[sb118-ops] What do we do with a Friendly Whale?

[A'Mayri Y. Stark]

(( Boatside - Raskor II ))

A’Mayri gazed towards the collection of rocks that had been pointed out, the warm sun made it look welcoming and the water was calm which was slightly relieving. It wouldn’t be an impossible swim for anyone wanting to dip into the water.

Ross: I'll make this easier for you and swim.

It was sudden, and without word Ross had slipped out of the boat and into the water with a smooth splash. The light jostle of the boat had made A’Mayri grip the paddle just the slightest bit tighter once the boat jostled from the dive.

McLaren: Well someone is enjoying themselves...

Sylvax: I don’t think he needed much encouragement.

A'Mayri: ::picked up Ross’s tossed shirt to tuck it underneath the bench so it doesn’t get lost.:: His consideration is mostly noted.

Ross: It's lovely! I'll race you towards the rocks, how about it!

McLaren: Well?

Sylvax: You’re on.

As fun as the challenge seemed, A’Mayri was content to stay on the boat with McLaren and offered a small well-meaning head tilt. The thing she would indulge most in the moment was carefully leaning over to dip the tips of her fingers into the cool water. Although pleasant when paired with the warm breeze, the temperature difference was just enough to make goosebumps form on her arms before she gently flicked the water off her fingers.
 
A'Mayri: May the race be eventful and satisfying. I will remain in the boat with Lieutenant Commander Mclaren.  

The race was short but packed with fun. While Ryden was able to close much of the distance, Ross took home the win and was the first to reach the small outcrop of rocks. She shifted to another bench to adjust the weight distribution with McLaren so paddling the boat would be easier.

Ross: ::panting:: That was close, though! I'm pretty sure you had a headstart.

Sylvax: I think we’ll call it a draw.

McLaren: Nice try, Evan!

A’Mayri watched the three of them happily interact, Ross climbing up onto the rocks, Ryden carefully treading in the water and McLaren watching them both with an amusement she herself can only assume was built from familiarity and close friendships. It made her wonder if she would be able to do the same as time passed by with her growing friendships  and coworkers soon.

A'Mayri: An admirable last minuet race, the conditions of the water were most convenient.

Ross: ...did you hear that?

Sylvax: I hear it.

A slow rumbling gently vibrated through the boat, both A’Mayri a McLaren pausing their paddling to try and get a better feel. She carefully set the paddle into its hold, braced herself to stand and get a better view of the space around them.
A'Mayri: It’s baseline suggests that it’s nearby.

McLaren: I hear it... but I don't see it yet...

As McLaren pointed towards the water, A’Mayri’s eyes locked onto the shadowed shape underneath.

McLaren: There!

Sylvax: What is it?

A'Mayri remained calm as best as she could. What else could she do? She could recognize that this planet was rated as one of the safer planets on the federation's planetary grade scale, but the new variable of unknown origin had her thoughts running once more.

Ross: ?

The rumbling sound grew until the shadowed shape finally broke the surface. The loud crashing sound of waves broke the still silence before the large body sank into the ocean once more.

A’Mayri stood as still as a person on a rocking boat could, eyes wide and mouth partially open as if she was paused mid thought. oO Nobody is in danger for now. Oo

McLaren: Would you look at that... a whale of some sort...

Sylvax: Wow! You don't see that every day.

A'Mayri: With how peaceful the environment of this planet is, it makes sense that a whale like species would thrive here…::eye still trained on the moving shadow::

Ross: ?

McLaren: Its probably just curious... doesn't seem aggressive.

Sylvax: Agreed. It’s maintaining distance. Likely observing us.

A'Mayri: ::finally closed her mouth to swallow some semblance of control again:: The fact that we only noticed it’s presence once close enough is…reassuring that it’s intentions are not violent.

Ross: ?

While the whale continued it’s slow circles around the small grouping of rocks and crew, A’Mayri moved closer to McLaren to both better watch the scene and make sure everyone remained safe. Ryden was still in the water, Ross on the rocks and McLaren kneeled at the edge of the boat in curiosity.

A’Mayri was happy to support from slightly behind.

McLaren: I wish I knew more about the wildlife on this planet... would
be abel to tell what it was.... other than "whale" anyway.

Sylvax: Whatever it is… it doesn’t seem to mind sharing the water with
us. Though I suspect we’re far more interesting to it than it is to
us.
She grabbed her paddle once more and guided the boat the rest of the way closer to the rocks. Careful to not interrupt the flow of movements, she slowly slipped out of the boat with a gentle plop into the water, thankful that her feet found some purchase after a small swim. Rope in one hand, she climbed up the small ledge and tugged the boat until it gently rocked beside the formation.

She didn’t necessarily look like a cold and wet animal, but the water that dripped off her in quite ‘plip and plaps’ wasn’t helpful.

A'Mayri: I…am unsure if that speculation is more comforting or worrisome. ::small pause, tying rope off to a jutted rock formation:: thought if it is closely related to other whalelike creatures then perhaps it isn’t such a concern.

Ross: ?

Sylvax: Easy… don’t startle it.

A'Mayri: Please be careful sir-

Ross/McLaren: ?

Sylvax: Nice and slow…

A'Mayri wondered if this was anything like first contact mission she had read about in the past. Although this moment was not grand in the large scheme of exploration, it felt just as important and formative to her. While Ryden’s touch was gentle and rested on the whale like creatures head, she slowly slipped back into the water to tread beside the boat and reach for her bag.

Ross/McLaren: ?

Sylvax: …it’s incredible.

A'Mayri remained calm, finally able to fish out her PADD from her rolltop bag. She shook her hand dry as best as she could before she turned it on and completed a quick keyed search. While half floating and half hung on the side of the boat, she sped through different related topics until a familiar image displayed on her screen.

Ryden/Ross/McLaren: ?

Her body eased before she continued.

A’Mayri: A similar species structurally to Globicephala which is found on earth, it’s federation translated name is referred to as Caput-lucidum Globicephala, specifically of the short finned variety.

Ryden/Ross/McLaren: ?

A’Mayri’s eyes flicked between the PADD and the others to keep tabs on them.

A’Mayri: This species’ main diet consists of cephaloid creatures and fish, their teeth notably retractable while using echolocation for hunting.

Ryden/Ross/McLaren: ?

She felt secure this whale like animal was scaled as friendly towards humanoid’s, the evidence clear in front of her as the others interacted with the whale in their own ways.
The whale had let out another little rumble, it’s tail lifted to splash at the water in a friendly gesture.

A’Mayri: ::slight squint of her eyes:: Lucidum referred to it’s glowing spots that run along its body. Perhaps it saw Ryden’s own trill markings and found familiarity in it once close enough. Then in happenstance found us all and followed its curiosity to meet the rest of the group.

Content, she continued to hang off the side of the boat. She tucked her PADD away before letting the water gently sway around her.

The subtle spots that lined the side of the while gently pulsed soft blue, big wet eyes observant as it looked over everyone.

Ryden/Ross/McLaren: ?

~*~
tagstbc

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V/R,
Ensign A’Mayri Ych’a Stark
Engineering Officer
StarBase 118 Ops
O240303A11