Podarok (B5, rated G, post Sleeping in Light)
It was cold and raining. Tiny shards of ice seemed to find every gap in her hooded cloak. Silently she cursed and quickened her pace. As wet and cold as she was, she still wasn’t eager to get back to her solitary quarters.
Susan Ivanova, An’la Shok Na, leader of the Rangers, dug her closed fists deeper in the pockets of the heavy cape she had draped over the official robes of her rank. After the field inspection, she had dismissed her largely ceremonial guard to walk back to the complex by herself. Sometimes they protected her so fiercely she couldn’t find time for her own thoughts. Other times her own thoughts were what she needed protection from.
Absently her path changed and she headed towards the residence of the President. Correcting herself, she added under her breath, ex-President. Her heart contracted slightly as she faced the fact that as of tomorrow Delenn would be gone.
It was probably a wise move on Delenn’s part. The new President-elect didn’t need a living legend breathing down his neck. But she would miss the Minbari who was now her oldest friend. Delenn had decided to move out of Tuzanoor and into the countryside. It wouldn’t be as easy as it was now to just stop by.
Pausing abruptly near the first stone wall that separated the practice fields from the living areas, Susan let her senses stretch outwards. A sound, a shadow, a gap in the rain…something had scratched at her attention. She saw nothing; heard nothing.
Chill rivulets ran down her cape and somehow got into her boots. Grimacing and muttering at the thought of the coming squelchy discomfort she almost missed the noise. It was something between a hiss and a growl, a warning with a plaintive note folded in. Looking closely at the base of the wall, she saw a flutter in the darkness. Reaching down she felt a sharp pain and drew back her hand, now streaked with red. “Ouch!” she exclaimed. Sweeping off her cloak she dropped it in the vicinity of the snarling darkness and scooped up a small hissing bundle. She could feel a long lean writhing animal and tightening the cloak she attempted to open the end with what she hoped was the head so the thing could breathe while she decided what to do with it.
A small wrinkled face peered out at her, the eyes old and wary. They glowed yellow as the overhead light caught them. From the feel of the bones, starkly obvious even through the thick cloak, the creature was probably starving. Susan stared for a moment, her mind searching for the name. Minbari still came second to English in her inner mind. It was a….gok. That was it. A somewhat domesticated pet animal, similar to a cat, but looking more like a weasel.
Great, Susan thought. What do I do with this gift from the Universe?
As she continued on her way, she felt the animal in her arms slowly cease its struggles and begin to relax. She held on tightly however, certain it would bolt if given the opportunity. Once inside the main building, she quelled curious looks with a glare and made her way to Delenn’s old apartments. A smile touched her lips as she hit the intercom at the door. The impassive guards outside didn’t even turn an eye her direction, even when her bundle began to yowl in increasing frustration at its captivity.
“Come” came a melodious voice from within, and as the door whisked open, Susan stepped inside. Once past the threshold the gok took its chance and wriggled free, pausing only for a sideways swipe at Susan as it streaked past the stacked boxes in the entryway and into the small kitchen.
A petite Minbari with grey hair pulled back into a loose coil at the back of her neck approached Susan, arms held wide. The two women hugged briefly, jumping apart at the sound of a crash from the kitchen.
“In Valen’s name,” exclaimed Delenn. “Who have you brought with you?”
“Not who, what,” replied Susan, hastening to see what damage the gok had caused. Entering the kitchen, she saw a glass cup smashed on the floor, the shards lying in a yellowish puddle. “I certainly hope that is tea,” she muttered, looking around for a cloth to clear away the mess.
Delenn was crouched down on one knee, extending a finger towards the small animal. Its fur was dark brown, streaked with grey and white.
“Be careful,” said Susan, moving the glass pieces away from her friend with the toe of her boot. “It might bite. It certainly scratches.”
Delenn did not reply, merely speaking in low Minbari, soothing words promising warmth and food and a dry towel. The gok stayed under the lip of the lower cabinets, but slowly moved towards Delenn, sniffing her hand.
“You have a way with goks,” observed Susan as she dropped a towel on the glass shards and scooped them up much as she had the animal.
