Thank You

Posted on 23 Oct 2012 @ 12:20pm by Lieutenant Kiri Cho & Lieutenant Commander Pola Ni Dhuinn M.D.

2,444 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 4, Sickbay
Timeline: MD3 0945

ON:

Kiri wasn't as shaken by events as she had reason to be, there were so many little things she still had to do that the one massive thing just seemed distant. The young Ensign hovered outside sickbay, trying to work up the courage to go inside. Her last two trips had been difficult for her, it was also hard for her to actually come up with what to do in terms of real thanks. It was rare for Kiri to actually have people do nice things for her, so this was important. She only wished that she could have come up with some sort of gift to give back.

It took three minutes before Kiri finally went inside, cautiously looking first for Kohl and Doctor Ni Dhuinn. Seeing Kohl might give her some more confidence but he wasn't in sight, no one was. Heading towards the Office she looked through the glass before pressing the door chime. Pensively sucking on her lip, Kiri waited. What to do and what to say was still rather a jumble, everything seemed to be these days. Nothing went the way she expected outside of her work, it was getting rather difficult to deal with.

Sitting in her chair facing the back wall, Pola had a small ball in her hand. Carefully she tossed it against the wall, sending it bouncing back into her outstreched hand. With a flick of her wrist, she continued to repeat the motion over and over. As monotonous as it may have seemed, to her it helped keep her grounded. throw..bounce..catch..throw..bounce..ca.. The Doctor's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of her office chime ringing out around the room. With her concentration shattered, she missed the ball and it rolled over towards the door. "Enter."

Kiri started to enter but abruptly stopped as the ball ran to ground against her foot. Treating it as if it might attack her Kiri stared at it for a moment before looking up, "Sorry." She had interrupted something, though what she didn't know. It seemed to suck the rough idea she had, leaving her speechless. Looking spaced for several long seconds she finally managed to find some words, "I wanted to say, um, thank you, for your present."

Smiling at Kiri said sorry, Pola indicated for the woman to take a seat. "Well..it was your birthday and everyone deserves a birthday present. Did it fit? I had to hesitate a guess at the right length to make sure it didn't fall off."

"Oh, it fitted okay, I haven't had a chance to wear it properly yet," The words were very quick, almost running together, ended with a small smile. More than that seemed slightly beyond her right now, eyes flitting to the ball.

Spotting where Kiri's eyes had been drawn to, Pola leaned forward at her desk before speaking very softly. It was obvious Kiri might be looking for some explanation and she was uncertain how to explain it. "Have you ever had something on your mind which you needed to take your mind away from? In my case there was noone around to spend time with, there's nothing to do here as we are on shoreleave so I tried to do something mindless. Bounce a ball off of the wall."

When Kiri had something on her mind that she needed to escape from, the answer was always more work. Never the less, she knew what it was like it seemed strange to her still. Kiri had a lot to do though, there were updates to the sensors, repairs, a report of Sienna, reviewing the sensor readings they had gathered in transit. Very tentatively she asked, "Are you looking for something to do?"

Indicating the seat infront of her, Pola tried again to get Kiri to take a seat. "Honestly...I have more than enough to do. I've new crew medicals, files to update, followups on some patients. It's more so that I'm looking to get my mind off of something. Sometimes it's difficult to not think of something, despite what might be happening around you."

Taking the seat Kiri perched on the edge of it, hands in her lap, looking troubled. Taking her minds off things while working was easy enough, her focus tended to be on what was in front of her. It was in quiet times that she found it flooding back, quite times she hated right now. Trying to get around the situation in her head she asked, "So, is something wrong?" If things were so bad that it was hard to stop thinking about, didn't it have to be bad?

Shaking her head, Pola smiled lightly. It not that she didn't trust Kiri...she just felt that she couldn't talk to anyone. She was scared at the dam which would be released if she tried to. "Don't mind me, I'm just being silly. So have you picked a night to give your bracelet an outing? I've heard of a few nights out being arranged."

Kiri wasn't expecting to hear about them but was still disappointed, "Oh, I didn't hear about any." Her eyes dropped with a tinge of sadness for a second before flashing back, "Not yet, no. There is so much to do, I don't know if there is time." Kiri knew she was hiding but there really was a lot of work for her to do.

Frowning slightly, Pola wondered if Kiri was concentrating too hard on work that she didn't know all about the plans. "Maybe I can arrange something? I'm sure if I recruit Kohl he'll get some others onboard aswell. His roommate is Aria and I know she loves getting her party shoes on. I can let you know the details."

Kiri noted at once Pola's expression, expecting that she had done something wrong. Wasn't she meant to be doing her job though? She didn't expect that the position she held right now would last. The most had to be made of it, yet, she wanted to be with people. Tensing slightly her voice took a slightly stronger tone, "I think, I should talk to Kohl," Dropping back to normal, "Shouldn't I?" Then realising that it might not be the best question she tried to deflect it, "What are you going to be doing?"

Smiling slightly, Pola watched the woman in front of her. "Would you like to arrange a group of us to go out Kiri? I'm sure Kohl would love to help you make the arrangements." The Doctor wondered if this would actually turn out to be a good idea, it might help the girl improve her social skills and maybe she'd make a few more friends.

First the counsellor and now this, why was she being put in social leadership roles? At least, it was with people she knew, it would be nice to be with Kohl, a chance to say thank you properly to the doctor as well? Then there was the time factor, she really didn't. The time she spent in thought was a long one, even by her standards, "I, think I, could, but," She trailed off, any but would seem rude, she'd already started though.

