An Offering

Posted on 08 Oct 2026 @ 10:32am by 1st Lieutenant S'earr & Master Chief Petty Officer Alexi Michelle

1,894 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: General Sim Postings
Location: Tomcat - Quarters

The following day found S'earr standing outside the Alexi's quarters, the towering Caitian making the relatively ordinary corridor seem considerably smaller simply by occupying it as he stood there in his gold and green traditional attire. He had spent much of the night considering what had happened in the gym, replaying the sequence of events over and over again in his mind. The injury itself had been accidental. He had never intended for her to be harmed, nor had he acted with malice or disregard. But intention did not erase consequence, and within the traditions of his caste, the fact remained that a female had been harmed because of his actions.

That was an offence he could not simply dismiss.

In one enormous hand he carried a small wooden case, its surface dark and polished from years of careful handling. It was not something that could simply be replaced by replicating another. The object within had belonged to him for years, passed down through his family and carried with him through successive assignments. It represented something of himself, something he would genuinely miss should she choose to accept it. That was precisely why he had selected it.

S'earr stopped outside the door and looked down at the case for several seconds before drawing a slow breath through his nose. His ears angled backwards briefly, betraying the unease he would otherwise have concealed.

He raised one hand and pressed the door chime.

When the signal sounded, he straightened his posture, shoulders squared and head held high. He wasn't there to demand forgiveness, nor to offer excuses. If she chose to report him to the Overseer, he would accept the consequences. His honour required nothing less.

But he hoped she wouldn't.

Alexi moved slowly through her quarters. While the break to her sternum and the subdural hematoma had been treated she was still sore, and would be for a few days according to the doctor who's treated her. She was about to lower herself to her small sofa when the chime rang on her door. A quiet groan escaped as she stood and moved to the door to open it.

She was more than surprised to see S'earr standing at her door in what could only be described as a unique attire. It suited the large cat and enhanced his eyes and his graceful form. "S'earr, Sir, Please, come in," she said, not exactly sure why he seemed so formal in his stance, "If you've come to check on me, I am just fine." She stepped back from the door and bade him enter with a wave of her arm.

When the door opened and he was able to see Alexi, he bowed, the same as he did before when he walked into the Gym. "Alexi." He greeted. When he heard her offer to enter he did so then stood in front of her allowing the door to close behind him, his tail out to one side so that the door didn't close upon it.

"I wanted to give you this." He held the box out to her. "My ways, to cause harm or injury to a female is forbidden. My act, indirectly lead to your injury. I have to make amends for this. So I'd like to give you this." He offered her the box, within it was the jewelry that he wore at graduation of his training.

Alexi listened to his little speech, then looked down at the box he held out. She could see that it had been well loved, and it was beautiful. The jeweled piece within was even more so. It wasn't his fault that she was hurt and no matter what his customs might be, she would not, could not make him pay for what she herself had done.

She placed her hand on the offered gift, and cleared her throat,
"S'earr, I am honored. I really am. But, I cannot, in all good conscience, accept this. My own clumsiness was at fault, not you. And I can see that this means a lot to you. And it's beautiful. " Taking a step back, Alexi wiped away a small tear that had formed at the corner of her eye. "You should give that to someone you love. And besides, you have already made your amends when you carried me to sickbay. Another man would have allowed me to suffer the walk, probably by myself."

S'earr remained silent for several moments, his golden eyes dropping to the box between them before slowly lifting to Alexi again. Her refusal had not been unexpected, but the words that accompanied it had clearly struck somewhere deeper than he had anticipated.

His ears angled backwards slightly.

"You misunderstand." His voice remained calm, though there was a quiet weight behind it. "I do not offer this because I believe you owe me forgiveness."

He slowly lowered the box, though he did not yet close it. "And I do not believe you were clumsy." His gaze settled upon her sternum for the briefest moment before returning to her face.

"I leapt down without considering if the mat would support my action. You were where you had every right to be. My actions created a circumstance in which you were injured." He paused. "That makes the responsibility mine."

S'earr looked down at the jewellery within the box. His large fingers brushed lightly against its edge, almost unconsciously. "You are correct about one thing." His voice softened. "It does mean a great deal to me."

