===Star base promenade ( part 2) === Athena avoided the question about her father as she had been instructed she was never to speak of it. Until her birth her parents had worked together. "It must be nice to have siblings," she replied. She smiled at him and asked, "What's that like? I'm an only child." She took a sip of her water as she waited for his reply. The subject must have been a sensitive one for Athena to avoid it. Keylor had noticed how Athena seemed to change the subject, or at least redirect the focus of the conversation away from her when it came to a subject she really did not want to talk about. {Looks like our counselor could use a little counseling herself} he thought. Instead of forcing the issue he answered her. "Well, I guess it is OK. After all I never knew my mother, at least first hand. Father would talk about her all the time so I have an idea what she was like, at least through his eyes. As for having a sister? well it was no picnic. She is only a few years older than me. It was torturous at times, I suspected she felt some resentment to me early on. Now she just hen pecks me all the time, wanting me to come back to Bajor and settle down. If you thought I was a traditional bajoran, then she would be the super traditional bajoran," he smiled. {I could just say I'm not allowed to talk about it and he'd have an idea or I could just say I didn't know. I doubt he'd buy that one.} Athena's expression remained blank while several thoughts went through her head as she tried to find another tactful way to avoid the question. She took another drink to stall even more. Keylor continued responding to Athena. " I always wondered what it might have been like being an only child. The ones I saw growing up always had everything they asked for, Spoiled to the core. Also it would have meant that my father would have been around more to raise me in those early years," he shrugged his shoulders, "But at least I still have family. My father passed away right before I joined starfleet so it is nice to have some family to go home too, even if they nag." He paused and looked at Athena. She seemed not to be listening closely, more like tangled in her own thoughts. He placed a gentle hand on hers which were folded and on top of the table. "And if you don't want to talk about your father, that is OK. I was just curious." He paused again and retracted his hand. Sitting back in his chair he added, "Just was trying to get to know more of Athena Wellington! You are always so interested in others, I figured I would try to get to know a little more about you." "I don't think I could begin to tell you about my father's job," she finally replied. She finished her water, "I think I've taken up enough of your time, Sir." She started to stand when what the colonel said next made her sit back down. Keylor smiled and raised a palm to Athena, "No you are not taking up my time," he pointed to his clothes. "I am not on duty now, and not here as your captain, per-se. Like you I am here to relax and have time away from the stresses of the job. Please, sit down. Don't feel like you are a bother." He said with a reassuring smile. She raised an eyebrow at the CO before answering, "Sometimes I sense that I'm sort of frustrating to people." She returned his smile with one of her one, "And what I meant was I didn't want to being taking up too much of your free time. They can be few and far between." Athena was aware that she stretched limits and didn't doing anything in a traditional sense, but that is what helped her protect herself. Keylor wondered why Athena seemed to feel she was a bother. Sure she was a hand full but that comes with the job of running a ship. There seemed to be two Athena's, or at least Keylor thought. First there was the Athena that everyone knew. Caring, outgoing, energetic without a care in the world. But now Keylor was beginning to see part of the other Athena, reserved and hiding thing. This explanation helped Keylor explain some of Athena's actions of the last few months, why she seemed to answer a question with a question. He was no counselor but there was something definitely going on there. Keylor picked up his glass and finished the remaining droplets. "Lets change the subject," he remarked firmly. "So what do you, Athena," he grinned at using her first name, "like to do for fun and relaxation?" Enthusiastically she covered his hand that was resting on the table and said teasingly, "There are several things but are you sure you can survive the rumors." Keylor grinned, he did not respond to wanting to know more about the rumors. Athena didn't wait for a verbal response but asked, "Which ones do you want to know about first ... Fun or relaxation?" She wore and impish grin as she waited for his answer. "Well, in my experience fun is almost always relaxing, but not the other way around. Start there and lets see where we go." He waited for her to answer. Keylor pointed to the chair she had just recently vacated, indicating for her to sit back down. "For Fun, there are several things," she began. "I like a good mud bath and if a mud fight breaks out so much the better. A good game of tag is always enlighten, in particular when played with children." She blushed slightly at the remind of running into him. "Rock climbing can be fun if there is somebody good instructing you and hiking is like taking a safari in that specific area. Well, I don't mind trying new thing for fun either, how about you?" {Maybe its a good thing he didn't ask about relaxation.