Posted by Lieutenant Sheleah Ruby (Diplomatic Officer / CNS) in Apologies for the Inconvenience (tag: Chief Counselor)

Posted by Ensign Charles-Louis (Engineering Officer) in Apologies for the Inconvenience (tag: Chief Counselor)

Posted by Lieutenant Sheleah Ruby (Diplomatic Officer / CNS) in Apologies for the Inconvenience (tag: Chief Counselor)
Posted by… suppressed (10) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Charles stood at the door of Sheleah’s quarters and rang the chime. The visit was rather spontaneous. Their last encounter was a more than a little embarrassing for him. He wasn’t expecting anything to go wrong, so he didn’t bother testing all the features of the device ahead of time. Charles could almost here his father scolding him for being so presumptuous. So, in an attempt to save face, he was here to offer an an apology for the inconvenience. And, in addition, a small gift.

[Ensign Charles-Louis, Engineering]

OOC: Just a Bump for the CNS

Sheleah had just finished a long shift with several crew evaluations and a rather difficult intake interview. What were you supposed to do if the person being interviewed didn’t like to utter more than two or three words per answer she wondered for the 4th or fifth time. She wasn’t really expecting anybody but was in the mood for company nonetheless.

“Come in.”

• Sheleah, CNS/DO

Charles came into the room,

“Good evening, counselor,” he started. “I - I hope you are not too busy.”

He dipped down a little too far to avoid the door frame as he entered. He held a small box in front of him with both hands, even though from its size it could probably fit in one. It was obvious something was on his mind.

[Ensign Charles-Louis, Engineering]

“No, of course not. Things on board go as they will but I’m always glad to see a friend. Is there something I can do for you, or is this a social call?”

This certainly hadn’t been one of Sheleah’s best days, but something about Charles always warmed her heart just a bit. Perhaps whatever was in that box would make her glad she let him know she was actually home and hadn’t decided to just take a nap and ignore her chime.

• Sheleah, CNS/DO

“I found something else that you might find, uhm, let us say interesting, for Rex.”

He handed over the box. Inside were two items:
A small square with a loop, the perfect size for it to slip on a collar, and a larger device with a screen as an interface. He waited for Sheleah to open it and take a look before he explained further.

[Ensign Charles-Louis, Engineering]

Sheleah sat down and open the box. It was very sweet of Charles to bring things for rex. Not a lot of people took to him so quickly, but it certainly was nice when people included him so easily.

“Okay, so I’m guessing this goes on his collar for some reason and what is this? Certainly does look interesting. Thank you so much so, what is it?”

• Sheleah

“Yes, yes. As you see, the collar loops through here. Inside the assembly is a holographic recorder and a tracking device. It can record what Rex is doing during the day when you are not here. You can activate it remotely and save the recording if it is less than 12 hours old using the controller.”

Charles paused and indicated the larger device with the screen, “After that the recording is automatically rewritten. The tracker will make it easier to find him if he goes missing again. It is just something interesting I found in the schematics. Maybe not to use everyday, but once in a while. Could be interesting, no?”

[Ensign Charles-Louis, Engineering]

Sheleah smiled and took the things away for now. She had a perfect idea where this would come in handy.

“He actually goes on play dates without me now. There’s a few people on the ship that I trust enough and he seems to have taken to enough to go out with. They have cats or other creatures that he gets along with or are just fun to hang around with I guess. Recordings of that would be very interesting to watch. This was very thoughtful and will come in very useful, thank you so much Charles.”

• Sheleah

“Yes, well, I am happy you can find use for it.” Charles cleared his throat with a small cough,

“I was wondering, Counselor, if you were still free this evening to meet up for wine? It occurred to me that we never agreed on a location. And I was very busy with systems check this week, so I apologize for not discussing this sooner.”

[Ensign Charles-Louis, Engineering]

Sheleah set the present aside for the moment. She was already thinking of ways to use it. The thought of peeking in on one of Rex’s play dates made her smile and she was definitely looking forward to it.

“Yes, I’m free this evening. Unfortunately I’m not free till after 21:00 if that’s all right with you? Where would you like to meet up? I’m good with just about anywhere.”

• Sheleah

“Well, I was wondering because…” Charles paused, something was obviously bothering him. “Perhaps somewhere a little less… or how you would say… a little more public? Than your quarters I mean.”

His face turned a slight pinkish, the closest a Klingon could get to blushing. There were already rumors about her and Commander Colter. Something he was unaware of at the time of inviting her, but brought up by another Ensign when he had mentioned meeting her that evening. He didn’t want to retract the invitation, but at the same time didn’t want to seem as though he were trying to interfere with their relationship. It would dishonor them both.

[Ensign Charles-Louis, Engineering]

Sheleah saw the change in Charles features and wondered what was up with him. She had a sense that something about him had changed a bit but didn’t want to make too much of it. This was a friend and who knew what the future might bring with that.

“Well, how about the arboretum? I’ll be there earlier in the day with a group of the kids and Rex will be along because they love him so much. I think it would be a nice change of pace from the lounge or either of our quarters probably. Plus, I can try out your lovely new gift at The playdate with the kids and we can look at what it shows us while we’re drinking the lovely wine you have. I can replicate some picnic food, I don’t cook with a real stove or anything like that. Trust me, you would absolutely hate it if I tried.”

• Sheleah

“No need to worry, Counselor. After all, the occasion is nothing more than casual. Nothing so elaborate is required. It is just a meeting between friends, no?”

Something in his tone indicted this wasn’t just his usual speech pattern, but more of a genuine question. Then, relaxing a bit he continued,

“The arboretum sounds like the perfect choice.”

[Ensign Charles-Louis, Engineering]