Stalking...for science!

Posted on 28 Jun 2014 @ 4:54pm by Lieutenant Oren Idris Ph.D. & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim

1,986 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3, Sickbay
Timeline: MD05 - 0500

ON:

For the first time in over fifty years, Oren couldn't wait to get to Sickbay. In the past, each physical he'd had to go through went one of two ways. It was either a boring session of trying to fill the awkward silence with something other than the beeping of the scanner, or it ended with Oren getting poked and prodded by a curious and, usually, young doctor because he simply couldn't say the word 'no' to anything.

But this time would be different, if only Oren could contain his excitement at the prospect of meeting an Akkadian for the first time. After all, he was a serious scientist, with many years of experience and a good reputation so coming off as anything but completely profession would be embarrassing. As it was, with his current level of enthusiasm, Oren simply prayed he could come off as anything but absolutely creepy towards the, no doubt, lovely doctor.

Before visiting Sickbay, he'd taken all of the necessary precautions - he'd refrained from reading up on her species too much (he'd already done that earlier in the morning after finding out there was an Akkadian on board), he'd refrained from taking in any caffeine, and he'd meditated for an hour to calm his brain.

So, with another prayer or two sent up to whatever deity listened to these kinds of prayers, Oren set off to Sickbay, which proved to be much closer than he'd thought.

Allyndra sat at the desk reading. It was not a PaDD but an old fashioned book. She could hardly keep the smile off her face as she read what was supposed to a sort of diary but turned out really to be more of an adventure book and she had already figured what historical figure this referred to. If only 'they' knew, which 'they' never could or at least not for a long while yet. It was hard to keep secrets, secrets implied hiding knowledge and it was something that she personally never could totally accept.

"My unusual visitor was just that, unusual but beautiful and intelligent, for the being, no I should say she for that word is much to impersonal, learned to communicate with me much faster than I could have ever expected. A thousand questions were..."
Allyndra looked up and closed the book as the sickbay doors whoosed open.

She put the old book off to the side and stood and walked to the door to see if this was an emergency. The young man that had entered was perhaps a little below her height but even from here she could see bright green eyes, almost the exact colour of her deceased husband though they were set in a sea of white and the hair was yellow as one of the Twins. She shook her head to shake the thoughts of home and past out of her head and made that odd little shrug that briefly fluttered the great translucent wings on her back before she said, "Yes? How may I help you?"

'Oh dear gods, her voice is so perfect!' Oren's mind screamed in excitement as he looked her over, trying to take all of her in with as little obvious eye movement as possible. Before long he realized he was essentially staring at her. He blushed, the added colouring obvious on his pale skin.

"Oh...I am...so sorry!" he apologised profusely, hoping she wasn't offended. "It's just...I've never seen one of you up close before!" he rattled on, feeling as if he were watching himself from afar and couldn't control his mouth.

"I'm sorry, that was disrespectful." 'Shut up!' Oren's brain commanded. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm not crazy," he explained. "I'm an anthropologist."

"Not at all, Allyndra moved further into the sickbay. Curiosity is the mark of intelligence." Allyndra took a few more steps to clear the doorway and then stopped. She then lifted her arms and opened her wings slightly and then slowly turned before folding the wings and dropping her arms.

"There, now you have at least a bit more look, is that your reason for coming here or perhaps there is something more? If it is to experience the H'oni A'likoa," Allyndra put the full tonal sing song into the phrase, "I am afraid I will disappoint that curiosity."

"Um...I actually don't know what that is," Oren admitted, but seemed almost pleased at his lack of knowledge. Her little display was much more than he could have asked for from an informal visit. As critical as he'd always been of his students being over enthusiastic to the point of badgering someone about their species, it was moments like this when Oren completely understood the thirst for knowledge and understanding.

But he was an adult now. Sort of.

"I'm actually new on the ship and I was told to report here for my first medical," Oren finally explained, taking another step inside Sickbay.

"Ah!" Allyndra said and then made a gesture to biobed two. "Then this is a medical check in. Do you have your PaDD?"

"Oh, right!" Oren nodded, handing the item over.

"Please just settle back. Now then," Allyndra got the scan ready but did not start. She looked through the PaDD briefly but noted he was checking in for an Anthropology position. "Your an Antrhopologist. No wonder your curious. Well then, the H'oni A'likoa, means the Blood Kiss. Do you know much about Akkadian physiology?"

"Very little, I'm afraid," Oren wasn't embarrassed to admit. He often found his knowledge of medicine to be lacking. Maybe I should look into it more.

