JP: Lt Zenno & Ensign Saava - Subspace Tête-à-Tête
Cobalt Penumbra
((OOC This takes place immediately after the sims Plomeek Soup Sandwich and Attitude Adjustment à la Astrid and concludes this little story… for now?))
((Zenno’s Place, Deck 3, USS Arrow))
Zenno asked the computer to call his friend Saava, whom he felt had stepped out of line by sending a message to his ship’s doctor about his diet.
Computer: Bloop. The intended recipient of this call is in a scheduled sleep period. Do you wish to proceed?
Zenno: I most certainly wish it.
The computer bleeped its acknowledgment and began negotiating the call through subspace. Zenno was ready to commence firing the moment the call connected.
After only a moment, the screen lit up and Saava appeared.
Saava: Zenno, it is very agreeable to see you.
The Bolian had the slightest hesitation. It was always hard to tell, but she seemed actually pleased that he was calling. But he had spent the morning working up a good mad and he wasn’t going to let that effort go to waste.
Zenno: ::firm:: I just came from a meeting with the ship’s doctor. Do you know why she summoned me?
Saava: She was undoubtedly concerned about your nutrition. I alerted her to a 3% unfavorable shift in your macronutrient intake. Did she implement my suggestions?
Saava felt helpless being so far away from Zenno. Her concern for his health was genuine and she hoped the chief medical officer would have taken her suggestions and put them into action.
Zenno: ::Articulating each word clearly:: What the actual hell were you thinking?
Saava: ::raising eyebrow:: There is no need for an emotional outburst.
Zenno: Incorrect! There is so much need. You have crossed a line, Saava. I work and live with these people and this was not appropriate. Not in any way, shape, form, or manner.
Saava: I have consistently observed your nutritional intake. This is a well-established fact. It was a customary practice during our educational tenure. I have compiled a graphical representation showing the trend…
Zenno: ::Interrupting:: We are not at the Academy anymore, Saava. I can’t believe you would be checking my replicator records from across the quadrant. It’s preposterous. ::Changing tactic:: Do you recall our trip to Theta Reticuli?
Saava: I recall everything about Theta Reticuli. ::pause:: Everything.
Zenno: We talked about your Doctor Selenka. How she was not giving you the recognition you believe you deserve. You had taken logical actions and she was not approving? Did it ever occur to you that maybe, maybe, maybe she was right about something?
She looked at Zenno. She felt something as she processed his words. And those feelings stayed for longer than usual before her Vulcan instincts took over and confined them to a certain part of her brain.
Saava: That was unkind, Zenno.
He had no wish to be unkind. Perhaps she was right about that. But she had still brought this whole thing on by taking an inappropriate action.
Zenno: ::Sighs:: Perhaps so. The words were regrettable. As you will agree it was ill-advised to contact my ship’s doctor? She was more amused by the whole thing. But you could not know how she would react.
Saava: I am concerned. A 3% unfavorable shift is alarming.
Zenno: No, it is not. ::pause:: Saava, we have known each other for a long time. You know I am not one to be needlessly angry or petulant. But I will say this. You could be the most Vulcan Vulcan who has ever Vulcaned. The most exquisitely logical and emotionless being since Surak himself. But I implore you to acknowledge that those around you are not. We are in Starfleet and we are surrounded by those who are different from us.
Saava: That is wisdom. I do not have the opportunity to gain such, here on this vessel.
He thought she was implying something, but he couldn’t quite figure out what it was.
Zenno: I am sorry that your assignment doesn’t suit you. But I am still waiting for an apology.
Saava: ::Firm:: Zenno! ::Pause, then more softly:: Zenno, I have learned that you do not do well when unsupervised. I was concerned about your health. I made charts. Is an apology warranted?
The bolt of realization hit him squarely in the heart. This was not about him at all. He considered responding by flipping around the “unsupervised” comment, but he thought she may not appreciate him being so direct. Perhaps a change in tone would help.
Zenno: ::Kindly:: If you say that we are better as a team, I would not dispute it. That is also wisdom.
Saava’s image paused, and for just a moment, Zenno wasn’t sure if the connection had frozen or had been lost. But she was just considering his words. Or more likely in her case, analyzing.
Saava: Then I will say it could have been considered unwise to send the message to the Doctor. Clearly, I have not taken all variables into account.
He couldn’t help but smile. That was as much as he was likely to get from her.
Zenno: ::Ruefully:: Then I will say we must each suffer on without the proper supervision for the time being, honored friend.
Saava: I see that our long association has taught you some subtlety. Admirable. ::beat:: Now will you follow my advice and correct this glaring 3% shift? It’s most disconcerting. If it is not corrected, I may have to escalate the issue to your Captain.
He paused and processed.
Zenno: ::Tentative:: Is.. is that a joke?
Saava raised an eyebrow in a typical Vulcan fashion.
Saava: Jokes are illogical.
He slowly nodded.
Zenno: Yes, yes they are. ::Big smiles::
And for some reason he couldn’t fully understand, he wasn't angry anymore.
NT/END
Lt Zenno
Acting Security Chief
USS Arrow
A240006Z13
And
Ensign Saava
Nurse, Medical Division
USS White Pine
As simmed by
Lt Connor Dewitt
Engineer
USS Arrow
A239901CD3