Posted by Commander Shara Calloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Post-Sim: Enai’s Quarters - Senior Staff Dinner

Posted by Lieutenant Patrick ‘Paddy’ McMillan (CNS) in Post-Sim: Enai’s Quarters - Senior Staff Dinner

Posted by Commander Siadra Enai (Executive Officer) in Post-Sim: Enai’s Quarters - Senior Staff Dinner
Posted by… suppressed (13) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It had been a little over a week now since the Asimov had returned what they called “normal space”. Siadra and Liara had begun to slowly settle in on the ship. Their bags and moving boxes were unpacked. Siadra had reported in with her new Captain. They had dinner with Si’Rek and had already explored the ship. At least to a certain degree. Liara was slowly starting to be a little less anxious and to settle down a little. And Siadra was beginning to get used to her new duties as First Officer. Yet among all that, she noticed that she hadn’t even begun to really get to know the crew. And while she knew that that would take time, she at least wanted to make an effort sooner rather than later when it came to the senior staff. So without thinking about it twice, she sent out an invite to all of them that read:

Dear fellow senior officers,

as your new First Officer, I would like to get to know all of you a little better and hereby invite you all to dinner in my quarters. Two days from now at 1900 hours. Wearing your uniform is not necessary unless you feel more comfortable doing so.

Yours,
Siadra Enai

---

Two days later, Siadra waited for the senior officers to arrive. For what felt like the millionth time, she checked that everything was ready before checking herself once again in the mirror. Her long red hair was pulled back in a simple braid and she was dressed in a simple, but elegant navy blue dress that ended just above her knees. Liara was wearing her favourite dress: a cute pink one with tulle and ruffles and quite some glitter. Her long mane of tiny dark curls framed her face and slender body and she seemed both nervous and excited at the same time.

~Cmdr. Enai, XO

Decisions. Sara pondered her wardrobe options, choosing between a dress uniform and a dress. Nothing’s ever easy. she chuckled at the thought of just putting on a Hawaiian shirt and showing up as the casual Captain. She checked her watch and thought damn, I’m running late. she threw on a casual shirt and jacket and left.

As she walked, Sara wondered what the night would be like. Hopefully a nice night of bonding for the staff. She was glad Siadra had sent out the invitations. Sara pressed the door chime and waited for entry at her XO’s door.

-Sara Kiernan, off duty captain

“The door is open,” came the First Officer’s voice from the other side of the door.

As the Captain entered, she found herself in mostly typical quarters. All the furniture was standard issue. Though the couch was accentuated with round pillows in different shades of teal and a dark purple, very cosy looking blanket was folded over one of the arms rest. There were several plants throughout the living area and various mementos, photographs and several books were placed in the shelve on one of the walls. Only one photograph was placed in a very prominente: On the side table right next to the couch. It was of a rather pregnant Siadra and a woman who looked like an older version of Liara, only with slightly darker hair. Both women had their arms wrapped around each other and were beaming into the camera.

Standing close to the dining table were Siadra and Liara. “Welcome Captain,” Siadra greeted Sara warmly. “Can I offer you something to drink?”

~Cmdr. Enai, XO & Liara

“A little liquid courage. Wine, perhaps.” Sara smiled lightly. “Thank you for inviting everyone over so soon after arriving.” She moved into the space and looks around a little. “Decor is lovely. It’s remarkable how personal you can make one of these generic spaces.”

-Sara Kiernan, Clumsy conversationalist

“It’s my pleasure Captain,” Siadra replied with a warm smile before turning towards the table. Looking over her shoulder she asked, “Red or white?”

“White, please.”

With the wine glass in hand, Siadra turned back around and handed it to Sara. “Please have a seat wherever you like, Captain,” she said before filling a wine glass for herself as well.

~Cmdr. Enai, XO

Piper rang the chime of the XO’s quarters and waited to be allowed to enter. She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and a pair of sandals. She wondered if she was under dressed.

COS

Less than a second later, the door swished open in front of Piper.

“Good evening Lieutenant,” Siadra greeted her warmly. “I’m glad that you were able to make it. Can I offer you something to drink?”

~Cmdr. Enai, XO

As Piper took a drink, the door chime sounded again. This time, the face of Counsellor Paddy McMillian crossed over the threshold, carring a bottle of 2379 Chateau Picard in one hand and a replicated bottle of pure Irish Whiskey in the other, “Hope I’m not too late?” He winked.

-Lieutenant Patrick McMillan: Counsellor-

“Not at all Counsellor. Come on in,” Siadra greeted him warmly. Before she could say more her daughter pulled gently at her skirt, trying to get her attention. Turning around, she crouched down so that she and Liara were almost on eye level. She could sense her nervousness and asked, “What’s wrong, honey?” Instead of saying anything, Liara simply wrapped her slender arms around her mother’s neck and nestled close to her. Kissing her cheek, Siadra held her close and rose to her feet and Liara wrapped her legs around her mother as well. She was getting too big for Siadra to carry her easily, but that was okay.

