Ensign Renaie Shortrith - She Was A Good Ship

[Renaie Shortrith]

((Corridor, Deck 10, USS Ronin))

Raga: I’d expect nothing less from someone who served under Mei’konda. That also had a fairly poetic lilt to it. Do you read poetry, counselor? 

oO Alyndra did mention that Raga served on the Astraeus, but why does it still come up as a surprise whenever I hear about the old ship? I could still be missing what I lost, though. Oo

Shortrith: On occasion, yes I do. Why do you ask?

Raga: As far as I’ve noticed every culture has poetry of some sort, though as with anything some are better than others. I’m a bit biased, but Al-Leyan poetry has few equals. Especially romantic sonnets. Terrans have a few supreme ones too. As do Tellarites, interestingly enough. 

Renaie raised their eyebrows slightly in surprise, interested in where this conversation was heading.

Shortrith: I suppose I've been influenced by a mix of both Terran and Klingon poetry, as I grew up on Earth but my parents are from Qo'noS. Honestly, I have no preference on different kinds of poetry.

Raga: If I’m keeping you please let me know. If not you’re welcome to walk and chat with me if you like. 

Shortrith: You're not keeping me, don't worry! I'm essentially just wandering around after finishing up a subspace call with my parents.

Renaie noticed the Commander's tendency to have his owl between him and them, and a small feeling of concern, possibly a bit of hurt, rose up in their chest. oO Am I failing at being a welcoming person that badly? No, it may not be me. It could just be the thing he mentioned about Al-Leyans and Klingons. ::pause:: But still… hmm… Oo

Renaie forced themself to remain composed so they didn't give off the wrong impression. oO I already did that when I entered the bridge at the wrong time. For the first time, too. Oo

Raga: I understand that. I haven’t called home as often as I used to, mostly so as not to give them more reason to worry about me and the family. 

Shortrith: I must admit, I haven't read much Al-Leyan poetry in my life, but I'm always willing to broaden my horizons. Are there any ones in particular that you like?

Raga: Oh, absolutely! ::His smile widened and he held up a hand to extend digits as he listed a few off:: Holra is one of my favorites. She intricately laces in a lot of the styling from the Crindi province if the equatorial region. Although, Vayana of Nez Toural is my favorite. She’s from the polar region to the north and understand life in such a place. ::he nodded to a passing crewman and continued:: If you like passionate and fanciful poems that evoke the mind like fantasy novels do then she’s definitely worth the read. I can provide a list of the twenty or so best poets from my world if you’d like. 

Renaie attempted to listen attentively while Raga spoke.

Shortrith: Those sound cool, thank you for sharing them!

Raga: Of course. I’ve always found something cathartic about reading poetry. The emotions they can elicit, and the imagery they can evoke. Plus lately they help sort out all the memories I carry so they aren’t as prone to bleed through on their own. 

It was the last sentence that somewhat made Renaie's brain switch to Counsellor mode.

Shortrith: … All the memories you carry? If I may ask… What happened?

Raga: Ah, it’s something that happened when I was still on the Astraeus. Quite a while ago. We found this planet or moon while out in Par’tha that used to be a Caraadian colony. Some of our away teams ended up missing and we eventually discovered a species of non-corporeal beings that resided there. They attacked me by mistake, believing me to be Romulan. ::He gestured to his ears:: Their form of punishment was to make the condemned experience the memories, particularly the last moments of their victims. 

Renaie frowned a bit as they tried to figure out what to say.

Shortrith: I… That's certainly something I haven't heard before, that's for sure. That sounds intense.

Raga: It was definitely an experience. They of course came to realize I wasn’t a Romulan and apologized. They were going to remove the memories but I asked if they could leave most of them. 

Renaie raised their eyebrows slightly.

Shortrith: Just out of curiosity, why?

Raga: I know it sounds strange. But I already carried similar memories of a sort with me. If simpler. In the form of the name, rank and posting of every shipmate I’ve ever lost. It started with our first run in with the Consortium on the Atlantis. I have the memorial plaque memorized. It’s my way of honoring them, so when it came to those actual memories of people who’d been brutalized by the Romulan occupation I didn’t hesitate to carry them with me. ::he shrugged slightly, which elicited a surly hoot:: By carrying them it’s both a way of honoring them and ensuring they live on in a way. ::he looked at them:: Does that make sense, counselor?

Shortrith: Yeah, I suppose it does.

Raga: The reason I think I mentioned poetry was because I had been ruminating on the idea of writing some in their honor. Anyways, I’ve been going on. Now that you’ve been with us for a little while, how do you like the Ronin? I know how hard it was to leave the Astraeus behind when I came here. But this crew and this ship quickly became family and home as much or I daresay more. 

Shortrith: I've come to find comfort here, running into someone I know is always a nice surprise. I must admit, with the Astraeus being my first ship, receiving the orders from Starfleet that we were being transferred were… certainly not the best way to end your first mission.

Raga: Response

Shortrith: Yeah… As far as I'm aware, the Astraeus was brought back to Earth for repairs, and all the crew on the ship was dispersed throughout the fleet. A couple went to the USS Chin'toka, a few went to the USS Thor, one went to Amity Outpost, a few went on LOA… except for Commodore Mei'konda, who returned to Earth to teach at the Academy, if memory serves.

Raga: Response

Shortrith: Could we… could we talk about the Astraeus for a bit? It's nice to talk to someone who once served there.

Raga: Response

Shortrith: May I ask what things were like when you were there?

Raga: Response

[Tags/TBC]

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Ensign Renaie Shortrith

Assistant Counsellor

USS Ronin

They/Them (Player) They/She (Character)

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