Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in side sim: The lunch date

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in side sim: The lunch date

Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in side sim: The lunch date
Posted by… suppressed (13) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Roman nodded again, “It does look different from Earth, doesn’t it?” He’d never spent that much time stargazing, and he and Jay were more interested in the science out there than anything. Roman didn’t know of anyone who wasn’t shocked by the sheer size of space their first time out there.

~ Roman

Rand nodded, “It does.” She ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Staring out at the view, obviously thinking really hard about something, though it didn’t seem to upset her, whatever it was

Rand

Roman are in silence for a few minutes, finishing off his fish and chips. When he looked up, Rand was staring out the window. “What’s on your mind?” He asked curiously. It didn’t seem like it was upsetting her, nor did she seem anxious, which was good. But if she would tell him, he wanted to know.

~ Roman

Rand looked over at him and the corner of her mouth twitched. “Sorry. I was just…trying to see if I could recognize any of the stars, or even Sol. I don’t know if we are facing the right direction for that though. I only made it through Intro to Stellar Cartography with a tutor.” She shrugged a little. “Truthfully, I was more curious about the planets near those stars than mapping them.”

Rand

Roman had to smile. “I was the same. I don’t think I could tell you which way Sol was if we were in the next solar system over. I only went through Stellar Cartography II because you have to, to complete the science track.” He thought it was ridiculous that a biologist had to do stellar Cartography. They weren’t related at all.

~ Roman

“I bet you hated it. Took away from your advanced biology classes. Probably good now though since you are over all the sciences.” She thought back over all her classes, “My least favorite class was History of Stellar Combat. I am neither a tactical officer nor a pilot, but it was required.”

Rand

“And chemistry. And physics. Anything but cartography,” Roman said. He’d taken at least introductory courses in a handful of sciences, stellar cartography was his least favourite. “I had to take that, as well. Required for all cadets. I found it interesting.” He was not tactical and it was known he wasn’t anything special as a pilot, but combat and strategy had always fascinated him.

~ Roman

“The basic class I enjoyed the strategy of it and such. But when I went for my ‘captain’s yeoman’ track I had to take it again. The exams were aweful. There would be some obscure statement like, ‘I seem to remember something about an unknown alien vessel with magnetic bombs and plasma.’ And from that we were supposed to know that it wasn’t a magnetic bombs but a cloaked one, used by the Orions, but tech they stole from the Romulans. And that the ship ignited vented drive plasma to set the bombs off in order to clear the mine field. Or at least be able to run a database search for the correct information. I enjoyed the etiquette classes. Probably because it reminded of acting.” That brought her up short, no one else heard that did they? She rushed on, “Did you know it’s considered a grave insult to offer Andorians ice water? You always serve it hot, even if it’s plain.”

Rand

There was someone at the next table but they seemed too engrossed in their own conversation to have heard Rand. “That… is so obscure, I wouldn’t know that,” he commented about the tactical class. “I had heard that before. Command track required diplomacy courses.” Roman had taken command courses during the time before he was promoted to first officer. “I understand it’s not the most well known fact.”

~ Roman

Rand smirked and held both hands palms up. “I missed that question. Which is why I remember it now.” She took a final small bite of her food. By no means was it all gone, but it was thick and heavy, and although small it could have been for two. “If I remember correctly, it’s considered an insult on their world to serve cold water to guests because it requires no effort and you don’t want them to feel warm and welcome in your home. (OOC: Credit to Fox Tarts for the idea) I really find it fascinating how similar and different we are in our customs and cultures.”

Rand

“My specialty may be in less intelligent life forms however I have always been interested in culture as well,” Roman said. “Something can be polite in one culture and the worst sort of insulting in another.” He smiled as he noticed she was finished eating. “I hope you liked it.”

~ Roman

Rand nodded, “I did. Cook did a really good job, but he always does.” Rand had every intention of keeping the rest. On a star ship when actual food was prepared it was unconscionable to throw away left overs. Of course she was raised that way, to never waste food even though there was always plenty there was no reason to be wasteful and glutton about it. “Thank you for having him make it. I enjoyed it.” She couldn’t even remember telling Roman she liked Shepard’s pie, but she must have. One of those really late nights when she said whatever came to mind. She leaned back in the seat, a little towards his direction still contemplating the view. “Everyone talks about the blackness of space, and I guess it is, but there is a lot of color if you pay attention. White and yellow, but that one,” and she points, “looks red to me, and there a blues and pinks, too.”

