Homecoming
Posted on Sat May 16th, 2026 @ 8:05pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Kaylara Loran & Lieutenant Junior Grade Stefan Zamfir
Edited on on Wed May 20th, 2026 @ 8:58am
2,821 words; about a 14 minute read
Mission:
Episode 17 - Going Home
Location: Viscri - Romania - Earth
Timeline: MD026 0800 hrs
Stefan got a shuttle to take both him and Kaylara out towards his home, in Viscri, Romania. Not wanting to have another person to take them there, he piloted the shuttle himself. In the back of the shuttle were the supplies they both acquired in order to do camping.
Stefan was dressed comfortably, simple pair of dark brown cargo pants, dark green long-sleeved shirt and boots that were broken in. He was excited, looking forward to this. Glancing over towards Kaylara, he smiled.
"I wanted to give you an aerial view of where we are going." Stefan remarked to Kaylara, "Before we set foot on the fertile ground of Viscri."
it was spring in Romania, where new life popped up, the trees were sprouting their new leaves, a time that Stefan remembered well.
The shuttle hovered over a meadow which had blossoms of varied colors, blues, yellows, dark pink almost red blossoms. Stefan's memory brought up the images of his siblings and their Aunt, where they played and chased butterflies.
"My sister loved to roam through the fields and the same with my brother. I was getting botanical lessons from them both." Stefan laughed.
Beyond, not too far were the majestic Carpathian Mountains that still had snow upon their peaks.
"Really? I didn't know you were into botany."
"Not as much as my brother and my sister. My mother, well my aunt." A puff of air through Stefan's lips. "I will just call her mom. She was very apt in teaching all of us what herbs to use to heal, herbs that didn't. She felt it was important to know of those things."
"That's great. Do you still remember most of what she taught you?"
"I actually do remember. I've just not really shared that knowledge with anyone, until now." Stefan looking over towards Kaylara.
"Heck mom even showed us how to find edible other things, in North America. Grubs. In Romania, with the exception of yellow mealworms, lesser mealworms, migratory locusts. Romania has outlawed the use of bugs in meals."
A little bit of a laugh from Stefan , "Due to learning how to eat meal worms and such, I've been able to eat Gagh in its many forms."
After that statement, Stefan maneuvered the shuttle away from the meadow towards the landing area that weas situated away from Viscri.
Pieces of grass, and dirt swooshed away from the shuttle as it gently landed, the engines powering down.
"Here we are, thus we start on our adventure."
Stefan remarked. as he looked around at the surroundings. Not much had changed, as in order to sustain a more natural surrounding look the landing area was surrounded by trees. There was also a transporter pad.
Stefan breathed in deeply of the fresh air, a boyish smile appearing. "Home sweet home."
"It's beautiful. I can see why you love it so much here." Kaylara wanted to see everything, but she'd wait to see what mattered to Stefan before making any suggestions. This was his home and she would follow his lead.
"I forgot to point out the fortified church, though you might have seen it as we headed towards the landing area. It is hard to miss." the church he had referred to was one which had walls surrounding it, that the village was built around it.
"There are so many places that I can show you and I don't quite know where to begin. Want to go visit the church, or get something to eat, and then find a place to camp?" Stefan was wanting to show Kaylara everything, but perhaps he needed to keep it simple.
Kaylara thought about that for a moment. "Church, food, camp. Then we'll figure out tomorrow."
Stefan gave a nod, "Thank you, that helps to order my mind wanting to go in all different directions." he laughed pulling Kaylara in for a kiss.
"C'mon, let’s get a ride with our equipment" picking up the gear, and waving towards a man in a horse drawn cart having just arrived.
"Dimitry good to see you. I would like you to meet my girlfriend, Kaylara Loran." he turned towards Kaylara, with a huge smile.
"This is Dimitri Lacusta. childhood friend and a common troublemaker." Stefan giving Dimitri a hug.
Dimitri, a tall man with broad shoulders, face tanned from the sun, stubble on his chin. His dark hair had some sun-bleached streaks. He stuck out his large rough hand towards Kaylara.
"How do. Glad to meet you." Dimitri giving a warm grin.
The horse who was attached to the cart looked behind whickering.
"Oh yes this is Myrtle. She'd like to say hello." Dimitri laughed.
Myrtle let out a huff through her muzzle.
Stefan gave out a chuckle.
"Hi," Kaylara said, smiling as she shook Dimitri's hand. "Nice to meet you."
