Title: Reflections in the Night
Author: B5Crusader@geocities.com Date: 03-16-98
Dedication/Notes: This little piece just popped into my head while watching Dust to Dust. Don't know why, it just did and has been sitting on my 'puter ever since. Hope all you Vir and Sinclair lovers out there enjoy. It doesn't really do anything, just a little character piece I wrote. This was originally titles as "Transitions".
Vir Cotto sat on the stone bench and simply looked out over the Minbari capitol of Yedor in awe. Before him the city and its massive array of canals, channels and aqueducts seemed to glow warmly in the dark, cold night. The twinkling stars and the quarter moons only added to the beauty of the serene view before him.
He shivered slightly as a cool, but gentle breeze brushed against his skin. He pulled the ceremonial robe the Minbari had given him earlier closer to him, making a note to acquire more appropriate attire for Minbar's climate. He smiled gently to himself and sighed contentedly.
He had arrived three hours ago on Minbar, after a long and tiring journey from Babylon 5. The Minbari gathered to greet him had been most gracious and concerned with his needs, offering him food, drink, and immediatefs transportation to the Centauri Embassy.
He had been weary. but decided to initiate the ritual of welcome Lennier had informed him about. In a instant their cool aloofness evaporated into warm smiles and equally warm concern for his well being. They had quickly completed the ceremony, helping put on the unfamiliar clothing quickly and efficiently before whisking him away in a transport to the Embassy.
He was surprised to find the embassy lacking in the usual luxury common to Centauri diplomatic posts and residencies. Truth be known, Vir was just as glad none of the usual opulence of richly embossed furniture, crystal glasses and chandeliers, and expensive trinkets of no useful purpose. The entire embassy was small, tidy,a and simple.
Vir had come to appreciate simplicity in all it's forms since his time as aide to Ambassador Londo Mollari on Babylon 5. The simple designs and engravings on the well made furniture were a welcome relief to the rather garish bright colors favored by some Centauri. The entire embassy seemed to exude serenity and comfort in a way not typical for a Centauri. Certainly, if Londo knew what he had come to he would have insisted on sending something to "liven the place up".
But for Vir it was a welcome relief. He had intended to go to sleep as soon as the Minbari had left, but the view from his private chambers terrace had instantly enchanted him. So instead of getting much needed rest, he found himself wandering the streets of Yedor admiring the crystalline structures and artwork the Minbari had seemingly built the city around. He had finally stopped to rest upon coming to a park with a spectacular view of the city and a artificial water fall that had caught his attention for its great beauty.
"So beautiful." He murmured to himself.
"Yes. It is, isn;t it."
Vir jumped to his feet at the voice and turned to see a some one cloaked in a Minbari robe. The hood was over the others head concealing his features in shadows. Despite this Vir got the impression that the one before him was watching him closely, but without hostility.
"I am sorry. Am I keeping you from working here?" Vir asked, hoping he spoke the phrase correctly in the basic Minbari Lennier had taught him.
A light, gentle laugh greeted his question and the figure removed the hood to reveal a familiar human face. "Not at all, Mr. Cotto. I was hoping to greet you at the starport but was delayed due to business."
"Ambassador Sinclair! It is good to see you again, sir." Vir smiled warmly greeted Sinclair in the traditional Centauri way. Sinclair's smile grew as they then shook hands as was the way of humans.
"How have you been, Mr. Cotto?" Sinclair asked as he gestured for them to return to the small bench.
Vir shrugged and waved his wands vaguely. "I've been well despite the recent problems we've all had to suffer through."
Vir studied the former commander of Babylon 5, noting his hair was longer than it had been on the station with a little more grey in it. A few more wrinkles around the eyes but none of the seemingly constant weariness that could be seen lingering there in the past. If anything the Earth Ambassador looked calm, relaxed and far more energetic than he had while serving as station commander. The most shocking change was the scar now on the Ambassador cheek, appearing to have been made recently.
'That is good to hear." The Ambassador said politely.
An uncomfortable silence stretched out between the Human and teh Centauri. Neither had been friends on Babylon 5, just simple diplomatic associates. Both had more often than not been too busy with their own duties to have much relaxation time for themselves, let alone time to socialize outside of diplomatic functions. Still, Vir had to admit that the former Commander of Babylon 5 had all ways been kind to him.
"Uh..perhaps I should be getting back. Before the Minbari start to worry about me." Vir waved his hands nervously.
The Earth Ambassador nodded in agreement. "Yes. It is late. I should have waited until tomorrow to meet with you." Jeffrey Sinclair stated apologetically.
"No, no. That's quite all right." Vir quickly reassured the human. He smiled gently. "Actually, seeing you here makes me feel better some how. I'm not sure why."
"A familiar face is all ways welcome when you are amongst strangers." Jeff replied with a small smile.
"Yes, I suppose that is true." Vir agreed.
"I should let you get back. The trip from Babylon 5 to Minbar can be long and tiring." Vir could not help but note the Earth Ambassador give him a decidedly Minbari-like bow.
"Oh, Mr Cotto?"
"Yes, Ambassador?"
"Would you consider dining with me tomorrow. Nothing fancy, just a simple dinner. We could perhaps talk of things other than work?" Jeff asked with a smile. A smile Vir felt mirrored on his own face.
"I would like that, Ambassador. Yes."
"Good. I will have my aide contact you tomorrow to make arrangements." With that the human turned and quickly disappeared into the night.
As Vir slowly returned to the awaiting Embassy he could not help but feel relief, his spirits suddenly high. The concern, the doubts, and the hurt at having been pushed aside by Londo suddenly evaporated. The Earth Ambassador was right. Sometimes, a familiar face amongst strangers was a relief. Even the face of an alien.
Suddenly the prospect of being the representative to Minbar did not seem to daunting any longer. Vir quickened his pace, suddenly feeling far more energetic and confident than he had in quite some time. There were things that needed to eb done.