Lt. JG. Gavrin Tarsan - Always a Surprise
Sean Sabbage
((Elysium, Deck 6, USS Artemis-A))
Gavrin really needed to think about what he was saying before he opened his mouth in front of any of the doctors on the ship. He kept admitting to a plethora of injuries and close calls, and at this rate the entire medical staff were going to think that he was accident-prone, wrap him in padding and refuse to let him leave the ship.
Actually, that didn’t sound like a terrible idea.
Bancroft: Alright, I trust you. ::lifting his glass slightly:: Though if you find any blank spots from when you were upright and answering to your name, I expect you to come to Sickbay, yeah?
Foiled!
Tarsan: Of course. I’ll pre-book my next medical for immediately after the next mission.
As Roy leaned back against the bar, Gavrin considered for a moment that he had never been able to lean back against a bar without looking like a particularly awkward twig reclining at too sharp a degree.
Bancroft: So, first mission – first real mission – under your belt. Several ribbons, one shiny new pip, and a handful of dismissed charges. ::taking a sip:: How does it feel?
Well that was a good question. Gavrin had always been slower than most Betazoids at processing his emotions, and he fell silent as he took a moment to do just that, taking a long sip of his drink to cover it ineffectually.
And once he’d processed it he had to decide how to answer it. Honestly, or cover it with some stupid joke or false confidence.
He picked the first option. Roy was owed that much at the least.
Tarsan: Feels…weird. Like… I don’t deserve it? I didn’t see any of it coming, not on my first mission. And not after I nearly dropped the XO on her head. Feels like I should have gotten a demotion rather than a promotion.
Bancroft: Yeah. That sounds familiar. ::a beat:: Everybody else seems awfully sure you earned it, and you’re still reconstructing the case.
He gave Gavrin’s shoulder a brief, companionable squeeze.
Bancroft: I was there for most of what you did, and I read Commander Munro’s report on the rest. You did good work, Gavrin. The ribbons aren’t charity, and neither is that pip. ::a small smile:: I’m proud of you. You earned those. You don’t have to believe all of it tonight – but don’t argue with it too hard, alright?
Gavrin grinned at Roy, his cheeks colouring slightly at the other man's declaration of pride and shook his head quickly.
Tarsan: Hey, if there’s one thing I have learned here, it’s don’t argue with the Captain. I’m pretty sure the airlocks aren’t limited only to Ensigns.
Bancroft: Response
The Betazoid nodded in agreement, considering the doctor with a thoughtful look, tipping his head to the side and gesturing to his new pip.
Tarsan: And how about you? How do you feel about your promotion?
Bancroft: response
Gavrin thought back to the ceremony, to all the reactions of all the officers in the room and hummed to himself, shaking his head. He looked around at all the officers in the room, enjoying themselves, none of them seeming to take it for granted.
Tarsan: I don’t think anyone in the room felt like they were expecting to be promoted, you know?
Bancroft: response
TBC/TAG!