Dimitri's hand was solid, strong, but not uncomfortable. He had callouses on his hands.
"Are both of you hungry? Mom has dinner cooking and she wanted me to give you the invite to eat supper with us. that is if you'd like. Or we can dish you up something to take with you. What do you think?"
Stefan had wanted to have this time with just Kaylara, both of them out camping, beneath the stars. Though this was also part of his history.
"Um. well, we can come say hello, since your mom was a bit of a mother with my siblings too. And good friends with my mom." He looked at Kaylara to see if she'd be up for that.
Kaylara wasn't sure what to think--or if she wanted to meet his family. But she also couldn't deny him the opportunity. "Uh...whatever you want."
Stefan remembered something from when he had introduced Kaylara to Audie and spoke of her meeting the family. She had exhibited a little bit of shyness. He turned to Dimitri. "Actually, give our regards to Mom. If you don't mind dropping us off near the church, we can take it from there."
Dimitri looked from Kaylara then to Stefan, a knowing smile lighting up his face. "Okay. I'll let Mom know. And I'll drop you off near the Church."
"Thank you." Stefan answered, then turned to Kaylara. "There is a picnic area where we can eat. I did pack some food." he said softly to her. "And I am sorry, I got a little bit excited but, this is our time, and I don't want to make things overly busy with dragging you all over the place. I'd rather have things a bit more easy flowing."
Dimitri had gone to talk to Myrtle, while Stefan spoke to Kaylara, not wanting to eavesdrop.
"If you want to go visit your family, I can wander around for a couple of hours." She could give him that much as she wasn't sure when he'd be able to see his family next.
Stefan was touched by Kaylara's offer, giving her a soft smile and a shake of his head. "No, it's okay, I can stop by for a short visit when it is time to leave." gently caressing her cheek.
"Right now, I am wanting to head for the church." He motioned towards where the roof of the church could be seen, it was maybe a half a mile, or slightly more. He reached over to get their gear, taking it off the cart. “Besides, It is a lovely day for a walk, anyway."
And it was, a beautiful blue sky with white fluffy clouds, floating overhead, a slight breeze, playing with loose strands of hair.
"Okay." She was curious about the church. Especially as the place where she grew up wasn't nearly as old as Romania.
Stefan's shoulder's relaxed, they had actually gone tense when meeting Dimitri. He didn't know why then words from Tatiana, had come to him.
If you are with someone special to you, do not let other family get in the way. Pay attention to the one you are with.
If he had gone with Dimitri and seen the mother. It would interfere with his time with Kaylara. She was important.
They had arrived at the fortified church, an emerald green lawn led the way towards the gate opening, which led inside the walls. There was a quietness inside the walls, except for the trill of a bird that sat upon the roof of the church.
"My brother, myself and my sister loved to come here and explore. And play games of imagination." Stefan said quietly, He pulled out his PADD, bringing up the information as to the fortified church.
"Lucian was rather interested in the architecture, showing signs of his interest in science and history." he offered then went quiet, just allowing the surroundings to bring back memories.
"They don't make structures like this anymore," Kaylara said, looking around. "It's beautiful." There was something about the ancient stone structure that appealed to her.
"Want to go inside the chapel?" Stefan asked Kaylara. "There is a place we can put our packs down. I'd like to take you to one of my favorite spots here. I used to visit it, day time and night time, Especially just as the sun starts to set."
Opening the wooden door to go inside the chapel.
Inside the chapel there were the hand carved wooden pew. There was the scent of lemon, indicating that the pews had just been polished. At the front was a half-circle made of green limestone, it shining under the soft lights which were present in the chapel. Upon the altar was the patterned reflection of the stained glass showing flowers and a scriptural verse there.
Kaylara slowly walked around the chapel, looking at everything. She said nothing, preferring to let the silence speak for itself.
Stefan didn't say much, as he watched Kaylara walk around. This was something that didn't need any talking nor hurrying off, either. This was a moment in time that needed to be savored. Well to him, it was something important.
As he soaked in the atmosphere, Stefan found himself in a contemplative mood, as he watched the woman who clearly change his life, walk around. Kaylara was the first person he'd really let inside his walls. First person he'd even brought here, opening up a piece of him that was precious, to Kaylara.
Sensing that he was staring at her, Kayara turned. "What?"
He chuckled softly. "Just, well admiring you and also realizing that you are the first person I've brought here." Stefan's voice was quiet, not wanting to disturb the atmosphere of the chapel.
