Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in Side-Sim: The Man Cave (Tag Roman)

Posted by Ensign Kovan ch’Sirhc (Engineering & Communications Officer) in Side-Sim: The Man Cave (Tag Roman)

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in Side-Sim: The Man Cave (Tag Roman)
Posted by… suppressed (37) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Life aboard starships weren’t all roses and rainbows. Even on ‘fleet ships where the crew’s emotional and physical well-being was given high priority. Gyms and lounges and crew-led social groups and activities were adequate for the social types who actually enjoyed the presence of other people. The weirdos. For the non-social, introverted or plain misanthropic there were very limited options. A private room sounded perfect on paper but anyone could come by and pound the door, hit the chime or do any number of annoying things to disturb your peace and quiet.

Which is why Kovan carved himself an isolated hideaway located deep in the ship’s Jeffrie’s Tubes. It had taken some careful thought and exploration to find the perfect spot. Somewhere on the edge of the network of tubes with limited entry points, and away from the frequently visited key systems. Kovan found a section that ran parallel to the outer hull and dead-ended into the access panel for some lights and . By regularly checking on the sensors himself Kovan ensured that no one had any reason at all to come this way. It was the perfect set up.

Over the many month’s he’s now served aboard the Sentinel he’s steadily built his hideaway into something to be rather proud of. There was a little sun lamp that emitted soft orange-yellow light. A small pillow with rough emboridery that kind of looked like flowers. A gift from Oshremia after she attempted to pick up the hobby, but quickly abandoned when it proved to be yet another craft she had no knack for. Various artworks made by himself were attached to the walls. Comforting renders of various scenery he witnessed across the galaxy. Some were in color, but mostly they were in black and white. Kovan kept a PaDD there, password locked that held all the words he could not speak. Finally, various sketchbooks and miscellaneous art supplies.

A man needs a place where they can retreat. Kovan decided that today he needed a retreat. He left his comm-badge on his desk and quietly slipped out of his room and headed for the nearest Jeffrie’s Tubes access. One hour all to himself with no possible way for anyone to disturb him. Kovan crawled to his isolated place and sighed in relief.

Kovan ch’Sirhc

Rand was off doing work for the Captain and Roman wanted a few hours of quiet peace. It was rare for him to do such a thing, go hiding within the depths of the ship, but sometimes he just really needed the time to de-stress.

Last time someone had come close to finding him, and that would just be embarrassing. This time, he went further in, where no one would go. At least not for a few hours.

That was how he stumbled upon what looked like a room down here. Yellowish light flowed out of the space, that’s what drew him there. Artwork hung from the walls. A strange pillow sat in the room. Someone’s personal PaDD. And.... Ensign Kovan.

Maybe he could just turn around and quietly slip out? Was it possible Kovan hadn’t seen him? He paused and looked quietly at the Andorian officer.

~ Roman

Of course Kovan heard the obvious sounds of someone crawling around in the tubes. His anteane picked up the tremors and the subtle sounds that most races did not discern or notice immediately. Kovan racked his brain but he couldn’t recall any kind of engineering work on this side of the ship. Someone could be taking a short cut through the tubes. Engineers especially liked to skip the lift and take the quicker, if more athletic, path to their desired destination. Kovan stayed still, quiet as an Earth mouse and hoped that whoever it was they would pass right by him.

No such luck. Kovan had a good idea who it was crawling towards him too going by the feel of the sounds. The downside of working along the same people day in and day out is that you learn to recognize them through sound. Something Kovan seemed to do instinctually so even though he felt annoyed by the other’s presence he recognized that it could have been far worse.

“You know it’s rude to stare, don’t you?” Kovan groused before glancing Roman’s way. The man didn’t seem to be here on any official business. People don’t go on casual strolls through the tubes just ‘cause either. “It’s more comfortable over here.” Not really, but it was weird to have the commander squatting outside his little hideaway staring at him.

Kovan

“What are you doing in here?” What else could he say? Roman had to deflect. He had no excuse for being down here. And what exactly would he say? He was so embarrassed to be caught here, squatting in front of what must be Kovan’s hiding spot. Ever since the assassination incident Roman liked having someplace to come get away. He wasn’t sure why, he didn’t used to need that.

