Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in Lounge - Icebreakers and Appetisers (TAG Kiama)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Namid Argimeau (Scientific Intelligence Officer) in Lounge - Icebreakers and Appetisers (TAG Kiama)

Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in Lounge - Icebreakers and Appetisers (TAG Kiama)
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Kiama had indeed sensed Namid and the moment they were almost at the table, she had lifted her gaze off her PaDD. “Hi,” she greeted them with a warm and wide smile. “Not at all. In fact I’ve been told before that I should spend less of my spare time working, even on pet projects,” she laughed softly. “And I am trying. I am a bit of role model after all. But-” She turned the PaDD around so Namid could see the scans. “A friend of mine is part of a pre-first contact mission studying a pre-warp civilisation that shows surprising similarities to Betazoid telepathy and empathy. I’ve done extensive research on psi-positivity, so she is providing me with data. So far brain scans in particular, but also information about their DNA.” Realising that she had rambled on and on about work, Kiama felt blood rush to her cheeks. And while her dark skin masked the blush, she could feel the heat radiating off her. “I’m sorry. How are you doing?” she apologised and pushed the PaDD away. She want her focus to be on Namid and not some data she would have enough time to analyse later.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Sometime between pet projects and brain scans Namid had slipped into the seat across from her. They leaned forward, resting their chin cosily atop tangled fingers, and listened. Though charmed by matters of the mind, Namid was not so engrossed by Kiama’s words as the unmistakable light radiating from her. “Oh! Please don’t stop on my account,” they grinned, “it’s clear this research is important to you. I would love to hear more about it.”

“Oh, that is dangerous thing to say,” Kiama laughed. “I can literally talk about this for hours and I really don’t want to domineer our conversation.”

“What can I say?” They feigned a smug expression, unable to hide the amusement in their eyes. “I live on the wild side.”

“I’m doing well,” Namid rolled their shoulders into a relaxed stance. “I’ve been doing a bit of data analysis, myself. It’s not of the psi-positivity nature, rather genetic. I have a colleague expanding on older research on, uh, quorum sensing and its… association with drug resistance in bacteria.” They frowned inwardly. “Sadly, not much to report there yet.”

“That sounds interesting,” Kiama replied, curiosity and interest plainly visible on her face. “Once you got a bit further in your analysis and feel like you have something to report, I’d love to hear more about it.”

“Say no more,” Namid nodded. “biomedical engineering isn’t exactly neuroscience, but any input you have would be immensely appreciated!”

“Work aside,” they released a sheepish laugh, “I cannot say I’m all that exciting. A bit of poetry here, some binge-watching of the latest holodrama there, but nothing too extravagant.” They playfully shrugged, angling the conversation back to Kiama. “What about you? Aside from your analyses and work, how have you been?”

— Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

As always her posture was perfect, with her back as straight as possible and her feet, crossed at the ankle, resting next to her chair. Though at Namid’s question, Kiama bowed her head for a moment and then said softly, “To be honest, it’s been a bit of an emotional roller coaster these past few days. I mean, everything on Graven alone was rather intense and then the back and forth of the position I hold on this ship. Well, needless to say I’m glad that things have settled down. I have even started to actually decorate my office with more than the shell.” Chuckling a little sheepishly, she looked up again and asked, “How have you been settling in?”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

“It’s about time your shell had some company,” their tease escaped with a hint of laughter, but it soon dissipated into a genuine, concerned smile. “Microorganisms and pipets are more my speed,” they shrugged, “but if you ever need someone or something to distract from the roller coaster— you know where I work.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate that,” Kiama replied sincerely; the smile on her face softening a little.

Tempted to offer an ear or advice, Namid refrained, knowing they were woefully ill-equipped for such matters. They had no intention of meddling in her personal life. And if Kiama desired that barrier between boss and employee, they would do nothing (intentionally..) to jeopardise it. Still, they could contribute a joke or poorly recited Shakespeare because those were surely harmless.

Argimeau appreciated her thoughtfulness, but the question left them at the leisure of a moment to think. “It’s been…” they searched for the word, “difficult. In a good way.” They blinked, furrowing their eyebrows slightly. “This isn’t the role I was prepared for. It’s like a.. mosaic. I’m taking bits and pieces from all of my experiences and pasting them together. A bit of science, a bit of intel, a bit of defence..” they scoffed at the memory of their failed spar with the punching bag, “well, attempted defence. Anyway.. it’ll take some time to put all the pieces together, but I’m enjoying the process.”

“I know what you mean,” Kiama laughed softly. “Having work experience prior to Starfleet is wonderful. At the same time it also means learning and unlearning a lot of things. Including how one used to do things.” She grinned, with small creases forming on her nose. “As you said, not a bad. Just different and I also find exciting at times.”

“Yes! Exactly,” Namid released a soft chuckle. They’d happened across a learning curve in the transition from a tacky white coat to a Starfleet uniform, but they had every reason to believe it’d be worth it. In a way, it already was.

Their lips separated to impart another question onto Kiama, but it was replaced by one they found slightly more pertinent. “Uhm, sorry.. have you gotten anything to eat, yet?”

— Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

Kiama shook her head. “No, I haven’t. I had something for breakfast this morning. Not sure what, but I am fairly certain I had more than coffee,” she laughed softly, her expression a little sheepish. “Shall we get something from the replicator?” she continued as she rose to her feet.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

“Fair enough! Besides, coffee is its own food group.” They grinned, narrowing their eyes in thought. Namid couldn’t say they had the faintest memory of breakfast, beyond the tingling sensation of a freshly burnt tongue. Amusedly shaking their head, they rose to their feet and opened their palm toward the replicator, “after you.”

“What kind of foods do you like?” Namid wove through the tables and toward the opposite wall where the replicator lay in wait.

— Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel