Ensign Elijah Kovacs: Expectations
Mark P
OOC: This is the first hour I’ve been able to pull together my thoughts continuously, but still not feeling great, please bear through any mistakes. I’ve enjoyed catching up on the sims so far. <3
((Botanical Arboretum, Lower Level, Deck 9, USS Octavia E. Butler))
The date had been off to a decent start, aside from the nosy officer, and as the pair casually chatted, they were picking at the fruit and cheese while discussing their bosses. Eli’s perspective of Josh had been that he was a bit of a hardass that needed to learn to trust people; the focus moved to Arlill.
Nilsen: Josh? Hardass? He wasn’t like that when he came to the OC last year. But Tox? He’s ::leaning back:: he’s stressed, he’s trying to take on everything, nothing short of perfection from him. I’ve been taking work from Tox when he’s not looking, just so he can get out of the OC before 23:00.
A short sigh escaped the ops officer.
Nilsen: He’s putting too much pressure on himself, The whole project fort thing and our OC being the first one to be created from scratch by fort, he is determined to not have it fail but…Sounds like both our bosses are erm…what’s the phrase? Stressed?
Kovacs: ::pursing his lips:: Seems like the added responsibility is weighing them down.
Nilsen: But erm…let’s just for one night forget about them…I wanna just talk about you Mr Kovacs.
Lhandon offered a small smile, and Eli returned it. For a moment, the men got caught in each other’s eyes.
Nilsen: You’re real cute you know. I…L…Like did you always wanna be an engineer?
Kovacs: It seems like it’s what I had a knack for, so I applied and here I am. I think my parents are expecting me to move up the ranks rather quickly, just like them.
Nilsen: We gotta get you promoted soon then, get that second pip on you, then it's only five more to over take your ma and pa right?
Eli smiled and nodded; hoping that Lhandon wouldn’t pick up on the artificial aspect of it. He was always in the shadows of his parents, both in the admiralty. Was it bad that when he had been assigned to the ‘Oumuamua, he was glad to be a whole quadrant away from them? That, when the ship had been damaged and that they were awaiting new orders, he prayed not the be assigned to one of their sectors?
He loved them, but there was an old Earth adage he could relate to cautioning working with family. But, just like today wasn’t about bosses, it wasn’t about his parents nor these feelings; that could come later.
Kovacs: That, among other things. ::smiling:: Some battle scars and ingenious problem solving might help me get there.
Nilsen: Reckon they'd like me? I know my little clan would you love you to bits.
Kovacs: Well, with your track record, what Starfleet officer wouldn’t. I think you might have already seen more action and first contacts than full lieutenants. I know that they’d think that you’re an apple that fell off the right tree. ::feeling the weight of expectations from his parents::
Lhandon outstretched his arm and rested it on Eli’s as he nudged himself closer.
Nilsen: And…what about the “future?” and us two.
Eli’s mouth went slightly agape; to be honest, he hadn’t thought too far ahead. He didn’t want to rush things; he was taking each moment as it came. Thankfully, the man continued his point.
Nilsen: I mean that’s if you’re thinking the same as me, because these past few months of dating you have been ::beat:: the best ever.
The engineer regained his composure, smiling and nodding. He silently prayed to the gods that the man hadn’t brought a ring and was planning to get engaged; Kovacs wasn’t ready for that big of a step yet.
Kovacs: It has been a great few months figuring out ‘Eli & Lhando’. I’ve not spent this much time courting someone; to be honest, I’ve never spent more than a few hours — but those were nothing compared to how you make me feel.
He drew his arm around Nilsen’s mid-side and tugged him tight, emphasizing the feeling. He could tell this had caused some physical reaction in the other man, his breathing more rapid. So, he relaxed his grip and pulled them both backward so they could stare at the artificial sky and clouds.
Nilsen: Response
Lhando had not let him off that easily, Eli had incorrectly assumed he’d avoided the question with grace.
Kovacs: I think… Let's see where things go. Starfleet on its own is a rollercoaster, and I really enjoy what we have. (beat) I’m still getting acclimated to being more public with things.
Nilsen: Response
Kovacs: No, it’s not that, it’s just… this feeling of what we have now, I want to savour it for as long as we can. ::watching the clouds go by:: I just worry that if I think too far down the road, I’ll get in my head about everything.
Nilsen: Response
Tags/TBC
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Ensign Elijah Kovacs
Engineering Officer
USS Octavia E. Butler
O240005JH3
he/him/his (player/character)