Lieutenant JG Seleya- The hike begins
EmpressKitsune
(( A "Trusty" Diner, Carbon Creek, Pennsylvania, Earth ))
Seleya: Apologies if I overexplained it all. What’s the story behind your ‘fear’, Commander?
Ada: Not at all. Thank you for explaining, I value the opportunity to learn more about you and your people. But ::she looked Seleya in the eye, with a slight smirk:: call me "Commander" again when we're off duty and see what happens. ::She laughed:: Call me Azura, because that's my name.
S'Rorr: S'Rorr or Rory. Whatever's easiest to pronounce. Anything but 'Doc'.
Seleya nodded, it was a hard habit to break. But she would do her best to try to not annoy her two crewmembers with rank talk.
Seleya: Apologies, I will do my best to avoid addressing you both by your names, instead of rank. It is a hard habit to break.
Ada: I get it. I had to adjust to Commodore Rajel's insistence to be addressed as "Jalana" at all times. Felt weird. But you asked where my fear of heights came from, but I don't know actually. I couldn't point to any events in my childhood, but I know that getting blown off a mountain in a research station when I was on sabbatical didn't help with that. ::She pat her abdomen.:: Still have the scars from that one. How about you, S'Rorr? Lose a fight with a banana split sundae?
S'Rorr: You must not know me well. I'll never lose a fight with a sundae. But no, maybe it's part instinct? They kind of look like they should be alive. A slow squirming yellow slug with razor teeth, like a big leech.
Ada: Hm. I guess if I grew up around slugs like that I might feel the same way. Funny how our minds make these connections. Oh! Yes, someone--the Edo people!--have this tree fruit with a flared base that looks just like a bu--t, anyway, you get my point.
Seleya raised her eyebrows as the two of them discussed their planet’s strange fauna and wildlife.
S'Rorr: There aren't any creatures like that on Cait, but actually.. Caitians aren't originally from Cait. It was a colony established by the ancestor we and the.. Kzinti.. ::said with no love:: .. share. But maybe on our original homeworld, something like that. If I'm the only Caitian that doesn't like weird yellow fruit, I'll eat my hat.
Ada: Just making a mental note that you'd rather eat a hat than a banana.
Seleya: An interesting choice. But I can understand.
S'Rorr: ::pushing dishes away slowly:: Aaaah.. That was good! I can feel the sugar. You know that coffee drink didn't give me much hope for this place but I've turned around completely.
Ada: You're getting it. It's a distinct culinary tradition in the region.
Seleya: The meal is filling at least. I am glad they use the replicator though. Not sure I would trust ancient Earth equipment.
S'Rorr: If you'll excuse me for a moment, then. I'll see if the kitchen will let me borrow their replicator to make some extra supplies for me.. I'll meet you outside.
Ada: I'm glad you could join. Both of you. It's easy to feel sequestered away in the labs as a science officer, and I'm eager to know y'all. Though I bet Intelligence can be like that too?
Seleya: I imagine so, should I pass my class. Usually it is a lot more data driven, lot’s of PADD work.
Ada: So it's not all clandestine missions with black catsuits? Huh.
Seleya: That’s classified I’m afraid.
Seleya smirked at Ada to return the joke, as she finished her meal, scootching free of the strange retro booths to stand up and move outside while they waited for S’Rorr.
(( Outside the diner ))
Seleya put back on her overcoat as they stepped outside the dinner into the cold air. Probably once they got started and it became closer to midday she could remove it again until they got to a higher altitude and the sun went down. Seleya then took out a thermal cloth to wrap around her Ny’krl to protect them from the temperatures, turning to S’Rorr as he returned. Returning to her parade rest pose as she listened.
Ada: Alright. Everyone ready? We'll beam to the trailhead--it reduces strain on the local ecosystem instead of driving or flying to it.
Seleya: I am ready, and that is fine with me.
Seleya slung her backpack over her back, ready for their venture into the wilds.
S'Rorr/Ada: Response
(( Earth, Poconos, Trailhead))
And in a flash of life the group appeared at the trailhead, it seems they were the only ones at the moment.
Seleya: This trail doesn’t look too bad. Well travelled, which is nice. Will most of the trail be this clear, or will it require some navigation, or rock climbing?
S’Rorr/Ada: Response
Seleya: I assume 12-14 miles in a day should be a good pace, yes?
S’Rorr/Ada: Response
Lieutenant JG Seleya of Khanda
Intel Officer
U.S.S. Valkyrie-A
C240202SK1