Lair of the Vulcan - Part II

Posted on Sat Aug 9th, 2025 @ 2:18am by Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant Endymion Tox

926 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Lt. Xavier's Quarters | USS Ontario
Timeline: Just after: Calming the Pilot Down

ON:

Xavier headed to the replicator while his guest wandered around the large open multi purpose room.

Tox started looking around the entrance. The walls were a clean starship silver with lights on the floor that lit them up making them appear lavender in colour rather then silver. The rod that hung above the door held a deep black lace curtain tied to each side with a blood red ribbon. The floor, usually carpeted like in Tox’s quarters, had a black tile instead with deep purple marbling. The ceiling was a drop ceiling with dark metallic tiles done in a Victorian design.

"That's not standard." He muttered. He entered the lair a bit further. There was a dark glass table in the dining area that held antique looking chalices and a dark bottle that presumably held something inside. The table though...the stand was a clawed hand reaching up as if from a grave holding a round glass plate on top and the chairs were dark thrones with carved wood and creamy midnight leather.

"Wow," Tox whispered, his mouth dropping open. This was really…something.

He wandered further running his hand over the course intricate design of the sofa's head board. It was carved with swirls and dark flowers with a skull in the middle of the design with a Raven of wood perched on each side. The leather was buttery soft and black as night with sliver studs on the backrest.

The coffee table was...a large skull shape that glowed a soft lavender as a base for a glass top. The lights shone, the light and bending and surging through the room. A leather book sat on the unusual table and he walked over to pick it up.

Xavier watched him move around. He'd never wanted to invite someone into his space. People were judgmental but Tox ... he felt safe with him for some reason. He didn't mind having the enthusiastic and rather striking Nurse there. He had ordered a fun tea that he thought would add to Tox's .... ambiance evaluation for his quarters. It was Vulcan spice tea red and so hot that copious white steam rose in waves from the cup. He shook his head. Gods of Olympus help him but he liked Tox’s view of him being mysterious and brooding.

He watched as Tox ran his hand over the sofa and then as he picked up a book, one of Xavier's favorite he set the drinks down and walked over to Tox quietly. Again the man wasn't paying attention. He leaned in and whispered. "It's one of my favorite books.

Tox yelped again and turned around, "AHA!!!!!!!!!!!! I KNEW IT!” He paused to take a breath and then said, “You are reading Dracula? You have a book about a vampire on your table. ARE YOU A VULCAN VAMPIRE"

Xavier was finding this interaction quite amusing.

Tox let out a breath, "And again! How the hell did you get from there to here?"

Xavier shrugged. "Bending time and space. Something I like to do."

Tox narrowed his eyes. He held out the book but not to hand it over only to use it to point to Xavier. "Explain please why you live in a lair and have a book about a vampire if you’re not one.”

Xavier's lip curled slightly. "It's my favourite book. I have many collector's editions, fifteen to be précised."

Tox's mouth hung open. "I um...fifteen?" He tripped on his own foot and would have fallen backwards if Xavier's reflexes hadn't acted fast. Xavier reached out and caught him. He pulled Tox forward.

Tox gasped as he collided chest to chest with Xavier. His eyes widened and the book pressed between them. "Um..."

Xaiver's eyes cut to the book between them and he couldn't resist. "Are you alright Mr. Tox?" His voice was low, purposefully.

Tox's eyes looked from the book to the Vulcan who had his arm warped around him in an oddly comforting and thrilling manner a Vulcan who'd just saved him from going through a glass table. How'd he trip again? "Um...Thanks." He squawked flushing red.

Xavier raised an eyebrow, his lips now curling into a smile. "Nurse Tox, may I ask you something?"

"Um...okay?"

Xavier gave his head a small shake the smile still there.

Tox cursed himself. Why was Flyboy so damned hypnotic? Why was he mesmerized by this Vulcan and why did Flyboy feel...familiar? "Well? Ask."

"Why are you tilting your neck closer to me if you truly believe I'm a Vampire?"

Tox hadn't realized he'd been doing that. He hugged the book and pulled away. He huffed holding the book out to Xavier. "Of course NOT!"

When Xavier took the book Tox turned and straightened his jacket his face beat red. He hated to admit that maybe he’d gotten swept up in this little fantasy.

"Tea's on the dining table." Xavier said.

Tox gave a sharp nod and walked over to the table. He looked down at the glass. It held red bright liquid and had white smoke coming out of it. "NOPE! No way. This is too much. Hot as hell but too much for my brain." He turned. "Thanks. I'm going to go...clean sickbay now." He shuffled out. "Approved for duty." He muttered at the door forgetting his shoes and running out in the comfy black slippers.


To Be Continued...


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Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Endymion Tox (NPC)
Head Nurse
USS Ontario

 

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