Daily Logs 9-2-14

I. I'm Fine: Lev and Terrence catch up
II. Lana distracts Joe kind of a lot



I.
Terrence: *at a cafe in one of the towns, sharing a snack and tea with Kirlia at a small table*
Lev: *passes by that cafe by coincidence, by himself, with a backpack and a growlithe is walking besides him* *spots terry and slows down* Hey, Hooker. *waves*
Terrence: *perks up and waves* Levrance! Hey! *beckons* Join us! *Kirlia waves too, a graceful, sweeping gesture*
Lev: *goes over to the cafe entrance and goes around to the table Terry's sitting at* *Growlithe follows and sits down when Lev stops* What a coincidence to meet you here. *seems fairly at ease for his standarts*
Terrence: Well, i wanted shore leave, and this place actually has /great/ tea, there are even a few kinds entirely unique to this planet. Here, I'll order one for you. *stands*
Lev:  Heh. *tea, of course* *small smile at that and then sits down* Thank you.
Terrence: *goes to the counter to order tea, while Kirlia hops off its chair to greet Growlithe*
Lev: *sets down his backpack, which is actually open, and a small Happiny peaks out of it, watching the other two pokemon greet eachother* *waits for terry to come back*
Terrence: *returns and sets a tall paper mug of tea in front of Lev* I see you've met Kirlia-- *sees Happiny and his eyes widen* Oh my god. Is that. *bends down to look* I haven't seen one yet!
Lev: *Happiny gives Terry a curious look, and then Lev grabs it and pulls it out of the bag gently, and sets it down on his lap* It's a pre-form of those healing Pokemon you often see in those hospital centers. *the happiny makes happy noises enjoying the attention* *the Growlithe at lev's feet is much for reserved*
Terrence: *grins and takes a Pokeball from his belt, releasing the Pokemon inside. A pink Pokemon with brown-tipped ears appears--it doesn't even come to Terry's knees* *picks it up and sits back down with Cleffa in his lap* Cleffa, meet Lev's Happiny.
Lev: *so much pink* *lets the Happiny jump off his lap and down, so it can take a look* *looks at the Cleffa, interested* I've heard about these. Cleffas, was it? I wanted to stop at the caves where they supposedly live in.
Terrence: That's where Kirlia and I found her! She was the first Pokemon I ever caught. *proud proud proud* She's been a big help catching Pokemon these past few days, her Sing puts them to sleep and they can't break out of the Pokeballs. *nods* We've added eight new Pokemon to the Starfleet total.
Lev: Nice job.
Terrence: *grins* Thanks. I think we're even ready to challenge one of the gym leaders. *pats his belt* I've got a lot more than some fairies here. *grins, because he's literally the coolest*
Lev: *lifts eyebrows* Oh right, there's this contest going on. *picks up his tea cup and sips from it* Are you going to take part?
Terrence: *nods* I want us to be able to keep our data. We've been out the last couple days collecting new Pokemon, but I've encountered a roadblock to one spot that I can't get past without a certain badge. So I'm gonna get it. *Cleffa cheers, and Kirlia nods solemnly*
Lev:  It would be nice if we could keep that all this information. This whole place is an amazing feat of genetic engineering. *mild geek moment* *clears throat* Well, at the very least I'm trying to learn as much as I can from observation alone.
Terrence: *nods* I want to keep the scans too though. So we're gonna do our part. *ruffles Cleffa's head*
Lev:  Then I'm counting on you make it through those gyms, Hooker. *mild grin*
Terrence: Aren't you gonna get badges too?
Lev: *shakes his head* I'm not catching anything. And I'm kinda on a schedule.
Terrence: *blinks at him* Schedule? *interested, because, schedule*
Lev: Hudson and I are on a tour through the region. There's still a few spots I want to get to before we have to leave.
Terrence: *smiles* That's sweet. You guys having fun?
Lev: I am. Hudson is... bearing with me. *rubs back of neck, awkward smile*
Terrence: *is he that bad in bed* I'm sure she's enjoying herself. This place is cool, and I mean, she does enjoy your company.
Lev: She's not a fan of camping, and mud. But yeah. we're having a good time. *flushes a little* *sips from his tea and after a brief moment manages to regain his composure* It's good to spend time with her after that last mission on the Lina Sophia.
