Lt JG Taj'el - Small Gifts
Taj'el
((Ready Room, Deck 3, USS Ronin))
Taj’el experienced the closest approximation to embarrassment a Vulcan could exhibit. The acknowledgment of such a state, particularly to any individual, and most especially to the Captain of a visiting crew. It had become their most recent source of personal disquiet, one they intended to address privately; they had not even disclosed it to their own Captain, although Counselor Saa may have made him aware. The Captain appeared to respond without hesitation, seemingly unaffected by the revelation.
Niac: What size are you?
Taj’el: Sir?
Niac: Glove size?
Taj’el: Size? I wore the standard issue. I had not considered the sizes in which they were available.
He considered whether the Captain intended to provide new gloves. Such an action was unnecessary; Taj’el was fully capable of acquiring their own.
Niac: You're right...Computer, access personnel file on visiting officer Taj'el, Lieutenant Junior Grade, on temporary assignment from the USS Thor. Load biometrics and create fitted standard issue duty gloves. ::He tapped a few commands into the display with a smile:: Add the following modification to the base design and then replicate.
The effort required was minimal; nevertheless, the gesture was observed and considered. It was a simple task, one that any individual could perform and one that, logically, a Captain need not undertake. He had personally taken the time to acquire gloves, thereby enabling Taj’el to hand over their PADD with greater comfort.
It was, by their assessment, logically fascinating. They had intended to exercise caution until they obtained their gloves or replicated new ones; that precaution was now unnecessary.
Niac: I won't have an officer in my command serving under that kind of discomfort, Lieutenant. A few years ago I had a brief and very unpleasant run-in with with telepathic abilities I couldn't control and I wouldn't wish that on anybody.
He appeared to stare briefly, as if considering something, before returning his attention to the present. Taj’el experienced curiosity but refrained from inquiry; most thoughts were retained for a reason, and the Captain was already making an effort beyond what was expected for a crew member who was not his own.
Niac: Wear those with pride as long as you need to.
Taj’el: Pride, Sir? If you so assert…
He appeared to smile, presumably in response to Taj’el’s apparent confusion. This had been their struggle for several months, and “pride” would not have been the term they would have applied. It had been more accurately an annoyance and a handicap. Nevertheless, this peculiar Captain, in a single action, had rendered the situation somewhat more agreeable to Taj’el.
Niac: I'm glad that's settled. I hope your time aboard the Ronin is productive...both for your research and for you personally. Oh and check in with me before you return to the Thor...I'll have a message I want carried back to her Captain.
Taj’el: Thank you, Sir. I shall ensure that I stop by.
Watching him move to his desk, his demeanor shifted. They tilted their head slightly, observing as he appeared to deliberate on certain matters, and it was, by their assessment, interesting to witness him transition abruptly to an entirely different topic.
Niac: In that case Lieutenant you're dismissed.
Taj’el: Thank you, Sir, and I am also appreciative of the time and the gloves. Live long and prosper.
Once outside the office, Taj’el paused briefly and regarded the gloves. Once again, the small gesture, for reasons they did not fully articulate, held significant meaning. Examining them, they took the time to put them on. Standard issue. Perfect fit. Precisely what they were accustomed to. It was, by their assessment, fascinating, truly fascinating. They had observed Acting Captain Herricks and had only recently met their actual Captain, Promontory; the two were similar, with subtle distinctions. To witness a third example of a captain… it warranted careful observation and notation.
[[End Scene for Taj’el]]
