((OOC- This occurs prior to DeVeau’s promotion.))
IC-
(( Starbase 118 Ops - Trinity City - “Hook, Line & Sinker”))
His pile of food had dwindled down, and he popped one of the last pieces of sweet crab meat into his mouth, chewing slower than he had prior now that his hunger had been sated. But his stomach was tense… this was far too much free time, and he could sense she was trying to *bond* with him. And he wasn’t having *that*. Maybe he should have programmed more sharks into his ocean program…?
DeVeau: So what kind of sea life do you have in there?
Alora munched a little more of her meal, but then put aside her fork. While she had only eaten a little over half, she had no intention of stuffing herself. The rest could be taken home and would make a nice meal later.
Ch’cachra: Oh… all sorts. Mostly from Andor.
DeVeau: Do you have a particular favourite?
Why did she keep asking about his “favorites?” It made him suspicious… more than he already was.
Ch’cachra: Not in particular… perhaps we should go, before it gets too late.
Again, not a question. The faster they went, the faster they could get it *over* with. He wiped his hands on the napkin provided that he hadn’t yet used, and pressed his thumbprint to the pad indicating payment… paying for both meals not out of politeness, but out of expediency… and moved to stand.
DeVeau: You didn’t have to do that. I was planning to pay.
Alora commented after she requested a ‘to go’ box.
DeVeau: We do need to take some time. At least an hour before we swim - wouldn’t want to cramp up, right? I’d rather not have to do a deep sea rescue if I can help it.
Ch’cachra: That is more a… suggestion. ::glancing at her half eaten meal:: I do not think you will drown on the holodeck.
DeVeau: I’m joking.
Alora giggled and shook her head. The man was taking her far too seriously, but that was all right. DeVeau: So, holodeck is our next stop?
Alora stood and scooped up her food.
DeVeau: How about I meet you there? I’m just going to put this away. Ch’cachra: … alright.
DeVeau: Awesome. See you in a few!
((Ten minutes later - Holosuite 17))
Rhyl had arrived at the holosuite with a bit of a trudge. How did he get roped into this? And his *private* ocean program was going to be invaded now. This Human, the Lieutenant Commander, seemed impervious to his very decisive mood… this didn’t happen often. Most people hemmed and hawed a little, then gave up. They were too polite, or too unsure to push past the barriers he erected, and that was just the way he liked it.
Now… he loaded his ocean program… to *share*.
The Andorian might have groaned out loud in annoyance... but changed into his swim gear, which subsisted entirely of a pair of compression shorts that sat low on his hips and hit mid-thigh. They were a dark navy blue with a deep burgundy slash down each side, and left little to the imagination. Being shy was not one of his issues though. He exercised often, and it showed. He also slipped his white hair out of his wolf's tail, letting it fall forward as it tended to over his face, framing his antennae and obscuring his eyes.
He stood atop a large platform that was apparently out in the middle of an ocean. It was not a warm ocean either… there were icebergs in the far distance, floating with the slow current. The surface was calm though, and the sky bright and clear. There was a *PUFFFFF* sound from behind him somewhere… an Andorian whale had just surfaced and taken a breath.
DeVeau: Oh, this is gorgeous! She had entered with only the hiss of the doors announcing her presence, masked by the sound of the whale as it inhaled, then splashed back beneath the surface. Alora had gone home, changed, and come straight to the holosuite, and began to peel off her civilian clothes. Underneath, she had worn a regular swimsuit, a simple but modest one piece, and immediately she knew she was going to get cold.
DeVeau: Not what I expected.
Ch’cachra: ::bluntly, as he tended to:: Perhaps you would prefer to leave.
DeVeau: Oh it’s an easy fix. Computer, I need an insulated diving suit. Immediately, her outfit changed and she was bedecked from neck to foot in fabric that clung to her frame.
DeVeau: Much better . Where is this?
Ch’cachra: It is… a modification of the Sea of Andor. The largest ocean on my homeworld. It is not entirely accurate. I have adjusted the frequency of animal encounters and aurora.
Though it was daytime in the program, so there were no obvious aurora. But the pod of whales nearing the diving platform was evidence enough of sea life.
