New Mass

Posted on 20 Apr 2015 @ 3:13pm by Lieutenant JG Ethan Walker M.D., Ph.D & Commander Norvi Stace
Edited on on 21 Apr 2015 @ 3:41am

1,340 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 08 - NIMBUS
Location: USS Galileo: Deck Five, Section Fourty Five-Beta
Timeline: MD -2, 1200 hours

[ON]

Ethan was still having trouble getting used to the cramped spaces of this much, much smaller ship to say nothing of his troubles trying to figure out what was where and which was was the one he needed to go. He knew it would be something he worked out in time, but at the moment it frustrated him and frazzled his patience - though nothing near enough to break his calm. Most people just assumed calm-presented people like Ethan were completely that way - they didn't seem to understand that he was just like anyone else. He got mad, angry and irritated just like any other human being, he just contained that behind a practiced veil of calm .

Carrying a bundle of items in his arms, Ethan turned down the corridor, realized he was going the wrong way and then suddenly turned back around without warning and ran smack into whomever was a few steps behind him. The impact startled him and caused him to lose his belongings. There was a series of dull thunks as metal candlesticks and a Thurible hit the deck, the latter send up a plume of incense flavored smoke upwards into the air and scattering the debris within all over.

"I am so sorry." Ethan blurted immediately, clutching his fellow officer by the forearm not only to keep them from falling over, but to keep him steady as well. "So sorry... are you alright?" he asked.

Stace stepped and then covered her mouth, the spurt of incense lining the delicate palate of her mouth in a floral, yet displeasing manner. She spluttered a little, but then began to cough, wiping away Ethan's attention - and the plume - with a wave of her hand as she managed to gain control of her lungs. "It's quite all right," the Trill managed, clearing her throat and then swallowing. "I'll survive, I think." She took in a deep breathed, coughed just once and then righted herself. "What is that? Death by perfume?"

"Uhm... charcoal... it's... I am so sorry." Ethan shook his head, blushing from stem to stern. "It's a ceremonial Thurible, for the Mass. I didn't see you coming." he said, resisting the overwhelming urge to want to wipe the incense ash off of her, but well aware that was far from appropriate. Despite it all, he was suddenly struck by another overwhelming urge - this time to laugh outright.

"Oh!" Stace exclaimed, the penny dropping as she widened her eyes, "you must be the new chaplain! I'd seen your transfer papers but had completely put it out of my mind." She extended her hand outwards and smiled, just one splutter now punctuating her greeting. "I'm Commander Norvi Stace, the Chief Science Officer. Welcome aboard!"

Ethan shifted his belongings and took her hand eagerly, "Good day, Commander. It's a pleasure to meet you." he beamed, glad to finally have an all around friendly encounter, despite the rough start.

After their rather cordial handshake, Stace aligned herself in the direction Ethan was originally headed and indicated with a nod that she would join him. "Where were you headed to? She's a small ship so it won't take you long to find where everything is."

"I'm discovering that rather quickly. Everything is right there on top of everything else." Ethan chuckled in reply, "I'm not quite used to it. I came from the Ardeshir, a Luna-class, which in comparison is planet-sized." he laughed. "I keep overshooting my destination thinking there's more ship to have." he continued, "I was looking for the small conference room that I was assigned for my Sunday Mass.

"Do you have the room number?"

Stace quickly glanced at the proffered PADD and smiled to herself. "We're actually standing right outside it." She indicated to the door to their left with a nod of the head and scrunched up her nose. "Easy mistake to make. But I know what you mean. My last command was a Galaxy. And you sort of slip into the habit of feeling the space around you. But here there is precious little of the stuff. 'Cosy', I think I heard one of my science staff describe it as. More of a sweat box to my mind but we seem to get dealt our lot in life and you have to make of it what you will."

"Wise words to live by." Ethan grinned, letting himself into the room. Stepping inside he was struck by how small it was; granted there wasn't three hundred people that showed up for any given Mass. Generally no more than a dozen and on a ship as small and science oriented as this one he suspected half of that. It would be 'cozy' as she said, but it would work. "A little tight, but it'll do." he smiled, "Thanks." he added, stepping in all the way and depositing his things at the back of the room by the small lecturn. "I have doubts we'll fill this room with believers, but if we do - maybe we can find a bigger space?" he asked.

"And that's something you'll have to take up with the Quartermaster or Commander Blake, but if you get the numbers then should something be available I can't see why not." She paused a little and then trepidatiously narrowed her gaze as she leant in a little. "I'm not religious at all, I have to admit. Cycling through as many lives as I have done doesn't quite lend to the belief that there's something too spiritual out there. But, horses for courses, as my old Commanding Officer used to say. I'm sure that you'll gather a crowd."

"Even if there's just one, that's crowd enough. Besides, there's not a requirement on the door that you believe." he smiled, though he knew she was right. The first few months were always the hardest to find a congregation, but they came out in time. "You're more than welcome regardless." he added.

"I'll keep that in mind," Stace replied honestly. "How are you getting on with the ship and her crew beside's the cluttered, non-existent work-space? Met many of them?"

"My roommate... and my Department Head... that was..." he snorted, trying to smile politely. "Well everyone's a little different, aren't they?" he countered. "It'll take some getting used to. Any suggestions?"

"Spend a lot of time in the mess, uh -" She paused and then blinked widely. "I'm sorry, I don't think I know your name."

Ethan beamed and held out his hand eagerly, "Ethan Walker, but you can call me Ethan, or Father or whatever you like so long as its polite."
he chuckled, "I'm really looking forward to making new friends here and just... finding a new home."

"Ethan it is," Stace politely replied. "We're a friendly bunch and you'll find your way around soon enough. It's really small." She paused and then asked, "What religion do you actually preach? I don't think I asked."

"I am a Catholic Priest." Ethan nodded back, "I went to seminary somewhat young and was able to move from there to Starfleet Academy pretty seamlessly. The Church wanted me to take a posting somewhere else... but..." he smiled wistfully, "Wasn't my final calling, I thought."

"It sounds like a story that I would someday like to hear," Stace remarked with a flick of her eyebrows. "Maybe I can show you where the Mess is for a coffee sometime. It's bigger than this room here." She smiled friendlily as she scrunched up her nose. In her lifetimes it took something more than 'normal' to pique her interest.

Ethan deposited his things and looked about. "Well. I'm free now." he smiled, knowing that this could wait. A friendly chat sounded far more enticing than setting up shop here.

"Then I'll lead the way," she replied with a smile. "Not that you'll need leading twice," she added.

OFF:

Lieutenant Commander Norvi Stace
Chief Science Officer / Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

Father Ethan Walker
Chaplain
USS Galileo

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