Lt JG Tess Evinrude - Post-Traumatic Sugar Dilemma

[Tess Evinrude]

((Clean Hall Lounge, Deck 6, USS Ronin))

Evinrude: Well, from the perspective of someone who used to create them...I'm aware of the temptation. But, kind of like me choosing to...pick a different path in life for a while, before returning to Starfleet...the experiences we live in the holodeck color and modify our real-world perspectives.

Quentin nodded thoughtfully, while Robin looked encouragingly at Om-Zora.

Robin: ::Looking at Om-Zora:: Anything to add sweetie?

Om-Zora: ::slightly slurred:: Lovely answers, all of you. But I politely decline talkin’ about myself. My interests are no one’s business but mine. Wrong bird if you wanna talk to someone who likes sharin’.

Evinrude raised an eyebrow, but kept his comments to himself.

oO It's a simple enough question...why so touchy? Oo

He'd encountered this before, and had perhaps a small chip on his shoulder about it - people had a negative opinion of interactive holo-novels, always assuming they were mindless wastes of time.

Robin: it would be nice though, right? I mean, I hardly care for the topic Neverrude and Becky are engaged in. I wish to hear your voice more.

At that remark, both eyebrows raised.

oO Or maybe...Om-Zora is a huge fan of them? And is embarrassed to share that with his sweetheart? Oo

Beck: If that's your subtle way of telling us you don't like us, you should work a little on your delivery.

Evinrude: :: Tess smirked as Beck shared his thoughts on the matter out loud.:: Yes...a strange thing to say to friends at dinner.

Om-Zora: I mean, with one exception in the room, we’re only colleagues. It’s not like y’need to know about me on a personal level. ‘nd I’d prefer you didn’t.

Quentin's lips parted, but he seemed to hold his tongue as Robin patted Om-Zora's wing.

Beck: Whatever you're comfortable with, bud. I'm not gonna start pulling teeth. ::a beat:: Or uh… feathers, I guess?

Om-Zora: If it pleases you, then fine. What made you choose your jobs? What kind of people are you? Anything to distract me from the head swimming. And damn, is there any water around here? I… definitely need some.

Robin: ::shouting:: Mother, tepid water please.

Thoné: BARMAN!!!!!!!

Tess' mouth was open to speak this time, some tongue-in-cheek remark about how Om-Zora seemed to rubberband back the other direction with that deluge of questions. But then there was shouting and chaos. He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw.

Beck: Are we in, like, the sweet spot or something…?

Evinrude: Y-yeah. Acoustics are great here... ::He tried to open his mouth slightly a couple of times to pop his ears.::

Robin: Please drink up sour cakes.

She picked up one of the glasses and raised it to Om-Zora's beak, who didn't protest and tipped his head enough to drink. Quentin shook his head.

Beck: Erm… I, uh, ended up in Medicine because of some side research I was doing, actually. I was actually a lot more into film and holo history and application, made a lot of films as I was growing up, and I came up with this idea to see if I could enhance the user's experience while they were immersed in a story on the holodeck. Tailored specifically to the story, while also being a safe application that could be easily reversed if needed. Ended up doing a lot of research into neurochemistry, and Starfleet was impressed enough to offer to round out my training.

Deciding to focus on Beck, Tess turned to his friend...since no one else in the room was paying attention to the conversation.

Evinrude: ::Genuinely.:: That's interesting. You used your interest in making holo-entertainment as bait to lure Starfleet. I always feared that my approach was more like...repellant.

There was a momentary pause as Om-Zora pulled away from the glass to breathe.

Robin: Better?

Om-Zora: ::Softly and with the most genuine feeling shown all evening:: You do know how to make a girl swoon.

Robin: Please you flirty lemon, Becky and Neverrude are here.

The exchange between the two lovebirds felt natural to Tess, and the more nuanced realizations were lost on him. Always a sucker for romance, his natural reaction was to smile at their heartfelt banter - despite the pair's rather rude conversational demeanor. He was preparing to try to turn the conversation back into a group activity, rather than the Beck and Evinrude show, and started to ask about professions.

Evinrude: Om-Zora, wh--

Om-Zora: I have to leave. Right now. I-I just… I need a minute.

The Aurelian stood a bit stiffly, though still mostly gracefully, before turning to make their exit. Beck looked at Robin and Tess as silence fell over the trio.

Then he raised his napkin as he was hit with the sudden, overwhelming urge to sneeze.

Pushing his seat back, Quentin stood and dropped the napkin on the table, rubbing at red spots suddenly growing on his cheeks.

Beck: ::stuffy:: Ugh. Why now after they've gone…?

Robin: Are you alright, Commander?

Evinrude: Allergies, Quentin? I'm sure we could replicate something to help... ::His voice grew slightly desperate as he realized the implications of Beck leaving.::

Quentin shook his head as he stepped away from the table and turned on his heel.

Beck: I also have to leave. I need to get to Sickbay before I have a severe reaction to the meds I took before coming to dinner.

Robin threw her napkin delicately onto the table.

Robin: I should go too. It’s a grave dishonour to leave a Klowahkan table during dinnertime. But my date needs me.

So hasty were their departures, there wasn't really time for Tess to say goodbye. For a moment, he just stared at the empty table and plates of cold fish. Then he reached for the bottle of wine and drained what was left into his own glass.

Evinrude: Was it something I said? ::He joked, quietly, to no one.::

As he took a swig from his glass, Zeyva wheeled out a trolley, freshly loaded with dishes of ice cream and sprinkles. Her face melted when she saw that three-quarters of the dining party had left the restaurant.

Thoné: What happened? Where did everyone go?

Tess had grown accustomed to reading the Klowahkan's moods. This one was particularly volatile.

Evinrude: Medical emergency. ::He shrugged.:: Multiple emergencies.

Thoné: How rude. Well, at least you stayed Neverrude. You know, you’re my favourite customer.

Evinrude: ::He blinked, watching as four servings of ice cream were placed in front of him. His voice came out deadpan.:: And you're my favorite Representative.

Thoné: Now eat-up. I made all of these, and they’re all going to get eaten.

The operation's officer experienced a sudden flashback to when the ship's replicators spewed out an unending deluge of contaminated frosting. With a slow nod of acceptance, he tapped his combadge and summoned a few fellow ops crew to help with cleanup.

[End Scene for Evinrude]

--

Lieutenant J.G. Tess Evinrude

[he/him]

Operations Officer

USS Ronin

R240111TE1