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Daily Logs 10-11-14

Deviation Actions

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I. Naara of all people comes to say goodbye to Vekal.
II. Kain and Brady talk over the feeds.
III. Gyles and Joseph catch up.
IV. Terrence and Zef both survived.
V. Vekal and T'Pah sort things out before Vekal leaves.
VI. Vekal leaves the ship.



I.
Vekal: *is in the lounge, pretty sure it'll be for the last time, sitting at the window with a mug of hot chocolate*
Naara: *Enters the lounge, still a little... well, a little surprised by the fact she's no longer an Ensign* *Sees Vekal, and... Well, isn't sure if she should approach*
Vekal: *doesn't see Naara, concentrating on the stars outside*
Naara: *Right... C'mon Naara, you're a Lieutenant now... sort of, you have no time for nervousness* *Gently eases over* Commander?
Vekal: *looks up* Hello, Lieutenant.
Naara: Are you alright? *Since she's just... sitting by herself... In the lounge... and she's leaving*
Vekal: Of course. *tilts her head* What can I do for you?
Naara: I... Well, I just heard you were leaving. *Lying, heard a few days ago*
Vekal: Oh, yes. *smiles* Don't take that as an excuse to "slack off", Lieutenant. You've done well lately.
Naara: *Slight grin* Apparently I have. And I wasn't.
Vekal: I'm glad to hear it. *smiles, again*
Naara: *Mildly awkward* I'm glad that you're glad.
Vekal: Shouldn't I be? I'm always glad to see other officers doing well.
Naara: Well... not all, I thought...
Vekal: *smiles in amusement despite herself* Don't hurt yourself.
Naara: *Does quick injury check* I'm not... *Why be literal Naara, it's not funny?*
Vekal: *evidently not doing well with the human metaphors today* Excellent.
Naara: *Realises* Ah... Right... *How to ask tactfu-oh sod it!* Are you coming back?
Vekal: *considers* I don't make a habit of giving definitive answers when the future is always liable to change, but I don't imagine that I am.
Naara: Ah... Right... *Is saddened* I think we'll all miss you, Sir. *Quietly* I know I will.
Vekal: *surprised, but she gets over it quickly and touches her heart* I'm touched.
Naara: What, you thought we wouldn't?
Vekal: *smiles* I thought you wouldn't. *either confirming Naara's comment, or saying she thought Naara specifically wouldn't miss her, mostly because Vekal enjoys being ambiguous and is curious to see how Naara will take it*
Naara: I... Well, I didn't think I would either. *Shrugs* But things change.
Vekal: Yes. *chuckles* They change quickly, aboard this ship.
Naara: Do they?
Vekal: Haven't you noticed?
Naara: Well... No. All the changes I noticed... *Specifically her promotion and herself as a person* Well, they took time.
Vekal: Which changes do you mean?
Naara: Uh... Well... *waves vaguely at rank pips*. And... Well, us being able to talk...
Vekal: Aaah. Well, I suppose you're right. And congratulations again.
Naara: Yeah... Any tips?
Vekal: Go to Glinn Roca. *smiles* And don't mention me.
Naara: ...*Deadpan skeptical* Glinn Roca is the best person to advice a member of Starfleet on what to do now they've attained actual significant rank?
Vekal: *chuckles* Perhaps not, but I'd like to see her face.
Naara: I'll send you a detailed report about it once I get the chance, Sir.
Vekal: *grins* I look forward to reading it.
Naara: Anyone else I should ask? *Did think Vekal would've suggested her best friend Molly*
Vekal: *considers it* Commander MacLeod would be the obvious choice, but I can't personally vouch for him.
Naara: *Nods* Yeah, I think he's alright. *May as well tempt fate* What about Commander McAdams?
Vekal: I thought you didn't like her.
Naara: *Blinks* No? I thought she didn't like me. But she is... Well, from what i've heard, extremely competent.
Vekal: Well, then go to her.
Naara: If you think she's the best choice?
Vekal: No, I don't. Truthfully, Lieutenant, I'm not always as confident as I might seem. I've spent a lot of time looking for advice and support from my superiors on this ship and I haven't found it. *smiles* Of course, I tend to put people off, as /you/ know already. It's possible that you'll have better luck.
Naara: *Sarcasm* Yes, because I never put people off.
Vekal: *smiles* You have a point.
Naara: *Smiles too* I... *Yeah, welcome has been overstayed a little* Well, you probably want to left alone with your drink and... Stuff.
Vekal: Thank you, Lieutenant. *sincerely* *smiles*
Naara: And thank you, Commander. *Leaves Vekal to it*



II.
Kain: *sitting in Security, feet propped up on one of the other console chairs, idly flipping through security feeds* *bored*
Brady: *walks in idly scratching her neck while giving a loud yawn* *groans looking at Kain seeing it's not going to be a very exciting day*.
Kain: I know I'm not the /most/ exciting person, but I didn't know it was that bad. *shoots her a dry grin to show that he's kidding*
Brady:*gives a short breathy laugh* You’re not to bad I guess, I just expected a bit more excitement when I walk in. Maybe you could juggle some?
