Lieutenant Naledi - Taster Session

[Naledi]

(( Promenade – Deep Space 14 ))

 

Meris: I hope you don’t mind. Sometimes my hands move faster than my awareness. I was practicing a type of sketching called automatic drawing where you purposefully do not allow yourself to focus on any one thing. Your subconscious chooses your subject.

 

Naledi supposed that was a compliment, that they were at least more interesting to the ensign than the replica wheelie bins.

 

Naledi: Crick Snap Pop… I suppose this one should be flattered.

Meris: I suppose that depends on whether you consider it a flattering likeness.

Naledi: Crick Pop Snap… Does it have a title?

Meris: ::pause:: Well, it's just a sketch. Typically, only more serious pieces are named.

Naledi straightened their uniform. Before they laid down on their front next to the ensign. Admittedly ruining their uniform once again, but they physically couldn’t sit where the ensign had positioned themselves.

Naledi: Crick Hiss Twinge Pop… It is Lieutenant Naledi, Intelligence Department

The ensign seemed slightly flustered.

Meris: A pleasure to meet you, Naledi... ::spotting their pips:: Lieutenant Naledi. You are stationed here, aboard Deep Space 14?

Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Hiss… No, USS Thor.

Meris: The Thor? Then it seems we will be serving together.

 

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: Response

 

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: Response

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: Response

 

TAG / TBC

 

Lieutenant Naledi

Intelligence Officer

USS Thor (NCC-85852)

R240107AS3