Fifteen Shades of Nay

Posted on Sat Aug 30th, 2025 @ 4:45am by Lieutenant JG Kally Kellerman & Ensign Henry Taylor & Cass'e'Indira & Tessa di'Orion

Mission: Lower Decks
Location: Sickbay/Tessa's Quarters
Timeline: Between "We've got Hostiles" and arrival at Tial

Day 1:

"Now, most ships are being supplied with the new TR-610 model tricorders," Kally said, picking up a tricorder off the shelf. "However, because of supply limitations, or at least Admiralty limitations, we're supplied with the previous TR-590 Model X tricorders. They're still fully useful, and frankly I think flipping it open is half the fun." She opened it and showed Tessa the readings. "It can show you most any part of someone's internal anatomy and help diagnose issues almost instantly."

Tessa's eyes flicking over the small screen deciphering which reading was which, getting the start of a feel for it, but as they were test strips meant for diagnostic purposes, "I think I get it... Can we use an example?"

"Fantastic idea," Kally said, a thought sparking. "Oh, Henry?" she called out, sweetly. "Come lend a biosign, would you?"

Henry came around the corner and was brought up short, seeing the two of them. "You called Doctor?" he said, trying to sound professional and not stare like the other day.

"Be a lamb and stand there while Tessa scans you," Kally said, handing Tessa the tricorder and removing the probe so she could see a detailed scan. "Now watch for heart rate, blood pressure, brainwaves, and so on."

With the tap of the scanner, right where Kally had shown her, Tessa kept glancing up at Henry and back to the tricorder, "Heart rate is fifty, blood pressure appears within human normal, brain activity is beginning to show elevated levels, no dermal abnormalities... Wait, heart rate is increasing, up to seventy-five, pressure is rising but still normal and I've got moisture on his skin. Eighty-three and holding now." Her voice was intrigued and she looked over to Kally to make sure she was reading it right.

Kally repressed a smile at Henry's deer-in-the-headlights look and took the tricorder back. "Excellent. Thank you, Henry," she said.

Henry nodded and left.

"As you can see," he heard Kally said to Tessa, "the tricorder can track changing readings in real time when the subject is exposed to a highly reactive substance."

---

Henry had on his best suit and a replicated bouquet of flowers in his hand. He had combed his hair twice, brushed his teeth twice, and in general made sure there wasn't a speck of dirt on him. Given his usual neat-as-a-pin appearance, this wasn't much of a challenge.

He'd looked up Tessa's quarters and had decided he wasn't going to sit and stew in Sickbay and give Doctor Kellerman the satisfaction of teasing him more. He rang the chime to Tessa's quarters and tried not to sweat.

The door slid open and the dark-haired woman stood there and came up to his shoulder, but the look on her face was not amused as she glanced up into his face, "What do you want, Milord?" She asked, one hand on the hilt of the sword at her side, but the armor from the previous day wasn't in sight.

Henry nodded and tried not to feel as intimidated as he felt. "Good evening," he said. "I-I brought these for Miss Tessa." He held up the flowers awkwardly. "To...welcome her to the team."

Cass gave him a very careful look, even though her expression on her face didn’t change a single iota. “I’m sure Her Grace will appreciate these.” She reached out and took the flowers from him.

"If she has a moment, if I could speak with her?" he said, hopefully.

“No. Good day, Milord.” The warrior stepped back and the door slid shut between them.

Henry stood there, staring at the closed door in shock. He stood there like an idiot for a moment, then turned with as much dignity as he could and left, trying to figure out how that went so wrong.


Day 5:

Henry had spent days analyzing every word, every gesture, of his interaction with Cass. He didn't know what was possessing him to try again, but the few glances Tessa gave him in Sickbay made him think he had at least half a chance to get to know her. Sickbay wasn't the proper place for it, and she was always with Doctor Kellerman, so he was trying to do things the correct way, as he always did.

He stepped up to her door again and rang the chime, this time holding a box of chocolates. His mother had taught him never to arrive at someone's home without a gift, and he had no intention of making a bad impression if he could help it.

Again, the door opened to the same sight he had seen before, the raven-headed Cass looking up at him, this time her arms were crossed over her chest, but otherwise it was exactly the same, as were the words, “What do you want, Milord?” It was as if he hadn’t even been there a few days before, still zero amusement on her face. However, from behind her, through a slightly open door there was a titter of laughter from who could only be Tessa.

Henry straightened his already straight spine and gave a slight bow, hearing Tessa's laugh bolstering his resolve. "Ma'am," he said, his tone formal. "If Miss Tessa di'Orion is now available, I would very much like to speak with her."

It was another close look up and down his attire that she gave him, as if judging him right then and there, “Her Grace is presently studying some historical videos from your world and is unavailable.” Cass stated without any inflection, even as a cackle resounded from beyond that other door. Was there anything else?”