Kain: That's a lot to ask. I would have to find something to juggle, first of all, and then /learn/ to juggle, all whilst maintaining the excellent quality of security that this ship has come to expect. Why don't /you/ learn to juggle?
Brady: Who says I can't already juggle *waggles her eyebrows some* I'm a jack of all trades thank you.
Kain: *throws a hand against his chest in mock awe* What are you even doing in Starfleet? You could be making your fortunes as a juggler right now. *shakes head* You didn't think this through very well.
Brady: *laughs* don't think I could manage it mate, not to good with crowds. *the thought alone makes her nervous, causing an itch on her..or is that something else*.
Kain: Well then I guess we're lucky you're here instead, risking life and limb to protect our precious Starfleet officers as they search for truth and justice and all that. *flips through more security feeds* Not that any of that seems to be going on right now.
Brady: I'm so honored my presence is so readily cherished. *looks at the screen while scratching her neck again* Although honestly I'd rather it be as exciting as paint that the usual brand of excitement that befalls us.
Kain: *rolls chair slightly* But this is so booooring. *slumps more in seat* I want to go back to the dinosaur planet. That wasn't boring.
Brady: *rolls eyes* I don't know if I share your sentiment...that planet wasn't very hospitable. Didn't even leave a mint on my pillow.
Kain: But there were /dinosaurs/. Real, living dinosaurs. That is the opposite of boring.
Brady: Yes I’m sure my now crooked spine appreciates how cool the dinosaurs are.
Kain: Did you have an altercation.
Brady: No, just got stuck down there and had to have a good night sleep on some less than soft ground. Although the whole dinosaur business did put me on edge the entire time we were down there.
Kain: Oooh you were one of the ones stuck planet-side. Fun stuff.
Brady: Yeah, least I came back in one piece. *maybe not 100 percent okay but definitely in one piece*
Kain: Dinosaurs do tend to leave people with bits missing.
Brady: Yeah… they’re not a very welcoming bunch but I don't think hospitality comes readily to the reptile brain.
Kain: *snorts* To be fair, it doesn't usually come naturally to the human brain either.
Brady: Very true, so… *pauses* Do you have a favorite dinosaur?
Kain: *shrugs* Not really. I like them generally, not specifically. *brief grin*
Brady: I like Allosauruses, Allosaurusi-Allosaures *is distracted mid sentence by the proper plural form of Allosaurus*
Kain: *amused* Don't hurt yourself.
Brady: *is starting to give her self a headache* Nghh I swear English is my first language.
Kain: To be fair, I don't even know what you were trying to say.
Brady: It's an allosaurus, it's kind of like a t-rex but a lot more punk looking.
Kain: What exactly constitutes a punk dinosaur?
Brady: *shrugs* A lot spikier and a bigger disregard for authority?
Kain: Sounds like a bunch of badasses. *scratches the back of his neck absently and flips through more feeds* Honestly why is nothing happening today. You'd think at least one ensign would lock themselves in a cabinet or something.
Brady: *rubs the back of her neck trying not to scratch too much at the irritation tap dancing across her skin* Hmmm, this is getting rather dull.
Kain: *shrugs* My shift is almost over anyways. Which is good, because I'm exhausted. *rolls out of the chair and stretches* When are you done?
Brady: *slides down in her chair some* I have an hour left...joy.
Kain: Ha. Sucks for you. *yawns* Well, I'm off to eat, and sleep. Have a good rest of your shift.
Brady: *has to resist the urge to stick her tongue at him* I'll make sure not to have to much fun without you.
Kain: I appreciate it ever so much. See ya later. *heads out of Security, still idly scratching his neck* *heads right to his rooms to sleep, actually feeling unusually tired*
Brady: *sighs now left to her own devices she absentmindedly scratches at her arm now left to her own devices* Welp, one more hour of fun to go.



III.
Gyles: *Sitting grumpily in the mess hall with a cup of coffee and a plate of food as usual. His food actually resembles something recognizable for once.*
Joseph: *has just showered, also enters the mess hall to at least get some coffee (aka, elixir of life!)* *and food, food is good too*
Gyles: *sees Joseph entering and stops absentmindedly scratching a point on his arm* *immediately starts cheering up* Mr. Dover!
Joseph: *looks up* Oh, hi. *small wave* *orders a cup of coffee and a small bowl of clam chowder from the replicator* *once he has his food, comes over and takes a seat next to Gyles* So, how was your adventure on the planet?
Gyles: Filled with grumpy people and bad memories, how was yours? *constructed to be humorous*
Joseph: *chuckles a bit at the humor* Oh, just as fun. Got to sleep on a rock jabbing me in the kidney a couple nights ago. And it turns out that BO makes /great/ perfume. *also being humorous* But hey, nice to be back.
Gyles: I agree, though it wasn't so bad compared to some /other/ planets I've been to. Did you find anything interesting while you were there?
