Posted by Lieutenant Tija Aizala (Chief Medical Officer) in Nine Forward - Time to relax (Side Sim - Open for all)

Posted by Captain Emmeline Davis (Commanding Officer) in Nine Forward - Time to relax (Side Sim - Open for all)

Posted by Lieutenant Tija Aizala (Chief Medical Officer) in Nine Forward - Time to relax (Side Sim - Open for all)

<snip>

Aizala watched the Captain intently, probably more so than would be considered polite. She really wanted to focus on the conversation with the Captain, but found her mind easily drifting off. And focusing her gaze on something or someone had always helped her with her concentration. However, she was also aware of how rude and intrusive most people found it to be stared at. So eventually she lowered her gaze back to her cup and replied, “I guess you could say we are the same in that regard. Though I did have a sister, but I was too young when she died to really remember her.” A sad little smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she said that.

~Lt. Tija, Asst. CMO

Emmy easily met Tija’s gaze, unaware or unconcerned with the social intricacies of proper eye contact. She followed her gaze back to the tea cup. “Is that a relief or a burden?” she inquired, finding herself confused by the facial expression that Tija had adopted. Her own face remained completely neutral, again unaware of how brusque the question might come across, but truly, she wanted to know the information and it didn’t feel necessary to draw out the conversation to obtain it.

Davis, CO

Looking up once again, Aizala pondered Davis’ question for several moments. Eventually she replied, “I’m not entirely sure, to be honest, but both, I guess.” Frowning slightly, she fell silent once more and touched her left thumb to her lips, so that the nail was resting lightly on the crack between her upper and lower incisors. After a few more moments, she lowered her hand somewhat and continued, “I have never actually thought about that question and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to give a clear answer. The whole situation is just too … difficult, I suppose.” All the while the Captain’s brusqueness only partly registered with Aizala. And while it was something she generally didn’t much like in a private conversation, somewhere in the back of her mind and heart she felt that that was what she needed right at this moment. It was almost like an antidote to her brooding and all the emotions bubbling up in her.

~Lt. Tija, Asst. CMO

“I don’t much like difficult situations,” Emmy observed before she could stop herself and then realized that likely wasn’t the best thing for the captain of a starship to murmur. She caught the side of her lip between her teeth and bit down on it softly in her own introspection. She found herself staring at the tea cup in front of her again, finding comfort in the focal point for her vision. You didn’t have to be an empath to feel the emotions swirling off the medical officer and, well, those made her awfully uncomfortable. After a few moments, she abruptly let go of her lip and asked, “how are you finding the Challenger?”

Davis, CO

Who does, Aizala thought; not even fully aware that she didn’t say those words out loud. While she watched the Captain think, Aizala wondered if she was going to ask why or how the situation was difficult; without even being sure if she wanted her to ask or not.

A small, lopsided smile appeared on Aizala’s face at Emmy’s question. “I enjoy being here a lot. I know some find the lack of stability and continuity daunting, but I actually like the coming and going of cadets and even senior officers,” she replied without thinking her answer through beforehand. “Also, I’ve had some wonderful teachers in the past without whom I wouldn’t be here today. And I hope I can help and support some people in the same way,” she continued softly.

~Lt. Tija, Asst. CMO

Emmy listened attentively to Tija’s response, giving a single nod of affirmation as she completed it. She pushed back the chair she had sat down in and rocked to her feet in one smooth motion. “Well, I will not interrupt you any longer, Doctor. I hope the stars give you the answers that you’re looking for,” she commented, referring back to Tija’s stargazing that she had originally interrupted.

Davis, CO