Rand

Roman tried to make note of all the little details she gave during their late night talks. When he wasn’t already half asleep, anyway. He hadn’t been having so much trouble lately, but in his last spell of bad nights she’d been quite effective in keeping him more rested. “I’m glad.” He turned towards the window, looking where she pointed. “I agree. It’s like the sky, back on Earth. Yes, it’s mostly blue, but there’s subtle differences. Sometimes the differences are a little more… colorful in space.”

~ Roman

“Ancient cultures told stories about the pictures they saw in the stars. Do you think someone in another world looked up and saw our sun as part of one of their pictures?” Rand wondered if that was a fanciful question. She had always wondered though. If the answer was yes, was the picture of a hero or a monster? And would that influence how other species reacted to them?

Rand

“I don’t know,” said Roman, “It would require analyzing their ancient drawing with a lot of star charts to find out.” The question was fanciful to Roman, yes, but he’d answer anything she asked, if he could. Or, he’d at least try. “With how many cultures there are, odds are we’re in at least one of them.”

~ Roman

“I guess that’s a little culturally egotistical. Humans used to think we were the only inhabited planet in the universe. I do wonder though how our ancient cultures…well we know how our ancient cultures shaped humans, how events changed them to bring us here. I wonder how similar we might have been to other races and how different events or similar events altered our cultures in different ways.” She looked over at him. “It kind of boggles my mind.”

Rand

Roman nodded again. “That is why there are fields whose specialty and job it is to study how couture develops. It’s very interesting and infinitely complex.” It only intersected with his own specialty, in his opinion, in that society was shaped by the environment they lived in, and as a biologist he studied those environments.

~ Roman

“It’s too bad that so many cultures have developed toward suspicion and distrust. The first warp 5 ships left to explore and learn and were met with attack after attack. The universe is so big you would think there was room for all of us.” Why did Rand’s thoughts go in the direction? Probably what she’d been reading before he came to her door.

Rand

Roman sighed, his mind going to his personal experience with attacks, and then he nodded. “You would think, but greed is apparently not restricted to humans.” He doubted the species of their galaxy would cease fighting each other over petty disputes any time in the near future.

~ Roman

Rand looked over when he sighed, and not caring for the moment they were not alone, reached over and squeezed his hand gently in support and apology for bringing up such a horrid memory. She wouldn’t bring it up where others may get here, but she hoped he understood. Then, to change the subject completely, and maybe make him smile, “Has Mr. Dummy learned his lesson yet, or is he still taking a beating?”

Rand

Roman knew she didn’t mean to. He wished everything didn’t remind him of it, he felt bad when she felt the need to hastily change the topic. He felt her grab his hand and squeeze it, and he knew what she meant by it. He appreciated her not mentioning it aloud in such a public place. Her topic change made him smile. “He’s been given a break. I haven’t practiced in about a week. Maybe it’s time he tries learning again, eh?” He said.

~ Roman

Rand accepted that some topics would always be difficult for Roman. It bothered her, but only because she didn’t like to see him upset. Maybe he wasn’t aware, but Rand had noticed that things were better. Especially since Roman had started talking to Randy. She didn’t mind changing the subject, it was a rather dark topic and Roman had gone to effort to surprise her. “He’s so lazy he will have probably forgotten everything he was taught.” The conversation was humorously absurd and she grinned. “I may have to come watch.”

Rand

Randy was far more helpful than Roman would ever care to admit, he was too prideful and stubborn for that. But it wasn’t only his talks with Randy that has helped him to improve, it was Rand, too. His smile widened at her comment and he said, “I’m sure he has. And you had better, I think he learns better with an audience.”

~ Roman

Rand turned slightly red. She enjoyed the view while watching Roman practice. Apparently he liked having her watch. “Hmmm or maybe you just teach better with an audience.” She had enjoyed the few times they had gone to the gym, and she wouldn’t mind going again. Her foot was fine now so she could work on getting back to her normal routine.

Rand

Roman’s grin turned goofy as Rand’s face turned colors. “Maybe I do.” He’d like going to the gym with her too, even if they didn’t necessarily work together while there. And he did like when she watched. He got a better work out too, doing a bit of showing off for her. Her foot being better meant she’d be getting back to her morning runs and he’d like to start joining her for those again as well.

~ Roman