Joseph: *Not even gonna ask about the other planets, I'm sure I'll find out soon enough* Well, we took scans as we were stuck, and I have to say that the light shows at night were...amazing.
Gyles: *The what?* Light Shows? As in bioluminescence or borealis?
Joseph: Borealis. I've never seen auroras like that before! *okay, he hasn't seen any auroras before, but details*
Gyles: That's fascinating, all I got was some fish in a brook somewhere.
Joseph: Were they interesting fish at least?
Gyles: It was just one, we couldn't see if there were others because the water was murky. Grump
Joseph: Ah. *takes a sip of his coffee* Well, that sucks. *not as much as "camping" though...*
Gyles: Well, it could have been worse... *doesn't even need to explain*
Joseph: True. The camping was enough of not-fun. *not a fan of camping. at all*
Gyles: Well we're back now. Speaking of which, have you been experiencing odd things since you went to the planet? *says last part hesitantly*
Joseph: *brow furrows at the change in tone* No...why? You're not feeling well?
Gyles: It's... Nothing. *resists urge to scratch itchy spots (which unbeknownst to him, would become scales)*
Joseph: *had picked up his spoon to take a bite of his chowder, but puts his spoon back down and peers at Gyles* Your tone doesn't say "nothing".
Gyles: Well, I thought I was, but sickbay didn't seem to find anything, so... *shrug*
Joseph: All right then. *takes a sip of his coffee and peers over the rim of the mug* If you don't mind me asking, what did you think was wrong?
Gyles: Hm? Oh, I've just been having some itchy spots since the planet, I'm sure it's nothing but then again... Alien planet.
Joseph: And weird things tend to happen on alien planets. *has learned this* *puts down his coffee and returns to his chowder* I'd suggest that you ran into some poison ivy, but I don't think there was anything like that down there. *at least, not from what he could find*
Gyles: There could be, similar plants have evolved all over the Galaxy. *Helpful*
Joseph: Maybe. *eats some of his meal before* But, just a bit of advice; if you've still got those itchy spots in a day or two, see if you can get them checked out again.
Gyles: I'll be sure to, after all /you're/ the doctor here, not me. *remembers the contents of his plate*
Joseph: *chuckles* I just hope we don't have to do any impromptu camping anytime soon. *makes a face that says "do not like"*
Gyles: *chuckle as well* No guarantee of /that/.
Joseph: *smile* Well, I guess I'll have to develop a tolerance for camping, if not a liking for it.
Gyles: You could always stay aboard all the time...
Joseph: Yeah, I know...but that can get boring, being onship 100% of the time. *or so he thinks* (if only he knew....)
Gyles: Suit yourself then... *nom*
Joseph: *also nom, because food* On the upside, nobody was eaten by dinosaurs, and we were able to beam back up after the storm passed. *said that already, he knows* So we should have a moment of peace before the next crazy thing that comes our way.
Gyles: *this is true* Yes, if only a moment. What do you suppose it is?
Joseph: *shrug* Something...out there.
Gyles: Hm... Maybe another nebula this time? Those are always fun... *sarcasm!*
Joseph: *gives him a deadpan look* No. Thanks. The last one was enough. *eats more of his chowder*
Gyles: Not according to Starfleet and its infinite wisdom. But besides, we've discovered things never seen before, it kind of excites me.
Joseph: Yeah, like evil Hattans and crabby future versions of ourselves. *deadpan* *Seriously, how does an apocalyptic possible-future excite you?*
Gyles: *quietly* Okay, some things I could have done without...
Joseph: Like the Death Kangaroos from Hell. */really/ didn't like those* *eye twitch at the thought*
Gyles: Right... Well... To each their own I guess. *crapcrapcrap, messed up*
Joseph: Try nearly getting eaten by dinosaurs sometime, and see how fun it is. *takes a drink of coffee*
Gyles: I'll take your word for it. *does not want to mess up*
Joseph: *can see the "ohcrap" vibes from Gyles* Er, sorry...I guess I'm still in a bit of a funk. *nervous chuckle*
Gyles: Likewise, I'm considering staying aboard to see what kind of work Commander K'Rinn has planned. *^^* I was feeling fairly down, but then someone I know showed up. *meaning Joseph*
Joseph: *small smile* Heh, and who might that be? *meant to be jokingly*
Gyles: *gah, no* It's you. *deadpan flat tone*
Joseph: *laughs* I was making a joke, you know. But yeah, glad to have helped you in the whole "cheering up" thing. *is also feeling better since Gyles made himself known, friendly faces are always nice*
Gyles: Oh, I'm sure it wouldn't have lasted.
Joseph: So you say. *finishes off his chowder*
Gyles: When are emotions ever permanent? *well...* ...Unless something really goes wrong...
Joseph: Please don't say that. *because then something really will go really wrong*
Gyles: *are you okay?* Why?
Joseph: There's a saying on Earth...well, not so much a saying as a superstition, I guess....*how to explain...*
Gyles: Is this Murphy's Law?
