Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Séan Iven (CNS) in Side Sim: Boarding the Athena

Posted by Ensign Karina Niles (Doctor) in Side Sim: Boarding the Athena

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Séan Iven (CNS) in Side Sim: Boarding the Athena
Posted by… suppressed (20) by the Post Ghost! 👻

A tall man stepped off a shuttle onto the deck of Starbase 157, where his new posting was docked up for repairs. He’d had a very brief overview of how their last mission had gone, the difficulties and stress the crew head been under being stressed to him but vague. He was looking forward to his posting aboard the Athena and how he could fit in and assist the crew. While musing about who he was going to meet and what they’ve all been through, Séan made his way through the docking ring and towards his new ship. He passed the mangled looking Ogawa, she sure took a beating it looked like, before finally reaching his destination. He took a breath to center himself before boarding the ship with a soft smile.

CNS Iven

Karina came around the corner, PaDD in hand and nearly ran into the newcomer. “Oh! Sorry. I need to pay attention.” She lifted a hand to brush an errant strand of auburn hair behind her ear. The long French braid down her back had been done hours ago and whisps had managed to free themselves and frame her face. Her running pants of deep emerald green and the lighter green tank top made her almost look like a wood sprite from Earth lore. Eyes of crystallized emeralds looked at him with embarrassment.

“Oh, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Karina. And you are?” She never gave rank or job when meeting someone because lots of times it changed how folks reacted to her. She’d learned long ago that doctors meant appointments and rank meant she was too low to matter, or too high to chance talking to. Green eyes gazed back at Iven as she lowered the PaDD she had been looking at. If he glanced down, he would see a diagram of a human brain on the screen.

Ens Karina Niles
Doctor

Séan’s smile broadened as he fortuitously came across a crew member already. His own green eyes took in the woman’s, Karina he reminded himself, appearance quickly before maintaining eye contact. He had a duffle bag slung over his shoulder as he boarded the Athena, but he took this moment to pull it to his front and drop it at his feet. He reached a large hand forward about halfway between them, far enough that she could easily reach it with her own hand, but not so far that it would invade her personal space. “Hello Karina, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Séan,”

CNS Iven

With a moment to take him in as he spoke, Karina’s look brightened. The man towered over by a good 6 or more inches and his build informed her he was more than capable in a corner. The eyes were what caught her attention, though. It was rare to see a green as vibrant as her own and she found herself startled slightly as the bag landed with a dull thud between them. Crimson bloomed on her cheeks as she took the offered hand. Sadly, handshakes were still a hit or miss for her, having not perfected the fine art of it, yet. This time it was a firm grip she returned, but the shake was a bit awkward. “Sean, a pleasure. I take it from the bag you are just coming aboard? Or are you returning and I’m merely remiss in recalling who you are and owe you a huge apology?” She was hoping it wasn’t the latter. Something told her a man like this wouldn’t have gone unnoticed since her return.

Karina
Doctor

Séan inclined his head a bit in acknowledgement while he shook Karina’s hand. “I am newly coming aboard.” His smile shifted to a grin, “I haven’t even found my quarters yet, still carrying my personal affects.” He gestured at the bag at his feet. He released his grip from Karina’s hand and slowly let his arm fall against his side. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

CNS Iven

Karina felt foolish, now, for the question. Covering her slip, she glanced down the empty hall. “With us in dock, the halls are nearly empty. Good time for running without having to wait till third shift is settled in for the night. I hadn’t been down this hall in a while and thought I’d switch it up a bit. Happy to help you find your quarters, if you want, that is. Though if you know, I’ll just get out of your way and try not to run over you in the future. Though I can’t make promises.” She laughed and nodded towards the nearest lift.

Karina
Doctor
(worst flirt EVER) lol

Séan chuckled with Karnia before he leaned down to scoop back up his bag. “I would appreciate some guidance. I could always ask the computer for directions, but I would like some company.” He moved in the direction of the lift she’d nodded towards before continuing to chat. “I don’t tend to do much running myself, not that I think there is anything wrong with it, but I can get very awkward at high speeds.”

CNS Iven

She moved to the lift with a smile. “Happy to help. I think I only run anymore out of boredom. Not much to do on a starship between shifts.”

