Lieutenant Hallia Yellir - Mutually Accomplished

[Ryan Fender]

((Chief Engineer’s Office, Deck 15, USS Artemis-A))

Yellir: Mm! Scent is very sacred to Caitians, these particular candles are difficult to make. They use a particularly potent cocktail of plants to make it, so I apologize if it's overpowering.

Handing Salkath the candle, there was a hesitance in his grasp that mirrored her own. The Yelikan folded her hands on her desk in front of her, very carefully watching how his hands cradled the candle. He set it back in its place to follow the inverse of her actions. Back in its holder.

Salkath: No apologies necessary. I appreciate learning more about the candle and its significance.

Being far too caught up in this meeting, a brief thought had struck her mind— anytime she had visited a superior’s office, she was always offered a drink. Hallia pushed herself from her seat and gestured to the replicator.

Yellir: Oh— before I forget, can I get you anything to drink? ::gesturing to her replicator::

While she herself got up, Hallia moved with a very leisurely pace, almost awaiting for Salkath to make a request. He seemed to think it over for a few moments until ordering. There was part of her that understood the informality— but it was what she had learned. To her, it was simply politeness.

Salkath: Tarkalean tea, please. Mind if I take a seat?

Yellir: Of course, of course, make yourself at home.

Salkath accepted the proffered drink, and gazed evenly at his colleague. She was the first of her people that Salkath had served with, and her distinguishing features were unique. He took a sip of his beverage before continuing their conversation.

The Yelikan quickly spoke the orders to the replicator, with two cups materializing before her. Two clear mugs, one was filled with a drink that looked to be an ordinary tea at first glance, a clear and deep red liquid. The other had been topped with a thick white foam, covered with flakes of chocolate.

She grabbed for the tea first, carefully setting the drink down before setting down her’s. Hallia’s office was suddenly very fragrant as sweet and bitter odours began to dance in the air.

Salkath: I have you at a disadvantage, Lieutenant. I have taken the liberty of accessing your service record, and I see that engineering was not your first departmental posting?

Hallia took a sip before slowly tilting her head. While caught off guard, she wasn’t entirely unprepared for the question.

Yellir: ::setting down her cup:: It is a little unorthodox. I studied physical sciences on the Resolution— xenobiology, meteorology, I even dabbled with astrophysics, but it wasn’t really my strong suit. To be very honest, I’m still rather shocked that I was offered the position.

Salkath: It is a logical progression. The physical sciences dictate the basis of our work in Engineering. One could argue your experiences make you a more proficient engineer than one who did not have the same.

While not necessarily on guard in the first place— she could feel herself put at ease by the fact that Salkath didn’t seem to worry about her competence. She felt like a pufferfish retracting its spikes.

Yellir: I appreciate that, that’s very high praise coming from you commander. Considering much of our ship runs with bio-neural circuitry, I’ve appreciated working with something a bit more… organic. 

Salkath: Response?

She picked up the PADD after yet another sip. It was clear it wasn’t cooled enough— Hallia could still feel the scalding heat moving downwards through her chest

Yellir: You’re a very accomplished Engineer yourself, why settle for a Starship of all places?

Salkath: Response?

TAG/TBC

_____________________

Lieutenant Hallia Yellir 

Chief Engineer

USS Artemis-A

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