[[BACKSIM]] Lt. JG T’Fearne - Daydreams
Teayl Thorn
((Poolside Dining, The Farm, Endicronimas V))
T’Fearne: From the moment we met, I’ve seen you fixing things, stepping up, taking the initiative, jumping into action when others need you. You act decisively and before anyone thinks to ask. I can see why you’re a starfleet officer. Why you might have been drawn to this life of duty. I’ve come to know you as a fiercely competent operations officer…someone who sings & plays guitar, makes drinks for everyone at the bar…someone who will walk into strange and dangerous places without hesitation to help a friend. I admire that about you. But that isn’t all you are. When you're not being the person others rely on…who are you, Tess?
Her dark liquid eyes held him there, watching intently. She had asked a difficult question, one with no straightforward answer, but she was still curious as to what he would say. A cascade of complex reactions crossed his face along with a whirl of emotions beneath the surface.
Evinrude: T’Fearne, you’re one of the most impressive people I’ve ever worked with. In Starfleet, or otherwise. For someone like you to notice all that… ::Unable to help himself, he added a little humor, accompanied by another squeeze of her hand..:: …though I think you might be a bit biased…I feel, frankly, honored.
The warmth of that response struck her more strongly than she expected. For a brief moment, it was almost too much—his appreciation echoing through her Vulcazoid senses, amplified by the contact between them. It flared bright, like stepping too close to a heat source. She realised, distantly, that she had probably just done the same to him. She took a measured breath, trying to slow her pulse that was thrumming faster, even for a Vulcanoid.
T’Fearne: Thank you, I appreciate that, ::quirking an amused eyebrow:: but if you think I'm observant… then you should also believe that I see you clearly.
Her thumb shifted lightly against his hand.
T’Fearne: I’ve yet to hear your response to my question.
Evinrude: Am I stalling while I think of a way to answer your question? Maybe. ::A beat, as a smile crinkled the corners of his eyes.:: I spent my childhood working very hard to behave in a way that others would praise. School, extracurriculars, model behavior as a kid on a starship. Mostly model, anyway. Then, I went to the academy.
His gaze drifted briefly.
Evinrude: I learned how rewarding it was to uplift others, and that - to be blunt - helping others to achieve their goals often resulted in achieving one’s own. Mutually assured victory. ::Another beat.:: But, I sometimes struggle with…when there’s no one to work alongside, no one to help or mentor, no one to take orders from or give orders to. I used to write fiction as a way to…distill my thoughts and experiences. ::He met her eyes again.:: I’m rambling, aren’t I?
T’Fearne: ::tilting head to the side:: You seem like you are processing. There is a difference to rambling. What I asked was not an easy or straightforward question. oO Despite my preference…Oo…this isn't an interrogation, you don’t have to…
She trailed off as a daydream rose—unbidden—to her imagination. Tess… attempting to talk his way out of a line of questioning by deploying a rambling defence. Her… ever so gently coaxing information from him.
She swallowed a little and felt her eartips flush green. To cover her reaction she leaned back slightly, picked up her glass and drank the last of it.
Evinrude: I’d like to try. I think that, maybe, my future depends on it. And I mean more than just career, though I certainly don’t want to be a fifty-year-old lieutenant junior grade. To be a good partner, a good friend, a good father…maybe…someday. ::He laughed, and rolled his eyes a little.:: I go back and forth on that last one, but…anyway, to be my best self I think I need to more confidently reach for things that I want.
That was an interesting answer and one that potentially complicated things, but this was about Tess, understanding who he is and his needs and wants. She leaned a little closer, her gaze dropped briefly to his lips then returned to his eyes as she followed the “things that I want”, with the obvious question.
T’Fearne: What do you want, Tess?
And again the arrival of their server broke the moment. The server brought their orders and furnished them with another round of drinks. T’Fearne hadn’t even remembered ordering until they arrived, heralded by a banquet of aromas. Her saliva glands increased production and she easily heard the protesting of Tess’s stomach.
Evinrude: ::To the server.:: Thank you, this looks wonderful!
T’Fearne inclined her head politely as the server placed their food and drinks and withdrew. She picked up the long thin eating utensils, drank in the aromas of the sauce and then the Sea-drake, cooked to perfection with an elegant simplicity of herbs. She nearly dribbled on the tablecloth. She hadn’t eaten much earlier that day and didn't realise how hungry she had grown.
T’Fearne: This smells wonderful. ::taking a bite, chewing and swallowing the flavours:: It does not disappoint with flavour. How is yours?
Evinrude: Response
She thought about it for a moment. She wouldn’t normally cross-contaminate the flavours by sharing food, but Tess had met her on a day where she had made the adventurous yet poor decision to eat blue replicator malfunction fruit. Surely sharing flavors wouldn’t cause a medical emergency.
Picking up an Opaline Sea-drake Medallion, coated in a savoury sauce and herbs, with the hand holding two long thin wooden sticks, T’Fearne reached across the table and offered the disc of seafood to Tess, accepting a taste of the Bajoran Shrimp Linguine in return.
T’Fearne: ::nodding:: It’s very good. I might have that if I come here again. ::gesturing to their meals:: I prefer ocean based protein to that of mammals. Something about the texture and taste is better.
Evinrude: Response
As they enjoyed the meal, their conversation resumed to the game of question and answer.
T’Fearne: Earlier I asked what you wanted. But perhaps you were telling me, and I needed to listen more carefully. I’m glad you are ambitious, lower decks would be wasted on you, I think. I feel the same. I want to be more than just a junior officer in my career. I'm not in a hurry, but Chief of Security…::thinking of Raga:: or maybe even an XO one day, if I earn the right to serve a ship in that capacity.
With a growing grin, she continued the daydream.
T’Fearne: You can be the Captain, I’ll be your XO, or Chief of Sec/Tac.
She plucked a slice of a lacey root vegetable from her dish and chewed it thoughtfully.
Evinrude: Response
T’Fearne: ::thinking on the other things he had mentioned:: You have already made a good friend and an excellent partner in crime…::she paused for a moment, unwilling to think too much on the idea of parenthood at this stage:: I have three older sisters, all have children, my nieces and nephews, twins run in the family. If I ask you on a highly dangerous mission, dinner with my family, on Betazed some time, would you accept? I can’t guarantee your survival, but I would protect you as best I can.
Evinrude: Response
[Tags / TBC]
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Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14