Lieutenant Naledi - A Way to Spend an Afternoon

[Naledi]

(( Promenade – Deep Space 14 ))

 

Naledi was expecting some kind of physical gesture, as most often did when they met at port. It was thankful that the red-shirt just looked in their book.

The pilot then looked to their sketch book and considered something.

 

Meris: If you would like, you may keep my sketch of you. It's not much, but... it feels right to offer it. Please do not feel obligated to accept if you do not wish to.

Naledi took the offered drawing gratefully

Naledi: Crick Snap Pop… Thank you. Allow me to fully savour it.

Meris: Savor it?

 

Naledi pressed the paper against their face, rubbing up against the sketch. As the paper creased over their exoskeleton, their antenna twitched. It was very flat. Not like proper art, with it’s curves and tactile surface.

Maybe if they?

Naledi’s mandibles took a swipe out of the drawing, as their spit slowly melted the paper, and it slid down their oesophagus in many differently sized pieces.

Naledi’s mandibles popped, it was alright. Not fantastic, but not horrible.

 

Naledi: Crick Hiss Snap… The paper had a coarse roughness that this one appreciated. Snap Pew… The graphite did not taste pleasant.

Meris: That... that was not what I expected. Do you not have artwork among your people?

oO Oh Oo

Naledi felt a twinge of embarrassment in their abdomen. Humanoid art was strange.

Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Hiss Crick Pew… This one cannot begin to apologise. Insectoid art is tactile-based. Hiss Pew Hiss Snap Pop… Compound eyes do not appreciate humanoid art well.  

Meris: Not at all, Lieutenant. Please, don't be embarrassed. It’s as much on me that I didn’t properly or fully explain it. ::pause:: Although, I must admit that I find the idea of your tactile-based artwork intriguing. If an opportunity should arise, I would enjoy it if you could show me some Xindi artwork. Perhaps on the holodeck.

 

Naledi: Chirp Crick Creak… It would be happy too.

 

That wasn’t a lie either. Several members of the crew had expressed interest in their culture. Possibly out of general curiosity, or maybe because they still knew almost nothing about who they were or where they came from. Were they compensating for genuine social interaction?

Not that Naledi cared either way. Their job was intelligence. Even if it involved people occasionally, ten minutes in a room with them, most people cracked.

Before the ensign was able to speak again, their combadge joined the conversation. 

Crewman: =/\= Ensign Meris, you're late for your phaser recertification in Security. =/\=

oO There’s always one Oo

 

Meris: Oh dear. =/\= I’m on my way. =/\=

 

They scampered around the area they’d seem to set-up camp, picking up their things.

 

Meris: Lieutenant, I do hope you’ll forgive me, but I must rush off. I need to be requalified before we depart Deep Space 14, or the Commander might leave me behind. But I would enjoy continuing this conversation another time, if that’s acceptable. Perhaps in Valhalla - when an opportunity arises?

 

Naledi: Chirp Hiss Pew Snap… Duty Calls, this one understands. Pew Pop Crick… It would be happy to continue the converse.

Meris: Great, then it’s a date!

oO On the Calendar? Yes. Yes it is. Oo

Naledi: Snap Pop… Indeed. A date.

 

The ensign walked away. They seemed to stop and look back after the first few moments.

oO What are they doing? Oo

Anndddd then they kept walking…

 

Humanoids were weird. However, the suggestion of observing humanoid art would fill their afternoon. Even if they couldn’t eat it.

 

No TAGs / End Scene for Naledi

 

Lieutenant Naledi

Intelligence Officer

USS Thor (NCC-85852)

R240107AS3