Ensign Meris - The Smallest Things
Meris/Brian
(( Elysium - Main Lounge, Deck 6 - USS Artemis-A ))
Meris watched as Ollie Bergmen selected a PADD from his stack with which to take notes. They truly hoped the Lieutenant wouldn't topple the stack in the process of doing so.
Meris: You see, the placard next to the door to my quarters has me listed as the Artemis' helmsman.
The look in Lieutenant Bergmen’s eyes suggested that a light bulb had just turned on within his head. He offered them an assuring smile.
Bergmen: That can be addressed, Ensign Meris, and quickly, I’m quite sure. ::pause as he establishes eye contact:: In the name of Operations, I would like to express our deepest apologies. This shouldn’t happen. I will take personal actions to make all adjustments personally.
The J'naii nodded appreciatively, bowing their head slightly to Bergmen.
Meris: I would appreciate that, Lieutenant.
Bergmen bit his lip and gave a hesitant nod.
Bergmen: You know what? Why don't you come with me? Why delay addressing something we can fix right now? ::smiles::
That did slightly catch the J'naii off guard.
Meris: Me? Right now?
Ollie stood up from the table and offered his hand to Ensign Meris with a warm, friendly smile.
Meris still hadn't gotten that drink they'd wanted, but if they were going to trouble the Lieutenant, then they should at least be willing to play along if Bergmen was willing to resolve the matter so expeditiously.
Meris: I-I suppose... ::rising and taking his hand::
(( Operations Center, Deck 5 - USS Artemis-A ))
Thankfully, it seemed Bergmen didn't intend to hold their hand the entire way to the Operations Center.
Once the duo was out of Elysium, they'd taken a more natural posture walking together down the corridors, and soon Meris was following the Lieutenant into some kind of workshop at the rear of the Operations Center. They watched as he picked up a golden metal sliver from a rack, cleaned it on the back of his uniform sleeve, then inspected it and set it into an engraving machine.
They never would have guessed that this was how it was done, even in the modern age. Bergmen worked behind a console and soon waved them over, stepping aside so they could look at what he'd done.
Bergmen: I know, it’s old-fashioned and all. We could simply replicate your door label and be done with it, but you know, it's a tradition to give the smallest things in our lives a personal touch, because... ::pause:: Those smallest things can be the most important, and we just don’t know that until we do. ::smiles:: So, up to you, Ensign, what do you want to have there?
Meris thought that was a rather poetic thought the Lieutenant had shared. In truth, it sent an unexpected tingle through them that caught them slightly off guard ... again.
oO Why, Mister Bergmen... Oo
Bergmen pointed to the touchscreen and Meris stepped forward, looking at the console. Tentatively, they used one finger to type out H-e-l-m-s-p-e-r-s-o-n and then looked to Bergmen for approval.
Meris: Would that be all right?
Ollie reached around the ensign and checked their work. He then set the machine into motion, and a whirring sound told them both that the engraving was taking place.
Bergmen: And now we need to wait about five minutes before it's done, and then we can go and change it, simple like that. ::smiles::
Meris: Thank you, Lieutenant Bergmen. I appreciate your willingness to be so ... accommodating.
Bergmen: Response.
Soon the whirring stopped and Meris looked to see if the machine was done. They felt a small hint of pride that they'd been a part of creating the new placard for beside their quarters door and waited for Bergmen to remove it from the machine.
Meris: You know, Lieutenant. You don't need to trouble yourself with helping me to install it. You've done so much already. I can take it from here. You should be enjoying your shore leave.
In truth, Bergmen had been so helpful - so accommodating - that the J'naii now felt a little foolish for having bothered him at all.
Bergmen: Response.
(( TAG/TBC ))
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Ensign Meris
Helm Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240207M14