Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Side sim: Early Morning in the Lab

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in Side sim: Early Morning in the Lab

(snip)

Rand didn’t normally mind taking extra time to do her work to make sure it was correct. She didn’t mind doing things by hand if the computers were down. She didn’t mind redoing work that was wrong. But this was ridiculous. Hand writing the reports was taking forever. Left over nerves made her hand writing sloppy at first. Then , well transcription left lots of room for errors in manual copying. So much paper was wasted. And that irked her. They only carried so much, and a lot of paper had been used since this started. Though she wanted to rush, so she could meet Roman for dinner, she did not. That created poor work and was unprofessional, and she knew Roman would never be upset because she took the time to do her work correctly. The idea was so absurd it made her laugh. Then on the last report her hand cramped painfully, making it take longer to finish. Her computer account needed to get fixed.

Luckily the captain had no corrections or notes for her to take. At that point her fingers were bent strangely from the cramp, that was more like a charlie horse - in her hand. Rand’s foul mood had returned. She wanted to hit someone. She stopped at her quarters to change, which also took longer because her hand didn’t want to cooperate. In the end she went much more casual than she wanted to - slacks and a sweater. Her hair was falling out of it’s neat bun and instead of attempting to fix it one-handed she just let it down. Later than expected she knocked on his door.

Rand

Roman waited patiently, wondering if the Captain was holding her up. She would’ve been right, he’d never ever ask her to rush on his behalf. He started reading while he waited, it was simply something to do that he could put down the moment she showed up. Finally, he heard her knock, and he set the PaDD on his bunk before going to the door. Then he let the door open and smiled, letting her in. “You made it.” Her hair was a bit messy, hanging down instead in its usual bun, and she had gone more casual, maybe a bit more so than him, but she still looked really nice.

~ Roman

Despite her soured mood, she smiled when he opened the door. “I did. I’m sorry I’m later than we thought.” She wasn’t sorry that she had done her work or been thorough, just sorry it had taken so long to meet him. She knew when she changed she was more casual than she’s intended. She’d had a dress in mind, simple and comfortable, but she liked how she looked in it, but the back zipper had killed that idea. He looked more casual than their last dinner, but he still looked nice. “You look atr…very nice.” It was okay to tell him that, wasn’t it? Roman obviously knew he was good looking. He’d teased her about watching him in the gym. And even though he didn’t engage in gossip there was no way he missed what the other women on the ship said about him. They weren’t exactly quiet about it. She stepped in so the door could close, and finger combed her hair back with a deep breath, letting the tension from the day go, or trying.

Rand

“Don’t be,” Roman said with a shrug, in response to her apology. He knew she was working, it was no bother to him that she was a little late. Her compliment made him smile. It was different hearing it from Rand than from whoever else making comments that ranged from okay or nice to somewhat rude. He did know how he looked, but there was something about hearing Rand say it that made him feel really good. “You look good as well,” he said, returning the compliment. It may not have been what she had in mind (not that he’d know that) but he did mean what he said. Just like the first dinner he pulled her chair first and let her sit before taking his own seat.

~ Roman

Rand smiled, a soft pleased blush creeping up her cheeks. “Thank you.” She sat down in the chair, thanking him again for pulling the chair out for her. She got the feeling that such gestures, such manners were expected in his family and would only be acknowledged if missed. But Rand was raised to never take any politeness for granted and to acknowledge it with grace and politeness. She seemed to almost to deflate a little as she sat. It wasn’t that she’d been on her feet all day (though she spent a majority of it running from place to place) but now the day was over, and it just felt like it had been longer than normal. She put her hands in her lab, it probably looked like she was wringing her hands nervously, when in fact she was trying to rub the cramp out of her right hand with her left. “What culinary delight did the cook manage tonight?” Normally Rand would know what was offered on the menu, but today she just hadn’t had time to look.

Rand

They were not only expected but it was extremely rude not to practice such manners, whether one was thanked or not. Roman always appreciated her acknowledgement, though. She didn’t seem nervous, but with her hands under the table it looked like one of the things she did with her hands when she was nervous. “A lovely seasoned meat stew,” Roman said, gesturing to the bowl in her place, set neatly with a table spoon. “I didn’t have much time, it’s just what was served today. Sorry,” he said and shrugged again with a small smile.

~ Roman