“I have not had much experience with them,” confessed Delenn. “They were not allowed in temple, or the Great Library, and definitely not aboard the Valen’tha.” She rose and looked in the cupboards and the cooler. “There is not much food here. I was planning to order in a meal for this last night. Finding some flatbread and fruit paste, she smeared one on the other, and lowered it to the floor. The gok had emerged into the light of the kitchen, head held high, its long body coiled as if ready to run. Its eyes darted from Delenn to the food, then slowly it lowered its head to lick at the fruit. A loud rumble erupted from its throat.
“Good lord,” said Susan, “it sounds like a motorboat. Is it pleased or about to attack?”
Delenn laughed, then pointed at the rapidly disappearing bread. “Pleased I would think.” Tilting her head to examine her friend, she asked pointedly, “And what brings you here, gok in hand?”
Susan looked briefly uncomfortable then said, “Well, I wanted to see how the packing was going…” she paused, then added quickly, “And bring you this podarok.”
“Podarok? It is a strange name for a gok,” replied Delenn. “And why would you bring me such a thing?”
“Podarok means gift in Russian,” explained Susan. “I don’t know why that word came swimming up in my consciousness. Sometimes between English, Interlac, the three Minbari languages, Russian and a smattering of Yiddish, I don’t know what I am going to say one minute to the next!”
“A gift to mark your winter holidays!” exclaimed Delenn. “That is so thoughtful. Although,” she added, looking at the scrawny specimen, now yawning broadly, pointed teeth flashing, “it is an unusual choice.”
“More of a going-away present,” said Susan awkwardly. “I actually just found it. It looked like it needed a home, and I can’t keep an animal with the amount I travel, and I thought you might like the company…” Her voice faded.
Delenn placed a hand on Susan’s arm. “I will miss you very much,” she confided. “And Podarok and I will keep a room ready for you, whenever you can come. You will always be very welcome.” The gok had twined in between Delenn’s legs, settling down with its head resting on one of her feet. The Minbari reached down and picked up the animal. Not content to rest in her arms, the gok wriggled under her hair and behind her neck, forelegs on one shoulder, back legs on the other. Susan reached towards the gok. It hissed briefly, then considered her face with its great green eyes, finally licking her hand before resting its head between its front legs.
Susan smiled. “You have a protector.”
Delenn smiled back, “I have always had protectors. Dukhat, the Anla’shok,” Her voice falters, then continued strongly, “Lennier.” Stroking the gok’s head with one hand, she added, “What I value more are friends. And family.” Her eyes stung. “John, of course. And David, and you, my friend, are my family.”
Susan’s cheeks begin to burn and, and she averted her gaze from Delenn, pointing to the comscreen. “Let’s get some food delivered before Pod changes his mind about me. Then I can stay and help you pack.”
“It’s all done,” replied Delenn, as Susan brought up the compound’s kitchen menu on the screen. The gok slipped down Delenn’s robes and sat on its haunches, watching as the menu, in pictures to assist Rangers still learning the Minbari tongues, flickered under Susan’s forefinger.
“I swear she puts a claw in me whenever a meat dish comes up on the screen,” grumbled Susan.
“Get what you liked, and what you think our guest would like.” Delenn was poking into some open cartons. “Ask for utensils, and condiments if you require them. I cannot find anything packed by others, and I did not pack the kitchen.”
“You never used the kitchen much in any case,” replied Susan. “John was the cook in the family, much to my surprise.”
“He was inventive and enthusiastic, I will give you that,” Delenn answered, peering over Susan’s shoulder at her selections. “But the staff never enjoyed the cleaning afterward.”
Susan snorted. Delenn had cleared off two spaces at the small table by the glass doors looking out at the rain-swept garden. Globes of warm yellow light outlined spare branches and cast shadows on the wet stone walls. The door chimed and the gok slipped away to stand attendance at the door. Once the bustle of entry and the ritual of offering and accepting service was complete, the two women sat to their meal. Podarok waited patiently yet expectantly on the floor between their chairs.
Susan thought she would never forget this last night. Delenn had stuck one squat candle surrounded by burned down ends to a disposable plate with wax. The flames outlined a room empty of all but memories. They both unashamedly reached bits of food down to Podarok, laughing when he alternately turned up his nose or pounced on a tidbit more to his liking. Finally, when they were reduced to final cups of tea and the gok lay, stomach distended, snoring slightly, on Delenn’s lap, Susan sighed.
“I should really go. I have to catch a training session of the senior cadets early tomorrow, then prepare for the arrival of new recruits on the afternoon shuttle.” She looked down at the gok, who opened one eye. “Watch over her, now. I’m counting on you.”