DeVeau: It’s gorgeous. Alora breathed as she darted closer to the sea, gazing out as another whale emerged, then disappeared with a flick of a giant tail. DeVeau: Maybe some day I’ll have the opportunity to visit in person. Ch’cachra: You might find it beautiful, but there is little to enjoy there.
With that statement, he stepped up to the edge of the platform, glancing down into the depth of the ocean beneath them… and cleanly dove into the icy water.
The whales passing by under the surface of the water eyed him, its eye as large as a dinner plate and intelligently gazing at the Andorian, wondering what sort of fish *this* was. He swam close, and remained submerged for several long minutes before breaking the surface for a lungful of air.
He easily swam to the ladder at the side of the platform, completely unbothered by the cold.
It had been a loaded comment, laced with more than just what the Andorian had said. Alora had watched as he delved into the depths, stayed under, then finally drew to the surface. Her own ability to hold her breath was admirable for a human, but nothing like that. Alora eyed the platform and the ladder that led to the top. Nope. If she was going to climb that, she’d probably fall and break her neck. Better to take a shorter, safer route. Instead of jumping, Alora went the old fashioned away and just ran right into the sea, screeching at the chill that slapped against what little skin was exposed, then wading her way deeper.
Rhyl climbed the ladder and stood tall at the top of it, on the platform near the edge, with no fear of falling off. Slicking back his white hair he glanced at the Human in the protective gear, curious why she was still here. He’d given her a full brunt of attitude, and yet here she was.
Suspicious.
He sat on the edge of the platform and watched her indirectly, his eyes gazing into the water, his expression neutral as ever, but following her with his antennae.
Ch’cachra: It is too cold for you.
DeVeau: Normally, yes, but I’ve got this lovely insulated suit, so I’m okay for now. This is rather invigorating really! Alora wasn’t lying. Even though she didn’t feel the cold where the fabric covered her, it chilled her face and hands. She knew she just had to spend more time in the water and she would adjust. Moving deeper, she finally got to the point where it was deep enough to swim, so she did so, moving in a lazy motion through the water.
Ch’cachra: I do not share this program often. It’s *rare* I bring anyone here.
DeVeau: Really? I feel special!
Ch’cachra: You are… persistent.
That was quite possibly the first *nice* thing he had said to her. While he was annoyed, frustrated, and wanted *nothing* more than for her to leave his as-close-to-sacred-space as possible, he was also… okay, almost still entirely annoyed. But deep, DEEP down beneath his annoyance, beneath the riptide of frustration beneath it, there was a *hint* of… appreciation.
DeVeau: Am I?
Alora rolled over onto her back to lay flat, letting the water hold her up. She stared at the pale sky above, her hands getting a little numb from the chill, but she wasn’t uncomfortable yet. Turning back over she eased her way through the water, pushing through as a wave came toward her, then riding it as it rolled back out.
DeVeau: I’m going to see if I can get closer to one of the whales.
In all likelihood, she could. It was a holographic program, and if she really wanted to, she could order the computer to have one close to her. To do so wouldn’t be quite so much fun. Allowing the AI to have the creatures act as if they were truly wild was far more exciting than taking the easy route. She turned, calling back to him.
DeVeau: Are you going to come?
Honey colored eyes stared down un upturned nose for a moment, then he moved to the edge of the platform and dove cleanly for the second time into the crisp water from the diving platform. Two more whales in the pod swam near to it as the pod curiously investigated the platform and its inhabitants.
Cutting through the water with his momentum, he surfaced near the Human and began to stroke toward the animals. They wouldn’t shy away, so if she wanted a whale, he would give her a whale.
Alora grinned, then dove down, pushing her way through underneath rather than at the surface. The crystalline water cast a filmy veil over the world, though she could see the movement of creatures beneath it. The crispness of it set her skin aflame, but it was an almost pleasant sensation. Cutting through, she finally managed to catch up to Rhyl, mainly because he’d slowed down as they approached yet another form. This one was huge, its powerful fins rippling through the water with little effort, its movements almost lazy as it swam close. Eyes widening, Alora pushed her way to the surface to fill her lungs with air, then dove back down again. Coming alongside the Andorian, she stretched out her hands, eager to touch. It didn’t matter if it was a hologram, it was the closest she’d been to swimming with the real thing. It looked real. It felt real. She could pretend it was all real.