Terrence: *chuckles* Yeah, okay, Molly never was so much a fan of camping. I just went alone.
Lev: That's too bad. *gives Terry a slightly concerned look* ... How are you holding up?
Terrence: Oh. *shrugs* I'm fine. *Kirlia glances at him and takes a sip out of its tiny cup of tea, watching him*
Lev: You seem to be doing better. *as far as he can tell anyway*
Terrence: *nods* I am. And my work is good, so that's--good. *hesitant grin* My vocabulary is doing good too.
Lev: When are you going to pick up counselling again? *watching him, cautions*
Terrence: *fidgets* Hm, oh, what? Counseling? Oh I mean, I never dropped it, it's just like, there's been other stuff, you know? I was CMO on the Lina Sophia while Leslie was kidnapped, so I mean, you know? And now it's shore leave. *Kirlia coos slightly and shifts, also discomfitted*
Lev: I know. But will you pick it back up after this?
Terrence: Oh, sure, yeah, definitely. *nodnod* *takes a chug of his tea so he can't talk*
Lev: Just wanting to make sure. Just in case I'd have to replace you. *grins, trying to be lighthearted*
Terrence: *chokes* S-sir? *puts his cup down again, face aghast*
Lev: Woah- *puts up hands* *awkward laugh* It was a joke, Hooker. Just a joke.
Terrence: Oh! *hesitant grin* Right. Sorry. I mean it's just, I did just have a divorce. Emotionally compromised, probably. It wouldn't be unreasonable, to replace me.
Lev: There's still the option for you to stay in the nurse position. I wasn't sure if you wanted to stay in it, so I had to consider the possibility of having to bring in a new counsellor on-board.
Terrence: I-I... *rubs his forehead, and Kirlia touches his arm worriedly* I don't know. I want to stay a counselor. I've always...it's always been what I loved. But. I mean. I'm not...I don't have my life together. And...so yeah. Maybe I shouldn...I don't know.
Lev: *furrows brows, concerned, thinking to himself that Terry still hasn't recovered* *tries to give him a reassuring smile* Just inform me of what you want to do when this mission is over. So I can make arrangements. Take the time you need.
Terrence: *nods slowly* Yeah. Yes. Right. Thank you, Doctor. *touches a finger to Kirlia's hand without looking, to reassure it, and it settles back in its chair*
Lev: Though I'm hoping you pull yourself together, Hooker. I can't have my own counsellor be more of an emotional mess then myself. *mild grin*
Terrence: *looks uncomfortable* Sir, you're fine, you've been doing way better. You don't even look tired anymore. And...I mean, you're excited about life again. Look at you, talking about camping and tours. *smiles and nods* You're doing great.
Lev: *raises eyebrows, a bit surprised at Terry's words* *is quiet for a moment, rubs back of neck* Thanks. *not sure what to say*
Terrence: *surprised that Lev didn't realize it on his own* Sure, anytime. *takes another drink*
Lev: *still has his worries and issues, so hadn't really realised how much better he was doing, really* Hudson is doing a good job of keeping me in check. *awkward chuckle*
Terrence: *smiles* Yeah, she's a great person. Glad you two got together.
Lev:  *nods* We're figuring things out. I'm glad she's still around, despite all the issues we've had before.
Terrence: *smiles* Yeah. It's good to work things out. And be honest. *nods* *Kirlia looks worried again, glancing at Terrence every few seconds*
Lev: Mhm. *glances at Terry too, having trouble to figure out if he's gonna be okay or not* Well, I'm glad you seem to be doing better. No more moping around in Sickbay. Which is good. It was driving Harrison crazy. *and him too. good lord*
Terrence: *laughs slightly, and Kirlia gives a small gasp* Yeah, no more of that. *stretches lazily and pats Cleffa's head* Well, I guess we should get going, huh? We've got a big day tomorrow.
Lev: Right!, I need to meet up with Hudson. She's probably done with getting us new equipment. And enjoying civilisation. *awkward smile* *opens up his backpack again and Happiny jumps right back into it, nestling itself in it* *put the backpack back on his shoulders* It was good talking to you again, Hooker.
