Posted by Civilian Sair Songz (Counselor) in Officer’s Mess- Dinner with the Captain

Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Officer’s Mess- Dinner with the Captain

Posted by Civilian Sair Songz (Counselor) in Officer’s Mess- Dinner with the Captain
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Sair couldn’t help but gaze at him deeply after she set her nearly finished chowder to the side. “There is always that possibility,” she said softly. “But I like perspective you offer. It’s… profound. Beautiful. My father would liken it an improvised orchestral piece. When everyone is playing together and listening to each other they can adjust to bring themselves into harmony. But if someone cannot or chooses not to listen, then the sounds are discordant. Harsh. Terrible even. But he likes to say that even in the harsh noises is room to learn and grow, that even the imperfect sounds have their own beauty and place.”

“Exactly.” Cochrane agreed.

Kel couldn’t help but smile softly at the exchange as she chewed on another bite of the delicious bread.

~Kel & Sair Songz

“So why didn’t your husband come with you?” he asked Kel as he took a drink and a bite of bread.

Cochrane

Kel went still for a moment and her and Sair exchanged a tiny glance. The agreement still stood. So she lifted her gaze to Alex’s, adopting something of a stoic expression. “I’m sure Sal will take the opportunity to come out himself when he’s able. But in addition to a rather important performance coming up that he couldn’t miss, I did not get to have as much quality time with Sair and Koro before Sair left. My shifts left us often us only seeing each other in passing and I wanted to take the opportunity to really be with them.” She looked back at Sair and smiled sincerely. “I’m glad I did. It just reinforces how proud I am of Sair. Of who she is and all she’s accomplished.”

Regardless of the issues they didn’t quite see eye to eye on, Sair loved her mother ad knew she was being sincere, so her returned smile was also genuine. “I’m glad for the time too.” Even if her mother could make her feel insane in some moments, now that understood things better, she wouldn’t trade this time with her for anything.

~Kel & Sair Songz

Cochrane didn’t miss the exchange, but he also didn’t press. “Well, I hope his visit comes soon. I would love to meet him. I wish my mother could be here for it. She is a poet, and she scours the galaxy for new art and music as her schedule allows.” He took a final bite of the chowder and slid the bowl to the side. He folded his arms on the table and leaned forward slightly. He looked at Kel and said “So have you been able to settle some of your… concerns… about your daughter being here? I know you expressed some rather strong reservations about it at lunch yesterday. And those are valid concerns, of course. But have you both had a chance to discuss them? And no, I am not trying to pry. But as the Captain, I need to know that my key personnel are working at a hundred percent. That is my concern.”

Cochrane

Again her and her daughter exchanged a look and Sair looked decidedly uncomfortable. But Kel returned her gaze to Cochrane’s with determination. “There’s no way to answer your question without a bit of prying, Captain. Suffice to say, I did not come here to cause Sair pain. We did talk, yes, and she and I have an understanding. There are some things that can’t be reconciled, but that is life. I will be on the ship for a little while longer and then I will be returning. We will each be where we need to be.”

Sair was doing her best to keep as neutral an expression as possible. It would be easier to just spit it all out but it would change the tenor of the dinner. But maybe it was too late for that.

~Sair Songz, CNS

Cochrane looked back and forth between the two women for a long moment. He then took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. His icy blue eyes locked onto Sair and he said “Counselor, you are not under any obligation to tell me your personal life. But whatever this is has you on edge. If you want to talk, you can to me at any time.” His eyes then flicked to Kel. “I sincerely hope that what you say is true; that you didn’t come here to cause the good doctor pain. Because while I try not to meddle in the affairs of my crew… they are my crew. And I do not stand for anyone causing my crew difficulties. Life out here is hard enough. And this ship isn’t big enough for added baggage.”

Cochrane

A shift in emotions swept through Kel’s eyes, leaving behind a deep sadness. “I am not causing this. It just is,” she said with a sigh before she turned to Sair, reached out a hand and reseted it on her daughter’s cheek. “I think I’ll go pick up Koro and spend the evening with him. He likes it when I tell him bedtime stories and I’m feeling more tired than I expected anyway.”

It was not like yesterday’s picnic, where Kel just up and left abruptly. This time it was done with understanding. Sair watched her mother rise out of her chair and her eyes tracked her, even as she nodded. She understood and there was no confusion or anger on her face. None. “Kiss him goodnight for me. Tell him I’ll see him in the morning.”

Kel nodded to Sair with a warm smile and turned to Cochrane. “Captain, I came to this ship to reunite my daughter with her son, and to spend some much needed time with them. Believe it or not, I would do anything I could to spare Sair pain. But I am a mortal being, and even I with all my years as a nurse know I am powerless to prevent it this time. Thank you for this dinner.” She bowed her head to him. “I wish I could stay for more of it but I think Sair needs this evening more than I do.”

Turning back to her daughter, Kel held a deep look. “Tell him. There’s no reason not to other than maintaining pleasantries.” Sair nodded and her mother slipped out of the officer’s mess.

Sair sat there and turned her gaze out the window, staring into the deepness of space, all but hearing the discordant notes at play. “She’s not a terrible person, Captain. She’s just… she’s dying,” she said very matter-of-factly.

~Sair & Kel Songz

Cochrane was silent a moment and nodded. “Not to sound callous, Sair… but hearing that was not unexpected considering your people’s history. Although I was hoping that it was something less… final… that was the issue.” He looked out the window and watched the stars streak past for a long time in silence. ” How long does she have, if I may ask?”

Cochrane