~ Roman

Kovan glanced about the surprisingly homey space, “That should really be my question,” Kovan said, deflecting the deflection, “You’re the one who came over here and you’re making it more awkward by staring at me from over there.” The Andorian shifted so he settled more comfortably on the floor and moved the pillow so that it supported his back. “If you’re going to be here you might as well be in here.” Kovan took hold of the PaDD and began to scroll through the different writings and messages saved within. He figured as long as he didn’t make a big deal of the commander’s presence then the man would calm down a bit and not be so snippy and defensive.

Kovan

Roman crawled into the roomier space and sprawled out on the floor against the wall, the opposite wall to Kovan. Then he sighed a long sigh. If he ignored the question, maybe it would go away. He closed his eyes for a while, not saying anything, and instead just breathing and relaxing.

~ Roman

The two sat in companionable silence for several minutes. The commander relaxing while Kovan contemplated his return message to Oshremia’s last correspondence. Her message, as usual, contained several stories about Isas and what the boy was up too. Apparently he was slacking off in his studies to spend more time with another boy his age. What advice she expected from Kovan he had no idea. Kids did stupid things and lived fully in the moment. Things like the future were so far from their minds it was near impossible to make them consider future consequences to their current actions.

When Kovan grew tired of typing, erasing and re-typing the same message over and over again he glanced over at the Commander, “Is crawling through the tubes what you do for fun now?” He asked.

Kovan

No, apparently he could not escape that question. His eyes popped open and he glanced at Kovan. Thankfully for Kovan’s privacy, Roman couldn’t care less what he was typing. Kovan stayed out of his personal business, he’d stay out of Kovan’s. He was silent for several minutes before finally responding. “I don’t know.”

~ Roman

While waiting for the answer Kovan finished typing his response with advice that amounted to: let the kid be a kid and give him space to figure it out on his own. Kovan would never accuse Oshremia of being a bad mother. Not with the mountain of evidence in his possession that proved how much she loved and cared. Being the boy’s mother and the one most involved in his life, she sometimes forgot that she needed to take a step back and look at the larger picture. To remember what it was like when she was a kid.

Kovan tossed the PaDD aside and relaxed against the wall. Roman gave his answer and Kovan said, “You picked a good area to come to.” Kovan was not going to point out how the two of them seemed to have the similar instinct to both dive into the tubes for peace and the same knowledge of discerning the quietest part of the ship. “You’re the first to find this spot.”

Kovan

That was just it, Roman didn’t usually need to go looking for peace. He found that in his lab. In his work. But lately he’d just felt the need to get away and this was where he’d chosen to come. “I’ve wondered where you disappear to. Suppose I’ve found out, haven’t I?” He said it without looking at Kovan, letting his eyes close again.

~ Roman

Kovan grunted, “I suppose you have and I don’t think I have to say this but I’d appreciate it if no one else found out about it.” Kovan clearly put in the effort to make it a nice space and he was loathe to give it up. He studied the Commander’s face, emboldened by the fact that the other seemed to prefer to keep his eyes closed. The man looked tired, more than usual. Whatever was bothering him must have been too much for his usual coping methods.

“You don’t have your comm badge on you, right?”

Kovan

“No,” said the Commander, eyes still closed. There wasn’t anything different than usual going on, but ever since the assassination attempt, it was like his body reacted differently to stress. Reacted more. “I left it in my quarters. Your secret is safe with me.”

~ Roman

Kovan nodded, satisfied with that answer. Roman wouldn’t go back on his word. As much as Kovan didn’t like trusting other people he knew the commander. It was hard not to trust a man that held to his values like a steel beam. “Don’t you have your science projects to cuddle and coo over?” Kovan said, really for lack of anything else to do. Besides, teasing the commander was practically a sport. “Some weird cat with a horn and only has fur on it’s belly and poisonous claws? Something friendly like that.”

Kovan

“Ever insult my animals and I’ll put alcantha powder in your bunk.” Roman opened his eyes at last and looked at Kovan. “It’s an Aldarian powder that most humanoids including Andorians react to quite violently. You’d be itchy for weeks.” He’d never actually do that but did Kovan know he wouldn’t? He lay back down and closed his eyes again, waving his hand dismissively. “Lab has them handled. Won’t miss me for a little while.”

