Posted by Lieutenant Thalos ch’Ravik (Chief Of Security) in Fantail Lounge

Posted by Lieutenant Elyss Zavey (Chief Science Officer) in Fantail Lounge

Posted by Lieutenant Thalos ch’Ravik (Chief Of Security) in Fantail Lounge
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻
After a long shift on the bridge, Elyss returned to her quarters for a shower and change of clothes. Dressed in a white, off the shoulder top and full skirt with a leafy print, she now sat at one of the tables working on an individual puzzle whose goal was to remove a pin that was held all the other pieces in place. Next to her elbow was a cup of coffee and a glass of white wine. She hadn’t been sure what drink she really wanted, so had gotten both. Zavey sighed and rolled her neck to ease tight muscles there. For just a moment, she closed her eyes and tilted her head back to take a couple of deep breaths.

Lieutenant Elyss Zavey
Chief Science Officer USS Merrimack

Thalos had just finished his shift on the bridge when he entered the lounge, intent on a moment of quiet to recalibrate his thoughts. The ambient lighting was low, the hum of conversation muted — an environment conducive to reflection.

Then he saw her.

Lieutenant Zavey.

His antennae reacted before his conscious mind did, a faint, involuntary twitch as they registered her presence. He dismissed the reaction as irrelevant data, though he knew better. This would be… an opportune moment to know her as a woman, not merely as the Chief Science Officer.

He approached, posture formal, tone measured.

“Are you alright, Lieutenant?”

There was no mistaking the restraint in his voice — controlled, professional — but beneath it lay a carefully contained curiosity. Whether that formality would remain depended entirely on her response.

Lieutenant Thalos ch’Ravik
Chief Of Security
USS Merrimack

She didn’t hear him approach, but as soon as he spoke, her eyes fluttered open. “Oh, Lt, I’m fine, thank you.” Her hand sneaked up unconsciously and rubbed the back of her neck. “A little extra stress that I can’t seem to shake, I guess. I thought coming here and redirecting my thoughts with a brain game,” here she gestured to the puzzle on the table, “would help me relax. I’m not having much luck yet.”

Blue eyes scanned the handsome Andorian. After really noticing him on the bridge, this was her first opportunity to get to know him better, so she took a chance. “You’re welcome to join me if you like?”

Lieutenant Elyss Zavey
Chief Science Officer USS Merrimack

Thalos was… unexpectedly pleased by the invitation. It was an emotion he noted, acknowledged, and made no attempt to suppress.

“I would like that very much.”

The smile that followed was small, restrained, but genuine — the kind rarely seen from him on duty. He took the seat across from her, antennae angling subtly in her direction as he settled in.

For a moment, the formality of rank lingered between them — two officers, off-duty but still shaped by duty. Then, slowly, that invisible barrier began to thin.

It was a simple thing — sharing a table in a quiet lounge — yet it felt like the beginning of something far more complicated.

Lieutenant Thalos ch’Ravik
Chief Of Security
USS Merrimack

Pleased he’d taken her up on the offer, Elyss smiled. “So, what brings you to the lounge tonight? In all honesty, I’m surprised to see you here. I haven’t had much interaction with Andorians to tell the truch, but my lessons taught me they are strong on honor, passion and observation.” She took a sip of the white wine. “Is that true? I also heard they are dangerous…”

Lieutenant Elyss Zavey
Chief Science Officer USS Merrimack

“That is very true — context matters.”

Thalos inclined his head slightly, antennae making a faint, thoughtful adjustment as he chose his next words with care.

“I do not object to admitting that I observed you on the bridge. I had… hoped we might encounter one another off duty.”

There was no bravado in his tone — only quiet sincerity. He did not wish to overstep, nor did he wish to misrepresent his intent.

As he looked at her now, the observation became impossible to ignore. Her eyes — a vivid blue — held his attention longer than was strictly professional. He corrected himself, returning to neutral composure, though the moment had already been acknowledged between them.

“It seemed… preferable to know you beyond duty reports and mission briefings.”

Lieutenant Thalos ch’Ravik
Chief Of Security
USS Merrimack

His words were lovely to hear. So, he had noticed her too during duty hours. A woman liked to be told she was interesting and that a man wanted to know more about her. Zavey was no different. “Well, why don’t we start with you calling me Elyss—at least when we’re off duty?” Was she flirting? Not yet, but she was letting the Lt know that she was open to further conversation.

She leaned her forearms lightly against the table, not crowding him, but not retreating either. Her voice was calm, steady, but there’ was warmth in it.

“I’ll be honest with you,” she said, meeting his eyes without flinching at the intensity there. “I didn’t invite you to sit down just because you’re striking — though you are. I’m curious about what’s underneath all that discipline. I want to know what makes your antennae lift instead of stiffen. What you miss about Andoria when the air’s too warm. What you fight for when no one’s watching. I’m interested in the things that matter to you — not just the uniform or the reputation. So if you’re willing… I’d like to know you. Not the guarded version. The real one.”

Lieutenant Elyss Zavey
Chief Science Officer USS Merrimack

Thalos leaned in a fraction closer, drawn by Elyss’ eyes — there was something about them that held his focus longer than was logical to allow. Mesmerising was the only accurate word, though he would never voice it as such.

“Well, Elyss… you may call me Thalos.”

His antennae lifted slightly, then, without conscious intent, angled toward her in a slow, subtle motion. The realization of the gesture caught him a heartbeat later. A small, almost sheepish smile touched his lips as he reasserted control — though he did not fully withdraw the movement.

“It would appear you have discovered one thing that causes my antennae to rise.”
There was the faintest hint of dry humour in his voice now.
“To learn the answers to your other questions will require time… time I am willing to give.”

The words were simple. The meaning behind them was not.

For a moment, the lounge seemed to fade into the background noise of the ship. Thalos became acutely aware of how close she was — of the subtle warmth of her presence, of the way her eyes searched his face without judgment.

His discipline wavered.

Only slightly.
But enough.

“I am… not accustomed to allowing myself such proximity,” he admitted quietly, the words leaving him before he could fully weigh them. His antennae dipped, then steadied, no longer held in rigid control. “On Andoria, closeness is not offered lightly. It is… earned.”

His gaze held hers — longer than regulation, longer than logic would permit.

“This is… unfamiliar territory for me,” he said, voice lower now, stripped of rank and formality. “But I do not find it… unwelcome.”

It was a small surrender — not of control, but of pretense.
And for Thalos, that was everything.

Lieutenant Thalos ch’Ravik
Chief Of Security
USS Merrimack

She scooted the puzzle she’d been working on aside and took another drink of wine. “This territory you say is unfamiliar, is that just with humans or with other Andorians too?”

Elyss found him curious, worth getting to know, worth exploring personally. “Like I mentioned, I don’t have much experience with your species and really only know what the Academy taught, so I might blunder terribly as we move forward, but it won’t be on purpose.” A smile lifted the corners of her mouth just enough to bring out a twinkle in her eyes.

“If we’re going to stay here a while, why don’t you get yourself a drink or some food to make yourself more comfortable?”

Lieutenant Elyss Zavey
Chief Science Officer USS Merrimack