Commander Lia Rouiancet: Promises

[Tony Colella]

(( Hydroponics, Deck 10 Saucer, USS Octavia E. Butler ))

Rouiancet: Well, that is a good question. (beat, then a laugh) There will certainly come a time in the near future where I punt all my questions to one of you two.

As soon as Lia had spoken, though, she regretted how she'd phrased the joke. She didn't want either Avander or Aine to think that she wanted them in their new positions only to offload some of her work. But they knew that she'd only been joking, surely -- and indeed, Aine responded with a smile and some reassurance.

Sherlock: Well, we may not have the right answers all the time, but we'll give it our best.

Promontory: So, in the immediate present… any pressing matters we need to be aware of?

Rouiancet: (another brow raise; slight smile) Like a secret deck, or an anomaly storage room? Don't worry, we're not a California. (beat, wider smile) Our restricted objects are much more dangerous.

Promontory: OK. (beat) OK… We’ll be sure to be sensitive to that.

Rouiancet: Joking. Probably.

As far as she herself knew, anyway. At last, Lia felt the comfort she'd expected in the company of the two officers, that feeling of support and community she'd previously felt with them and that she'd found with Iljor as her executive officer.

Sherlock: Well, Captain, thank you for your confidence in us. (nudging Avander with her elbow)

Promontory: Response

Rouiancet: (holding up her hands) No, no, I don't mean to keep you. I'm sure you have a million things on your mind now, if you didn't before. Just, again, thank you.

Sherlock: Anytime I was given a promotion or more responsibility, I've promised to do my best. Maybe (beat) just as much for myself as them. And I make the same promise to you, Captain.

And while Lia had reached the comfort of humor already with the two, her response was as serious as Aine's promise.

Rouiancet: I'll do my damnedest to honor that promise, Aine.

Promontory: Response

Rouiancet: (another small smile) And I appreciate that. Now (shooing with her hands) a million things, I'm sure. But remember to enjoy yourselves, too. Now, more than ever, that downtime's important.

Despite her promise to help with the refugees the Butler was bringing to New Bajor and DS14, Lia was determined to follow her own advice, too. After all was said and done, she had a full two weeks of vacation time coming, and she intended to use it.

Tags! and END SCENE for Rouiancet!

--

Commander Lia Rouiancet

Commanding Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

V238208LV0

she/her/hers (this character)