Lieutenant Commander Lael Rosek & Chythar Skyfire: Long Time No See

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Riley Delar

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Jun 14, 2019, 2:18:45 AM6/14/19
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OOC: Takes place the day after Lael and German return from their romantic getaway.
OOC2: Gina gave me the go-ahead to post it.

(( Brew Consortium, Deck 14, USS Astraeus ))

:: Chythar had been away from Starfleet and this crew since his pseudo-meltdown on Meridian. It had been a change for the better, as he transitioned away from sickbay and patients into coffee and patience with brewing the perfect cup of joe. This was his first day at work in his re-integration into the crew as a coffee jockey. His presence, he didn’t think, had been widely announced as of yet. Chances were, anyone that remembered him would learn he was aboard soon enough. ::

::It had been a long day. PADDwork definitely seemed more arduous than usual after spending three blissful days with German in a rainforest paradise. It had been awhile since she’d truly camped away from civilization. The only modern conveniences she’d really taken with her were her coffeemaker powered by a portable fuel cell and her holocamera for pictures. She smiled, recalling a couple of memorable ones that she’d like to display in their shared quarters.::

::So much had changed over the last several months. If someone had told her back then that she would meet and fall in love with the man she wanted to become the father of her children, she’d have said they were crazy. She strode through the lounge where the Brew Consortium was located, scarcely paying attention to her surroundings. Her eye was on the prize—a sizable enough mug of coffee to get her through the rest of the work waiting in her office.::

:: As the doors parted to admit the first officer, Chythar chuckled softly to himself and noted she wasn’t paying attention to the surroundings she was walking into. Therefore, it was a simple enough matter for him to use their mental connection to glean her objective, and to have it ready when she approached the bar. He stood with his back to her at first as he prepared the drink, keeping an ear open for other drink requests as he did so. ::

::Her brow furrowed when she felt the ghost of something familiar brush her mind, but mentally shook it off. The neural suppressants must be messing with her or it was wishful thinking. She sighed, approaching the counter and leaning against it as she waited for the barista on duty to come out from wherever they were hiding. A grimace slid across her features and she massaged her temples. She hoped whoever it was emerged quickly. She was starting to get a headache.::

:: He had physically changed in the last several months. His hair was neat and tied back, his eyes were a somewhat softer shade than they had been previously, and his goatee was neatly trimmed. His muscle structure also was a bit more toned since their last meeting, from several months of physical training. Chythar turned around, leaving the glass on the bar behind him and slipping into his Scots-Irish brogue. ::

Skyfire: Ah ken yeh used t’ be a helms officer, Lael. But eyes forward, rather than the clouds. Yeh may crash int’ somethin’, aye?

::The familiar voice caused her to look up and her eyes widened. For a long moment, she was convinced that she was seeing things. She’d have heard if he was coming back aboard. Tentatively, she reached out through the connection. There was instant recognition the moment their minds touched for the first time in months. Screaming in a combination of joy and surprise, she lunged across the counter and threw her arms around his neck, nearly dragging him over. She pulled back a moment to look at him before grinning widely and again pulling him into a tight hug.::

Skyfire: :: softly, audible to her only. :: It’s good tae see you too, lass.

Rosek: ::pulls back:: What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were on Earth helping your uncle run his raktajino operation.

:: He chuckled as he set her coffee in front of her. That was an excellent question. ::

(( Flashback -- Last Week -- The Raktajino Coffee Shop, Earth & Captain’s Ready Room, USS Astraeus ))

:: Chythar had been up since dawn working with this one particular blend that required near constant attention first thing in the morning. He hadn’t even noticed when the computer mentioned there was a call. It wasn’t until Chris came into the basement that he even noticed. ::

C. Harrington: CD. Phone call for you.

Skyfire: Busy, uncle Chris.

C. Harrington: It’s a Caitian with captain’s pips. I’ll get the coffee started and deal with Finicky McBean over here. You answer the phone.

:: Chythar raised a brow. A captain, calling him here? And a Caitian with pips...there was only one he knew of. Technically two, if you included Mei’konda’s father...but he was under the impression H'lill had retired, so that left Mei himself. He turned and nodded to his uncle, making his way up toward the office. It took him a few extra moments to get situated before he acknowledged the computer. ::

Skyfire: Computer, who is on hold?

Computer: Captain Mei’konda Delano, commanding officer of the USS Astraeus.

:: Captain. That was...a nice change to hear, since it was, in CD’s opinion, long overdue. Still, the man’s eyes lit up and he nodded toward the Starfleet logo on the screen. ::

Skyfire: Onscreen.  :: The screen flickered to reveal the tawny face of the red collared Caitian. :: Captain Delano. Congratulations are in order, ah believe. To what do I owe the unexpected pleasure?

:: It was novel, to say the least, to have subspace communications go through to Earth cleanly and quickly.  Mei’konda had spent so much time in the Shoals that the lack of interference almost felt to him like something was wrong.  Steepling his fingers together atop the wooden desk in his ready room, the Caitian smiled at his old Chief Medical Officer. ::

Mei’konda: Hello, Chythar.  I appreciate the congratulaations, but I think Mei’konda will do just fiine.  I know you’re still on leave, after all.

Skyfire: True. :: He paused for a moment and considered. oO  We’ve been friends long enough. Oo :: So, what would a newly minted captain like yourself possibly want with an ol’ coffee-jockey like me?

