Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in side - sim: Honoring the Ardent

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in side - sim: Honoring the Ardent

Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in side - sim: Honoring the Ardent
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Eventually 1800 came, and Roman hugged Rand as she left. Just as Rand was leaving, Randy was entering, and Roman looked up at the sound of his voice. Roman was still leaned back against the headboard the way he had been with Rand, looking very comfortable, and when Randy entered he sat up quick. “Randy! Were you looking for me for something?” He must have been in a good mood to greet Randy in such a way.

~ Roman

Randy paused. Was Alden glad to see him? Randy was good at his job, but never would he have expected that. And certainly not today. He expected to get the deadly silent treatment. After particularly difficult sessions, Randy always checked on his patients even if he didn’t speak to them. But that wasn’t why he was there. Rand had spoken to him about what had happened. “I was.” He stepped in letting the door shut. Randy stood in awkward silence for a moment. Then finally, “Rand talked to me, like you asked. I wanted you to know I’m sorry.”

Randy’s words caused Roman’s smile to fade. It was an unwelcome reminder of the morning’s events, and by extension, the memory that had caused Roman’s break down. He looked away and waved a hand, not wanting to continue the conversation. “You didn’t know.”

Randy wasn’t going to say anything else. Alden was actually in an upbeat mood after their session earlier. Although the issues would come to a head soon, Randy wasn’t uncaring or a total jerk. And he really hadn’t meant to quote Jay. He had no idea, and though he might push the topic he would never mimic his friend.

Roman knew he wouldn’t have done it on purpose. There was no possible was Randy could’ve known Jay had ever said such a thing. The conversation was unrecorded, nothing more than good natured joking between friends. There was simply no way. It was a fluke, an accident.

Then he nodded his head toward the door. “Is Rand okay? She was acting weird, even for her.”

Randy

“I think she’s just nervous,” Roman said. He could normally read Rand, but he couldn’t always tell. “We talked today.”

~ Roman

Randy shrugged at that, Rand was always nervous about something. But he couldn’t help it, playing the big brother just a bit. “Talked? Really? That must have been a first. I thought all you two did was snog behind my back and sometimes right in front of me.”

Randy

Roman grinned, unable to help himself, “No snogging today, just moving in.” He hadn’t been planning on telling Randy, but Randy always brought out his competitive side, almost like a sibling rivalry. That was what she was nervous about. But she’d seemed happy about it, so Roman was confident she wanted to. Sometimes it was hard to tell, Roman had noticed the last time they talked about moving, she would try to do whatever she thought he wanted.

~ Roman

That stopped Randy. He knew it was coming, Rand had spent maybe 2 nights at home since that survey of Kelmao. She was happy with Alden, but she was so easily led by her desire to make the people around her happy. It pricked his Scottish pride, but if Rand was happy. Rand leaned back against the wall, crossed his arms and stared at Alden. Passing big brotherly judgement. Randy’s earlier insight into losing Rand to him, came back. It was good for her to embrace life and trust herself. She joined Star Fleet to hide, this was good for her. But it hit him hard, in a good way. Point to Alden, again, for knowing something Randy didn’t. Randy nodded once and left the room.

Randy had that self-righteous look, his arms crossed, staring at Roman. Roman kept eye contact with him. Finally, whatever Randy was thinking, it passed, and he turned and left.

He returned after not too long an absence and tossed a stuffed animal at him. “She won’t want to bring this. Says it’s childish, but she needs it. It’s weighted and scented. It helps her when she has an attack.” He didn’t threaten or posture. Randy didn’t think it was necessary, Alden knew he’d better take care of her.

Randy

His absence however was short, and when he came back he tossed something, a greenish object flying through the air. Roman caught it and looked more closely. It was the kelpie toy he’s seen in her room, once or twice. It was a bit heavier than the typical stuffed toy and when Randy said it was scented, Roman couldn’t resist the need to sniff it. He nodded and then set the toy on the bed, right in front of the pillow Rand normally slept on. It would embarrass her, but at least she would know he already knew. Even if Randy weren’t giving him that look, the one that meant he better take care of her, he wanted to. He wanted her to be happy.

~ Roman

It was scented with lavender and a hint of mint. Randy couldn’t help the small grin when Alden set it right on the bed. Randy had wanted to talk a bit about what had happened that morning, but given the current news it could wait another day. But not to be out sassed, Randy grinned, “I will tell you this, you two another stunt like last week, I will be the reason you can’t sleep. I will proudly play my bagpipes in this room, loudly, till you get your heads on straight.”

Randy

Roman grinned sheepishly and shook his head before his smile faded slightly. “I don’t like laying around waiting for sleep that doesn’t come.” It was a suddenly serious turn to the conversation and Roman didn’t want to ruin the mood, so he added, “Besides, that awful noisemaking thing hardly qualifies as an instrument”

~ Roman

Randy laughed, a deep amused sound. “I date you to say that to Rand. Especially when she’s playing her tapes.” Randy knew something Alden didn’t this time. Or at least he thought he did. Randy wasn’t really sure how much Rand had told them. Still laughing he left the room, not to bother them again that night.

Randy

Roman gave him a puzzled look, unsure he knew what Randy meant. But Randy giggled his way out of Roman’s room and Roman settled back in on the bed, waiting for Rand with the stuffie still prominently displayed in front of her pillow.

~ Roman

Rand was later than normal. She was so nervous about what to say to Randy, she didn’t stop in the galley and took extra time to triple check the reports even though they didn’t need it. Then wondering if she was supposed to bring anything with her that night and what, she got all tongue tied. Randy wanting to have a little fun, and put her out of her misery gave her, her small gym bag. “You don’t mind getting ready at the gym tomorrow? I have a couple really late sessions and I’m wiped already and will sleep late tomorrow.” Rand, forgetting she hadn’t woken Randy up in years by being loud, latched on to the idea and agreed. She slipped out and still, despite their conversation, knocked on the door.

Rand

Roman read on his PaDD while he waited for her. She was late, but as usual he assumed the captain kept her late. It did happen sometimes. When she knocked he called for her to come in and then he smiled at her, knowing it wouldn’t take long for her to see it.

~ Roman

Rand smiled back at him still looking nervous, which was ridiculous. She spent every evening with him. This shouldn’t be different, but it was. She didn’t know where to put the bag. She didn’t even know what was in it. She figured just a fresh uniform since Randy didn’t want her to wake him up....How did that get in there!? Her face turned pale and then embarrassingly red. She knew Roman wouldn’t have gone and gotten her things without telling her and asking. Randy! Randy knew! Pain in the arse! Why that? It was a stuffed animal! It was so childish. She had to get rid of it. What could Roman possibly be thinking having that thing sitting on his bed?

That also explained the bag. Randy’s silent approval, but there was still no telling what was in the bag. She sat down and plopped the bag right in front of the stuffie in an attempt to hide it.

Rand

Roman grinned and grabbed the stuffie, putting it pointedly in view on top of the pillow. He looked at the gym bag, and his assumption changed, she’d already packed some things. That was why she was late. He smiled. “Got your bags packed tonight?”

~ Roman