Tyran took the early shift and like he expected, Danayal said he was going to do some reading in the park, and that he'd be back in time for his shift. As soon as he left, Tyran slipped a message to Shara. "He's on his way to the park now," was all he said.
Karissa was taking the twins through the park for the afternoon. The air was still a bit warm but growing cooler, just as the light faded earlier in the day. It didn't take her long before she spotted the young man, Danayal, from an imagine Shara had shown her. She'd arranged to have most of the afternoon free just for this occasion.
She saw him sitting quietly under a tree close to the playground immersed in a book. She let the kids run off to play as she wandered over to him as if she had nothing better in the world to do.
"What are you reading?" she asked with a smile.
"Shara? Uh, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, something I borrowed from Tyran." He said with a smile.
Her smile brightened. "Good book," she smiled. "But actually, I'm not Shara. I'm Karissa, her sister. It's always nice when I get to meet a friend of hers... And you are?" she asked pleasantly.
"Uh, her sister? I can see that. You look just like her. She never told me she had a twin sister. I am Danayal Bergman." He said with a smile.
"Karissa Bentara," she replied. "And those two over there are my kids... The little ones on the jungle gym."
"Cute kids, I can see twins run in your family." He smiled.
"Actually Shara is a few years younger than me," she replied, wondering what he'd think.
"Huh?" He looks very surprised. "But... You look so alike, I assumed."
She laughed softly. "Don't worry. You're not the only one to make that assumption. We're just... very much like each other."
"So I noticed, I really thought you were Shara..." He wondered how that was possible for them to look so much like each other. But he deiced to wait and ask Shara, since he knew her better...
"So," Karissa said sensing that it was alright to take a seat beside him. "Did you read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone?"
"Yeah, I did." he said. "Tyran wants me to read as much as possible, and he does have good books that I can read. I hardly went to school," he admitted quietly.
"Well, I can tell you the more you do it, the easier it'll get... but I'm sure you're already learning that for yourself. I have some pretty good books too; though they're a little more complex than Harry Potter... another good set is The Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis... Though my favorite was always The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."
"I tried that, but it was too difficult... I only went to elementary school... and then I went to Darnox for two years..."
"Well, give it time," she smiled. "There are a lot of books out there to read..."
Suddenly, the twins ran up and hugged her. "Wanna play!" they said and then looked at Danayal.
"He want to play?" Luc asked.
"Uh..." Danayal looked confused at the children. Yes he did like children, but he wasn't certain if he could play.
Karissa smiled. "Luc, Maya, this is Danayal. Danayal, these are my children. Luc Ryan and Maya Amber-Marie."
"Come play," Maya smiled.
"Honey, maybe he wants to just sit and relax..."
The kids pouted a little.
"Play later?" Luc asked.
Karissa looked at Danayal with a quizzical with a smile.
"Yeah I'll come play later." He promised. "I worked hard all day, and I want to rest for a moment." He said smiling.
"Okay," they said together and scampered back to the playground.
As soon as they reached the jungle gym again, they leaped onto the top as if the feat were nothing for them.
"I hope they leave me in one piece," He grinned.
Karissa laughed. "They will. They're just... not your average kids... They take after mom, I'm afraid." Her dark eyes sparkled.
"I can see that..." He said with a soft smile. He watched them play for a moment and then he looked at his book. But reading was apparently off for the moment, so he closed it.
"So, do you come to the park often to read?" she asked.
"Yeah, because here, I can relax."
"It is a nice park, isn't it?" she replied. "I've been bringing the kids here since the first week we arrived."
"Yeah it sure is. I've come here since I've lived on Serenity."
"How long have you been here?" she asked curiously.
"Four years. I used to live in New York city, on earth before I came here."
"Really?" she replied. "I lived on Earth for awhile. It's a nice enough place for the most part... But I think I really like Serenity. There's a certain... newness and openness to it. Don't you think?"
"Yeah, and at least as far as possible away from New York, and my parents."
She was quiet for a moment. "You're parents?" she asked, opening him up for elaboration. She was listening carefully, trying to guide the conversation without actually driving it. She wanted him to feel free to tell her whatever he wanted. That was how they would become friends.
"Yeah, I didn't get along with them very much. They neglected me. told me I was a mistake. that I shouldn't have been born... they fed me, gave me clothes and toys, and that is about it... Never once gave me any love. Tyran is different."
"Tyran? He owns the Starlight Inn, right?" she replied. "Shara's mentioned him. He does seem like a nice guy. Of course, I won't know for myself until I meet him," she smiled. "But I trust Shara's opinions."
"Yeah, he's as much like a real parent as I've ever had." Danayal said softly.
She smiled gently. "It's good you have someone who cares for you... I was adopted when I was very young. My adopted parents were a life saver for me... Apparently, when I was an infant I was left in a burning building and no one claimed me afterwards."
"Then you at least have no bad memories about your parents..."
"Well... it's sort of hard to have memories of your parents when you never had any... But I do have nightmares of the fire..." She shrugged.
"That must be terrible..." He said softly.
"Well, the Bentara's are my family," she smiled. "Much like Tyran is for you, they are for me... You know, my family and I've only been here for a couple of months."
"I see." Danayal suddenly began to close himself off. He wasn't ready to tell his whole life story to someone he hardly knew.... But she seemed nice enough. And as beautiful as Shara.
"So far Serenity has been great! The kids love that fountain over there... and we've gone out to a few restaurants... Even found the kids' store..." she smiled. "What places do you suggest around here for fun?" she asked, lightening up the conversation further. She could sense he wasn't willing to discuss more just yet.
"Well, teach them to swim. The ocean's a great place to relax. And of course I recommend the bar Tyran and I work at. Well, he owns.. but if you take the kids come during the day or early evening. The crowd is not so. friendly in the evening. And then you have the Horseshoe - a good steak house, and there's a water playground, and a swimming pool and such."
"Oh!" she smiled. "Where's the water playground? I know the twins would love that!"
"By the beach. There's a store there where they sell all kinds of ice cream called Vialona. It's straight across from that."
Karissa smiled. "Thanks!"
Suddenly, the twins ran back up to them.
"Danayal, come play!" Maya implored in her little voice.
"Come push on swings," Luc added. "Please?"
Karissa looked at Danayal. "Could do you some good to go romping with kids... and to be honest it would give me a break." She laughed. She used this tact to get him up and moving and to get him to do something fun. In some respects, she knew children were great therapy as well... They helped recapture the fun of childhood, and it was something she felt Danayal needed more of... to make up for the one he had lost at the hands of his parents.
"Sure, rascals." He teased and put his book in his bag. He got on his feet and went with them to the swings.
Soon he was pushing both children and laughing with them.
Karissa smiled as she watched him. She would have to set up another day to meet him here again. Maybe next time she'd have a picnic lunch ready.
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