Meandering

Posted on 05 May 2019 @ 9:11am by Lieutenant JG Tris Shizn & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Azra Ghoc
Edited on on 11 May 2019 @ 3:38pm

1,293 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 17 - Crystal of Life
Location: USS Galileo-A - Outside Tris Shizn's Quarters
Timeline: MD -20, 1447

[ON]

Azra pressed the chime on Tris' quarters. They were both off-duty during this shift, but they'd scheduled another people-watching walk. The pair had several running bets on what they'd see. Azra bet that Heinu and Petra would eventually start dating, rather than just flirting in the botany lab. Tris had disagreed, but he hadn't said who exactly what he thought.

"Come on, Tris!" Azra called, knowing that the computer would transmit her voice into the Andorian's quarters. "We'll miss mess if you don't hurry up. I don't intend to lose my bet on Johnson's lunch order!"

The door whooshed open and Tris replied, “Ya, ya, keep your shirt on.” He stopped before her and admired how Azra filled out her clothing. He wasn’t prejudice to Cardassians, the bumps and ridges just didn’t push those buttons for him, but a shapely female body always did. “We’ll get there in plenty of time.” They began walking together and Tris added, “I like your civilian look today. It’s very . . primitive. It’s nice.” And he smiled warmly to her.

Over the last many weeks, Tris had come to know Azra more and more. He felt she was close to him, something like a sister or maybe better a cousin, that he would be willing to stick his neck out and protect if necessary.

"Primitive?" she she scoffed. "You're one to talk. Jeans and a tank-top never go out of style, but whatever that is you're wearing should be considered criminal." It was gentle ribbing.

Tris looked down, now questioning his choice of loose fitting black pants with large pockets on the sides of the legs. The black and white anglularly striped shirt, he thought was quite nice, but he did recall something in Earthen history about white and black stripes used for confinement of criminals or something. He looked back to Azra with a smile, “I guess you’ll just have to lock me up then.” He chuckled a little.

"Oh, I'll leave that up to Luke," Azra said. "Thanks, though. It's always nice to know somebody thinks you dress well." They rounded a corner, passing Crewmen Brown and Halliday. They were talking quietly, heads together. "Is it just me or is there something there?"

The Andorian glanced over his shoulder looking at the two individuals for a couple seconds as his left antenna angled back toward those in question. Facing forward again walking next to Azra, Tris said, “Would you believe that both of their heart rates were elevated? Yes.”

"That's not one I would have predicted. I didn't think Halliday was interested in men. At least not by the way he's been following Petty Officer Malik around." Azra shrugged, "Of course, what do I know? I've never actually dated."

Tris stopped dead on his track, causing Azra to be jerked slightly. The Andorian asked with exaggeration, “You are saying that you have never been in a couples type relationship before . . at all?” His eyebrows rose with doubt and curiousity.

She shook her head, and said, "No, not even once. I think I've gotten close a couple of times, maybe. I don't know, how do you define the line between a friendship and something more? I mean, most people talk about it in physical terms. That's mostly how we've been defining it in our bets. While I have no doubt that's important, there's got to be more to it than that, right? Of course, maybe that's something else I'm missing perspective on."

They continued walking together. Tris was thinking through the possibilities. Considering his own personal relationship, the Andorian said, “I would guess that line would be when the type of concern one for the other changes.”

"That makes sense," Azra said, "I mean, as much as anything. Too many stories talk about love at first sight or the over-cliched rivals become lovers angle." Her voice dripped with sarcasm at the over-used tropes.

“I like the way you phrased that,” Tris commented then looked thoughtful before adding. “I think it’s that level of connection. As an example, if two found similar interests, they might begin dating. Of course the concern for another crew member’s safety comes into play. But then when more emotional concerns are threatened, they would go beyond the average concern, which otherwise might be overlooked?”

"Yeah," Azra replied, "of course that's exactly the kind of thing that makes restrictions against fraternization make sense. You don't want people abandoning the mission because of some hormone-driven gut reaction. Not that it doesn't make for great fiction."

“You’re right. Fiction is one thing,” Tris’ tone became flat as if distracted as he continued looking off past her, “having a such concern for another to the point of putting others around you at risk just for ‘the hope’ of saving the one for which you have feelings.” He looked directly at Azra, “That could get everyone killed.”

Azra nodded. "Still, it'd be nice to know what that feels like. Not that I haven't had crushes before, but that's different. It's something else entirely when the feeling is reciprocated." She shook her head and waved the conversation away.

"That's enough about me. Want to bet on what Mr. Reteif has cooked up in the mess today?"

A big grin then came across the Andorian’s face, for he had heard a rumor. “I’m going to lay odds that it’s that Italian pie I heard a couple Crewman talking about yesterday.” His expression changed to one of curiosity before adding, “I had always thought that most Earth’ns pies were with fruit, but this one is meats and cheeses.”

It took Azra a moment to realize what Tris was talking about. "Pizza," she said. She chuckled and shook her head in amusement. "It's a different kind of pie than you're thinking of. And if it's truly Italian it'll be different than a lot of people think. I've had both American pizza and authentic Italian pizza. They're very different. Let's hope he's making enough to share."

As she described the ‘pizza’, Tris became for confused and uncertain. May end he hadn’t heard the rumor properly. He asked, “So, it’s not like a fruit pie? Is is eaten cold or hot?” He considered cheeses being so hot that they ran out of the pie and onto the plate. He wasn’t sure if he would like that.

"I know some people actually prefer cold pizza, but in my mind that's just terrible." Azra laughed and picked up the pace a bit. "I don't know that I can do a description of pizza justice. Even if Reteif hasn't made any today I can replicate some for you to try. It can be an experiment of sorts." The mess hall was getting closer and there was a steady stream of people entering and leaving the mess hall. With a ship as small as Galileo news of good food got around and even most people on duty could spare a few minutes to grab a bite or two.

Tris considered the situation again and replied, “No,” making a thoughtful grimace. “I think I should just wait. I don’t mind surprises, and I think others might like how I react as well.” He chuckled a little at the thought of his reactions to how it might taste.

Azra smiled. "Then I guess we'd better walk a bit faster. We wouldn't want to get there too late." She could already smell the intoxicating combination of bread, meat, cheese, and a variety of toppings.

[OFF]

--

CWO3 Azra Ghoc
Boatswain
USS Galileo-A

Lt. Tris Shizn
Conn Officer
USS Galileo-A

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