Posted by Ensign Iyun Riani (Scientist) in Side sim: Iyun and Petrakos Greek Holodeck

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Achilleas Petrakos (Chief Science Officer) in Side sim: Iyun and Petrakos Greek Holodeck

Posted by Ensign Iyun Riani (Scientist) in Side sim: Iyun and Petrakos Greek Holodeck
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(nods)

Her fork loaded with some rice and chicken hovering in mid-air, Riani replied, “I’m not sure how much there is to tell. We’re very close. Always have been. I’m the oldest of five. Mijiam is 17, Zairr is 15, Ammin is 12 and little Sona 6. She is the baby of the family.” A tender smile played across her face at the mention of each of her siblings. “My mother works for the Bajoran militia and my father is an engineer. They worked on Deep Space Nine for many years. So most of us children were born there.” As she continued talking her expression became a little wistful, yet the smile never fully left her face.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Achilleas nodded thoughtfully between mouthfuls of chicken with rice, “I am the youngest of twelve children myself. My three oldest brothers and sister work at the olive farm back home. We were all pressed into service to learn the job as teenagers, but only the three decided to stay behind. I’m the third to enter Starfleet but the only one in the science field. The other two entered counselling and security. My parents decided to retire on the farm with my grandparents, but before they did my father worked in marine biology where he met my mother and they fell in love.”

CSO Petrakos

Riani smiled softly as she listened to Achilleas talk about his family. “Eleven siblings. And I always thought my family was rather large,” she said with a hint of surprise and then continued tenderly, “It’s wonderful having several siblings.” Looking down at her plate again, she blinked a couple of times and then took a sip of water, her gaze still mostly averted. Get a grip on yourself, she chastised herself. The last thing she wanted was to spoil everything by starting to cry.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Achilleas started to look a little worried, “Are you okay? We can change topics or open another bottle of wine, whatever you want.”

CSO Petrakos

Riani nodded while inhaling deeply, as she slowly let out her breath, she looked up at Achilleas. “Yes,” she said softly. “I just miss my family.” Despite her effort, tears wear glistening in her brown eyes and she quickly dropped her gaze again. “While I was at the Academy I almost always knew when I’d see them again. But now … for the first time in my life I don’t know.” Her voice was barely audible and there was a soft quiver in it. At the same time a single tear rolled down her cheek. She turned her face slightly, hoping that Achilleas wouldn’t see the tear and that she wouldn’t really start to cry.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Achilleas started to nod in understanding but then quickly froze as Ria had a tear slide down her cheek. Before he even knew what he was doing, he had leapt out of his seat and knelt by her side. He took one of her hands in his and squeezed to comfort her and center her in the now. “Please don’t be sad. I understand missing family as I also miss mine everyday I get up and don’t smell the sea and the scent of olives, but I know they would proud of us, your family are proud of you for chasing your goals and growing as a person. I try to remind myself every day that when they see me next they’ll see me as someone who has put in tremendous efforts for my dreams.”

CSO Petrakos

As she slowly turned her face towards Achilleas, Ria tried to smile, but didn’t quite manage it. Her lower lip was trembling slightly and so were her hands. “I’m sorry. You put so much effort into this and I’m ruining it,” she whispered, feeling ashamed and guilty. “I know my family is happy for me and that they want me to be here … living my dream.” And while she tried to figure out how she felt about him holding her hand, a couple more tears rolled down her cheeks. If only she could stop crying…

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Achilleas gingerly used his other hand to reach forward and pull Ria into a hug, “Shhh, shhh, it’s fine. Nothing is ruined. We all need a good cry sometimes and I’m glad I could be here for you. You have been wonderful company and I share your homesick feelings very strongly, so who better to share those feelings with?”

CSO Petrakos

For a second Ria stiffened, but before she knew it, she had wrapped her slender arms around Achilleas. And for at least this moment in time she forgot to worry about what was and wasn’t proper. As she sat there with her arms around him, it was almost as if she was clinging to him for dear life. Her body was slightly shaking with silent sobs.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Achilleas wrapped his own arms around her and squeezed her tightly. He also began to lightly rub Ria’s back while softly saying “It is okay. You’re okay.” over and over. He knew she just needed time to get all of those bundled up feelings and insecurities out into the open. That he could help ease her homesickness filled his heart with warmth and helped to ease his own.

CSO Petrakos

As time passed, Riani stopped crying bit by bit and her body started to slowly relax. Never fully, but back to it’s normal state of tension. Eventually she let go of Achilleas and sliding slightly backwards on her chair, moved out of the embrace. She looked up for a moment and her eyes, red and puffy, briefly met his. “Thank you,” she whispered. “And I’m sorry; for … for crying and spoiling your shirt … for everything.”

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Achilleas smiled softly in response while he gently reached up to wipe away a lingering tear from her cheek. “Don’t be sorry, please. My shirt will dry and nothing is spoiled. Your well-being is my concern not just as your department head but also as a friend. We both happen to be away from home for an extended period for the first time, so we have to stick together. I want you to come to me whenever you get homesick and need a shoulder. I’ll always be available.”

CSO Petrakos