LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Diplomatically Return In The Future
Lhandon Nilsen
((OOC: Last ever LTJG sim…as long as I don’t do what Tom Paris did lol)
(( The Celestial Temple Pub, Deep Space 14 ))
The conversation with the captain had struck at one of the most important questions that Lhandon could have been asked: Did he want to do this? The answer had been a categorical and certain yes. Diplomacy was what was next for Lhandon.
Lhandon had gone on to explain how he had fallen into every single role he had taken on. He'd always seen that as a negative, something that he should hide. He had expressed that he wanted, for once, to do something deliberately. That day, for the first time in his life, he had Captain Del Vedova describe this not as a weakness or something to be ashamed of, but rather something to be proud of.
Del Vedova: (a smile) And so you would be. Although, if you're open to a different interpretation, I would say you've done an admirable job of adapting to whatever challenges you've encountered. That's an ideal quality for a Starfleet officer. Since diplomacy is what you want to do now, I don't see anything wrong with that. But I also don't think you need to judge yourself too harshly for the choices you've made thus far.
He wasn’t aware how much he needed to hear those words.
Del Vedova: And I feel like I know you well enough now to encourage you to take pride in what you've accomplished.
Nilsen: Sorry, I didn't mean to give you the entire life story. (deep breath)
Del Vedova: (with a laugh) It's fine, it's fine. How else was I supposed to tailor my excellent advice? I should have gone into counseling.
He winked, to let Nilsen know he was just kidding.
Maybe. There was always time for another career change.
Nilsen: Well, if you do, you’d make a great one.
Smiling too, he got the joke.
Del Vedova: Well, then, tell me what you're going to do. I assume you'll talk with Rouiancet?
Now Lhandon was thinking about a plan, maybe this was Del Vedova’s plan along.
Nilsen: Yes sir, I’m going to ask if Ro can get me any diplomatic assignments on a mission. Really get that experience. I’ve also got to talk to Salo about the move and catch up with all the reading from my long-distance course.
And armed with that, he knew what his next meeting with Ro would look like, and he knew just what to ask.
Del Vedova: (a nod) Sounds like a plan to me. (beat) And, how's this, I'll even pay for the drinks this time.
Nilsen: I’ll remember that and take you up on it.
Del Vedova: Ah, but you haven't heard my condition yet. We have to do this again, when we're on the same ship or station, so that you can tell me what's happened in the interim.
Lhandon had replied with the utmost sincerity.
Nilsen: You got yourself a deal sir.
He would have a little bit of time before he would see Ro again, as she was heading off to a conference. However, he could certainly broach the topic with Promontory, who he had always found able to give him a realistic overview without crushing his spirits.
So when they got back from scanning whatever it was that they were sent to scan, which should only take a little bit of time, he planned to ask his captain about diplomacy.
Lhandon the Diplomat…I don’t know about you, but I like the sound of that.
End scene for Nilsen
((OOC: I totally had Andrew Robinson reading the last line in my head))
Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
Assistant Chief of Operations.
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)