Lieutenant JG Josh Herrick: Gratuity Festival

[Mark P]

((Gratitude Festival, Ashalla, Bajor))

 

Each of the officers had taken turns writing their problems, and setting them down in the bowls where they would forever be lost to the flame. Josh could see how this could offer psychological closure, or the impetus to move forward — even if there was no direct intervention from the prophets.

 

His mind had wandered slightly, wondering what he’d stumble into next on this impromptu adventure. Then, the invite came.

 

Promontory: (turning to Josh) Join us?

He tried to play it off more casually, but inside, he was excited for some senior officer bonding off ship.

Herrick: I came here on my own — I’d appreciate that. Less risk of getting kidnapped.

Promontory: (wistfully) ‘Oumuamua crew have to stick together!

Sherlock: ::nodding:: Out here, we're all we've got.

 

Josh realized in that moment that while they may have served together long, there were common threads of experience that facilitated loyalty and bonding. It seemed like all of them had survived life-threatening events with the help of their fellow crewmen.

 

Herrick: So… ::looking around at the crowd:: shall we see what’s here or did you want to go somewhere quieter?

 

He silently chided himself; he would be spending more time in the holodeck practicing his icebreakers and small talk. Maybe they would forgive the tinge of green he still metaphorically had from the academy.

 

Promontory: I’m good here. (beat) Maybe trying something more upbeat?

 

As the security officer took a long nasal inhale, Josh looked back at her.

 

Sherlock: Not sure about the juggler. And most of the rest of my last time was spent drinking.

Promontory: Well, it’s my first time on Bajor.

 

Herrick: (a bit too excitedly) Same!

Sherlock: There's gotta be something. If we can just avoid setting fires.

 

Herrick: ::eyes widening:: Fires…?

 

That seemed all that she was willing to share on the subject thought.

 

Sherlock: ::shaking her head:: Nevermind. Have you guys ever tried Bajoran food?

 

Herrick: No, saw something about ::he grabbed his padd out:: Has parrot or is it Hesperet? That seems to be a popular street food?

While he struggled with the pronunciation, he thought it was less embarrassing than having the PADD read it out to him.

Promontory: Response

Sherlock: Everything has a spiciness, even the fruit. Always made me wonder if Bajorans have odd taste buds.

 

Promontory: Response

 

As the trio walked a bit further down the street, it seemed clear that they weren’t going to be able to dine indoors as every restaurant had long lines spilling out their doors.

 

Herrick: How about some street food? ::pointing across the street:: It looks… interesting.

 

The signs were printed in both Standard and Bajoran, and there was an eerily déjà vu feeling from the text that appeared on Alpha Brenkelvi II. He looked at the menu:

 

·         Roasted voles: natural or with makara herb

·         Batbird stew

·         Jumja sticks

·         Moba juice

·         Emissary Cake

 

Each was a slip of latinum; a steep price, but probably competitive with the rest of the stalls.

 

Sherlock/Promontory: Response

 

Herrick: Wait, that’s what a vole is?! (beat) It still looks delicious.

 

Sherlock/Promontory: Response

 

Each of the officers took turns ordering from the stall, taking their second small dip into Bajoran culture. As they turned around, they realized that the crowd had parted and directly in front of them was the juggler that Sherlock had mentioned earlier. He made direct eye contact with Sherlock while he juggled oversized renewal scrolls.

 

Juggler: Peldor Joy!

 

Herrick: ::glancing at Aine with a bemused smirk:: I think he’s looking for a tip.

 

Sherlock/Promontory/Any: Response

---

Lieutenant JG Josh Herrick

Acting Chief Engineer

USS ‘Oumuamua

O240005JH3

he/him/his (player/character)