~Cmdr. Enai, XO & Liara

After placing the bottles down on a small table close to where the food was being set out, Paddy whirled on his heels, and came up to Liara with a warm smile on his face. Sensing she was slightly nervous, he tried not to get too close and kept his voice low and said, “Ahh, is this the famous Liara I’ve heard so much about? A pleasure to meet you m’lady.” He doffed an invisible cap as if trying to play the role of some nobleman from a time long before he was born.

-Lieutenant Patrick McMillan: Counsellor-

Liara briefly peered at Paddy through her curtain of curls before quickly hiding her face in the crook of her mother’s neck again. Rubbing her back gently while still holding her in her arms, Siadra looked at the counsellor and gave him and apologetic smile. “Don’t take it personally. She never found change and meeting new people easy. It’s a bit much for her at the moment.” Of course she knew in advance that this dinner party would not be easy for her daughter, yet she also didn’t want to wrap her in cotton wool. Liara needed to get to know the people on this ship, especially those Siadra was going to work with the closest.

~Cmdr. Enai, XO & Liara

Sara watched her crew interact. She smiled seeing people getting along with ease. Taking a moment to really drink in the feeling, and appreciate where she was, she was happy. She went over to greet Piper, who didn’t seem to be engaged with anyone just yet. “Good evening.”

-Sara Kiernan

Paddy grinned warmly, “That’s ok little one, you can come and say hello when you’re ready.” Leaning in slightly closer to the Commander, he quietly added, “If you need a hand babysitting any time, you know where to find me, I have a few tricks that will help her in overwhelming social situations like this.”

-Lieutenant Patrick McMillan: Counsellor-

“Thank you Counsellor. I may take you up on that eventually. Though as I mentioned during my evaluation yesterday, I think we should ease into working on her coping skills and while I believe that you’d be good with her and can help her, I think it’ll still take a bit till she’ll be comfortable again to be on her own with someone other than myself or Si’Rek,” Siadra replied just as softly. She was smiling but for a moment there was a flicker of concern and sadness in her black eyes.

~Cmrd. Enai, XO & Liara

Paddy gave the XO’s shoulder a soft squeeze and replied, “I serve at the pleasure of the XO.”

-Lieutenant Patrick McMillan: Counsellor-

The title ‘Intelligence Officer’ tended to trigger numerous connotations and stereotypes. Agents were sneaky, cryptic, and quiet. They stuck their noses where others thought they didn’t belong, followed trails of secrets wherever they might lead, cast shadows, and generally pissed people off.

Shara Calloway was all these things and more. So, so much more. Beneath the impenetrably gaze and often cool exterior was a woman full of passion, who loved as strongly as she hated, and whose loyalty was unassailable… so long as you were on the side she had chosen, of course. She could not be forced to do anything and people tended to have better luck appealing to her sense of logic and deep intelligence.

The beauty of having lived as long as she had so far was that you had a certain perspective that younger officers did not, regardless of rank. And having lived the kind life she had, well, you tended to not care much about what people thought of you, even as you understood how to move smoothly through a particular society.

Dressed in black trousers, grey sleeveless turtleneck and a dark brown leather jacket. She moved silently through the corridors after briefly stopping at her new quarter to drop off her few belongings. Over one shoulder was a small leather shoulder bag, over the other was a soft bodied guitar case and in her left hand she balanced a foil covered platter that was just warm to the touch. Manners dictated she ring the chime, but information told her it wasn’t necessary.

Shara stepped up to the XO’s door and triggered it to open. Stepping through, the older woman smiled warmly as she took in the surroundings. “Oh good, I’m only fashionably late,” she said, her voice full of confidence.

Moving over to where the food was being laid out, Shara slid the platter of (replicated) brownies onto the table and turned to survey some of the people she’d be working closely with. How she found out about the dinner given she hadn’t even been on board when the invitation went out, well… mysteries. She pointed to the dish she had brought. “Brownies, with chocolate chips too. Don’t worry, I didn’t bake them, my replicator did,” she said flashing a grin, her grey-blue eyes radiating mirth.

Commander Calloway, CIO

The arrival of the newcomer was a welcome excuse to take a step away from the Counsellor. Not because she didn’t like him, but simply because she didn’t much care for being touched, even in an innocent place as her shoulder, without being asked. With Liara still sitting on her hip and hiding her face in the crook of her neck, Siadra greeted Shara with a warm smile. “I know at least one person who will love you for bringing brownies,” she chuckled and then asked a little more seriously, “Could you remind me of who you are? I don’t think I remember reading your file. Then again I only just got here. So I may have forgotten. My apologies.”

~Cmdr. Enai, XO