A/N: It's been a long time since I have written anything, but I have been really busy.
ODE TO A STARSHIP by Lina Shay
Chapter Forty-Nine: Someone New
Word of the Ringbearer attack on the capital city spread throughout the providence. Anrew had moved there with Teia to find work. Both were killed by the Ringbearers. It was a sad day for the Shay house.
I went to temple the next day, my friend Vania trying to comfort me. I had been a recluse for a while and it was Vania who got me back into things. It was also she who was helping me get through my Vedek training. She knew very little about it since she rarely attended temple.
"You really should get on with things," Vania told me as the two of us talked after the temple ceremony. "You can't let Anrew's death keep you from becoming a Vedek. What kind of instrument of the prophets could you be if you get discouraged from your path?"
"I know, I know," I muttered.
My gaze rose to capture the blue eyes of a man. He looked away instantly. I took in his appearance. He was very young-looking. He could be twenty-one, I guessed. His face was round, but very sweet-looking. His blue eyes were a great attraction. I had no interest in getting in any sort of relationship, but he might be an interesting person to get to know. He had that lost puppy look that I adored so much.
To my surprise, he started over toward us. He said a quick, "Hi" to the two of us.
"Hello, there," Vania greeted pleasantly.
"Hi," I said. "I'm Lina and this is Vania. And you are?"
"Jotham," he replied. "Hager Jotham. I just tranfered here from the Musilla providence."
"May I ask how old you are?" I asked, wondering if he was around my age.
"Twenty-eight," he responded.
Vania and I both gasped.
"Wow, you look young!" Vania exclaimed.
"Yeah, I get that a lot," Jotham told her.
My interest in him grew expenentially. I paid a great deal of attention to what he said and tried to remember small facts about him. The next time I went to temple, Jotham sat next to me and afterward, we talked a great deal. We found ourselves having simular backgrounds. He was in Starfleet for a while as well. But there was the problem that the prophets wanted me to be a Vedek. It was what I was meant to do. I could not engage in any relationship with the trials that would be place upon me for the next little while.
"Lina, I was wondering if you would like to go to a restaurant with me sometime," Jotham asked.
"Uh," I began, feeling rather flustered. I had suspected this might happen, but I somehow wasn't prepared. "I don't have the time. I have to work."
"Oh." I could tell he was disappointed. I just couldn't afford the distraction. I had a goal to obtain, and a man in my life would only get in the way.