The gok opened both eyes and stared solemnly at Susan.
“I plan to leave early as well. I will take a flyer with my immediate needs, and my guardian of course, and await the arrival of the rest of this…” Delenn gestured around her. “I would have never believed we had accumulated so many possessions until I had to look at each one to decide if it came with me, stayed here, or was donated to my clan for redistribution.”
Susan scraped back her chair and rose, stretching her arms behind her. “Too much sitting behind a desk lately. I had better start training with the new recruits.”
Delenn rose also, after gently depositing the gok, who had seemingly returned to digestion and slumber, to her vacated chair.
“I hate good-byes,” Susan blurted out.
“I know,” said Delenn, eyes shining with sympathy. “I am not overly fond of them either. But I will not be far. And I believe I can demand personal updates from Anla’shok Na at my discretion.”
“True,” said Susan, smiling faintly. “You still outrank me.”
“If once true, it is true no longer,” replied Delenn firmly. “You have never appreciated where you stand among the Anla’shok. First among equals, they call you. It is better than being a legend,” she added.
Susan drew a deep breath, “Well, I’m going.”
Delenn held up both hands, palms facing Susan. Susan returned the gesture, bowing her head as Delenn did. “I will see you,” she began…
“When I see you,” finished Delenn.
Susan walked to the door, hit the panel to open it, and strode through. The door stayed open for a long moment, and one of the guards glanced inside and asked, “Is there anything I can do for you, Madame President?”
“Just Delenn,” she answered, “And no, thank you.” The door slid closed and left her alone with her memories.
And a gok, swishing its long tail at the garden door. Its eyes sparked with imperious command, clearly indicating an outside visit was required. Delenn crossed and opened the door. The animal disappeared into the darkness. The garden was gated, but still she wondered if she would see the creature again.
Leaving the door ajar, she started to straighten the mess left from dinner, but finally left it in favor of one last cup of tea. Only one candle was burning when she felt wet fur brush her ankle. Putting down her cup, she rose and blew out the flame. Turning towards the corridor that led to the sleeping rooms in the back, she said, “Bed, Podarok. Tomorrow is the start of our new life, and we should rest before we begin.”
This entry was originally posted at https://vjs2259.dreamwidth.org/411248.html. Please comment there using OpenID.
Susan Ivanova, An’la Shok Na, leader of the Rangers, dug her closed fists deeper in the pockets of the heavy cape she had draped over the official robes of her rank. After the field inspection, she had dismissed her largely ceremonial guard to walk back to the complex by herself. Sometimes they protected her so fiercely she couldn’t find time for her own thoughts. Other times her own thoughts were what she needed protection from.
Absently her path changed and she headed towards the residence of the President. Correcting herself, she added under her breath, ex-President. Her heart contracted slightly as she faced the fact that as of tomorrow Delenn would be gone.
It was probably a wise move on Delenn’s part. The new President-elect didn’t need a living legend breathing down his neck. But she would miss the Minbari who was now her oldest friend. Delenn had decided to move out of Tuzanoor and into the countryside. It wouldn’t be as easy as it was now to just stop by.
Pausing abruptly near the first stone wall that separated the practice fields from the living areas, Susan let her senses stretch outwards. A sound, a shadow, a gap in the rain…something had scratched at her attention. She saw nothing; heard nothing.
Chill rivulets ran down her cape and somehow got into her boots. Grimacing and muttering at the thought of the coming squelchy discomfort she almost missed the noise. It was something between a hiss and a growl, a warning with a plaintive note folded in. Looking closely at the base of the wall, she saw a flutter in the darkness. Reaching down she felt a sharp pain and drew back her hand, now streaked with red. “Ouch!” she exclaimed. Sweeping off her cloak she dropped it in the vicinity of the snarling darkness and scooped up a small hissing bundle. She could feel a long lean writhing animal and tightening the cloak she attempted to open the end with what she hoped was the head so the thing could breathe while she decided what to do with it.
A small wrinkled face peered out at her, the eyes old and wary. They glowed yellow as the overhead light caught them. From the feel of the bones, starkly obvious even through the thick cloak, the creature was probably starving. Susan stared for a moment, her mind searching for the name. Minbari still came second to English in her inner mind. It was a….gok. That was it. A somewhat domesticated pet animal, similar to a cat, but looking more like a weasel.