Henry looked flustered. "Well, no. I was just thinking--"

“Then..” Cass reached out and plucked the chocolates from his hands and turned her back, “Good day, Milord.” The door shut behind her once more.

"--I could help her study," he finished weakly, sighing and turning away.

Day 9:

Henry was never much for research, but he also wasn't one for hitting his head on the wall repeatedly for nothing. He rang the chime again, once again dressed as smartly as he could manage and this time with a small container of homemade cookies that he'd painstakingly made. He range the chime and braced himself.

The look on Cass’e’Indira was more annoyed than anything. She’d just had to endure an excited teenager babbling about medical terminology that she just didn’t quite care about. “What is it this time, Milord?” She bit out as politely as she could manage after the previous outpouring.

Henry bowed again. "Good evening. I wish to respectfully request an audience with Priestess of Urd'a'Neta Second Class Tessa'e'Sera di'Orion. I've brought an offering of my own creation to show my appreciation of her time." He held out the tin of cookies.

The slight narrowing of her eyes should have been a warning, but it may have been lost on him. Still, Cass accepted the tin of cookies from him as she looked him over AGAIN. “Her Grace is unavailable, Milord, She is not accepting audience requests at this time. Good day, Milord.” The door shut once again.

"Fucking hell...." Henry said as the door slammed shut in front of him again and walked away.

Day 13:

Henry decided if the bodyguard wanted a battle of wills, she'd get one. He planned his next move carefully and on his next evening off he marched straight back to Tessa's quarters, another tin in hand, this time brownies. He rang the chime and tapped his foot impatiently.

It was beginning to become a tradition, but this time after a THUMP heard through the closed door, a slightly sweating Cass answered the door, as if she’d been working out or at least exercising moderately right before answering the door, “It’s you again, Milord. What?” She left the rest of the question unanswered.

Henry bowed once again, trying to keep his expression neutral. "Good evening. I wish to respectfully request an audience with Priestess of Urd'a'Neta Second Class Tessa'e'Sera di'Orion at a time of her convenience. When may I schedule an appointment?"

It was sheer determination that caused her to not snap at him, but she schooled her face to patience. If only there were a steward here to handle social appointments, and the declining thereof, it wouldn’t be as bad. “There are no open appointments with Her Grace that I’m aware of. Her days are already currently scheduled to the fullest. Good day, Milord.” There was a groan that came from behind her before she started to step back, then snatched the new tin from his hands before allowing the doors to close.

As the door closed and Henry stood there, once again empty-handed, he raised a fist, ready to pound on the door, then realized how futile that would be. He turned and stalked away, frustrated beyond words.

Day 18:

Henry went over his mental notes again, rehearsing what he was going to say this time. He had a small, roundish stone the size of a large truffle wrapped in a cloth in his hand, and he rang the chime and stood straight and neat as ever.

The Cass’e’Indira that answered the door this time looked him over again, seeing the wrapped item in his hands and slowly move her hand from the hip to the hilt of her sword, the first time since that first time, “What do you wish, Milord?” She asked, already knowing what the answer would be.

Henry gave a bow, but didn't break eye contact. "Good evening. I wish to respectfully request an audience with Her Grace, Priestess of Urd'a'Neta Second Class Tessa'e'Sera di'Orion over a personal matter. May I please speak with her?"

This time she hesitated, it was only a moment, but it was still a hesitation. “What is that?” Cass gestured with her open hand to what he was holding.

"It's a gift for Her Grace," he said. "A stone with some very interesting properties." He started to unwrap it.

Cass watched as he unwrapped it, then gestured for him to hand it to her and she inspected the stone closely from different angles, holding it within the cloth. “It does seem attractive to some. What is the personal matter that you wish to discuss with Her Grace?” she handed the stone back to him.

Henry tried not to jump for joy at not immediately getting turned away. "It is a personal matter, regarding our continued interactions in Sickbay," he said, carefully trying to frame it as work-related.

“Wait here.” The door slid shut behind her as she went back into the suite of rooms, but was gone only for a couple of minutes before the door slid open again, “Her Grace must decline your request as she is very tired and in need of rest. She extends her gratitude for the gift.”

Henry tried not to look crestfallen but was having a hard time. "Very well," he said, handing her the stone. "I will have to see about Doctor Kellerman reducing her workload," he said, trying not to make it sound like a challenge. "Good evening."

As the doors closed, he thought about what his next attempt would have to entail. "Begging and pleading," he muttered, answering himself.

Day 24:

Once again, Henry found himself outside Tessa's quarters and once again, he rang the chime. This time, he carried a simple folded piece of paper, and waited patiently.