"I've got a favorite place I'd like to show you, Kaylara. There will be some climbing but I'm certain you'll be up for the climb." Stefan's smile turning into a grin. His eyes were alight with excitement.
Of course she was. And if not, she wouldn't let him see it. "Sure. I'd love to see it." Inside, she was touched by his words.
Stefan glanced out the window that didn't have stained glass realizing that now would be the perfect time for Kaylara to get the full effect of why he loved the spot he wanted to take her to. He took her hand drawing it to his lips, then gently drew her towards a wooden door to the left of the altar.
He released her hand, opening the door which led to a set of winding stone stairs, with slit like windows which looked out towards the outside of the chapel. Glancing out the slits, it could be seen that the sun was beginning to set.
He glanced at Kaylara with a huge smile being evident as they came to a landing where a door was. The door opened outwards, revealing a small set of metal stairs leading to the peak of the roof which was a narrow flat area about a foot in width.
"When I was young I would go to the middle of the roof and watch the sunset, then, the stars would come out."
Kaylara turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "Only when you were young? I still find watching a sunset peaceful."
Stefan gave out a warm chuckle, at her counter. "Not just when I was young, I too find sunsets peaceful, c'mon, lets to get the front row seat to watch the show." moving towards the peak of the roof where he took a seat and patted the space next to him.
This did promise to be worth watching. Kaylara climbed up to the peak and gracefully sat next to him, positioning herself to get the best view. The sun was just above the horizon, the colors just beginning to show.
As the sun sank lower the clouds turned a brilliant gold, while the snowcapped Carpathian mountains were set ablaze with the bright orange and crimson colors. The light from the sunset, bathed the roof top where Kaylara and Stefan sat.
Stefan turned his head to look at the woman sitting beside him, enjoying the play of colors upon Kaylara's features. He smiled softly, then turned his attention back towards the sunset. He didn't speak but his hand reached out for hers.
The light began to fade from the brilliant golds and crimson, to where the clouds were now turning to bright pink, darkening even further to a magenta.
There was a flash of green which streaked across the horizon, Stefan breathed out in wonder "I finally got to see that phenomena."
"Good." Kaylara smiled. "Everyone needs to see that. And that you saw it here makes it better." She paused for a moment while she watched the sky. "It makes you appreciate how old everything is. Romania, to an extent, but the planet and the universe... Yeah. It puts you in your place, doesn't it?"
"Yes it does," Stefan answered, looking back out towards the sky, smiling as the stars began to appear. One more show that the night sky gave, was a star shooting across firmament. Stefan reached out as if to catch it, softly singing,
"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, never let it fade away. Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket save it fora rainy day."
Stefan had his hand cupped as if holding the star and placed it in Kaylara's hand, "for you." giving a warm smile. " A little flight of imagination my aunt had introduced us to."
Kaylara raised an eyebrow. "I haven't heard of this tradition. What does it mean?" It was a little odd, but she expected there to be some family meaning in the ritual.
"What I had just sang, it is from an old song, from Earth. There is another myth and that is making a wish on a falling star. I just liked the song my aunt had sung to us, when we were children. And watching the falling star brought that to my mind. And for some a falling star can bring light and hope on a troubled day." Stefan hoped that he shared it well enough.
"I haven't heard that before. I guess it's a human thing. Still, I'm sure mankind has made wishes on the stars for generations." She was pretty sure there were places they still did.
"They probably do and I've run across others who still do so." His voice held a tender echo of the paste, as Stefan looked back towards the stars.
After a few moments of silence while watching the stars, Stefan shifted a little bit, the narrow flat peek starting to get a bit uncomfortable. When he was younger it didn't bother him, but now he was older, and he didn't perch as well as he used to.
"You know there is a way to get an even better view of the stars and more comfortable." giving a smile What do you say, we go set up camp and watch the stars more comfortably."
"I doubt the view will be better, but it will definitely be more comfortable," she agreed. "And I won't worry about falling asleep," she added with a grin. Then she carefully stood and stretched, then turned on her small flashlight to help light the way down.
Stefan followed after Kaylara, when they got to the safety of the landing of the stairs, he gently pulled Kaylara into his arms tenderly kissing her.
"Thank you for coming with me." he softly said, "You made this trip all the better."
"Thank you for asking," she replied. "Seeing it with someone who lived her is better. Tomorrow I want to go to one of your favorite places to eat."
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Stefan Zamfir
Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer, USS Pioneer
Petty Officer First Class Kaylara Loran
Data Systems Analyst, USS Pioneer
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