"But to harm a female is forbidden, the cost is exile. My hope is the value I hold for this shows the depth of my shame for what happened."

Alexi stood quiet for a minute, her eyes drifting between the look on his face and the box in his hand. An idea formed in her mind, "I think," she began as she stepped closer and gently placed her hand on his arm, "That the gift I will accept as amends is to see you wearing that which you hold in your hands. To see them as they are meant to be, that would be a much better gift to me." She turned her eyes back up to his, "Would you be willing to accept that?"

S'earr bowed. "As you wish." He walked to the nearby table and placed the box upon it, putting the items on was a two handed job. First the brow piece that affixed at the base of his ears. Then the muzzle piece that crowned his nose, then the two ear sheaths that protected the backs of his ears from harm without impairing his hearing. "As you requested." S'earr turned to face her, wearing the pieces he'd not worn since his graduation on Cait.

The young SI officer smiled at the Caitian. "That is where they belong, Sir," Alexi said quietly, "While I would only be able to admire them, I could not give them the honor they and you both are due." She bowed to him in respect, "This is a much better gift. Your amends are made."

"You have my thanks." S'earr spoke softly. His attempt to make things right had been accepted and even if injury was indirectly inflicted because of his action, exile would have to wait. "I am sorry to have burdened you with this at this hour, tradition compelled me."

Alexi gave the imposing figure a small smile, "I should be the one thanking you, Sir. While I don't like that you could be exiled just for an accident, your traditions gave me the chance to see you looking so, majestic. And I do not see this as a burden, 1ST Lieutenant, but a rare gift."

"S'earr, please." Given the situation he was not going to stand upon rank. "And, thank you." He'd been called many things during his years of service, rare was one such as majestic. "For the compliment." It was obvious to her that perhaps he was still ashamed for what happened if even indirectly to some degree.

Alexi smiled, "S'earr it is then. " She lifted a hand as if to trace his jeweled muzzle, but stopped, and lowered her hand to her side. "I apologize, S'earr. That was rather disrespectful, but you do look amazing. And, if I can be so bold, up until the bag exploded, watching you was like seeing poetry in action. I am blaming the bag for not being built strong enough for everyone, not the one who used it last."

"Thank you for the compliment." S'earr spoke as he stood upright. "I have been called many things, but poetry is not one of them." Amends however had been made and accepted barring some alterations. He would not be exiled from the Homeworld today it seemed.

She smiled up at him, "I'm sure you have." She took a deep breath and stepped back, putting a bit of space between them. Mostly so she wasn't tempted to touch him again. "Thank you for taking such good care of me," She turned and moved towards the small table, thus giving him time and space to replace his jewels in their box for safekeeping, "and thank you for being ever the honorable gentleman." Alexi fully expected him to put away the jeweled pieces and make his farewells now that his amends had been accepted.

S'earr however didn't put the jewlery away, opting to wear it. She had requested him to do so, he'd do so until he left. "It was an honour, males of my caste go to great lengths for females safety, to save the face of a female in distress is considered a great honour in the cast." He only saving grace was that Alexi had offered her hand to him, asking him for help, negating his need to ask her permission to touch in order to get her to Sickbay.

Alexi turned and nodded, "I believe you have honored your caste, and all your people, by the care you provided. " She noticed he was still wearing his headpiece and smiled, "You really do look quite regal, S'earr. I feel almost unworthy of your care."

"It was my honour to aid you in the Gym when you needed it." S'earr replied. "I have taken up much of your time at this hour. I should depart lest I keep you up any further." It was not S'earr's wish to impose upon the female's time longer than required.

Alexi nodded, "Thank You, S'earr. I am glad you stopped by, but yes, I agree it is getting late. " She made her way towards the door to see the impressive Caitian out.

With box in hand he followed her to the door, his purpose was complete and while not going exactly how he intended, his offering sated cultural demands. "Till next time." He offered a parting bow, then left Alexi to resume her routine.

"Yes, until next time, S'earr," She replied quietly as the door closed between them. Alexi smiled to herself wondering when the next time would be. Hopefully she would refrain from doing something awkward again.

[OFF]



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