A Chance Meeting

Posted on 30 Aug 2012 @ 1:50am by Lieutenant Kiri Cho & Lieutenant Theron Rhodes

2,860 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3; Deck 2 - Mess Hall
Timeline: MD10 1710

[On]

Satisfied that the meeting had gone well Kiri started to walk back towards the office she had been left to use on deck four. It was strange still but something she found very enjoyable. Actually being able to help other people do their jobs and sort things out for them was much more rewarding than expected. Since today had been going so well, she had a smile that was far more real than obvious than the one she normally wore. Her hair tied in a small tail and her stride small she seemed much more at ease and more comfortable than the last few days. She was still tired but had put extra effort into looking good, feeling her new postilion required it.

Focusing on work though, the stacks of it on her desk she didn't look around her. Walking right past someone she half wanted to see, half didn't. He was, overall, he was confusing. He seemed nice, if she felt a little threatened by him but also, strange and acting out of what she expected. Not that she even knew what she expected, or why but it was the way she felt.

The corridors were much busier than usual and Ens. Rhodes had stopped at an intersection of corridors letting others pass when he saw Kiri. Their last encounter had gone somewhat acceptable. He knew she was shy and other things. He raised a hand for a wave and said, "Good to see you."

Looking up with a startled glance Kiri came to a stop, her smile still present she smiled at him, "Good Evening." Now rather more nervous in tone she added, "How have you been?" Her stance was still small and slight, no hand movement, her eyes bright this time.

Well," Theron began, "Things have been rather rocky in the last day or so." He was not sure how much Kiri would want to know of how he felt, but he did feel like he wanted of talk to someone. He started to say something, but then stepped back to let someone pass the. Added, "Do you have time for a drink?"

Thinking for a few seconds she was clearly caught between work and socializing. As long as it wasn't too long, the work would wait a little bit, "For a little bit." Maybe that was why he left last time, he had other things to do? That actually made a lot of sense, why didn't she think of that when she'd been worrying about it? All of this was another example of how things were working out well, Kiri couldn't wait to talk to Brayden about it, that things were working now.

They both just seemed to run in unison, not saying anything more final of it. The double door to the mess opened and They stepped in together. Rhodes made a motion for the server to come over as he lead to a table.

Following his lead again Kiri ran though hundred of things she could say, but settled on none of them. Everything seemed out of place, silly, stupid. There was nothing that sprang up, she still didn't know him very well. Barely at all really, still she wanted to.

Theron noticed as he sat down that the room was full of crewmen. He guessed that they were lucky to get a table.

Placing herself as before facing the window with her back to the room, Kiri gave him a nervous smile. It was busier this time, lots of people talking and lots of things she could accidentally overhear. Hands in her lap, feet flat on the floor and eyes for the most part focused on Theron, waiting for him to speak.

When the server stopped , Rhodes didn't even let him ask , but stated, "A tall iced strawberry tea for me." then looked to Kiri.

Kiri took note that he was ordering Earth drinks again, maybe he liked them a lot? Having spent time with Mor'an the day before right after Rhodes left Kiri was a little more comfortable with the idea of the entire enterprise. Following the direction of her companions voice she also turned to the young man, her voice soft and polite, "If you wouldn't mind, a glass of lemon juice, concentrated, please."

The server walked away, and all of a sudden Theron felt uncomfortable again, for some reason. He tried to shake it off and smiled at Kiri. But his mind went blank. He felt so odd, and didn't know why. Maybe he was picking up on her nervousness. He looked down at the table and said, "I've been very busy."

Kiri only vaguely knew the situation in security, her only interaction with Lieutenant Orexil was an unpleasant one. Not that she disliked the woman, but, it didn't really matter. So she just nodded her head, she understood entirely what it was like to be busy.

Theron continued, "They have asked me to do more since Lt. Orexil has been . . hurt."

Glancing down at the table for a second she answered, "I've been made Assistant Chief Science Officer, but after what happened to her fiance, Lieutenant Barel, had to take a break." So technically, Kiri was acting Chief Science Officer. Taking on all the duties of running the department as well as being a bridge officer, she'd trained for it but still, after only a week and a half out of the academy it was a little tense. Both of them seemed to have moved up since last time they met, "Is Lieutenant Orexil going to be okay?"

