Ensign Dasal - Please don't hurt me
Eric Kole
((Officer Quarters, Deck 9, USS Chin’toka, Spacedock 1, Earth))
Korin had been rearranging his room for what felt like the tenth time, shifting a stack of books, moving a small plant a few centimeters to the left, adjusting the angle of a datapad on his desk. He wasn’t going to be on this ship forever, but for the time being he wanted this tiny cabin to feel like his space, his little corner of the vessel, carved out from metal and recycled air, made personal by sheer determination.
He had stepped back to take a photo, finally satisfied, or at least close enough, when a voice had cut through the quiet.
Korin had startled so hard he nearly toppled over. Arms pinwheeling, he had caught himself on the edge of the bunk with an undignified grunt. Thank the stars he had been alone; the aftermath would’ve been mortifying to witness. Straightening up, he had cleared his throat in a valiant attempt to pretend absolutely nothing had happened.
Is’Kah: =/\= Lieutenant Is’Kah to Dasal. =/\=
Dasal: =/\= Hello Lieutenant, um-go ahead.=/\=
Is’Kah: =/\= I am the Chief of Security, and I make a point to talk to everyone when they are assigned to the ship. Will you come by my office on Deck 11 for a conversation? =/\=
Dasal: =/\= Deck 11? Ya-sure. I’ll be there there right away Lieutenant.=/\=
Is’Kah: =/\= Thank you, Is’Kah out. =/\=
((Security Chief’s Office., Deck 11, USS Chin’toka, Spacedock 1, Earth))
He was terrified. Why would the chief of security want to see him? Zha had said they had wanted to meet him, but what if it had been some elaborate cover and he had already done something to get himself kicked off the ship? Dr. Lu’oni had been right, he wouldn’t last a week.
When he reached the door, he stared at it for far too long, trying to work up the nerve. Finally, pulling himself together, he pressed the door chime.
Is’Kah: Enter.
Dasal: Um- Hello. Ensign Dasal reporting.
He walked into the room and was caught off guard by the Security Chief being quite a lot smaller than he had ever expected zhan to be.
oO Do not call the Security Chief small, do not! That is how you get hit! Oo
He studied zhen as he looked around the office. He tugged down the sleeves of his uniform to hide his tattoo markings, just in case he was in trouble. Trying his best to appear put together, he gave an awkward little wave, hoping to cut the tension.
Is’Kah: Greetings, Ensign. I am Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron, Chief of Tactical and Security. I use Zha/Zhen pronouns, but she/her are also acceptable. I am also married to the acting Chief Engineer, so please call me Is'Kah instead Lieutenant Xiron to help prevent any confusion between us.
He stood there for a moment, processing the information a hint slowly, realizing this wasn’t a court-martial after all. A relieved breath escaped him, and he broke into a wide, grateful smile at zhen.
Dasal: It’s a pleasure ma’am-or sir? Um- sorry. It’s a pleasure though. I’ll remember! ::Small chuckle:: so the Chiefs are together? Cute!
The last part had slipped out before he could catch himself. He immediately seemed to shrink to Zhen’s height out of sheer embarrassment. Oh gosh, zha might kick his butt for that, and that would honestly have been so humiliating.
Is’Kah: Please sit. I was about to pour a cup of tea. May I offer you one?
Zha gestured to the stand on zhen desk that held loose-leaf tea with a fresh cup ready to accept the flavored leaf water.
Dasal: Ah-sorry. I am working on my um-speech control. Ya! Tea would be great honestly. What kind is it?
He reached out to take the offered cup and then flopped down into the chair. Even the smell of the tea steadied him, calming his nerves enough that he felt he might not make quite as much of a fool of himself. As the warmth settled his thoughts, he found himself studying Zhen again. They looked Trill, it seemed, yet their ears had a slight point, suggesting they were probably of mixed heritage. He was still fascinated to imagine how zha parents’ DNA had blended.
Is’Kah: Response
Dasal: So you said you wanted to talk. So is this purely a social call or work one? I ask mostly for my nerves I-I am totally fine with either.
He took a moment to sip at the tea, it needed a few more moments, but it still tasted pretty good. He also found himself wanting to hide a little behind his hair in embarrassment. Lieutenant Is’kah was so very small, yet they carried that aura about zhen that honestly scared him, like a teacher daring you to mess up right in front of them.
Is’Kah: Response
Dasal: Um-ya, that’s right. Just graduated from Med school and academy training. This is my first ship and um. I’m from Angosia III, and have an interest in genetics. Ha-don’t worry no super soldiers in mind I swear.
He cringed at his own joke and returned to sipping his tea.
oO Oh… that was really good. Oo
Is’Kah: Response