Ensign Tholin ch'Clex - A Secretive Start

[johanssonted]

((The Ruddy Targ, City, Denali Station))

 

Mosfer: Good! You came!

 

Tanner: Hi Everyone. 

 

Rian: Response

 

Tholin took a seat, folding himself into the booth. His antennae angled toward Mosfer, betraying his curiosity.

 

ch’Clex: ::quiet, but polite:: I’m glad to join you, Ensign. Your message was intriguingly vague.

 

He glanced at Ensign Jackson Tanner and Ensign Kenzie West, noting that both had arrived around the same time. Though Tholin didn’t know them well, the gathering felt comfortably low-key.

 

Mosfer: Please, sit down.  And feel free to order something. 

 

Rian: Response

 

Tholin reached for the holographic menu, briefly considering Andorian ale before deciding to keep his wits about him.

 

ch’Clex: ::offering a small, polite smile:: I’ll have a non-synthetic Andorian spice tea if they carry it if not, the standard replicator version will do.

 

Ensign Tanner’s voice carried over the soft chatter.

 

Tanner: Any recommendations anyone?

 

Rian: Response

 

Tholin gave a brief shrug. He was still familiarizing himself with the station’s culinary offerings.

 

Mosfer: I’m sure you’re wondering why I’ve asked you to meet me here.  

 

Rian: Response

Tholin leaned forward slightly, antennae inclined in interest.

 

ch’Clex: ::softly:: Curiosity has certainly gotten the better of me. I have a sense this isn’t just a social gathering.

 

Mosfer: I have a proposal to make. 

 

Rian: Response

Tanner: A proposal for Ensigns, made ::gazing around:: in the Targ. You’ve got my interest, that’s for sure.

 

West: Same, ::She nods:: something like a study group?

 

Tholin studied Mosfer, quickly running through different possibilities, perhaps some collaborative project or a more clandestine undertaking.

 

Rian: Response

Tholin caught a glance from West, noting an equally curious expression on her face.

 

Mosfer So… I was recently transferred to Denali from the Butler.

 

Mosfer: And I wanted to start a… well… an organization, if you will.

 

Tanner: ::Pausing to consider what was being proposed.:: I see you’ve given this some thought, but can you explain it a bit more?

 

Rian: Response

Tholin set his tea aside, carefully observing Mosfer’s expression and body language.

 

ch’Clex ::mild amusement:: We’re listening. It sounds like you want to form something more formal than just an occasional meet-up.

 

Mosfer nodded, encouraged by the reactions so far.

 

Mosfer: Oh sure, definitely. I’m definitely going to give details. After all, you can’t know how awesome it is if I don’t.

 

Mosfer: But… before I do, there’s something super important. I need a promise.

 

West: Well spill, what type of promise do you need?

 

Rian: Response

 

Tholin’s antennae tilted forward, reflecting a cautious curiosity.

 

Mosfer: You have to swear that what’s said here stays here. We don’t talk about this conversation, we don’t talk about what we’re going to talk about. It’s nothing bad! But it stays between us. For now.

 

West: I do enjoy a good secret, ::She gives a little side smirk::  I can agree to that.

 

Tanner: No problem from me.

 

Rian: Respond

 

Tholin inclined his head in a subtle nod.

 

ch’Clex: ::quiet assurance:: You have my discretion, Ensign. I won’t discuss it outside this group.

 

Mosfer: Great. Now… how would you guys feel about being a part of an organization run by Lower Decks that’s to help support and protect Lower Deckers?

 

West: So like a study group but with a more wider scope?  

 

Tanner: Right, so like a social group that supports each other?

 

Mosfer: Yes, something like that.

 

Mosfer’s purple hair fell into his eyes as he spoke. Tholin noticed the Yelikan blowing the strand away, revealing a hint of eagerness behind those eyes. Mosfer seemed intent on gauging their reactions.

 

Rian: Response

 

West: It does have my interest, and well I love a good project, or tinkering in general.

