JP: Commodore Rajel & Lt. Cmdr. DeVeau - “New Leaves” (Part I)
Amanda Nordstrom
((Starbase 118 Ops - Jalana’s Guest Quarters))
Since Alora hadn’t gotten to sleep until past dawn, she had spent the rest of the morning sleeping. After a few hours, however, her body insisted that she get up, far too used to keeping a certain rhythm and schedule. Because it was shore leave, the day offered up opportunities to do some more pleasurable things, such as introduce herself to people she hadn’t had the opportunity to really meet very well other than a quick greeting at the party, if that. One such person that came to mind was a certain Commodore who was visiting the base. As she was wont to do, Alora did not go empty handed. Perusing her vast array of african violets, she chose one from a cluster of recent babies, selecting the one that had at least a couple of blooms, then made her way out.
Down the corridor, into the left, back into another corridor, the scientist turned First Officer made her way through, smiling at those whom she met on the way. Eventually, she came to the doors of the intended and pressed the button that would spur the computer to chirp and alert the occupant of her arrival. As soon as the doors opened, she stepped inside, her smile lighting up her face.
DeVeau: Hello Commodore Rajel.
Jalana had enjoyed the party. Just like many other visitors of the festivities she had gotten to bed late. And what a bed it was. It was not standard like on the ship, but more cozy. Having enjoyed the comfort, she now enjoyed a lengthy breakfast that she luckily didn’t have to cook, replicators were magical inventions for the cooking impaired. Just when she bit into a bread roll the door chime went off and so she rose from the chair and headed to the door. As it opened a woman was revealed that Jalana had seen the night before. A bright smile appeared on the Trill’s face, her green eyes sparkled.
Rajel: Alora! Please, Jalana is enough. Formality isn’t necessary.
DeVeau: Excellent. Jalana it is then! Like the commodore, Alora had never been big on formality. Oh yes, there was a time and a place for it, but in a situation like this, she was more inclined to drop the titles and rank. She was glad the Trill was of the same mind.
Rajel: I am having breakfast, care to join me? ::She gestured for her to step inside if she wished::
Ah breakfast. It was late enough it should really be called lunch, but considering she was likely just breaking her fast, the name was appropriate. At the invitation, Alora’s stomach instantly sent a pang of hunger, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten in quite some time. Well, she’d come there to spend some time with the woman and get to know her better, and this afforded a grand opportunity.
DeVeau: Why thank you, I’d love to.
Drawing further into the room, Alora made her way over to the little table and helped herself to a chair. Before allowing herself to partake of any food, however, she held out the pot which she’d carried all the way from her own quarters. It was of an off weight hue with mottled brown all over the body. The insert was of a more solid brown, coordinating nicely with the base. Settled into that insert, however, was a much more colourful occupant. Bright, crimson petals grew naturally in the shape of a star with a brilliant yellow stamen smack dab in the center, a golden heart to that stellar flower. Broad, smooth-edged leaves of a medium green sported lightly quilted lines and stretched out beneath the flowers like a fuzzy carpet.
DeVeau: I brought this for you, if you’d like to have it. I can send you detailed instructions.
Jalana followed Alora to the table and looked at the offered plant with surprise in her eyes. She had not expected to receive anything and her whole face lit up. Raising the pot she leans over it to inhale the scent and realized the flowers itself didn’t have one, so all she smelled was the soil, which. A subtle pleasant scent.
Rajel: These are beautiful. What are they?
DeVeau: It’s called an African Violet, a plant from earth. They’re popular house plants, are easy to care for, and quite beautiful. Keep them happy and they can bloom up to nine or ten months out of a Terran year.
Rajel: How wonderful. Thank you so much. They will find a special place on the Conny.
DeVeau: Not a problem. I’ll have those instructions sent to you by this evening.
With a smile she took another look at the flowers, and set the pot aside on the table carefully. She loved color and that would add some to her quarters. She would make sure to look at the instructions and if necessary ask Sherana for first aid. Or call Alora. She gestured to the chair and took one herself.
Rajel: Please feel at home. ::She chuckles:: It is more yours than mine anyway. Just take what you like.
Alora peered over at the food that was available. Did the woman replicate all that, or have a place deliver it? Either way, she had a little bit of meat and a lot of carbs. Plucking a bagel from the tray, she took a knife and spread a thick layer of cream cheese over one half.
Rajel: So how do I get the honor of a visit?
DeVeau: I have a habit of doing this, actually. I like meeting new people, and since you aren’t posted at ops and I’ve never had the privilege of serving anywhere with you, I thought I’d come say hello. I hope that’s not a problem.
Rajel: Not at all. I like getting to know new people and make friends all over the galaxy. ::She grinned:: Have you been on the station before you became First Officer?
