Ensign Natasha Cole - Burgers, Botanicals, and Broken Tech
Natasha Schell
((Elysium Main Level - Deck 6 - USS Artemis-A))
As another waiter approached, balancing several plates. Suzie popped out from under the table and yelped at the server. Natasha instinctively reached out to help as the waiter began trying to set the plates down.
Munro: Finally, I'm starved :: to Suzie :: Calm.
Suzie sat immediately, Natasha was impressed with how well trained the dog was.
Cole: I had barely eaten anything this morning, so I can relate.
Munro: If only ensigns were so easy to train :: winks mischievously ::
Cole: ::feigning innocence:: I’m sure we’re a delight. Right after the caffeine kicks in and the panic wears off.
She cracked a smile as she picked up her cheeseburger, eyeing her fries she considered sneaking one to Suzie, but decided against it. She didn’t want to end up on Munro’s bad side.
Munro: The panic wears off? Good luck with that.
Cole: What was your first mission like as a junior officer?
Munro: Boring. I think it was a supply run and I was sent along to inventory all the containers. It was as dull as it sounds. Not exactly the excitement you had?
Suzie sat there staring at Natasha as if trying to will her into sharing a fry with her. Gently wagging her tail, just watching her slowly eat, doing a slight head tilt as if saying ’Please?’
Cole: ::looking at Suzie:: You have to ask your Mom, she’s the boss here.
Munro: She knows she doesn't get to eat when we eat.
Suzie whimpered and lowered herself down, with a huff she placed her head onto her paws.
Natasha nodded, seeing that Suzie realized she wasn’t gonna make a patsy out of her.
Munro: Trust me it's better this way. Suzie can be stubborn when it comes to food. There was a time when I couldn't even take her into a restaurant.
Cole: ::setting her burger down after a healthy bite, and swallowing:: She definitely looks like she knows I won’t be her enabler.
Natasha watched as Munro dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. It looked like the new executive officer was raised by someone who practiced a higher class of etiquette and manners. She took her time eating, being sure to not make a mess that might provide Suzie with an excuse to misbehave.
Munro: So, I know all about why you joined Starfleet. What do you do for fun? Must be an ensign hot spot around here?
Natasha thought for a moment about potential Ensign Hotspots, she wasn’t fully sure, still being relatively new herself. Admittedly she had tried to keep herself busy.
Cole: I try to keep myself busy between shifts. I enjoy Mystery Holo Novels, practicing a few different martial arts amongst a few other physical activities. I also like to tinker on antique technology. I know some Ensigns get together for a game night of sorts in the Mess somewhat regularly, and of course there’s here in Elysium. ::motioning towards a few Ensigns who had just walked in joking and laughing::
Munro: I don't know, I feel like I'm in one of those fancy restaurants on Earth. I like my places a little more :: thinks of the word :: broken. Somewhere with some real character.
The Commander paused to sip her drink.
Munro: I do a little tinkering now and again. Nothing fancy and definitely wouldn't trust myself with an antique. What are you working on?
Cole: I’m currently waiting on a surprisingly well preserved NX era communicator’s power cell to be recharged, thanks to the help of my roommate.
Munro: Now that is rare.
Cole: The communicator, it was a graduation gift from my ‘Aunt’ Rea, It looked like it had just come off the line, sleek brushed metal, no grit in the mechanism, no signs it had been dropped or handled rough. Even the black enamel on the control studs hadn’t worn down. The only thing giving away its age—or maybe its story—was the dead power cell. It wasn’t cracked or corroded, just… empty. Like someone had turned it off in the middle of a conversation and never turned it back on again.
Munro: All combadges, even back then, should have a unique identifier. You find that you might find the story.
Cole: What about you Commander, what do you do for fun?
Munro: I tinker, like you. Nothing serious though. I also keep some plants in my quarters - mainly because my mother sends me them from our homeworld :: shrugs :: She's a botanist, it's the only way she knows how to show love. That or she's hoping to populate the galaxy with Naura plants, one cutting at a time. It's just me that has to look after them. I promise there is more to me than plants.
Cole: ::sipping her drink:: I look forward to hearing more, when your comfortable sharing.
From below the table Suzie whined, Natasha wondered if it was her dinner time.
Munro: I really should get her back to our quarters. I've really enjoyed this, so thank you for keeping me company.
Cole: I was happy to do so; it was insightful, thank you for allowing me to tag along.
Ava took to her feet and Suzie made haste to the exit.
Munro: Let me know the story behind that combadge once you figure it out. Take care.
Cole: ::nodding:: I will, thanks again.
Natasha watched as Commander Munro and Suzie headed towards the door. She was amused as the other ensigns sort of scrambled to ‘behave’ when Munro walked past them. As she finished her meal she made a mental note to try and get a hold of her Aunt about that communicator.
End Scene for Natasha.
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Ens. Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4