Ensign S'rorr - Auspicious First Steps, Part 2

[S'Rorr]

((Pagrati Lounge, Deck 10, USS Astraeus, The Awards Ceremony))
{{A few minutes after the awards ceremony}}

S'Rorr's eyes went as wide as saucers as he saw the sculpture they had brought in. At least, his eyes were seeing a sculpture. His nose was smelling... coconut cake? It was shaped like a replica of the Astraeus herself, to scale. It was carried carefully into the room and placed upon a table, at a slightly jaunty angle that gave it a non-static appearance, as if it were about to take off and soar through the lounge and out into the expanse of space before it could be devoured by the hungry crew. 

oO They made a sculpture out of food? Are you allowed to do that? Oo

Tam: ::pointing:: Look at that. Is it a cake?

Wright: Response

Tam: It must have taken them a week to make such a perfect replica of the Astraeus.

Wright: Response

Tam: I'm going to make sure my piece of cake comes from the security section of the ship so I can eat my office and all the PADDs waiting for my attention.

S'Rorr rushed to get a piece and received.. ah. A piece of port nacelle. He sniffed at it carefully. It smelled like.. coconut and buttercream. A bite confirmed to him that it also tasted like coconut and buttercream. He considered the morsel like someone critiquing fine art, eyes looking up towards the ceiling as he scratched at his chin with the butt of the gold fork he was holding. Very sweet, light and soft. The frosting was cloying, but the cake itself compensated. They sang together in harmony. Though ordinarily S'Rorr would throw the cake directly in the trash/ground/nearest-airlock for the crime of containing vegetables, the coconut was barely a presence. It added just a hint of breezy flavor and some very mild crunch. S'Rorr decided that he would overlook the transgression. Afterall, wheat flour was also, technically, a vegetable, but played so well with sugar and eggs that S'Rorr could appreciate it. With a hypo to help him with the gluten.

oO This is alright, but.. some day, liver flavor frosting is going to catch on. I'm sure of it, it's too good. Oo

Rosek-Skyfire: ::raises her voice:: Attention, all hands! The Captain has an announcement!

Mei’konda: Yes, ah… news about the ship. She’s not going to be scrapped. I received confirmaation from Starfleet logistics that Astraeus is going in for an additional maiintenance overhaul followed by a second shakedown. We’ll see what haappens after that, but I wouldn’t count the shiip out of active service just yet. That’s all for now, everyone. Please, enjoy the food.

Alentonis: That is some cake.

Any: Response

Alentonis: Well, I am mildly curious what sort of filling it contains.

Mei’konda leaned over toward Tim, holding up the plate.

Mei’konda: I becaame quite fond of coconut cake with buttercream frostiing while I was at the Academy on Earth. I should maake a point to get a little more of it.

Mei’konda: Actually, everyone, just one more piece of business. I waanted to confirm for you all what some of you have been thinking already. I’m going to be transferring to Earth and acceptiing a promotion to Commodore.

Any: Responses

Mei’konda nodded in response.

Mei’konda: Yes, Starfleet Academy. I’ll be one of the officers teaching tactics and diplomatic techniques in command school. It’s… going to be different, and while I will miss you all, it’s something I’m looking forward to.

Mei’konda: Starfleet and the Federation are the most importaant things in my lives. They have been for my entire adult life, and… I know that out here on the frontier, with all of you, Starfleet will still have its very best looking out for us. For everyone. And… I waanted to thank you all for everything you’ve done. From the bottom of my heart.

Any: Responses

S'Rorr: Too late to adventure with Captain Mei'konda Delano, too early to study under him at the academy! I'll have to go back and sign up for command school. I'm glad that I got to serve with you, though, even for a little while. It's been a dream of mine. You inspired me to join, Captain. You're going to do great work there.

And S'Rorr meant it. There was a bittersweet feeling, knowing that his time serving under (the legendary, at least to S'Rorr) Mei'konda Delano was to be brief. He reminded himself that he had made it. He had overcome his challenges and become a doctor, he'd passed academy training double majoring in diplomacy and counseling despite the increased workload, and had made such high marks he was given the opportunity to choose his own posting. The Astraeus. S'Rorr HAD served with his hero, had shaken his hand, had fought Romulans with him inside an alien vegetable.

S'Rorr's ears swiveled a bit to scan the area around him, and when he thought nobody was looking he quickly wiped his eyes with a napkin. He felt sad, but proud, lost, but hopeful. Despite his parents' disappointment at not following in the family tradition, despite his mental health challenges, despite his own negative inner voice, he had made it to the top. He was sure that he could handle anything else the universe could throw at him.

Ensign S'Rorr
Ship's Counselor
USS Astraeus NCC-70652
A240206S04