Lt Cmdr. Avander Promontory: Observations
Avander Promontory
(( Observation Lounge, Deck 1, USS Octavia E. Butler, New Bajor Orbit ))
Avander had been summoned for a tête-à-tête with Commander Etan, and he was pretty sure he knew why. While it wasn’t yet public knowledge, Commander Rouiancet had shared that their Bajoran First Officer would be leaving them. And she had asked Avander to serve as Iljor’s replacement.
As Avander entered the otherwise empty Observation Lounge through the big doors in the back of the bridge, he found himself facing Iljor’s back. The Commander was looking out the windows at the planet and station, but turned in place at Avander’s entrance.
Etan: Good morning. :: he said, allowing the warmth of his smile to seep into his tone. ::
Promontory: (nodding) Commander.
The Bajoran turned back to the window and Avander walked over to continue their conversation.
Promontory: I trust I’m not interrupting anything.
Afterall, Iljor had been the one to call Avander, but it seemed as if the other officer was having ‘a moment.’
Etan: Just admiring the view. :: he replied contemplatively. The corner of his mouth twitched upwards for the briefest of moments.:: What’s the human phrase? “calm before the storm”?
Avander stepped closer to the window and peered out, trying to get on the same wavelength as the Commander.
Promontory: That, or maybe the ‘eye of the storm.’
While the scene before them was serene, the surrounding circumstances (the refugees, the Zet, the UDP, not to mention the news from Sol) seemed to swirl in a significant stormy situation itself.
Etan: How are you feeling?
Avander let out all the air in his lungs—words were not sufficient to communicate the clutter of thoughts he had had over the last few days.
On the one hand, he was very grateful to see the Bajoran Commander ambulatory. After weeks of dealing with the refugees who had made the Octavia E Butler their temporary home, he was glad to finally have a sense of normalcy. On the other hand, with Iljor’s departure, that sense of things returning to ‘normal’ had been upended. Avander had served under Iljor on two ships and, along with Jack, had also been a part of his Command Officer Test. It felt somewhat wrong to be filling the role that should go to another. On the other hand, it was an honor to be asked to serve and Avander was eager to help out Lia.. er, Commander Rouiancet. On the other hand, it was a big job and not something he had sought out. On the other hand… no, wait, that was one hand too many. Even if he was going by Terellian standards.
He was more succinct when he finally spoke aloud.
Promontory: Uh. Fine… mostly. I guess…
Then to divert the attention from himself, he tried one of his favorite tactics, the redirect.
Promontory: But the bigger question is how are you feeling?
Etan: Response
Avander nodded appreciatively.
Promontory: I guess it’s just a lot of changes at once.
Etan: Response
Promontory: So… (beat) Any tips?
Etan: Response
Tags/TBC
--