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Marla doesn't know what to say. She would other times, but not now. She's in front of living History, of the man who ruled a great part of the world in the end of the twentieth century. She has so much to say, so much to ask. But she simply cannot.

And she feels terribly inadequate.

He raises an eyebrow at her, as if mocking her silence. Well? Are we allowing inadequacies to rule the day?

Because that's not an emotion that he embraces.

That only makes her look at him defiantly, even though the most sane part of her is crying that she would never be a match for the great Khan Noonien Singh.
"But then, every single combatant in a war considers themselves the civilized ones." she finally says "I've yet to see a savage that recognizes he is one."

"Hmm, a valid point."

He's sizing her up and down, seemingly calculating her down to the nanoparticle.

"Of course, the label 'savage' does not denote a moral connotation. Not to the subject labeled as such. For the one doing the labeling, however, it speaks volumes."

"Indeed. A person's actions tell more about that person than about the ones those actions are directed to." she nods politely "Quite a basic principle when dealing with most things."
And the very same first thing her tutor told her the first time they met and she said she wanted to specialize in History.

"And yet it's a principle that is often overlooked by armchair moralists. Hence why I say it's predictable."

He gives her a slim smile, a point of approval.

"What's your name?"

"They tend to either forget History or twist it to their liking, and thus they shouldn't be worthy of attention"she replies with a tone that agrees with him.

And there's a very slight smile from her part.

"Marla" she says "Though everybody here does know me as Lieutenant McGivers."

How so?

Predictable in that the victor is often the civilized noble, regardless of the facts themselves.

[Captain Matthews has learned by now to hate transtemporal incidents.]

In as much that certain forces in certain situations will react in certain ways.

"...Lieutenant. I see. How disappointing."

And he does indeed look mildly disappointed, his eyes narrowing at her.

Predictable that so many are ready to label themselves as noble and civilized, regardless of evidence to the contrary.

Another take on what I said, really, albeit allowing for more consideration of the present than the past.

It's a ... unique privilege to meet you.

Even though those words hurt (and hurt strangely deeply for a man she has just met, even though she had known of him since she had laid her eyes on a volume about the Eugenic Wars at the age of sixteen), Marla simply raises an eyebrow.

"Indeed. Historian of the USS Enterprise." she says, visibly amused "And I'm sorely tempted to consider that disappointment of yours a compliment, Khan Noonien Singh."

Indeed. You're not the first to say so, and I'm certain you won't be the last.

You have me at a disadvantage, sir. What's your name?

That gets a snort of laughter out of him, dark and granting her another point of attention.

Was it a good thing? Or bad thing, to have this man's attention?

"Historian for the Enterprise. Quite the job description. And are you a true student of history, Lieutenant Marla McGivers?"

Both. She knows it. And yet the good side wins. He is History. And she cannot help the fact that her fascination is obviously showing.

"As true as one can allow herself in these times."

Which weren't like his times, as much as she wanted to keep an optimist view on things. And think she was writing History with the voyages of the Enterprise.

[His brow furrows, considering.]

What ways are those, exactly?

I'm Captain Warren Matthews, with Starfleet. You, if my recollection of late 20th century history is any good, are Khan Noonien Singh.

"I've often marveled at the phrase: those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it. And yet, with all the cycles of time, all the turns of the great wheel, is it not inevitable that repetitions will occur?"

He is intrigued by her fascination, it's the first time since his awakening that somebody has regarded him with something other than contempt or fear.

"Human nature being what it is, after all. What do you think? As a student of history. Do you see the patterns? Or is it all just one cosmic coincidence?"

Conflict. The bloodthirsty savage, mindlessly destroying, tearing, dripping with gore in a red haze of amorality. Versus the civilized man, with his sneaking secrets, his careful weapons, his nurtured indifference to suffering.

Who is the victor? That is the predictable thing.

[He describes an ironic bow.]

At your service, Captain. My my, Starfleet must be doing quite well indeed, if its commissioned officers can take so much time to chat with me.

Well enough, all things considered. I do beg your pardon if this is ... indelicate of me to bring up, but you look quite young and hale for someone who died a hundred years ago.

"A teacher of mine used to say that it is because those who actually study History act as Cassandras for the rest, and, as her, we are never paid attention."

Then, most of those who had regarded him weren't historians, like her. As far as it went they only knew the very basics of it (and some not even that). And most of them wouldn't (and didn't) appreciate the opportunity of having a man such as him in front of them.

"I don't believe in coincidences, though. There's obviously a pattern, but then, that pattern also allows for great events, for great... For great men to exist and achieve the greatness they are destined to achieve."

Yes, this was pretty much a sort of declaration of admiration though she wouldn't admit it.

