<<Takes place shortly after Charon arrives at I'Rak Prime>>
[USS Charon, Eris Deck]
The young Vulcan was nestled quite comfortably in her favorite seat by the large window, gazing at the stars that were not obstructed from view by looming Warbirds.
Her slender fingers were wrapped around a glass with steaming hot Vulcan spice tea, courtesy of Miss Betty who was quite delighted to see Sakarra favor the lounge more often. The young woman strongly suspected that the kind human hoped this would inevitably lead to socializing; however the lounge was fairly empty at this hour which suited her just fine.
Night-black eyes returned to the Kal-toh game sitting on the table and the young Vulcan took a sip of the tea, appreciating both the welcome heat and the most agreeable flavor.
When she heard the sound of footstep approaching, she was about to give merely a brief nod of greeting to whomever might be visiting the lounge at this hour as well, but hesitated when she saw a familiar face. Even in the dim light, the Chief Science officer's features were unmistakable.
"Good evening. Mr Doyle." Her level melodious voice was accompanied by an outright friendly inclination of her head.
It took a few seconds for Nathanial to realize that he was being addressed, he was lost deep in thought. The melodic tones of the half Vulcan brought him out of his thought and back into reality.
"Evening Commander" He responded too quickly before realizing the less formal welcome she had given him. He had hoped to sit by the window, as he had done a few times in the past, the view allowing him to fully lose himself into his thoughts, his mind was confronted with the decision now to sit next to Sakarra, or position himself in a less favorable position for the view, After a short deliberation, he decided on the former.
"Is this seat taken?" He asked.
Shaking her head slowly, the young woman made a small, inviting gesture. "It is not. Please, join me Mr Doyle."
One of the holographic waitresses had spotted the new arrival and approached the secluded table, but was intercepted by Miss Betty carrying a plate with … fresh yon-savas, from the scent of it. How interesting.
"First batch straight from the arboretum, dear." the ebony faced woman smiled, her white teeth shimmering in the dim light "Those shrubs have taken nicely thanks to you, so I figured you should be the first one getting a taste."
Betty set down the plate and smiled at Nathan, rubbing her hands on a crisp, white apron "And what will you have, young man?"
Nathanial looked up at Betty, his mind wondered to different culinary delights, tastes and aroma's tempted his thoughts, but as if by clockwork he replied "Coffee, Black, Thanks." She nodded and moved off to get his drink.
He turned to Sakarra, she had been through alot over the past few weeks, they all had, but unlike Nathanial that bore the brunt of it inside, out of sight, Sakarra had some of the ordeal visibly displayed. He didn't hide the fact that he was looking at her cuts, bruises and scars, no he felt some affinity to them, as if somehow they reflected what he, what they both, the entire crew had survived through.
"How are you Sakarra?" He asked softly.
The young Vulcan quirked an inquisitive brow at the strangely subdued tone of his voice – she remembered his enthusiasm and quick mind during their last conversation in the science lab and found the change … curious. Then she realized his startlingly blue eyes rested on the copper-golden skin above the collar of her robe, where a few bruises and small scars had not quite faded yet.
Still, those were not even a nuisance compared to what still needed healing but was well concealed under the heavy, deep red fabric.
"As well as can be expected, Mr Doyle." She stated levelly, making a brief, reassuring gesture with her hand. When he still did not look away from the small, pale line tracing up from her collar almost to the elegantly pointed ear, where a piece of console had lodged itself some time ago, her voice turned somewhat milder. "It will heal."
Nathanial turned and looked out the window, he nodded to her statement, everything would heal, it was just a matter of time. Betty returned with his coffee, he nodded thanks and took the hot cup, raising it to his lips he took a long slow breath in through his nose, the aroma of the coffee acting as a catalyst to re-light his tired synapses, he held it there for another second before taking a small sip.
"Space is always referred to as vast and empty void, yet lately it seems to be overflowing..." He mused while taking another sip of coffee.
"It would seem to me that space, like the desert, only appears to be vast and empty at first glance. Once one looks closer, or actually approaches an oasis, the evidence to the contrary becomes obvious, no?"
Sakarra carefully selected a piece of the sliced fruit, silently approving of Miss Betty's choice. The sharp, tangy sensation of the first bite and the bittersweet juices meant the human had selected a perfectly ripe one, and the young Vulcan savored the small indulgence.
Cleaning her fingertips on the warm towel next to the plate, she tilted her head at the deeply thoughtful expression on the young man's face.
"I have not had the opportunity to congratulate you and your department on your yet again most unorthodox approach to an unusual problem, Mr Doyle. I believe it is safe to say without your … inventiveness we might very well have found our predicament to have much more dire consequences."
Nathanial was unsure how to take the compliment, in his mind they had failed with the probes, and even though they had secured the sensor pod and found a way to detect the Romulans, he still felt that over-all at best it came out on equal footing.
"Thank you." He replied.
Nathanial shifted his gaze back to Sakarra; he noticed the slightest drop of juice on the left of her lips, for some reason he could not look away, worried that if he just sat there and stared would make the situation uncomfortable he continued. "I did not expect a congratulations to be honest" Thinking that admitting his negative defeatist feelings right now would not be advisable he added "The Vulcans that I have had the opportunity to praise me per say, are usually more inclined to advise on a proficient job as opposed to congratulations?" He finished more like a question than a statement.
"Have I used the phrase incorrectly?"
Yes, there was definitely a change in the young human, obvious enough for even Sakarra to pick it up. Still, when she realized where his gaze had lingered for just a second, she smiled inwardly.
Turning her face into the shadow for a moment, she retrieved the last taste of fruit from her lips like a lazy cat would some sweet cream and then looked at the glittering stars.
"But tell me, what did you expect, then? A chiding for having thought of something no one else ever has? Or for having beaten the odds in completing a near insurmountable task?"
Calm, black eyes returned to the science officer studying his features.
Nathanial was about to reply, but he was confronted with images, thoughts and past tribulations that flooded his consciousness, trying his best to hide what was beginning to transpire in his mind he replied.
"I would love to banter the fact with you Commander, but your question has just reminded me of something I forgot to do, if you would excuse me, it was a pleasure conversing with you, and I hope we can do it again."
She was fully aware of the sudden signs of discomfort, although she could not discern what might have prompted them. Still, it would be rude to pry and so Sakarra merely nodded in what for a Vulcan was an outright friendly way.
"Certainly. I should not like to keep you. However," an elegantly slanted brow rose by a few millimeters "seeing as your department's reports are not only up to date but quite satisfactory, I assume the 'something' you forgot is a private project, yes? If that is so, I should hope it will be both successful and enjoyable."
In plain, non-Vulcan she might have told him she was just a little concerned, but that, too, would not have been polite.
"Be well, Nathaniel Doyle."
Attempting to deviate a response in regards to her question he replied with a slight nod of appreciation and "Stay well too Sakarra."
Nathanial headed out of the room, his mind wandering between the thoughts flying thought his head and the sentence from Sakarra, she was half Betazoid half Vulcan, how much did she sense? This last thought tumbled into the mix as he hurried back to his quarters.
[End Log]
Lt Cmdr Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helm Officer
Lieutenant Nathanial Doyle
Chief Science Officer
USS Charon