Rhodes looked at her quickly, surprised that she even asked, even angry that she had said her name. What was it that was pushing his buttons? He did not understand his own emotions. Trying not to be angry or excited, he looked back at the table and replied calmly, "They have her in stasis. They do not know for sure." He looked down again.

"I see," Kiri looked at the table and both of them remained in silence for a while. She couldn't think of anything she'd said wrong, so maybe it was as Mor'an said. That he was as confused as she was, that he was the same in the respect and didn't know what to say. Before she could say anything though the server returned.

The drinks were placed on the table before them. The serve stepped back quietly since both were looking down at the table solemly.

Rhodes reached for his glass and said, "I am sorry. I did not mean to be so quiet or gruff." He took a sip. "I guess I just needed someone to talk to. A distraction I guess." He pursed his lips and turned to Kiri.

By nature Kiri didn't do talking about issues, it wasn't a need that grew out of her problems. When one came up she either dealt with it or found enough work to bury it until she could solve it, or more often than not, forever. Her almost complete self imposed exile into her own social singularity meant she hadn't really come across talking as a solution before coming to this ship. To have that need, bowing her head and smiling to the server as he left she muddled his statement. Not sure what it was in relation to she softly answered, "Okay? It's fine." If he needed to make use of her to listen it was just that, maybe a counsellor would be better suited though?

"I am in Security." Theron stated the obvious. "I do not want my record filled with running to a counselor to deal with unresolved issues. I can deal with things." He turned to face Kiri, "I just wanted a friend to sit with for a while. Is that bad of me?"

That she was aware, he wasn't telepathic, at least she hoped not. It was possible though, she didn't really know much about his species. Her guard was up now though, not that her mind was generally easy to read at the best of time. Rolling though equations in the back of her mind, it was also rather relaxing for her. In some ways he was the same as her, when there was a problem she would rather solve it herself. Yet, six point five over the square route of seven, if there was something wrong, a counsellor was an expert, they would know if it was a problem. If he was going to cause the ship problems because of whatever this was, waiting to see was best. Concern shifted across Kiri's face, "I don't think so." Wait, he thought of her as a friend?

He nodded a thanks and appreciation to his answer and then took another drink.

After a moment of neither talking Theron finally said, "I am sure you are very busy in the science lab. Thanks for being willing to sit with me." He stopped and looked around the room. He guessed that he did not want anyone listening.

Kiri was still musing over the fact he thought of her as a friend. She didn't quite yet consider him a friend, someone who might be but did they know enough about each other, did he know anything about her? Managing a small smile she answered, "Yes but I have some time, I really don't mind." She wanted him to be comfortable with the idea being around her, more so if he really did consider her a friend.

Theron then added, "Things have been kind of tough in the last day or so. I do not have a problem with my job or getting it done." He looked at her and smiled. "Just sometimes the intensity and responsibility of it all gets to me."

It sounded the same as her situation, so far she'd not been finding it too hard though. Giving another small smile she gave what worked for her, "I find, just taking one thing at a time helps." There were thousands of things she had to do, worrying or getting stressed didn't help do any of them.

It was nice to know that others were dealing with similar situations. Theron then took a long refreshing drink. Then with a smile asked, "So, away from work, what have you been doing?"

While he was distracted with his own drink, Kiri took a quick sip of her own. It wasn't a cultural thing, she just though it would appear rude if she was eating or drinking while someone was talking, giving them less than her full attention. Work had taken up so much of her time that it took a few seconds to pick the highlights, even yesterday felt a very long time ago. Her voice its normal soft, slightly singsong tone, "It, was my birthday yesterday," It didn't seem important but it explained the next part, "Ensign Kohl brought me a cake." She came to an abrupt halt when she realised she was with him yesterday and hadn't said anything, would that have been rude? Her voice quaking slightly, "I also had a drink with Cadet Mor'an."

"I did not know." He said encouraging rather than apologetically. "Happy Birthday. It sounds like you have many friends here on the Galileo." then he smiled and added, "Maybe more than you realize."

