Ensign T’Fearne - Pact of Trust
teayl.thorn
((Chief of Security & Tactical's Office, Security Complex, Deck 11, U.S.S. Ronin))
She looked at the desk strewn with PADDs, jars, and tumblers, her Chief sitting back and taking fortifying sips from a clutched cup, her ensign’s pip and delta deposited theatrically in the middle like some holodrama. T'Fearne's ear-tips flamed green with embarrassment, and she adamantly fought to keep the same green tint from showing on her face.
A bubble of amusement burst against her senses. She wasn’t even sure if it was amusement at herself or if it came from Kirsty. She felt a deranged giggle struggling to well its way up from the depth of her katra.
All the days working ceaselessly to fit in, all the evenings that she stayed awake focusing on anything but the lurking worry in the back of her mind that she wouldn’t be good enough for this crew, that she would fail at her duty is some small way that she couldn’t predict. As the Chief joined in with a very human-sounding laugh, T’Fearne felt the pull of the days and weeks of tension drain away, at least a fraction. It left behind a rueful amusement as she realized something.
T'Fearne::: Self exasperated chuckle:: Oh, I’m an idiot!
oO I did this to myself Oo
The Human waved off the remark, the grin still on her face.
Carpenter: Not at all! You are a talented, empathetic officer who made it out the other side of a particularly well-designed meat-grinder. You bein' here, hell, you standin' at all is a win. And the way I see it, you also takin' the time to think about the ripple-effects just makes you even more suited to the job.
She straightened, eyeing the chief. She was fairly sure at this close distance that she could tell if Kirsty was being deceptive, but the Chief’s words were direct and sincere. She felt a little hitch in her breathing and took a moment to glance away in a Vulcanly manner to internally strangle her emotional reaction, hand distractedly plucking at the edge of her sleeve before looking back at her CO.
T'Fearne::: Nodding slightly:: I hear you, Sir. There were classes at the academy on how to deal with things…things like hostile psychology, and survival in captivity, but the reality is something I confess I was not prepared for. The instructors warned us that too, but I couldn’t really comprehend what they meant before.
Carpenter: Its unprecedented the things we do. The choices we are sometimes forced to make. But like The Captain said to me once, we have secret weapon against all that.
That brought a small smile back to her, at least on the inside. She had a pretty good idea of what Kirsty was getting at but couldn’t resist offering a playful guess.
T'Fearne::: Dry tone:: It’s Cheesecake, isn’t it?
Carpenter: Each other, Ensign. Each other. And that counts double for your Chief, here, ya see? ::hooking a thumb at herself::
T'Fearne::: beep breath:: Understood Sir! The captain did tell me something very similar. On my first day aboard, he said “Work hard, trust your colleagues, learn all you can from them...because we're all we have out here in the black.” :: Pausing:: Her also said “Whatever you do...don't put a scratch on the runabout Rhine!” I’ll take all the advice I can get. Thank you, Sir, I appreciate you taking the time to discuss this with me.
Carpenter: Not'all, Ensign. I'm honored you thought yeh could talk'ta me about this. It's gonna do wonders for my "approachable" cred around the barracks. ::she said with a wink:: Anything else I can do for ya, T'Fearne? Anything at all
She looked down at the table and finally picked up her pip and Delta, they were hers for the taking. She rapped a knuckle meaningfully on the desk and caught the glass that slid into the space she had just cleared, it's liquid swishing, refracting the light passing through it. Her fingernails scratched lightly over the smooth glass.
T'Fearne::: Softly:: There is something I would ask of you Chief.
She downed the liquor as more of a gesture than anything else. Thinking of the symbolism. A treaty common to many worlds, to rest in someone's home, to share the warmth of their hearth and conversation, accept their food or drink their liquor meant safety, trust and a sealing of a pact almost as old as the universe.
She set the cup down on the table with a soft chink and stood, stepping clear of the desk.
Both standing, the Vulcanoid and the Human were of an equal height, dark obsidian eyes meeting on a level with sparkling emerald.
She held out her hand with the pip and Delta to Kirsty.
oO I put my trust in you! Oo
T’Fearne: Would you pin this on for me?
The rest of the question was in her eyes, and she hoped she didn’t have to clarify what she was asking, that for some reason having Kirsty be the one to put her pip back on her collar felt right in that moment.
Carpenter: Response
The Chief’s fingertips felt rough against her neck as she affixed the pip to the collar. It reminded her of Rweemmé, her middle older sister's hands, rough from a life of work with her hands in the ministry of agriculture on Betazed. As the hands finished affixing the pip and playfully dusted a non-existent fluff from her uniform jacket shoulder, T’Fearne felt more like herself than she had since before B’Hala, but a little older and maybe a little bit wiser, thanks to Kirsty.
T'Fearne::: Still slightly dazed:: Thanks, I think I’ll be alright now. :: She gave Kirsty a meaningful glance:: How about you, Chief?
Carpenter: Response
T'Fearne: This secret weapon goes both ways. Whatever you need, Chief, you can count on me.
Carpenter: Response
[Tag, You’re It! / Seems like a good close scene for T’Fearne, but also happy to continue if you want to]
===============================
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14