Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in Side sim: After-Shift Meetup

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in Side sim: After-Shift Meetup

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in Side sim: After-Shift Meetup
Posted by… suppressed (25) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Aasrel spent forever after his shift, deciding how he should look. He peeked in the mirror, trying to get his hair right. The mechanical parts in his eye caught his attention and he looked away, instead just finishing his hair blindly. He decided on a polo and jeans. Something nice, but still a little casual.

He showed up in the lounge where they’d agreed to meet a little early, picked a spot, sat down, and waited.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany didn’t have time to spend forever getting ready. Her shift ran over. Granted it was her own fault. She got fully immersed in playing in the electronic warfare room and lost track of time. She still had rounds and equipment to check and drills to conduct. So she entered her quarters and tossed her uniform in the bin on the way to the shower.

Bethany entered the lounge exactly on time. She was wearing hip-hugger faded blue jeans and a sleeveless light gray button down. Her red hair, that was usually pulled back or braided, was down, falling past her shoulders. She paused for a single step, scanning the room. Spotting Aasrel she smiled and made her way towards the table.

Gadi, CoS

Aasrel smiled and waved her over. As she approached the table, “Bethany, hey.” Her hair was down. He’d never seen it that way. It was always braided or pulled back. It was pretty that way. “Your hair looks amazing.” He complimented her. “How was your duty shift today? Get to play with your… disruptor thingy?” He asked, smiling. Then, “What do you want to order?”

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany smiled, not grinned. “Thank you. Aasrel.” She looked at him and her smile turned warm as she saw his smile. She hoped that meant he was comfortable with her and not that he felt like he had to do so. He looked different out of his lab coat. “You look nice. I like that color on you.” It made his eyes look deeper. She laughed, “Yes I got to play with my disruptor thingy. We should be all set for the cruise liner, or as much as possible. There will be some nasty surprises for anyone who tries to counter-hack our system too.” She slid into a seat, “Ummm, well you got me thinking about my Betazoid heritage. I haven’t had Betazoid food in a really long time. Taste is a strong sense for evoking memory. Maybe you could suggest something?”

Gadi, CoS

Aasrel smiled again. “Thank you.” He nodded, his smile turning a little playful, “keeping our ship safe then?” Then he gave her question some thought. “My favorite food is argots, they’re sort of like… mushy potatoes, with uttaberry jam, espra cheese, and blue leaf topping. And that’s usually eaten with mevra, which is a small animal kind of like a rabbit. But around Lake El’rond, I’ve heard they like to eat resha fish out of the lake, with fresh ligotta, which is a Betazoid root vegetable.” He smiled across the table at her, “Either of those sound good? Or we can each get one and you can try both.”

~ Izei, CMO

“Well, that’s my job. Keep ship and crew safe. Then you can patch me up when things get dicey.” She grinned and then listened to his suggestions. Her eyes turned a serious kind of curious when he suggested they share. She was surprised. That was…an intimate thing to share off a single plate. The offer was unexpected but not unwelcome. “Let’s share. I think I remember my mother making resha fish.” She waited for him to order and then asked, “And how was your shift? No emergencies I hope.”

Bethany

“I hope I don’t have to.” Aasrel replied, looking at her. He smiled and then ordered for them. He shook his head, “No emergencies. Just your usual burns, scraps, upset stomachs, and check-ups. It wasn’t too busy.” Which had given him plenty of time to worry about the date. He wasn’t by any means a stranger to dating but he’d barely interacted with other people in the last few months, let alone date them. His mind had been filled with endless what-ifs all day. “Big emergencies thankfully aren’t too common unless we have some kind of action going on.”

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany nodded, more than familiar with what he meant. “Getting that shipment of marine gear was far too easy and painless. I don’t think this next encounter will be so benign.” Their drinks were set down, and she lifted hers to take a drink. “Unfortunately, other than engineers that play with things that like to go boom, security tends to get more bumps and bruises than anyone else. Side-effect of the job.” Bethany wasn’t a stranger to dating either, but it had been awhile since she had actually cared about the outcome.

