Posted by Captain Dira Myqian (Commanding Officer) in Side-sim: Time well spent?

Posted by Lieutenant Achilleas Petrakos (Chief Science Officer) in Side-sim: Time well spent?

Posted by Captain Dira Myqian (Commanding Officer) in Side-sim: Time well spent?
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“Other than pink bunny slippers?” Achilleas laughed as he wiggled his feet a bit. “Uh, I’ve learned to enjoy doing ‘things’ in somewhat public places where there is a chance to get caught but it’s unlikely. That was back before having to go to Starfleet Medical for a stay. Haven’t, uh, had a partner in crime for that since.” He absolutely would not have been this personal had he not been drunk off his ass.

CSO Petrakos

She snorted and slapped a hand over her mouth. Dira wasn’t sure what she had expected him to say, but that certainly wasn’t it. It made it even better. She chuckled and waggled a finger at him. “You know, I know you just well enough that I can see it.”

“It sure beats my answer. My guilt pleasure is singing. Especially show tunes. On previous assignments it was something fun I could do. Here?” Dira shrugged. It would be putting herself out there in a way she wasn’t sure this crew wanted her to be. Maybe it was too informal.

Captain Myqian, CO

Achilleas grinned a bit foolishly and laughed along with Dira. He then realized he was still crouched on the floor and holding the medical tricorder. So he unsteadily got up and moved back over to the couch carefully. He set the tricorder on the table and eyed his glass of wine before he decided in the end to let it sit there.

He looked over at Dira as he thought for a second before replying. “I don’t know… I don’t see why you couldn’t do it here. Maybe organise a crew event for morale. We could do some karaoke and you could demonstrate those pipes for everyone.”

CSO Petrakos

She grimaced. “My.... experience with social interactions on the ship has been… awkward. And there’s nothing worse than the captain organizing something. People will come, sure, but many will feel obligated to be there and that’s no fun. Some will try to hide it but”-she tapped her head-“I’ll know.” It was much like she had told Sinclair- people tended to be on their best behaviour when the captain was around, and where was the fun in that? If they wouldn’t relax, how could she?

Captain Myqian, CO

Achilleas nodded, understanding Dira’s concerns and frustrations. The inherent power dynamics and obligations that came with being a captain could indeed create an air of formality and inhibit genuine relaxation during social interactions.

“I can see how that can make social gatherings feel forced and artificial,” he replied, his voice empathetic. “The pressure to uphold a certain image or behave in a certain way can be stifling for everyone involved. It’s only natural for people to be on their best behavior around the captain, and that can make it difficult to truly let loose and have genuine connections.”

He paused for a moment, considering their predicament. “Perhaps we can find ways to create more casual and relaxed social settings, where people can feel more at ease. It could be informal get-togethers, hobbies or activities that allow for genuine interactions without the weight of authority overshadowing everything.”

Achilleas offered a reassuring smile. “As your friend and colleague, I’m here to support you in fostering an environment where people can truly be themselves. We can find ways to navigate this challenge together, Dira. And who knows, maybe we’ll uncover hidden layers of fun and authenticity that have been waiting to be set free.”

CSO Petrakos

Dira beamed. “Perhaps so! I suppose I’ve been a bit of a hermit lately as well.” Yes, she was tipsy, though sitting as she was, she hadn’t really felt it yet. But the lowering of inhibitions allowed her brain to actually think over things that fully sober she veered away from or already had made up her mind about. There were so many variables she was constantly factoring in and if she were honest, it was so overwhelming! But Dira had managed a lot before and she knew she could manage this. Still… trying to be her social self on a ship that didn’t seem to really want a social captain was a challenge that was going to need a different approach than she had previously tried.

Captain Myqian, CO

Achilleas could sense Dira’s excitement and determination to find a new approach to navigating the challenges of being a social captain on the ship. He admired her resilience and self-awareness, recognizing that her willingness to consider different perspectives and adapt her approach could lead to positive changes in the ship’s social dynamics.

“Being a captain on a starship is undoubtedly a unique challenge, and finding the right balance between leadership and approachability is no easy task,” he said, nodding in agreement. “But I have no doubt that with your resourcefulness and charisma, you can discover a way to connect with the crew on a deeper level, creating an environment that fosters genuine interactions.”

Achilleas leaned back, contemplating their conversation. “Perhaps it’s about finding the right settings and activities, ones that encourage openness and camaraderie. People often bond over shared experiences, and it could be as simple as organizing informal gatherings, hobbies, or even crew events that allow everyone to let their guards down and relax.”

CSO Petrakos