Lieutenant Talia Ohnari ~ Hey look ma! Diplomacy. (Part 1)

[Roxanna Dorion]

((Arboretum, Deep Space 33))

Talia had been mindlessly walking through the various blooms, and buds of the Arboretum. For a moment, the mixing of the fragrance and swirls of colors acted like a balm to the soul. Simple beauty surrounded her, it was then she detected a splash of unabashed joy. Like a sparkle of glitter over a cupcake. Turning, she grinned at the source. 

Ohnari: Mandy!!

After giving the goodest girl the most deserved rub down, Talia glanced up at an oddly festively dressed figure. The grin expanded, for a moment, she wondered if perhaps Chloe was suffering from the same malfunction Nolen's replicator had been. 

Ohnari: Hey there! ::smiling:: I figured you wouldn't be far behind.

Waters: Indeed not. I wouldn't miss this for the world.

Tilting her head, Talia could sense the swirl of mischief that blanketed the crowned officer like the sprigs of holly adorning her outfit. 

Ohnari: ::raised brow:: What did you do....? 

It was at that moment the two officers spotted their captain walking with purpose, towards the podium, It seemed, it was time. Putting a proverbial pin in the conversation that she was certain would make Chloe her very best friend, she nodded towards the two in parting, gesturing to their newly arrived engineering officer. She hadn't the chance to introduce herself, considering his arrival had coincided with her recovery...so, no better time than the present. 

Ohnari: Excuse me, Ensign? 

Senak: Ah. I did not hear you approach. ::His smile faded slightly::

Ohnari: Apologies for the informality, but I wanted a chance to introduce myself. I am Lieutenant Talia Ohnari, acting Chief medical officer. How are you feeling about your arrival? 

Senak: I am well, thank you. And, yes, indeed, I will need to attend a medical check-up soon.

That would be Vulcan logic at its most basic, the doctor finds new arrival, new arrival doesn't even make excuses and says he plans on the check-up. So efficient. 

Senak: It is a beautiful flower, is it not? The colors are so vibrant, so alive. This bright red hue is quite striking.

Ohnari: ::smiling softly:: It is indeed, I believe it's a variation of the Terran rose. It's quite beautiful indeed. ::taking a whiff herself:: do you know what they symbolize? 

Senak: I am not sure, Lieutenant. I am not well-versed in the language of flowers. But I believe that this particular blossom symbolizes passion and love. It is quite fitting, given the vibrancy of its color.

Ohnari: ::grinning:: Very good. You've studied your flowers it seems. I must say I am quite impressed. ::raising an eyebrow in shameless curiosity:: and I am equally impressed with your display of emotion. ::gesturing towards their matching expressions:: 

Senak: Hmm. A smile, you say? ::He looked down at the flower in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face:: I have smiled. So it seems. Perhaps being away from my homeworld has brought out a different side of me.

For a moment, a tiny swirl of melancholy reached her senses. Less from the man in front of her, and more from the words he spoke. It never occurred to her how terribly lonely it could be to leave a place filled with familiar faces, customs and culture. Her own upbringing was so eclectic, she rarely, if ever, felt out of place. 

Ohnari: ::smiling kindly:: Or, it could just be a lovely flower. ::tilting her head slightly:: I hope your decision to join us out here, and away from home, will prove a positive, if not a bit of a chaotic experience. 

Senak: It is hard to say, Lieutenant. I have spent most of my life on Vulcan, where emotions are suppressed and logic reigns supreme. But I have found that there is beauty in the illogical, in the chaotic. It is a different kind of beauty, but beauty nonetheless.

Talia decided then and there that she was going to like having Ensign Senak around. Although, at that moment, she didn't get the chance to do more than nod in agreement.

Shayne: Here we are again.

It was minorly strange seeing Nolen in command red, for a moment. Like her brain was attuned to seeing him in yellow...or...pink...? Once again her raised brow of suspicion landed on Commander Waters with a following smirk. 

Shayne: I have boxes for you. Commanders Water, Lieutenants Jacin, Zenno, Hobart, Ohnari and Ensign Zerva- step forward, preferably single file.

Hearing her name, Talia made her way to the throng of summoned officers, always a flutter of nervousness. 

Shayne: First allow, me to express my gratitude- it’s much easier to honor you at once, so by all means continue doing what you’re doing; but for the love of god, don’t do that for the Purple Heart.

Jacin: : :to no one in particular: Can’t promise anything.

Talia was making big eyes at Nolen and Ensign Zerva, thinking very hard that it wasn't exactly plan A to contract necrotizing fasciitis from a dart tip...but instead she idly tugged the hem of her dress a little lower, hiding her bandage...providing she didn't move. 

Ohnari: ::muttering:: Everything in my power, Sir. 

Zerva: Response? 

At least Nolen got minorly in trouble for being mean and teasing her about a lost leg. 

Shayne: First contact is the single most dangerous duty and responsibility an officer can engage in, and it’s harder to imagine a task with more riding on a successful outcome. While it may not have necessarily been how we’d choose to become acquainted with the Emisan people, your conduct in extraordinary circumstances is deserving of the First Contact Ribbon. Congratulations.

Accepting the ribbons, she squeezed the Captain's hand a bit during the handshake. She was the acting head doc, so her getting nearly dead was a bit of a professional embarrassment. She doubted that squeeze communicated her apologies sufficiently, but the quadruple batch of lemon squares sitting like a glistening golden pyramid would be apology enough. 

Jacin: :tentatively: Thank you Sir.

Waters: Thank you, sir.

Ohnari: ::slight head nod:: Thank you, Sir. 

Zerva: Response? 

Shayne: Furthermore! As evidenced by your (relatively) safe return, and the overall success of our mission, I’m pleased to award each of you with the Diplomacy Ribbon, for your excellent representation of Starfleet values and negotiation. Congratulations.

Zenno: Thank you, Captain.

Jacin: Thank you Captain.

She got a diplomacy ribbon. Any time she was accused of being un-diplomatic, she was going to lord that ribbon in the face of her accuser, not at all appreciating the irony of how that violated the terms of the award. 

Ohnari: ::grinning:: Thank you, Captain 

Zerva: Response? 

Shayne: And now I release you. Fly, or risk further praise!

TBC/TAG

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Lieutenant Talia Ohnari, MD
Acting Chief Medical Officer
USS Arrow
C239205ME0