Backsim - Lhandon & Toxin Before the Storm
Toxin Arlill
((Stardate 240105.28, Before the Unity Dow Mission))
((Nilsen’s Quarters, Cabin, 602, Deck 4, USS Octavia E Butler))
Things had been feeling off for Nilsen. It wasn’t to do with his work, but rather his relationship with Arlill. It started as a small niggle in the back of his mind, a sense of unease that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Then Nilsen noticed a change, just little changes in Arlill behavour, He seem more distracted, more stressed and like something was chipping away at his old roommate.
They had been talking less, and there was this feeling of a subtle withdrawal. It was starting to take on Lhandon’s daily life, he should be happy right now, things are going well, for Nilsen. He got back safe after being taken as a slave, he’s exploring diplomacy as a possible carrer options and he’s the assistant chief of ops on the newest vessl in the fleet.
Yet, he was feeling helpless, like he was watching a ship slowly sail away on the horizon and he was stuck on shore. The world was starting feel a bit colder, a bit lonelier.
But today, it ends. Tox is coming over and he’s going to fix it.
To say Toxin was excited to visit Nilsen wouldn’t have been an overstatement, but might not have shed light on the source of his excitement. Since they’d boarded the OEB Toxin had been pulled into staff meetings, operations projects, and then tour duty when they welcomed ex Dominion visitors onto the OEB. He’d not had much time for decent food, or really must food at all, so replicators were his first and only choice, he really missed Nilsen’s cooking.
Now Toxin stood outside of Nilsen’s door with a bottle of Bajoran spring wine he’d picked up during their last shore leave and hoping it would be acceptable enough a gift for some true home cooked food. This wasn’t a last minute visit or invitation, for that matter, they’d been talking about having a nice dinner for a few weeks but never finding the time in either of their busy schedules to meet up and hang out.
:: Toxin touched the door chime button. ::
Nilsen: Come in
Arlill: ::holding out the wine:: Will this do?
Nilsen: That is perfect mate now come here
Lhandon takes the wine with one had and uses his free arm to bring Toxin in for a hug that seeks to dwarf the Chief.
Arlill: Good, because it’s the only thing I didn’t have that was replicated!
Toxin stepped into Nilsen’s quarters. He took a brief look around and you could say the corridor was messier than this place, everything was in it’s place and the most pleasant aroma wafted from the kitchen, his stomach growled audibly.
Nilsen: You hungry?
Arlill: Hey! It’s been a long day, of course I’m hungry!
Of course Toxin wasn’t about to tell Lhandon that he’d kinda skipped Lunch to save room for real food!
Nilsen: Is the the hungry that you have normally or the more intergalactic hunger you get when…
Lhandon was interrupted by his mortal enemy, not Blackwood, but rather computer
Computer: Playing Intergalactic by ancient earth band Beastie Boys.
Nilsen: WHY? I did not ask for that? Why do you hate me so much Computer? ::slight laugh::
The volume dims a little so the computer can reply.
Computer: The computer is incapable of hate, perhaps you would benefit from further support, shall I summon the counselling department
Nilsen: No no, I am perfectly fine. Computer stop music
Arlill: Sounds like you two are still on the outs.
Toxin couldn’t help but smirk as he realized his little prank from a few weeks back was still in play, the computer was still set to be difficult but safe for any unofficial Nilsen request. This was one of the longest joke’s he’d pulled on anyone yet, he just hoped Lhandon’s funny bone would hold out.
Nilsen: ::sigh:: The ::pointing upwards:: The thing keeps summoning people to me, first it was the counsellors, then it was two security officers, after that a marine appeared and yesterday, for some reason a botanist.
Arlill: A botanist?!
Toxin couldn’t help but laugh at that one.
Nilsen: I mean I wanna make friends but this is…something else.
Arlill: ::changing topics:: What’s that wonderful smell? I don’t recognize it.
