Posted by Ensign Adrian Sorel (Doctor) in Lounge- A Welcome Lunch (all welcome)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in Lounge- A Welcome Lunch (all welcome)

Posted by Commander Shara Calloway (Executive Officer) in Lounge- A Welcome Lunch (all welcome)
Posted by… suppressed (38) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<Snip>
“Sometimes close enough is enough,” she said softly, her thoughts drifting. But Shara pulled herself back quickly and focused on Varen again. “I say, share your program, imperfect though it may be. We don’t always get the chance to revisit places important to us.”

~Shara Calloway, XO

He thought on that a moment. “You are right for sure, ” he noted with a slight smile and nod. “Well, you mentioned that you workout in your room, what’s your chosen method of self torture” he said with a laughed. He himself mostly stretched and ran two things he really did not mind.

OOC: anyone should feel free to join in the convo.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Varen Jorath
Chief Science officer U.S.S Asimov

A smirk tugged at her lips. “Bodyweight conditioning, martial arts. My husband and I will spar. We don’t go easy on each other either,” Shara said with a chuckle. Which really was funny once someone saw and met the former Starfleet Marine turned Federation Security agent. Shara wasn’t dainty by any stretch of the imagination, but Micah had a lot of width and weight on her.

“The holosuites have regularly scheduled range practice times, so if you want to work on weapons skills in amongst combat skills, there are times for that.”

~Shara Calloway, XO

The thought of fighting on any level really had not appealed to him he was certainly more of an academic. He had done fine with training and practiced from time to time as well. “I must say I don’t tend to do a lot of combat training, ” he smiled slights “I’m more of a jogger” he noted. “Taking tail runs in my mind or on the holodeck when I can. Some extra small arms work might not hurt through” he said the took another bite of his salad and a sip of water.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Varen Jorath
Chief Science officer U.S.S Asimov

She nodded slowly. “And that would be fine on a science vessel or something less… unpredictable. But I would caution you that the nature of our work here means we need to be prepared for anything. It may not be a preference, but make sure you include some of those combat skills in your training so when we do drills, you’ll feel comfortable and prepared.”

~Shara Calloway, XO

It was that moment that Lisa walked into the lounge. She was her usual unkempt self. Although she appeared dirtier than usual if that were possible. Her greasy hair had a shine to it as she walked over to the replicator.
“Coffee, black.” She said and a cup of hot coffee materialised. Picking up the cup she moved over to an empty table. She pulled out a padd and began to type away, her mind buzzing with thoughts barely aware of Shara and Varan.

Lt (j.g) Lisa Caldwell (Eng)

The security chief walked into the small lounge, she was already carrying her own coffee. How indulgent to get to drink caffeine again. Though she found after all these months, that a little went a very long way. She loved the taste of coffee though.

It had been a long shift of welcoming new crew. Over half her department had requested transfers or resigned after that last mission. She couldn’t blame them. But it made for long days putting new teams and shifts together. To find the right balance. She headed for the replicator, grabbed some food, and then headed for a table. She nodded to Calloway as she passed. It looked like she was with the new CSO and another new engineer was in the lounge as well. New faces, new possibilities, and hopefully a new, but safer, mission.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Shara gave a little wave to Bethy as she passed.

Varen smiled at the others as the walked by making a note to say hello if he got the opportunity .”I mean I train and maintain my currency for armed and unarmed combat but. ” he hesitated she understood his point and had a valid point .” I would appreciate some additional training under the circumstances.

His eyes shifted over the the rather messy engineer at the table, it seemed either hygiene was not a thing on the ship, which he doubted. More than likely she was just very busy. He realized that he was probably staring a little too long as he often did when he was thinking. He smiled and turned his attention back to who he was having lunch with. “Is that something you an your husband can help me with?” he noted “or should I talk with the chief of security?” his eyes shift over to where Gadi was sitting

Lieutenant Junior Grade Varen Jorath
Chief Science officer U.S.S Asimov

Calloway nodded. “Oh, undoubtably. Depending on how serious you want to be about it.” She grinned. “My husband is a former Marine. But it could be worth talking to Lieutenant Gadi”-she said, gesturing her head in Betahny’s direction-” to see about joining some of her training sessions. She runs a variety for different groups of the crew. In fact…” She turned in her seat.