Joseph: Partly, yeah. Something like...if you say "at least it hasn't gone completely wrong yet"...saying that's called "jinxing it". Which basically means now that you've said it, everything'll go wrong. *hopes that makes sense*
Gyles: ...Yeah, I can see why some people think that. *it's happened plenty of times*
Joseph: But hey, maybe this time around it'll actually not hit the fan? *smiles slightly, taking a sip of his coffee*
Gyles: Yeah. Maybe. Of course when has this ship ever had a spotless record for that kind of thing?
Joseph: *snort* True. *although he hasn't seen nearly as much crazy as the rest of the crew* *but has read past logs, so there's that* Seriously, how are you all still sane? *rhetorical question.
Gyles: I have no idea but I would hardly consider myself "sane". *please take that as a joke, because that's what it is and I don't want you to get the wrong idea*
Joseph: *chuckles, gets the joke* I'd consider you sane, or at least more so than some people on the ship* *Like Erik.*
Gyles: That's good to know. *checks notifications on a thing, probably a PADD* Hm. I have to be somewhere soon, would you mind if...
Joseph: *small headshake and dismissive motion with his hand* Don't worry about it; I'm about done with my coffee anyway. See you around?
Gyles: Of course. *collects things* Later then.
Joseph: *nods* Later
Gyles: *Politely nods and exits, though he seems to be moving a bit oddly, what's up wit that? Whatever, he's gone now*



IV.
Terrence: *when the storm subsides, is beamed up to sickbay for a checkup and treatment of a number of scrapes and bruises, as well as a few shots to take care of any parasites he might have picked up despite his careful boiling of all water* *so right now, is sitting on a biobed in a stained blue undershirt and absolutely filthy (formerly white) uniform pants. His uniform jacket, which he used for a sort of backpack while he was on the planet, has already been discarded because nasty*
Zef: *knows that the missing officers are safely back on the Legacy and brought to sickbay; would actually wait until sickbay either released Terry or is just done with treatment which might not be the case just yet, but just finished some work on the same deck, so he can as well... right?; heads for sickbay but stops in the doorway, figuring where Terry is and what's going on, doesn't want to be in the way*
Terrence: *doesn't see Zef yet, is turned slightly away and also is blocked by a hulking nurse who's doing his scans*
Zef: *steps away from the doorway, right to the side and apparently it's the right side for getting a better view on Terry; relieved to see him and that he's sitting, so it's probably not so bad?* *wants to go to him but... they're still busy and he'd be in the way...*
Terrence: *sees red out of the corner of his eye and turns to look out of instinct, gives a huge grin when he sees who it is* Zef! Zef! *the nurse puts up a hand to discourage him from hopping down from the biobed, so he stays put, but beckons*
Zef: *inhales and makes his way past the biobeds and people towards Terry, trying not to get in the way, of course they're all busy now...* *slight obviously relieved smile, looks kinda tired and maybe even pale, at least for someone who knows him and stops in a decent distance to the biobed, indecisive* Hey Terrence. I just heard the storm passed. Glad you're back. *I missed you*
Terrence: *grinning* Man, you should have been there! Okay, not really, sleeping on the ground does suck, and you're a city kid. But campfires, and hiking, and sunrises..! Well, hard to see, I tried climbing a tree one morning and it /sort/ of worked.
Zef: *nods, strangely amused, slightly smiling* Glad you liked it. I'm just glad that nothing really bad happened to you.
Terrence: Chewed up a little, but it's all right, I had a medkit. *the nurse motions to him and then moves on* *hops off the bed* Okay. Shower.
Zef: *steps aside to make some room, although there's actually enough room already* Yeah well, I guess they were a little low on showers down there. *pause* Can you... you don't need to stay here?
Terrence: *shakes his head* I'm fine, apparently. No big injuries and I've stayed fed and hydrated. But /god/, I want /pasta/.
Zef: *relieved* Well, /that/ shouldn't be a problem. In the cities, there's a thing called replicator. It makes food.
Terrence: What an invention! But shower, first. *heads for the door of sickbay*
Zef: We have those, too. *follows him; good, they can leave sickbay* Want me come along or drop by later or...?
Terrence: *steps into the hallway* You should come if you don't have anything else. I've missed you.
Zef: *smiles* Missed you too. *slight shrug* Well, I'm basically done with my shift. I can write my report while you shower, unless you'd rather I shower, too? *because I work with messy stuff; isn't obviously dirty but yeah*
Terrence: *startled* What? *wait* Oh. I mean, as long as it hasn't been more than *be reasonable* 24 hours. Reports?
Zef: Well, this morning before my shift. Shower, I mean. You sure?
Terrence: *pause* Did you get sweaty at work?
Zef: *frowns, thinking* Erm, not really..? But I can just go shower, I mean, it wouldn't take long, I can hurry.
Terrence: *laughs* No need to hurry, /my/ shower will not be short.
Zef: Well. *slight tired grin* For me it was only a few hours. *for you it's been a week* And maybe I get the report done, too.
