Ensign T’Fearne - Liquid Gratitude
Teayl Thorn
((Gift shop, Promenade, Level 7, DS9))
T’Fearne browsed through the gift shop's merchandise and tried to find a souvenir of her visit. The assortment of sparkling trinkets, some outrageously overpriced, caught her attention but failed to ignite her interest. As she paused to examine a stand of intricate beaded bracelets, her eyes flicked to a ghastly set of Ferengi ear-shaped bronzed goblets nearby. The sight made her slightly nauseous.
Bajoran Merchant: Those are exact cast replicas of Quark’s ear. :: Lowering his voice conspiratorially:: Not a very popular product. Are you looking for something in particular?
She was surprised when she detected his emotions at a 3-foot distance. The bright purple amusement washed over her, she assumed at sharing a risky truth.
T’Fearne::: Feigning disinterest:: No, just looking for the moment.
The merchant nodded, stepping back to give her space. She continued exploring until her gaze landed on a collection of beautifully glazed pots, their forms colourful and curiously shaped.
T’Fearne: Are these handmade?
Bajoran Merchant: Indede.The Bajoran family that supplies these have been designing and making pottery since 2345. They pride themselves on craftsmanship perfected over three generations.
Her eyebrows winged up in appreciation. T'Fearne picked up a mostly spherical ivory-coloured pot adorned with delicate ink blooms in bark blue and pale green. She admired the deep indigo hue of the clay inside, her curiosity piqued.
T’Fearne: Do they offer workshops?
Bajoran Merchant: Absolutely! Classes and demonstrations are held in the Kendra Valley on Bajor. It is an activity that pairs well with a shuttle trip to the Fire Caves.
He grinned, and T'Fearne could feel a flurry of fuzzy black and yellow emotions—his eagerness to make a sale was palpable. She chose to ignore his upsell, returning her focus to the pots.
T’Fearne: How fragile are they?
Bajoran Merchant: Quite durable, They’ve a sealant to protect the lifespan of the clay and are glazed in a modern process to withstand a reasonable amount of jostling.
Her mind flicked to the battered state of the Ronin, then back to the delicate beauty of the pot. It seemed impractical in the current situation.
T’Fearne: This is a beautiful piece, but I’m not sure it would have a reasonable life where I would take it.
She placed the pot back on the shelf just as her comm badge chirped to life.
Carpenter: =/\= Ensigns T'Fearne and Valo. Could y'all join me in the Operations Conference Room when ya've got a second? =/\=
Her ear immediately recognised the voice of her CO, and before T’Fearne could respond, Ensign Valo’s voice chimed in, indicating that this was an open three-way channel.
Valo: =/\= Understood. I’ll just need a moment to get into uniform. =/\=
T'Fearne::: Tapping her badge to reply:: =/\= Ensign T’Fearne to Commander Carpenter. Yes, Sir. Is there a security issue? =/\=
Carpenter: =/\= No, no, nothin' like that. I just thought we could all meet each other properly. Gimmie a chance to hear about things from your end. =/\=
Valo: =/\= Sure. =/\=
Nodding her thanks to the merchant she had just spoken with, T'Fearne stepped out of the gift shop, the vibrant promenade bustling with life around her. She briefly checked a directory in front of the Security Detention, ensuring she had the right direction before continuing her way.
T'Fearne: =/\= Acknowledged, Sir. I will be there shortly. =/\=
Carpenter: =/\= No rush, people. Just thought we might bend an elbow. And I wanted'ta say how grateful I am to you two. Thirty-Three Stands and from how I heard it, y'all are a big part of that. =/\=
Caught off guard by Carpenter’s casual vernacular and expressed gratitude, T’Fearne paused. She had experienced praise and approval from senior officers before, but gratitude was a little unusual.
T'Fearne: =/\= On my way, sir. =/\= :: Tapping the comm to end the call.::
Despite Carpenter's assurance that there was no rush and no emergency, T’Fearne couldn’t help but move with purpose. The recent battles had left their mark on her, and the thought of discussing their actions with her new commanding officer both intrigued and unsettled her. She quickened her pace, her mind racing through the details of their defence strategy on DS33.
As she navigated the bustling promenade, the vibrant colours of Bajoran art and the distant hum of conversations blurred into the background. The echoes of voices screaming, the flash of disruptor fire, the torpedo detonating, the confusion of the Sencha wave and the tension of the battle still lingered in her thoughts. She focused on the promise of a meeting, hoping it would provide a chance to decompress.
((Staff Conference Room, Operations Module, DS9))
Arriving at the Operations Conference Room, T’Fearne paused outside the door, taking a moment to ensure her gold uniform was perfectly tucked and every seam in place. Her keen ear picked up the murmur of Valo and Carpenters voices. He must have arrived before her.
Valo:…reporting for bending. Elbow bending! You wanted to bend an elbow, sir. Ma’am? Commander. Sorry, my brain got a little cooked over there.
Carpenter: Response
Valo: No big deal. Nothing weeks of shore leave, extensive counseling, and ongoing physical therapy won’t fix. Aaand maybe some of whatever that is?
Catching part of their conversation, she didn’t have to be part Betazoid to recognise embarrassment. Aiming to rescue her fellow Seiuri teammate from the verbal hole he dug for himself, the Vulcazoid strode into the softly lit conference room, PADD in hand.
She paused and had to stifle a double take at the sight of her new commanding officer, Commander Carpenter, with her uniform dressed down and an array of jars lining the glossy conference table. But that was overshadowed by the sight of the back of Ensign Valo’s glowing legs as he plied the conversation with humour.
Snatching her gaze back to eye height. T'Fearne quickly recalibrated her mindset, striving to match the casual atmosphere and stifle the smile creeping to her lips.
T'Fearne: Commander Carpenter. Ensign T’Fearne reporting as… requested. Ensign Valo, nice to meet you outside of battle conditions.
Carpenter/Valo: Response
Accepting their greeting, glancing from Valo’s cane and still-braced leg to Carpenter’s appearance. It reminded her that many of the Ronin’s crew were still recovering, and the fatalities were still being confirmed on DS33. She wasn’t too surprised to see evidence of healing injuries. Her own injuries were enough that she was only recently cleared for more than PADDwork.
T'Fearne::: Sinking to the offered seat:: Thank you, Sir. I will try.
Carpenter/Valo: Response
T'Fearne’s slanted brow furrows slightly, but she nodded.
T'Fearne: I had assumed you would want a more detailed debrief of our defence actions on DS33.
Carpenter/Valo: Response
Putting down the PADD, T’Fearne deftly caught the jar slid in her direction, picked it up and tapped it lightly to the edge of the offered rims in a casual gesture she had perfected at the academy.
T'Fearne: 1Sochya eh dif. What are we drinking?
Carpenter/Valo: Response
[[Tags/TBC]]
((OOC: I had T’Fearne walking in partway through the others conversation, so there are tags in Aaron’s sim that are missing from mine, just FYI. ))
((OOC: 1Sochya eh dif = Peace and long life ~ Vulcan Salutation.))
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Ensign T'Fearne
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14