Marialla

Marialla continued to pace the warren like a trapped animal.  She had heard rumors that Alexis had been transferred to some island somewhere and there was really no chance for him to escape.  But Mari knew that if he wanted too, he'd find a way.  She was sure of it.

She wished that she would have received some type of punishment.  At least Allora and Jason were being kept busy.  Allora continued to seem bitter over her punishment.  Mari wasn't quite sure that she blamed her.  She was having a hard time even having any conversation with Gerald.

Jayleigh was keeping her busy enough with training, but she still felt like she had too much time on her hands.  When Jason was in the
office working on "knowing the laws of the Warren", he could occasionally make her laugh, but she rarely felt like laughing.  Jason continued to try, but laughing didn't come easy to Mari any longer.

She wondered how long T'rell would really be willing to put up with her pushing him away.  She really didn't know what she was afraid of.
The memories of the rape hadn't left her, so they couldn't come flooding back.  She loved him and knew that if she couldn't pull herself together she would end up pushing him into someone else's arms and for her death would be a preferred choice.

She remembered their conversation of the day before.....

"Oh...I didn't expect to see you here," remembering just how easily she had been shaken by his unexpected arrival. "Have you been out here all along?"

"All the while you were inside," he said.

"You didn't really, did you?" she asked.

He smiled. "No...I just told Regenta to let me know when you were
starting to think of getting up and leaving."

"My own dragon squealed on me, eh" she asked.

"They tend to do that," he agreed, falling into step alongside her.
"Mari, I just want you to know....I'll keep my distance as long as you need me to. I know this has to be...well, rough....on you. But I'm here, you know that."

He couldn't know what this had done to her...how it made her feel, but she knew that he tried to understand.  She knew that he was there for her....but for how long.  She somehow had to work through this, she only wished she knew how.  But pushing T'rell away wasn't the answer.  She needed him near her.  She had been lonely in her apartment, since the trial.  During training she grew accustomed to having people around her all the time, and now she felt so alone.

"Reggie?" Mari mind spoke to her queen. "Could you tell Flerrion that I'd like to have his rider come for supper tonight?"

<Are you sure you're ready?> Reggie queried.

"No Reggie, I'm not.  I don't know if I'll ever be sure when I'm ready.  But I have to make an attempt.  If I at least try...." she took a deep breath as a tear trickled down her cheek.

<My rider, he does understand.> the young queen said trying to comfort her rider.

"I know he does, but I don't.  I don't understand why I would push someone away from me that has been nothing but loving towards me from the first time we met." she said as she took a deep breath and tried to pull herself together.  " Please Reggie, just ask Flerrion to do me this favor."

<Of course, my rider.> Reggie responded sounding nearly as distraught as her rider.

******************************************

Regenta decided that the best thing she could do is go directly to T'rell She at her young age knew she didn't need a go between when it wasn't necessary, for such personal matters.

<T'rell, my rider would like you to come and eat with her tonight.> she mind spoke to the Gamma Wing leader.

*Oh? Are you sure this is her request?* He replied.

<Yes T'rell, I wouldn't do anything that could upset her further now.  Even if I thought it was the best thing for her.  But I'm not sure this is the best thing for her.  But she insisted.  She is full of fear that you will tire of waiting for the old Mari to return.>

(Tag John)

***************************************

Mari was planning on preparing something special for the evening meal, she just didn't know what.  She really had nothing in her apartment to fix, which really wasn't unusual.  Why should she when the dining hall was near by and the food was wonderful.

She thought that possibly Realee would have something that she could have part of to fix something nice.  So she headed to the dining hall to talk with the woman that had become as close to her as her own mother.

"Hi Realee." she greeted the woman with openned arms and the two woman hugged.

"I'm doing as well as can be expected, I guess."  she replied.  "But who really knows what's expected."

Realee was sad to see this girl that had been so full of life, now afraid of her own shadow.  She could easily see how depressed the girl had become and wish she knew of a way to help her.

"Mari, you know that I'm hear if you need to talk." the woman said.

"I know, but right now I'm here for another reason.  What do you have that I can fix for a meal tonight.  T'rell is coming over and I want it to be nice."

The look the older woman gave the girl needed no words.  Mari interupted Realee before she could speak.

"Realee, I've invited the man I love over to have dinner with me.  We will see what happens.  I'm not rushing things....but I can't totally ignore him, just because...." she trailed off into silence.

The woman knew that arguing with the girl wasn't necessary.  Her mind was made up.

"Well let's see, what's available.  The garden's have some fresh winter onions and if you walked in the woods this is the time for the nicest mushrooms." she said.

Mari was filled with fear when the thought of walking in the woods entered her mind.  He could be hiding there now....now that he's been set free.  Banning him from the warren only made the warren safe for her, not anywhere else.

Realee looked up from her work and saw the fear in the girls face and knew the thought going through her mind.  Hadn't Jayleigh told her what Alexis' real punishment was....should she tell the girl or should it come from the Warrenlady?

(Tag Barb)

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Marialla and Regenta


NRPG: John....I'm trying to get there....just hasn't worked out yet. :)

Dianne








Capt. Deanna Nathan C.O. USS SCORPIO NCC-1025, AFI
Lt. Cmdr. Amanda O'Leary CMO, USS ALBION NCC-2245, AFI
Lt. Raven Mariah Larsen OPS, USS AQUARIUS NCC-2171, AFI
Li Billis, Lounge Hostess, USS CAPRICORN NCC-1753, AFI
Lt.<jg> Eleanor Fontana CMO, USS ARIANE, SF-PD
Lt. Natash Fritz CNS, USS CALVIN NCC-1713, WW
Lt.<jg> Crystalla Fandozzi FCO, USS OBERON NCC-1101, WW
Marialla and Regenta, Daere, WW


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