Mei’konda: That’s what I waanted to talk to you about, actually.  I hope thiings are going well on Earth, and I want you to feel absolutely free not to taake me up on it, but I have an offer for you.

:: Those were ominous words. The last time someone said that to him, it was asking him to become the CMO of a ship. This time...what did he have to lose? After all, he wasn’t a CMO anymore and his commission was suspended for the present. ::

Skyfire: I’m listening...

:: With a few taps on his console, Mei’konda sent along the schematics of the huge lounge on the ventral section of the Astraeus’ saucer.  They appeared section by section at the edge of Chythar’s screen. ::

Mei’konda: We’re going to be embaarking on a shakedown cruise soon, which will laast approximaately a month before our real mission begins.  The Astraeus will eventually be exploring toward the core of the galaxy.  We’ll be faar away from known space, and the officers and crew here are going to need all of the creature comforts we can give them.  That would be where you come in.

Skyfire: Comfort...yeah, I guess I am a bit of a comfort specialist these days. :: He paused again and studied the schematics before switching windows to give the Caitian his undivided attention, since after all -- it wasn’t every day he had a captain on the line. :: What did you have in mind, specifically?

Mei’konda: I was thiinking of a combiined coffee lounge and tea house.  You were the first person who caame to mind.  I could certaiinly do worse than to have a lounge maanager who can double as a doctor when I need him to, after all.  A little selfiish, I know - but I thought you miight find the offer intriguing.

:: There it was again. The catch 22. He knew he’d habitually keep a first aid kit handy just out of habit in case he did something stupid while mixing coffee but knew somehow that this would be different. He hoped, at least, not to have a repeat of the alt-verse Gorkon with people getting stabbed in his lounge. ::

Skyfire: You’re right. Consider me intrigued. Pardon the curiosity, but what happened to the Montreal?

:: Mei’konda exhaled a short sigh.  It had slipped his mind that Chythar probably wasn’t keeping track.  No doubt, he had plenty of other things to be focused on. ::

Mei’konda: Lost, defendiing Karakka in the Shoals.  Casualties were liight, fortunately, and confined to the ships.  No one was hurt on the colony.

Skyfire: That’s...that’s good. Light casualties are good.

Mei’konda: Yes, though the court-martial went as well as could be expected.  Starfleet decided that I acted properly.  Hence, the Astraeus.  And this.

:: He reached up to tap at the fourth gold pip on his collar.

Skyfire: Much deserved, Mei. Truly.

:: Mei’konda leaned forward a touch. ::

Mei’konda: You don’t have to decide yet.  How about you come out to see us, and the ship?  Take a tour.  Meet the senior crew.  Maake an informed decision.

Skyfire: I’ll need to clear a few things with Chris to make sure he’s okay with the initial tour and prepared for me to make the decision. Who knows, he might decide I should accept just so I can bring back more weird coffee.

:: Mei’konda smiled slightly. ::

Mei’konda: We’ll be going to a new paart of space.  There could be brand new blends that no one’s ever saampled before.

Skyfire: That’s a very good point. Tell you what, I’ll clear it with Chris, and then accept your offer with that as my argument.

:: Settling back into his leather chair, the Caitian nodded, satisfied. ::

Mei’konda: Then I’ll maake sure there are quaarters prepared for your visit out here, Chythar.  And possibly, for your stay.

Skyfire: I look forward to seeing you all again, Mei.

:: Mei’konda glanced toward the time display on his monitor, the one that showed the local time where Chythar currently was. ::

Mei’konda: Very well.  Good niight, Chythar.

Skyfire: G’night.

(( End Flashback ))

Skyfire: Besides, Teller was taken by Captain Rahman and ah missed the lot o’ ya. So there. :: He stuck out his tongue playfully. ::

::She laughed, kissing his cheek. It really didn’t matter why he was here. She was just happy that he was. It was almost better that he wasn’t working in a Starfleet capacity. None of the ranking officer pressures existed here. They could just be two close friends enjoying each other’s company. She took the mug of coffee from him and took a sip.::

Rosek: ::grins:: I’ve really missed you, Chythar. It hasn’t been the same without you around.

Skyfire: Ah’ve missed you too, Lael. Ah can most definitely attest life ‘asn’t been nearly as interestin’, but ah’m glad tae be back.

Rosek: ::smiles:: How was your sabbatical?

Skyfire: So many ways to mess up coffee...overall, it was amazing. A bit dull around th’ edges, and ah’ve had t’ break up a few fights.

Rosek: ::arches an eyebrow:: You? ::smirks:: Looks like that martial arts training came in handy.

Skyfire: You try avoiding a bar brawl with 9 Klingons sometime. Let me ken how that works out for yeh, hm?

Rosek: ::smirks:: I couldn’t even avoid it with one.

:: Chythar chuckled and got himself a mug of raktajino. He felt that the time for drinking with a friend was long overdue. He wasn’t bound by rank anymore, This was more a surprise reunion than anything else, as he hadn’t the faintest idea what to expect when he got here. Now that he was here, however, he sat down across from his friend and clinked her glass against his. ::

Skyfire: To old friends and new adventures, aye?

Rosek: ::taps her mug against his and grins:: To old friends and new adventures.
---
Lieutenant Commander Lael Rosek
Executive Officer
USS Astraeus, NCC-70652
I238110RH0

&

Chythar Skyfire
Coffee Master
USS Astraeus, NCC-70652
O239002CS0
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