“Hey, Bethy, got a minute?” Shara called out. “We’re hazing the new guy,” she said, a gleam in her eyes. It wasn’t really a hazing, but did Jorath know that?

The red haired security chief looked over and laughed. She grabbed her tray, but her coffee went with her.

Varen’s smile twisted into a grin as he motioned her over as well and shrugged his shoulders and motioned to a seat at the the table. “Might need to gang up on me while you can ” he responded. His eyes catching the engineer once again and her unkept state.

She pulled out a chair and sat. One leg bent and the heel resting on the edge of the seat. She had a perpetual mischievous smile and onyx black eyes (curtosey of her Betazed heritage) that laughed. “What can I do for ya, Shara? Or what do ya want me to do to the new Scientist?”

Shara smirked. “Bethany Gadi, meet Varen Jorath, our new Chief Science Officer, who just arrived.” She looked at Jorath. “Bethany is our Chief of Security.”

“Nice to meet you Varen. Welcome to the Br the Asimov,” Bethany grinned at Shara. “So what shenanigans are we cooking up?”

“To be determined,” Shara said, her foggy blue eyes glittering. “I figure the usual newbie stuff and we’ll go from there.” she deadpanned. Bethy was likely the only one who knew Shara was joking. Or was she?

Lisa’s thoughts raced as she focused intently on getting the experiment she was working on completed.
Warpcore efficiency was something of an obcession.
Will it work though she thought. Her fingers might explode, she typed so quickly! She was suddenly aware of a feeling that she was being watched. She looked up from her padd and noticed Varen staring. She frowned slightly for a brief moment then smiled at him. She knew what her mother would say. Go and say Hello, what harm could it do? She could turn out to be a borg in disguise and then kidnap me and turn me into a mindless drone. Her thoughts battles with each other as she sat looking over.

Lisa Caldwell (Eng)

As their eyes connected he realized that he was staring not wanting it to be too awkward he smiled and lifted his hand and motioning for her to join them at the table.

Adrian exited the turbolift onto Deck 6 and headed toward 6 Forward. His head was down a bit as he pondered to himself.

Now that his medical internship was ended he was going to have to find a new goal or project to put his mind too. He had submitted his final medical exams to Star Fleet Medical and his results should be posted any day.

The 6 Forward doors whooshed open, ending his internal musings. His eyes immediately took in the crew who were present.

He noted the XO, COS, CSO and an Engineer. Quiet for mid day. He nodded a general greeting to all as he made his way to the replicator to program his request for his simple breakfast though it was closer to lunch time.

He retrieved his tray and made his way over to table, slid in a seat and began to eat as his gaze strayed back toward the XO. She wasn’t acting like they had a mission yet, everyone seemed calm and relaxed.

It wasn’t that he was wishing for injured in sickbay but he was ready for more than medical check ups and inventory. He needed a new project though he had no idea what he might like to research. He hadn’t found anything through his medical training that peaked his interest.

Chewing thoughtfully he continued to ponder.

Dr. Adrian Sorel

OOC: Not ignoring anyone, just trying to figure out the most natural way to include everyone. Shara’s not exactly a social butterfly here. :P

~Shara Calloway, XO

Lieutenant Junior Grade Varen Jorath
Chief Science officer U.S.S Asimov

Lisa nodded as Varan gestured her over. She hadn’t been on the ship long and had been avoiding meeting people knowing that they would likely have heard about the incident. Deep down she knew that she desperately needed to meet people and make knew friends. But what if they hate me for what I did, nearly did? She thought to herself as she stood up and walked over to the table.

Feeling very reluctant indeed she smiled again at Varen and the Commander and cleared her throat and said “Permission to join you commander, Leftenant?” She nervously waited, heart pounding.

