Lt JG Tess Evinrude - In Need of Both Porters and a Strong Porter

[Tess Evinrude]

((Deck 11, Medical Complex, USS Ronin))

Evinrude: Rox, no offense...but this poison idea might backfire spectacularly. ::His tone softened again, and he took a breath.:: Look, there's...someone on the ship that I like, too. If Tucker's leave was cancelled altogether, you would miss out on a rare opportunity for true quality time. That's important.

To his surprise, everyone seemed to relent.

Rox:  It's fine Tess.  You boys go and have some fun and I'll catch up with you later.  ::winking at Marty::  Especially you.

With that, Rox turned and headed down the corridor.

O’Connor: ::turns to Tuck:: All things considered, I think she took that rather well. ::looks around and gestures at a few of the crew who are not so subtly trying to listen in:: Let’s get outta here.

Tucker: ::he nodded:: We’re starting to gather a crowd, time to move along, kids.

A few had certainly gathered, nurses, doctors, and patients alike. But Tess couldn't tell if it was their imaginations, or if the group really was starting to stare.

Evinrude: Move along where? Can't move along home...sadly.

O’Connor: ::shrugs:: Back to your office? You’ve still got padd work, and if Tess is willing, I could use his help with linking a couple of new helm program updates with existing navigation systems. Ya know, if you have time.

Tucker: I just need to grab my padds, and I can virtually work anywhere. Now I may have to make a trip to the warp core, but that’s not until later. And I can always lend a hand. The computer has been a little crankier than usual, just a heads-up.

Evinrude: ::With a shrug.:: Nothing else to do, at this point. I'm in.

Ian and Marty turned to Tess in unison, and the lieutenant felt his ears catch ablaze.

oO Oh no. Oo

O’Connor: So…this “someone on the ship you like”…who’s the lucky one?

Tucker: Spill the beans (beat) :: he smiles :: That’s an order.

Marty crossed his arms across his chest and tried to hold a serious face, but he cracked before the "order" could be complied with. Ian laughed.

O’Connor: Oh, absolutely an order. :: he shook his head, chuckling as they walked on::

Evinrude: You'll have to write me up for insubordination, on that one. Sirs. ::He grinned, keeping pace with the others.::

((Time Skip - Deck 14, Main Engineering, USS Ronin))

After a quick stopover at Tucker's office, the three made their way to an out-of-the-way turbolift to try to avoid crowds. Unfortunately, four other crewmen had gathered nearby, as if they were watching.

Tucker: So what now?

Ian shrugged.

O’Connor: Maybe we should try to accomplish something besides gathering crowds.

Evinrude: ::Looking around suspiciously.:: I swear, has it been shift-change for the past hour? How long is shift-change! ::He sighed.:: Whatever, I just need to focus on the task at hand.

Tucker: Alright, so we’ve got to upgrade the helm, right?

O’Connor: Yeah, that shouldn’t take too long though. Especially with both of you helping out.

Evinrude: I appreciate the vote of confidence.

Tess really meant it, but his tone of voice came off somewhat sarcastic. He took a breath and tried to soften his attitude as the door finally swished open, and the three stepped into the lift.

Tucker: Where to?

O’Connor: We should figure out whose quarters to stay in. Then we can gather the other two’s gear.

The lieutenant hadn't fully considered that, and leaned up against the turbolift, already tired.

oO I do have a spare bed. One... Oo

Tucker: My quarters are most likely bigger than both of yours, just because of where they’re located.

Evinrude: I've got a decent amount of space, actually. I was, uh, never assigned a roommate. ::He shrugged.::

O’Connor: Well, if I may be so bold…I suggest a highly scientific method.

Tess turned to Ian, a quizzical look on his face.

oO There's no way this is going to be "highly scientific"... Oo

Tucker: What, do you have in mind?

O’Connor: Rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock.

Tess was, in fact, familiar with all of those words...but their context when juxtaposed together?

Tucker: Are you sure about that? Honestly, it’s either yours or mine. ::looking at Tess:: Sorry, but your quarters are built for two max.

Evinrude: That they are, sir.

O’Connor: Response

Tucker:  ::looking at O’Connor:: You’re quarters are on deck seven, and I’m on fourteen. Mine is closer to the Brew Continuum, about four doors down. How about you, O’Connor?

O’Connor: Response

Marty shifted in place. Someone needed to make a decision, and Tess was surprised the Chief Engineer wasn't calling the shot.

Tucker: I really don’t care at this point, either yours or mine. Your call, Mr. O’Connor.

Marty crossed his arms across his chest again, and Tess began to realize something: the man was clearly annoyed.

oO Ah. The ruined date. Oo

He frowned, and reached out to place a hand on Tucker's shoulder.

Evinrude: Sir. You're a department head, you likely have the largest quarters...but also, you've been inconvenienced the most here. If it would make things easier on you, let's crash at your place, yeah?

O'Connor: Response

Tucker: Response

Evinrude: I'll just need to swing by mine to grab a few things. ::He smiled, and shrugged in a carefree gesture.:: This will be...fun! Like camping.

((Even More Time Skip - Hallway Outside Tess Evinrude's Quarters, Deck 3, USS Ronin))

Evinrude: Can you carry this?

Tess poked his head out of the open doorway and deposited a duffel into the hall.

O'Connor/Tucker: Response

Evinrude: Aaaand can you carry this?

This time, it was a long, flat, black rectangular case.

O'Connor/Tucker: Response

Evinrude: Sorry, sir. ::He said from inside, with a laugh.:: It's because I need to carry...this.

When he reappeared, he carried in his arms what appeared to be several lengths of cordwood, wrapped in vines and foliage.

O'Connor/Tucker: Response

[Tags/TBC]

--

Lieutenant J.G. Tess Evinrude

[he/him]

Operations Officer

USS Ronin

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