Rhyl dove deep, kicking both feet together in a strong stride that drove him deeper, where he stayed. The large whale was passing nearby, and he started to kick to get closer. He could hold his breath longer than most Humans, so he turned his gaze back to check on her… it *was* the holodeck, so technically she would be fine, but it was still a pretty intimidating ocean to be lost in, with no shore to be seen and only the platform jutting out from the surface above, with who knew what creatures were swimming about.
Well.. whales, at the moment.
He motioned with his hand for her to swim closer. The whale wasn’t even cruising, it was being rather lazy and barely coasted forward, and would be easy to catch for most swimmers. Alora kicked harder, drawing closer to both Andorian and giant creature. Surfacing and taking a great breath, Rhyl looked for the Human to surface next. She rose just a few feet away from him, hair plastered to her head, but her eyes bright with enthusiasm.
Ch’cachra: It’s called the Great Whale. Native to Andor’s largest ocean. Peaceful creatures… if you’re not a krill.
Those were, of course, the translations of the Andorian names, and the animals did share similarities to Earth creatures. She knew a little about the fauna of Andoria, but seeing it, participating in an experience.
DeVeau: I’m glad I’m not a krill then.
He was treading water and another large whale swam beneath them, some fifty feet or more below. He was hoping now that she’d seen and touched one, she would leave him and his ocean program in peace. He was still roughing up what he wanted to work on in the Science Department the next morning now that his schedule was hatcheted to pieces.
Ch’cachra: Are you satisfied?
DeVeau: This is amazing!
Ch’cachra: The sharks don’t tend to arrive at the same time as the whales. ::honey colored eyes narrowed on her pointedly:: They don’t like each other.
DeVeau: There are sharks?
Ch’cachra: Many of them. ::wondering if he could scare her off:: Some as large as these whales.
DeVeau: Maybe next time we can swim with them!
Before he had the chance to answer, Alora dove down under the surface. Kicking hard, she aimed right toward the closest creature that was rolling languidly part of it over the surface, part of it beneath. Catching on to its dorsal fin, she allowed it to pull her along, rolling with the ambling motion until they broke the surface. Alora broke out in a laugh as she came up for air, allowing the whale’s movements to drag her along. As he turned over, she wound up slipping, sliding down the rest of the great back and splashing into the ocean. Once more, she emerged, once more she laughed.
DeVeau: That was fun! You should try it!
Ch’cachra: ::bluntly:: No.
DeVeau: You’re missing out!
With another dive, Alora disappeared, only to reappear on the whale ride, splashing down a little further away. A third time she disappeared, but when the fin came back into view, she was not with it. Instead, she popped up just next to the Andorian.
DeVeau: This is a wonderful program...but I should probably get going.
Rhyl lowered himself so that only his eyes were above the surface of the water, to stop himself saying “what a shame” in a tone that would *absolutely* get him in trouble with his superior officer. He pushed up slightly again so he could speak.
Ch’cachra: Computer. End program.
The scenery and the placid whales faded away and they were deposited carefully onto their feet on the floor of the holodeck as the ocean disappeared. He stood confidently in his swimming briefs, not seeming to care about the exposure as he knocked one ear with his hand. He was getting water on the ear a lot lately… or at least, the *feeling* of it. His neck cracked and he set half-lidded, still bored eyes on the Science Chief.
DeVeau: Computer, end swimsuit program.
The long sleeved piece faded, leaving her in her normal swimsuit. Swiping her pants and shift from the floor, she wriggled back into the clothing, a much more comfortable way to dress for the trek home. Slipping her feet into the clogs, she turned her smile back to the computer scientist.
DeVeau: Thanks for the swim.
Ch’cachra: I will… see you in the morning.
That was downright *friendly* in his terms. And with it, he turned and walked barefoot out of the holodeck, making way to his quarters and hoping no one tried to chat him up on the way there.
Alora shook her head, leaving straight away after him. It had indeed been fun, and an amazing experience. She just hoped she'd have the opportunity to do it again - and maybe next time, there would be sharks!
********
Ensign Rhyl Ch’cachra
Engineer
Starbase 118 Ops
C238211TZ0
&
--
Lt. Cmdr. Alora DeVeau
Chief Science Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
M239008AD0