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 (9) 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)

Ka’Sora nodded. “I would love that! And then in a few days I can cook for you if I can get everything worked out. Though, I would understand if being in my quarters might be more awkward. I find most of the time I can adjust better to the heavier gravity than most people can adjust to the lighter one.”

~Ensign Ka’Sora

Akane shook her head with a chuckle, “not at all, I would love to experience it, and I want you to feel as close to home as you can on this ship, I would be delighted to join you in your quarters for dinner once you’ve settled in.” She said warmly.

“If I can make it work. We’re still trying to figure that out,” the Zaharan said. There were a couple complications that ordinarily wouldn’t faze her but right now she was still figuring out how everything worked around the ship.

“Shall we say 19:00 hours at my quarters tomorrow evening? I’ll dig out my grandmother’s recipe book for an authentic Japanese feast,” she added with a childlike twinkle in her eye.

• Lt Sakai (Counselor)

Excitement rolled though her and Ka’Sora nodded. “It’s a plan!”

She stood up, ready to go, and then a tiny frown slid onto her face. “Does this mean the boarding eval is done, or do we still need to go over other things?’ She had never really had one given her training cruise didn’t require one, per say.

~Ensign Ka’Sora

With a gentle chuckle, Akane mentally scolded herself for straying so far from the session. “Sorry Ensign, we got a little side tracked didn’t we?” She grinned as she brought up the psyche report again. “To be honest, we’ve pretty much covered what we need to, unless there is anything more you’d like to discuss?” She asked as she checked through her notes.

• Lt Sakai (Counselor)

Ka’sora shook her head and smiled. “No, I don’t think so. I know what will be hard about settling in and we’ve already started to help that, so I think we’re ahead of it all.” It delighted her, actually. Here she was admitting she was worried about not having enough social interaction and now she has a planned social event to look forward to. Not only that but she gets to learn about another culture. How wonderful!

~Ensign Ka’Sora

Akane smiled warmly and nodded. “Indeed, and it’s great that you are able to recognise that. Half the battle is being able to acknowledge the areas where we struggle but you seem to have a very good idea,” she added with a grin. “And if you ever find yourself struggling or feeling isolated, my door is always open…and I always have cake!” She chuckled.

She tapped a few buttons on a PaDD in front of her and slid it across the desk to Ka’Sora. “I am pleased to clear you for duty Ensign,” she added.

• Lt Sakai (Counselor)