After they were in the lift, she glanced at him. “What quarters are you in?” She nodded to the controls so he could key or speak his deck number.

“As to you running, I’m guessing you’d probably bowl everyone over. So since you don’t run, what do you enjoy doing when not,” it dawned on her that, like herself, he hasn’t given rank or job title. “Well, when you’re not on duty.”

She wasn’t going to pry since he hadn’t.

Karina
Doctor

“Deck 11.” Séan called out to get the lift moving. He thought for a moment while he leaned against the wall and then continued. “I tend to do a lot of reading. I’ve been reading a fascinating article regarding the effects of various EM signal spectrums on different species’ brain chemistry and how that changes their behavior.” He glanced down to the PaDD in Karina’s hand before looking back up and smiling. “I do try to keep physically active too and that finds me frequently at the gym. Some weight training, some hitting the bags, but mostly aerobics on the floor mats. What do you do when not on duty?”

CNS Iven

Karina followed his eyes and saw the brain scan taking up the full screen on her PaDD. Thumbing the switch to turn it off, she laughed. “I have to admit I’m rarely ‘not’ working. I’ve never used the punching bag, and I think my weight training consists of rearranging stores.”

Shaking her head, she stepped out of the lift “Though I admit I’m intrigued by your reading habits.” She waited for him to choose the direction and fell into step behind him. “I should probably start working out again. Someone tried to teach me last year. But he’s gone.” She laughed. “Apparently I have ridiculously accurate reflexes and no idea how to use them.”

Katrina
Doctor

Séan stepped off the lift and headed in the direction he hoped would head to his quarters. If it ended up being the long way that wouldn’t be so bad either as it’d give him more time to talk. He tilted his head slightly as a curious tinkle shone in his eyes. “Ridiculously accurate? I’m taking a guess here but that sounds like you have the speed but not the technique. So you could block or dodge a blow but not know how to follow up on it or the way to not hurt yourself when blocking?”

CNS Iven

A soft laugh fell between her teeth as she bit her lip. “Actually that’s almost exactly what he said. We met when he came up behind me and I startled. Apparently I swung in reflex, he blocked but I… blocked again? It was crazy embarrassing, actually.” She laughed, but it was a bit shaky.

She suddenly hitched her breath. “Gods I’m a horrible escort. What was the quarters we’re looking for?”

Karina
Doctor

“Apparently one of the quarters near the Counselling suite.” Séan replied with a short laugh. “It’s not about the destination but the journey though. I imagine we’d arrive eventually but this chance to talk is something I was more interested in. So on that account you’ve been a wonderful escort.”

CNS Iven

Untrained reflexes… check
Awkwardness around handsome men… check
Quick to think on her feet… check

A soft laugh trickled up her throat. “Near the Counselor’s suite? No one would reference that unless they were the Counsilor. But I could be wrong, so I’ll go first.” She laughed. “Ensign Karina Niles. I’m one of the doctors on board.”

Something told her she was right. By if she was wrong, maybe she’d consider that offer to work on the station, after all. Because she’d be too mortified to face man every day.

Karina
Doctor

Séan stopped his steps and smiled at Karina. “Lieutenant Junior Grade Séan Iven. Pronounced like an even number but spelled similar to Ivan. I’ve been assigned as the head Counsellor. Haven’t had a chance to settle in or meet my staff yet, as you know, but I’m very grateful to meet someone so friendly. My first impression of the ship and her crew has been very favorable.”

CNS Iven

Her smile broadened. “Well it seems my reflexes are so fast I’m able to catch things before I know it.” She laughed. “I’ve been waiting for you to come aboard, actually.” Realizing how creepy that sounded, she stumbled to recover herself. “I mean, the Councilor. I’ve been waiting to see him, ummm you, I guess. I mean.” She laughed and shook her head as she pointed to the door a few yards away. “My guess is that’s the room you’re looking for.” She pointed a couple doors down on the other side of the hall. “And that’s your office.”

Her heart was racing as she fumbled and wondered if she’d already blown it with him. Before she’d even had a chance to ask him to dinner.

