Of all the places that made Risa such an appealing location for travelers from the far reaches of the galaxy, Atheta enticed with sandy beaches and crystal clear water, shimmering towers that stretched into the sky, and the fact that this was where wealthy and successful business people were open for new investments.

Nestira Aristren and Nacien Alasafor Rixx came here for the latter. Their interest in obtaining assistance in saving the unique flora of Aenella IV had little to do with scientific curiosity, but by no means of less importance.

Still, that they were here on business didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy it for just a moment.

“Who do you want to be?” Nestira asked as they readied themselves to disembark the shuttle they had been travelling with, and looked over at Rixx. He still looked Bajoran – a painful reminder of the past months.

Rixx leaned back on his heels, testing the strength in his hips and legs. He had slept for an obnoxious amount of the trip to Risa, meaning he hadn’t put any time, effort, or thought into changing his face. And, honestly, he was so used to wearing disguises, that this felt completely normal – at least until Nestira asked him.

“Unless we can find an excellent cosmetic surgeon, I have no issue keeping this face for a time.”, he said, and looked over to her to gauge her reaction to his comfort with wearing the wrong face.

Which was, quite evidently, the opposite of approval. He knew that she hated that, during their time together, he had never truly been himself. And she knew that he knew.

“Well.” she said slowly. “Then I do hope you remember their customs and beliefs.”

Rixx shrugged, considering for a while. “I don’t think Bajorans are overly represented on Risa, and I doubt either of them would quiz me on my intimate knowledge of the prophets. Here, they’re probably more concerned about my business acumen, which I assure you is quite sharp.”

He smiled, an oddly foreign smile to him.

Nestira sighed. “I am well aware. But we will, eventually, need to think about who you want to be, and who I am to be.”

“Eventually.” Rixx agreed. “I know we have business… but you also mentioned pleasure. What were you thinking?”

“We should continue our basotile project.”, Nestira mused. “We have many new stories to weave into it.” It would be good to record them, and to let them go.

“Many stories,” Rixx agreed quietly, his eyes drifting far off. “So much has happened so quickly.”

Though part of the nature of basotile was to change. He knew that. And like basotile, he too was changing. It was exhilarating, terrifying, and exhausting all at the same time.

“But before we do that, I am wondering… what is something you did not get to do? Things you wish you had spent more time on when you were still home?” She hesitated. “We will do those things. Together, or not. Whatever your preference is.”

He considered that, and the thought that slipped from the steely jaws of his mind was ‘to feel safe’.

Which wasn’t exactly the most upbeat of answers.

“I would like to do something … mundane. Relaxing. Something without worrying if anyone is going to do something terrible.”

Nestira offered a soft smile.

“I know.” she said, and touched his face. Gently, without rush, and without the expectation of reciprocation. “Normal is difficult. But you deserve to rest. And, for a moment, to just be and be cared for. Without the haze of future plans and past memories.”

In truth, she wanted to cook him a warm meal and tuck him into bed so he could feel loved and safe. She craved physical affection, but knew how difficult it was for him to allow it.

Rixx looked towards her and considered everything for several long moments.

“I would like to lay on the warm sand of the beach, with you, and watch the clouds pass by.”

It was something he had done when he was a child, making up stories about the shapes he saw in the clouds as they passed. Something he had never done in the last century, because he had never felt safe enough to relax and let his mind wander.

“Watch the clouds?” she asked, surprised and touched by the innocence of his wish.

He nodded, allowing his features to relax and a smile to form on his lips. “I used to look at the shapes and tell myself fantastic stories about them. Sort of like basotile, with words.”

“I like the idea. I used to do the same with my sister. We looked at the stars.” She paused, lost in memory for just a few moments, before she drew in a sharp breath. “How about you find us a pleasant place to stay at, and I will find us a quiet beach to visit?”

He perked a brow at the sudden shift of their conversation, but offered a nod. “Yes. I will find the perfect resting place.”

Comfortable. Secluded. Quiet.

Defensible.

He couldn’t help but think that last thought. At least it was his last thought and not his first. He wasn’t completely paranoid.  Only somewhat paranoid.