Lt Cmdr. Avander Promontory: Reflections from the Head Table
Avander Promontory
(( The Writers' Room, Deck 8 Saucer, USS Octavia E. Butler ))
Well, it was official. Officially official. Avander was sat up at the “front” of the room (at least as it was now oriented) at a head table with the CO. His dress uniform was also new, trimmed now in command red; it gave his various ribbons a slightly different look compared to his old uniform and he hadn’t decided if he liked it just yet.
But either way, he’d have to get used to it, he supposed.
Rouiancet was giving her opening remarks and, aptly, sharing a poem from their vessel’s name sake. It was a good poem and read well, but Avander had received an advanced copy of the remarks and rather than listen as attentively as he might have, he, instead, watched the reactions of the crowd. They seemed to be in rapt attention.
It was a fitting couple of verses, for this crew tens of thousands of lightyears from home, and focused on embracing the diversity around them and learning from it. The recent mission to Cheyd’lang had reinforced that those themes to be sure.
His mom too had appreciated the poem. He had sent her a copy along with a holo pic of her youngest in his new command uniform. She even mentioned adding the works of Octavia E. Butler to her curriculum next semester.
Before Avander could dwell on home for too long, however, he was the focus of attention as the crowd clapped for the outgoing Commander Etan and the incoming command team. Fortunately, the moment didn’t last too long, and Avander was soon able to clap for a newly promoted Lieutenant Herrick. Soon after, Lt Nilsen was also recognized as officially assistant chief.
Avander smiled. These had been some of his first official acts, signing off on promotions, and such had been a lot more pleasant than some of the other initial duties. His eyes flitted around the room to see if Captain Winters was in the crowd.
By now Rouiancet was, herself, mingling through the crowds, bestowing well-deserved ribbons for exceptional personal conduct. And there Michele Winters was—at the first table the CO had approached. Perhaps purposefully, at that, given the information he and Sherlock had shared about recent interactions. But even with Jack close by, the situation seemed well-in hand. It was well that they were at the same table as security, though, just in case.
And so on it went. Avander’s eyes followed the CO and her yeoman around the room. Ops, the engineers, the scientists, medical, and the marines. Avander noted one of their newest officers, an Orion engineer, seemed to be blending in well. Avander had meant to welcome the officer aboard, but hadn’t yet had the opportunity. He added the task to his mental to-do list.
Wrapping up with a tender moment with her out-going FO, Rouiancet made it back to the front and addressed the assembled officers and crew.
Rouiancet: Might I have everyone's attention again for a moment? Thank you.
She nodded to her yeoman who orchestrated the disassembling of ship-wide ribbons, including a set of four for Avander. He lined them up with his others as Rouiancet continued to address them.
Rouiancet: Each of you, everyone who served during the mission to Cheyd'lang, is now receiving four ribbons -- the Maiden Voyage Ribbon, the First Contact Ribbon, the Diplomacy Ribbon, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award -- along with stars, as appropriate. Even those officers whose service has taken them elsewhere for the time being, like Colonel Greaves, will receive these ribbons for service during the mission. Thank you, all, for making Starfleet's first contact with the Cheydalanga as successful as it could be. (beat, then a smile) Now I really am finished talking to you from up here. Please, enjoy your dinners and drinks!
Finishing up, she turned off the amplification and joined Avander at the head table, right as he stuffed his mouth full of Cerulean Mash. He swallowed hard to clear his mouth, but she beat him to a greeting.
Rouiancet: (to Avander) Well, I think that as well as it could have. Next time, we'll do it together, but I didn't want to spring it on you this time. (beat) Besides, I think a part of me wanted to do it myself, just this first time.
As Avander often felt like he was barely keeping his head above water with new responsibilities, he appreciated the gesture.
He took a quick swig of drink to wash down the rest of the mash before responding.
Promontory: It’s nice to break things in slowly. Give the officers a chance to get to know their relatively new CO before we spring on them an even newer XO!
Rouiancet: (a laugh) Well, exactly. So, what are you having?
He spooned one of the various purees on his plate.
Promontory: Something purple? I’m not sure what it is. Tastes almost like a cheesy carrots.
He shrugged. It was a good meal, but he was a bit distracted by the various going-ons and just... the whole of it all. This was a rare moment of not having another duty to do besides sit and enjoy the meal.
Avander took a deep breath in and turned to his Commander to enjoy some non-work conversation.
[[Probably end scene with this fade out! (but always happy to sim more!)]]