Ensign Zenno - Playing the Uno Reverse Card
Cobalt Penumbra
((Deck 2, Crew’s Mess, USS Arrow))
Zenno: Not at all! I too, am eager to talk. I was just thinking about how much I am missing talking to my sister. She is also in Starfleet but is not permitted communications due to mission security right now. ::thinking:: We must have overlapped at the Academy but I don't think we have met before? So many people, it's hard to keep track.
Berry: Yeah, we probably didn't meet. The academy is a busy place, am I right? And besides, I'm a counselor, and you certainly aren't one. There's a big chance that we didn't have the same classes.
Zenno: Ah, that's it then. I doubt we had any classes or assignments in common then. Being a counselor on such a small ship, though! I imagine that might have challenges?
Berry: Probably, but how could I know? This is my very first assignment. Oh, about the size of the ship, it's certainly... Smaller than I expected. ::laughs quietly:: I wasn't expecting a Sovereign, I just thought I'd be assigned to a vessel with a size similar to those old... What were they called? Oh, right! California-class ships.
Zenno: I realize I have been rude. My apologies. I did not return the answer to the same question I had asked you, Ensign Holly Berry. For my part, I am not from my home world. I was born and raised in space. Starbase 307. I loved being there. It was a tremendously wonderful place to grow up.
Berry: Rude? Don't worry, It's not a big deal. Also, please call me Holly. We're both the same rank, after all. Or call me Berry, if you want. It's the same.
Zenno pondered for just a moment. oO Holly and Berry are the same? I will ask the computer to analyze this later. Humans are strange. Oo
Zenno: If I may ask, why did you choose to become a counselor? What drew you to that work? I find it very interesting why people selected whichever career track.
Berry: Well, for me it's just because I like using words to help others. And I wish I could become a diplomat in the future, I think it's a very noble position in Starfleet. What about you? Why did you choose Security?
Zenno: There are very few of my kind in this field, if you didn’t know. We are very social as a type. Security tends to put up walls between people and so it’s considered an inappropriate career choice by proper Bolian families. But as a child I had read about the frequent Romulan attacks, invasions, and subjugation attempts they had made against my home world. I felt it was an area where my people should devote more resources. My family had pushed me and my water siblings into Engineering or Science. I tried it for a little while and I could not sustain even the slightest interest in it. I joined Starfleet and discovered early on I had a knack for tactical thinking and law enforcement, so I chose that and ended up here. ::mmmm Altair Water, yummm:: I am only a few months ahead of you so I have only just completed my first mission here. And that mission required that I make extensive use of my engineering knowledge. Naturally, I have sworn upon ocean and river never to speak of that to my family. They would eagerly use it as fuel for petty torments. ::rueful smile:: With good intentions, of course. ::nods:: While Starfleet is a fine choice, Security is a regrettable one in their eyes. But I do like it. oO This is too much information. You are talking too much. Are you trying to have a counseling session? Why are you like this? Oo
Holly: I can see why you picked it. Oh, how old did you say you were? Assuming that you told me, of course. I'm 23, by the way.
Zenno: ::momentary thinking:: I always have to translate. Even thought I was born and raised in space, in my culture we calculate ages based on the number of tides in thousands. It’s 25 in the same units you used. If a Bolian had asked me the same, I would say 161, since it has been 161,024 tides since I met the ocean. oO She is asking a lot of questions. I am not a good conversation partner. Even Grall is better at talking to people than me. Ask a question! Ask about… Oo
Berry: Anyway, I think we should talk about... ::stutters:: Hobbies, I guess? Sorry, sometimes I just mess up with words. So, I'll go first... I like listening to music and singing along when I can. Though I sometimes prefer classical, I also enjoy 1980s rock. I think those eras were the peak of music! Oh, I also stay in the Holodeck every time I am off duty. I love finding fictional stories to experience with my own body, if you know what I mean. The stories from the early 21st century are especially good. It's a bit hard to find them but it's usually worth it. Sometimes I even create my own, from scratch. It's my way to escape reality. ::she starts to gradually lower her tone:: For example there is this one scenario in which an AI takes over a structure and traps you inside and makes you solve test chambers... For some reason? ::she stops to take a breath:: I'm so sorry I did it again. I should stop talking too much, really. Hold on a second. I'll be right back.
Zenno saw the Ensign pop up and head to the bar. oO She didn’t even ask if I wanted anything? Isn’t that the custom? Have I insulted New Colleague Ensign Holly Berry? How embarrassing I am. I will research this later. Hrm... I do not envy her road. Being a new counselor and the only one aboard such a small vessel will be difficult. Here she comes. I’m surprised she returns. I thought she might make an exit after my ridiculous attempts at conversation. Even though there are so many humans in the Starfleet, I am not as practiced with their interpersonal peculiarities. Oo
Zenno: A sparkling water. We call this anzushala, Very refreshing. Enjoy. You were talking about Holodecks and music? And your singing along to songs?
Berry: Response?
Zenno: I am unfamiliar with those musical genres. If you’d like to recommend some selections, I would gladly listen. One of the things I so enjoyed about my time in the Academy was learning about my classmates and their cultures. I mostly spent time with a Vulcan, a Tellarite, and a Saurian. We were quite the group. But now I get the chance to learn about what even more cultures are like. Truly, we live in an age of wonders. Would you send me a list?
Berry: Response?
Zenno: Wonderful. When it comes to Holodecks though, I admit that I do not see the appeal. I use them extensively for training, practice, combat simulations, and historical analysis. But I don’t enjoy role-playing stories. I know I am the exception in this. But I joined Starfleet for the greatest adventure the Federation had to offer. I find holodeck stories poor and meager in comparison to the wonder and majesty of the galaxy that is actually in front of us. If I had tried to create a story that even remotely compared to the travails of our recent mission, I am certain I would have failed. ::pause:: I know this is an unusual position. oO Are you TRYING to get New Colleague Ensign Holly Berry to hate you from the start? Oo
Berry: Response?
Zenno: That is an astute observation. I see why you are well-suited to being a counselor. For my personal creative pursuits, I write poetry in my language. It’s not good, but I like writing it. ::shrugs:: But I would enjoy hearing about where you are from. I did not explore Earth all that much in school. Would you tell me of your corner of it? oO They might have tasty things to try there too. Would love to know about that… Oo
Berry: Response?
Tag/TBC
Ensign Zenno
Security Officer
USS Arrow
A240006Z13