Posted by Lieutenant Symar (Chief Medical Officer) in Putting on a Logical Top Hat (Tag XO)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander T’Aria (XO / Navigation Officer) in Putting on a Logical Top Hat (Tag XO)

Posted by Lieutenant Symar (Chief Medical Officer) in Putting on a Logical Top Hat (Tag XO)
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(Snip!)
“Everything on my file is true, except for one notable absence, I’m half Romulan.” Symar pulled back a chunk of his hair to reveal a birthmark in the shape of a serpent; “I suppose you’ve worked out that emotional control is not my strong point.”

-Lieutenant Symar: Chief Medical Officer-

T’Aria stared at Symar through unfocused, half-lidded eyes.

Though his words grazed her ears in perfect clarity, she faltered, entangled in a web of implications and confounding emotion. ‘Half-Romulan’? The term struck like a phaser set on stun, blunt and throbbing, but she struggled to ascertain why. She harboured no fear for their distant cousins, so why did her gut writhe in panic? Vulcan society assumed Romulans were volatile and warlike, but Prisu dispelled her indoctrinated ignorance long ago. Why did her heart hasten and her blood boil beneath her skin? Her brain leapt to the defence, seeking to shield her from perceived danger, but it failed to consider the man before her. Symar.

She took in a slow, meditative breath and tempered the swells that threatened to drown her in anguish.

Clarity emerged from the din, encouraging T’Aria to appreciate his confidence. He did not owe her an explanation beyond the reach of his contract and oath. So, his confiding in her spoke volumes she could not begin to reach. And it sparked an ineffable warmth in her. T’Aria didn’t notice it, but a fond smile had taken the corners of her lips. Though her mind hounded her with suspicion in its crusade for control, she found it easier to quiet because, for once, she could not bring herself to care. Symar had divulged a deeply intimate truth, her energy was better spent supporting the man she cared for than doubting his intentions.

Despite her effort, she failed to subdue the emotion bubbling under her fixed (and woefully counterfeit) grimace. It was disjointed but unmistakable. “I had not noticed…” T’Aria tried to ease any distress her split-second stillness may have roused, “but I appreciate that you shared this with me. How do you feel, now?”

— T’Aria

A full smile now graced Symar’s lips, “Better, it feels good to be able to share this with someone.” At the slightly forced look of trepidation on the face of the XO, he added, “Don’t worry Commander, I’m aware of Nero’s activities recently, but I’m not affiliated with him in any way.”

-Lieutenant Symar: Chief Medical Officer-

“I…” T’Aria fumbled over her words, “…I apologise if you felt I was accusing you. You have given me no reason to believe you a danger to anyone aboard Chernov. In fact, quite the opposite.” The last part emerged in a near-mumble, but T’Aria made no mention of it. “How can I support you?”

— T’Aria

Symar chuckled, “I must admit, I’ve been developing… interesting feelings for you over my time onboard the Chernov, Commander, and I feel knowing about my… heritage provides you a little more context to the issue.”

-Lieutenant Symar: Chief Medical Officer-

T’Aria hindered the eyebrow pursuing her hairline and offered a slow, deceivingly composed nod. Her mind refused the same repose. Feelings? T’Aria had not detected anything remarkable in Symar’s behaviour, but she knew the subtle imputations woven into ‘oridinary’ language. Were there signs he meant for her to catch? She wavered. Wrinkles gathered at her temples and around her eyes, giving her the impression of a uni freshman stumped by an impractical calc problem.

What do you mean, ‘interesting feelings’? T’Aria looked at Symar, but the question never touched the space between them. He confided in her… so, surely he possessed no contempt? Though they knew little more about one another than divulged in conversation, she found strength in their professional bond. Was he referencing a budding partnership? Friendship? She scoured her memories for a trace of ‘interesting’, yielding only half-baked theories that deftly avoided the truth glaring from the abyss.

“If it’s an ‘issue’…” T’Aria pinched her eyes shut to calm her self-inflicted turmoil, “…then we can navigate it together. Do you wanted to talk about these ‘interesting feelings’?”

— T’Aria

“It’s probably better if I show you Commander,” Symar said, rolling up hhis left sleeve, “Would you be opposed to a meld?”

-Lieutenant Symar: Chief Medical Officer-

Mind melds were a profound, intimate exchange that left both of them vulnerable. Was she ready to let Symar in? T’Aria concealed herself beneath an impassive veneer, but there were no facades in her mind. No schemes or lies to disguise what she felt. Would it disturb him? She tried to talk herself out of it, to convince herself the risk outweighed the gain, but she couldn’t find the evidence to support it. He exposed himself to her; it was her turn to do the same. T’Aria stepped forward and offered a simple, “not at all.”

— T’Aria