Checking in

Posted on 07 Apr 2013 @ 10:27pm by Lieutenant Kiri Cho & Lieutenant Jared Nicholas
Edited on on 07 Apr 2013 @ 10:44pm

1,209 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Jared's quarters
Timeline: MD4 1500

[ON]

Taking a break from more planning before going on duty Kiri felt she should take the time to walk around the labs and see what the other members of the department were working on. Being on a different shift meant she couldn't do it as part of her working day any more and just readings reports on what was going on wasn't a very clear picture. It also didn't let her interact with other members of the department. When it came to her current location there was also a question she wanted to ask. Walking inside the lab she took a moment to look around. Black hair was tied up into a pony tail and her uniform fitting snugly to her small body, everything was clean and spotless like normal but she also seemed a little different this time. Slightly taller maybe, or just pretending to be more confident?

With a small breath she forced a smile, "Good afternoon Ensign." She hadn't seen him since the meeting or talked that much since their first encounter. While he had left her after only a little bit of the tour, it hadn't been unpleasant.

Jared pinched the bridge of his nose as he looked up from his PAdD. Ferangi was harder than he had first thought and while he loved the challenge he was a bit frustrated and had reached a point where he needed a break.

He quickly wiped the frustrated look off of his face and smiled at her. "Well hello Lieutenant. Thanks for the interruption, I was needed it. How are you today?"

"Good, thank you," Kiri forced a small smile and regarded what he was working on, "How is your work going?" She didn't really know what he was working on at the moment regarding the mission. Or what he had been doing since they last talked, other than the big thing.

"Something I can help you with sir?" he asked quietly.

Kiri was expecting an answer to her question before being asked one, it took her slightly of guard, "Do you know anything about the languages of Trill?" Asking a Trill might work better but they might not have the skills needed in a teacher.

"I'm sorry I was little preoccupied. My work is going well and I speak a little. Mostly conversational though. Why do you ask?"

"I was wondering how many different languages there were, which ones tended to be used and for what," Kiri knew it wasn't really work related but it was something safe to talk about given her options.

"There are several dialects, but really only one primary language." He sat up a little straighter, "Why do you ask?"

"I was thinking about trying to learn it, I just, I'm not really sure where to start," Given her talks with the other Trill on the ship she was starting to think it might be needed. If it was going to be part of her, she should understand it a little more.

"I suppose I could teach you, it would help me learn it better myself".

It was possible but she didn't really have time for formal lessons, "I'm not sure how much time I have available," She seemed less certain now. Licking her lips ever so slightly she forced another smile, "I was thinking about some small starting exercises, I just don't know what to start with."

"Is there something you'd like to tell me? I'm willing to teach you if you want, but you seem a bit, I don't know. Standoffish, evasive. I don't bite. I promise. Well not unless you want me to and then not very hard."

Why would she want him to bite her, Klingons sometimes bit each other, was that what he meant? More uncertain now than she was before she took a moment before shaking her head. What he did in his own time was none of her business, even if it struck her as hugely inappropriate, "No, I just wanted some advice."

He chuckled slightly at her expression. I was being facetious I just meant you can talk to me, I'm not a threat. Sorry I just can't help being a smart ass.What kind of advice would you like. You need to be more specific."

Frowning for a moment Kiri answered, "Just how to start with learning Trillish in small exercises, what to start with." It felt like she was repeating herself but maybe she wasn't being clear?

"Ahh, well that I can help with. My apologies. I thought you were looking for other advice too. What I make you some downloads for your PAdD and you can listen to them at your own pace."

"Thank you, are there any exercises that you recommend?" When she was doing Klingon she did so in front of a mirror to get the motions right. With Romulan it was a matter of learning to speak with more command.

"Exercises, not really. Recommendations, yes. Just relax and stay patient, don't get in a hurry. It is a very ancient and unhurried language. But tell me why do you want to learn it? The real reason I mean."

That was the sort of help she wanted, Kiri looked slightly skeptical, "I though it might be time I did, to help me work some things about myself out." It was starting to edge towards the realm of things she wasn't ready to talk about. She had already taken a risk by talking to Athlen about this, she didn't ask him to keep it a secret so she could tell everyone.

He gave her a quizzical look, curious about her reasoning, but unwilling to probe to discover the exact reasoning. "Well if you ever have a need to sit down and talk with someone about working those kinds of things out, let me know I'll be there for you."

"Thank you," But there were already people she trusted that she was talking to. Older people that she felt easier to talk to and people that had gone out of their way for her. She hadn't come here looking for that sort of help but what she wanted, he didn't seem able to offer.

"Do you mind if I ask why a Trill would need help learning what should be your native language?"

"It's not my native language," She had told him she grew up on Earth, maybe he didn't remember though. Taking a breath she looked slightly uncomfortable, "I never really gave myself a chance to learn it."

"I see, he responded, "Well sir if I hope my pointers helped and if there is anything else I can do, I'd be glad to help."

He hadn't exactly given her a lot to work with, to be relaxed and don't try too hard. She had hoped for some sort of structure, something she could work with. He had other work to do though and so did she, "Thank you, have a nice afternoon." Edging back slightly she waited for his reply before turning towards the door.

"You're welcome, and if I can be of more help, please let me know."

OFF

Ensign Jared Nicholas
Language Specialist
USS Galileo

Lieutenant (JG) Kiri Cho
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

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