Lt Jovenan – Sorry, I left the stove on
Jovenan
((Grombria’s office, Palais de la Concorde, Paris))
The Councillor was visibly disappointed. It was already a regular occurrence to Jovenan to cause a superior of hers to feel that way, but this time was somewhat different. She hadn’t led a bunch of Ensigns to a booby-trapped cave nor taken unnecessary risks on a Borg Cube, but instead her boring personality had failed to provide entertainment to an individual from a culture heavily focused on leisurely activities.
Jovenan: Well, um, yes. I- I don’t use holodeck much for, um, recreational uses. I’m sure you can find more experienced people in the city if you want, um, other views on the matter. But I’ve heard others use them for things like adventures, or plays, or – or dances with people they like.
She didn’t know everything people were doing on holodecks off-hours. Even the last one on the list was from Vitor, and she didn’t know if that was something he would have done more than once. She, however, avoided thinking it any further, not wishing to remind herself of their conversation. Either way, she was stalling and trying to direct the discussion away from herself personally, finding herself squirming on her seat uncomfortably.
Adea: I sometimes do murder mysteries myself.
Jovenan didn’t turn to Genkos, but she was both appalled and intrigued. Having witnessed death, dying bodies and acts of horrendous nature, she couldn’t imagine why would anyone want to expose themselves to such things voluntarily, but at the same time, she could see the appeal in finding the criminals – and punishing them appropriately.
The Councillor, however, ignored Genkos and his crime stories, instead focusing on Jovenan, his eyes lit in a way she couldn’t quite interpret.
Grombria: People they “like”. Oh, and is there anyone that you “like”?
As the crimson hues overtook her face, Jovenan blasted her response, quick and without consideration.
Jovenan: No, nothing like that! As I said, I have friends, and all the crew are like a family to me now, but I, um, don’t have any relationships that would be more intimate than that.
The intrigued expression on the Councillor’s face turned to disappointment again. Jovenan felt bad for having caused that chance in him, but she was telling the truth. She had a quick glance at Genkos, finding that he too had a blush on his face. Somehow, she had managed to provoke a negative reaction in both her superiors present. Perhaps it hadn’t been the best idea from her to invite him along with her, considering the topics they had ended up discussing. Perhaps she should have guessed that this would happen.
Grombria: Oh, but ::he raised a stubby finger:: is there a chance? A chance is better than none!
Jovenan: I doubt that. I’m not particularly skilled in forming or keeping lasting relations with others.
The Councillor sighed and crashed down on to his seat. An extended silence followed in the office room, while Jovenan struggled with the thought that she should do something to remedy the situation she had caused. What she had said had been true, she had known none of the people around her just three years ago, and those people who knew her back then probably didn’t remember her any more. The same applied to all her relationships before that; the people in the Academy, in the University, back in God’s Claims, she had cruelly severed all her ties to those people as soon as she could. There was something wrong with her, she knew it.
But she also wanted to admit that she hadn’t been entirely honest. Maybe there was a chance after all, if she were brave enough to seize it. But she didn’t want to say it, as she feared saying it would make her feelings true.
Adea: Oh, look at that - we’re due at Starfleet command ::bullplopping wildly:: in twenty minutes. ::he gave Grombria a conspiratorial look:: Debriefing after that Frontier Day disaster. Top secret. Hush hush.
Jovenan turned to Genkos rapidly, raising first one eyebrow and then both of them. He hadn’t said anything about such a meeting, she for sure didn’t have something like that planned, and if he had had something, he should have declined her invitation. Unless… Genkos lied! He had lied to a high-ranking Federation official and a dignitary! Surely that was something illegal, she shouldn’t take part in…
Grombria: Go, go, go, don’t let me make you late!
The Councillor’s ecstatic cries were enough to make them rush out of the office. Jovenan followed Genkos to the door, somewhat confused over what had come to the both of them.
Jovenan: Um, thank you for your time, Councillor, and for the drinks too! It was nice meeting you, health and happiness!
Her final, Edo greeting was practically shouted towards the closing door. She looked at the door for a moment before turning to Genkos, her eyebrows still lifted to an expression of puzzlement. He, instead, appeared happy to get out of there.
Adea: You okay? That was… interesting?
Jovenan: Yes, everything’s fine. ::pause:: I should ask the same from you, though. What do you think of him and the meeting?
Adea: Response
They walked across the mostly empty office corridor back to the lifts they had used on their way there, returning to the ground floor.
Jovenan: He’s a unique person, for certain, but also very Edo in a way. I hope he didn’t change your perception of my people. ::pause:: Or me.
Adea: Response
A short security check later, they found themselves outside again. Looking down the Champs-Elysée towards the Arc de Triomphe towering over the trees and palaces along the street, Jovenan took in some more of the fresh planet air, the smells of flowers and the various human activities and all. She had been nervous to meet the Councillor when they had walked in there, but now she wasn’t sure what to think of it.
Jovenan: I’m sorry about all that. I genuinely thought it would be more… political, and formal. It got rather personal at times. I hope you didn’t get too bored or embarrassed.
Adea: Response
After a moment, she turned to him again, with a hint of a smirk on her face.
Jovenan: So, murder mysteries? If you ever need company, I’d be more than happy to repay the atrocities I made you sit through today.
Adea: Response
TAG/End scene for Jovenan
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Lieutenant Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11