Lt (j.g) Lisa Caldwell (Eng)

Gadi smiled, “Have a seat, Caldwell. Hey! Sorel!” She called to the new doctor, “Come join us.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Lisa nodded her thanks, drew up a chair and sat down.
“Thank you Commander.” She stated. Feeling quite awkward amongst the senior officers and she sipped her coffee.

“I’m off duty, it’s Bethany, please. I never quite got used to be referred to as my rank. Whatever you are comfortable with, though, is fine with me,” she smiled, having a playful disarming aura about her.

Lisa smiled back and nodded.
“Very well Com… Bethany.” She replied not feeling too comfortable with using her first name. She had rarely come across a senior officer who was happy to be on a first name basis, especially with someone they didn’t know very well.

Sorel looked up with a brow raised, then he nodded and putting his fork back onto his tray before he moved the rest of his meal onto the tray. He picked it up then and made his way over to the table of fellow crew members. Logical that the COS was aware of who he was, given his job.

“Greetings,” He said to all at the table before he glanced at the COS. “Thank you for your invitation, Commander.”

~Dr. Adrian Sorel

Bethany looked at Shara, “Do you ever get used to that?” she asked the other woman. Turning back to Sorel, “Bethany when we’re off duty please.”

Shara chuckled. “Nope. I’m still having a hard time remembering my own name is me.”

“And just like that we have an impromptu party,” Shara quipped. She liked social gatherings, but being the organizer wasn’t her forte. On Tracken they had always just sort of happened, and on the Manhattan it had been Faye who had done most of the organizing for the wake they held.

~Shara Calloway, XO

Lisa felt increasingly awkward, she had tended to avoid gatherings of this sort since the incident. People tended to not think kindly of the engineer who almost blew up her ship. Why are you here? She thought to herself, looking around at the other officers smiling and looking happy (an emotion she hadn’t felt for a while), except Sorel of course being Vulcan). She clutched the padd on her lap wishing she hadn’t looked over when…
What happens if you don’t tap the padd on the table? She tried to fight the urge to say it. Not here not Infront of everyone, she gritted her teeth but it was too strong.
“The warpcore, will explode.” She muttered as she brought the padd up and lightly tapped it three times on the table.

Lt (j.g) Lisa Caldwell (Eng)

Shara blinked, but kept her gaze relaxed.

Varen looked over at Caldwell after she rapped the padd on the table, which had snapped him out of deep thought he had been having. “I’m sorry Lieutenant?” he said looking toward Lisa as she finished her last rap of the padd on the table.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Varen Jorath
Chief Science officer U.S.S Asimov

The security chief’s relaxed expression stayed even as she glanced at the engineer. She seemed really nervous, paranoid almost. Bethany could totally relate to that. “Oh! A party game. It’s like telephone, right? Someone mutters something that seems totally outrageous, and we have to whisper it to the next person, and the last person has to say what they heard. Right?”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Lisa went red with embarrassment, she felt like running away. She wanted to kick herself. She thought back to the time before the incident, this would have been the perfect situation for her. She had been known as easy going and bubbly. That had all changed, everything had changed. She wished things were different and that could go back to the way they were. She closed her eyes and saw the warpcore ,inevitably, exploding. She clenched her left fost tightly and tried to focus.She craved company but it had become increasingly difficult and awkward to be around people.
“Right…yes. It was a game I used to play as a child.” She replied, appreciating the Commander’s explanation. She seemed distracted and slightly distant as though her mind was somewhere else.

Lt (j.g) Lisa Caldwell (Eng)

Calloway smirked, her curiosity piqued, even as she kept her observations of Caldwell’s behaviour to herself. “I don’t know it. Then again, games as a child were a vastly different thing for me,” she said with a shrug.

~Shara Calloway, XO

Sorel sat quietly and listened while he watched everyone. He had been born and raised on a mostly human ship but he still found it fascinating. ‘People watching’, he thought was the term for it. Even though he was half human he had been raised for the most part by his Vulcan mother so he tended to think more Vulcan than human. He had not had much contact with his father after they had left the Valkyrie.

