Captain Lia Rouiancet: Met & Greeted

[Tony Colella]

I had Lia finish off the conversations in this one as we head into the mission!

(( Solar Sail Observation Hall, Deep Space 14 ))

In stopping Una, Lia wasn't looking for anything in particular, especially since Una seemed to be on her way out, other than congratulating her directly.

Rouiancet: Congratulations on the ribbon. You more than earned it, with your quick thinking and, well, innovation. (beat) Have you thought before about training as an officer? You definitely displayed officer thinking.

Not that Lia cared much for defining what kind of thinking separated officers from enlisted crew -- but based on the previous mission, she could easily see Una as a chief science officer of a ship or base one day. Of course, that required that she was actually an officer.

Qualunque: Oh, the ribbon! Yes, thank you very much! This is the first time I've ever gotten one. Wait, what did you say? Me? Training as an officer?

She seemed to be on the verge of laughing it off, but Lia didn't smile. Not in an unfriendly way, just to let Una know that she was serious.

Rouiancet: Yes, you. Have you thought about it before?

Qualunque: You know, Captain, I started the academy, but there was an accident where a colleague lost her life. So I quit because of the shock.

Lia blanched, as much at the revelation as her own quick embarrassment that she hadn't looked in detail at Una's personnel file before making her recommendation.

Rouiancet: (quietly) I can understand why. I'm sorry to remind you of that time.

But even so, Lia wondered. Was there a possibility?

Qualunque: Response

Rouiancet: Let's talk in the future, though. (beat) For now, though, congratulations again!

Qualunque: Response

Down but not out, Lia continued on her way.

( Slightly Later )

Rouiancet: I promise, I'm not. I only wanted to check in and see how you're doing, after...

She trailed off. In the same way it seemed rude both to and not to introduce herself to junior officers and crew, it seemed gauche to and not to remind Anton that he'd collapsed on the bridge.

Richards: My little nap on the bridge? 

Rouiancet: (a slight smile) Yes. That.

However, while Lia's intention had been to reassure him a little that she didn't hold him responsible for what had happened, he took exactly as she would've preferred he didn't.

Richards: I’ll face any consequences that are necessary, Sir.

Lia shook her head vehemently.

Rouiancet: That won't be necessary. I only wanted to see how you're feeling.

Richards: Like I told the investigators, I feel fine and I don’t really know what happened.

Lia didn't need to be possess a Betazoid's empathic abilities to see that Anton was holding something back. But that was his right, since it might be as straightforward as embarrassment. If it wasn't, though... She didn't mean to, but she looked at him askance.

Rouiancet: I don't know if Toz asked you to check in, but even if she didn't, do. Just in case.

Better safe than sorry, after all. Anton was now the acting chief of security, and he'd know that adage better than anyone.

Richards: Response

Rouiancet: (brief nod) I'm sure. I also have faith that you'll perform your duty admirably while I'm away. (beat) Now, if you'll excuse me.

Richards: Response

Even as she took her leave, Lia couldn't help glancing back at Anton, and wondering.

Tags! and END for these conversations!

--

Captain Lia Rouiancet

Commanding Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

V238208LV0

she/her/hers (this character)