Great, Susan thought. What do I do with this gift from the Universe?
As she continued on her way, she felt the animal in her arms slowly cease its struggles and begin to relax. She held on tightly however, certain it would bolt if given the opportunity. Once inside the main building, she quelled curious looks with a glare and made her way to Delenn’s old apartments. A smile touched her lips as she hit the intercom at the door. The impassive guards outside didn’t even turn an eye her direction, even when her bundle began to yowl in increasing frustration at its captivity.
“Come” came a melodious voice from within, and as the door whisked open, Susan stepped inside. Once past the threshold the gok took its chance and wriggled free, pausing only for a sideways swipe at Susan as it streaked past the stacked boxes in the entryway and into the small kitchen.
A petite Minbari with grey hair pulled back into a loose coil at the back of her neck approached Susan, arms held wide. The two women hugged briefly, jumping apart at the sound of a crash from the kitchen.
“In Valen’s name,” exclaimed Delenn. “Who have you brought with you?”
“Not who, what,” replied Susan, hastening to see what damage the gok had caused. Entering the kitchen, she saw a glass cup smashed on the floor, the shards lying in a yellowish puddle. “I certainly hope that is tea,” she muttered, looking around for a cloth to clear away the mess.
Delenn was crouched down on one knee, extending a finger towards the small animal. Its fur was dark brown, streaked with grey and white.
“Be careful,” said Susan, moving the glass pieces away from her friend with the toe of her boot. “It might bite. It certainly scratches.”
Delenn did not reply, merely speaking in low Minbari, soothing words promising warmth and food and a dry towel. The gok stayed under the lip of the lower cabinets, but slowly moved towards Delenn, sniffing her hand.
“You have a way with goks,” observed Susan as she dropped a towel on the glass shards and scooped them up much as she had the animal.
“I have not had much experience with them,” confessed Delenn. “They were not allowed in temple, or the Great Library, and definitely not aboard the Valen’tha.” She rose and looked in the cupboards and the cooler. “There is not much food here. I was planning to order in a meal for this last night. Finding some flatbread and fruit paste, she smeared one on the other, and lowered it to the floor. The gok had emerged into the light of the kitchen, head held high, its long body coiled as if ready to run. Its eyes darted from Delenn to the food, then slowly it lowered its head to lick at the fruit. A loud rumble erupted from its throat.
“Good lord,” said Susan, “it sounds like a motorboat. Is it pleased or about to attack?”
Delenn laughed, then pointed at the rapidly disappearing bread. “Pleased I would think.” Tilting her head to examine her friend, she asked pointedly, “And what brings you here, gok in hand?”
Susan looked briefly uncomfortable then said, “Well, I wanted to see how the packing was going…” she paused, then added quickly, “And bring you this podarok.”
“Podarok? It is a strange name for a gok,” replied Delenn. “And why would you bring me such a thing?”
“Podarok means gift in Russian,” explained Susan. “I don’t know why that word came swimming up in my consciousness. Sometimes between English, Interlac, the three Minbari languages, Russian and a smattering of Yiddish, I don’t know what I am going to say one minute to the next!”
“A gift to mark your winter holidays!” exclaimed Delenn. “That is so thoughtful. Although,” she added, looking at the scrawny specimen, now yawning broadly, pointed teeth flashing, “it is an unusual choice.”
“More of a going-away present,” said Susan awkwardly. “I actually just found it. It looked like it needed a home, and I can’t keep an animal with the amount I travel, and I thought you might like the company…” Her voice faded.
Delenn placed a hand on Susan’s arm. “I will miss you very much,” she confided. “And Podarok and I will keep a room ready for you, whenever you can come. You will always be very welcome.” The gok had twined in between Delenn’s legs, settling down with its head resting on one of her feet. The Minbari reached down and picked up the animal. Not content to rest in her arms, the gok wriggled under her hair and behind her neck, forelegs on one shoulder, back legs on the other. Susan reached towards the gok. It hissed briefly, then considered her face with its great green eyes, finally licking her hand before resting its head between its front legs.
Susan smiled. “You have a protector.”
Delenn smiled back, “I have always had protectors. Dukhat, the Anla’shok,” Her voice falters, then continued strongly, “Lennier.” Stroking the gok’s head with one hand, she added, “What I value more are friends. And family.” Her eyes stung. “John, of course. And David, and you, my friend, are my family.”
