Finding that Interest

Posted on 12 Apr 2019 @ 4:18am by Lieutenant JG Tris Shizn & Ensign Mimi
Edited on on 27 Apr 2019 @ 1:47pm

1,548 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 17 - Crystal of Life
Location: USS Galileo-A - Mess Hall
Timeline: MD -29, 1230 hours

[ON]

Entering the mess hall Mimi headed to the replicator, she was happy to be off shift and was looking forward to her lunch. Replicating a chicken salad baguette and a pot of tea she greeted a few other crew that were coming for their own lunch she headed for an unoccupied table.

Tris stepped up to an unoccupied table at the same time as another person from the other direction. The Andorian looked up from his tray to see Ensign Mimi. He knew who she was, but had only a working relationship with her. He felt a bit surprised by the situation and looked about for a second and saw that there were no other empty tables at the moment. “Would you like to share a table?”

"That will be fine with me Lieutenant," Mimi replied seeing the Andorian. She put her tray down and sat on one side of the table.

Tris sat down placing the tray with his food upon the table. He wanted to try and be polite and inclusive. He just couldn’t quite remember much about Ensign Mimi. He wasn’t even sure it that was her first or last name. He smiled politely and said, “You are with Operations, right?”

"Tris.." She started, using his first name. "I am the assistant chief of Operations, we go to briefings together and I sit not far from you on the bridge. I know we have not really talked, but I think you would have known at least that.”

“Sorry,” he said nervously, “ya. You’re right. I guess I’m just trying to start up a conversation, but didn’t know what to say.” Tris shrugged his shoulders. He went back to standard conversation, “How was your shift?”

"Very quiet," Mimi replied. "A small break down in holodeck one and a replicator that kept making the wrong item. How about you...... 'smooth sailing'?

The Andorian just shrugged his shoulder adding, “Since the new orders and course change, nothing has been happening. It’s hard to stay focused at a position where all I do all day is verify where the ship is and our relationship to the other ships.”

Mimi nodded then bit a chunk out of her baguette. "It must be boring sitting there with nothing to do, hopefully something will happen when we reach the Latari system that will let you do some interesting flying."

Tris shook his head slightly to the negative and took a bite of food. “I’m not so sure I agree with you.” He leaned forward so others could not over-hear his words, “I think the possibilities of a conflict are rather high. I don’t think anyone really wants that.”

"I read that Tholian ships are very fast and... nimble, do you think you can keep up with them?" She asked.

“Nimble is definitely not an issue,” Tris began. “The Galileo is one of the most agile vessels for her size. But, as far as speed, I’m not sure.”

"I think we would be in trouble if it was me on the helm," Mimi said. "I failed the flying course so many times at the academy. I do not think I could fly a shuttle never mind a starship."

Tris felt for Ensign Mimi and wanted to sound understanding. “Each of us has our own talents and skills. Knowing how to fly ‘well’ is not a requirement.” He shrugged a little and added, “Just be able to pass the test.”

Mimi shrugged slightly. "I did pass it, but it took a long time and I have not been near a helm since the academy."

The Andorian paused for a moment looking thoughtful, and then asked, “Do you ‘like’ or did you ‘enjoy’ flying, that is being in control of the ship?”

She thought for a moment. "It was very interesting to be at the helm but I was always very nervous, I would be very..... shook up when anything went wrong."

“Ahh,” Tris responded thoughtfully as he rubbed an earlobe gently. He then asked curiously, “So, what activity do you feel comfortable, without nervousness?” He took a bite of food and chewed as he watched her reaction, waiting for the response.

"Gymnastics, taking things apart to find out how they work, reading. Things like that," Mimi replied.

“Mmm,” Tris commented in thought as he chewed a little more and hen swallowed. “Gymnastics. I’ve learned a thing or two about gymnastics and specifically gymnasts, and found that most of those people I’ve spoken to prefer to be in control.” He canted his head slightly and queried, “Would that be the same for you?”

Mimi was a little unsure how to interpret what Tris said. "Keeping control of your body is important for gymnastics."

Tris shook his head just slightly side to side saying, “That’s not what I meant. I know that as a gymnast you are in very much control of your body,” then adding encouragingly, “and have trained it well to perform as you desire. But, the question I’m asking relates to things that you may not always have full control. . . . . “Do you prefer to be in control of situations about you?” He raised an eyebrow and a slight smile hoping that she would respond favorably, but not sure.

Mimi pondered for a moment. "I would say... yes, keeping as much control over things as you can is important to a certain amount."

Tris smiled, as he felt he was getting now toward the right direction of his idea. “So, as to Gymnastics, ‘how’ do you believe or explain your ability of control?” He raised a questioning eyebrow. He wanted to lead her further down this path of thought, but really needed her to find it herself. He knew that just blurting out words never seemed to convince anyone of anything.

Mimi pondered a little more, to her Tris was asking some very unusual questions. "For a Nekomi a lot of it is natural, but the rest comes from practice and understanding."

The Andorian looked thoughtful for a moment, slowly tapping the tip of his finger to his chin, as his antennae ends turned toward each other and repeatedly moved slowly toward each other and then backing away. He finally said, “Yes, a natural innate ability always goes a long way and is a help, but yes,” Tris now looked directly at her, “practice and understanding can be more of a solid foundation for any skill.” He let that thought hang in the air for a second or so.

“Sooo,” Tris interjected, not waiting for her response, “ ‘one’ might presume that a solid history of practice and understanding could over-come just about any ‘skill’ issue, . . if ‘one’ is encouraged enough.”

"I thought you might say something like that." Mimi replied. "There is not too much time to practise, two small holodecks for sixty people does not give much time for lots of practise."

A very slight smile crept upon Tris’ face. He thought that the conversation might go this way. He had known several people over the years that usually made excuses to not fulfill their dreams. Well, ‘excuse’ is a rather harsh word. He understood it to be an internal struggle in some individuals. And it wasn’t a point to push or contradict. He simply replied, “I can see your point. I would guess that there are many factors, from time expense to availability of the proper location. I understand.”

"It is not like I can just tell the Captain I want to take one of the shuttles out for... what do the humans say... Joy ride?" Mimi added.

Her comment caused a slight embarrassing and devious smile on Tris’ face, because he had been known to do just that on previous postings. But not here, well, at least not yet. “Maybe one day we need to do just that.”

"You think the Captain would let you?" Mimi simply asked.

“Well, . .” the Andorian paused, looking up with this eyes side to side as he pondered the real possibilities. Looking back at Mimi, “No. Not a chance. I’m sure I would be reprimanded. Wouldn’t want it any other way.” He raised finger or two to his chin, looking off to the left, “But if Commander Warraquim were in charge at the moment, she juuuust might let me slide.” He smiled at the possibilities.

"I guess being in charge of flying the ship and all the ship’s shuttles has advantages." Mimi chuckled slightly before finishing off the last of her baguette.

“Well,” he began considering the possibilities compared to his responsibilities, “there might be some, but I think I have a better idea.” Tris looked more intently at her leaning forward over the table just a little bit and spoke in a softer voice. “I have some holodeck time scheduled in a couple days. If you’d like, we could find a way to explore some different things, . . like flying, . . or whatever?” He smile widely and his antennae both angled toward her, “What do ya say?”

Mimi smiled. "I like the sound of that Tris."

[OFF]

--

LTjg Tris Shizn
Conn Officer
USS Galileo-A

Ensign Mimi
Asst Chief Ops
USS Galileo-A

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