Agnes P. Jurati

muse vs. mun - starfleet edition

Space and Sci-Fi Sentence Starters

Status: Accepting!

[ @agnespjurati ]

Agnes had never thought she’d get to see the Polaris up close. Well, not close close, but close enough to see the individual stars of the system. Her father had once told her of the trilogy called Under the North Star, one of his most priced possessions. He would have loved to see the star so close.

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Baking brings up bad memories in Agnes. Cuddles ensue

Agnes pushed herself away from the embrace to look Cris in the eye. She was swaying, now that she had nothing to support her. She pressed a hand over her mouth, trying to collect herself.

Letting her hand fall, she said, “will it ever get easier? The mind-meld therapists… they told me they weren’t sure they could ever reverse what was done to me. What if I wake up one day and try to hurt someone else? What if I’ll never be me anymore?”

Shoulders sagging, Agnes shuddered as the thought fully registered. Could she live with herself if she hurt someone else? Agnes was fairly sure she knew the answer, and Cris wouldn’t like it.

{ @empathyvslogic }

As Agnes physically pushed away from him, Cris reached out to steady her by placing a firm hand on her shoulder. If she wanted space, he’d give it to her, but he wasn’t going to let her fall over.

He dropped his hand down to rest on her knee as he listened to her concerns. He tilted his head as he began to trace circles into the other’s knee with his thumb, “It will. I’m not going to lie and say that it will go away completely, but shit becomes more manageable in time.” 

He glanced back up to meet her gaze just before she looked away. He could tell that she was beating herself up and he only wished that he could take her pain away. He’d already been broken, why did Oh have to break someone as bright as Agnes?

Shuddering violently, she whispered, “please promise me you’ll stop me if I ever try to hurt someone. Even if it means you’ll hurt me in the process. I need to know I’ll never end up hurting anyone else like Bruce. I couldn’t live with myself if I killed someone else.”

Agnes sniffled as she wrapped her arms loosely around Cris’ waist. She was too afraid of seeing his reaction to a plea like that, but she simply didn’t know how else she could stop herself if not with his help. Of course, Elnor or Soji could always stop her if the need arose, but was she ready ask them to possibly kill her?

She knew the answer, and it almost made her stomach turn.

Agnes shook her head. “So far, most of the Romulans I’ve met have been pretty terrifying”, she said. “You seem nice, so I’d much rather learn your language. Besides, I’d like to learn more about the Vulcan way of understanding the world; it’s very different from what I know.”

As a futile attempt to divert Sylar’s attention away from the problem Agnes was so preoccupied with, she turned the conversation to him. Hopefully he wouldn’t remember her momentarily odd behaviour after that.

“So, do you have - I don’t know - a favourite book?” Agnes asked, trying to sound cheerful. “The captain seems to like paper books. I’ve already managed to stumble over several.” Laughing awkwardly, Agnes looked at Sylar, hoping he would take the bait.

Sylar’s gaze, though silent, spoke volumes without the need for words. Yet once again - something held him back from making a blunt comment as to the situation. His companion had met Romulans she deemed “terrifying”, and that was enough reason for him to be cautious.

His brow furrowed slightly, head tilted a mere fraction as he considered the question posed to him, a question clearly meant as a distraction from the matter at hand. He didn’t exactly read, unless you counted Surak’s philosophical texts…and the occasional badly written Terran erotica which Mr. Quark of Ferenginar constantly insisted on selling him (although it was Rios who read those to Sylar and not the other way around, since Sylar could not read Standard.)

“I do not read often, doctor” The Vulcan said now, drawing up a holographic screen, typing several words and dismissing it, before he turned back to Agnes, one brow quirked in mild interest. “However, if you wish to discuss the topic, my current shift has ended. I am not one for idle conversation but if it will make you feel at ease…it is a Terran custom to…purchase a drink before doing so if I am correct?”

This was it, Agnes decided. She liked the other doctor. A lot. She wondered if the others would make up some ridiculous nicknames for the two of them, considering that they were both doctors. Maybe Doctor A and Doctor S? No. That sounded like some sort of a children’s holoprogram villain duo.

Walking into the mess hall, Agnes ordered some coffee for herself from the replicator and sat down at the nearest table. She waited for Doctor Sylar to get something to drink as well before even thinking of continuing their conversation.

Agnes smiled sheepishly. “Well, it’s quite a mess, isn’t it? If this were a Sterfleet vessel, I bet those support beams would be a security infringement or something. I mean, people could run in them, if they’re not careful.”