Susan’s cheeks begin to burn and, and she averted her gaze from Delenn, pointing to the comscreen. “Let’s get some food delivered before Pod changes his mind about me. Then I can stay and help you pack.”
“It’s all done,” replied Delenn, as Susan brought up the compound’s kitchen menu on the screen. The gok slipped down Delenn’s robes and sat on its haunches, watching as the menu, in pictures to assist Rangers still learning the Minbari tongues, flickered under Susan’s forefinger.
“I swear she puts a claw in me whenever a meat dish comes up on the screen,” grumbled Susan.
“Get what you liked, and what you think our guest would like.” Delenn was poking into some open cartons. “Ask for utensils, and condiments if you require them. I cannot find anything packed by others, and I did not pack the kitchen.”
“You never used the kitchen much in any case,” replied Susan. “John was the cook in the family, much to my surprise.”
“He was inventive and enthusiastic, I will give you that,” Delenn answered, peering over Susan’s shoulder at her selections. “But the staff never enjoyed the cleaning afterward.”
Susan snorted. Delenn had cleared off two spaces at the small table by the glass doors looking out at the rain-swept garden. Globes of warm yellow light outlined spare branches and cast shadows on the wet stone walls. The door chimed and the gok slipped away to stand attendance at the door. Once the bustle of entry and the ritual of offering and accepting service was complete, the two women sat to their meal. Podarok waited patiently yet expectantly on the floor between their chairs.
Susan thought she would never forget this last night. Delenn had stuck one squat candle surrounded by burned down ends to a disposable plate with wax. The flames outlined a room empty of all but memories. They both unashamedly reached bits of food down to Podarok, laughing when he alternately turned up his nose or pounced on a tidbit more to his liking. Finally, when they were reduced to final cups of tea and the gok lay, stomach distended, snoring slightly, on Delenn’s lap, Susan sighed.
“I should really go. I have to catch a training session of the senior cadets early tomorrow, then prepare for the arrival of new recruits on the afternoon shuttle.” She looked down at the gok, who opened one eye. “Watch over her, now. I’m counting on you.”
The gok opened both eyes and stared solemnly at Susan.
“I plan to leave early as well. I will take a flyer with my immediate needs, and my guardian of course, and await the arrival of the rest of this…” Delenn gestured around her. “I would have never believed we had accumulated so many possessions until I had to look at each one to decide if it came with me, stayed here, or was donated to my clan for redistribution.”
Susan scraped back her chair and rose, stretching her arms behind her. “Too much sitting behind a desk lately. I had better start training with the new recruits.”
Delenn rose also, after gently depositing the gok, who had seemingly returned to digestion and slumber, to her vacated chair.
“I hate good-byes,” Susan blurted out.
“I know,” said Delenn, eyes shining with sympathy. “I am not overly fond of them either. But I will not be far. And I believe I can demand personal updates from Anla’shok Na at my discretion.”
“True,” said Susan, smiling faintly. “You still outrank me.”
“If once true, it is true no longer,” replied Delenn firmly. “You have never appreciated where you stand among the Anla’shok. First among equals, they call you. It is better than being a legend,” she added.
Susan drew a deep breath, “Well, I’m going.”
Delenn held up both hands, palms facing Susan. Susan returned the gesture, bowing her head as Delenn did. “I will see you,” she began…
“When I see you,” finished Delenn.
Susan walked to the door, hit the panel to open it, and strode through. The door stayed open for a long moment, and one of the guards glanced inside and asked, “Is there anything I can do for you, Madame President?”
“Just Delenn,” she answered, “And no, thank you.” The door slid closed and left her alone with her memories.
And a gok, swishing its long tail at the garden door. Its eyes sparked with imperious command, clearly indicating an outside visit was required. Delenn crossed and opened the door. The animal disappeared into the darkness. The garden was gated, but still she wondered if she would see the creature again.
Leaving the door ajar, she started to straighten the mess left from dinner, but finally left it in favor of one last cup of tea. Only one candle was burning when she felt wet fur brush her ankle. Putting down her cup, she rose and blew out the flame. Turning towards the corridor that led to the sleeping rooms in the back, she said, “Bed, Podarok. Tomorrow is the start of our new life, and we should rest before we begin.”
This entry was originally posted at https://vjs2259.dreamwidth.org/411248.html. Please comment there using OpenID.