Posted by Lieutenant Dr. Solomon Kane (Chief Science Officer/Research & Development) in side - sim: Social Experimentation at its Finest (Tag Kane)
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“Alexis what do you think of this ‘toy’ Kane has created?”

Alexis leaned back some, scratching Frigga’s ears. “Honestly, it’s brilliant. I’m not sure why something like that hasn’t been worked on before. It would seem obvious. Even if it had come from the cultures it’s intended to be used on, but there aren’t. Not like this anyway. I haven’t seen it past the initial sketches. It will take a subtle hand to control it I think, but it’s going to make a huge difference in surgical results.”

Bonner

“I’m thinking of adding an ocular interface with it.” Kane said. “That would allow for more precision. On the other hand, the surgeon might rely too much on it and get complacent. Then if the interface failed, the surgeon is screwed… and so is the patient. So I’m still on the fence about that.”

Kane

“Possibly. We use the microtome images on the surgical support unit for the same thing. And the wearable tricorders have a visual interface. What if you designed it to work with those existing systems? More precision would be great, but complacency is a huge problem in the field. Doctors rely too much on the tech and not on the foundational theories and practices. Talk to Dr Drake Marshall, the head surgeon. He’s overly sure of himself, but critical of younger and less experienced doctors. I have not decided if he’s justified in that or not, BUT his insight could be valuable.” She tapped her fingers against her leg, no stylus at hand, “Oh I wonder…could we add something similar to the tritanium slips we’ve been working on? Get them to heat or ice the area based on input physiology?” It was work, a problem, and her mind was jumping around quite happily.

Bonner

Kane leaned over and kissed her, then pulled back just enough so he could say “Work later, doll. We have company that have missed you terribly.”, kissed her again, and then leaned back and scratched Frigga to give Lex time to reset

Kane

After he kissed the first time she looked a little bemused and dazed. After the second time she nodded. Right, her parents. Frigga leaned heavily into the scratches perfectly content.

Anthony nudged his wife with a grin. Alisson was struck by the contrast and the seeming chaos of the heavily tattooed hand holding her daughters own pale hand. It wasn’t judgement just a noticing of details. Given Anthony’s description of Kane in the lab she had to wonder how Alexis dealt with all that sarcasm and domineering personality. He certainly didn’t seem that way to her though. Maybe Anthony caught him at the wrong time? Or her husband was really good at pushing students’ buttons, maybe he has done that to Kane.

Anthony did not wonder at all. Kane probably kept Alexis so confused she didn’t know which way was up half the time. He thought that was the best thing for her.

After a moment Alexis seemed to reset, but before she had to figure out what to talk about her father spoke up. “How do you like having Frigga? I remember you were quite resistant to the idea.”

Alexis ran her hand over Frigga’s back. She glanced over at her father and nodded. “I was.”

“But you always liked animals,” her mother said never having understood why Alexis hadn’t wanted a pet.

It was true Alexis had liked animals…to study them, to learn about them, but she had never really wanted a pet. She had found them fascinating. “I still like them, but I was always busy. I thought it was irresponsible to have something totally dependent on me when I wasn’t there.” It was a distraction to her work, which had been the point. “I can’t imagine not having her now. She’s done wonders for my bedside manner.”

Bonner

“And when Alexis is down one of her rabbit holes, Figga works with the Counselors as well.” Kane said and rubbed the top of Frigga’s head vigorously, just how she smiled it. “So they both have something to focus on if the other is busy. And when we are all watching vids, those two are usually cuddled up.” and Kane chuckled. “I’ve introduced Lex to an old Earth television show, mid-twentieth century. Its called ‘I Love Lucy’. We’re plowing through it right now.”

Kane

Frigga let out a sigh, shook all over, and then leaned back into his leg. “She likes people. Actually her recertifications are coming due in a month.”

Alissa looked skeptical about the vids. Alexis never watched anything unless it was a recorded lecture. “You watch TV now?”