Terrence: *stands and recalls Cleffa to her Pokeball and holds out a hand, which Kirlia takes, like a small child* Yeah, same to you, Doctor. Ah, see you around, have fun on your tour?
Lev:  *nods* Good luck with those gym battles.
Terrence: *nods* Thanks. Good night. *turns away and heads out of the cafe, picking up Kirlia so it can hug him once they're outside on the street*



II.
Lana: *has heard through one of her various channels that Joe has been emo since last night, so:* Computer, locate the Dover guy. *apparently considers this a sufficiently specific request*
Computer: Ensign Dover is in the mess hall.
Lana: Cool. *trots over there and then pauses just inside the entrance, looking around for him*
Joe: *is picking at his dinner at a table in the corner by himself*
Lana: *finally spots him and jogs over* Hey Noob!
Joe: *goes stiff* *looks up* Hi. *emo face to go with the emo bangs*
Lana: Man, what's eatin' you?
Joe: *shrug* I'd really rather not talk about it.
Lana: Okay. *glances down at his food* You gonna eat that?
Joe: *makes a noncomittal sound and pokes at a meatball* Meh. Probably not.
Lana: Cool. C'mon then.
Joe: Eh? Where?
Lana: Dunno. Let some other guy have this table without you castin' a cloud o' gloom over it.
Joe: *blinks at her a couple times* I'm not casting a "cloud o' gloom" over it. *and yet, he's radiating emo*
Lana: *snort*
Joe: *eye twitch* What?
Lana: Y'are. C'mon, or you want me ta carry you? *has no chance of lifting him*
Joe: *sighs and rises* Fine. *picks up his plate and returns it to the recyler*
Lana: Better. *waits for him, and then leads him out of the mess hall* Like booze?
Joe: Er, a bit. I usually cook with alcohol more than I drink it.
Lana: How's that work?
Joe: I don't drink much alcohol. Usually I use it to cook with, as another ingredient. Like beer battered chicken. *can't think of a better explanation*
Lana: You cook?
Joe: *nods slowly* It was kind of a requirement of my mum's that I know how to use a stove and oven by the time I graduated high school. According to her, it was so I wouldn't starve without her there.
Lana: Ya like it?
Joe: *scratches the back of his neck self-consciously* I guess...I mean, it's not a /bad/ thing, I guess.
Lana: Whatdya mean? Simple question, right? Have fun doin' it or not?
Joe: *shrugs* I guess I enjoy it. I haven't had much in the way of kitchen time lately, though. *My quarters don't have one. O_O*
Lana: You, me, holodeck, now.
Joe: Ehhh??
Lana: What?
Joe: You...you seriously want me to cook something? *this is a new experience for him o__o*
Lana: Yeah, why not?
Joe: *awkward turtle time* Uhm...okay then....*Gah, gotta find a recipe, gotta find a recipe....* *Brain, why you no work?!*
Lana: Unless you don't wanna.
Joe: No, I don't mind. *O_O*
Lana: Cool. C'mon, let's see 'f it's booked.
Joe: *doesn't protest as he's dragged along*
Lana: *yes, dragging, dragging is good*
Lana: *drags Joe up to the holodeck, which is not in fact taken (yay!)* Kay, you wanna set up an' stuff? Got a recipe in mind? Could grab booze and ingredients while you're preparin' stuff.
Joe: 225 grams alligator meat, 10 ml lime juice, 8 ml olive oil, 2 grams garlic, 30 ml white wine. *selecting a holodeck program that's a kitchen*
Lana: 'Kay. *heads out to gather these from her quarters (wine) and replicators (everything else)*
Joe: *as Lana's getting the ingredients, selects a program that's not too fancy; just an apartment-style small kitchen is all he'll need*
Lana: *returns a few minutes later, arms full of containers and a bottle of red wine* Didn't have white.
Joe: *finishing getting things organized* That's fine, red will work too. *is somehow wearing a pale green apron*
Lana: *grins* Computer, change apron to model Mitchell-X12. *...which, if anyone wonders, is a "sexy nurse" apron.*
Joe: *the computer beeps and the apron changes to the "sexy nurse" version* The hell!?!