Ah, that definitely got his attention. He had not been so careless as to assume that all Federation officers would condemn him, but he'd been very, very careful to get close to no one.

Perhaps she could be the first of his new power base.

"You had a very wise teacher, they were quite right. Humankind being what it is, it's inevitable that there will be sheep...and shepherds."

Apparently you've never encountered time travel before. You must be very new to your post, it seems as if time anomalies are as common as crab grass in our universe.

As for her, he had her attention since the very beginning, but now... Now if she wasn't wrong, this was shaping up to be quite different from what she imagined at the beginning (or was it?). And a part of her was surely liking it, even though she would deny it (at least at first).

"And sheep would always have need of the best shepherds to guide them and take care of them."

Like the man who is now in front of her.

I've heard of such temporal anomalies, but I've never directly encountered one myself. Still, as long as you're a guest aboard my ship, please make yourself ... comfortable.

Considering you're here, and yet I still have full memory of your history and impact on the Federation and Starfleet, it's safe to presume that for whatever reason, you being here is not paradoxical.

Oh. Oh yes. He hadn't dared to hope for this sort of thing. The man who'd so easily gone on a suicide mission, to save his daughter, that was one thing. His heart and mind hadn't been in it.

But this Lieutenant...what a prize. Pearl beyond price.

"I have been one such shepherd. Past tense, please note."

Slowly. Carefully. Nurture the seed...

...And the seed will grow nicely.

"I've found that, in most of the cases, what was still is. Or can be again, given the right circumstances."

Or: basically let me tell you how great you and I would be together. Because I can totes bring the right circumstances to happen.

Hear that, Marla? That's the sound of your inevitable future. ~~Hopefully not involving Ceti eels.~~

"And thus a student of history understands the future. Herodotus would be proud."

And there's the spark of human emotion, his ice cold eyes melting just a touch, as he extends his hand to her.

"It's very nice to meet you."

It does sound good. ~~Ceti eels are bad. We do not want Ceti eels.~~

And at the compliment, her eyes light up, and there's a small on her lips, as small as it is.

She takes his hand and gives a small but firm shake.

"For me, it is an honor."

"The honor is all mine."

And he lifts her hand to his lips, brushing a short, dry kiss across her knuckles. And his smile echoes hers, small yet brilliant.

See this face? This is the face of a joyous (even though her joy is contained) and in awe woman.

Though even then, she does know that it's not the same for him. He finds her interesting. He may even like her (dare she hope?). But she has dreamed of him, of his glorious feats. And not even in her wildest dreams did this happen.

"Thank you." she finally manages to say, and her cheeks acquire a rosy blush to them.

Edited 2013-07-09 23:07 (UTC)

He's human enough to enjoy her reaction, to remind himself of his origins. He's masculine enough to be affected by her femininity.

"You're quite, quite welcome."

His eyes are sparkling with intrigue.

"Lieutenant, are invitations to dinner still welcome in your century? Or am I showing my age, and time?"

Her reaction for a split second is that of a wide eyed surprise. He is inviting her to dinner. Khan Noonien Singh, leader of one third of the world, living History. And she is a simple historian and a low rank Starfleet officer.

But it gives way to a polite smile.

"Your invitation is very much welcomed." and even if he were showing his age and time, it still would be.

Even an Augment has enough humanity to enjoy the company of a beautiful woman. And Marla is indeed a beautiful woman. A real smile curls his lips up. Yes, Khan Noonien Singh is inviting a woman out to dinner, just like anybody else.

"What's your favourite food, Lieutenant?"

(ooc: Sorry for the disappearance! Got caught in the planning of my grandma's b-day but now I'm back c: )

And now a blush, despite Marla's best efforts, tints her cheeks. Because really, not even in her wildest dreams this would happen. Him being interested in her. She feels like she's dreaming.

"I quite like seafood, of all kinds." she finally replies

While it's true (living near the sea she happened to love all the food it would bring), It's also an invitation to surprise her with something of his own choosing.

((OOC: No worries at all!))

"How would you feel about Indian?" he asked, with a wry little smirk. "I'm rather a fan of prawn biryani. And I know a wonderful little place."

If any outsider were to observe, not knowing Khan's history, they would never suspect anything. He could don humanity like a cloak, and just as easily discard it.

"I like it too." As much as she likes his smirk. (and doesn't because a part of her is telling her that already) "And that place certainly sounds lovely."

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Btw, excuse me because this is practically a voice test for Marla

Oh, same here. But I approve of your PB choice quite a bit. :3

Thanks! *blushes and hides in her corner*

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so sorry for the delay :/

No problem!

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Thanks! blushes and hides in her corner