Kiri wasn't quite sure if two, maybe three counting Rhodes counted as a lot, but it was more than she had thought for sure. More than she had before coming here anyway. Her focus was clearing on considering these things when she answered, "Maybe," Straining into silence for just over ten seconds she went on to ask, "What have you done?"

Rhodes reacted by sitting up a little straighter and blink his eyes a little to refocus his thoughts. He had totally forgot about his concerns for a moment. Taking in a breath, he then replied, "Well, with Lt. Orexil . . . 'unavailable', I have been trying to review files on personnel to get to know them better." He looked at Kiri, "I had no idea I would be asked to lead so quickly." He looked about the room for a second, "The situation in the nebula is not the best situation and tensions are high everywhere it seems. I really have not had time for myself."

He continued, "Now that I think about it. That may be part of my . . difficulty with today. I should have been relieving stress and being more sociable."

Kiri still didn't have time for herself, she'd almost never allow herself time to do things unrelated to work or education. That notion was somewhat lost on her, but being sociable was a good thing. For her it normally made things more stressful rather than less. Each new person she met added new people to think about, their motives, reactions and expectations. Lowering her tone and picking each word with great care she asked, "Do you, I mean, is talking to people, easy for you?" That was better than asking if he had a problem wasn't it?

Theron thought about the question and then looked at Kiri and squinted one eye. 'She's talking about herself now.' he thought, and then finally replied, "Well, I have no difficulty speaking to anyone." He hesitated at that point, because he was about to tell her how at times he does have a difficulty being too close or touching people, even friends. It was a Tandaran cultural phobia. Did he really want to share his vulnerability with her yet? He finally added, "I do have difficulty with too much physical contact. I think we seem to be similar in that way." He was uncertain as he said that last statement. He hoped that he was not pushing the level of assumption for them.

Kiri's eyes widened, she didn't want that question to be about her. It was something she could relate to a lot though, that she wasn't the only one with a problem. He seemed to be better at coping with it than her though, it took her long with more thought to answer, "Yes, at least, probably." To really gauge that, she'd actually need to have some form of physical contact. After this long, it might not be entirely unwelcome. Falling silent she focused on a drink for a moment.

Theron was glad that he had spent some time talking. He looked to Kiri and smiled. "Thanks for the drink and conversation." He paused for a moment and added, "I probably should get back to my reports."

Kiri looked slightly upset, it was just like the last time. They had just started talking and already he was leaving, what had she said? Was it really the fact there was more work to do? Had she offended him in some way? Did he not like her very much? Confused she struggled to put words together, "I'm sorry, I, can, not be of more, help." Closing her eyes she took a breath. He had said he found it hard to talk to people, she knew what that was like but how could she actually help?

"You were a lot of help." Theron said as he stood and stepped around to the side of the table. He had the urge to want to say 'thank you' in a more personal way, but there were so many conflicting emotions in his mind. He did finally, breaking his own spacial rules and placed his left hand gently on her right shoulder and said, "Thanks for being my friend."

A shock flew up Kiri's spine at the touch, her eyes flicking wide to look at him. Her face tinged pink as he started to walk past her, "I, T, T, Thank you." This was the first time since coming on the ship someone had given her physical contact, other than Mor'an finger tips. Still she was confused, more of it was giving way to the fact he must just be busy though. There was less evidence that he disliked her or had done something wrong.

Theron could see in her body language that she had as much difficulty with the touch as he had layin his hand on her shoulder. He pulled his hand away slowly and smiled, "I will see you later." He thought it best to turn and walk away, so not to cause her anymore uncertainty.

Kiri watched him with green eyes as Theron walked away. This parting was much better than their last, but it still left Kiri in the same situation. He was gone and she was alone with her drink. The doors closing behind her new friend she kept watching after him for a long time after he was out of sight. So much had changed, she was in the wild now with no idea how to act or what to do. With Kohl things seemed natural, with Brayden she felt safe, Mor'an she was learning. Rhodes was, difficult, unknown, closed, like her but completely different. What was she supposed to do about all of that?

[OFF]


Ens. Theron Rhodes
Security/Tactical
USS Galileo

Ensign Kiri Cho
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

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