LTJG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen - Gibbs Slap Count: Three
Lhandon Nilsen
(Gymnasium, Deck 5, Octavia E Butler)
With the energy of “I’m just going to talk to him.” Lhandon called out:
Nilsen: I’m going to ::yells:: =/\= Computer locate Henr...
Nis: Wait! If that is his boyfriend, we don’t know, that seems, like, really invasive. Just saying.
Metaphorically pushing Nis out of the way, Maxwell released the bag and closed the distance between them. Maxwell then slapped Nilsen around the back of his head and looked down at Nilsen, despite their height difference.
Maxwell: You can welly that bag until your hands bleed laddie. But you're no laying a hand on another member ae this crew. ::He paused for barely a heartbeat.:: You understand me, aye?
He nodded and quietly said "aye." It was the kind of nod a child gives when their father disciplines them. Rank melted away, and he stood before a disappointed parent. Perhaps Maxwell's guidance and approval overwhelmed him, leaving him feeling small and vulnerable in the wake of what would have been misguided actions. A single Gibbs slap now was much better than going down an alternative path.
The disappointment hung heavy in the air between them. Nilsen's breath was in short, shallow bursts as he fought to maintain his composure.
O’Reilly: Hey Lhandon, why would Toxin do anything to hurt you, maybe he just doesn’t realize what’s happening? (beat) Maybe he just needs his head checked?
Caras: But if it’s interfering with his command decisions, isn’t it something that needs to be reported and assessed by ::pausing to think:: the first officer?
Nilsen: I…don’t know.
Nis: Maybe you’re right. But maybe one of us should do it. For example, we could call him into medical. Dr. Toz asked us to go through most of the crew anyway to make sure there weren’t lingering effects from the Dow. And it’s obvious that there are some, cause like we said, Lt. Toxin is probably hallucinating, so, you know, we should probably take a look at him anyway. But that way you’re not confronting him, we are. And it won’t even seem like a confrontation, it’ll just be natural doctor-speak.
But as soon as Maxwell had disciplined him in this unconventional manner, his demeanour softened. Maxwell didn't hold any resentment; rather, his expression lightened as he showed Lhandon another path, one started by Nis.
Maxwell: Listen tae the doc here. ::His expression lightened.:: Nae fighting.
O’Reilly: Yeah, if you get yourself thrown off this boat who the heck am I gonna have left to harrass. (beat)
The mood lifting again, Nilsen smiled O’Reilly’s comment. They certainly had a unique friendship.
O'Reilly: Look, I may not know Toxin well, but I know he's a good officer. Maybe we're all jumping to conclusions here?
Caras: Lieutenant Arlill is the chief of ops and doesn’t really have to report why he moved Nilsen to a different shift. That unfortunately is his prerogative. I say that it’s a bad choice and a waste of a good officer, but this isn't democracy, this is the chain of command.
Lhandon had spoken calmly. He'd felt the anger slip away, and he nodded at each comment while slowly wiping away the sweat from his forehead.
Nilsen: Yeah…he doesn’t. It’s just…you know, this felt like it came out of nowhere, but at the same time, all the signs were there.
A single tear left his eye and he tried to hide it away as he pulled the lower part of his vest up to his face, showing for but a brief moment his abdomen and toned muscles which Nilsen had clearly put a lot of work into. Slightly above his waist on the right side of his abs was a rune, no more than two inches tall, that was made of two symmetrical swirls at the top, resembling flames rising upwards.
He covered his face for a moment with his vest, letting the last of the tear get cleared away, in an attempt to hide the sadness he was now feeling, a sadness which had melted from anger. As he did this, it also gave hints of a smaller tattoo on his chest.
Maxwell/Nis: Response
O'Reilly: What if we arrange a casual meetup? Get Toxin and Henry together with us, see how they interact?
Lhandon let go of his vest and it dropped back onto his chest. He looked at O’Reilly as he mentioned that idea and he was intrigued, he then followed to conversation to Caras who built off the idea.
Caras: Not a bad idea. I figure if we have a casual talk with both of them, and see how they react if Lhandon walks by, we’ll have our answer if there is unduly fraternization.
Nilsen: Like a…this could work? Won’t Tox ::correcting himself:: Lt Arlill realise we’re doing somethin’
Maxwell/Nis/Nilsen: Response
O'Reilly: Either way, we need to handle this a bit more gently. The last thing we want is to create more tension in the crew. (beat) and that’s coming from a marine ::looking over at Maxwell::
Caras: I’m with O’Reilly on this one. The smart choice is almost never violence::laughing nervously:: but you’d never actually put your hands on another officer right?
Nilsen: No, I wouldn’t dream of it.
Caras: I’m new to the ship and I just want to make sure that everyone gets along, but at the end of the day it’s my business because you’re my friend Lhando. Professionally I don’t have a stake in it, but that isn’t what this is about.
Nilsen: I appreciate that mate. I..erm
He nodded again. The anger that had been filling him before seemed to have dissipated. His blood was no longer on fire; it was quiet now in Lhandon's head.
O'Reilly/Maxwell/Nis: Response
Caras: Look we’re all here for you man. Look around, the four of us see that you’re in pain and we’re all here to help you in the ways that you need.
Nilsen: ::nodding slowly:: I appreciate that, all of you. I... I.
Unable to find the words, Caras instead made a request from Nilsen.
Caras: Have some faith that we can help right this wrong for you. Please.
Part of Nilsen had always wanted to be in control. It had wanted to speak now, and it had wanted to push them all away and say he would handle it, but it was silenced by something else.
Nilsen: I…I do…I…
O'Reilly/Maxwell/Nis: Response
The "something else" was his friends, these four in particular around him. He undid the Velcro strap of the boxing glove, first loosening the right hand with his teeth and then slipping it off, before removing his left-hand glove.
Nilsen: Yeah…you folks are right.
O'Reilly/Maxwell/Nis/Caras: Response
Nilsen: So…erm…we doing this?…and do you want food ::first tentative smile:: cos I’m hungry, and ::beat:: I ain’t cooked for two ::nodding to Caras and Nis::.
And then one more smile as a dropped just a small bit of humour.
Nilsen: Even you O'Reilly. I can’t hate ya.
Lhandon liked who he was when he was cooking and now looked forward to this change of tune.
O'Reilly/Maxwell/Nis/Cares: Response (optional)
[End Scene for Nilsen]
((OOC: This feels like the perfect place to end the scene. Also, this is technically Gibbs slap number three; a fourth Gibbs slap has been written and will show up in a JP shortly. I'm sure many on the crew will enjoy reading that lol))
Lieutenant JG Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
Assistant Chief of Operations.
USS Octavia E Butler
O240007LN1
He/Him/His (Both player and character)