Agnes frowned a bit when Sylar said she had no bug - that meant Agnes’ weakened stomach was due to the images that Starfleet officer had shown her. Not good. Not good at all. It meant that something else could be hiding in Agnes’ mind.

“Sylar, huh?” she mumbled, trying to get her own attention elsewhere. “I took some Vulcan classes at the Academy, but it soon turned out that I was better at cybernetics than languages. I’ve been in Daystrom for years but the state of my Japanese is awful. Maybe I would learn better with you, though…”

Sylar struggled with emotions - not reactions. Even as he withdrew the hypospray, his sharp Vulcan eyes picked up on his companion’s frown, and he didn’t need a tricorder to tell him that her vitals had momentarily slipped out of phase. She was concerned about not being ill…that was unusual. She seemed the type to show relief in such a situation, not the opposite.

“Indeed” He said, in that queer, quiet way of his, a cursory glance taking in Agnes’ demeanour a second time.

What had changed? She was nervous, that was apparent, but was there more to it than anxiety? He closed his medkit and took up his usual position, lab coat rustling slightly as he shifted to clasp his hands behind his back. Sylar was not a tactful man; brutal, logical honesty was more his style, but there were situations…very few situations…that made him hold his tongue, (no doubt a result of his Romulan conditioning), and this situation was one of them. 

“Perhaps you should try Romulan instead” He said mildly, deciding that a change in topic was likely necessary. “It bears certain similarities to one of your Terran language - Welsh. Although it is far more..majestic.” 

As a futile attempt to divert Sylar’s attention away from the problem Agnes was so preoccupied with, she turned the conversation to him. Hopefully he wouldn’t remember her momentarily odd behaviour after that.

“So, do you have - I don’t know - a favourite book?” Agnes asked, trying to sound cheerful. “The captain seems to like paper books. I’ve already managed to stumble over several.” Laughing awkwardly, Agnes looked at Sylar, hoping he would take the bait.

                                                     𝐀𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐑𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄                                       

“You’re dripping blood on the carpet.” “When I said scars are kinda sexy, I didn’t mean you should get one right away…” “Press that against the wound, I’m going to get the med kit.” “It’s bleeding quite badly.” “Oh God, what happened to you?!” “You’re covered in blood! Is it yours?” “Your head looks pretty bad. I’m sure it’ll need stitches.” “It’s going to hurt for a moment, but I’ll need to clean the wound.” “I’m so sorry this happened to you. But you’re safe now.” “That’s a pretty nasty bruise. Want some ice?” “Does it still hurt?” “I don’t think a band aid is gonna fix this…” “Whoa, hey, stay with me! You’re as white as a ghost. Don’t pass out.” “Damn, that must hurt. I’m sure there are some painkillers around here.” “You have to be seen by a doctor. This isn’t going to heal on its own.” “It looks broken. Can you move it at all?” “Here, lean on me. I’ll support you.” “I’m not going to leave you behind. If need be, I’ll carry you.” “I’m going to pick you up now, okay? Just hold on to me.” “Everything is going to be okay. Just hang in there.”

Agnes fell into Cris’ arms and continued her helpless sobbing. Things hadn’t been easy, and now that the whole Maddox mess was over, it was like Agnes’ body was simply refusing to take any more stress.

Pressing her face on Cris’ shoulder, Agnes whispered, “I don’t know if I should feel relieved or mortified. They say I’m not responsible for Bruce’s death, that I was being coerced, but…if not me, then who is to blame? I killed him!”

Another wave of tears sprung into her eyes as she spoke. Agnes pressed herself harder against Cris, hoping for him to shield her from everything.

{ @empathyvslogic }

Cris’ brows furrowed in concern as she sobbed into him. He held her close to his chest and ran his hand along the length of her spine. He waited for her to string the words she wanted to say together. More than anything, he hated to see the one’s he loved like this.

“Agnes..” He paused, sighing. He wished she wouldn’t beat herself up over something that was completely out of her control. “You weren’t you. What Oh did.. It would fuck with anyone. I know that you killing him is going to effect you, but it wasn’t actually you. Not really.”

He could understand how she was feeling to an extent. This is how he felt for years after Vandermeer and he wasn’t even the one to pull the trigger. God, she must’ve felt awful.

Letting her hand fall, she said, “will it ever get easier? The mind-meld therapists... they told me they weren’t sure they could ever reverse what was done to me. What if I wake up one day and try to hurt someone else? What if I’ll never be me anymore?”

