Cmdr. Alora DeVeau - "Newish and Newer Peeps"
Amanda Nordstrom
((Deck 5 Corridor, USS Thor))
Overall, Alora was an outgoing and social person. She loved people, and in a way, they gave her a boost of energy. When she was stuck in her room a lot, that was a struggle. Even when Shyla was a newborn, she hadn’t kept to herself much, but used a carrier and took her baby everywhere. At times, she still wore Shyla, but since they were just going to get something to eat and afterward, head to the Arboretum to run around, she didn’t see the need. On her way, she came across a familiar face. During the mission, she and Divya Tam had been two out of a trio of officers on the surface of Selene, a moon that was beautiful, but had some secrets they’d discovered over the course of time. Taking the opportunity to get to know her better suited Alora just fine, and when she saw an unfamiliar face appear, she also took the opportunity to invite the J’naii to join as well.
DeVeau: Shyla and I were about to head to the main mess hall for breakfast. Both of you are welcome to join us.
While Alora could have more easily fed her daughter in her quarters, it was just nice to get out. It wasn’t just good for her, it was good for her daughter not to remain so cooped up.
Meris: I would greatly appreciate joining you. ::pause:: Provided it is acceptable to you both?
Tam: A meal is made better with company. Shall we?
Oh yes, it was very acceptable for her! Alora took note of the rather formal tone of Meris, who, in her mind, sounded a bit like a Vulcan. Perhaps they had spent some time on the planet among those people. Or, perhaps, it was simply a part of who they were.
Without further conversation, the group made their way down the hall and into the closest holodeck. Beating both of them to the punch, Meris gave the computer the command.
Meris: Deck 8.
A very brief pause followed before Meris finally voiced their own question.
Meris: If you do not mind me asking, have you both been aboard since the Thor's relaunch?
Tam: We have. ::looking at DeVeau:: How many weeks has it been now? Three?
Tilting her head to the side, Alora tried to recall. Had it been three weeks? To her, it felt like she had only arrived a few days ago. Every time Alora started to really get settled in, to dig down a foundation, she was moved somewhere else. As a Starfleet officer, she probably shouldn’t be surprised, but at one point, she could have seen herself living her career out on Ops. After a few months, she had come to feel the same about Denali, finding it a lovely place to raise a child. Thanks to Drex and other officers, the Eagle had just as quickly become a home. Now, she and Shyla had to adjust again.
That wasn’t all bad. Although moving from place to place was less ideal than it used to be now that she had a child, she also understood that was simply the life of an officer. And, she had to admit, she enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends, even if she dearly missed the old ones.
DeVeau: Wow, it has been three weeks. Time has flown!
Meanwhile, the toddler continued her stare, silently taking it all in. Meris met the mini Betazoid’s gaze without blinking.
Meris: Aboard my last posting, there were very few families. Is it difficult having a child on a starship?
DeVeau: Yes.
There was no use in lying. It was difficult having a child, period. Oh she adored Shyla and wouldn’t give her up for the world, but she also wouldn’t pretend it was easy. It wasn’t. Especially as a single mother who had lost the love of her life.
Tam: We have quite a few crew members who live here with their families.
Meris: Are there many children aboard?
Many? Alora wasn’t sure what number would constitute ‘many’, but she was glad she wasn’t. Shyla needed others closer to her age to play with and socially interact.
DeVeau: There are a few. Obviously the adults outnumber them, but Shyla will have a few friends aboard.
Tam: You should have plenty of opportunities to get used to children.
A grin spread over Divya’s face, and Alora arched an eyebrow. As far as she knew, kids weren’t overrunning the ship just yet!
Meris: Response
By that time, Divya’s attention shifted to one of the toys that Shyla clutched in her hands - specifically Captain Twibble. Alora’s company had purchased the rights to reproduce it, with a portion of proceeds going to those in need. That particular one was a one of a kind pattern that, thus far, only she had rights to - a Captain Twibble made in the image of her friend, Captain Mei’konda Delano.
Tam: Shyla, one of my very best friends, has a tribble named Teela. She helps my friend stay calm and even helped us in a mission. Does your twibble have a name?
Shyla, at the mention of her plush, lifted the one in question, and the thing dangled by his tail, swinging at the motion.
Shyla: Cap Tibble!
DeVeau: Captain Twibble.
Alora interpreted for the still learning child.
DeVeau: My company bought the rights to reproduce the Captain Twibble plushies. Every purchase helps those in need.
While, for the most part, they were ‘cashless’, the Federation operated on credits. Those credits were sometimes converted to actual money when dealing with worlds that were not members of the Federation, and that, plus any replicator patterns sold outside of the Federation to those that did deal with them, a portion of the proceeds were still donated.
Meris: Response.
Divya, obviously enjoying the interaction, smiled at Shyla.
Tam: I am going knit Teela a Starfleet uniform like that one.
DeVeau: That sounds like it will be absolutely adorable.
Alora had only seen stuffed Captain Twibbles with uniforms, and never a life Tribble, but hey, she was also open to new experiences.
Meris: Response.
At that point, the lift stopped and the doors opened, revealing Deck 8. Following along with the others, Alora stepped into the hallway. As if they had been listening to their conversation, the sound of children filled the air and echoed through the hallway, announcing their presence before close to a dozen suddenly appeared from around the corner. All of them zoomed down the hall at a dead run, while an adult, obviously in charge of the groups, hurried after them, a harried expression upon his face.
Tam: Did I mention the daycare and school have been sent up on deck 8?
Alora couldn’t help but giggle, and quickly stepped to the side so she wouldn’t get sideswiped by the kids. Watching them, and their caretaker, turn another corner and disappear from sight, she shook her head.
DeVeau: I have a nanny, Bini, who, in order to remain on the ship, has been hired as one of those caretakers. You’ll find her helping with the children that are Shyla’s age.
Meris/Tam: Response
DeVeau: She’s a Bolian, and a lovely lady. She was willing to come into my service when it was just Shyla and is willing to remain as long as we wish to have her.
And Alora had no intention of ‘firing’ Bini at all. The woman had been a Godsend when she had no idea what to do. She’d already helped raise two kids, and had indicated that Shyla would be her final one. Bolians had shorter lifespans, and though Bini would remain for as long as Alora wanted her, she also knew that some day, she would ‘retire’ and return to Bolarus. For now, though, the Chief Science Officer was grateful to have her.
Meris/Tam: Response
DeVeau: So, Meris, since you asked how long we’ve been here, am I correct in guessing that you haven’t been here long?
Meris/Tam: Response
-- Commander Alora DeVeau Chief Science Officer USS Thor & Matriarch of the 15th House Betazed M239008AD0