Lt. Cmdr. Rebecca Iko -- I've grown.
Rebecca Iko
Shortrith: Have either of you ever been? To Qo'noS?
Bec eyed Wong briefly before answering.
Iko: Yeah. Once. Did the usual tourist stuff in the city. ::pointing to Wong, furrowing brow:: But you went off with Keehani and did something else didn’t you?
Wong: Uh yeah. I did. But that’s not important, right?
Shortrith: I think the last time I went was the year before I graduated the academy.
Bec nodded.
Wong: ….. ::Silently sips coffee::
Iko: I always feel like such an outsider. I know it’s stupid, but…
Shortrith: Your feelings aren't stupid, your feelings have reason.
Bec tried her hardest not to roll her eyes at the truth.
Wong: She’s right. It’s valid.
oO “They” Oo
Iko: I wonder if that would ever change.
Shortrith: Hopefully it would.
Wong: Perhaps it is wisest that we leave such stuff in the past for a moment?
Bec eyed Wong again, and nodded. She wondered if there was something up with him, but didn’t think too much of it.
Iko: Maybe we should just stick to this trio of klingons in Starfleet, ay?
Shortrith: Yeah. It's nice not being the only klingon on a posting, especially the only medical Klingon.
And in all honesty, Bec hoped that Renaie and Wong could become good friends. They seemed like the type to have a lot in common - more than what had already been pointed out. Bec could imagine a conversation about the best way to sew socks or pitch a tent when camping and share stories about silly animal creatures or Academy pranks.
Wong: Klingons in our line of work is indeed a rarity. I didn’t see any in medical during my time at the Academy. But I did encounter a lot of Vulcans.
Shortrith: If it's not too much of a personal question, Bec, is it because of what your mum did that made you feel like an outsider?
Bec went very quiet.
It was. Both it was her mum and it was too much of a personal question.
Wong: Uhhh…..
Iko: I’d be lying if I said “no”...
Shortrith: Yeah… I remember the rantings about her as I started in the Academy.
Bec crossed her arms in front of her — in that kind of way where you’re just loosely holding the opposing elbow, not with arms actually interlocked.
Wong: Ah well…. A lot of things can happen at the Academy, right?
Iko: Like, uhm, the reprogramming of replicators.
Shortrith: Um. Well.
Then Wong got up.
Wong: I…. should probably be getting back to work. If there’s one thing about working in medicine, there is no shortage of work as long as there is life around.
Shortrith: Response.
Iko: I’m sorry I kept you, uhm…
He gave them a nod.
Wong: Thanks for inviting me, however. I do appreciate our little chat. Do feel free to reach out at any time.
Shortrith: Response.
Wong gave them a polite wave, and walked off. Bec called out after him.
Iko: I hope you guys can be friends.
Shortrith: Response
Bec could hardly make eye contact.
Iko: Not everything is about my mother anymore.
At least, Bec was enjoying pretending everything she did didn’t trickle down to a response that was heavily influenced by her upbringing. She’d loved complaining to Renaie about her mother while they were at the academy, it was a great way to get anger out, and unleash pent up feelings that had been brewing over the years.
But Bec didn’t get angry at everything anymore. Amity was kind. Amity was forgiving. Amity was safe enough to explore other feelings. Like grief. And joy. And anxiety. And love.
Shortrith: Response
Bec took a sip of her own coffee.
Iko: You and I have alot to talk about.
Shortrith: Response?
END