Ensign Luxa Lorana - ...Hello Ronin (part 2 of 2)
Luxa Lorana
((OOC - the first part is Farewell Artemis, on that ship's channel, if you're interested))
((Main Forward Lounge - Transport Ship ‘Bomvey’))
'Marutai', another Caitian word. It meant to let the seasons do what they will do. To relinquish control and make peace with uncertainty.
It was not something Luxa had ever been very good at. She had been meditating in an attempt to achieve Marutai. To become at peace with the unexpected. They had plenty of time for reflection on the trip from the Borderlands.
Her days working the trade routes throughout the Federation and beyond had made her a patient traveller. She’d entertain herself for hours each day playing Rajan, a Caitian high impact sport. Even waking in the middle of the night and accessing the holodeck to release the built up energy her species was prone too.
It had not been the length of this voyage or finding activities to fill her time, that had been the primary issue, it was the company. Namely one particular individual. Vailani Zoyara.
On the Artemis, she had enjoyed an uneasy friendship with the perfectionist operations officer. That friendship had been tested beyond Luxa’s extremely patient limits on this vessel. Vailani was currently on the bridge, instructing the experienced crew on how to properly make an approach to a starfleet station, ensuring each protocol was adhered to.
Luxa had chosen to hide out in the Main Forward Lounge, before she was due to meet her in the transporter room. She had taken a seat upfront so that she would get an uninterrupted view of the station and the ship.
Despite her initial hesitation, the journey afforded her ample time to research the USS Ronin and her crew and she found that an excitement had begun to stir.
Quinn: ::sliding into the chair beside her:: Shouldn't be long until we see her.
Luxa looked to Clara, they had both changed into their uniforms. Luxa was science blue, and Clara in the familiar gold of engineering and ops, and pairing that up with a jacket, with pockets - a well-used hyperspanner sticking out.
The weeks they had spent on the transport had allowed them to reconnect, and they quickly found themselves falling into old patterns that had begun at the academy. Except this time Luxa was determined not to allow her misguided feelings for the brilliant engineer muddy the waters between them.
Lorana: I’m going to miss the Artemis, she was my home. I have to admit I’m looking forward to seeing the Ronin. I hope she’ll feel like home as well?
The voice of the Caitian was like silk, the distinctive vocals of the feline species with the refined melodic elegance that betrayed her aristocratic roots.
Quinn: This is my third posting, I guess I’m used to moving around.
Lorana: ::leans in:: I'm still not sure why you volunteered?
Clara paused, looking at her old friend and seemed to drift off.
Quinn: It seemed exciting ::turns to Luxa and laughs:: Space battles and how could I not want to serve on an Akira Class as an engineer? There are two full decks full of shuttles for me to fix up and play with.
Luxa didn't push on the subject, she suspected that there was more to it, she'd let her friend come to her when the time was right.
Clara pointed out the viewport.
Quinn: Look.
They both turned, the station came into view slowly as they approached. The transport vessel gently turned, and beyond they could see the USS Ronin.
Luxa had never seen an Akira Class before and stood up and approached the window to take in the view.
She noted the similarities with the Artemis, in place of the Luna Class sensor pod the Ronin had a battle module, along with a much more typical design of its era, the saucer section reminiscent of the Miranda Class.
Quinn: ::excited:: The Akira Class, they call them the veterans of the fleet. It's beautiful.
Luxa could hear the familiar yet impatient steps of her former Bajoran roommate before she could see her.
Vailani: ::annoyed:: I told you to meet me in the transporter room?
Clara raised her eyebrows with a comical smile on her face. Luxa turned to face her, Zoyara stood with her arms crossed, toes tapping and a less than impressed expression across her face.
Lorana: Zoy, I -
Vailani: ::glances out the window at the Ronin:: It's an Akira class vessel, once you've seen one you've seen them all. They've been in the fleet since the Dominion War. My father served on one when he was an enlisted officer.
oO of course he did, there isn’t a thing your father hasn’t done! Oo
Lorana: ::bites her tongue, reluctantly:: I've never seen one and it's our new home, it’s good to take a moment.
Vailani: ::eye roll:: Luxa you're far too sentimental. If we're late for the commencement speech -
Quinn: :: irritated:: Okay! We're coming.
Luxa followed the two women she would serve with on the Artemis, taking a moment to look back out the window of the lounge.
Marutai
End Scene.