Ensign Bryce Tagren-Quinn - Piecing Fragments of Memory
Kara Argyropoulos
((Cyrithra Forest, Palanon))
A nice little spot by the campfire, chatting with friends. When the evening started, Bryce worried about how the others might see him. Could they see him as a failure, unable to complete the mission? Could they think less of him when he couldn’t be a doctor? Could they resent him?
But, so far, none of that. All those worries, so far, all for naught.
Instead, this is what he had encountered from those he would deem as friends: apparent concern for his welfare and genuine joy in seeing him again. And it caused a visceral reaction that he couldn’t yet process.
The only thing he knew right then was that the feeling was mutual, and it was a balm for the soul.
Despite that step forward, he still held many things close to his chest: such as the “dreaded tunnel bed of chroniton and antichroniton horrors and tortures” that nearly ripped him apart (a painful memory and Lox would know all about that soon enough) and specific personal details around his recovery. A part of him still mourned the man that was left on the planet. Doctor Randall and his sister, Elie, had told him that it was to be expected and that he didn’t need to share everything. The point was to keep moving.
Tagren-Quinn: Anyway, not talking shop– The drawing helped to get my mind off things for a little while in between treatments. Another nature outing would probably be good medicine, too, for us all.
Loxley: Response
His mind traveled briefly to what his first day back in Sickbay might look like. Tali and Loxley getting him quickly up to speed with their recent relief efforts.
He wanted to feel useful again. He wanted to help them, take some of the pressure off of them. Give them a chance to rest.
Tahna: Nature is great for the soul. I’ve done nothing but work and rearrange my quarters lately, and it’s kinda lonely there.
Loxley: Response
There was a flash of something on Meru’s face before she quickly turned her attention toward the miniature PADD she held, and it caused the El-Aurian hybrid to pause. Sadness, yes, and it matched with the word lonely. Disturbances, rippling under the surface. Patched together slowly like a quilt from various parts of the starry night. The drawing of the monarch butterfly fluttered in, complete with rich shades of oranges and greens, and its life cycle scribbled around it. Like the creature, the moment moved swiftly enough. Bryce didn’t have an opportunity to fully digest and conjure an appropriate reaction or response, but he did store it for later.
Tahna: My father’s an artist, I never figured it out. Makes all this extra impressive. I like the way you use color.
Loxley: Response
Tagren-Quinn: Thank you kindly. That means a lot.
As the pair toggled between the images, Bryce (still a little distracted) glanced up and caught sight of Samira Neathler again. This time, with the courage brought forward by the presence of Loxley and Tahna Meru, he allowed himself to think through having a conversation with her. He had wanted to for some time.
Tahna: Aw, he's cute. Are you related?
Loxley: Response
He blinked and smiled widely, probably the biggest throughout the evening, at the drawing on the screen. It was of his nephew holding a salamander he had proudly discovered in the shady forests surrounding his mother’s home. A holo-image Elie had gifted him was the inspiration for the rendition (“You will make sure to put up personal things, pictures of family and such, in your room on the Gorkon”).
Tagren-Quinn: Ah, yes, that’s my nephew. Rory. He likes to go on “creature hunts,” much to my sister's dismay.
Loxley/Tahna: Response
With the mini-stream complete, Bryce silently retrieved the PADD and slipped it back into his pocket. As he did, a blur of something and a bark came from across the clearing. Whatever the commotion, it wasn’t close, but it caught his attention. It was hard not to.
Tagren-Quinn: Speaking of the animals from the Gorkon I see–or hear, rather?
Stretching out the remnants of ache in his legs, he lifted himself back on his feet to get a better look. In the small distance, by the light of various lit fires, was the petite Vulcan Science Chief patting the dog’s head and conversing with the Rodulan Commander.
Was she wearing her spectacles?
Tagren-Quinn: Commander Alieth’s dog? Uhh-hahaha. Chestnut, is it? Cheddarcakes?
Loxley/Tahna: Response
Tagren-Quinn: Ah, that’s right. ::A slight chuckle of embarrassment as he plopped back down into the chair, still getting used to his height.:: I’ve not yet had a chance to meet Cheesecake, so that’ll be my excuse. I know that we just talked about this.
Loxley/Tahna: Response
Tagren-Quinn: So, umm, did either of you have a chance to take any downtime during…umm… well, I guess it’s leave, but I know that you all have had lots going on, so.
The question wasn’t meant to be a probing one from Meru’s maybe earlier micro-revelation (and vague, unidentifiable fragments collected throughout their interaction that evening), or the fatigue written around his unicorn-cap wearing friend’s eyes (the man who probably was the most instrumental in saving his life). Still, it was asked because, as much as the pair worried over him (he wagered), he worried over them, too.
Loxley/Tahna: Response
Ensign Bryce Tagren-Quinn, M.D.
Medical Officer
USS Gorkon (NCC-82293)
T238909AT0