Bubbles (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 26 Aug 2012 @ 4:11pm by Lieutenant Kiri Cho & Ensign Im'er Mor'an

1,620 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2 - Messhall
Timeline: MD9 1515

[ON]

Clutching her glass still Kiri stood up and bowed her head slightly before turning and heading to the nearby replicator. While she understood how to use one, it still felt strange and quite daunting to her. It was hard enough for her to choose between two different meal choices most of the time, to have an entire galaxies worth didn't help. This was part of the reason she generally avoided the matter entirely and just ate rations, then she didn't have to choose. Placing her glass inside she spoke softly, "Clean and refresh," The glass shimmered for a few seconds before reappearing as it looked when Ensign Rhodes had given it to her. Now was the part she was more nervous about. Taking the glass she added, "Carbonated lime juice, concentrated, iced, in a tall glass," She looked at the one in her hand, "With a straw," Then feeling suddenly indulgent, "And a quartered lime."

Now considering this not very thought out Kiri awkwardly balanced the two glasses and small saucer in both hands as she made her way back to the table. She placed them all down before lightly picking up Mor'an's to place it in front of her. Taking her seat again she gave a small smile, "I hope that is okay?"

"I am sure it is," Mor'an said, accepting the glass with both hands and a smile, "Besides, how would I know the difference?" As she observed Kiri, Mor'an noticed that she seemed to be hesitant in everything she did and wondered if that stemmed from something in her childhood. "You shall have to tell me if Ensign Rhodes seeks you out. I am curious."

"Oh," Kiri was glad she was taking an interest in her, sort of, "I will." Tilting her head down slightly Kiri sucked slowly on the straw. Her mouth flooded with sour line, it was lovely. Closing her eyes for a second she swallowed, feeling more relaxed already. Considering the two conversations she had at this table so far she asked, "Would you be able to teach me, something about weapons?" If he wanted to talk to her about it again, it would at least be useful to know something.

Mor'an took a sip of her drink before answering. "Of course," she said, a delightfully pleased look taking hold of her features. This lime stuff was good. "Something about weapons? Let me think for a moment." She was silent as she drank again from her glass. "Weapons are an extension of yourself," she said, "Meaning in order to use one properly, you must allow the weapon to move as easily and freely as your arm. This is why I am able to use a phaser just as easily as a dagger. Some have difficulty transitioning between two different types of weaponry. Also, your weapon is unique. I may have seven daggers in my quarters, but each one handles differently, each with their own feel and...personality."

Kiri didn't get it, still she listened carefully and took some pleasure in Mor'ans enjoyment. To her each tool was the same, the phaser she carried was the same as everyone else's, the combat knife she carried on survival training was likewise the same. not really sure what questions she should be asking she tried, "So you have to learn to use each one?"

"No," Mor'an said, "I knew a human at the Academy who played the Earth guitar. While each guitar is rather the same, he said that one might weigh slightly different or the strings might be a little tighter on another depending on who made it. He knew how to play each guitar he held, but he had to learn the slight differences in each. It is the same for a weapon, especially a bladed one. You might not notice it in a phaser because of the way they are made. But because of the handcrafted nature of my daggers, each one is slightly different."

That made more sense, it was like her mothers brushes, each one was different only slightly for different strokes. That brought up another question though, one she was rather worried about having answered, "What do you use them for?" That she was aware most were used for hurting people, some had other uses but that was always in the background.

"Well, noting, really. I use them occasionally to train and spar. Some of them are very old, having been passed down, so some of them do have sentimental value. As for actual use, I suppose they do not have much, not like a collection of guitars."

"Right," Kiri looked hard at the straw in her drink, "Are they all from your home world?" If they were then Kiri might have a topic to talk to Rhodes about that was new to him. That was her general idea here, since he didn't show any interest in what she liked to do. Then did Mor'an like what she liked?

"All except for one," Mor'an said, gently stirring her drink with her straw. "Ktala gave me a tajtiq, a Klingon blade." She drank from her glass before speaking again. "Do you collect anything?"

Kiri shook her head, "No," Looking rather regretful, "I was thinking I should start though." Suddenly she felt extremely conscious of what Mor'an thought of her. She always worried what people thought of her but this was something more, as if it really mattered, suppressing the need to fidget she added, "Do you have any ideas?" Kiri had a few but the one foremost in her mind was rather difficult.

"What interests you?" Mor'an asked in return. "Something from your Trill background? Or maybe something else. I noticed you like to cook. You can collect unusual recipes from different cultures. It does not have to be something tangible like weapons or guitars."

Looking rather pensive Kiri had a string of answers for once, "I don't know very much about Trill," That was something she was scared of. She didn't fit in as a human, if she really delved into being a Trill, chances were she wouldn't fit in there either. It seemed better to keep hope rather than find more. Giving a very small smile she went on, "I don't really know anything at all about non-Earth food." Real food was about comfort for her, Kiri wasn't very adventurous in that department. Her perfectionist nature didn't trust herself to cook strange new dishes properly. With a half hidden sigh she gave her idea last, "I like the idea of having plants." Only they were in space, her quarters were small and replicating them seemed to defeat the point.

"Plants would be difficult," Mor'an said thoughtfully, "But it would be interesting to try. I like the idea of new recipes, though. Even if you do not know anything about food outside of what you cook now, it would be a good opportunity to expand your knowledge. After all, even your favorite recipes were unknown to you before you mastered them. Of course, I cannot cook, so what do I know? Next time we are on leave you should get a plant and try keeping it."

That wasn't true for Kiri, her favourite dishes were cooked by her grandmother and mother before she found them. She then leant to emulate them. The plant part she could agree to, she would get something at the very next chance she could. Pinching her bottom lip with her teeth she nodded, "Do you think Ansen would let me use his kitchen for recipes?" There was another pending question though, one that was slightly more uncomfortable, "Would you like to learn?"

"Only if you are willing to teach me," Mor'an said, "I do not believe Ansen would mind lending you the use of his kitchen if you asked."

Kiri gave a shy smile, "I, would like that, in return for teaching me about weapons," She had something useful to offer to Mor'an, something she could gain from. That meant Kiri could really consider the relationship between them a friendship. That was what she wanted finally, she felt she was getting there.

"Yes," Mor'an said, "Knowledge about weapons is a useful thing to have. I would suggest we ask Del'an to help me teach you, but she can be a little...intimidating." By this time, half of her drink had been consumed. She decided it was her new favorite. "Being intimidated while handling a blade for the first time is not a good thing. I know from experience."

While it might be efficient to learn from a higher expert, part of the idea was to spend time with Mor'an. The entire situation was positive though, something she hadn't come across for quite a while, she couldn't see a downside. The smile that she gave now was real, showing the whites of her teeth, "Whatever you think is best," Her tone was even lighter now, her eyes brighter.

Mor'an returned Kiri's smile with a grin of her own. "Alright, then," she said, "I look forward to it." She was pleased that she had made positive contact with Kiri -- she seemed too lonely.

Rather than say anything Kiri just kept smiling, she couldn't stop. It was stupid but she couldn't remember when she was this happy, proud when she graduated, excited when she was assigned to the Galileo, happy was years ago. Picking up one of the lime segments by the rind she didn't feel any of what she had buried right now. Seconds ticking on she finally expressed something more, "Thank you."

[OFF]

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Cadet Senior Grade Im'er Mor'an
Red Squad Intern
USS Galileo

ENS Kiri Cho
Science Officer/Sensor Specialist
USS Galileo

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