Ensign Selara — Sugar and Spice
magnolia
((Interior. Starbase 821, Deck 506. Outside the Main Science Office 1. Mid-Afternoon. Second Day After Docking.))
Collins: Come!
Upon the chime, Selara’s stance behind the door straightened some. One might have thought the woman to be encumbered by her baggage, but looks were often deceiving. The practiced fitness of her people made it so that she was able to make her way into the office rather easily, disposition ever-bright. Still, the thing swinging about her shoulder was somewhat of a nuisance.
Selara: I’m Selara, and I’m hoping this is the correct place. Not that it was any hardship coming to meet you, Sir, but the computer must be sick of me already. :Unable to keep herself from chuckling airily, lithe fingers toying idly with the medkit’s strap.: I lost count after the eighth time I asked for directions.
Collins: Quentin Collins, Ensign. A pleasure. Please, make yourself comfortable. You can toss your kit anywhere. Can I offer you something? ::Indicating the room's replicator as he crossed up and around the desk to offer her his hand::
Selara: :Instantly depositing the kit in question down out of the way, admittedly glad to do so: Jestral tea would be lovely, thank you.
Selara’s words came smilingly, and Quentin’s hand was met within a matter of seconds. The woman refused to allow their contact to linger as she would have done upon Rubicun III. Over her few years away from the planet, she had cited the discomfort such intimacy often led to when it came to foreign social customs. In regards to first meetings, this was particularly notable, and the last thing Selara wanted was to embarrass herself so quickly before the first officer. Thus, slender hands were soon furled about the pleasingly warm tea; a minute victory that left the woman contented as she ventured in for a delicate first sip.
Collins: It says here you come from a family of Mediators, is your becoming a medical practitioner your version of joining "the family business"?
Had it not been for said tea, the laugh that left Selara’s lips might have been far more boisterous than the one that actually came to fruition. Just as she wasn’t looking to imply any untoward advances, the Edo certainly didn’t wish to spill the stuff and scold herself. It appeared, though, that Selara was quite easily entertained, bringing svelte shoulders up in a fond sort of shrug as she pondered Collins’ words.
Selara: My version, I suppose. To the Edo, a Mediator is one who upholds our law in a more general sense. :Brows furrowing in thought, lips jutting outward in a contemplative pout.: I suppose the ‘real’ equivalent would have been my becoming a security officer, Sir. My brother considered the idea, but stayed to train under my father back home..
Collins: Just trying to get to know you better before I slip from "First Officer" into "Patient". I have a...pre-existing condition I thought it prudent to make you aware of before we are to start working together. You'll find I am quite the multitasker, Doctor. Or...do you prefer your rank or another pronoun?
Selara: Doctor is just fine, Sir! And I apologise, I was so excited to hear from you I neglected to ask about anything specific you might have liked me to bring. I hope a standard kit will be sufficient?
Collins:
One smile of affirmation later, and it wasn’t long before Selara had reached out for the discarded pouch of equipment. Thankfully, she had left it nearby, and its retrieval only required a brief pause from her tea. Ah, the beverages — the Edo’s chosen topic of mindless chatter as she rifled through the kit quite happily.
Selara: Ginger root has wonderful restorative properties; anti-inflammatory, antibacterial. Very aromatic, too! Plantlife back home is not too dissimilar to that of Earth’s, but I think that only made me all the more curious while studying it. :Smiling still, grey eyes gleaming and enthused as she descended into rambling.: The first time I properly tasted ginger was in bread form. Or no, is it a cookie? In the form of a little humanoid man, it was very—. Sorry.
Collins:
TBC