Lt. Shayne: Decompression of the Chest
Quinn Friedl
((Deck 1, Turbolift, USS Darwin-A))
Shayne: =/\= Shayne to Commander R'Ven.
::He had to do this now, before his resolve slipped again. Before the opportunity vanished before his eyes again. His mother's impatience now boiled within him, urging him on toward his goal, and willing R'Ven to respond. To someone else, it might be seen as a needless gesture, a pointless reopening of old wounds. But Shayne knew that he would regret not doing this for years afterward. He was weird like that.::
R'Ven: =/\= Go ahead Mister Shayne. =/\=
Shayne: =/\= I'm sorry to bother you, sir, but there's a matter I'd like to discuss with you in private- if you have the time. =/\=
::He added the last bit as a total afterthought, remembering that R'Ven might be otherwise engaged, and that others did not revolve around his desires. So consumed was he with his purpose that almost forgot common courtesy. He felt the turbolift moving down- someone had obviously called for it. Since Shayne didn't know where R'Ven was, or where they'd meet- if he agreed to it- Shayne decided to come along for the ride. Wherever they'd come together, he doubted it would be on the bridge.::
R’Ven: =/\= I am somewhat busy right. . .
::That was odd. He didn't think he'd ever heard R'Ven so...distracted before. The Rodulan's mind was remarkably disciplined, distinctly controlled. Vulcan-like. To hear him not complete a sentence was quite unusual.::
::And then to add to the confusion, he heard a mumbling voice in the background. A female voice. All of a sudden, Shayne realized he may have just intruded upon something quite private for the second time in less than a month. He silently blew air out his mouth, deflating his shoulders as he went. This was becoming far too habitual for his tastes. Much of his intent drained from his heart. He would still go forth and complete his goal, but he'd feel a little less invited than he might have.::
::A considerable amount of time passed, in which Shayne bobbed on the balls of his feet, restraining his irrational impatience as best he could.::
R'Ven: =/\= . . . On second thought it would seem that I have time available now if you would like. =/\=
::He blushed, fully aware that his badly placed call may have contributed greatly to R'Ven's sudden availability.::
Shayne: ::Completely lying about his true feelings.:: =/\= It's... not urgent. A personal matter. If you have other things to attend to... =/\=
::It was very urgent- to him. But R'Ven probably didn't see it that way. Balancing professional relationships and private ones was always a challenge. He just couldn't gauge them properly.::
R’Ven: =/\= No, I truly have nothing else here. If you would like we can talk in Natural Selections, it is largely unoccupied. Unless you have some other place in mind?
::Natural Selections- not the best place for a private heart to heart confession. Still, if R'Ven was already there, and felt the room was sufficiently uninhabited, who was he to argue? No point in inconveniencing him further.::
Shayne: =/\= Thank you- I'll be there in two minutes. =/\=
R'Ven: =/\= That sounds excellent. R'Ven out. =/\=
::With that, he gave the turbolift a command, and it set about bringing him to his destination.::
((USS Darwin-A, Deck 6, Natural Selections))
::The doors hissed open, and Shayne strode in. R'Ven was right- the place was often full, as social hubs tend to be. Now, though, only a few people remained. He spotted where R'Ven was sitting and hurried to join him.::
Shayne: ::Offering a small smile.:: Commander.
R'Ven: response.
Shayne: Thank you.
::He bit his tongue, searching for the words. So much ached to come forward. For the first time in his life, he wished he was telepathic. It would be so much easier to express himself in one convoluted ball of feelings and thoughts, instead of trying to individualize each separate tangent and word them, one after another. This would be like combing out a molasses-soaked tribble.::
Shayne: Um...first, congratulations on your promotion. Well deserved...sir. ::Adding the last part specifically.::
R'Ven: response
::As he worked on his next words, he realized another reason to do this now. R'Ven had only just become his superior. If he let it fester longer, he might never get the courage to speak to him.::
::And it all just came flying out.::
Shayne: I haven't been fair to you. I've regarded you with suspicion and even contempt ever since that incident with the Borg. My fear of what you had become, and the loss of the...drone...I needed to blame something, someone. And you became the target of that. I've realized that you wear the same uniform as me, and that, whatever did happen between you and the Borg, you're still a comrade. Before we leave the Darwin, I just wanted to say... I'm sorry.
::He was glad that he didn't stutter much. Instead of disentangling each thread, he'd just lobbed the whole mass at him. As he observed the Rodulan- the one he'd just poured his heart out to- he realized he should have asked permission to speak freely. But what was done was done, and Shayne was too relieved that he'd been able to find the courage to face R'Ven to worry about his future, or consider the proper forms of command etiquette. ::
R'Ven: response
Tag/TBC...
Lieutenant Randal Shayne
Helmsman
USS Darwin
NCC 99312-A
G239202RS0