Feelings.

[privateproperty]

Dahlfes was nearly twenty years old; she'd been Kri'stak's for two years. She'd been further into The Dark than she'd ever gone before; he'd been moved about again and again and never left her behind. She'd worked hard both in the kitchen and in caring for him privately.

She'd adapted to Klingon ways as best she could. The clothes. The food. There were even many points of agreement, but just as many that she knew she'd never truly understand, accomodate though she would.

Still...


One night after dinner, after what had long since become a normal evening together, full of music, conversation, and other things, she found herself looking up at him.

Comments

[qeylis_mindu]

He had spent a very long time wondering if she was truly happy with the arrangement. He'd left the possibility open over the years for her to be moved to a new owner, or freed from her contract, or whatever she might truly wish - and she never took it. By this point, he's stopped worrying about it, and just revels in her company - just the thing to come back to quarters to at the end of long days.

He isn't the most open or expressive sort a lot of the time, but tries to make it clear how fond he is of her - such as now, when there's a lull in the conversation, and he finds himself just looking back down at her.

[privateproperty]

"Sorry for going on about things that probably don't make any difference, Master," she begins. He'll be accustomed, after two years, to that preface before any sudden lengthy discussion of her personal feelings about any subject; her compromise between an honest inclination and a reluctance to look as if she's trying to pout or to change his decision on anything. She knows all too well What They Say about Orions,, and even after he came to trust her, she disliked any appearance that she might want to manipulate him.

"But I've been thinking about retirement -- that probably seems silly, but at home, it's expected to start planning early -- and I realized that, circumstances outside of Orion space being what they are, I probably won't be able to do so properly when I turn 35 and the possibility first comes up under the contract." Because yes, despite his no doubt kind but absolutely puzzling gestures, she can only think about doing it properly. She was expensive, and she liked to think she was worth every slip, and one doesn't just end a contract like that.
"And .... I was glad to realize it, Master. I'm sure your needs will probably change over the years, but ... " She looks down,trying to be sure of what she's going to say.

[qeylis_mindu]

He's given up a while back on trying to get her to speak openly and without apology. Much as he's used to frank openness when dealing with Klingons, he's getting better about trying to at least be culturally sensitive enough to not expect it from her. He's never seemed to worried about her seeming to manipulate him - she's consistently submissive enough to get past any concerns really registering, and has asked little except his patience, tolerance and handling.

"From the perspective of races that expect some type of retirement, it seems a worthwhile consideration." he concedes. Klingons, of course, rarely retire, and its seen as something of a shame to reach such an age and state of physical frailty that serving is no longer an option.
"What have you come to realize?"

[privateproperty]

She met his eyes directly. "I love you more than I am contractually obligated," she said quietly. Because of course, her devotion was her master's by right, anyway. But she wanted him to know... "I love you."

"I just wanted you to know. As a fact, not a request for anything."

[qeylis_mindu]

"If you wanted something, you would ask." he responds automatically - his usual comment when she assures him she isn't trying to manipulate his emotions. He'd prefer the directness anyway, knowing well she, and most other non-Klingons aren't quite as Spartan in their preferences.

That's when the rest of what she said really sinks in, and he pauses, absorbing the comment.

Just as the silence might have pushed seeming surprised, especially given the stoic expression so common to him, he answers, "qud'end." Formal, in the style of some of the old verse love poetry, the type usually accompanied by the speaker claiming they would slay dangerous beasts or climb mountains for the other (by tradition, often recited while the recipient was throwing heavy things at the speaker as a test of their commitment and devotion, admittedly - just words wouldn't do.) - but nonetheless, roughly translated to 'I love you too.'

[privateproperty]

See, Dahlfes always knew she couldn't keep things quite as interesting as a traditional Klingon woman.


She smiles up at him, then nuzzles against his hand with a muttered
"Thank you"

[qeylis_mindu]

And yet, he cares for her anyway. She uses her claws just fine, and can take her share of punishment, and otherwise pushes all the right buttons in the right ways.

He strokes the side of her face with his hand as she nuzzles it. "Thank you... and if... the time comes you decide to retire, you will always have a place with me if you wish it."

[privateproperty]

"I will remember that, thank you. Unless my presence would cause too many objections and interfere, eventually, with your having a family, of course. Children should have you for a father."

