Posted by Lieutenant Commander Todd Nyman (XO) in (Personal Sim, All Welcome) Lounge, Just Past Midnight

Posted by Lieutenant Steven Leon Marsh (Chief Science Officer) in (Personal Sim, All Welcome) Lounge, Just Past Midnight

Posted by Lieutenant Dorian Kelmain (Chief Engineer/Containment Architect) in (Personal Sim, All Welcome) Lounge, Just Past Midnight
Posted by… suppressed (14) by the Post Ghost! 👻

[Snip]

Adam didn’t usually spend much time in the Longue, preferring to dine by himself but there was something about spending time late at night with a good book and a glass of wine staring out the viewport. He brought one of the bottles from his personal collection that was locked in a cabinet behind the bar. He took note of Nyman sitting by himself seeming lost in thoughts. It’d been weeks since he’d closed his investigation on the Vendorian for their former Captain. Well less of an investigation and more of an observation mission. He grabbed a glass and walked towards the ships current first officer. In one hand he held the bottle of unmarked red wine and in his other an actual physical book, a rarity now a days “Troubling thoughts Commander?” The short Intelligence chief asked in his deep voice, his usual emotionless edge lessened as they were off duty.

CIO

The sensation of another person approaching caused an involuntary stir. Turning around slightly only to see Adam standing there. He didn’t like how easily people could sneak up on him in this form.

“Nothing important,” he said, “I’m just- thinking, is all.”

No smile, just a quick glance over.

“What about you? A little late to still be up reading. Must be interesting.”

|Lt. Cmdr. Nyman, XO|

Adam looked at the book “It’s a Cardassian murder mystery, from the Turn of the Century, The Lakarian Obfuscation, How the Many Became the Few by Tun Imlet. It’s considered a classic, much of modern Cardassian mystery novels of the 24th century pay homage to this story, It’s regarded as the origin of many modern cliches.” He looked back up “I prefer reading at night, helps with relaxation”

CIO

Nyman shifted around slightly, as if coming back from wherever his mind previously was to join the conversation,

“I’ve heard of it. Never read it myself, but I am familiar with the genre and its tropes. I’ve always found Cardassian literature… interesting. You can learn a lot about a culture, even one you’ve never really interacted with, from what they produce.”

|Lt. Cmdr. Nyman, XO|

“Did I hear someone mention a murder mystery?” Laural’s voice was soft and slightly hesitant. She was not the type to normally intrude on other people’s conversations, but she couldn’t sleep and was feeling homesick so she had come to the lounge, not wanting to be alone but not really sure what to do next. Spotting Nyman and Magnusson, she decided to approach and wasc immediately intrigued by words she heard, her curiosity overriding her shyness. “Apologies if I’m intruding.”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Counselor

“Oh, not at all, Doctor. Please, come join us.”

He was actually relieved to see her. The thought of it being just him and Adam was unsettling. It had little to do with him personally. He barely knew Adam, but Adam knew more about him than he was comfortable with. That alone was enough to make him feel uneasy. Dr. Witley, on the other hand…

Trust is a very strong word, especially for Vendorians, but he was definitely more comfortable with Laurel.

“We were just discussing one of Cardassia’s most notable works in the genre. I think it’s interesting, for example, how complex the motives can be. In most hum- erm, historical novels there is a lot more time dedicated to sorting out who is innocent and who is guilty. The motives have to be straight forward enough for the audience to understand. But Cardassian mysteries can usually skip that part, since we know everyone is guilty already. And their skills at deception make it very fun to figure out what fits and what doesn’t. And…”

Todd shrunk back a little, realizing he was rambling. Probably from being a bit tired.

“Anyway, yeah that’s just what I think.”

|Lt. Cmdr. Nyman, XO|

-Bump

Dorian had no need for the lounge but, in the past, he was told he should be more social.

Dorian walked into the lounge in Human form and walked straight to the view ports to watch the stars passing. He didn’t need to look around to know who was there, his sensors still functioned in this compressed mode after all.

• Dorian

Laural noticed Todd’s minor slip of the tongue but wasn’t offended. Despite its diversity, Starfleet could be rather human centric, so even if one wasn’t like minded in the beginning of one’s training, it wasn’t difficult to gain the bias. She pushed the thought aside and focused on Nyman’s overall point. “I can’t say I’ve read much Cardassian literature, but I’ve always found discovering the motive for a crime at least as fascinating as the identification of the perpetrator. Occupational hazard, I suppose, given my interest in behavior of all sorts.” Wit looked up when she heard the doors open.

Spotting Dorian, she offered, “This is a happening place.”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Counselor

The Commander drummed his fingers against the table with a nervous energy. He wasn’t expecting so many people to be up and about. But he still managed to pull off a bit of a smile,

“It’s starting to look that way, isn’t it?” he said,

“What brings you up here, Dorian?”

|Lt. Cmdr. Nyman, XO|

Steven looked over at the large crowd seeming to form around the XO. Picking up his glass of wine he wandered over to the group. Steven was relatively new to the ship and part of the senior staff so it might be good to get to know them socially and not just at staff meetings.

Marsh CSO

As more and more people joined their gathering, Laural offered wryly, “With so many of you here with me, I think I should expect to see more people in my office complaining of insomnia. Perhaps I should hand out appointments now,” she added, offering her handshake to Marsh. “Hello, I’m Laural Witley, Counselor. I don’t believe we’ve officially met.” In her grav-chair, she sat lower than most but had the ability to elevate her chair if she needed to. Not wanting to lord over people, she held off doing so.

~Dr. Laural Witley, Counselor

Dorian looked at Nyman, his expression a blank neutral at first like he didn’t know, for a brief moment, who he was engaging him.

“I’m just watching the stars go by.” Dorian said mechanically.

• Dorian

It was always amazing to him, how observant and contemplative this supposed killing machine was. It would seem ironic, but the Commander at this point had yet to see any other side to him. There may come a moment when that changed, but he couldn’t even begin to imagine.

“You know, I was never much for stargazing until I left… home.” he commented. Gently approaching the subject, in case it was a sore spot for some people.

|Lt. Cmdr. Nyman, XO|

Dorian turned his blank but penetrating gaze fully to Nyman. The eyes were entirely machine and only slightly more expressive than Data’s before Data got his emotion upgrade.

“These are not my stars. My home is in a different universe. These are new and interesting and as emotionally dampened as I am, I can still appreciate beauty.” he said.

Dorian turned his gaze back to the stars.

“Do they remind you of home or is it that they’re not from your home that you look on them more now?” Dorian asked.

• Dorian

As more and more people joined their gathering, Laural offered wryly, “With so many of you here with me, I think I should expect to see more people in my office complaining of insomnia. Perhaps I should hand out appointments now,” she added, offering her handshake to Marsh. “Hello, I’m Laural Witley, Counselor. I don’t believe we’ve officially met.” In her grav-chair, she sat lower than most but had the ability to elevate her chair if she needed to. Not wanting to lord over people, she held off doing so.

~Dr. Laural Witley, Counselor

“I have not had the pleasure yet but I think I am due for my madated check in.”

Marsh CSO

With the insomnia wearing off, and replaced with a bit of anxiety at the building group, the Commander stood up.

“Well, best be heading back now, good night all.”

And with that he slipped away from the group.

|Lt. Cmdr. Nyman, XO|

Dorian watched the XO go, his question unanswered, then turned back to the window.

• Dorian