Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Pawl Batario (Engineer) in Side Sim on Romulan Vessel Reuniting with Sarah Lovejoy in Mess hall open to all.

Posted by Ensign Kastarak (Doctor / Counsellor) in Side Sim on Romulan Vessel Reuniting with Sarah Lovejoy in Mess hall open to all.
Snip!

“Thank you, I am well. I find myself accustoming to this ship easier than anticipated. How are you? And how are you finding accustoming to the ship?” he asked.

He slurped some of his soup. It was a little too hot, still. He remembered he had not had many interactions with Mr Batario. The main interaction he had had with him was during Batario’s medical and psychological evaluations.

– Ensign Kastarak (physician / counsellor)

“I am doing well Doctor Thank you for asking.” Pawl said kindly to him. “I am getting accustomed to the ship just fine. I have a pretty good understanding of the Romulan language and terrain English. Sometimes I slip up but that’s normal for a new language.” He said with a small smile. As took a few more bites of food and let it go down. As he waited for more from the doctor.

Lt Jg Pawl Batario (Off duty)

Kastarak listened carefully.

“I share in that,” he said, “We both hail from other planets that Earth. English, or Federation Standard as it is often called, does not come natural for me too. I do my best, and I notice, so do you. When and how did you learn to speak it?”

– Ensign Kastarak (doctor / counsellor)

“It was a rather rush job of learning the language in general. It was not an easy thing to deal with but I did ok.” Pawl said calmly to the man. “Sometimes I get there slang wrong or the phrasing wrong.” As he grabbed his drink and too a good long sip.

Pawl Batario - Tinker

“I find slang difficult, too,” confessed Kastarak, thinking that sharing something might perhaps help bonding. He wanted to get to know Batario – not only as a colleague, but perhaps deeper than so still. He was not sure what to say though – small talk didn’t come easy to him. What could he ask? What was appropriate? “I find that in a professional setting, slang does not take much space.” Yes, that was not the best thing to say, Kastarak, he told himself, but immediately sensed empathy for himself. It wasn’t easy.

“How is your drink? How is your food?”

Still bad questions, Kastarak.

– Kastarak
Pawl feels vague impressions from the officer. “My Drink was ok? Also the food.” Pawl said with a small smile. “Please there is no need to worry about me or what you wish to ask or say.” Pawl added quickly. “I am not like most humans I won’t take offense. ” as he finished off his food and drink.

Pawl Batario - Tinker

Kastarak could feel what he interpreted as empathy emanating from Batario. It felt warm to him, as when he was a small child, standing on the beach in mid summer, feeling the radiating Vulcan sun beaming heat onto his sun-starved skin. Kastarak questioned why that imagery, that memory, came right now. Batario was no sun. Kastarak did not revolve around him, yet it felt warm and inviting to be in his presence. Would Batario pick on that too, as a member of a highly empathetic species?

Kastarak decided to experiment. He let his own emotional guard loose, and took an an approach of warm regard for Batatio, seeing if Batario would pick up on it. It was not as if Kastarak was lying, he highly respected Batario – especially on a logical and rational scale – especially for Batario’s candidness, warmth, and openness of who he was -– but by letting his emotional guard down, Kastarak noticed he felt a warm regard for Batario too. It felt safe to be in his presence.

“I do not have questions,” replied Kastarak. “Sitting together with you…” Should he say it? “… feels comfortable and calm.”

– Kastarak