Ensign D'tin Breys - Fruitful Conversation
Bea S
(( Science Lab 2 – Deck 9, USS Artemis-A ))
After some tense conversation with the strange mushroom, D’tin managed to squeeze some answers out of both the doctor and the fungus. Everything here was a solvable problem, or at least it seemed as such. She thought to herself about how this was the most Starfleet thing to happen to her since she joined the Artemis.
The most relevant detail she managed to glean was that Jeff here was attempting to spread more than he had room to. This held some potential concerns, but nothing that couldn’t be dealt with now.
Breys: I saw those, they’re the start of fruiting bodies, or at least they should be if this ::pause:: he ::pauses again and turns to Jeff:: you are anything like a normal mushroom. We just need to get you to a bigger enclosure, otherwise mold could grow over time. Fungus likes fungus.
Jeff: ~So I’m not going to die?~
He was still glowing amber with stress, or at least she thought it was stress. D’tin was beginning to grow tired of this snarky fungus.
Bancroft: No, Jeff. You aren’t going to die.
Jeff was giving up his indignant shade, but not his indignant tone.
Jeff: ~Super. I’d hate to die before watching you ruin an apology.~
It seemed like the two of them needed to talk it out. Breys held her tongue. Bancroft started a genuinely heartfelt speech. Obviously this man cared for this mushroom, and if that wasn’t beautiful D’tin wasn’t sure what was.
Bancroft: I was Callis, and after that Sickbay was… well… and then the Da’al and Havun and– ::stopping himself:: No. That’s why it happened, but it isn’t an excuse. I left you without arranging for anyone to look after you, and I’m sorry, Jeff.
The words hung in the air. D’tin considered opening her mouth, but after a few moments a voice returned to their minds. The tone had not improved in the slightest.
Jeff: ~Accepted. Let’s never do this again. I heard the entire internal thought process that brought you to those words, and it sounded like a failed hostage negotiation.~
Breys: So you two are made up now then?
Bancroft seemed to be returning to the problem at hand. It wasn’t a desperate rush, Jeff was going to be fine. She just was uncomfortable seeing a superior officer argue with a mushroom.
Bancroft: Alright, D’tin, you clearly know way more about this than I do. You take the lead. Tell me what you need from me.
With a pulse through his mycelial network, Jeff began to glow blue again. He seemed to be on board.
Jeff: ~Look at you, making adult choices. Yes, let’s have an expert design my new home – not whatever half-cocked nonsense your deeply rooted guilt complex was going to cook up.~
Bancroft glared at the jar. D’tin couldn’t blame him.
Breys: I wanted to ask one more question first. Have you ever produced more sporocarps before?
Jeff: ~Sporowhats? You’re going to have to be more specific. I’m not classically trained.~
Breys: Fruiting bodies, You know, like other mushrooms?
Jeff pulsed a bright blue.
Jeff: ~Are you saying I’m going to be a father?~
Breys resisted putting her head in her hands.
Bancroft: Response
Breys: I think it depends on if the mycelium is part of your consciousness. Often mushrooms and mycelium will be two distinct species, but most commonly they are fairly connected to the network. Depending where you are on that spectrum, these might just be like extra noses.
Jeff: ~Don’t play with my heart like this! I’ve always dreamed of raising a family of my own.~
At this point D’tin was ignoring him. Sometimes you have to focus on the task at hand.
Bancroft: Response
The procedure still should have been simple. The only real risk was damaging Jeff’s mycelium.
Breys: I don’t think we have a way to test it. We’re going to have to give him a larger enclosure and see what happens.
Jeff: ~I hope my new house has a pool. That’s what all of you want in a home right? Some nice moisture to absorb biomass next to?
At least he had a sense of humour.
Bancroft: Response
Breys: Let’s start with an atmosphere controlled terrarium ::quietly, to Bancroft:: It should help control his spores from spreading. Based on the fact that I can hear him, they aren’t contained properly. ::returning to full volume:: We should have a few for plant samples that don’t survive in oxygen based environments. They’re also fairly expandable, for the future’s sake.
Jeff: ~You know I can hear what you’re thinking, right? Please don’t cut me off from the outside world.~
Bancroft: Response
TAG/TBC
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Ensign D’tin Breys
Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240301DB4