Alone in public

Posted on Saturday December 1st, 2018 @ 2:49pm by Lieutenant Commander Sarissa Slane M.D. & Ensign Valkyrie Ronas & Major Brigid Merkara
Edited on on Tuesday December 18th, 2018 @ 10:11am

2,594 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Season 2; Mission 3: We All Know What to Do; Let’s Not Do That…
Location: Cityship Lounge
Timeline: tbd

The lounge is about half full. People getting meals to go, others sitting to eat, and more drinking after duty. The polished brass and dark wood offset the tropic fishtank inset into the bar front providing ambience. The lighting is subued but not dark. Over on the mini stage, a woman is playing what sounds like a mix of light rock and Spanish guitar. Oblivious to the audience, her playing is not so loud as it would be hard to talk over.(edited)



It has been about a week since Valkyrie has joined yet she is STILL trying to settle down in her new home...more so, just trying to memorize how to get from place to place. Entering the lounge, Valkyrie avoids the larger groups of people and chooses to sit in the dimmest corner of the room. Simply just keeping to herself

Into the lounge walks a tall woman, green skinned with dark hair and piercing amber eyes. She's wearing jeans, some heeled boots, and a white loose fitting blouse. She orders and looks around casually, sizing up the room.

Once her drink comes, she turns, a large group comes in, leaving chairs at more of a premium.  She doesn't ask if the seat is taken, but sits down anyway.(edited)

The waiter comes over with another drink. "This is from the before. The one you had to leave behind Major."   She flashes a wide disarming smile, "Thanks Rubio."(edited)

"I get it you might be trying to be alone, hard to do in a fleet this size, especially in a bar." she offered. "Brigid Merkara."  She knew enough to not offer her hand but it was always hard to not stick it out.

HappyCloudLast Wednesday at 10:04 PM

Feeling a bit awkward, sitting by herself and doing absolutely nothing, Valkyrie questions herself what was the point in me coming here again..? To try and make “friends”...heh, yeah right. Shifting in her seat, readjusting and straightening her armor, Valkyrie catches sight of the green woman. How interesting...she has never met or seen people like her from where she’s from. Curious yet nervous, Valkyrie figures its best to keep to herself for now and just observe...

 

 

The woman that was playing the guitar stopped and put the instrument away. She grabbed her redleaf tea, and moved toward Brigid.

 

She takes one of the other seats, gracefully but slower than a woman normally would. "I see you're drinking for two, the same as I am eating for two." Sarissa said to Brigid. 



"Now Doc. ya know us big lasses have to keep the appearances up." Brigid shot back



 

Well then... Quite awed, noticing the forming bump of one of the ladies, the singing lady is supposedly pregnant and that she is friends with the one who was drinking. Valkyrie takes note of this. Although...that woman, she recognizes as one of the doctors here and a sudden chill jolts down her spine. Hands clenching at her side, Valkyrie turns her head down towards her lap. Ugh....I knew coming here was a mistake...but...I am hungry...divines, what should I even do...it’s already bad enough im out of place and awkward(edited)

 

 

A large platter of sushi is placed in front of the table.  The waiter brings  several small plates. Sarissa, being Vulcan picks up on the newcomer's unease. "I appear to have over ordered. Please help me make sure this does not go to waste." She directs to the non-speaking stranger.

Brigid chuckled. "Leave Shy Shelly alone. I introduced myself, too much trouble to speak I guess." She sips about half of the first whiskey straight down.(edited)

 

Spotted. Valkyrie turns extremely rigid and tense. How did she?...Well, it would be rude to decline her offer. Rising from her seat, the awkward turtle of a person makes her way towards the two ladies, stopping at the side of the table and nodding a hello. “Umm...hi...I’m sorry for my umm...disposition” Valkyrie says in a soft voice(edited)

 

"You have a real name or should the name Shy Shelly stick?" Brigid offers. "Though having be a Marine for  a while, it could worse and usually gets there."(edited)

 

“My name is Valkyrie Ronas...it’s nice to meet you two” Valkyrie replies

 

"I'm the XO of Providence. She's some kind of physician." Brigid offered. 



Sarissa countered. "I am the Assistant Chief Medical Officer for the entire fleet, you tall leprechaun." Her composure slipping.

Sarissa deftly used chopsticks on several pieces with a heavy amount of wasabi.