Terrence: *nods* Okay. You can let yourself into my quarters, it won't be locked.
Zef: Okay. *pause* You'll be okay if I go? *looks like it, but since he has no idea what happened on the planet, well, better make sure*
Terrence: *shrugs* Yeah, sure. I'm good, promise. *grins and steps into the turbolift*
Zef: Good, okay then. *nodnod, follows him inside the lift, considering to hug him right there after the doors closed...*
Terrence: *glances at him* If we're going to shower anyway, and you don't mind being dirty for a few minutes... *opens his arms for a hug*
Zef: *smiles slightly, just as relieved as tired* I'll survive. *hugs him*
Terrence: *hugs him back, god he's so comparatively clean*
Zef: *hugs him tightly for a moment, doesn't even think about the dirt on his clothes, that doesn't matter at all; wants to let go when they reach a deck and the doors open*
Terrence: *pauses, thinking about how Zef looks right now* Hey...are you okay?
Zef: *sigh, though it sounds quite contented* More or less, yeah. Didn't sleep too much. *or eat*
Terrence: What? Why?
Zef: I wasn't stuck on the planet. I was just thinking about too much.
Terrence: *pats his back* I'm fine, I really meant it. No one got eaten, I was camping. Camping is good.
Zef: Well, it would have made /me/ edgy, I guess. *pretty sure*
Terrence: Good thing you were up here, then. *grins and lets him go*
Zef: *nods* Would have been distracting, though. *lets to too* The only good thing about danger: distracts from too much thinking.
Terrence: *the turbolift doors open* There's time to talk after a shower. *edges for the door, since it's opened on his deck*
Zef: Right. *faint smile* Go shower. *waves vaguely* See you in a bit.
Terrence: *grins, waves, and trots away*
Zef: *gawd they're back he's back finally!!* Deck 7. *goes to his quarters after the turbolift arrived on said deck and takes a quick shower, changes into comfortable civvies and heads for Terry's quarters*
Terrence: *takes a looooooooooong shower and finally gets out again, basically burned his old clothing, now wearing sweatpants and a shirt because it's comfy* *comes out to make ~tea~*
Zef: *probably arrives when Terry is still showering; when he comes out Zef is curled up comfortably on the couch with a PADD, working on his report* *looks up, slight smile* Ahh. So you didn't get lost after all.
Terrence: *grins as he takes down two mugs* Nearly. It's a maze in there with all my shampoo. *untrue, everything is neatly organized in his shower. Also he's taller than a shampoo bottle*
Zef: I would have sent a search team, but I was writing my report. *stretches and sits up, making a low moaning noise because he's /sitting up/*
Terrence: Good, you have priorities. *loops an arm up behind Zef*
Zef: *grins, sits up* Thanks. *sheepish* Though I shouldn't be half as tired as you...
Terrence: Camping energizes me. Few can keep up. *grins*
Zef: *raises a brow, slightly grinning, small headshake* I have /no/ idea how you can say 'camping'. *with all the predators and other annoying stuff and all the walking* … and you must have been walking like all day long? *makes a face*
Terrence: *nods* Hiking! It was a beautiful jungle. Even the things that attacked us were beautiful. Dangerous, but beautiful.
Zef: Interesting, maybe. Impressive. Some impressively gigantic. *leans back* Uff. Well. I'm still glad that you liked it. Whatever it is, is easier to bear when you don't hate it...
Terrence: *small smile* And your week?
Zef: Oh well, we tried to work around the storm and stuff and no dinosaur made it up here, so that was okay. *nodnod* I was just... *sighs, shrugs* kinda down. Am down, I guess.
Terrence: Did something happen?
Zef: Well, no, I mean, did you know that T'Pah is now a full Lieutenant? *shifts posture a bit*
Terrence: *smiles* Yeah, I heard. I meant to congratulate her at our Monday literature session, but well. *chuckles*
Zef: *inhales nodding* Yeaaah, well. Reminded me of my own achievements since I graduated. Or the empty placeholder where they should be. *slight sour smile* That's dragging me down.
Terrence: *wraps his arm around Zef's shoulders properly* There's more to you than Starfleet.
Zef: *leans against him* You're right... I, it's just. *sighs* The Legacy is a fast track ship, the Lina Sophia is a fast track ship and I'm never gonna catch up. But I don't want to go yet. It's frustrating.
Terrence: *gives him a squeeze* Lots of people didn't go through the Fast Track. You're not alone, there.
Zef: *squeezes back* … But still, some graduated after I joined and they're still more than one rank up. But maybe... maybe I just shouldn't care. I don't want to, anyway.
Terrence: Forget about them. *small smile* Well, don't actually. T'Pah is a good friend. But you know what I mean.
Zef: *tries to smile, because a part of him feels like it but the other doesn't* Yeah, I know. T'Pah said she'd suggest me for bridge shifts when I told her that I started thinking about it... *glances at him*
Terrence: *grins* Really? Oh my god! That's great! I didn't know you were thinking about that.
