Ensign Blaine McCray - Making Friends
JB Dunham
(( USS Constitution - Saloon ))
They wouldn't have access to the ship for a while. A refit. An overdue refit, per StarFleet. T'Seva was not too unhappy about this, although from what she understood of Tucker Station, the crew would be making a lot of their own entertainment.
She had some ideas on that regard.
So, for now, she made her way to the Saloon, to appreciate Elias' hospitality while it was there.
As she entered, she saw the new security ensign belly up to the bar and changed course slightly to intercept.
Elias : Response
He spun on his stool, looking around, a little wide eyed.
Elias : Response
McCray: I think Starfleet knew what they were doing when they put me here.
T'Seva hopped onto the stall next to him.
T'Seva: I hope so. Most of us consider the Constitution to be the best ship in the fleet, but I have yet to meet a crew with no bias.
McCray: I’d assume most officers have a devotion to their ship and shipmates. ::he nodded.:: Did I miss something on shift today?
T'Seva: Actually, I was hoping to get to know you a little now we're under less pressure. That bridge stint was what humans call a baptism of fire.
McCray: I’d like that Commander. I’d like to say that the final training exercise prepares you for days like that, but I don’t think they really can. I guess things change so fast out here.
She turned to Elias.
T'Seva: Glass of springwine, please.
Elias: Response
Then back to McCray.
T'Seva: Did I hear on the bridge that you want to know more about plants?
Blaine took a sip of his beer, letting the flavor of the bock dance on his tastebuds as he listened to T’Seva’s question and thought about what he wished he had learned in his annual stays on Vulcan. When he spoke, his natural Texas drawl slipped in.
McCray: I wish I’d listened more to my Vulcan grandparents when they tried to teach me, but yes. I would like to learn more about plants.
T'Seva: I should introduce you to my mother. She's on the ship as a civilian, but her degree is in xenobotany and she's an ex fleeter. Sherana also knows a lot about plants.
McCray: I’d like that a lot, Commander. What I know about plants is very basic.
T'Seva accepted her springwine and took a sip.
McCray: I’d assume you grew up on Bajor, the way you speak
T'Seva: I did, although I spent several years of my adolescence on Vulcan. My guess is you were raised mostly human?
McCray: After my parents died on the Dawnstar in ‘86, I was shipped to Texas to live with my dad’s parents. They have a ranch in the Panhandle, raisin’ horses. My dad’s mom is a pre-kindergarten teacher and my granddad runs the ranch an’ teaches high school agriculture classes. I did get to spend the winters on Vulcan with my mom’s parents. Grandfather works for the Science Directorate. Grandmother is an artist an’ musician. She taught me poetry and how to play the lyre. I try to find a good balance between the two, though I’ll admit to bein’ mischievous enough that I like to go full logic when I first meet someone before springin’ the accent on ‘em.
T'Seva: A lovely part of Earth, with some very interesting traditions. Especially if you find large herd animals interesting.
Blaine smiled as he thought about the family ranch, his green eyes alight as he took another sip of his beer..
McCray: I really enjoy it there, especially the history. One of the neighbor ranches had a Native American battle site on it. I’d spend days riding along the river breaks. Though I love the family estate in Shir’khar too. My human grandparents actually sent a few horses there and we built stables there too so I could ride.
T’Seva: Response
McCray: What about you, ma’am? What’s Bajor like?
T’Seva: Response
McCray: An’ what’s it like servin’ here? The records really only tell so much about the culture of a ship.
T’Seva: Response
Ensign Blaine McCray
TAC/SEC Officer
USS Constitution-B
C240302BM1