 

“I see. Well...I’m a pilot. That’s it I suppose” shrugging her shoulder, a feeling of inferiority poking at Valkyrie’s side, perhaps this would be good for the new girl. Talk to strangers and make...”friends”. “May I take a seat with you..?” asks Valkyrie

 

Brigid said. "We barged in on your lonely party. Of course ya welcome lass."

 

“Thank you..” answers Valkyire, her voice once again becoming soft. Taking a empty chair from another table, she sits in-between her new acquaintances

 

Sarissa said to Valkyrie "Your unease is likely due to my profession. Unless you decide to suffer a traumatic injury, I am off duty. Deal, I believe is the proper term?"

Not waiting for a response, she dove into one of the hotter hand rolls. A smile spread across Sarissa's normally even face.(edited)

 

Bowing her head, the burning feeling of embarrassment and nervousness setting her skin aflame from under her suit, if she wasn’t tense enough before...she should truly be now. “Oh..I’m sorry. I just...don’t have a good history with doctors is all. I can assure you, I mean no offense” Valkyrie says apologetically

 

"None taken. Illogical to do so. You have no reason for shame. I have seen more travesties in the past year in this fleet than I have my entire medical career." She shook her head "Doctors indeed."

Brigid interjected. "NEW SUBJECT." Polishing off the first whiskey, she said to Valkyrie. "How long you been a pilot? Mech pilot or shuttle?"

 

“O-oh! I’m a shuttle pilot” appreciating the sudden change of topic, she slowly begins to relax again. Leaning back into her chair and letting her worries slip away for a bit, Valkyrie is progressively opening herself back up(edited)

 

"I'm not bad. The one you need to watch out for is Captain Steiner. She thrashes the pilots in simulations all the time. She's part of the research team." Brigid offered.(edited)

Brigid said. "Come one Val. Give us at least one factoid on yourself. Ya havta spill something. PLEEEAASSEEE."

"I'll even reciporcate. Anything you wanna know."

 

“Eh...I’m not that interesting of a person. What is it you would like to know?” Turning her her head to face Brigid, a feeling of curiosity and suspicion mixes with one. Valkyrie isnt entirely prepared to reveal..everything about herself(edited)

 

"Then you should get out more. Life will pass you by."  Brigid said. "Divorced. 11 year old daughter. People think I have all the men under my spell, but pffttt, not looking. "

She added. "Yes this is my real eye color."

 

“I see. Well...umm I’m not exactly used to meeting new people and trying to make friends, hence why I’m quite odd at the moment. My apologies for that...a-and I am not married nor do I have children. I do however like chocolate very much..” says Valkyrie as she rambles about herself(edited)

 

Sarisssa sipped her tea then said, "Don't say chocolate. It does different things to different species."

 

“Is that so...? I never knew...you see, I never really got to know people while growing up so everything is new. I am eager to learn though” What a surprise. This is probably the most Valkyrie has ever talked in the presence of two complete strangers.

 

"For Vulcans, chocolate is an aphrodisiac." she said simply. Brigid had a look of shock on her face. then burst out snickering. Sarissa scolded her. "Stop behaving like a child or I'll switch you to that vile coffee."

 

Valkyrie Smiles...the first smile ever since her arrival. She knows they can’t see it, due to her full length cloak, but she is actually enjoying the company. This was indeed better than her original plan to just remain in her quarters, like always. A soft laugh escapes from  Valkyrie as she watches the exchange between Brigid and Sarissa



Brigid turned towards the cloaked figure. "I cannae figure why you are covered in there." She leans in for a closer look. "Why the secrecy. Do ya have a third eye or bad acne you're ashamed of?" She said genuinely curious and after two shots, a bit loosened up. "I cannae see feck!"

 

In that instance, any and all sense of relaxation evaporated. Becoming rigid once more and leaning away from the intoxicated woman, Valkyrie’s hands sprung up from beneath her coat and grips the edges of her hood. “That’s private” Valkyrie answers, her voice a bit hard and defensive(edited)

 

Sarissa sipping her tea, casually grabbed one of Brigid's arm, bending it back until Brigid had to retreat or suffer injury. "Leave the woman be. Her privacy is her right. If she chooses to reveal herself, the you will see."  Brigid yelp. "Awright ya dark elf. Let go me arm. Just trying to be social. Why come to a pub and not let go a wee bit."