} Keylor thought for a moment. "Well, there are several things I find fun. For instance, a good game of spring ball with someone who challenges me." Keylor thought about the two fencing sessions he had with two different females and smiled. He thought for a second and then pointed at Athena. "But what I like most crafting things with my hands. Wood, clay, even metal. It is both fun and relaxing," he leaned in a bit and talked with his hands. "To take raw material, to mold it with your hands, finding that thing it most wanted to be, and then help it be that," he said passionately. Athena listened intently finding no surprise in the fact that all Keylor's activities held a challenge. They all held their own personal challenges mostly. She could sense how passionately he felt being able to craft something with his hands and she found herself leaning in towards him as though he were telling a good story. "Have you ever used a pottery wheel," she asked interestedly. "Pottery wheel?" he said quizzically. {Why would one use a wheel to make pottery? You could do nothing but ruin your work if you used a wheel on it.} he thought. "No I don't think so. All earthenware is crafted by hand, no wheels involved. It is the tradition on Bajor." He said still puzzled over the idea of a wheel in pottery. Speaking of a mud fight had peaked her own sense into wanting to feel the cool dense substance between her fingers. She had tried using a pottery wheel before and although she made no master pieces she did like the feel of the clay as it formed in her hands. Keylor shook off the thought of the wheel pottery. "Any way. Did you know that on Bajor there are five primary types of clay. Well actually 6, one for each province, but Since the Cardassian occupation , on one uses the rencanthan clay due to the poisoning the Cardassians."he waved his hand, "But! The clay of the Mousilla province is of the best quality and sought above all others for the finest of works." <Jass> Athena smirked at his obvious misunderstanding about the pottery wheel, but said nothing as she listened t him speak about the different types of clay. As the colonel finished speaking a thought occurred to her. "Colonel, I have signed up for some holodeck time would you care to do a pottery program with me?" She hesitated briefly and then added or would you prefer for me to tell you about the things I like to do for relaxation?" "Holodeck?!?!" he remarked with distain. "No that is not pottery, that is fantasy. If you are going to create, CREATE!. " He leaned in a bit. "And I bet you I can scrounge up some real materials for pottery, not that synthesized stuff from a replicator." he grinned. " If you give me half a day or so, I am sure I can Set up a decent studio for some thing like this." "Sounds good," she replied with a smile. "So, do you need to get started on that right a way or do you have time for one of my favorite relaxation things first," she asked sweetly. Keylor looked interested in her comment. "One of your favorite relaxation things?Please, do tell." he smiled at her. "Well, I like bubble baths and really steamy showers..." She watched several exxpressions cross the colonel's face before she finished, "But in this case I was talking about sky gazing." Keylor looked shocked at first. He was not sure if Athena was having fun at his expense or was trying to indicate something else. After a gasp pr two of searching for something to say, his mind caught up with the rest of her statement. He nodded with a look of relief. "Ah sky gazing. Well I do like looking at the stars, but for me to gather the necessary items for the pottery, I should get to searching." Looking across the promenade to a shop that seemed to deal with art particularly the do it yourself art supplies. "I really don't think it will be a problem," she replied. She pointed across the way and said, "Maybe you could start there." Keylor nodded, "Aye, I might find some things there. We will see." Keylor looked at his wrist-chrono and then looked back at Athena. "How about.... I meet you back here in 8 hours. That should be enough time for me to arrange things for a little fun with 'MUD'." He winked. "Sounds great," she replied enthusiastically. She sttod and stretched her legs that were beginning to cramp from sitting so long after her game of tag. Keylor smiled. "good." he looked over at the children still playing tag near by. He noticed The one Athena called Clive, who continually seemed to look in their direction. Keylor pointed as secretively as he could. "I think some one wants you to rejoin them." he nodded his head slightly. She smiled conspiritally and nodded. Athena placed her hands on the back of her thighs and slid them down to her ankles as she bent at the waist to stretch her muscles out again. "I'll be promptly here in 8 hours," she said as Clive stepped up. Clive reached out and tag her stating, "your it," as he lopes off. === End Log=== Col Bretam Keylor Captain & Lt Athena Wellington Counselor