Nilsen: Sarma, bascily meat stuffed into leaves. You’ll love it. ****
Arlill: I’ve never had Sarma, where’s it from?
Nilsen: They’re from Chey’d, specifically the Antani. The queen gave me a a bunch of stuff when we were on our way out of the system. Don’t worry though, they aint those leaves that boosted my weird psychic telekinetic whateverthenetic powers of imagery stuff, and helped us to break out of the mine
Arlill: Should we alert medical!? ::laughing out loud::
Nilsen: Wait untill I’m seeing peopel who ain’t that. The Antani’s food is mostly vegetation, but mix it with some earth dished and you’ve got a pretty cool fusion
Arlill: Well I guess I should have guessed (beat) you’re always expanding your culinary skills. (beat) Maybe the wrong calling in Ops? ::winking & laughing::
NIlsen: I never franking told you this, you remember the fallout of Echo?
Arlill: Of course.
Nilsen:: I nearly resigned, I was nearly going to apply for Culinary institute of America, was going to study at Hyde Park to cook. ::Leaning closer:: I totally would have got in. ::smirk::
Arlill: Of that I have no doubt!
Toxin stood by the end of the counter, he had no intention of breaking Lhandon’s no Tox in the kitchen rule. He watched Lhandon cooking over the open flame stove and for a second appreciated how advanced these ships have become yet good old fashioned cooking techniques were still golden, he just wished he could not burn peanut butter & jelly, much less cook the way Lhandon did.
The boiling water peaked over the edge of the pot and the flames temporarily shot up, he was suddenly back at the exchange looking across at Tyber who also was supine. It was hard to catch his breath, something was burning, painful, so painful.
Nilsen: ::distant:: Tox (beat) Tox
Suddenly Toxin snapped back shaking his head.
Arlill: What?!
Nilsen: Fracking lost you there for a second.
Arlill: Oh nothing, was just thinking.
Nilsen: And I’m the Queen of Kronos. What is it?
Arlill: It was nothing. (beat) Computer change songs, play Hotel California by a band called The Eagles.
Computer: Right Away Lieutenant, Playing Hotel California.
Nilsen: Of course it listens to you.
Arlill: I dunno, maybe it likes me more ::laughing a little::
Nilsen: It really does, I guess one of my ancestors insulted it’s grandfather or something, maybe they did didn’t say thank you after it turned off the lights
Arlill: Fine, but you can’t tell anyone, even if you’re ordered to.
Nilsen: About what just happened there?
Arlill: Because they could strip me of my rank and send me to Starfleet medical and your probably the only person on this ship who knows first hand what it feels like to be doubted.
Nilsen: I do ::nodding:: yeah, but if something does go wrong, make sure you look after yourself first.
Arlill: Of course I will, if it ever starts to impact me worse I will put you in charge! ::smirking::
Lhandon smiled as the two of them shared a moment, he put his hand on Toxin’s shoulder.
Nilsen: Nowt’s gonna happen though bro. That’s I’m sure off. I’ve got you.
Arlill: Great, now for a more fun topic! Food! Let’s eat!
((Two days later))
This seemed to be going good, and maybe this was it, they just needed to make sure they spent time together outside of work to maintain their friendships.
Toxin had been to Lhandon’s quarters for dinner a few times since they’d boarded the OEB. Tonight’s invitation started the same as any other night. The two of them had been in the OC earlier and were wrapping up a few projects. Lhandon had asked if Tox had plans for the evening, short of sitting and watching the Denali races from past years, he did not and agreed to join Lhandon for dinner.
When Tox arrived at Lhandon’s quarters a familiar aroma greeted him, even before the doors opened; quite possibly a potential hazmat problem in the making, one that Toxin took mental note of, oO Check door seals. Oo
Lhandon greeted Tox like he always did, a drink and a warm welcome. As Tox stepped in the smell gave him a cozy feeling and it came to him, his mother’s favorite dish to make from scratch, shepherds pie.