Shoulders sagging, Agnes shuddered as the thought fully registered. Could she live with herself if she hurt someone else? Agnes was fairly sure she knew the answer, and Cris wouldn’t like it.

“Well, you see, Mr. Doctor, I’m not familiar with the ship yet and I was trying to get some food in the mess hall and me being me, I tripped over something and tumbled down like a rock”, Agnes explained, waving her hands around as she told her story. “Now that you’re at it, could you check if I have any stomach bugs? I’ve been feeling a bit nauseous lately and I’m not sure if it’s because I shot that agent at Château Picard or from the transporter or from something I’ve eaten.”

Perhaps Agnes should cut down on the sushi. Yes, definitely less sushi for the duration of the trip. She could try out something vegetarian for a change.

“Also, Mr. Doctor, this is a bit embarrassing, but I don’t think I caught your name yet. I’m Agnes Jurati, your friendly neighbourhood cybernetics specialist. Quite literally, since we’re going to be cramped in here for some time.”

Sylar inclined his head in response, taking a moment to widen the parameters of his scan, before setting the scanner down to pick up an internal tissue regenerator - gently guiding his companion’s arm to remain still as he did so.

“My name is Sylar” He offered in a tone as gentle as his touch. “I would mention my other Vulcan name but as it is quite unpronounceable to humans, that would be counter-productive.” He examined his work carefully before switching the regenerator for a hypospray.

“There is no trace of any stomach bug in your system, Doctor Jurati” He pressed the hypospray to the side of her neck. “Regardless, this should ease your nausea.” He paused momentarily to monitor for adverse reactions, before he picked up the dermal regenerator to heal her surface wound.

Agnes frowned a bit when Sylar said she had no bug - that meant Agnes’ weakened stomach was due to the images that Starfleet officer had shown her. Not good. Not good at all. It meant that something else could be hiding in Agnes’ mind.

“Sylar, huh?” she mumbled, trying to get her own attention elsewhere. “I took some Vulcan classes at the Academy, but it soon turned out that I was better at cybernetics than languages. I’ve been in Daystrom for years but the state of my Japanese is awful. Maybe I would learn better with you, though...”

“No, no, Emil, it doesn’t hurt - oh, hi, doctor! How are you doing?”

Agnes had, in her typical manner, stumbled on the stairs and fallen face-first on the floor. Her left cheek was cut open, bleeding, and she was quite certain her right wrist was sprained. Which was just typical. To be honest, it did hurt a bit, but Agnes didn’t mind it.

“I probably look pretty terrible, but don’t mind me”, Agnes said, “just a bit of dermal regenerator and I’ll be good as new. I must say, this is one neat sickbay! I haven’t been in one since I left Starfleet and I’m sure the one aboard Curiosity wasn’t this pretty.”

Agnes was about to extend her hand out in greeting, only to remember that Vulcans did not do that. Instead, she sort of waved her hand around awkwardly, trying to look friendly, but probably appearing weird.

Mildly amused yet simultaneously concerned in his own way, Sylar looked his new companion over for a moment, taking in her injuries, before he turned back to Emil.

“I can handle this sufficiently” He told the EMH quietly, one hand moving to swiftly unlatch the straps of his medkit. “You have not rested for longer than one hour and forty five minutes fifteen seconds, and so it would be illogical to ask you to attend this shift, as you are already severely overworked.”

“I’m a hologram; I don’t get tired” Emil protested in a similarly quiet tone, but the protest was only half-hearted. Sylar treated all the emergency holograms as sentient lifeforms with needs that mirrored those of organic beings and it was…oddly nice. “Alright, let me know if you need me, I’ll be with Ian. He’s promised to show me a new energy output method he’s found.”

“Acknowledged. Enjoy…your time, Doctor. If you wish to discuss it later, I would not protest.” With that, Sylar lifted his free hand to set his digits against Emil’s for a moment, the slightest semblance of gentleness lingering in his eyes before the EMH deactivated himself again, leaving the Vulcan alone with Agnes.

Perhaps Agnes should cut down on the sushi. Yes, definitely less sushi for the duration of the trip. She could try out something vegetarian for a change.

"Also, Mr. Doctor, this is a bit embarrassing, but I don't think I caught your name yet. I'm Agnes Jurati, your friendly neighbourhood cybernetics specialist. Quite literally, since we're going to be cramped in here for some time."