"I thought not, not many do. We, Akkadians, get our protein source from blood. In the old days, in times of famine, it was considered an duty and an honour for one's mate to give his blood in order to ensure the next generation. Such things are no longer needed mind you, but the tradition persists with just a token between mates and sometimes very close friends."

Oren listened carefully, fascinated. "That's very interesting. Blood is an excellent source of protein and, I imagine, even with other sources available, your body is probably more suited to digesting blood than a protein substitute," he guessed, half to himself. "It's always best to get nutrients right from the source."

Allyndra cocked her head, "Very perceptive. I do get an allotment of transfusion grade from the replicator."

"My family has always been very much for preserving the natural way of things. They didn't like replicated food or technology very much," Oren explained.

Allyndra listened politely. She had already glanced at the file and as an El Aurian his parents no doubt had seen or experienced much. Then it struck her she had not introduced herself though her name was on the PaDD to report to.

"Where are my manners," Allyndra said with only a little concern. "I am Allyndra illm Warraquim, but in my sickbay and everywhere else if possible just Allyndra." She pronounced her name the second time with the full lilt and trill so he could hear it. El Aurians were not a people normally averse to touching so she held out one slim fingered hand.

Oren took it, probably a bit more delicately than was necessary, but you could never be too careful. "So, what do I call you, other than rank? Lt. Warraquim? Or..." he trailed off questioningly.

"Warraquim is not a surname. It is my Guild affiliation. Illm Warraquim means 'of the House or Guild of Knowledge. Allyndra means the morning wind off the sea."

"That's quite pretty," Oren said with an interested smile. "I don't think my name really means anything. To my knowledge, anyway. But, to be honest, there is so much of my own culture that I don't know about," he admitted with slight regret.

Allyndra only nodded. She had heard about El Aurian culture being scattered to the various parts of the galaxy. She could only imagine what might happen to her own in such a circumstance but then she already knew the answer. That answer lay within the records of Warraquim. "I have heard what happened, it is a terrible thing."

"Are there different Guilds in your culture?" he asked after a moment, hoping he wasn't being too nosy. He knew this was hardly the time for questions, as she was working. "Am I distracting you?" he asked apologetically. "Sorry," he added just to be sure.

"Yes, and yes. Perhaps we can get the scan and official check in first and then if you have the time I am willing to try to satisfy your curiosity?"

"Alright." Oren nodded, both embarrassed that he'd been so obnoxious and glad she was willing to indulge him.

"Good, now then relax while I get the baseline. Now I usually ask during this if there are any medical concerns, anything recent or odd medical problems or medications I should be aware of?"

"Just a few headaches, but I usually get stress headaches when I'm traveling," Oren replied, trying his best to relax. "No medication though." He had been on some anti-anxiety medication at one point but he'd been taken off of them about ten years back.

Allyndra nodded. "Very good. So your anxiety either has gone away, been resolved or otherwise is under control correct? You know as a medical professional I keep things confidential besides, I spent time as a counselor before in case you do not feel to talk to one of the others."

Oren smiled, grateful that she was being so understanding. "It hasn't gone away, but I've started meditating regularly and doing more breathing exercises, so I think it's under control. I haven't had a panic attack in over six months," he explained. "Considering I used to have them weekly, I think I'm doing a little better."

"Very good. Then it sounds like you are dealing with things better, however let me urge you that if you feel them on the verge or it is hard then please seek out one of our good counselors, or again, you can come talk to me."

Allyndra made a note on the PaDD and said with a smile, "You are hereby fit for duty. Is there anything else?"

"No, ma'am," Oren said with a shake of his head. "But, if you have time some day, I would be honored if you'd let me take you out and get to know you better? I would love to hear about you and your people."

Allyndra thought a moment and then rather than just giving a little answer set the PaDD aside and made a deep formal curtsey like she would to an instructor. "I would be happy to do so, just set a time and place to meet. Perhaps, the arboretum? Or a holodeck if you wish more interaction."

"The holodeck would be perfect," Oren decided with a happy expression on his face. "How about tomorrow around noon? Would that be too early for you, considering your shift? I wouldn't wish to intrude on you free time." His face took on an expression of concern as he tried to figure out how to best resolve the situation if it may arise.

"That will be fine. It will give me some time to set things up properly," Allyndra replied straightening and to her own thoughts added, 'and make sure nothing is said about that which shouldn't'.

"I shall see you then." Allyndra finished up.

"Thank you, Doctor." With that, Oren hopped off the biobed and, with another quick goodbye, he left, already thinking of all the questions he needed to write down for his next meeting with the good Doctor Allyndra.

---
Lt Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Gallileo

&

Oren Idris, Ph.D.
Archaeologist/Anthropologist
USS Galileo

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