Zef: I... wasn't until you decided to go camping and I was all down and couldn't stop thinking. *raises a brow* If they let me mess with the bridge, I'm going to die or destroy the ship, one of those. *nodnod* Fair warning.
Terrence: *laughs* Or gain valuable knowledge and experience.
Zef: Yeah, well... but that's rather unlikely. *can't help it, starts grinning slightly, though it looks tired*
Terrence: Statistically speaking, it probably /is/ rather likely, actually. It's hard to destroy this ship, three and a half years have proved that much. *grins*
Zef: … even survived me being Chief Engineer... several times. *nudges Terry* Stop making sense, I can't be depressed that way, really.
Terrence: *laughs* I'm just pointing out what's already there.
Zef: Yeah, like T'Pah. Well, minus the Vulcan-ness. But how am I supposed to feel bad like that?
Terrence: That's the point. *gives him another squeeze and gets up to go for the tea*
Zef: *snorts, grins briefly and let's Terry get up* Okay fine, I'll consider feeling better. *pause, shifts posture now that one of his backrests is gone*
Terrence: *pours out two mugs of tea and comes back, offering one to Zef* Now you see it.
Zef: *watches Terry and takes the mug when it's offered* I guess. *pause* To be honest, all week I felt so... dark? More or less, but mostly more. Scary, actually, because it happened so suddenly. I think I'm better now, but maybe still a bit, well, unstable? I'm not sure.
Terrence: *puts his arm around Zef's shoulders again* Sorry I wasn't here for you. Dark days are... *pauses and takes a sip of tea* ...not...fun. Not alone. Not fun anyway, but especially not alone.
Zef: *leans comfortably against him* But you don't have to be sorry, really. We know that it can happen anytime, right? I mean, getting separated one way or another. And... I'm pretty sure that not everything on Nublar V was fun, not even for you.
Terrence: Maybe not. I was excessively dirty...but I had my pocket toothbrush, at least, and my toothpaste didn't run out.
Zef: *distracted from his dark week* Do you bring that on all away missions?
Terrence: *sheepish* I bring it on all away missions...outside my quarters.
Zef: Oh. *perfect reply* Okay, I see. Soo... how long could you go without it, without being uncomfortable? *seems important*
Terrence: Oh you know. A few hours. Waking up is /disgusting/. Hours without brushing my teeth. *clicks his tongue in an exaggerated "tut tut" and drinks some more tea*
Zef: Do you get up right away? *right, tea, sips some tea*
Terrence: Yup. Sometimes get back into bed if it's a Saturday.
Zef: Best plan, anyway. I'd stay in bed all day, if I could. *but there's life*
Terrence: I'd be pretty bored if you did.
Zef: *shrugs, slight smile* I could as well stay on the couch all day.
Terrence: *rolls his eyes* That's no way to live. Not when there are dinosaurs to see.
Zef: I have a PADD. With pictures. Or movies?
Terrence: *shakes his head* Not the same as being bitten by them.
Zef: *deadpan* Right. That sounds much better than staying on the couch all day. What was I thinking.
Terrence: I always wanted to be telepathic! Guess I am now.
Zef: Must be that planet. Okay. *looks right at him* Guess what I'm thinking. *I swear he's not eight years old, well, physically*
Terrence: *hesitates, leans forward just slightly, then stops* *whispers* That I make the best tea on the whole ship.
Zef: *keeps looking at him, doesn't move but starts smiling very slightly* Is true. *shifts his posture just a bit, looks at his cup but doesn't stop smiling and eventually sips tea*
Terrence: *sits back again and takes a sip of his tea to cover his expression* Knew it. *muffled behind his cup*
Zef: Mhmm. So real telepathy, mh? Is convenient. *leans back again comfortably, against Terry*
Terrence: *sighs and settles in comfortably* I wish. My sessions would be a whole lot easier.
Zef: *glances at him* Was it easier when we /were/ telepaths? I only made myself some enemies.
Terrence: No. It wasn't so good that time. Molly wasn't keen on knowing what I was thinking.
Zef: She wasn't? /I'd /want to know.
Terrence: *grunts* She wasn't overeager to know about my libido.
Zef: Weeell, all right. Okay. *looks at his mug* But that's only one part of it. I thought she'd want to know, because she was trying to understand you. You'd think thoughts help...
Terrence: *shrugs and sips his tea*
Zef: *quiet for a moment, doesn't move* … sorry. *ruefully*
Terrence:  *rubs his shoulders* It's fine. You wouldn't mind knowing what I think, and that's...that means a lot.
Zef: *sinks a little* No, erm. I wouldn't. But I shouldn't have said that. *mumbles* I just didn't think...
Terrence: *pokes his shoulder* You're fine. It doesn't...hurt as much to remember anymore.
Zef: Maybe not as much, but it does and I shouldn't have said it. *worst friend ever* … so thanks. *squeezes him*
Terrence: Well. *chuckles* You're welcome, then. *settles again and drinks more tea*
Zef: *relaxes only slowly, drinks some tea as well so he can quietly calm down and eventually only mumbles* … missed you.