Gadi, CoS

“Science gets their fair share of boo-boos,” Aasrel commented, “Usually chemical burns or other lab accidents. Guess it’s medical that’s not really prone to injuring themselves… Unless we’re treating something infectious.” His look turned serious, “Well, if it does go poorly, sickbay will be ready for whatever gets thrown our way.” He took a drink of his own drink. “Hopefully it doesn’t.”

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany nodded staring out the window. Her brows were furrowed and her lips pinched slightly. “Something about this feels…not familiar, but…” she sighed and shrugged. “Sorry. Well hopefully we’ll get in and out and have no problems. So, if you hadn’t been a doctor, what would you have done, before Star Fleet?”

Bethany

Aasrel watched her curiously and frowned, but didn’t comment. In response to her question, he shrugged. “Something on Betazed. Office job, maybe. Or environmental stuff, like my sister. What about you? Why security?”

~ Aasrel

Bethany laughed very quietly. “I’m not really Security. I’m Intel. Started out there, but the basic classes and training are the same and they liked my computer skills. After…” She ran a hand through her hair, pulling it needlessly from her face while she looked away and then back. “After the end of a very long, very hard assignment, they transferred me into security. Moved around a bit. Ended up here. If I wasn’t doing this, I probably would have stayed with the Fenris Rangers.”

Bethany

Aasrel nodded. “Intel… That’s hard work. Would you go back to working with the Rangers if you were given the opportunity?” He asked. He quickly realized he was hoping the answer was no. The food came and was set on their table. Aasrel pointed to her plate, with the fish. “Try yours first.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany chewed her cheek a moment. “If I couldn’t be in Star Fleet, yeah I would. It’s rough work and unforgiving and no glory, but they try to do good work and help others. I wouldn’t choose to leave Star Fleet to go back though.” She picked up her fork and smiled. She gently pulled a piece of the Resha fish lose and inhaled the aroma. It was vaguely familiar, but not quite right. The flavor and the texture brought back a memory. Vague at first and then stronger. The lake shore and a fire. Her mother had cooked the fish in the fire, like she had done when she was a child on Earth. They were happy, her father had taken her into the lake and taught her to swim. That was before. Bethany pushed it away. It was of no use to her now. She tried the ligotta and made a face. “I remember these. I didn’t like them. My mother made me sit at the table until I finished them. They’re actually very good.”

Bethany

Aasrel grinned, “No one is a fan of those as kids. I think they’re like....” He paused for a moment, thinking. “Green beans? Or broccoli? One of those earth things.” He was relieved to hear she wouldn’t leave star fleet to go join the Rangers. He took a bite of his own food and smiled. “These are always good.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany nodded, “Green beans, if not made right are not good at all. Most kids will eat broccoli if you tell then they are little trees and they can grow big like a tree.” She ate a couple more bites. “Do you want some? I don’t mind sharing.”

“So your sister didn’t become a writer?”

Bethany

“Can I try the fish?” Aasrel asked. “I haven’t had that in a long time.” He shook his head. “She writes on the side, but she didn’t want to make a career of it. Always said if one of her books got really big maybe she’d go full time as a writer. But she likes what she does.” He said with a shrug. “She’s got a book published. If you’re interested, I can send it to you.”

~ Aasrel

“By all means, especially if it is something you like.” Bethany deftly sliced the fish and slid half of it onto his plate. “I would love to read it.” She leaned forward and gave him a teasing grin, “Are there going to be any secrets about you in there?”

Bethany

“She’s a fantasy writer, so you’ll have to figure it out.” Aasrel said, giving her a playful grin. He took a bite of the fish. It wasn’t his favorite, but it tasted as though it had been expertly prepared, though it was replicated. “It’s as good as I remember.” He said. “I’ll send the book to your PaDD. That way you can read it whenever you have time.”

~ Aasrel

“Oh, I will probably finish it in a day then. I mean if it has secrets about you, I’ll stay up all night.” She was probably gonna be up all night anyway. Might as well have something fun to fill the hours. “I’m glad I could share it with you then.”