~ Roman

“Oooh, alcantha powder, I’m so scared,” Kovan huffed a laugh. Gleeful to hear the commander threaten something as nasty as that over some dumb animals. “Must be hard being so important. Everyone clamoring for all your time and attention. Couldn’t be me.” The forever ensign he’ll be. He had a good spot right where he was. Not the bottom of the ladder but not so high that people expected too much from him. Or needed to rely upon him. Kovan resisted the urge to shudder.

Kovan

Kovan would think it was funny, right up till he ever encountered the stuff. That was the last prank fight Roman ever participated in. He ignored Kovan’s first comment and shrugged to the second. “It is what it is. Comes with the rank.” The ship relied on him on the absence of the Captain and Roman cared deeply for his crew. “Some people simply aren’t interested in Command. That’s you, isn’t it?”

~ Roman

“How’d you guess?” Was Kovan’s sarcastic response before deciding he could give a proper answer as well, “I am barely responsible for myself, I don’t have it in me to be concerned about anyone else.” There were exceptions, of course, but Kovan felt that didn’t need to be said. There were people that Kovan would grudgingly admit he cared for but that list was limited. Kovan would happily let everyone else hang themselves to dry should they met with trouble. Which was exactly why he wasn’t command material. “I couldn’t be trusted to take care of a single animal.”

Kovan

“I see lab duty in your future,” Roman said with a little smile. “I don’t expect you to pursue command. But I do expect the best from you, Ch’sirhc.” He said, looking at Kovan again. “I think you’re capable of more than you think you are.”

~ Roman

“You’ll only regret it,” Kovan growled. Oh, the XO could make good on that promise and if he did Kovan was smart enough to turn that decision into a maintenance hell. “I know I’m plenty capable,” Kovan said, “Most comms officers don’t know half the languages I do. I took up engineering because the academy communication classes bored me to death.” That was after testing out of a good chunk of them. “I don’t want people getting into their heads that just because I do a good job means that I should be shoved ass-up the promotion ladder.” All without considering his thoughts on the matter.

Kovan

“The worst Command officers are often the ones that don’t want to be there.” Roman said with a shrug. “I won’t be forcing you into any position you don’t want. What I do want is your best work.” Oh, he would make good on that deal. With Roman feeling better, he was more like his old self. And his old self was… very different. Certainly not above petty lab duty.

~ Roman

“Shut up,” Kovan said with a sour look. Maybe he should throw his PaDD at the commander’s head. “My best work is all I give anyways. Work is the one area I won’t slack off in.” His record said he worked too much. Which Kovan thought was a total farce. Stupid labor laws. “What about you? You back to your old self again?” The commander has been through a lot these past few months.

Kovan

“You can’t give your best work if you over work yourself.” Roman said. Rich, coming from him, the one officer most known for over working himself. “Yeah.” He said, but it was an empty answer. The truth was no, he really wasn’t. Mostly, sure. He and Rand were still okay, though she still had problems with her head. He was back to working in the lab. But… he felt different. It was hard for him to put a finger on, let alone verbalize.

~ Roman

“Oh right,” Kovan said over-loud for the small space they occupied, “Because you’re so famous for not doing that. I’ll be sure to follow your illustrious example.” He nudged the commander with the heel of his foot. The man may be laying down with his eyes closed but he wasn’t nearly as relaxed as he wanted to be. “Of course you are. Walking around with your winning smile and puttering around the labs like usual.”

Kovan

A slight grin appeared on Roman’s face. “Do as I say, not as I do, ensign.” He peeked an eye open and glanced at Kovan. “When have I ever been known to ‘walk around with a winning smile’, hm?”

~ Roman

“Right, right, because that makes sense. Must look great on your performance reviews,” Kovan smirked down at Roman, “How about every time Rand walks into a room? Or when you’re walking beside her. Or thinking about her.”

Kovan

Roman blushed lightly and grinned. He didn’t care though. Questions successfully deflected. “That’s different. You get a date, perhaps you’ll understand it.” He sighed softly and kept trying to relax. “Don’t you have something better to do than harass me? Like draw on that PaDD?”

~ Roman

“Don’t give me that crap. I’ve done the whole ‘in love’ thing before and I’m not going to make that mistake again.” He had too many kids running around already. Besides, love is a lie and required too much trust and vulnerability to make work. “Drawing isn’t as entertaining as harassing you. We’re talking about you not me.” Kovan studied Roman for a long moment. People like them didn’t talk about their issues, only kept them contained and suppressed until they erupted. “Ever consider picking up new hobbies?”

