Lt Cmdr Quentin Beck - When Life Gives You Lemons

[Quentin Beck]

((Zeyva’s Kitchen, Clean Hall Lounge, Deck 6, USS Ronin))

Quentin studied the others curiously as they discussed the intricacies of Vulcan bonds, and he was more than a little suspicious of Om-Zora, as he had picked up the sarcasm in the Aurelian's tone. He couldn't decide if that meant Om-Zora already knew or just didn't care - and it was a toss-up whichever it might be. In any case, it made him wary - so he tried to choose his words carefully.

Beck: I don't think there is any obligation considered, as it would be possible to have that kind of connection with more than one person, but, at least from my experience, it is something Vulcans do consider quite sacred. 

Om-Zora: Indeed. I would hope your Vulcan partner is fine with you sharing something sacred, then. I always found the Vulcans around me got a little… uncomfortable when I found things out and asked about it, and they weren’t always comfortable with the sharing, either. With some exceptions. They are fascinating people in how much they can contradict themselves at times.

Robin: Well said babe

His brows lifted with curiosity at what he might have considered accusation in Om-Zora's tone. 

Beck: As with a partner of any kind, communication is still super important - helps prevent misunderstandings based on assumptions. I have made that mistake before myself on more than one occasion. ::a beat:: As to your point about Vulcans contradicting themselves… well, that seems to be a fault of pretty much any species with emotions, whether or not they try to suppress or control them. Anyway. I've gone on too long now, sorry.

Evinrude: No, I'm serious...thanks for sharing. ::Tess smiled, a genuine gesture.::

He studied Om-Zora a little more closely, his hand rising to rub the back of a crooked finger against an itchy nostril. The Aurelian wasn't visibly drunk, but there was something about the way he presented himself now that had seemingly shifted into the slightly less inhibited.

Om-Zora: What about you, Neverrude, as I’ve heard Zeyva call you before, you seemed ready to say something about your feelings earlier. Why don’t you do that?

Evinrude: ::With a grin, he shook his head, speaking quietly at first, with a glance at Zeyva bustling away.:: Why does she call me that? ::He shrugged.:: Anyway, I was...well, I was going to elaborate on distance. In relationships. ::He took a long pull of wine, finishing his glass.:: It's feeling more distant by the lightyear, to be honest, but my last relationship ended because I chose Starfleet.

Om-Zora: Response

Quentin's attention shifted to Tess, brows lifting. They had never ventured into this particular territory in conversation, and he admitted curiosity himself. Had it ended because his partner had not been interested in Starfleet? Was it because they stayed behind? Lifting the bottle, he refilled Tess' glass.

Beck: What, was it an ultimatum?

Evinrude: Nothing like that, I-- ::He nodded, appreciating the fresh pour.:: Thank you! I...yeah, nothing like that. She didn't straight up say, "Me or Starfleet." She just...well, my new path in life didn't fit with her goals. We talked through that, several times...and she ended things.

Robin: Did that send a sourness into your opinion of her flavour?

It didn't sound that way to him - not if they talked through it more than once. It sounded like it was at least mostly on good terms.

Om-Zora: Response

Evinrude: I don't blame her. What I do feel guilty about, though, is leaving behind the projects we were working on. We, along with some friends, made holo-novels. ::He glanced at Beck.:: I actually took a...gap year, after the Academy, and it turned into a few years. Starfleet...didn't like that.

That sounded a lot like his own history, though he had ended up joining Starfleet because of his interest in holo-novels and the extracurriculars involved. Or… at least, they made the offer. No wonder he got on so well with Tess. He smiled a little.

Robin, on the other hand, turned up her beak.

Robin: Neither would I had I been them.

Om-Zora/Evinrude: Response

Quentin let out a snort.

Beck: And why is that, perchance?

Robin: It shows a lack of commitment. I wouldn’t like that.

His head tipped a little to the side as he considered her point, but his lips pulled into a thin line of disagreement.

Beck: While it was probably not the best thing to do immediately after graduating, it's not the first time someone has needed some additional time to sort things out - doubt it'll be the last time, either. And obviously, they got over it, or else he wouldn't be here now. The fact he decided to return tells me he actually is committed to it.

Om-Zora/Evinrude: Response

She took another sip of wine before looking Tess in the eye with an odd intensity.

Robin: Not a criticism, but if I made a commitment to bake a cake, I wouldn’t leave it to rot after it left the oven.

Quentin shook his head.

Beck: Baking a cake and joining Starfleet are not the same thing - but going with your metaphor, it sounds to me like he put the cake on ice, rather than just leaving it to rot. It might have a little freezer burn, but at least so far, it looks like it still ended up pretty tasty-looking.

That choice of words probably wouldn't help with the rumors much, depending on how they took it, but that would hardly count as confirmation of anything anyway.

Om-Zora/Evinrude/Robin/Zevya: Response

He realized somewhere along the way he had stopped eating the meal, and it had unfortunately gone cold. Clenching his jaw, he pushed the plate away and picked up his napkin to dab at the corners of his mouth.

Beck: This conversation is starting to affect my appetite. ::to Zevya:: The food is delicious, but the opinions are growing bitter. Not a reflection on the Chef.

Om-Zora/Evinrude/Robin/Zevya: Response

He wasn't entirely sure why Robin's attitude about Tess taking time off had soured things for him so much, but maybe it was because she was starting to sound a little too much like Elmore for his taste. Not that Elmore had ever approved him going to Starfleet - not that Elmore had ever approved of anything he'd ever done. There was likely some projection going on, and he wasn't sure Evinrude really needed him to jump to his defense.

Beck: Change of subject. When you're not doing whatever it is you do, what do you like to do to unwind? Personally, I am a big fan of the holodeck - there's an endless supply of potential adventures or entertainments to engage the mind. And I don't have the time for it I used to, but I do like writing holoadventures myself.

Om-Zora/Evinrude/Robin/Zevya: Response

[Tags/TBC!]

Lieutenant Commander Quentin Beck

Chief Medical Officer

USS Ronin NCC-34523

A238810SA0