Ensign Elijah Kovacs: Awkward Level Infinity
Mark P
OOC: Cabrillo’s at another table, and Amanda’s docket is understandably full, so rotating them out with Eli and nudging it forward. Herrick sim to follow shortly. I’ve trimmed some parts back just for readability – hope you’re all having a great Sunday!
((Engineer's Table, The Writers' Room, Deck 8 Saucer, USS Octavia E. Butler ))
The Writers' Room was abuzz with quiet excitement, the soft hum of conversation mingling with the clinking of glasses.
This was Eli’s fourth awards ceremony, and he wasn’t expecting it to go any different than others. He’d brought his emotional support teddy, aptly named Theodore (Teddy for short) as it could be a bit disheartening to see so many ribbons and promotions handed out, but none for him.
Then again, he honestly really didn’t go out of his way to earn them. He was a button pusher, an order taker, and just took each day as it came. He knew he never wanted to be an admiral like his parents, they couldn’t balance family and responsibility well and Eli didn’t want that for his children.
This rather dire thinking was interrupted by an unexpected hug from Lhandon. The familiar sensation of burning cheeks returned, not helped by everyone looking at them. Sure, their smiles were genuine and warm, but he didn’t enjoy being the centre of attention.
Kovacs: Um… see you after?
The ops officer nodded, and made his way to his table, giving Herrick a friendly pat on the shoulder along the way.
As everyone settled in, the ship’s captain took the podium. The transition from casual chatter to attentive silence was almost instantaneous, a testament to the respect she commanded.
First, a reading from the ship’s namesake, followed by several command changes, and then Herrick’s surprising promotion. Even though Josh had been working to mend fences, he was a rather intense individual at times and there was a mix of unresolved feelings between the two. He applauded with everyone else.
As Josh took his seat, Rouiancet had one last promotion to dole out.
Rouiancet: Lieutenant Arlill has seen fit to designate Lieutenant Nilsen as acting assistant chief of operations, a decision that I have agreed with from the beginning. Lhandon is not only a fine officer who continues to excel as he gains experience and pushes his own boundaries -- he is also my friend, and I am honored to command with his confidence. (beat) Lhandon, from this time forth, you're no longer simply acting at your role, but you are now officially the Butler's assistant chief of operations.
Nilsen: Thank you, sir, it’s a privilege to count you as my friend. I promise I won’t cry this time
Eli smiled at the comment, and applauded loudly, being on the last to stop clapping. He looked towards the man, smiling brightly. Well deserved recognition.
Rouiancet: Please, feel free now to accept food and drink from the servers who will begin circulating around the room. I will join your tables to present individual ribbons as you do so. Remember to congratulate your shipmates!
As she moved towards the Security/Tactical table, conversation at Engineering’s picked up. With the arrival at SB14, there had been a number of personnel changes — one of which was the addition of a new Orion ensign to the core engineering team.
Herrick: ::looking at the new guy:: We’re glad
to have you on the team Mr. Caras; I think the team would all like to get to
know you better. How did you find your time at the academy?
Caras: ::he adjusted his muscular frame in his chair, now being asked a
direct question:: It was quite a different experience than what I was used to.
Everyone was so helpful and hopeful; all of the time! Except for the professor
I had for Nanotechnology 1, I felt like the world stopped in that class. It was
like being in an endless, microscopic pit of despair where I was going to die
of boredom.
Some of the folks, Eli
included, grinned at the memory of Nano 1. Others, who hadn’t had Professor Snore
S’Nora were understandably a bit lost on the reference.
Kovacs: He definitely had a unique ability to
turn quantum tunneling and nanoscale fabrication into a cure for insomnia.
Herrick: (chuckling) I had that professor too, I used to play their
recorded lectures at night to help me sleep. How someone can take a topic like
that and dull it down the way he did will be a mystery. Did you specialize in
any particular area?
Caras: I guess systems architecture.(beat) I like taking things apart,
and identifying key components. I would say overall I’m more of a reverse
engineer than an engineer. ::he let out a light chuckle::
S. Sherlock: ::raising a hand like she was waiting to be called on by a teacher:: I know that one. The ship I was born on, that's how I learned everything I do. It was always falling apart.
Kovacs: Me too! Though… ::remembering the strewn
parts of electronics in his childhood bedroom:: putting things back together
was sometimes a challenge for me.
Herrick: I’m a bit of a bookworm, so I dabbled around a bit more than
the average person — things like replicators, warp systems, holo- and LCARS
programming.
Eli spotted Rouiancet and her Yeoman discussing something with Lhandon, and a ribbon exchanged between them. He made a mental note to ask about it later, the Ops table out of earshot for him. Then, the Captain walked over to the engineers’ table.
As she approached, folks straightened their posture and the conversation quieted down.
