Samantha Richards - Did I Make the Captain Cry?
Samantha Richards
((Sickbay - Deck 7, USS Artemis))
Sam, now out of breath, bowed and held her arms out to her sides to indicate her humility was over. At least she hoped. After straightening herself back up, she looked MacKenzie in the eyes for the first time.
Richards: Well. ::Wiping sweat off her forehead:: What did you think?
The room was quiet as Sam straightened herself up and waited for whatever fate lay ahead. Then, something unexpected happened.
MacKenzie stood up and began to clap. Whether it was genuine or not remained to be seen. Sam took it in stride.
RIchards: I expect nothing less Captain…
Jaran: Sir, of course, sir.
MacKenzie: Oh, that was magnificent. I haven’t seen or heard anything like that before. And to think you did it all for me.
With a smile and nod the now extremely tired scientist took a moment to think about how a harmless prank with a handful of small rocks, turned into her singing and dancing along with what was possibly the most enthusiastic impromptu belaklavion performance ever.
The galaxy worked in mysterious ways.
Richards: ::Gesturing to Jaran:: Well, I couldn’t have done it without my wonderful musical genius here.
That was when Jaran took the instrument back to the replicator.
MacKenzie: And who taught you to play the belaklovion, Ensign?!
Thankfully the attention was turning away from her. Maybe that was her time to cut her losses and run out of the sickbay. But she didn’t.
Jaran: My grandfather, sir. Raka-ja ut shala morala. He thought it was important for every child to learn an instrument. I guess, technically, I did learn something.
Richards: You did great with such little preparation time we had.
She tilted her head to the side as the captain smiled, nodded and sniffled? Was she crying?
MacKenzie: As spectacular as that was, I’m sure you ::nodding:: have to get back to the lab, and I know that Lieutenant Morgan has no doubt assigned something to keep Ensign Jaran busy… And I have a meeting with Commander Munro. You’d both better get back to work. Thank you for such a wonderful surprise!
MacKenzie made a very quick departure. Sam heard the Bajoran let out a breath.
Jaran: ::breathlessly:: Sam, that was… what was that?
Richards: That was one of the unfortunate circumstances of being posted on a ship that brings you within three meters of my presence.
They began to pace, clearly a bit befuddled at their first interaction with the captain.
Jaran: Finish with your chaos. I’ll leave you to it. Just leave me out of it when Dr. Morgan inevitably pops his top.
Sam grimaced a bit.
Richards: I will assure him that you had nothing to do with it. If I get caught.
Sam took a few moments to bow to the nurses and patients that had gathered to watch her turn into the captain's personal jester. As she went to head towards the door, Jaran left her with a last thought.
Jaran: Oh! And Miss Richards. If you ever want to put on another show, let me know.
Richards: You got it! Maybe next time we can wear costumes.
With a chuckle, Sam gave Jaran a goodbye wave and she headed back to the safety of her babies, who judged her much less than Captain MacKenzie had.
End for Sam!
Samantha Richards