~Dr. Adrian Sorel

“I can’t say that I’m familiar with it,” he said with a small grin. They poor Lieutenant looked like she was about to have a nervous breakdown so he did not want to press the issue. “How long have you been abord ? I’m new” he said stating the obvious, he was not the best at idol conversation it was something he had been working on as of late.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Varen Jorath
Chief Science officer U.S.S Asimov

Lisa, lost in thought and embarrassment barely noticed Varen but his words seemed to snap her back to the present.
“Hmm?.... Oh, I haven’t been aboard long. I’m new too, we must have just missed each other. Was this a promotion for you?” She asked, trying to take her mind off of the whole situation.

Varen smiled broadly his perfect teeth and hair paused in would could only be described as a new’s anchors head shot. “It was indeed, I’m excited for sure” he noted then took a few bites of food.

“We’ll have to play sometime. Oh! Shara, we should use it in training. Yes! Thanks for the idea, Caldwell.” Bethany looked up as the doors opened, watching intently.

Lisa looked confused for a moment and then remembered.
“You’re welcome.” She replied.

Someone new stepped into the Lounge. A tall-ish individual that any officers familiar with Ensign Mwezi would recognise as a Laleri. But this was not Mwezi, having black and white fur instead of the brownish gradient of fur present on the Security Officer. She also was wearing civilian clothing. She seemed a little lost, glancing around the Lounge. Kula stood awkwardly near the doorway with a lunch-bag tucked under one arm, her eyes furrowed as she tried to decide where to sit.

Ensign Mwezi
Security USS Asimov

“Excuse me a moment.” Bethany git up and walked over to Kula. “Hi, Kula, right? I’m Bethany Gadi. Mwezi’s department head. Why don’t you come join us, unless you are meeting for someone.”

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Kula quickly stepped over towards Bethany, following her back to the table with the rest of the group. She looked quite grateful. “Ah, thank you. Hello,” she waved briefly at the other people sitting at the table.

“Everyone, this is Kula. She is one of Mwezi’s mates. They just joined him on board,” Bethany introduced her. “How are you all settling in Kula?”

Lisa looked over briefly at Kula and then looked down at her coffee, took a sip and placed the cup back on the table. She tried to focus on the conversation at hand but concentrating on anything had been challenging of late.

Lt (j.g) Lisa Caldwell (Eng)

Looking to the back of the room Varen’s mind drifted slightly to to his work, he had a lot to do still to get the department moving. After a moment or two he twisted in his seat. “So are there any of shift clubs or groups on board?”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Varen Jorath
Chief Science officer U.S.S Asimov

Eulailia hesitated just outside the lounge door. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering disappointment that had settled over her. The opportunity to work in security had seemed perfect, a chance to prove herself in a role that demanded both mental and physical acuity. But things hadn’t panned out the way she’d hoped. Now, instead of wearing the uniform she had dreamed of, she was still the ship’s COO.

Pushing the door open, she stepped inside, quickly scanning the room. The lounge was filled with quiet conversations, the clink of cutlery against plates, and the occasional burst of laughter. As she approached the table where everyone was sitting she said, “Hi Everyone” Then she plopped down in the nearest seat, reached to grab some food from the nearest plate and began stuffing her mouth.

Lieutenant Dacascos
(Chief Operations Officer)

Bethany looked up from over her coffee, “Dacascos.” It was turning into quite a gathering that Shara had caused. Bethany thought the original intent was something to do with security training for the new CSO, but this was better in Bethany’s opinion. Everyone sitting down together.

Adrian looked up from the meal he had been quietly eating while everyone else talked. He studied the newcomer, the Chief of OPs he saw. He nodded in greeting and returned to his food and listening to the conversations around him. It was a way to enable him to get to know each officer.

~Dr. Adrian Sorel

Kula opened up her bag and set up her meal - a thermos with a sweet-smelling drink, a sandwich with meat and cheese, and an orange-like fruit that smelled a little coppery. “I would love to know about any clubs,” she replied to Varen, “It would be nice to have more things to do. I had forgotten somewhat how difficult it is to keep busy as a civilian on a Starfleet ship.”