Rouiancet: Lieutenant Herrick, chief engineer. (beat) Josh, congratulations again.
Herrick: Thank you again, Captain.
Rouiancet: There's something more, actually.
Eli saw a shocked expression on Josh’s face, and he shared the same reaction.
Kovacs: oO More?! Oo
Rouiancet: I was able to benefit firsthand from
your knowledge and experience at Cheyd'lang, from your work on the bridge and
your observations, to your presence in those first meetings with the UDP, to
your actions on the surface when we encountered the King's Path and learned of
the Mongar. You acquitted yourself magnificently, and that was part of the
reason that I suspected that you were ready for the promotion and leadership of
your department -- because you are able to make the best of any situation.
Herrick: ::taking the ribbon while smiling:: Thank you, and it’s been a
distinct pleasure serving with you on this mission. ::holding his hand out to
shake hers::
Okay, Eli thought, maybe he
did deserve the promotion if the captain is doling out all this praise for him.
Rouiancet: Response
Herrick: Oh yes! Have you two had a chance to meet yet?
It was clear to Eli that
Caras had not been expecting the captain’s attention to be directed toward him.
The yeoman beside her, rapidly taking notes.
Rouiancet: Response
Herrick: I make no promises, but we’ll try to go easy on him ::winking
to Caras::
Kovacs felt second-hand
awkwardness. It wasn’t that long that he was fresh out of the academy, and this
ship was certainly less rigid in formalities.
Caras: ::practically stammering:: No need to go easy on me sir. You can
go hard on me. I can take it.
S. Sherlock: (making a face) Yeah I don't think they're going to do that. ::looking at the others:: We're pretty laid back.
Kovacs: ::nodding:: The hard things tend to find us versus us looking for them.
Rouiancet: Response
Caras: Pleasure to meet you Commander. er.. Captain. Er….Acting Captain. ::he shook his head a little to shake himself out of his nervous loop:: Ma’am. My hope is to not let you down. ::he turned his gaze to Lieutenant Herrick:: or you sir.
Kovacs watched the
awkwardness evolve to a five-alarm fire. He wasn’t sure if he should wince in
sympathy or grin at the figurative greenness of the officer. His earnest face
was adding gasoline to the fire.
Herrick / Rouiancet: Response
Caras: Yes, well I will ::he took another nervous pause:: do my best to do so.
Small smirks crossed several engineer’s faces as he recovered. Most officers had been just like the man on their first interaction with the CO.
Kovacs: oO At least the only direction from here is up Oo
Rouiancet: Response
Caras: oO Things are different now, you’re not with pirates anymore. These are people you can respect, that expect things from you. This woman commands a starship in Starfleet, your ship. Oo
The captain, recognizing the man probably had his fill of attention for the day, turned to converse with some others at the table before making her way to the next one.
S. Sherlock: ::leaning towards Caras and whispering across the table:: Hey, you don't have to be nervous. You're at the cool table. ::pointing over to the Sec/Tac table:: Those are the ones you need to worry about.
Eli’s eyebrow raised.
Caras: response
Herrick: response
S. Sherlock: I mean, most of them are okay. It's just the Chief of Security, she can be a real b...
Herrick: response
S. Sherlock: What? She can be...sometimes.
Nilsen: She does eat ensigns for breakfast, why do you think they don’t go out past 21:00 hours? ::Almost containing the laugh:: That’s when she’s hunting.
Caras / S. Sherlock / Herrick: response
Kovacs: Don’t worry, like Shevon said, most of us are good… and we got your back. ::patting the man’s shoulder::
He couldn’t tell if the conversation was making the man more or less tense, but as a waiter was crossing the room with a tray of champagne flutes, Eli waved him over.
Kovacs: Now, let’s relax and take in the rest of the night.
Nilsen: You look so hot tonight cutie-bear.
Kovacs: Err…. ::blushing hard, scratching his head::
As his hand scratched his head, feeling at least three times as awkward as Caras must have, Lhandon took it as an open invitation to grab his hand and tug him towards the desert table.
Kovacs: ::waving to the table with his free hand:: Ummm… see you a bit.
Caras / S. Sherlock / Herrick: Response
((Fast forward to the end of the ceremony))
Rouiancet: Might I have everyone's attention again for a moment? Thank you.
The voice carried over the room speakers, and once again the room hushed. Several officers and crew held boxes and began moving to the different tables.
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!
Tapping off the mic, she sat back down, and the side conversations resumed. Josh had started talking to one of the engineers on his right, so he struck up a side chat of his own.
Kovacs: ::looking at Shevon and Caras:: So, any hobbies outside of work?
Caras / S. Sherlock: Response
Kovacs: Sounds fun! Maybe we can have a get together after one of our shifts?
Caras / S. Sherlock: Response
[End scene for Kovacs]
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Ensign Elijah Kovacs
Engineering Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)