Lana: There's a whole outfit to go along with that. Too bad ya kept your uniform on.
Joe: *eye twitch* No. Thank you. I'm staying fully clothed, thanks. *sighs* Computer, change apron back. *God, this is gonna end up everywhere*
Computer: *beeps and obliges, and the apron changes back to normal*
Lana: Borin'! *heads over* Anyway, where these go? *hands still full of ingredients*
Joe: You can put them on the counter. *gets a knife and a mixing bowl out of the drawer and cupboard (respectively)*
Lana: *does so* Okay. Any way I can help 'round here?
Joe: *cutting the alligator meat into cubes and tossing it into the bowl* Can you track down a skillet and a large saucepan? *saucepan for the rice*
Lana: Computer, skillet and saucepan, jumbo-sized.
Computer: *chirps and the requested items materialize on an empty countertop*
Joe: *nodnod* Thanks. *tossing the meat with the lime juice and seasonings* *washes his hands when he's done and puts the skillet on the stove, and starts heating the olive oil* How good are you at mincing garlic?
Lana: Never tried. So... probably not good. *grins*
Joe: *smiles, starting to relax out of his emo-funk* That's all right. You can get the rice started, then. *that'll take the longest* *starts mincing up the garlic with a clean knife*
Lana: Yeah, sounds like somethin' I can do. *heads over to the stove and gets the computer to give her a water-filled pot*
Joe: *adds the garlic to the pan and gets it going till it's fragrant, handing Lana the rice as he does so* *once the garlic is going well, he adds the alligator and gets it going*
Lana: *brings the pot to a boil and then adds the rice*
Joe: *is focused on the cooking, he's not looking much in the way of emo anymore* Ah, I almost forgot. Computer, two plates, medium-sized.
Computer: *beeps and obliges, the plates appearing just next to the stove*
Lana: Wineglasses, too. Two of 'em.
Joe: *blinks* *just a touch of blush* *Did I get myself into a date...?*
Computer: *beeps and obliges*
Lana: How long's the cookin' take?
Joe: Not more than five minutes. *peeks at the rice to see how it's coming along*
Lana: Pretty cool. *steps out of his way*
Joe: *keeping an eye on the rice and 'gator, turning the rice off and draining it when it's done and dividing it between the two plates* *when the 'gator is done, he takes it out of the skillet and turns the heat down before adding the wine, letting it simmer for a couple of minutes*
Lana: *just watches him, a bit impressed because her own cooking experience is basically limited to "heat food, try not to burn it"*
Joe: *when the sauce is finished, pours it over the 'gator and rice* And there you have it! *is proud*
Lana: Nice.
Joe: *small smile* Thanks. *takes off the apron and transfers the plates to the table* Er, oops. Computer, eating utensils.
Computer: *obliges with a beep*
Lana: There ya go. Much better'n mess hall stuff, right?
Joe: *nods* Yeah. *pulls chair out for Lana and motions for her to take a seat*
Lana: *flashes him a grin and sits in the other chair* C'mon, Noob. I'm no kinda lady.
Joe: *sheepish smile* All right then. *takes a seat* And is there a reason you keep calling me "Noob"? *yes he knows what the term means*
Lana: 'Cause you're new. Why else?
Joe: *frown* I have a name, you know.
Lana: Yeah, but lotsa guys have your name.
Joe: Joseph, you mean?
Lana: Joseph, Joe, Dover.
Joe: Hey, at least my parents weren't mean enough to name me "John Smith".
Lana: Yeah, that would've been bad.
Joe: *chuckles and takes a bite of the rice with gator and sauce*
Lana: *watches him for a second to make sure it's not poison and then follows suit* 'Ey, not bad.
Joe: *small smile* Thanks. *raises an eyebrow* What were you expecting? Charcoal and some unidentifiable gloop? *joking tone*
Lana: Hey, don't knock the goop. Lotsa alien foods are just goopy yumminess.
Joe: I'll take your word for it. *Though I'll probably get plenty of experience in that aspect soon enough.* Besides, I could've just as easily used snake meat.
Lana: Eh, pass.
Joe: Aw, why? It's rather popular "down under".
Lana: Not with my down under, tell ya that. *grins*
[And then there was conversation and food.]