Lt. JG Natasha Cole - Character is shown in the second chance, not the first mistake.
Natasha Schell
((Main Mess Hall, Deck 03 — USS Artemis-A))
Ikaixar: I felt I could do more good here. The outreach of churches can be helpful, but when Houses get involved, it tends to become a rather… irritating web of politics. Strings are always attached, and in time, knots form.
Finally lifting the waiting food towards her mouth she smiled there was a lot of truth in what Sierin said. Politicians would be the death of us all.
Cole: Seems like politics will often complicate things, especially when good intentions are involved. ::taking the food into her mouth::
She closed her eyes and let out a gentle sigh of pure satisfaction. Aunt Rea was right there was something magical about this dish. While it was always better made from scratch, somehow that enigma of a woman managed to design the replicator profile to be a near perfect match, and somehow slightly different every time. That was it she was back to thinking Aunt Rea was a benevolent Q.
Ikaixar: You can never be certain who might grab hold of your strings if you’re not careful. ::taking a sip:: But what about you? What’s your story, Lieutenant?
Cole: Someone ::beat:: wanted me to follow in their footsteps into tactical, but they exited my life when I clearly wasn’t being their ideal… child.
Natasha had to actively unclench her jaw at that. Nat’s remark seemed to resonate with Sierin.
Cole: After secondary school I intended to take a gap year before doing something, but I found myself doing odd jobs for about four years.
She forked up some of her pastry with a satisfied smile.
Ikaixar: Mm? Must’ve been quite the many odd jobs to lead you here of all places.
She gave that some thought to her, those experiences all served to help shape her into how she was today.
Cole: Oh the usual late shift Barista, theater stagehand, self-defense instructor, mortician's assistant, private security. I suppose I was trying to find myself. I think that’s why I was encouraged to join Starfleet Security.
Ikaixar: You must have quite the varied set of skills, Natasha. I think you’d pass for a jack of all trades, perhaps I’ll ask Doctor Bancroft to lend you a few shifts in the morgue when we need it.
Nat had forked another bite into her mouth and nearly choked at the suggestion. Not because it was beneath her or anything like that. Her time as a mortuary assistant was invaluable. It had given her appreciation for life. And contrary to what some may presume about her, she preferred preventing people from being sent to the morgue, when possible.
Cole: ::trying not to choke:: I… ::cleared throat:: I don't think Crashcart would let me live that down.
Ikaixar: What do you think will happen to us here? What do you think the Nascaik will do when they pass judgement on us?
Natasha followed Sierin’s gaze out the windows. She didn’t respond right away. She was mulling over the situation as a whole. It was almost an impossible scenario. Deep down she knew her own actions didn’t exactly contribute in a positive way. She had tried to do what was right at the time even if their knowledge of the Nascaik was limited.
Cole: ::slow exhale:: I don’t know what will happen to us.
She leaned back in her chair and sipped her tea.
Cole: It’s easy to assume the worst, especially in the face of the unknown.
Ikaixar: I suppose all we can do is hope they don’t decide we should be executed where we stand. Those we’ve met have shown themselves to be quite a… hard people.
Cole: I think they’ve had a harsh existence, and that’s shaped who they are as a people. And often our intentions to help everyone can sometimes cause unforeseen consequences no one could see coming. So there is clearly a history with them that we don’t know the full gravity of. ::beat::
She set her cup down and turned to face Sierin.
Cole: Something Dota Eos told me has stuck with me. ::paraphrasing:: “I do not desire your Death. Your crimes do not merit it”. My instincts tell me she meant it, at least in the moment.
Ikaixar: Response
Cole: Personally, I hope either all of us or none of us are judged by the actions of our weakest moments, but rather by the strength we show when and if we're ever given another chance.
She remembered getting that advice from someone. It was probably Aunt Rea, that woman was impossibly wise and annoyingly right.
Ikaixar: Response
Nat looked across the table to Sierin and glanced at her plate. Aside from offering an ear to listen or shoulder to lean on. She knew comfort food helped in times like this, even when words didn’t. After all, Aunt Rea did make some bold claims about her Cherry Pastries.
Cole: Would you like to try some of this?
Ikaixar: Response
Tags/TBC
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Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240205NC4