Posted by Ensign Ka’sora Pru’moa Daveyla (Science Officer) in CNS’ Office- Ka’sora’s Eval

Posted by Lieutenant Akane Sakai (Counselor) in CNS’ Office- Ka’sora’s Eval

Posted by Ensign Ka’sora Pru’moa Daveyla (Science Officer) in CNS’ Office- Ka’sora’s Eval
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“You know, I’m not so sure. I know a lot of my adjustment is going to be figuring out how things work here and how to go about my work.” She took a final bite of the cake and set it aside. “I knew when I left for the Academy that I would be giving up seeing my family for a very long time, but having spent time with them so recently I miss them so much more than if I hadn’t been able to go back home for awhile. At the same time, being back and reminding myself how rich our culture was really important. I want to share my world and my people with others and their only reference point is going to be me, so it made sense for me to feel as grounded in that culture as possible.” She smirked. “Though at the time I didn’t go through quite the same thought process. It was more intuition than anything.”

~Ensign Ka’Sora

Akane considered what Ka’Sora was saying and nodded sympathetically. “I understand Ensign, it’s often a difficult balance between wanting to expand our horizons and experiences against the pull we have from what is familiar, especially when there is such a dramatic difference between our posting and home life but this is all completely normal. Anyone on a long term posting away from home will have those moments where they feel that longing to be with family and the familiarity of home. You’re not alone in that respect Ensign, it happens to all of us to some degree.” She added with a friendly smile. “I would encourage you to bring some aspects of your home life on board with you, whether that’s having a few meals a week of your home cuisine or perhaps connecting with some of your crewmates over something traditional from home?” Akane suggested as she wandered over to her bookcase and peered through the shelves for a delicate wooden box. Spotting it she slid it off the shelf and returned to sit opposite Ka’Sora. She lovingly placed it on the table and opened it out to reveal something similar to a chessboard although the squares were all the same colour. She plucked a white tile with delicate Japanese characters carved into it and passed it to Ka’Sora with a childlike grin.

“This is called shogi,” she said as she began to place the tiles on the board. “Whenever I am feeling homesick I get this board out and set it up.” She added as she continued placing the tiles in place. “I rarely play any more but I have such fond memories of this game from my childhood. My grandfather was an excellent player and as soon as I heard him arrive for a visit when I was a girl, I would run and start setting up the board. It became almost ritual for me, then when he passed, my father and I would often spend hours playing in the evenings.” She smiled as she gazed at the board. “Often, this is enough for me, I don’t need to play the game but just the act of setting up the board brings me a lot of peace and comfort if I’m having a hard time,” she added softly.

• Lt Sakai (Counselor)

Her golden eyes were wide and lit up. It was this sort of thing that she absolutely loved and why she studied sociology in the first place. “I’m curious though, wouldn’t you want to play with someone to reinforce that happy memory? Or do you think new experiences with the game would compete with the memories?” she asked, tilting her head to the right as she studied the board from a different angle, trying to guess how the game might work.

~Ensign Ka’Sora

Akane gave a wry smile and chuckled. “To be honest, I’ve never really considered playing a game, I doubt anyone here would know the rules…but maybe I could teach someone…” she mused as her mind began to wander. Snapping her attention back to the room she laughed and gave Ka’Sora a wink. “You know, you’d make a pretty good counsellor if you ever fancy a career change!”

• Lt Sakai (Counselor)

Ka’Sora gave a wide grin. “Well, our work is not so different, just has a different purpose, that’s all. I’m a sociologist and I study all the things that people do and how they interact. The things that create a society. You take all those things into consideration as you consider the individual and their behaviour, yes?”

Akane nodded and gave a little chuckle. “You know, you’re absolutely right, our work is indeed similar just looking from a different angle I suppose?” She mused as she studied Ka’Sora. She found her to be fascinating in every sense. Akane had always enjoyed interacting with other species and learning about their cultures but it was refreshing to speak to someone who was so open to new experiences. “I think we would make a good team and I hope we can work together,” she added with a friendly grin.

“I’d happily learn your game if you want to teach me,” she said with an eager smile.

~Ensign Ka’Sora

Bump

Akane smiled warmly and nodded, almost a little choked up. “I would very much like that Ensign and perhaps you could teach me more about your culture, it isn’t often I meet someone from a species I haven’t met before?” She asked hopefully.

• Lt Sakai (Counselor)

Everything inside felt tight but not out of distress but sheer happiness. “Absolutely! It’s the reason I’m here, after all.” Her golden eyes glistened as well and she drew in a slow and deep breath. “Why don’t we set a day for each? I’m still setting up my dwelling but I think I will be able to manage to cook something small once I get the cook station set up.”

~Ensign Ka’Sora

Akane nodded enthusiastically and brought up her diary. “I have some time tomorrow evening, would you care to join me for dinner and a game?” She asked with an excited twinkle in her eye.

• Lt Sakai (Counselor)