Posted by Lieutenant Commander Tello Anaar (CNS) in Lounge

Posted by Lieutenant Commander John Tolly (Chief Operations Officer/Second Officer) in Lounge

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Tello Anaar (CNS) in Lounge
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It had been a normal shift in Psych. Things were alright on the ship and when the crew wasn’t in danger, they tended to keep their distance from the ‘head shrinkers’. Tello smiled as she envisioned familiar faces whispering outside her office doors, trying to decide if they really needed an appointment, or if they could wait.

Stepping into the lounge, she inhaled deeply. Something about the way it smelled was comforting. Still dressed in her uniform, she made her way to a seat neat one of the large viewports and sat. When a server came over, she ordered coffee and a piece of apple pie. She didn’t want much, but she did want sweet. With a smile to the server, Tello put her elbows on the table and got lost in the starry view.

LtCmdr Anaar

“Here you are, Cmdr.” The server set the pie and a cup of coffee in front of Tello. “Thank you. I’ve been looking forward to this all day.” It was true. She didn’t splurge often, but there were times when you just had to give in to that sweet tooth.

He gave her a nod before taking his leave. With both hands surrounding the coffee cup, she used its warmth to dispel the chill in her fingers that had lasted most of the day. Looking around, Tello wondered if she knew anyone present.

CNS Anaar

“Most people don’t fully appreciate a view like that,” John says as he walks closer. “People tend to take it for granted.” He smiles warmly and extends his hand. “I’m John, by the way.”

Lt. Commander John Tolly
Chief of Operation/Second Officer

She looked up from the table and grinned. “Hello, John, I’m Tello Anaar, one of the counselors here. Please, join me.” She shook his hand and then gestured to an empty chair. “I love the way the stars look from the lounge. I’m sure it has to do with the oversized viewports, right?” Anaar scooped another bite of pie into her mouth and chased it with a sip from the mug near her hand. “Won’t you join me in a little guiltless pleasure? I allow myself a treat once a week.”

CNS Anaar

“Of course,” he replied with a polite nod as he took his seat. As he settled in, the server approached and asked for his order. “I’ll have what she’s having,” he responded. Turning his attention to Tello, he inquired, “So, how are you finding the Memorial?”

John Tolly
Chief of Operations/Second Officer

It was a common question posed to new people. “It’s a lot like other ships really. Some are larger than others, some have more fire power, some are rigid with protocol and then there are those that are truly a pleasure to serve on.” Tello had another bite of pie. “I’m getting the feeling the Memorial falls into that last category. How about you, what are your thoughts on her?”

CNS Anaar

Tolly bit his bottom lip as he contemplated the question. “Well…” he allowed the word to linger in the air momentarily before responding. “I firmly believe that the Command staff, and particularly the Captain and the First Officer, establish the tone for the rest of the crew.” He paused, taking a sip from his drink. “Given the circumstances under which the previous Captain and XO had to depart, Captain Nightroad has done an exemplary job in keeping us focused, which has been highly beneficial for the crew.” all of us”

Lt Commander John Tolly
Chief of Operations/Second Officer

Having finished the pie, Tello pushed the empty plate to the side and scooted her coffee closer. “I’d heard there was something odd about the way the command staff changed, but I don’t know any specifics. Do you?” Large, green eyes looked at John inquisitively. It was the first time the two of them had a chance for a normal conversation. They’d touched bases before in the line of duty, but now Anaar looked forward to getting to know more about him.

CNS Tello Anaar. LtCmdr
John idly toyed with a piece of his pie using his fork before finally taking a bite. “Shortly after returning to the ship from the away mission where we retrieved that cursed cube, our former Captain and XO received a priority one message from Starfleet Command,” he explained, stabbing another piece of pie with his fork and taking another bite. “Next thing you know, they’re both on a shuttle, and we have a new captain,” he added with a shrug, before flashing a smile. “So, Tello—that’s a Betazed name, isn’t it?”

Lt. Commander John Tolly
Chief of Operations/Second Officer

She relaxed back into her chair with a smile. “Yes, it is. My father is Betazoid, my mother was human.” Would he question her intimately? Would she have to explain about her mother’s mental difficulties? ‘I just won’t let our conversation go down that path.’ She told herself. Turning a bit in her chair, Tello crossed her legs. “I’m not a typical Betazoid, but, yes, you have my heritage right.”

CNS Tello Anaar, LtCmdr

“So, you are unable to read my mind?” he remarks with a sly smirk. “Well, that is certainly reassuring,” he adds with a wink and a light laugh. “I am from Alpha Centauri, by the way,” he mentions, taking a sip of his coffee.