 

“I don’t mind being social. That much is true. However...I just prefer my hood up and on, thank you” Valkyrie explains

 

Brigid's attention wandered to the dance floor, she got up and headed in that direction, leaving the two alone. Sarissa concentrated on polishing off the plate of sushi, but trying to not look like she was famished. "Humans seem to almost pride themselves on their ability to consume things that they know will impair judgment. Illogical."

 

“Does sushi have that affect on people..?” Watching as Brigid makes her way to the dance floor before turning her attention back to Sarissa and the plate of food before her. Now alone with the doctor, Valkyrie isn’t entirely sure how to handle this situation anymore. A bit too focused on  trying to remain calm.

 

"No but the whiskey she drank does." She said studying the minute signals Val was unaware she was giving off. To most beings it would be nearly lost, but to most Vulcans, Val's body language was plain to see. " I am unaccustomed to making people uncomfortable in a social setting.  Is there something I can do to help you alleviate that?"

 

From under her hood, a frown forms. Feelings of an old ache slowly seeping back into her being as if greeting her like an old friend in a tight embrace. “I’m sorry lady Sarissa. It’s...nothing personal, I assure you” a soft sigh escapes from Valkyrie, who at the moment was curiously poking at the rolled up rice and raw fish

 

"If there is something to help you alleviate your fear, let me know." She called the waiter over and ordered a steak and baked potato with sour cream.(edited)

 

Nodding her head at the doctor’s statement, Valkyrie finally picks up a roll of sushi and eats it. Chewing slowly, taking in the new burst of flavor and texture, she finally swallows the piece down and lets out a audible “hmm”. A moment of silence to form a opinion about sushi. “So...that is sushi. It’s...interesting. Takes funny though”

 

"I find nothing humorous about sushi. Oh, you meant the taste. It is synthesized. The real thing is a treat, if that's what you mean." Her steak came, medium rare, a tinge of pink. She sliced a piece and savored it. "This child if going to make me the size of a house!" She said with more emotion that she wanted to.(edited)

 

Hearing the hint of humor and cheeriness in the woman’s voice, Valkyrie looks back up towards Sarissa, seeing that she is enjoying her food. What was once a frown flipped into a small smile. Such wholesomeness. Taking a bite out of another piece of sushi, Valkyrie is mindful not to eat too much considering that the food technically belonged to Brigid. “Umm what other foods do they serve here? I think it’s only appropriate and polite of me to finally order my own food and share, since lady Brigid was kind enough to share with me some of hers.”

 

Sarissa thought about the question. Finishing her bite, she said, "There is a vast variety of items. Nearly any food item can be made assuming it's recipe is in the database."(edited)

 

“I see” Valkyrie responds. Reverting to back to silence and refraining from eating anymore, she allows Sarissa to enjoy her food undisturbed. Retreating back into her thoughts, Valkyrie reflects on her first impressions with Sarissa and Brigid.

 

"Is there something you crave. I seem to be eating for more than two, I think is the expression." Sarissa said.

Before Valkyrie could responds, her tummy let’s out a low growl which causes her to laugh softly out of embarrassment. Waving the waiter over to the table, she asks politely if she may have a plate of spaghetti with meatballs and a basket of garlic bread. A dish she absolutely adores and reminds her a bit of home

  

Within a short time, the staff appears.  Angel hair pasta, covered is a meat sauce, several large meatballs around the plate. Along with it was a basket of sliced garlic bread. "Will there be anything else?"

 

“No but thank you sir!” Thanking the waiter, Valkyrie digs into her food immediately Eating with such haste, the hungry girl soon finishes her meal in no time, a small, soft burp as a satisfied, finishing signal. Realizing her small moment where her guard was let down and the lack of table manners she has displayed, she stutters “o-oh! D-dear heavens forgive me...I-I’m so sorry!”

 

Sarissa lets out a chuckle. Surprising since she;s a Vulcan. "I think you and I will get a long. In small ways you remind me of a bondmate of mine. While your personalities could not be more different, some of your mannerisms and particularly your spontaneous nature remind me of her."

 

Still burning with a bit of embarrassment, Valkyrie was thankful that Sarissa didn’t mind. This makes her smile a bit more. Laughing a bit along with the girl who she now considers the closest being on this station to a friend

“Thank you, lady Sarissa, for this” she says

 

A thin smile crosses Sarissa's face. 

 

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