Alexis shrugged. “Yes. He likes it.” She glanced at Solomon out of the corner of her eye a resigned smile on her face. He says I’m like Lucy. I don’t see it.”

Anthony’s brows rose as he considered then looked at Kane began to laugh, “I do, and I have to agree with Mr Stark over there.”

“Don’t let her fool you. She turns it on herself without asking if I want to watch it.” Kane said with a wink to Alexis.

Alexis blushed and stammered something about Solomon was just going to turn it on anyway. Anthony was enjoying watching the younger more than he probably should.

Her mother looked from Alexis and then gave Kane a long hard once over and then back at Alexis. Finally seeing what her husband saw. She got up and walked away laughing.

“I am not…” Alexis gave up with a sigh. Her mother stuck her head back in. “Who’s ready to eat?” Frigga barked. She was.

Bonner

“I echo the dog.” Kane said, and barked. Frigga’s head jerked towards him and her eyes went wide. “Yes, I speak Frigga. Didn’t you know?” he said as he rubbed her cheek.

Kane

Alexis shook her head and stood up. She patted her leg for Frigga to follow but the pup was too enamored at the moment. “He stole my dog.” She moved into the other room, helping her mother out of long habit. Alisson laughed, “I would say your dog has excellent taste. Kane what do you want to drink?”

Bonner

Kane looked at Anthony and nodded. Quietly, he said “I don’t say this to many people. But… thanks. Whatever you said to your wife, I appreciate.” and then he stood up and said towards the kitchen “Beer would be great. Darker the better.”

Kane

Anthony nodded, acknowledging his thanks quietly. “Apparently we’re going to be family, so we do what we can. It’s a matter of knowing my girls, Kane. I simply told her that I knew she was eager to get to know you. She also knew very well that if she kept pushing Alexis and making her uncomfortable, Alexis would run away to her labs and experiments. My wife wants to spend time with her daughter, so she will try to be patient.”

In the kitchen, Alisson harrumphed. “I don’t have beer and this thing won’t give me real beer.” Alexis shook her head and walked over to the replicator. A few quick taps bypassed the default for synthehol and a deep rich Guinness materialized. “You just have to tell the computer to bypass the synthehol settings.”

Alisson grinned, patted her check and then kissed the other one. “You are so smart, Alexis.” Then she gleefully ordered drinks for herself and Anthony. Alexis rolled her eyes hard and subvocalized, “Oh yeah I’m a freaking programming genius, I can order beer.” She sat down at the table. Frigga trotted along loyally next to Kane and slipped under the table.

Bonner

Kane pulled Alexis’s chair out and then took a seat and said “Smells great. Lex talks about your baking a lot. And she’s made some stuff that is better than anything else Ive tried. But the mess… its like a flour grenade went off and killed a bunch of eggs.”

Kane

Alexis tried not to look at him funny when he pulled her chair out. It was weird, but she was absolutely not complaining either. Absolutely no one would believe her if she told them.

Anthony nodded and pointed at the other side of the kitchen and the volcano that has erupted, “Uh huh. Every. Single. Time. It’s why I bought her the bakery, to contain the mess outside of our kitchen.”

Alisson eyed him, “If I had dough…”

Alexis grinned watching, “She would throw it at him and then remind him to never trust anyone who didn’t make a mess in the kitchen. If the kitchen is clean, then some horrible cooking disaster has been hidden. Don’t trust them.” By the end Alisson was speaking in tandem with Alexis, unaware of or not caring that her daughter was explaining. Alexis just nodded her head toward her mother, see?

The pies were not near burnt, but excellent as always. For Alexis it tasted like home, if home could be said to have a flavor.

Alisson was rather pleased to hear that Alexis was cooking. “It’s the only scientific thing I can claim to have taught her. What have you made?”

Alexis had to pause and think back. She was actually cooking a lot now. She enjoyed it and it was chemistry and not in the lab. It was normal and it felt good. “The new bun recipe you sent me, Monte Cristos, and a failed attempt at biscuits. I got called for an emergency and the dough went bad before I got back.”

Bonner