Lt. Aine Sherlock - Onward and Upward

[Aine Sherlock]

((Gratitude Festival, Bajor))

It had been funny for Aine to open up so quickly and easily about what she wrote the last time she was on Bajor. It was odd for her to open up so quickly and easily at all most of the time. But considering what she wrote last time, she had to let go. She almost felt as if it would only be respectful to the tradition the Bajorans indulged in to do so.

Promontory: What did you do last time?

Sherlock: Last time? I was filled with all kinds of doubts. Doubts about my career. Doubts about my relationships. ::beat:: So, that's what I wrote, doubt.

Promontory: Oh! (beat) So I guess it worked then. (beat) No doubt!

Aine laughed lightly through a grin. "Mostly" might be more appropriate. She still had doubts, that was for sure. But she'd learned to leave many behind. In the moment, she hadn't noticed one of the 'Oumuamua's other officers approach until he spoke.

Herrick: Hello… (a bit awkwardly) Lieutenants.  Burning anything good?

Promontory: Not yet, we’re just about to start. Lt. Sherlock here was giving me the overview.

Sherlock: ::to Herrick:: Do you have any regrets, or problems you'd like to let go of?

Herrick: (half jokingly) Many! To be honest, being deep in space I think makes you grow in ways that you never thought possible. And… inter-ship dynamics.

Aine knew that feeling all too well. Her first year in the fleet she had to grow up quickly. At least as an officer. Some who knew her personally might not think she'd grown up all that much. But in her career, in her official duties, she felt like she had to mature by ten years.

Sherlock: That's ::beat:: very true. But, now's your chance to maybe help let some of it go.

Promontory: After you then.

Herrick: 1 scroll for all my problems, or 1 scroll per problem?

As Promontory passed Herrick a writing implement to start his scroll, Aine grabbed one as well and was about to start writing when Herrick had spoken up. She was a little shocked and her eyes widened. Was he planning on writing a book worth?

Promontory: Oh, that’s a good question… Aine?

Sherlock: Uh, I've only ever seen people do one scroll a piece. So ::beat:: maybe write all on one ::beat:: if you can?

With the sort of self-admission by the Engineer, Aine suddenly had the feeling of being back home and being forced (in her mind) to go to confession by her mother. She really hated doing it. And she never was much of a believer in the Neo-Catholic faith so she always found a way to justify not telling everything she'd done. That and she was always afraid they'd tell her mother.

Aine refocused and looked down at the scroll beneath her fingers. Things had been going surprisingly well for her lately, professionally and personally. Things took a turn, in a good way, that she hadn't seen coming. She looked through the crowd, seeing Mel off in the distance. She thought about how she hated him for years. But ultimately, how they were both wrong. She thought about how both of them acknowledged it, and how they moved past it all. They'd both changed in that way. But it took both of them not holding back anymore. And there it was. She looked back down at the small parchment and wrote it out: holding back.

Promontory: Like this?

He moved his hands quickly away before he burnt his fingers. He stepped down from the altar to put some literal as well as metaphorical distance from the offering and to give Aine personal space.

Sherlock: Yes, just like that.

Aine stepped up next to Promontory and held her scroll out towards the flame, letting it catch before gently setting it down in the bowl to be consumed by the flame.

Promontory: (turning to Josh) Join us?

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

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

Aine nodded. It was something she learned years ago.

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

Herrick: Response

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

Herrick/Any: Response

Aine looked over to where Promontory was gesturing, a juggler. She took in deep breath through her nose.

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.

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

Herrick/Any: Response

Aine wasn't about to explain that one, so she changed the subject quickly.

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

Promontory/Herrick/Any: response

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

Promontory/Herrick/Any: response

tags/TBC

Lieutenant Aine Sherlock

Security Officer

U.S.S. Oumuamua

R239712AS0