[qeylis_mindu]

"Perhaps that time will come, but I do not forsee it in the near future. My father's dishonor, and the spite of my family stands to prevent such considerations."

[privateproperty]

Dahlfes frowns. "...the rest of your family has no place to talk about your father," she mutters. The dishonor in dying alone and sick escaped Dahlfes, but his cousins had No Class.

[qeylis_mindu]

"How a warrior dies is as important as how he lives."

[privateproperty]

She nods in acknowledgement that that must be how it works. Her head leans against his leg. "I'm not sleepy yet, Master, but am I keeping you up?"

[qeylis_mindu]

"Not at all. I find I enjoy the time we spend together after the long days."

[privateproperty]

She sighs. "So do I." A pause. nuzzling a little against him. "...The crew respects you so much, you know. All the ones worth knowing. Happens every ship we serve on. At this rate, they're going to run out of ways not to just give you the whole fleet."

[qeylis_mindu]

There's the barest hint of a toothy smile at that. "I think you may be biased, but it hardly matters. I know soldiers and their ways. The politicians, on the other hand, are not so fond of me, and ultimately determine assignments. But I will do my best wherever I'm at."

[privateproperty]

"Profoundly biased, not necessarily resulting in inaccuracy." She leans up to request a kiss, her teeth digging into his lower lip.

[qeylis_mindu]

He returns the kiss, with equal use of teeth. He's known her long enough, gotten used enough to her to be careful not to truly hurt her - but some bruising is to be expected, and its only a properly passionate kiss if there's a little blood involved.

[privateproperty]

She's long since used to that, too, and wouldn't have it any other way. When they finally part for air, she licks a little remnant of blood. "Just as well you're going to keep me for the long term," she says softly with a smile, as close to teasing as she gets. "Eventually, my lips will scar and then you'll really have ruined my resale value.." It's probably funnier if you're Orion, she admits, but he'll manage.

...he loves her.

[qeylis_mindu]

He loves her, and, much as many people say Klingons have no sense of humor - its distinctly not true. They are a vital, hot-blooded culture with robust humor - its just mostly of the gallows variety. Her quip hits close enough. He grins. "A good thing you're stuck with me then."

[privateproperty]

Her smile widens, nearly glows. "Always, Master."

[qeylis_mindu]

The immediate response is something of a low growl. The kiss and her admission has obviously had an effect. He pushes away from her, but only enough to bring his hands up to tear her top open.

Good thing they have replicators.

[privateproperty]

It often sort of amuses Dahlfes that she's had her rather frumpy Klingon outfits torn off her body far, far more often than her traditionally salacious Orion clothing, now that she's worn both styles an equal amount of time.

Right now, there's no time to be amused by that, though. Sheld already gotten most of his uniform off before they fell to talking, so there's nothing in her way when she clutches at him, nails sinking in.

[qeylis_mindu]

The nails draw a small gasp and groan, turning into an aroused growl quickly. He finishes tearing the top away, and pulls her in close as she clutches at him, kissing her hard again.

As for her Orion outfits... well, he'd tear those too, but they're so flimsy, there's hardly any point.

[privateproperty]

She kisses back fervently, writhing out of what remains of her clothes under his hands, the air already getting heavy with her need, to 'prove' her own admitted feelings and have his confirmed, as it were.

[qeylis_mindu]

He breaks the kiss by grabbing the back of her hair, drawing her away hard, giving her one smack to a breast with an open hand before grabbing the soft orb instead, working it roughly in his powerful grip, palm scraping across her nipple.

[privateproperty]

And a soft cry soon gives way to a whimper as his rough touch continues. "Master...gods, Kri'Stak..."

[qeylis_mindu]

Using the tight grip on her hair like a leash, he drags her to the bed, pushing her to bend over the bed, followed with another echoing smack to her presented ass.

[privateproperty]

She's lead, and pressed, and spanked. She cries out, and writhes back up against him as she pleads for him to take her.

[qeylis_mindu]

He positions himself behind her, only haphazardly removing enough of his uniform to free his shaft in his lust and haste. Still using her hair like a leash, he draws back on it even as he thrusts into her roughly.

[privateproperty]

Her back arches under his direction as she moans loudly, already gasping for breath, revelling in it even more than she always has.