The Trill reached for her bread roll she had taken a bite from before, some cheese and ham waited for the next bite. A wish she gladly granted.
Alora’s eyes twinkled. Yes, making friends all over the galaxy. In that, they were the same.
DeVeau: I enjoy making new friends. I was assigned to Ops in the middle of last year. The First Officer thing wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago.
No matter how many times people mentioned it, no matter how many times she talked about it, no matter how many times she looked at that red collar, Alora still felt like it was not quite real.
Rajel: Oh all fresh then. ::She grinned brightly:: What have you done before?
DeVeau: I’m a Science Officer...well, was a science officer. I’d actually just become Chief of Science just a couple of months ago. Nijil’s departure was rather sudden and unexpected, and for some strange reason, Sal picked me.
Rajel: Another blue collar, lovely. ::Smiling:: Knowing Sal, he had a good reason. You obviously have made an impression.
DeVeau: Either that or I’ve somehow managed to fool him unintentionally. So you’re a scientist as well?
Alora laughed softly, then allowed herself a bite of the well slathered bagel. The cream and salt of the cheese just went so perfectly with the dense earthiness of the bread. Savouring it, she studied the redhead across from her.
Rajel: I’m a medical Doctor, I know it’s technically teal not blue, but teal is a shade of blue so who cares. ::chuckling:: I never imagined I’d become a Co to be honest. Did you expect or plan finding your way to the First Officer’s seat?
DeVeau: No and no. Was never expected, never planned. Sal just sort of sprung it on me.
And then immediately tossed a ton of intel into her lap. That had been an interesting day. “Getting her feet wet”, indeed!
DeVeau: Honestly, I would have been happy being Chief Science Officer for the rest of my career. That’s where I always saw myself - forever in blue. Not red.
Rajel: Ah, quite a surprise then. ::She reached for her cup, the steam of the Jestral tea floating above it as she pulled it close.:: And now that you are in red, any plans on taking your own command?
DeVeau: Oh no, I will definitely not ever seek to be a commanding officer. ::She paused a moment as she allowed herself another bite. ::
A smile washed over Jalana’s face, it sounded like Alora was quite sure of what she did not want to do.
Rajel: Then what are your plans now? ::She finally raised the cup to take a sip::
DeVeau: Maybe I’ll stay First Officer, or maybe I’ll fail dramatically and Sal will take on someone else, but...for the moment, I’m just going to my best to support him and fulfill this role. I just…
That sounded good, though of course Jalana wouldn’t be Jalana if she would ignore that last little bit that Alora has interrupted herself.
Rajel: You just?
Fingers played over the unspread surface of the bread and Alora gazed down at it.
DeVeau: I just don’t want to fail Sal. I joked about it, but I really don’t want to let him down.
Jalana placed her cup back on the saucer on the table, before she cut a croissant in half. She enjoyed trying out food from all over the Galaxy and this one was quickly becoming a favourite of hers.
Rajel: What makes you think that you could let him down?
DeVeau: Honestly...I’m just not sure about this role he’s put me into. Since I made the decision to apply to the Academy and join Starfleet, I knew what I was going to do. I was going to be a scientist, and my ultimate goal was to be Chief Science officer.
Alora picked a crumb from her bagel and idly popped it in her mouth. All her life, she’d been that way. Confident in what she was going to do. When she saw something she was interested in, she jumped in, both feet first, never afraid to get her head below the surface and immerse herself completely.
DeVeau: I reached that goal, then got shuffled around, and finally reached it again here. Then, suddenly, Sal’s telling me Nijil’s leaving and he wants me to be First Officer. I guess it’s just odd. I’ve always chosen what I wanted to do and aimed for it. This time, I wasn’t the one doing the choosing.
The Trill spread some butter on the two halves and then added some cheese and jam before placing the halves together again.
Rajel: I cannot speak for Sal, nor do I know your skills, but I believe he chose you for a reason. We as COs usually choose who we believe is best for our ship, or station for that matter. ::She looked up to Alora with a warm smile:: that does not change that you are nervous about it of course.
DeVeau: It’s weird. I guess I’m just...not used to feeling so uncertain. I mean, I’ve been nervous before, I guess, but never like this. I guess I’m worried that maybe I’m not the right choice, that I’m going to wind up messing everything up.
Rajel: ::chuckling:: I still have times when I’m not sure if I am doing the right thing, but this isn’t about me. I can’t tell you what to do, how to do your work, but what I can tell you is, that doing your best and putting your trust in Sal teaching you what you need to know, is a good start.
********
Commodore Jalana Rajel
Commanding Officer
USS Constitution B
Image Team Co-Facilitator
A238906JL0
&
Lt. Cmdr. Alora DeVeau
First Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
M239008AD0