Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Joseph Rainns (Incoming Chief of Security) in Side-sim Second Chance Dinner

Posted by Cadet Sharah Fayth (Doctor) in Side-sim Second Chance Dinner

Sharah was extremely nervous. She’d never made anything like this, not by hand. She had gone down to requisition fresh ingredients, because, what was the point of cooking for Joseph if all the ingredients were out of the replicator? They had no pasta so she got flour and other things that she could use to make pasta…she was REALLY glad that she started early that morning, because it took forever. She had to use some replicator credits to make a “pasta roller.” That had been interesting and…well her quarters weren’t happy with her ‘success.’ She was making Farfalle with Zucchini and Parsley-Almond Pesto on Lemon Grilled Chicken. She had NO idea what she was doing. She did know how to grill the chicken though, so she knew that would be edible. She didn’t want to still be cooking when he arrived, so she finished the meals and put them in the replicator alcove and set it to keep the food the way it was. There was dough, flour, lemon juice, parsley Everywhere. She’d sent Rainns a message asking him to come by an hour after his shift. Sharah checked the clock, “Oh no…this place is a mess, and it’s already 30 minutes past his shift.” She started scooping the pieces of prep work into the matter recycler and trying to get flour off the floor. “How can I be so good at surgery, but make a mess like this trying to make food?” She added more ice to the machine that was holding desert. It was finished but had to stay cold. She changed into something clean, not covered in flour, dark indigo leggings and scoop neck t-shirt. She wiped her hand and face of the evidence of her cooking escapades. But she didn’t look in the mirror, so when she answered the door, she had a long wet streak of flour across her cheek.

Cadet Fayth, Doctor

After Rainns’ discovery of his heritage, he had been a fowl mood all day. The only thing he had to look forward to to make him happy was his dinner date that evening. By that evening he was still unhappy, he tried to put a smile on his but he knew the facade wouldn’t work since Sharah could sense his feelings. Hey ranged the chime and when the door opened, he smiled at Sharah. “You got something on your face.”

LT JG Joseph Rainns-COS

“What?” she touched her face and came back with sticky fingers, “Oh bother.” She grabbed a towel and wiped her face. “I’ve never made pasta before, it was an experience, I made a total mess and had fun doing it,” she grinned, but something was not right with Joseph. Did he not want to be here? Had he changed his mind? She calmed her own nerves and really looked at him as she let him into her quarters. “Have a seat.” She walked over to the table and brought him a glass of water, “I remember from dinner that you had water, and then a small glass of wine. I thought I would save the wine for dinner.” She sat down next to him, he was.....disturbed about something. His mind was no longer clear, but swirling in chaos. “Joseph, he Joseph, look at me. What’s wrong?” She wanted to take his hand, but she wasn’t sure if that was what he needed right at the moment.
Cadet Fayth, Doctor

Joseph smiled at Fayth and took a seat at the table. “I’m alright Sharah, I just found at why I’ve been able to shield my mind a bit and interact with you as much as I can mentally. I’m about seven percent Vulcan.” He looked into Fayth’s eyes. “My whole life the reason I’ve thought I was so disciplined was because I worked hard. It turns out that all my skills are a result of genetics, not my hard work.

LT JG Joseph Rainns- COS

Sharah listened very carefully, she took a sip of her water while she pondered his concerns. “I’m going to talk to you as a medical professional first. The brain of a Vulcan is not that much different than a human. Both are capable of great feats. Humans have the same innate ability to be telepathic, but due to evolution it only appears in a few. Vulcan seem very logical and very disciplined. But the way their brains work, on a physiological level is the same. Now I’m going to speak to you as someone who has studied with them.” She took a deep breath. “It wasn’t for very long, I was about 10. My parents brought me to Vulcan hoping they could help me. It didn’t last long. Vulcans have great mental discipline, but it’s not what they want everyone to think it is. To most other telepaths they seem to be very stern and ordered,” she made a stern face and dropped her voice a bit, “but I could hear their subconscious and it was the worst. Vulcans can’t silence it and it is full of turmoil and emotions and doubts and lack of order. See Vulcans control that by meditating every day.” This time she did squeeze his hand to make sure she had his full attention. “Joseph in all my life, all the people my parents got to help me, the doctors, hospitals, interplanetary trips, and no I haven’t met every Vulcan or every telepath, I have NEVER met anyone who can focus their mind like you. You might have Vulcan heritage, but it is NOT you. Do you know how long Vulcan children study? 16 hours a day every day from the time they are 2. They are NOT born with that talent in them, their culture trains them to have it, and a large percentage of them, don’t finish the training. What you have done, those things you admire about yourself, are worthy of being admired by you and everyone around you.” She let that sink in for a moment. “If you think I’m telling you stories to make you feel better, I’m happy to share those memories with you.”

Cadet Fayth, Doctor

Rainns smiled, “Well that was a good pep talk, thank you. I know you are ultimately right, but it’s just a shock to me, and I can’t help but feel the way I do.” Rainns looked at the food, “ enough about me, let’s eat.”

LT JG Joseph Rainns- COS

Sharah smiled, “You are entitled to feel any way you want. Your feelings about it are valid and relevant.” As she got up she squeezed his hand, “I’m here. I’m not a counselor, but I’ll listen, give advice, crack jokes at your expense, though they will be very bad. I’ll help you research, I’ll even let you do it on your own. I’ll help you learn about and use this new talent. Whatever you need.” She walked over to the replicator and took out the two plates she had prepared and set them on the table. The pasta was miss shaped and looked nothing like bowties, but the rest looked okay she hoped. “Tell me if it’s awful. It won’t hurt my feelings.” She pointed to the wine bottle on the table, “Do you want a glass? I’m not allowed to yet, but I can pour you one.” The table was positioned to look out the window at the stars.

Cadet Fayth, Doctor