[JP] Lt. JG August Winslett & Doctor Renaie Shortrith - The One Where They Say Goodbye
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((OOC: This was completed before August went on LOA, and I am posting it to the Astraeus with his permission. Set before people have been told where they're going.))
((Sickbay Side Room, Deck 12, USS Astraeus))
Renaie wasn't ready for this. This being a reference to saying goodbye to everyone on the Astraeus without being able to say goodbye to their first friend on the ship. One who wasn't on the Astraeus anymore.
Renaie had seen the note on August's file that he was assigned to the USS Ronin. While they understood that Starfleet is like that, it kinda stung that the assignment came mid-mission when comms were down, so they never really got the chance to say goodbye.
August moved down the hall toward Sickbay through muscle memory alone. At one point, he didn’t think he’d ever get the layout of the Astraeus. Deck 12, though, he knew very well. He’d checked the duty shifts to make sure Renaie was working. He owed her a goodbye. It wasn’t going to be easy, but it was important. It was a piece of the Astraeus that August would take with him wherever he went.
Looking down, Renaie realised they made two coffees. One for them, one for August.
oO Stars. I did it again. Oo
She was so used to making two coffees that she still made them, even after August's transfer.
Shortrith: ::annoyed:: Why do I keep doing this? August's not here anymore. He's on the Ronin now.
It was then when they could have sworn they heard August's voice.
Winslett: My friend?
Shortrith: August?
Winslett: Renaie? You there?
Shortrith: Are you real or am I dreaming?
Winslett: ::smiling and pinching himself on the arm:: Real as I’ve ever been. Least, that hurt ::gesturing to his arm:: so I’m probably real.
Renaie ran towards him and squeezed him tightly.
Shortrith: ::referencing the transfer:: So… it was an immediate thing?
Winslett: ::hugging his friend:: Afraid so, but Federation space gets smaller and smaller every day. I left a few things behind ::smiling:: including saying goodbye to you, my friend. How are you?
Shortrith: I’ve… got a lot to process, let’s just say.
Winslett: I can understand that. I’ve been doing some processing myself. ::stepping back to look at them from head to toe:: Are you taking care of yourself?
Shortrith: I mean… I’m trying? Ever since I realised you and Laef’eah were gone, it’s been… Well, I don’t know… I’ve sort of felt lost. And… with the orders from Starfleet… ::sigh:: I don’t know.
Winslett: It’s important, Renaie. I won’t be here to ::breaking up a little:: That is, I can’t always be around to watch over you. You need to look after yourself.
Shortrith: What do you mean, August? ::pause:: I never expected you to always watch over me. You’re my friend, my colleague, my… my brother. You have to have your own life and everything.
Renaie knew it was a risk adding that they saw him as a brother, but they knew they needed to say it before there was a possibility of them never seeing each other again in person.
Winslett: And you have to live yours too, little sibling. But I mean that you have to put your health first. You need to make sure your Klingon brian is treating you nicely ::smiling at the joke:: and that you’re taken care of. It’s hard for doctors. Our job is to make sure everyone else is ok. You have to be ok, too.
Shortrith: But the others are a higher priority… We can’t function without them.
Winslett: What good is functioning if you’re not ok?
Shortrith: Does it matter? It’s not like there are other doctors around to really treat me. I can do stuff myself.
Winslett: It’s about more than just passing your physical exams. Promise me you’ll reach out to people, ok? You need community. People around you to watch out for you and make sure you’re taking care of yourself.
This was a promise Renaie didn’t know if they could make.
Shortrith: But… I can work fine by myself? I don’t want others to worry about me and everything… I’m supposed to be strong.
Winslett: Asking for help isn’t weakness.
Shortrith: Um…
Renaie didn’t know what to say. They felt themselves slipping away a bit, the comfort of August’s presence not having the same… effect? Was that the word? … as it did a couple of minutes ago. oO I’m dissociating again. Why am I always like this??? Oo
Winslett: Renaie? Are you still there, my friend?
August had seen them disassociate before. It was still a little disconcerting, but at least now he understood they would be ok. He just needed to be still for a moment; let them come back to themselves.
Renaie didn’t even notice August’s voice. They were so tuned out, they didn’t notice anything.
After a few moments, they noticed August watching them.
Shortrith: I’m so sorry… I did it again. I’m just… ::steeling themself:: I’m fine.
Winslett: You’re ok! You know you don’t have to apologize for that. Are you back? Do you feel like you’re here?
Shortrith: ::dryly:: Physically but not mentally. ::serious:: I don’t want to say goodbye, but I know you have to go back at some point.
Winslett: I know. I don’t want to say goodbye, either. ::pause:: What if we don’t?
Shortrith: What do you mean?
Winslett: I mean, what if we had one last dance party? Right here in Sickbay? Not a goodbye. Just a party. Between friends ::smiling::
Shortrith: That sounds good, but also…
Renaie ducked into a side room and retrieved a box with August’s name on it.
Shortrith: I’ve got this for you. I was going to find a way to send it to you, but as you’re here, I can give it to you in person.
Reanie held out a small wooden turtle. It was an adorable little sculpture: clearly lovingly crafted and detailed.
Winslett: Wow! Where did you get that?
Shortrith: ::smiling:: Let’s just say I know some people. I got it specifically made for you.
Renaie looked in the box to their side and retrieved a piece of paper with their free hand, passing it to August.
It read:
August,
I suppose this is where we say goodbye, and you continue your new life as normal on the Ronin. Truth be told, I will constantly bug keep in touch with you, because you're one of my special cluster of people.
I wish you all the best on the Ronin and hope I will be able to see you again in person soon.
Yours across the stars,
Renaie
Winslett: Wow. I really don’t know what to say, my friend. Thank you.
Shortrith: I hope you like it…
Winslett: ::smiling:: I’ll cherish it.
Shortrith: I’m gonna miss you… Well, as much as Klingons can anyway ::Chuckling softly::
Winslett: I’ll miss you, too, my friend. Do me a favor and keep dancing, ok? Call me if you need anything. Truly, anything at all.
August walked over to the counter and smiled at the two cups of coffee: one of them so full of sugar and cinnamon it may as well be a milkshake. His favorite.
Winslett: Now ::grabbing the cup of coffee and handing Renaie’s to them:: Let’s get that dance party started. If you’re up for it, my friend.
Shortrith: Yeah sure, and… could I see you off this time? So you’re not headed back alone?
Winslett: ::smiling:: Of course you can.
Shortrith: Come on, we’ve got a playlist to finish.
Winslett: I wouldn’t miss it for the world.