Terrence:  *exhales and hugs him* I missed you too. When I wasn't so excited about camping.
Zef: *faint smile* Good thing if you were excited a lot.
Terrence: I would have had a terrible time of it if I hadn't. I thought about comming you, but...well, I was occupied, but maybe I should have tried.
Zef: *squeezes* Well, honestly... I thought about comming you, too. But I didn't, because... you know, what if it's a bad situation and you need to be quiet?
Terrence: *laughs* I would have hated to be eaten.
Zef: And I would have hated it to be my fault. Well, I mean, I don't want you to be eaten at all.
Terrence: *pause* Eaten.../god/, I'm starved. *sets his mug aside and gets up to go to the replicator* Want anything?
Zef: *lets him get up and leans back again, finding himself a new comfortable pose* Eat? Food? Mhhh, well, maybe I should? *indecisive*
Terrence: I'll order for you. What do you want? *keys in a pasta dish for himself*
Zef: *leans forward, puts his mug on the table* Pasta is okay. *it's what he always eats when he is hungry but isn't and should eat but doesn't know what*
Terrence: *nods and makes a second dish of the same thing he got, brings it to Zef--some sort of parmesan and cream white sauce with chicken* *holds it out to Zef as he sits again* Did you eat much all week?
Zef: *takes his plate* Thanks. Well. Define much? I'm not starving.
Terrence: *snorts* /Enough/. Balanced meals, every day, three times a day. 2000 calories approximately.
Zef: Oh. *coughs* Then I didn't eat much all week. *sheepishly*
Terrence: *sighs* Zef. You gotta take care of yourself.
Zef: Well, but I do. I didn't feel bad because I didn't eat, I didn't eat because I felt bad. And! No one noticed, so that's good.
Terrence: Well, I'm noticing now. When those things hit you, at least make eating your constant. Do you get sick if you eat when you feel bad?
Zef: That... *pauses to think about it* Well, that depends on the kind of bad. Sometimes, but sometimes I'm just not hungry and don't want to move *faint brief smile* so I don't.
Terrence: Well, you should at least try to keep up an eating and exercise regimen. I mean, I'll help if I'm around, but what if we're separated and it happens again?
Zef: I'll... just keep going? And if I don't, I know one or maybe two more people who'd check on me and if they're missing as well, I guess at some point my neighbors would mind the musty smell coming from my body, wasting away.
Terrence: *grimaces* God, and /shower/ /too/. That'll also help you feel better. *swats his arm, not hard* Look, okay? You've got to take care of yourself. You're worth a lot. You're worth taking care of.
Zef: *snorts a laugh, strangely amused and relaxing* I meant the smell from a dying body, don't worry, I did shower. *coughs, sobers* *pauses to breathe deeply, quietly, eventually nods slightly* Okay, I'll try. I'm trying. I'll keep going.
Terrence: *rubs his shoulders* Good. Thank you. *smiles* You made it through this week without dying. I'm proud.
Zef: *nods smiling, raises a brow* I didn't die with no predators around, I'm such a hero. *doesn't sound bothered now though* Good thing you made it, too. *even /with/ predators*
Terrence: *shrugs* We all have different opponents. Sometimes the opponent is ourselves. And sometimes that's just as hard to overcome as a flesh-and-blood predator. *shrugs again* But that doesn't mean either fight is less important. Or less threatening.
Zef: Well, okay yeah. I guess I've never seen myself as a strong opponent, so erm, I ignore that part, sometimes.
Terrence: You shouldn't. Don't give up.
Zef: I- *looks down at his plate for a moment, then right at Terry* I won't. I have reasons to keep going.
Terrence: *smiles* Good. So do I. *makes a small gesture* Eat your dinner.
Zef: *brief grin* I'm on it. *starts eating, makes a small gesture like “There, see?”*
Terrence: *nods approvingly, his own mouth full of food*
[So they ate and hung out.]



V.
Vekal: *sends a message to T'Pah's PADD asking her to come by whenever she has time*
T’Pah: *sends a message to Vekal’s PADD asking her if she could visit her before opening the just arrived message* … *”Funny”*
Vekal: *responds with "Yes." -- mostly to be funny* *and tidies up a bit, because there might have been a speck of dust hiding somewhere*
T’Pah: *arrives at Vekal’s door a few minutes later and chimes*
Vekal: *answers it in her second-favourite pantsuit (the brown one) and steps back to let T'Pah in* Lieutenant. Please, come in. I wanted to talk to you.
T’Pah: *nods and enters* Lieutenant Commander. I learned you’ve decided to leave.
Vekal: Yes. I wanted to say goodbye to you.
T’Pah: *makes the Vulcan salute* Live long and prosper. *takes her hand down* Although I hope that we will stay in touch.  
Vekal: *not sure she's pleased with the idea, and while earlier she might have said yes just to please T'Pah, hesitates now* Why is that, Lieutenant?
T’Pah: *blinks* Because I hope to continue our affiliation.
