is also female, who wants a loving family instead of an arranged one... and your options are open for that, not closed. Just sayin'. *Smiles* Mmm'kay?" =^=

Miles nodded, "I understand. At this point in my life, I don't see myself loving anyone other than your sister, who knows what our future will hold though. Ok, so I will try to sneakily get the ring resized and begin working on these clan beads. I know of some eclectic shops in San Fransisco, I'll stop by and see if I can find any gems or stones that speak to me. The wooden beads, I will work on myself. Is there anything else I need to know Dray?"

=^= *Looking thoughtful* Well, I guess the where and how to do the engagement. *Shakes herself* This is soooo exciting. Okay, Miles, choose a happy time to do this. Can be a walk in the park, over some food, out dancing, but what is important, it is done where others can see. She needs to know you absolutely want her, so it must be in front of witnesses, as it were. Nothing signed or formal, mind you, just among others, even strangers. It cannot be when you two are alone, then that makes it a 'secret' engagement, like your ashamed and hiding her away. Now the engagement.

First, you take a hold of her hands, pay attention to only her, then ask her if she would become your betrothed. If she pulls her hands away, that is a no. If she moves in for a gentle kiss across your lips, then rubs her scent glands behind her whiskers across your nose, that is a yes. Now you hold both of her hands in one hand while using the other one to bring out the vow ring. You show her the ring and she will remove her right hand from where you are holding hers and she will show you the finger to put it on. Sav will pick according to the size she sees the ring is. Generally, as we have fur on our hands, her right hand third finger will be close enough to wear the ring. Now you grasp both her hands and lay them gently on the the table, her lap, near her chin.. depends upon where you are when you do this. Just, the ring has to be where she can see it.

Now, with her concentrating on the ring, you bring out the 'pendant' with clan beads, then weave her hair through the earring just behind and below her right ear. After that, enjoy a deep kiss with her. When she breaks off, she will now bring out her clan beads on a small clasp. She will snap the clasp into your hair just behind your ear. This shows her commitment to you only to be her husband, her one and only male in her life. Questions for me? And, I have a very important detail you must know before we end this call, okay?" =^=

"Well as we're on Earth, I'm sure we'll be out having fun and relaxing in some form or another in groups of people, I'll work on the beds asap, now on the other detail?"

=^= Ummm, yeah... how to broach this... ummm.. *Blushing* Miles, I am not sure how intimate you and my sister have been, ana I don't need to know, except... in engagement, anything intimate is allowed except umm, coitus. That's a good term. Coitus is specifically reserved for the wedding night. That is when a Mephetian female giver her hymen, and herself, to her husband to show his for life. Umm, with what happened to Sav, I know my sis is considering herself damaged goods, her ultimate physical expression of love for life for her husband taken away by a forced act upon her. *A brief look of anger is seen and a snarl heard from Dray* *Shaking herself* Okay, calm down Kendra... calm. *breath in, then out* Okay, I am hoping the docs, when they operated on her and made her whole again, put one back in for her. But, I don't know, I'm just hoping. Anyways, just follow Sav's lead with you, mm'kay? She will let you know what she is comfortable with and will do with you. After this, well, call me back with her reactions, and then I can help you plan for the wedding ceremony information, deal?" =^=

Blushing, Miles mumbles something then clears his throat, "We haven't done anything more than kiss and run our hands around each other. The first time she and I shared a bed, she had some form of panic attack, placing herself in front of me, protecting me from I don't know who or what. Since then, I've been following her lead and taking things slow. I don't see her as damaged goods Dray. Your sister is beautiful, and having her in my life makes me a better person. I will call you back once I get done asking her in front of a big of a crowd as I can find. Thank you for the help, and wish me luck."

=^= *Cooing/murring sound* Miles, I'm so glad you love my sis and can take things slow, and steady. By the way, in dating, pretty much kiss and hands is it, sometimes maybe oral. On the panic attack, yah, I can see that. The last time a Male laid with her... was not a good experience for her, especially as she was rescued at deaths door because of it. However, a good note is... she had a nightmare, and protected you. She recognized your scent, your being there for her, and protected you. Keep it up, soon to be Bro, you are getting through to her, and she must want you to protect even in the throes of a nightmare about her time in that training dungeon. So, look for a missive from me with drawing attached for how to make your clan beads, and good luck, Miles, but I don't think you need it. Have a great evening, Dray out.=^=

Grinning from ear to ear, "Thanks sis to be, I'll try not to screw up."

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