Shadows and Light 2/?
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.
Authors notes: Rated PG-13 Contains slash: two males in a romantic/sexual (although not explicit) relationship. If this offends you please turn back now.
Not related to either Journey of Love or Through the Darkness Falling
[…] Denotes thoughts
Teamwork?
I had just gotten out of the shower and was still in the process of drying my hair with a towel when there was a thunderous knock at my door, causing me to jump in surprise. I quickly threw on a pair of workout shorts and left the towel hanging around my neck, as I headed for the door. Before I got a chance to invite him in Neroon had already entered my quarters, giving me a disdainful look as he went. Although I had planned to take just a quick shower, once I got under the water I let the stress from the trip fall away under the soft spray, and lost track of the time. Frankly I didn't give a damn if Neroon had to wait after he had ordered me about in the first place. I soon became uncomfortable under the Minbari's intense stare however, and moved to put a shirt on over my still damp chest.
I came back into the room, fully clothed this time, to find Neroon in the same position as when I left him. That is sitting on a chair looking particularly grumpy to be in my presence at all. Considering I was in much the same predicament, I quickly put the disk into the player and watched as Delenn appeared on the screen.
"Hello Marcus… and Neroon, for if I know him at all he is with you as you watch this." Here Delenn paused as if looking for the right words to say. "As you both may have assumed, your mission involves each other. I am sorry for the secrecy but I felt it was necessary. I am sure you are both aware of the small skirmishes that have arisen in the last month between the human Anla'shoc and the Minbari Warrior Caste. Warriors from both sides are angry, and the catalyst was the Denn'sha challenge. Now Marcus, I know that you were not informed directly of this, and for that I am sorry. Up until recently you were still recovering fully and I didn't want to worry you further."
I clenched my fists on the couch I was sitting at when she mentioned my injuries in front of the Minbari who was the cause of them. I have my pride and mentioning the extent of my convalescence to a former adversary galled me greatly.
"However, the chasm has grown such that I feel the need to take pre-emptive action before this conflict erupts into violence. That is where the two of you come in. Past differences aside, you have both grown to respect the other's abilities as a warrior and will give the other warriors an example to emulate. I have ordered only the most promising warriors from each caste and an exceptional group of Anla'shoc to Ombrachiaro where they will be under your combined tutelage. This is a training exercise combining both groups. Hopefully by the end of six weeks your students will all have learned to get along, or at the very least have cultivated a respect for each other. As I told Marcus earlier I would expect weekly reports detailing your progress, although you may use any methods you wish during training. The top hemisphere is uninhabited so feel free to hike and explore during your stay. I sincerely hope this works, for all of our sakes. Good Luck Marcus, Neroon… you will need it. Delenn out."
We both sat in silence after the message ended looking at the now blank screen in patented disbelief. I couldn't imagine myself teaching a bunch of Minbari, let alone human's. Considering my own experiences during Anla'shoc training I was more predisposed to cause problems rather than teach anything useful. The fact that I would be working in close-quarters with Neroon for six weeks didn't help settle my churning stomach as I began to envision all the painful ways he could kill me. Although I wouldn't have acted any differently given the chance, even I will admit the denn'sha was a lesson in stupidity on my part. I had almost convinced myself that maybe Neroon liked me; after all he wouldn't just start laughing in front of just anybody would he? But his reaction to my presence today made me readjust my perception of him. Obviously the painkillers had gotten to me, because I couldn't imagine the forbidding man sitting next to me smiling, let alone laughing, in my presence. Hell, I couldn't imagine Neroon voluntarily sitting in the same room as me.
"Bloody Hell." I cursed glaring at the blank screen. "How the hell does Delenn expect us to keep them from killing each other for the next six weeks?" I asked rhetorically. [Let alone each other.]
"I am sure we will think of something." Neroon growled, glancing in my direction. "After all between the two of us, we are likely the best at what we do."
[Was that a compliment in my direction? Be still my beating heart.]
"I suggest that we teach them as a single group." Neroon suggested. "The sooner they are integrated in with each other the quicker they will adapt. With both of us present, we should be able to handle any adverse situations that may arise."
"Very well." I agreed seeing the wisdom in his plan. "Give me a minute to change into my uniform then we will gather everyone outside in the courtyard to introduce ourselves."
Neroon merely inclined his head toward my bedroom in acquiescence as I stood up from the couch. Keeping my teeth firmly clenched so that my mouth wouldn't get me into trouble so soon into the day, I walked out of the room without looking back. I efficiently changed into my Anla'shoc uniform and attached my denn'bok to my waist. After quickly drying and brushing my hair I looked into the mirror to gage my overall appearance. I didn't want to make a fool out of myself after all. When I was satisfied that I looked neat and orderly I made my way out to the living room to meet Neroon, from there we exited my quarters and strode side by side toward the courtyard. As we reached the side entrance Neroon pulled a small cord causing a loud chime to sound throughout the settlement. Within seconds over fifty people filtered into the courtyard and settled into a general formation in front of Neroon and I. They waited in silence for us to proceed.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.