Vekal: *exhales* As you like.
T’Pah: *hesitates, for it is pretty much a decision between taking what she wanted or risking to lose it by asking for Vekal's real opinion* Is something wrong with the wish to keep contact?
Vekal: It may be. *pauses for a long moment to consider if she wants to say this, if she dares, and finally decides that she has no reason not to* The person you venerate doesn't exist. It's all an act; a lie, as you would say. I'm leaving partly because I'm tired of the lie, and I'm no longer desperate enough to pretend to be someone I'm not just for the sake of having someone I can call a friend.
T'Pah: *blinks, takes a moment to take that in, then leans against whatever is behind her* You seem very sure that you would lose me as a friend if you stopped acting. I'd like to point out, however, that your reconstruction of “the person I venerate” is based on assumption about my system of values.
Vekal: I never had you, Lieutenant, or you me. That's what I want you to understand. *smiles* To most of my former friends, the ones who still interact with me, I'm an inconvenience, an obligation, a disappointment or an item on a schedule. I doubt that any of them planned to make me lose them. What can I say; plans tend to fail around me. Besides, what's the value of a friendship if your only reason for continuing it is to follow a plan you made regarding someone you didn't know?
T'Pah: *looks down* *intensifies the pressure of her fingertips on the surface behind her* ...
Vekal: Lieutenant, I'm not saying that I don't appreciate your allegiance. And do you think I don't /want/ your friendship? I do. But I want you to know that it can't be on your terms anymore.
T'Pah: *looks back at Vekal and lifts an eyebrow* Would you be so kind and expound my terms for me?
Vekal: *has to grin* Yes, when you put it that way it does sound ridiculous, doesn't it?
T'Pah: You have yet to convince me that what you seem to believe is happening is what is happening. Because from my point of view, you put a lot of effort into me not getting to know you. Then you use me not knowing you as an excuse to nullify my friendship for you, and further as justification that we can never make friends. I am curious as of why you feel the need to do that.
Vekal: Because, Lieutenant, for a long time I was willing to pretend to be someone for you to venerate. That naturally entails not letting you "get to know" me.
T'Pah: Yes. I found that quite inconvenient, but assumed it were your terms for our interaction.
Vekal: What you need to consider is what you are and what I am. As long as I'm being honest, Lieutenant, I'll tell you a few things. Your lapse in judgement concerning me set aside, you're more intelligent than I am. You're nearly twice my age. I spend my days arguing for change with a pair of manipulative and conservative men drunk on power, unsuccessfully for the most part, and I persist in this because I can't see any other option and at least one of them will tear me apart emotionally anyway. You spend your time preparing to replace one of these men, and you do it without invoking anyone's ire. I laugh, I cry, I lash out in anger. You have the self-control to do none of these things. You saved all of Starfleet just recently. I'm preparing to leave the ship in disgrace and /hope/ that /someone/ will see some value in my skills and overlook all of the aforementioned. You venerate me; I disgust myself. *takes a breath, having gotten off-track in her rant* ...The point I'm trying to make, Lieutenant, is that I'm your superior in rank only, and that not for much longer. It is /illogical/ for you to venerate me and all I can say to explain why I went along with the idea is that I didn't want to hurt you or disappoint you.
T'Pah: *takes that in* …I regard highly, thus “venerate”, your bravery and dedication to trade Cardassia indefinitely for the pursuit of an idea you neither knew would work out nor be what you expected. Do you want to say that is not what you did?
Vekal: I made myself an exile once and I've no wish to do it again. I've changed since those days.
T'Pah: I believe you, and I do not judge you for your change of heart. I still think you did something extraordinary by getting the idea of leaving in itself, and that these character traits, as well as this past decision, are still a part of you.
Vekal: We've all done something extraordinary, Lieutenant.
T'Pah: Perhaps. But statistically speaking, your decision was probably a little more extraordinary than most of ours. *considering Cardassian upbringing and the percentage of Cardassian ex-soldiers in Starfleet*  
Vekal: *chuckles* Or a little bit crazier. Was that really all you meant?
T'Pah: I appreciate your intelligence, your ability to be opaque and your resilience. If calling it "veneration", however, leads you to deliberately conceal yourself from me I would prefer to refrain from that phrasing.
Vekal: *laughs a bit in relief* I would appreciate that.
T'Pah: *nods* I... was unaware my thoughts *in the accidental telepathy prompt* caused such an unpleasant side effect. *a bit apologetic, but apologizing would be illogical: She never planned on sharing that thought, and at that time it at least seemed to show that she had a positive evaluation of Vekal*
Vekal: *hugs T'Pah*
T'Pah: *blinks stunnedly... and then hugs her back carefully, in the I-have-almost-no-experience-in-this-do-I-do-that-right-yes-I-think-that's-how-it-goes-way*



VI.
Vekal: *leaves the ship*
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LordXanathos's avatar
Goodbye Vekal! ._.
Though it's good that she and T'Pah got to sort these things out before she leaves. Hope she comes back after all. ^^"