Kula
Civilian USS Asimov

Shara was used to smaller interactions. Even in a larger group, she wasn’t the one so obvious and could slink off to the side to maybe have a one-on-one conversation. That was what this lunch had started out as, after all. Ever quick with her poker face, Shara wore a light smile even as she was inwardly trying to not panic. How did people navigate these sorts of situations? Did they cover this in Command School? She wouldn’t know, she had never gone. She was truly flying y the seat of her pants right about now.

“Well, you must keep in mind that having a ship this size is rather new, and so are much of the crew. We’re still all settling in and figuring out the dynamics. Prior to this particular ship, the Asimov’s crew numbered only 60 people, so… there might be groups forming, but I personally am not aware of them… yet. Which I’m aware might seem weird since I was Chief Intelligence Officer not that long ago,” Shara said with a lopsided smirk. Hell, not that long ago, they had all been either declared traitors or had taken on alternate identities. There hadn’t exactly been the opportunity for social clubs to form. Hard to be taken serious as pirates when people are chit chatting about a parises square league.

She looked around the group. We just came in for a quick bite, but since there are so many of us, I can grab something for everyone to nibble on?”

~Shara Calloway, XO

“Sounds good, why not?” Bethany agreed.

“Well, I could spend some time organizing clubs with all my free time,” Kula said with a bit of a chuckle. “This group may not be totally representative, but what kinds of clubs would be interesting to you all?”

Ensign Mwezi
Security USS Asimov

“I don’t know if this would be a large group, but I have a couple of officers who are constantly leaving doodles and sketches around the security office. Maybe an art club?” Bethany mused.

“I am fond of art!” Kula replied. She nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps a book club. Mostly a singular experience, but a monthly meeting to discuss literature could be engaging.”

Eulalia sat in silence, chewing mechanically as the chatter around the table flowed on without her. She had entered the lounge with a vague hope that someone might notice her mood, ask how she was, or at least acknowledge the frustration that had been gnawing at her since she’d walked in. But instead, she found herself once again on the periphery, surrounded by people too engrossed in their own conversations to even glance her way.
As the conversation swirled around clubs and social activities, Eulalia felt a pang of irritation. She had come here for some solace, perhaps even some advice or support, but it seemed no one had even registered her presence beyond a cursory greeting.
She glanced down at the half-eaten food in her hand, her appetite gone. The thought of staying there, listening to idle talk while she felt so overlooked, was unbearable. Without another word, she abruptly pushed back her chair, the legs scraping against the floor with a sharp screech that cut through the conversation.
“I’m going to find Paddy,” she declared, her voice firm and unyielding as she stood up. “At least he would care enough to ask what’s wrong.”
Without waiting for a response or looking back, Eulalia turned on her heel and marched out of the lounge, leaving the others to their discussions. She didn’t know where Paddy was at that moment, but she was determined to find him. He was one of the few people who genuinely seemed to care about her, who noticed when she was upset, and who would take the time to ask, even if she didn’t always want to answer.

Lieutenant Dacascos
(Chief Operations Officer)

Bethany’s mental brows went up and her eyes tracked Dacascos as she left. She shared a curious glance with Shara.

Shara said nothing but met Bethy’s gaze with a knowing one of her own. That was something to be dealt with later.

Varen looked at the ops’o as she stormed out, started to say something but really could not find the words. It was odd that so many people had joined them. He was having a hard time keeping track of who as who and what their names were.

Lisa had been lost in her thoughts for a while. She had been trying to remain focused and join in the conversation but it had been so difficult. She heard the sounds of the klaxons. She had been staring off in the distance and jumped at the outburst from Lieutenant Dacascos.
“The warpcore will explode.” She said aloud as she jumped and then went red with embarrassment. She withdrew into herself again and looked around hoping no one had noticed.

Lt (j.g) Lisa Caldwell (Eng)

Looking over at Caldwell Varen gave her a odd smile that probably seemed more creepy that compelling. This was the second time that the impending doom of the warp core had come up. His eyes changed to sympathy as he realized there must be some underlying trauma surfacing. Not wanting to call her out in the middle of a crowed he made a mental note to check on her as well as the ops’o when he had an opportunity to do so.

