Lieutenant JG Renaie Shortrith - Rolling With It

[Renaie Shortrith]

((‘Disco Inferno’ Roller Arena, The Farm, Endicronimas V))

The moment Renaie stepped onto the rink, they almost lost their balance, but they gained it for enough time that they were able to right themself before falling over. They hadn't expected for the awards ceremony to be held at a roller arena, but it added an aspect of joy and silliness of those (themself included) who were losing their balance a little.

Truth be told, they needed a few minutes to gain their balance and remember the ways they were taught by their friends in their first year of the Academy. They struggled, but towards the end of their session in the skating area with their academy friends, they got the hang of it. 

Their current glide wasn't elegant or graceful, but they got where they needed to go.

Slowly, but surely, Renaie rolled over to where Om-Zora and Dekas were, close to where Captain Niac and Commander Raga were located at the podium.

Niac: It’s a pleasure to see you all together once again. I believe we owe the staff of The Farm our compliments, it certainly seems to have lived up to its restorative reputation. Up until I put these ridiculous roller-wheels on, I was the most relaxed I’d been in months.  

Renaie chuckled at that, slightly concerned as they watched the captain start to slip.

Niac: In the interests of conducting our business here today before I need to avail myself of medical care, I’ll be as brief as reasonably possible considering the broad scope of your recent accomplishments. Because of you…because of your steady nerve in the face of a horrific attack…because of your focus under pressure…because of your dedication to one another…the embers of a grave threat to the Federation were extinguished before they could ignite an inferno. You have once again stymied the plans of a ruthless organization and shown them that Starfleet stands firm against terror for profit, against opportunistic brutality, and against anything that would reduce life to an expendable asset.  

They noticed the venom in the captain's voice at the last words, which they thought was fair.

Niac: To that end, each member of this crew is receiving a Silver Lifesaving Ribbon for your efforts to save our brothers and sisters from the Compass Rose. Let it be a reminder to you of the souls you were able to make safe…and all those others who will forever remain on patrol in the Kappa 214 system. In addition, based on my discussions with Starfleet Medical and owing to the incredibly unusual nature of the information we were able to uncover during the course of our mission, the whole crew will be receiving the Scientific Discovery Ribbon. You demonstrated once again that knowledge is the ultimate power and, in this case, used it to neutralize an insidious threat. Lastly and with the knowledge that each and every one of you suffered a level of exposure to a weapon that was, until very recently, invariably deadly…each member of this crew is awarded yet another purple heart to add to their ever growing collection. I believe several people have earned enough to redeem them for prizes, which are available in a variety of colors at a small stand off in the corner of this facility.  

Renaie smiled and applauded, a small feeling of pride for their crew blossoming in their chest. They felt themself zone out a little bit, but they applauded when the crowd did, and slightly became more lucid when people they recognised got their awards, smiled at them, and then slipped back into their zoned-out state.

Slowly, they grew more lucid as some applause died down. They noticed the captain glance over at the table, then seemingly in their direction. They grew curious about what was going to happen.

Niac: Lastly, there is one member of the crew who, although new to the Ronin before these events, has quickly found a home among us and become someone the crew, myself included, look to for warmth and support. Ensign Renaie Shortrith, please step forward.  

oO Me? Oo

Renaie rolled forward - slowly, sure, but at least they didn't fall over - to the podium. They noticed the captain smile their way, and they managed a smile back.

Niac: Ensign, to say your introduction to the Ronin was a trial by fire is an understatement. Yet during the course of the mission and all the horrors it entailed you were a steady voice who kept the welfare of the crew first and foremost in mind at all times. Since then you have guided several of us through the traumas they endured and attended to our mental health with the same degree of skill and compassion that the staff here brought to our physical care. For that reason I am awarding you the Unity Ribbon. Congratulations, Ensign Shortrith.  

Renaie's smile widened a little more, pride in themself growing ever so slightly more.

Shortrith: Thank you, both of you.

Renaie bowed their head acknowledgingly at Commander Raga as he passed them the ribbon. They started to turn back but were referred to once more, so they took a moment after re-turning around to gain their balance.

Niac: Don’t go anywhere Ensign, there is one further matter to be resolved. After examining your service record from your prior postings and seeing for myself the high degree of skill which you’ve brought to Ronin, I have been forced to conclude that you cannot serve aboard my ship as an Ensign any longer. To that end…Commander Raga has a small addition for your uniform. ::He nodded and Toryn produced a small wooden box from within his uniform jacket.:: It is my great pleasure to promote you, Ensign Renaie Shortrith, to Lieutenant Junior Grade with all the rights and responsibilities befitting of that rank. Congratulations Lieutenant!  

oO Wait WHAT? Oo Renaie's eyes widened as they realised what happened.

They struggled to find the right words for thanks as Commander Raga attached a second pip to their uniform. The smile they saw from him meant a lot, especially with the conversation the two had on Deck Ten a while back.

Shortrith: Um… Thank you. I won't let you down.

Not one second after they said their thanks, the room exploded into thunderous applause. For Renaie. 

oO Well, this is certainly one way to bring honour to my house. Oo

Renaie had the biggest smile on their face as they skated back to Dekas and Om-Zora, a slight pep in their skate-step.

Niac: With our business concluded I’ve been told to inform you that something called ‘free skate’ begins in a few minutes and…

Captain Niac gestured to the open bar, and Renaie grimaced slightly as he fell rolled to the ground, but their grimace faded when he just accepted his fate.

Niac: ....dismissed

Renaie slowly skated away from the main crowd, sticking close to those they knew at least in some way. They were just about to speak when a voice echoed through the arena.

Raga: TAG, you’re it!

Renaie laughed as an arena-wide game of tag gave out, lasting well over an hour.

They had to admit, they were having fun. 

… and they may have been a biiiiiit tipsy by the end of the night.

But they definitely had fun.

[End Scene for Renaie]

==

Lieutenant JG Renaie Shortrith

Assistant Counsellor

USS Ronin

They/Them (Player and character)

A240204RS3