Authors notes: Rated PG-13 Contains slash: two males in a romantic/sexual (although not explicit) relationship. If this offends you please turn back now.
Not related to either Journey of Love or Through the Darkness Falling
[…] Denotes thoughts
Teamwork?
I had just gotten out of the shower and was still in the process of drying my hair with a towel when there was a thunderous knock at my door, causing me to jump in surprise. I quickly threw on a pair of workout shorts and left the towel hanging around my neck, as I headed for the door. Before I got a chance to invite him in Neroon had already entered my quarters, giving me a disdainful look as he went. Although I had planned to take just a quick shower, once I got under the water I let the stress from the trip fall away under the soft spray, and lost track of the time. Frankly I didn't give a damn if Neroon had to wait after he had ordered me about in the first place. I soon became uncomfortable under the Minbari's intense stare however, and moved to put a shirt on over my still damp chest.
I came back into the room, fully clothed this time, to find Neroon in the same position as when I left him. That is sitting on a chair looking particularly grumpy to be in my presence at all. Considering I was in much the same predicament, I quickly put the disk into the player and watched as Delenn appeared on the screen.
"Hello Marcus… and Neroon, for if I know him at all he is with you as you watch this." Here Delenn paused as if looking for the right words to say. "As you both may have assumed, your mission involves each other. I am sorry for the secrecy but I felt it was necessary. I am sure you are both aware of the small skirmishes that have arisen in the last month between the human Anla'shoc and the Minbari Warrior Caste. Warriors from both sides are angry, and the catalyst was the Denn'sha challenge. Now Marcus, I know that you were not informed directly of this, and for that I am sorry. Up until recently you were still recovering fully and I didn't want to worry you further."
I clenched my fists on the couch I was sitting at when she mentioned my injuries in front of the Minbari who was the cause of them. I have my pride and mentioning the extent of my convalescence to a former adversary galled me greatly.
"However, the chasm has grown such that I feel the need to take pre-emptive action before this conflict erupts into violence. That is where the two of you come in. Past differences aside, you have both grown to respect the other's abilities as a warrior and will give the other warriors an example to emulate. I have ordered only the most promising warriors from each caste and an exceptional group of Anla'shoc to Ombrachiaro where they will be under your combined tutelage. This is a training exercise combining both groups. Hopefully by the end of six weeks your students will all have learned to get along, or at the very least have cultivated a respect for each other. As I told Marcus earlier I would expect weekly reports detailing your progress, although you may use any methods you wish during training. The top hemisphere is uninhabited so feel free to hike and explore during your stay. I sincerely hope this works, for all of our sakes. Good Luck Marcus, Neroon… you will need it. Delenn out."
We both sat in silence after the message ended looking at the now blank screen in patented disbelief. I couldn't imagine myself teaching a bunch of Minbari, let alone human's. Considering my own experiences during Anla'shoc training I was more predisposed to cause problems rather than teach anything useful. The fact that I would be working in close-quarters with Neroon for six weeks didn't help settle my churning stomach as I began to envision all the painful ways he could kill me. Although I wouldn't have acted any differently given the chance, even I will admit the denn'sha was a lesson in stupidity on my part. I had almost convinced myself that maybe Neroon liked me; after all he wouldn't just start laughing in front of just anybody would he? But his reaction to my presence today made me readjust my perception of him. Obviously the painkillers had gotten to me, because I couldn't imagine the forbidding man sitting next to me smiling, let alone laughing, in my presence. Hell, I couldn't imagine Neroon voluntarily sitting in the same room as me.
"Bloody Hell." I cursed glaring at the blank screen. "How the hell does Delenn expect us to keep them from killing each other for the next six weeks?" I asked rhetorically. [Let alone each other.]
"I am sure we will think of something." Neroon growled, glancing in my direction. "After all between the two of us, we are likely the best at what we do."
[Was that a compliment in my direction? Be still my beating heart.]
"I suggest that we teach them as a single group." Neroon suggested. "The sooner they are integrated in with each other the quicker they will adapt. With both of us present, we should be able to handle any adverse situations that may arise."
"Very well." I agreed seeing the wisdom in his plan. "Give me a minute to change into my uniform then we will gather everyone outside in the courtyard to introduce ourselves."
Neroon merely inclined his head toward my bedroom in acquiescence as I stood up from the couch. Keeping my teeth firmly clenched so that my mouth wouldn't get me into trouble so soon into the day, I walked out of the room without looking back. I efficiently changed into my Anla'shoc uniform and attached my denn'bok to my waist. After quickly drying and brushing my hair I looked into the mirror to gage my overall appearance. I didn't want to make a fool out of myself after all. When I was satisfied that I looked neat and orderly I made my way out to the living room to meet Neroon, from there we exited my quarters and strode side by side toward the courtyard. As we reached the side entrance Neroon pulled a small cord causing a loud chime to sound throughout the settlement. Within seconds over fifty people filtered into the courtyard and settled into a general formation in front of Neroon and I. They waited in silence for us to proceed.