Lisa frowned slightly before realising the smile was a smile, she smiled back although that was more of a slight raise of the corners of her mouth than a full on smile.

Bethany almost laughed. The comment seemed so on point to the small sudden outburst. She knew Caldwell would feel bad though. She smothered the impulse in the last of her coffee. “I’m getting more coffee, anyone want any?” she asked as she stood up to head to the replicator.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

“I would love a coffee, black please” he requested.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Varen Jorath
Chief Science officer U.S.S Asimov

“I am well lubricated,” Kula lifted her thermos, “but thank you for the offer.”

Ensign Mwezi
Security USS Asimov

“I’ll take a black coffee, thank you.” Lisa stated, recovering from her outburst.

“Well, you know me, I’ll always take coffee,” Shara said. Caldwell’s outburst has passed so quickly but not without Shara making a mental note to address it later. “But I’ll come grab my own and give you a hand. since I promised nibbles.” The XO slipped out of her chair and winked at the group assembled.

Bethany laughed. “Yeah, you have your own replicator now, so you never come steal mine anymore.” She got up, “Be back.”

At the replicator, Shara was trying to maintain a calm exterior, letting Bethy grab the coffees first. “I wonder if crew socializing is somehow covered in Command school,” she said softly, giving Gadi a sideways glance. “If so, maybe I should put in to do distance classes.” The sarcasm slipped out and was a soothing balm to her uncertainty. Her, in clubs? The idea was somehow laughable. But she wanted to be supportive of the crew and would help them create whatever they needed, within reason, of course

~Shara Calloway, XO

“No idea about Command, but my counseling training covered it.” It had been brief, because if the nature of her training, but they had discussed it.

“I do play the guitar....occasionally. It has been some time though and I’m a little rusty.” She stated, trying to engage in the conversation and move on quickly, hoping no one heard her outburst. She hated that the incident had made her into some one different. She almost didn’t recognise herself anymore.

Lt (j.g) Lisa Caldwell (Eng)

OOC: Can I jump in here?

-Kieron/

OOC: Don’t see why not :)

Tom

Varen’s eyebrow raised slightly, “Guitar maybe you can play for us sometime”, he said taking a sip off his coffee. He leaned in on his elbows taking the weight off his back.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Varen Jorath
Chief Science officer U.S.S Asimov

Lisa froze. That hadn’t been her intention. She was only trying to make conversation. She sighed inwardly.

“Music! I myself do not participate in the musical arts, aside from humming to myself while I work. But my spouses are quite musical. Mwezi plays a,,, it is like the earth instrument, Violin and Shilo was part of a choir in their younger years. Perhaps a concert or music show could be organised?” Kula got excited at the prospect, and those around the table could hear the gentle thud of her wagging tail hitting the wall behind her.

Ensign Mwezi
Security USS Asimov

As she started ordering platters for the table, Shara looked back at the group, eyes alight. Music. Now there was an option that appealed to her. “Ummm, I play guitar and piano,” she said with a half shrug. Shara had played her guitar a few times in public places (usually when it was quieter) so many people knew she had a guiatar on hand and played, but she really didn’t share her ability with the piano to many people. Outside of the holodeck it had been a bit tricky too, especially on the last ship. Not exactly portable.

~Shara Calloway, XO

“I like music, but don’t ask me to play. I’ll offend someone and cause a war.” It was hard to tell if the security chief was joking or not. She ordered the various coffees and helped grab trays of food to carry back to the table.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Adrian’s attention was caught about the discussion of music. “I play the Vulcan Ka’athyra, or lute.” He offered. “I have never played with a group before.”

~Dr. Adrian Sorel

Lisa looked over to Shara, she hadn’t known that she could play. She reached over and grabbed a coffee.
“Maybe we could start a group…or a band? Or just a jam night.” She suggested not wanting to suggest anything too formal or forward.

Lt (j.g) Lisa Caldwell (Eng)