Ensign Meris - Rare Stones; Familiar Streams
Meris/Brian
(( Molly Malone’s Irish Pub – First Promenade, Deck 225, Deep Space 224 ))
Meris hadn't intended the conversation with Lieutenant Storm to become as deep as it had. They could sense they were standing at the edge of a chasm for the Tactical Officer in front of them. They needed to tread lightly, lest they push Alex Storm off the edge.
Storm: You’re right. That’s different than most societies I’m familiar with. But isn’t that part of the wonder of the Federation - we are all different, but we can work together in harmony.
Storm picked up her glass and took one last sip of the Flavor Cracker.
Meris: Indeed. ::nodding:: That is what I believe. ::a beat:: Lieutenant Storm, did you ever have moments where your family disagreed with your career path?
Storm: Not with my career path. ::She shook her head:: But there was a different decision they didn’t agree with.
The J'naii tilted their head, listening to the Betazoid.
Meris: Had they disagreed, would you have presented an organized series of compelling arguments - or simply changed the subject to a more agreeable statistical anomaly?
Alex seemed to consider this for a long moment.
Storm: I’m ashamed to say that I did what my parents asked of me. I made a request of them. They denied it, and I caved.
The J'naii listened and took in what Storm was saying. Something in the Tactical Officer's expression told them this was a dark area of regret for the older woman. They felt for the woman before them and continued, treading lightly.
Meris: You should not be ashamed. It is difficult to stand up to authority figures who are in our lives from the very beginning. Most would have done exactly as you did. ::a beat:: If you could repeat that moment, what would you do differently?
Storm: I wish I would have refused...
The helmsperson nodded, watching Storm. Meris could see something troubling her deeply. They wanted to reach out and offer solace, but just as they were about to, Storm seemed to move past it.
Storm: ...but that’s for another time. Both of us have to make the most of what we have now.
Meris: We do. ::nodding:: And I can tell you have a great deal of strength within you. You will weather this storm. And you will have your friends on the Artemis to stand beside you against the gale. ::nodding resolutely:: Sil... and I.
Alex turned to face the J’naii, locking eyes with them, her words falling out deliberately.
Storm: I admire your courage - the courage to step outside of what your culture and parents expected of you. Not everyone can do that or will do that. You’ve got an extraordinary spirit, Meris. Never let anyone tell you differently. Even Lieutenant Vailani.
Meris couldn’t hold back the surprised look that flashed briefly across their face. They had never thought of themself as courageous. It wasn’t a word that had ever been used to describe them by anyone, and it touched the pilot more deeply than they expected — like finding a rare stone in a familiar stream.
Meris: I-I thank you, Lieutenant. That is an... unexpected adjective to hear associated with me. I... thank you.
The J'naii took a beat, looking down at the pub’s floor before straightening again.
Meris: You are... most kind, Lieutenant. And if ever you require someone to remind you of your own strength, I will do so.
Storm: Response.
Meris let a hint of a smile appear at the corner of their mouth — a conscious choice to ease the heaviness between them.
Meris: ::with suppressed humor:: If necessary, I can even provide motivational cue cards as needed.
Storm: Response.
(( Tags/End scene for Meris ))
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Ensign Meris
Helm Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240207M14