Kovan

“You didn’t find the right person,” Roman said. “You’re talking about me.” He shrugged, “I have hobbies.” Martial arts, violin, and his animals. His martial arts he still did, his violin he didn’t practice as much as he used to. His animals were, besides Rand, all he cared about.

~ Roman

“Oh don’t give me that crap. I met plenty of people,” And they all deserved better than him. Kovan squeezed the PaDD between his fingers. The device full of unsent letters to the first and last woman he could ever claim to truly love. The only one of his past lovers who kept up with him after all these years (time and light) apart. They didn’t love each other like that anymore, but neither could they let go. “I mean a hobby you can-” Kovan waved a hand at his art, “Vent into. Put all those feelings so they don’t rot inside you.” Maybe music could work for that but Kovan found the best emotional results came when there was something tangible left at the end. A solid sign that the things building up within had been purged.

Kovan

Roman made a face. “I do martial arts.” He said, obviously quite uncomfortable. “I don’t need to ‘vent feelings’.” He sat up and leaned against the wall with another sigh.

~ Roman

Roman was getting agitated. Good. That meant Kovan was on the money. “Sure you don’t. You can’t work through complicated thoughts by punching. Sure it makes you feel good in the moment but then something happens like when someone writes tabloid junk about you and Rand.”

Kovan

Roman shook his head. “People have been writing tabloid junk about my family since before I knew Rand.” His fist clenched slightly before he forced it to relax. “I just don’t want her back in sickbay.”

~ Roman

A fist clench, always a good sign. Kovan pried more, “And if something does happen to Rand again, what, you’re going to punch your dummy until you feel better? How long do you think that trick will work? Until your hands fall off?”

Kovan

Until he collapsed of heart issues, more like. Roman pushed that thought out of his head. “It always works. Always has. Besides, nothing will happen to Rand. I won’t let it. And neither will Randy.”

~ Roman

First of all, Kovan too was on that list. Secondly, the XO must be in denial if he thinks he could keep a hawk-eyed watch over Rand 24/7. This was Starfleet, accidents happened every week and that’s without crazy stalkers and assassins with personal vendettas. “With your heart issues? You’ll tire yourself out and then when Rand is really in danger your heart will explode on you because you were too stubborn to take care of yourself. Something will happen and you’re an idiot if you can’t accept that learn how to figure your own crap out.”

Kovan

Roman glanced at Kovan with what could only be described as a slight glare. He did not appreciate reminders of his medical issues. “I’ll be fine. I was fully cleared remember?” Roman said, voice tight. That was mostly true, he was fully cleared, but he had a rescue hypo because of the remaining possibility of a problem. “That won’t happen. Besides, you’re one to talk.”

~ Roman

“Fully cleared for regular duty. Not throwing yourself at a training dummy until you collapse. Last I checked Starfleet doesn’t make you run marathons every day or fist fight Gorn after every lunch.” Kovan laughed, “You want to talk about me? I handle my bullcrap.” He held up the PaDD with one hand and motioned at the art around them with the other, “I put my feelings into my art and then I move on. I don’t hold onto junk the way you do.”

Kovan

“I don’t ‘hold onto junk’.” Roman said, shaking his head. “And I’m not going to collapse because of my martial arts training.” Roman was being stubborn. “I’m glad art is a meaningful way to manage yourself.” He commented, laying back on the floor, intent to relax. “I’m not sure what you’re meaning to imply I ‘hang onto’.”

~ Roman

“You absolutely can, don’t lie to me.” Kovan said, being equally stubborn, “I doubt you want me to be so blunt but too damn bad because I am going to anyways. You’re scared to death of something happening to Rand and being helpless to stop it. Punching a goddamn mannequin ain’t going to fix that so don’t tell me you’re handling your problems when you’re crawling around in the tubes in the vain hope you can run away from having to deal with it.”

Kovan

“Who wouldn’t be scared of that?” Roman asked, glancing at Kovan. “Especially out here.” He closed his eyes again and shrugged. “I wasn’t trying to run away from that. I was.... oh, never mind.”

~ Roman

“But I do mind. I mind a lot. So tell me, or I start bugging Rand instead,” Kovan nudged Roman with his foot. He wouldn’t really bother Rand like that. He’ll check in on her, make sure she’s doing all right but she seems more emotionally intelligent than her lover boy here.

Kovan