Lemons and Life

Posted on 16 Sep 2012 @ 6:40pm by Lieutenant Kiri Cho & Lieutenant Commander Dea Mialin

1,293 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2, Mess Hall
Timeline: MD10 1720

[ON]

Having had her second encounter with Ensign Rhodes go very slightly better than her last one Kiri was still confused that he left so quickly. He had his drink, talked and left and she had barely even started her own. More than likely it was nothing, it was something she couldn't help but worry about though, against her own mantra. It wouldn't solve anything but she couldn't not think about it. It was after a full minute of silence she let out a a small sigh and picked up her drink again. It was futile, she couldn't make any headway. Letting the sour taste wash over her palate she felt some of the issues drift away, it was relaxing. Reluctantly looking around the room the dark haired woman was starting to decide she should take a short nap, if there was no one to spend time with. Before she could lift her glass again though that plan seemed to evaporate.

Dea entered the Mess Hall. After a long day she'd hoped to catch a quick bite to eat, relax and forget about her day. Picking up her tray Mialin went in search of a place to sit. At this time of day the mess hall was pretty crowded so she headed over to the only empty chair she could find. "Mind if I join you?" she asked Kiri.

While Kiri had seen the other Trill on the bridge so far she hadn't spoken to her at all, or even shared a meaningful look. Of course she could sit here, there was no one Kiri would object to joining her. Nodding her head she replied quietly, "Please do." It managed to sound a little desperate, really Kiri was. Other than the fact she was the Chief Flight Control Officer and a Trill, Kiri didn't know anything about Lieutenant Mialin. Starting with the food on the other officers plate, Kiri tried to observe everything that might be useful.

"Thank you," Dea a seat and properly introduced herself, "I'm Dea Mialin. Its nice to meet another member of the crew more than just in passing." Being overly pushy was not Dea's style so she proceed carefully. Her comments were sincere because things had been busy since her arrival aboard Galileo.

Sounding rather spaced Kiri answered bluntly, "Yes." This was another Trill, Peers was only half Trill but at the time Kiri didn't know that. This woman, Kiri had to guess was a full Trill, so she had to be careful. She didn't know the mannerisms, it would quickly be clear she wasn't a normal Trill and then, would she be accepted or not? Moving from Space she was excited, masked somewhat by fear or rejection, "I'm Ensign Cho. Its nice to meet you."

"Nice job on the scout mission," there was always a session of trying to break the ice when meeting someone one new. Kiri seemed a bit distracted and cautious. Dea hoped that would fade with time as the got to know each other better. For now all she could do is try her best.

Kiri's eyes flared open, "Thank you sir," It was the sort of thing she wanted to hear from her superiors, to know they valued what she did. Warming up a little bit she slid her glass closer and placed both hands around it, "Sorry I couldn't detect that ship." It had been eating at her, if she'd discovered the Vorta ship then it might not have exploded and almost destroyed the ship.

"You did what you could and that's what matters. The fact we're here now speaks volumes. We won't always be successful in detecting everything ahead of time. All we can do is carry out our duties to the best of our abilities," Dea commented calmly as a smile appeared.

It was nice not to be shouted at and called a liar when she couldn't do something, Kiri still didn't like the fact she failed. Pausing for a long moment Kiri nodded her head, "Yes sir, thank you sir." It was the end of that topic as she saw it, there needed to be a shift of gears. Sounding more nervous now Kiri asked, "If we escape, would you have some free time?"

With a slight smile to try and ease the tension a bit Dea commented, "When I'm not trying to keep the ship from being blown apart with some fancy flying, I do try to put some free time in my schedule. What are you thinking of?"

Kiri felt as if she was asking a lot but, the XO had already approved of it being both a good use of her time and his own. Discomfort shining like a flare she mumbled, "Could you, I mean if you have time, help me, with intermediate helm training?"

"Of course I'd be more than happy to help you with that," Dea replied. There was nothing she liked better than to help a fellow crew member learn more about than flying.

Looking relived Kiri gave a small smile and relaxed a little bit. Her voice seemed lighter, "Thank you," What was she meant to do now? The one thing she needed was done, they had talked about the previous mission. She didn't want to fall into silence but Kiri didn't have anything to add, starting to look tense again.

"So what are you hobbies?" Dea asked interested to find out more about Kiri and hopefully ease the tension. it was an innocent question.

Kiri had hoped that she had gotten better at this, just about everyone asked her about her hobbies, she still didn't really have any. Her fingers twitching the girl was anxious now, "Well, I, do mathematics, and, I'm learning to pilot better, I cook." She was finding herself high and dry, she was so boring. Feeling pathetic her eyes settled on her drink again, why did it have to be so hard?

"All enjoy able things. For me its anything having to do with Aviation or the history of Space," she paused, "I also enjoy Martial Arts."

Kiri had almost never been in a shuttle before going to the academy, history also wasn't her strongest suit. Humans had developed fixed wing aircraft with combustion engines, then jets but that was four hundred odd years ago, it was a bit of a blur. Aesthetically, she liked the much older Bajoran airships, sails and cabins that were not much different from the ones they travelled space in. Settling into another weak smile Kiri blinked, "I don't really know anything about that, but I might learn more about martial arts soon." It was mostly about weapons but weren't the two joined at the hip? Mor'an's lessons were something Kiri was now looking forward to, when there was time.

Dea nodded as she finished her drink. "I've always enjoyed learning new things." Pausing a moment before she continued. "Our conversation has been enjoyable and I look forward to working with you. If you'll excuse me I have to get going now but I'm looking forward to meeting with you again."

Kiri had barely drunk any more of her drink than when Ensign Rhodes had left her, now Mialin was leaving. She was busy, very busy and everyone else left her first, it was a pattern that was pressing heavily on how well she felt these encounters had gone. Her mood became slightly more sullen as she tried to force a smile, "And you, thank you." Watching the other woman leave Kiri looked back at her lemon juice, why was it like this?

[OFF]

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Lt (JG) Dea Mialin
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Galileo

Ensign Kiri Cho
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

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