Karina
Doctor

Séan kept smiling as a quizzical look crossed his face. “Waiting for me, or someone in my position to come aboard?” He asked as he led them the last few steps to the door of his quarters and stopped. He pressed a button on the door control which opened after confirming his bio-metrics. Huh, guess it really was his quarters. He turned back to face Karina. “Would you like to come in for a bit? I understand if you’d be uncomfortable with that since we just met, but since you’ve been a wonderful escort I was hoping you’d allow me the pleasure of being a good host.”

CNS Iven

“You… well, the Counsilor, I mean.” She realized no matter what she answered, it sounded a bit awkward. As he opened the door and offered his hospitality, she smiled. “I think if I can’t trust you, I either need some serious treatment or the ship needs another Counsilor. I’d be happy to.” She followed him into the room and smiled. Having just arrived, there were no personal affects and the room was stark and bare.

As the door whooshed shut behind her she smiled, teasing him. “Love what you’ve done with the place, Sean. Though if you want help unpacking your things, I’m happy to help. Lousy at decorating, but great at opening things.” She laughed and stepped into the room.

Karina
Doctor

Looking around at what would be his home for the foreseeable future, Séan laughed with Karina’s joke. “Not much to unpack I’m afraid.” He responded as he put the duffel bag down next to the living room’s coffee table. After putting his hands on his hips he turned to face her with a grin. “I know it isn’t much but welcome to my humble abode. Could I get you something to drink? Maybe some water to stay hydrated after your run?”

CNS Iven

She smiled and moved towards the center of the living area. “Water would be great. Thank you.” Looking at the duffle bag, Karina glanced back at him. “You said you didn’t have much to unpack. I’m sure that’ll change when your things get here.” She moved back towards him to get the water once he had it. “Though, to be honest, I still have a crate in storage I never unpacked. So I’m guilty as well.” She set her PaDD on the dining table.

Karina
Doctor

Séan moved to the replicator and came back with two glasses of water, one of which he held out to Karina before he took a seat and gestured for her to do the same. He took a sip to wet his throat before addressing her statement. “There’s nothing else of mine getting here. What is in my bag is the extent of what I own. It makes life a little bit simpler and since Starfleet provides everything else I’d need or want, I’ve not seen the point or had the desire to collect a bunch of stuff.”

He set his glass on the table and leaned back to study her with an interested look. “Why were you waiting for a Counsellor?”

CNS Iven

“Thank you.” Karina took the water and curled a leg under her as she took the offered seat. “I think that’s why I never unpacked the other crate. I guess I never thought about it. But yeah, most of that stuff’s from before the Academy and never felt a need to unpack it.”

She took another drink as he asked about her need for a Counselor. “I was away when the ship was hijacked to the other dimension. Despite the fact everyone on the station claimed they were looking, I became obsessed.” She shrugged as if it was obvious. “Apparently now I need clearance to return to work. Something about obsession and disobeying orders.” She half murmured the last comment into another long draw of her water.

Karina
Doctor

Séan lightly clasped his hands in his lap, a habit to make himself seem less threatening, a useful posture to encourage people he was talking with to relax and be themselves.

“I don’t have a full overview of what happened with the ship. I was told that there was a lot of work to be done when I got here though. Now I don’t mean to make this a work moment for me, but did you want to talk about it? Even if this isn’t an official appointment anything you say will still be strictly between us. Either way I’m happy for your company.” He said with a warm smile to Karina.

CNS Iven

Karina nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure you will be pretty busy here. It’s been rough. Hard for me, because I was left behind. But harder for them, I think, because they were jerked away from here with no idea if they were coming back.” She took a long drink, emptying her glass and seeing it on the table to roll between her fingers.

After a deep breath, she smiled and looked back up at him. “Not sure how much there is to talk about, honestly. I mean, I took a shuttle out every day after I returned. I searched every direction. Twice.” She laughed but it was awkward. “I even ignored a message not to go out. I claimed I didn’t see it.” She smiled. “Technically I didn’t see it. Someone told me the Station Master has said I wasn’t to take a shuttle out again so soon. I took it because no one else was looking. It panned out, too. I mean, I was contacted by some duplicates who knew how to get to the ship. So it worked out fine.”

She got up to get more water. “So see, since the situation won’t duplicate itself, there’s no risk of me behaving that way again. More water?” She held a hand out for his glass if he wanted.

Karina
Doctor