Ensign Tho’Bi - Snow Drifts and Stick Insects

[Tobi]

((Deck 7 - USS Artemis-A))

The Orion attack had so damaged the Artemis, it had taken so many shifts to piece her back together, it felt odd to the young Engineering Ensign to walk her corridors undamaged. There was no acrid stink, no cracked and shunted bulkhead, control consoles remained free of rogue pixels, beneath his feet the Warp Core purred, untroubled. 

How was it possible, he wondered. How could so much damage be dispatched so seamlessly?  

Artemis was fixed, but he was not.

Still his damage festered, refusing to be replaced or renewed.

He had attempted to repair the damage.

He had spoken to Lieutenant Vailani, who had, in her own way, he felt, intended to be helpful; that is until Crewman Leone arrived with the new doorframe. The young Ensign was still bemused by the ferocity of the Lieutenant's reaction to what was a not atypical, ill-disciplined, ill-mannered Enlisted.

More measured and constructive conversations came with Lieutenant Commander Jovenan and Captain MacKenzie; and it was the second of the two, who had set him on course for his current destination.

He had arrived outside the offices of ship's counsellor, Lori Lux. The Andorian shifted uneasy upon his feet. This was a very non-Andorian thing to do…. but attempting to fix a problem was a very Engineer thing to do. He resolved to side his judgement with his chosen expertise and not his inherited lineage. He pressed the door chime and waited. 

Lux: Response 

Instead of sliding open, the door swung open. The young Engineer was rendered motionless for a moment, as his eyes tracked the smooth arch of the opening door. It took a number of seconds for him to register, it was now expected of him to enter.

((Counsellor's Office - Counselling Suites - Deck 7 - USS Artemis-A))

Trepidation upon entering officers aboard a Starship was part of an Ensign's stock and trade, but this was different. He felt exposed. As though the simple act of crossing the threshold, signaled to the universe that he was broken, not right. By walking through the door, he had confessed himself a damaged thing in need of repair.

Tho'Bi: ::quiet:: Ensign Tho’Bi, Engineering. Ca-Captain MacKenzie recommended I speak with you.

The Andorian shifted uneasy upon his feet once again, every motion multiplied by his height. 

Lux: Response 

He moved to sit down. Leading first one foot, hesitating, and then leading with the other instead. His one-meter ninety-centimeter frame sank into the comfy armchair, like a big blue stick insect, stuck in quicksand. 

Lux: Response 

Tho'Bi: ::stilted uneven:: Erm.. I've been having trouble… with… ::fidget:: the… ::swallows:: Orion attack. ::head tilt:: I mean… my decisions d-during the attack.

It was exhausting just saying it out loud. The chair embraced him like a snow drift. He half wished it would just get on and bury him.

Lux: Response 

TAGS/TBC

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Ensign Tho’Bi

Engineering

USS Artemis-A

A240203T11