Lt JG Tess Evinrude - The New Normal

[Tess Evinrude]

((Counselling Suites, Deck 10, USS Ronin))

Evinrude: No, sorry, I'm just rambling. How was...the community aboard the Astraeus, at the end?

Renaie's eyes widened slightly, making Tess wonder if he had said something wrong.

Shortrith: I'd like to think it was relatively tight-knit, but I think I noticed some tension toward the end when nobody knew where they were going.

Lieutenant Evinrude leaned forward, listening as Renaie replied.

Evinrude: I see, that's...that makes sense. Has the Ronin been treating you any differently?

Shortrith: What do you mean? They treat me like a person, but I don't think that's what you're referencing.

Tess laughed, and shifted back in his seat.

Evinrude: Er no, counselor. I was referring to that tension - are you feeling any less...tense, here?

Shortrith: Not that I'm aware of, no.

An awkward, silent moment passed between the two officers.

Shortrith: While we're here, may I ask some questions about how you're going with things?

Evinrude: ::Tess blinked, and then gave a friendly nod of agreement.:: Certainly.

Shortrith: We can continue the Astraeus conversation for a while, I was just planning ahead for this session.

Evinrude: I...didn't plan at all. Another disadvantage, you have me at. ::He smiled again, but this time his brow was also furrowed, showing some confusion.::

oO Do they want to talk about the Astraeus...or about how things are going? Oo
He really had intended for this to be nothing more than a social call.

Shortrith: Go on, I'm listening.

Their tone seemed encouraging enough. He continued down the line of thinking he'd started with the counselor's old ship.

Evinrude: Well, I know that we've had some stressful missions lately. And the one you joined...it was no different. I guess I was just waxing philosophical about growing up on a starship. I don't remember, as a child, things being so...razor's edge.

Shortrith: Response

Evinrude: Sorry, uh...I mean that thin line between "everything is fine" and "nothing will be the same ever again."

He gestured across two sides of an imaginary line as he spoke each phrase. Words started to pour out of him, then, as if a bottle had fallen onto its side and the cap wasn't tight enough.

Evinrude: As a kid, sure...I remember red alert klaxons, stressed adults running about...I remember moments when my parents were clearly hiding something. But, when those moments were over...things felt normal again.

Shortrith: Response

Evinrude: Now? I'm forced to adjust to a new normal after every mission. I go to bed and my DNA is the same, but the electrochemical signals in my head are immutably changed! I am aware of who's dead, what's gone, how many years it will take for some place or some intangible quality to recover...if it can be restored at all.

He looked up at Shortrith, realizing what was happening. He blinked, smiled, and his face flushed.

Evinrude: I'm sorry. I...seem to be grappling with change. I feel a bit silly for expecting you to help me connect with a childhood home that's likely bound for the scrapyard.

Shortrith: Response

[Tags/TBC]

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Lieutenant J.G. Tess Evinrude

[he/him]

Operations Officer

USS Ronin

R240111TE1