Mercy and Forgiveness

Posted on Friday February 7th, 2020 @ 23:35 hours by Kari Pahlmihr & Mercy

Mission: Hot Couture
Location: Engineering
Timeline: MD07 - 1130 hours
1122 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure

"I was hoping I'd find you here." The young woman's voice was soft, she knew how sensitive Mercy's ears were and they'd had a conversation about how she could probably still hold a conversation if the other person was whispering from the other side of the cargo bay, "I found that manifold that eluded us on Rangalor." Kari was visibly straining to keep the piece of tech elevated. It wasn't particularly heavy, but from where she had carried it, and her numerous cuts and bruises that had barely healed it was a bit much to ask of the young Trill deck hand.

Though Mercy was doing better than Kari, the scars of the altercation were still evident. There was a patch of fur still missing from her scalp and although her clothes covered other scars, she did still move with a limp and the use of a cane. It was uncertain whether she'd ever fully recover. But she wasn't one to complain. Adorning her muzzle were perfectly round reading glasses, and she set down the micrometer shed been using to confirm a manufacturing tolerance on a spindle she'd fabricated on her lathe, as Kari approached and spoke.

The massive behemoth turned around with aforementioned limp and knelt down to Kari's height, using her cane as support, letting out a soft grunt in protestation of the physically strenuous activity of bending her knees. "Hello little one." A soft smile played over Sirran features, her tail giving a lazy wag. She reached out to take the manifold, placing it aside for now. "It's good to see you up and about. How are you doing?"

For a moment Kari just stood there, empty-handed and looking at the large lupine woman. Then tears started coming and she threw herself around Mercy's neck for a hug, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. " Kari whispered in between sobs.

Two massive, warm, soft and comforting arms wrapped around the girl, even as Mercy sat down with a wince. "For what?" she asked in a voice barely above a whisper. She cradled the small woman against her form, rocking her gently. "I should be the one apologizing to you."

"I'm so far out of my depth. I have ko business being here. I put you in danger. I put the Captain in danger." Kari shook her head, not lifting it away from the warm soft shoulder, "I should've been able to stand up for myself, I could've helped you. Maybe. Maybe you wouldn't have to walk with a cane."

"And what would you have done against a Nausicaan who nearly put me in the ground?" Mercy flicked an ear, shaking her head. "You have nothing to apologize for, little one. It was me who failed you. I wasn't able to protect you. And you got hurt because of that. And for that I'm sorry."

"I'm thinking of quitting. Going back home." Kari pulled back to look at the reaction from Mercy.

Mercy looked at her in silence for a moment, expression unreadable. She flicked an ear, before speaking. "That's your choice, of course. Nobody can stop you if that's what you really want to do. But what would you do then? Say you quit, what would you do with yourself then? And you'd be turning your back on people who've risked a great deal to get you back."

"I know. I just don't want to put you guys through that again," Kari sniffled a bit, "I'm in way over my head. I have no idea what I'm doing." She shook her head, "I got caught, we barely know each other and yet you all rush in and not only steal something priceless but also spite the Orion Syndicate. Just for me." Another shake of the head, "I can't ask that of you."

"You're part of this crew. That means we're family. What else could I do? Sit back and watch while we got attacked and you got taken?" Mercy quirked a brow. "And you don't have to ask that of us. We do it because we want to. We'd do the same for M'erah. Or Westbrooke. Or Farron."

Kari shrugged, "I guess," it didn't sound too convinced. She leaned back into the hug and just sighed. For a moment she was perfectly content to just stand there. "I should probably learn to shoot a phaser. Get a license or something." Her voice was slightly muffled by the Sirran's shoulder.

"That might be a good idea. Put your frustration towards something productive." Mercy agreed. "Best way of dealing with things."

Kari stepped away from the hug and smiled at the Engineer, "I don't really want to go back to Trill." she wiped the tears from her face, "thank you. And sorry, again."

"Then, don't. Go back to Trill, I mean." Mercy offered. She hesitated a moment, as if trying to find the right words, then reached out with massive clawed paws to gently take the diminutive Trill's hands in hers. "You ok? Deep down, I mean. You were put through the wringer. It's ok not to be ok. Migrator knows I wouldn't be. But ... " A pause, another moment of the massive Sirran trying to find the right words.

"My door is always open for you. Day and night. Whether I'm working or not. If you need a friend, a shoulder to cry on, just some company to feel safe, some advice or someone to give you a few tips on self defense, you're always welcome." Her tail gave a lazy wag, a sign that she meant what she was saying. "You're part of the family. And family means we look out for each other. Alright?"

"Alright." Kari her voice went quieter for a bit, then she started to shuffle in the direction of the exit but she didn't quite leave, "Ehm. Would it. eh." She turned and looked at Mercy, "I don't want to be a huge inconvenience, and I don't mean anything by it, but can I stay with you tonight?"

Mercy considered for a brief moment, than gave a nod. "Sure. I'll prepare some space. You're not that big so that shouldn't be much of a problem." she offered with a soft smile.

"I'll gather some of my stuff," Kari took another step towards the door before turning again, realising how it might seem like she was trying to move in with the Engineer, "It won't be a permanent thing. I just have some trouble sleeping lately."

"Just until you're feeling better." Mercy mused.

[OFF]

Mercy
Engineer

&

Kari Pahlmihr
Deck Hand (Ordinary)

S.S. Fawkes

"Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrongdoer. If the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, then it isn't mercy."