Toxin: Are you making Shepherds Pie? ::sounding excited::
Nilsen: Yeah, I love it.
Toxin: Great! My favorite.
Toxin followed Nilsen back to the kitchen where he’d already boiled the potatoes and was now mashing them in preparation for assembly, only something seemed off, something wasn’t quite right.
Toxin: Are those yams?
Nilsen: Erm, yeah.
Toxin: Who in their right mind puts Yams on shepherds pie?!
Nilsen: I do.
Toxin: Well I mean, a sane person wouldn’t use them.
Nilsen: A…Tox. I ain’t sane.
Toxin: Oh sure, (beat)
Toxin wasn’t great at knowing when to quit pushing buttons and this moment was none the different.
Toxin: and I thought you knew how to cook… ::a small smirk::
Toxin’s attempt to be humorous.
Nilsen: I…do.
Toxin: Yeah, that’s true, I’ve just never had a dish from you that was so far off target. ::winking::
If anyone were there they’d observe that Toxin was winking and smirking and assuming that Lhandon was just going along with the ribbing, but they’d see that Lhandon was not taking it that way and visually appeared to be getting angry. He’d been holding it together so well over the past month, taking work for Arlill, covering for him when he got grumpy and even taking the snap in the OC on the chin.
Nilsen: This…isn’t that bad.
Toxin: I’m just saying, it’s not like mom’s. ::patting Lhandon on the back::
He tired so hard. All this month, holding it together. He’d be working hard on this anger, but now, right now, he needed to be along
Nilsen: I’m…not feeling good.
Toxin: What did I do?!
It all came crashing down on Tox really quickly, he’d gone too far on this one. Lhandon had a few things he was truly passionate about, flying, his family, his closest friends, and cooking.
Nilsen: No, nothing, just erm, go.
Toxin: Ok, but should I come back later?
Nilsen: I’ll catch up
Toxin: Ok, see you later.
The door slid closed behind Toxin, leaving Lhandon alone in his quarters. The jovial atmosphere that only moments ago seemed to drain away. Lhandon stood still for a moment, the smile he had been holding onto while Toxin was present slipping from his face. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides.
He took a deep breath, trying to will away the anger bubbling up inside him, trying to remember all of the tools that Salo and Streandhal. He was angry at Toxin, yes, but mostly he was angry at himself. He had started prided himself on his ability to keep his temper in check, but now it seemed as if his self-control was slipping through his fingers.
With a sudden burst of energy, he swept his arm across the counter, sending the dinner flying. The bowl of mashed yams shattered against the far wall, leaving a splattered mess of orange.
The outburst did little to alleviate his anger. Instead, it seemed to stoke the flames, feeding the fury that was seething just below his skin. He slammed his fist down on the counter, the sharp pain grounding him for a moment.
He was alone, there was no one to see him lose his temper. There was no one to see Lhandon give into his anger. And perhaps, that was for the best. For in that moment, he was not the composed officer his friends he had been trying to develop into. He was a man at the end of his tether, struggling to hold onto the last shreds of his patience.
((Two days later. ))
It had been two days since his prompt exit from the dinner party and he’d not seen or heard much from Lhandon, beyond a few OC memos and requests. It seemed that Lhandon had assigned himself to every duty team around the ship besides the OC shift. Toxin truly began to worry he’d destroyed the best thing he had going for him, his best friend and confidant.
While completing his duties Toxin felt empty, he was completing the tasks but they no longer held any enjoyment for him, it wasn’t the same without his best friend anymore. He’d done this in the past and never seemed to learn that even those who seem like they’d never get angry at him, he’d always found a way to push it too far.
[[ End of Scenes, for Now ]]
Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
Assistant Chief of Operations.
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)
&
Lieutenant Toxin Arlill
Chief of Operations
USS Octavia E Buttler NCC-82850
Writer ID.: O239910TA4LT