Waiting a couple of moments, Pola wondered if Kiri was going to finish the sentence. Leaning forward she picked up the small ball and started to pass it from hand to hand. "But...?"

Kiri felt that she didn't have the skills to make it fun for everyone, there was also the matter that, "I don't really know, what to do, what people like." There was also the matter that started to tear her own inside, bit by bit as it went on, why wasn't anyone inviting her to things?

Looking down at the ball bouncing between her hands, Pola wondered if maybe Kiri was finding it difficult to push herself. "Well you can never go wrong with drinks. A small quaint pub in any location. If everything goes well then you know your going in the right direction."

The problem Kiri has was, what if things didn't go well? Shore leave was limited and Kiri didn't want to ruin other peoples by making a mess of something just to test. If she had to do it though, "How do you tell if it is quaint?"

Pola frowned for a second as she tried to think that over. "Um...I've never given that thought before. Quaint I guess would include that the pub had a quiet enough conversation that you can actually hear someone talking to you. Good food and drink would also help. Alot of the planning is just getting people into a place, the people themselves then make the evening enjoyable."

"So I should just look one up on the planetary network and pick one?" Kiri found it hard to pick places for her to drink tea in when in town let alone a pub, for other people, on a different planet. It was daunting, on top of her other work as well, it was tough.

Chewing on her lip, Pola looked back down at the ball she was passing between her hands. "Just choose one at random. Pick a group which have good feedback, and choose from that. Or when you invite each person, ask them to recommend where they would like and choose from that."

"Right," It was all common sense but it didn't quite click for Kiri, since she hadn't done it before she was forgetting about things left right and centre. It was with slight trepidation that she moved towards what she felt was hinted at, "Is there anywhere you would like to go?"

Think it over for a moment, Pola realised that she wasn't extremely familiar with Vega IX. "Um....I've heard mention of a place called Nostradamus on the surface. One of two patients have spoken about how they enjoyed it there and that the music was good. I guess I'll give you that as a recommendation."

That was a start then, she had to think of this was an investigation, Kiri pinched her fingers, "When would you be free?" It was a start, if she could get one person that didn't seem to get along with her to come, it was a victory.

"Hum...with my schedule and work here in sickbay, it's easier for you to name a day and time. At least I can tie myself to something and ensure I am free. Also...are you gonna suggest that people invite others aswell?" Pola smiled as she saw that Kiri seemed to be getting into this.

"Do you think that would be a good idea?" Kiri shifted to the right, sliding in the chair slightly, "I can let you know what time is good for other people though." It might get rather large if everyone was inviting other guests.

"It provides a better atmosphere. Even though everyone may know eachother, they relax easier in the company of those they may consider close friends. I'd limit it to each person bring one friend each, maybe make exceptions if specifically asked, but no more then two. If you allow more, people might go off and do their own thing instead of staying with the group." Pola replied.

Kiri bowed her head, "Thank you again," While it was a task she didn't really want, with an outcome she was uncertain about wanting, Kiri wouldn't stop. She had to work out who to invite, if everyone she knew, would they get along? For now she remained still, waiting to be dismissed.

Looking up, Pola laughed gently as she stood and moved around to give Kiri a random brief hug, pulling away before the woman became too uncomfortable. "Kiri..you acme to visit me, you dont have to stand at attention or wait for me to say you can go. Enjoy this planning opportunity. You've only got one life and you should learn to enjoy it."

The hug, surprised Kiri, she almost recoiled but the actual physical contact was something she really wanted. For a while now, she wanted someone she wasn't scared of to hold her. The doctor was actually higher on the list of trusted people than most, yet. Kiri turned a rather deep shade of pink, a hue that remained after Pola retreated, remaining stock still a smile finally sinking deep into her face, "Th-thank you, Pola." Her voice still surprised, her eyes wide and focused completely on those of the woman in front of her.

"One piece of advise...don't let Kohl try to rail road you into letting him taking over. These kind of things excite him and he loves to help out. If you need help ask...I've no problem doing what I can for you but I know, and have confidence, that you'll do fine." Pola's eyes met Kiri's, knowing the woman needed a boost in herself and her confidence and hoped that this would help.

Kiri couldn't tell what part of their interaction that this confidence spurred from, had she shown evidence of being capable of it? So far she'd only proven she was stubborn, bad at communicating and argumentative, none of these were good qualities let alone ones that promoted her skill with social interaction. None the less, it helped, "Thank you," Had the concept of buying a drink been know to Kiri she would have offered, currency as a whole even. She would have to return the favour two fold somehow. Still she wouldn't leave until Pola gave a very clear sign to leave, so not to risk being rude.

Leaning her hip back against her desk, Pola made a shooing noise with her hand. "Go on and get started. Just shoot me the day, time and location and I'll be there."

"Right," Kiri smiled, feeling much better about interacting with Pola than she did before. There was work she had to get back to, as well as messages to send out to those she thought would be interested in joining her. Bowing her head again she backed away, walking backwards until she reached the door, even after than she gave a nervous glance over her shoulder.

Smiling and shaking her head as Kiri walked away, Pola looked back down at the ball in the centre of her hand. The night out had been a body and rash decision shed made without thinking. In all honesty, she didn't feel like going out and fratinising but maybe it was what she would need.

OFF

Lieutenant JG Pola Ni Dhuinn
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Ensign Kiri Cho
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

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