Lt JG Imril - Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted...
Chris Taylor
((OOC: As this conversation extends past the Epilogue, I decided to make this sim the start of a new thread))
(( Conference Room - Deck 1 - USS Karnack ))
The Conference Room was a mess. No, that wasn’t fair. It was a forensic site. Part of a chain of evidence counting a portion of the Karnack’s crew’s movements during the disaster that doomed her. Their final moments aboard before making their way to a shuttle or escape pod.
Another reason to come back to Callis. Searching for more marooned Starfleet personnel. The ones who hadn’t lucked into crashing near a means of escape.
The overhead lights remained dark, and that suited Imril fine. Their eyes didn’t want to cooperate with ceiling lamps. Outside, the streaking lines of stars stretched into ribbons of blue-shifted light.
Ollie stepped into the dim light surrounding the table and set his glass down before settling on the tabletop. He peered back into the shadows at Imril.
Imril tried to disturb as little of the collected debris as possible as they took a nearby seat and set their glass down ahead of them. Someone would want to examine what had happened here in every detail. And the notoriety of lifting off from a planet where it shouldn’t have been possible might yet earn the ship a place in a museum rather than a junkyard. Best to leave everything where it was. Plus or minus a couple stray champagne flutes.
Bergmen: Here we are, you and me. (beat) You know, I was thinking a lot about what you said. Now… and before. I… I get what you say, I understand. (beat) I see you, Imril. (beat) And I’m not scared. Not running away. I’m here. I’m here for you.
Imril settled into the chair with a ragged sigh. Whatever had been holding them upright all this time poured out of them. If Ollie was expecting the night to end in dancing, he’d be disappointed. Imril would be happy enough to be able to walk down to Sickbay.
Imril shook their head. Which turned out to not be as hard to do as waving.
Imril: We both know you didn’t run. I’m the one who asked for time, and you gave it to me. Thanks for that. I can see now, from how you looked at me back on the Bridge, how much that wait must have hurt. And I’m sorry.
Bergman: response
So why did they freeze up when Ollie first told them about their feelings?
Imril: Back on the Artemis, I would have had more of a preamble about my background. But you’ve kind of lived it now. The major bullet points, anyway. ::Motions a checkmark in the air:: Trapped on a planet that only wanted to grind you down and wasn’t going to let you go without a fight? That was Bactrica. At least the part I knew. ::Motions another checkmark:: Surrounded by beings, by minds, trying to tear you down and make you into something else? That was the Borg. Federation Day.
Bergman: response
Imril let out a soft laugh.
Imril: It’s nothing you had to be ‘warned’ about! I’m not broken or anything, I don't see myself that way. But I will state that I have put in the work to protect myself against ever going through either of those things again. Some of that preparation helped me stay true to myself today.
Before Ollie could answer, Imril pantomimed a third check mark. A motion which was easier to make with their elbow propped up on the table.
Imril: And I lost someone who might have been something more, too. Someone like Hannah was to you. His name was Khuban. ::A shiver:: I think… And I didn’t realize it until I really did make myself sit down and think about it… That I put up defenses there, too. Against getting that close in that way to someone again. Letting someone else come near the spot that he could have had in my heart.
Bergman: response
Imril: All that said -- And I swear I came to this conclusion before I got sucked towards another hive mind -- I think I’m ready to try. With you.
As Imril looked to read Ollie's face and waited for their reply, the silent stars streaked on by.
Bergman: response
TAG/TBC
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Lieutenant JG Imril
Engineering Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240110I12