The door opened instantly, as if someone was waiting for someone else and Cass was there, this time her eyes were full of fury, but as she didn’t see who she was expecting, the face turned more impassive and she sighed, “What do you want?” No formality involved this time as if patience had been exhausted.

"With all due respect," Henry said, "you know why I am here. I am here to respectfully request an audience with Her Grace, Priestess of Urd'a'Neta Second Class Tessa'e'Sera di'Orion over a personal matter of some urgency. May I please, please speak with her?"

Cass leaned around him to see if who she was looking for was approaching, then looked at him once more, “Her Grace isn’t here right now, but come in.” She grabbed his arm forcefully, but with some gentleness, tugging him in after her, then pointed at one of the chairs in the small living room area, “Sit. And tell me what you wish to talk to Her Grace about. If it’s urgent enough, I’ll go hunt her down myself.”

Henry wasn't sure if this was a win or not. Tessa wasn't there, and he wasn't sure her keeper would appreciate his motivations, honorable as they were. "It's a personal matter," he said. "Pursuant to a more informal relationship than Sickbay."

"So, not urgent." Cass said with a glance at him that was partially in disgust as she decided what she felt he was looking for in her charge. "Do you know who and what I am?" She asked as she turned her back on him and took a few steps over to the corner where several weapons were displayed, easily able to be picked up and used in a hurry.

"Not exac--"

She didn't wait for an answer to her question, picking up a handful of small blades from among the swords and the bow, crossbow, arrows and even axes. "Of course you don't, because you don't know Tialan customs and culture. I am a Priestess of the Fourth Class of Bey'a'Dande, our Goddess of War also known as Mistress of Pain, but I'm more specialized, of the Kier'e'Sech sect, those chosen to become protectors. I am mistress to five of the seven sword arts, the bow arts and every weapon you see here."

"That's...very impressive, Ma'am," he said.

She turned back towards him, "I have been Her Grace's personal guard since she was two years old, constantly training for the times when she was targeted for not only kidnapping, but assassination, which have been attempted several times." She flicked a wrist and one blade flipped end over end into a target on the opposite wall, which she wasn't looking at.

Henry's color drained slightly but he didn't dare move.

"I have and will kill to protect her," Another throw, another near center hit. "Even if it cost me my life, for that is the oath I swore." Another throw and hit, her eyes locked on him. "That includes protecting HER. She is Korashe, but you don't understand that. Until she produces an heir, she is bound to be Paired by a choice of her Lady Mother or her Lord Father, not for just anyone." The angle of her throw sent the next blade between his feet, clearly intentional, "And I will not let her return home despoiled." Her eyes never left his as both remaining blades in her hand left it at once, flying past his head to be buried in the wall, "Is that understood?"

"Y-y-yes Ma'am," Henry said. "I-I-" he cleared his throat. "I'm not trying to despoil her...or respoil her or spoil her in any way...I just...Ma'am I think what we have here is a slight cultural misunderstanding. I'm not attempting a physical fling, I have genuine feelings for her and I am only trying to determine if she and I are in any way compat--" He stopped as the next knife landed in the wall near his ear.

"That is not the way of the Korashe." Cass growled, taking another half-step closer, "There is no 'compatibility' between Her Grace and yourself, none that you can deem to be. Give it up, Milord, now, before you get too deep into your feelings and wind up getting hurt or worse." There was a shimmer starting to form around her head, the hint of darkness where the light began to end.

"I think it's too late for that," Henry said, his eyes going wide seeing the shimmer around her. He took a deep breath and screwed up what courage he had left. "I," he said, trying to keep his voice stead and not trembling, "am here to respectfully request an audience with Her Grace, Priestess of Urd'a'Neta Second Class Tessa'e'Sera di'Orion. May I please speak with her?"

A miasma of darkness seemed to emanate from Cass'e'Indira, with a hint of deep purple in it, but she did not let that slow her as she reached out and grabbed his tunic, bunching it and lifting him out of the chair to his feet bodily and without seeming to put much effort into it. "No, Milord, you may not." Her civility had seemingly come to an end in those words, "You shall not have an audience with Her Grace, now, or so long as we are on this ship until we return to Tial and I present her to her mother once more. After that, you may ask the Baroness if you may speak with her." She spun him towards the door, "Leave now, do not return."

At 6'3", Henry was not used to being manhandled such a manner--in any manner, for that matter. Feeling her grab and drag him to the door shocked him out of a reaction, but he retained enough presence of mind to get out "please Ma'am-milady, whatever could we just talk about this!" The last word came out as a shout as she physically shoved him out the door, shutting it and locking it behind him.

He picked himself up off the deck and rubbed his sunken eyes, brushing himself off. He felt a bit bruised, but decided going to his quarters would sufficiently 'walk it off.'