 

Tholin leaned forward slightly, drumming two fingers against the table’s edge.

 

ch’Clex: ::quiet but earnest:: I can see how that could be beneficial. It helps when the more junior officers band together. Especially on a station as big as Denali, we need that sense of community.

 

Tanner: Well, it’s probably that I feel like I don’t have much to offer at the moment, but I can see how this has merit as time goes on. Particularly for any new Ensigns that arrive.

 

Mosfer: Exactly. And... well, I haven’t been promoted yet, but I have some experience.

 

His eyes swept over each of them in turn.

 

Mosfer: So, what do you think?

 

Rian: Response

 

West: I'm in ::she chimes::

 

Tholin glanced from Tanner to West, then back to Mosfer.

 

ch’Clex: Response ::inclining his head:: I’m willing to give it a try. If we can pool our knowledge and experiences, it might just become something quite valuable to us and to other incoming officers.

 

Tanner: Well, I’m keen. What happens now? ::Smiling at the obvious jest.:: Actually, what are we calling it?

 

Tholin lifted his glass, noticing it was nearly half-empty.

 

ch’Clex: ::with a subtle note of humor:: We could always call it something cryptic like ‘Project Lower Decks.’ That might pique too much interest, though.

 

West: Well we can't call ourselves the Lower Decks...  Maybe by what ever shift we get? like the A-Team?

 

Mosfer then gestured for West to pause when the waiter appeared, ordering drinks for the whole booth.

 

Mosfer: Drinks for everyone!

 

Tholin shifted his antennae in quiet appreciation. He was beginning to enjoy Mosfer’s energetic presence.

 

Tholin offered a nod of thanks toward Mosfer and the server.

 

ch’Clex: ::politely:: Thank you. If you have Andorian spice tea, I’d appreciate a refill.

 

Rian/Tanner/West: Response

Mosfer: Actually, it already has a name - and an acronym!

 

A grin widened across the Yelikan’s face. Tholin’s antennae angled forward in interest. He took a slow sip from what remained of his drink, awaiting the reveal.

 

Mosfer: The Junior Officer Protection Association - JOPA for short.

 

Rian/Tanner/West: Response

 

Tholin’s expression brightened just enough to show approval.

 

ch’Clex: ::considering the acronym:: JOPA... it’s got a nice ring to it. If it builds camaraderie and mutual support, I’m all for it.

 

Shaking his head, Mosfer paused as the waiter returned with new drinks—and a variety of appetizers. Tholin could smell the enticing aromas of breaded spiced turbinins, crusty bread with brined sevalian beef and melted cheese, and the distinctly Earth-based twice-baked potatoes.

 

Mosfer: There are actually other chapters, but we have to be careful. The first rule of JOPA is - Don’t talk about JOPA. The second rule is don’t talk about what happens in JOPA. And, if someone overhears you and asks what JOPA is, you can tell them it’s the Junior Officer Poetry Association.

 

Clapping his hands, Mosfer rubbed them in glee. Tholin reached for a piece of spiced turbinin, intrigued by the combination of scents.

 

Mosfer: Now… we should of course go over all the rules. There aren’t many, but there are a couple more. And we should go over the requirements for membership.

 

Rian/Tanner/West: Response

 

Tholin nodded and carefully balanced the appetizer between his fingers.

 

ch’Clex: ::quiet, antennae tilting forward:: I’m looking forward to hearing them. Count me in, Mosfer. Let’s see how we can shape JOPA here on Denali.

 

Mosfer/Rian/Tanner/West: Response

 

ch’Clex: ::setting his appetizer aside, leaning forward with antennae slightly raised:: One question occurs to me. If we run into disagreements among ourselves, how do we handle them? I’d like to avoid misunderstandings that could undermine this organization before it’s fully formed.

 

Mosfer/Rian/Tanner/West: Response

 

TAG, TBC

 

--
Ensign  Tholin ch'Clex
Tactical Officer
Denali Station
D240112TC4