Bethany

The book was called Aswana Rising, and it was about the princess of a conquered nation of betazoids in a fantasy land travelling around and gathering supporters in order to overthrow the country that conquered it. The oppressive nation that conquered the betazoid (they weren’t called betazoids but they were obviously intended to be) nation were run by magic wielding elflike creatures that were immune to betazoid telepathy. It was published earthdate 12 December 2399. The book ended with the princess having gathered a decently sized army, and getting ready to attack, setting up for a second book.

The character in the book that fulfilled the “mentor” archetype was remarkably reminiscent of Aasrel. The book even explored the idea of the mentor and the protagonist getting together romantically, but deciding they were more like siblings than lovers. The mentor helped the princess throughout the story, while facing his own challenges. It wasn’t made obvious that it was based on Aasrel, but if one knew him well enough they’d know it was him. .

“Well, no need for that,” Aasrel said, looking at her. “You need your sleep if you’re going to protect the ship.” He smiled at her. “Try this.” He said, gesturing to his own plate.

~ Aasrel

Bethany nodded, “I know. I’m not, not sleeping on purpose. The tension is just too high, among other things.” She reached across with her fork and carefully took a small scoop of the Argots. It looked like a weird loaded mashed potato to her. It was sad she was so unfamiliar with these foods. “I could say the same to you.” The Mevra tasted nothing like rabbit, but it was good. “That is different. Very good but different.” I remember the first time I had lettuce on Earth. I thought it had gone bad because it was green and not blue.”

Bethany

Aasrel laughed, “I thought the same thing! I was in the Academy when I saw green lettuce the first time. I said it must be spoiled. My roommate thought it was hilarious.” He shook his head, “Human food has always been weird to me. There’s some good things though.” He smiled, “I’m glad you like the food.”

~ Aasrel

“I had forgotten about that. It’s been so long. How strange Earth seemed. The sounds, the smells, the food.” She ate for a moment. “It is good. I like it. The flavors…are like an elusive hint of a memory. So familiar but frustratingly lost.” She took another bite. “What is the weirdest Earth food?”

Bethany

“Escargot.” Aasrel replied easily, making a face. “My roommate talked me into trying it. It was… Weird and not very good.” He set his elbows on the table. “It really is a strange place. And everyone is so… secretive.” As a telepath, he’d found humans’ aversion to emotions interesting. And quickly learned not to go prying when they weren’t open about it.

~ Aasrel

Bethany shuddered, “I don’t know why anyone would willingly eat that.” Bethany paused thinking about it. “I suppose. We have strong barriers to violating people’s privacy. Personally, I always found my father to be secretive, where my uncles were very open. I suppose, for you, growing up on Betazed…normal, Earth must have been very isolating.”

Bethany

Aasrel shook his head. “I don’t know how it’s considered a food.” He nodded, “It’s typically understood we shouldn’t go trying to hear things without people’s permission. I just didn’t expect humans to be as… opposed to it as they are.” To her last comment he nodded and suddenly began studying his plate. “It was… less isolating than now, though.”

~ Aasrel

Bethany had made a career out of finding solutions where none was expected. She decided then, to put her considerable connections to work for Aasrel. She set down her fork and reached for his hand. “I’m sorry you are going through this. Is there any way I can help?” She held his hand. “I can’t imagine the difference it is for you, but there are other ways for two people to connect.” Even if his telepathy wasn’t damaged, Bethany could never make that sort of connection.

Bethany

Aasrel let her take his and and smiled, but it was a pained look. “I know. I’m… I’m sorry. I don’t mean to make you feel insecure.” He sighed and continued, “Even with someone who doesn’t have telepathy, I could always feel the emotions of the people around me, their thoughts if I’m listening for them. To suddenly hear nothing but silence, feel nothing but numbing blankness is… disorienting and extraordinarily isolating.”

He smiled, his best try at reassuring, “I did date before… everything. I’ve considered the idea I might end up with someone who doesn’t have it and that’s okay. I’m just…” He considered how to explain it. He squeezed her hand gently, “I would be able to feel your presence, and it would be comforting to me to feel you there, though it has nothing to do with your not being able to do that. I don’t want to ruin dinner,” he said, shaking his head. “I really want this to be an enjoyable night. For both of us.”

~ Aasrel