Lt Commander John Tolly
Chief of Operations/Second officer

Tello laughed. “Oh I can still pick up on certain things, especially strong emotions, but only my father is Betazoid, my mother was human. That means the usual traits I inherited aren’t quite what you might be used to, in a full blooded Betazoid.” She settle a little deeper into the chair and crossed her legs. “Alpha Centauri? I’ve never been there, but I hear good things about it.”

CNS Tello Anaar, LtCmdr

He flashes a smile and says, “You should definitely go if you ever have the chance. I believe it is one of the hidden gems of the Federation. If you do, perhaps I could give you a personal tour.” He adds a smirk and a wink.

Lt.Cmdr John Tolly
Chief of Operations/Second officer

Tello knew he was flirting with her, but honestly, it felt nice. He was several years her junior, but he was nice looking and very pleasant. “A personal tour? Well, I might just take you up on that. Let’s see how close the Memorial gets to Alpha Centauri and you might have a deal.” Her smile was genuine when she returned the wink. “Until that happens, why don’t you tell me how you entertain yourself on the ship. I’m looking for new ideas.”

CNS Tello Anaar, LtCmdr

Tolly sighed, his shoulders rising momentarily before slumping slightly. “Honestly, it’s mainly just the holodeck,” he admitted. “I mean, we have the lounge here and the gym if that’s something you’re into, but other than that… the holodeck is about it,” he said with a shrug.

Lt.Cmdr John Tolly
Chief of Operaions/Second Officer

“Hmph…” Her head tilted to one side. “Yes, of course there are the holodecks, but I’m asking more about what programs you might run there. What are you interested in? Do you have any personal data chips with a selection of sites from your home world. Things like that. Do you have hobbies?” Tello raised a hand in the air to signal a server who arrived at their table a moment later. “I’d like a glass of red wine, please. John, something else for you?”

CNS Tello Anaar, LtCmdr

John blushes slightly, turning his head to conceal it. “I knew that,” he says somewhat defensively. “I do have a holo program of a beach on Proxima Prime that I like to run, especially when I need to relax.” He shrugs. “I’ll be honest, I’ve been so focused on my career that I haven’t really had time to develop a hobby. Perhaps you could suggest one for me.” As the server arrives and Tello orders her wine, John says, “I’ll take a Centauri whiskey.” He leans in, whispering into the server’s ear, “And bring the real stuff, not that synthol imitation.”

LtCmdr John Tolly

Chief of Operation/Second officer

“Oh, hobbies are very personal, I wouldn’t dream of choosing one for you. I like to read. It’s like taking a mental vacation every time you open the pages.” Her eyes looked dreamy and out of focus for a few seconds, no doubt remembering some of the cerebral adventures she’d had. “I also like to sculpt with clay. It can be messy at the beginning of a project, but as it comes to life, the mess gets smaller and there is less to clean up.”

The server came back with both drinks and cleared away the other plates. After thanking him, Tello focused on John. “What shall we toast to? New friends?”

LtCmdr Tello Anaar
Counselor

He smiles and raises his glass. “To…” he pauses, deep in thought, “To new possibilities.” He clinks his glass with hers before taking a sip. “Perhaps you could teach me how to sculpt sometime,” he suggests as he leans back in his chair. “We could do it on the beach of Proxima Prime… sculpting, that is,” he adds with a slight chuckle.

Lt.Cmdr John Tolly
Chief of Operations/Second officer

Sculpting on a beach didn’t sound like a good idea–sand would become stuck in the clay, but teaching him a few of the basics might be fun. “Let’s put a pin in that for now. We can revisit the idea a little later on, after we know each other better.” Tello was glad she’d decided to stop in the lounge that evening, meeting John was a stroke of luck. Perhaps the two of them would find they enjoyed each other enough to see each other again. “So, tell me, do you have a family and where are they?”

Lt Tello Anaar
Counselor

Tolly gave a warm smile and nodded. “Fair enough,” he said. He was genuinely enjoying her company and, truth be told, was looking forward to spending more time with her. He wasn’t entirely sure where this would lead but was eager to find out. “Well, I come from a Starfleet family. My father is an Admiral, and my mother served on the Federation Council representing Alpha Centauri,” he said with a slight chuckle. “I can trace my family’s history with Starfleet back to a time before there even was a Starfleet or Federation.” He took a sip of his drink before continuing, “The Tollys were involved in the Alpha Centauri independence movement, and there was even a Tolly who signed the Federation Charter.”

LtCmdr John Tolly

Chief of Operations/Second Officer