Ensign Sival: Agreeable Encounters
James Scott Schumann
((Awards Ceremony, Central Mall, Lightside Station))
Sival was pleased that he had decided to ‘mingle’ with the crew rather than return to his quarters after the ceremony. Perhaps it was the turtleneck, but something put him in the right mind to stay. He found that speaking with the captain was not only opportune, but he was also finding her to be of strong character, particularly thoughtful and reflective. Sival found this to be most satisfying.
Oddas: The crew deserves it - but I would much rather be pulling a ship out of deadly spin than giving a public address.
Sival nodded in understanding. He appreciated the remark on a few levels. He respected someone who was true to their calling, and he also sympathized with regards to speaking at public functions. While it did not seem logical, he, too, would rather be in a high-stress situation related to his vocation than speaking in front of others.
Yet he gently offered a remark that he was sure the captain already knew.
Sival: I sympathize, captain. Yet the crew is nurtured and inspired when they hear their captain recognize them.
Oddas: I have no doubt, they always do great they things.
Sival nodded and took in the remark. It was a thoughtful conclusion - not just hyperbolic praise. To Sival, here was a captain who was optimistic about her crew.
Sival: If their captain believes that, then the crew will believe it themselves and be remarkable when the situation calls for it.
Oddas: Response
Sival: Indeed, I have, but mostly in an official capacity. There’s still some crew that I have not met at all.
Oddas: Response
Although he was only holding a glass of water, he took the moment to offer well-wishes to the captain.
Sival: To the crew of the Juneau and her captain. May we always have strength, prosperity and fellowship.
Oddas: Response
Sival nodded, then went to the buffet bar. Had he not been a medical officer, he might have found the display of flesh from various animals to be most unappealing. Fortunately, there were a few fruits and vegetables that seemed agreeable. He picked a few, then began to walk around the room, pretending to appear preoccupied by his food rather than being alone amongst the crowd.
He spotted Ensign Falt departing the company of two officers whom he had not met before. He walked in their direction.
Falt: ::to R'Kala:: Again, it was good to meet you. I'm looking forward to working in the department together.
R'Kala: Response
Sival took a silent, but deep breath.
Sival: Lieutenant Commander, Ensign, would you mind if I joined you?
While the other two might never know it, it took no small amount of bravery for Sival to take the initiative and insert himself into the conversation. While it would be easy to pretend that his lack of social skills was attributed to his Vulcan sensibilities, he knew it was also an excuse to mask a certain amount of social anxiety that was gifted to him by humanity.
R’Kala / Qinn: Response
Sival: I am Ensign Sival. I have recently been assigned to the Juneau as a medical officer.
R’Kala: Response
Qinn: Response
Sival: Congratulations on your honours, Ensign R’Kala. I’d be most interested in discussing your novel use of hyronalin. It is a fascinating medicine.
Sival wondered if there were other people who found things such as medicines to be ‘fascinating’.
R’Kala: Response
Sival: Interesting. And Lt. Cmdr. Qinn, well done with the captain’s test flight. I was impressed with your ability to process the situation efficiently under pressure.
Sival wanted to continue and discuss more about his research into the amygdala and emotional regulation, and how he desired that members of the Juneau crew would volunteer some of their time, but, based on prior experience, he knew that such digressions were not usually fodder for discussion at these kinds of events.
Qinn: Response
R’Kala / Any: Response
TAG / TBC
Ensign Sival
Medical Officer
USS Juneau, NX-99801
J239808S11