Ensign Tho’Bi - Green Eyes in the Dark

[Tobi]

((Turbolift between Decks Six and Five - USS Artemis-A))

Two small white and black paws pressed into the slim shoulder of the one meter ninety centimeter tall Andorian. Claws dabbed and scuffed against the gold of his gold and black uniform.  

The Turbolift hummed as it traveled between the decks, creating a slight tremble through the decking and panels. The white and black cat perched upon the young Engineer's shoulder purred, creating a slight tremble through his dense Andorian bones.

((Deck Five - USS Artemis))

Swoosh! The Turbolift doors parted, cat and cat bearer crossed the threshold into the brightly lit corridor of Deck Five. The Andorian’s antennae sensed the twitch of white and black tail, as green eyes took in the faces of every junior officer they passed; some officers smiled and offered greetings, others simply nodded, a few kept their distance with unguarded looks of disdain; he noted it was these officers of disdain, that were met with the fixed gaze of fierce green eyes, glaring right back at them.

((Deck Five, Section Seven, Compartment Ninety Nine - USS Artemis))

Swoosh! Doors parted, cat and cat bearer stepped into the communal living room of the young Ensign’s quarters. “Meow…”, a short uncertain meow echoed about the walls of the unfamiliar room. The Andorian felt a lightening of tiny paws upon his shoulder, as the cat's head came to rest between the paws. Green eyes darted around the furniture and fixtures, but the white and black tail no longer twitched.

Swoosh! A second pair of doors parted, cat and cat bearer entered the Ensign's cramped quarters. The Ensign had expected the cat to leap from his shoulders and set to the task of claiming her new domain; but the cat did not do this, instead her small white and black frame disappeared back inside the rucksack.  

With great care, the Ensign unhooked the rucksack from his shoulders and placed it on the deck, between his bunk and side table. He knelt down and, with continued great care, lay the rucksack flat; its base against the bulkhead, its top open to the limited space of his quarters. From the darkness of the very back of the bag, green eyes stared at his feet and knees.

Tho’Bi: ::hushed:: I know, little one. ::places blue hand on rucksack:: It is just for a little while.

“Meow…”, the cat let out a solitary meow, but made no attempt to move; green eyes stayed in the darkness, as though intent to remain in a state of limbo, until reunited with The Mama.

((Time-Skip: One Hour))

It had taken a little time to replicate, situate, and set-up water and food bowls, and litter tray. Various Engineering Tools and half built/unbuilt projects had to be relocated, by shove and stack, in the back, and on top of, wardrobe and locker; while throughout, green eyes remained in the darkness, looking outwards in search of someone, once ever-present, now absent.

((Time-Skip: Two Hours))

The Andorian had changed and eaten; gear had been readied for the tasks of the upcoming days; he had washed and was ready for bed. Still, green eyes remained; staring out from the dark of the rucksack; food had gone uneaten, water, undrunk; litter tray, unused.

Dark blue eyes looked down upon the silent and still rucksack. 

Tho'Bi: ::hushed:: Oh, little one…

He picked up a pillow; the one meter ninety centimeter tall Andorian then lay down on the decking, placing the pillow against the foot of the side table, and resting his head beside the opening of the rucksack.

And so the night passed, in silence; the tall Andorian slumbered on the foot-worn carpet of the decking, while the little white and black cat stared out into the gloom of the unfamiliar room, in search of someone no longer present, and did not know why.

END

((OOC: Copurrnicus simmed with permission and approval of Beky))

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Ensign Tho’Bi

Engineering

USS Artemis-A

A240203T11