DL/PL|XO&Waste; Recl.|Ltcmdr Dhej & Ensign Peters (NPC)|"A New Friend?"

Posted on 241407.19 @ 10:59pm by
Edited on on 241501.06 @ 5:49am

Mission: Suicidal Running Title
Location: XO's Office/"Shakers"

=/\=XO's Office=/\=
Karim let out a small groan as he stood up and felt a twinge in his back. How long had it been since he'd taken a break, 2 or 3 hours? Sighing, he grabbed a nearby padd and walked around the office. Thinking out loud he said "Ok, so I've compiled a list of other possible supplies we need in addition to medical, and gone over possible trading posts. What am I missing?" Scrolling through the padd, he thought for a moment and said "Right, I forgot to categorize them by need, in case we need to haggle." Turning back to his desk, he sat down at the console and typed furiously for a few moments. Sitting back, he smiled and quickly sent it off to Rhodes. Picking up another padd, he was going to begin reading crew evaluations, but decided against it. Standing, he said "Forget it. I need a break." Walking out of the office he began making his way to Deck 6.

=/\=Deck 6 Crew Lounge "Shakers"=/\=
Karim walked into the lounge and quickly ordered a drink from the bar. With a forced smile he said "Risa Sunrise please." Receiving a nod, the bartender quickly made the drink and passed it to him. Smiling slightly, he sought out a seat in the corner by a viewport and took a seat. Sipping his drink, and enjoying the taste, he felt himself becoming a bit frustrated. Ever since he'd joined with Dhej, his thoughts had been consumed with adjusting to his new identity as a joined being. He hadn't thought about developing a personal life, not only because of his new reality, but also because of ...him. Making matters more complicated was now he was the Executive Officer of the ship, and that might scare potential 'friends' away.

Jon looked as someone approached the bar next to him and ordered a drink. Before he worked up the nerve to say anything, it was an officer after all, the man and his gorgeous spots were gone again. He sat there and considered a moment, then glanced around to see where the man had gone. all, the man and his gorgeous spots were gone again. He sat there and considered a moment, then glanced around to see where the man had gone. Once he spotted him, he would glance over from time to time. Should I, or shouldn't I? Finally when it looked like his drink was getting low, Jon made up his mind, and asked the bartender to send another drink over.

Karim looked up as he took a long sip of his drink. A young woman stood nearby with an identical drink on a small tray. Smiling, she said "Excuse me sir. That gentleman at the bar asked me to bring this drink over to you." Slightly confused, he accepted the drink as she left, and looked towards the bar. Smiling as he saw the man, he nodded his thanks, and returned his attention to the viewport.

Jon smiled brightly when the man smiled his thanks for the drink, but when he turned back to the viewport, Jon frowned softly. Was he not interested? Only one way to find out. "May I join you? I'm Jon." He approached the table with a smile.

Karim was surprised that someone had approached him. Putting his drink down, he said "Sure go ahead I guess. Jon was it? I'm Lieutenant Commander Karim Dhej. It's nice to meet you."

Jon just about wilted when not only was his greeting returned with a rank, but the name attached was the one he recognized as the new XO. What was he doing here? That's right, he couldn't resist a good set of spots. So he sat down. Is this where he confessed he's a lowly ensign in waste reclamation? Jon could feel himself getting nervous as words failed to come. Then he looked up, and saw Karim's eyes. "Chocolate pools," he murmured.

Confused, Karim quickly swallowed the mouthful of his drink and said "Excuse me Jon? What did you say?" He wasn't really sure what to say to the man. He'd been out of social circles for too long, and wasn't very good at small talk with random people at the moment.

"Did I say that out loud?" Jon's eyes got wide, then swallowed. "Sorry, it's just that I like your eyes." Jon dropped his eyes to the table, he was feeling nervous. Did he just say that to the XO?

Karim smiled, flattered at the compliment and replied "Thank you Jon. I can honestly say I've never had someone I just met tell me they liked my eyes. I appreciate it."

Jon let out a breath that he hadn't even realized he was holding, then smiled back. What now? Small talk usually came first, but Jon had just skipped right over that step. "What do you do for fun?" The words tumbled right out of his mouth, and Jon felt awkward, but not as awkward as the silence that was the alternative made him feel.

Taking another sip of his drink, Karim sighed, he knew the man was uncomfortable, and he felt bad. Clearing his throat he said "Jon, please relax. I'm sorry if you feel uncomfortable talking to me. Can I be honest with you?"

Jon simply nodded. He really didn't know why he was so nervous, but then maybe he did. Those rank pips indicating Lieutenant Commander.
Karim took a deep breath and said "I'm feeling just as uncomfortable as you are Jon. My life is a bit ... complicated right now, since I've somewhat recently joined with the Dhej symbiont. It's been a bit hard getting used to my new identity. What makes it doubly hard, is my new position too, as XO. I'm afraid people won't want to get to know me because of those things. And if I'm being really honest, and I don't know why I'm dumping this on you, but I'm worried I'll never find a boyfriend."

"You, never find a boyfriend?" Jon shook his head with a smile. "You should be having to beat us off with sticks." It was a little relieving to be reminded that even the XO is mortal too." I will admit, your rank and position are a little intimidating. If I'd actually noticed, I might not have sent the drink or come over... but I'll admit, I was distracted by your spots."

Blushing, he replied "My spots? I never realized they were an attractive aspect of my appearance." Pausing, he said "You know how to make a girl blush, I mean a guy blush. Sorry, just had a memory of one of my previous hosts being flirted with in a similar way."

Jon grinned widely at Karim. "How many lifetimes has your symbiont been though? I can only imagine how confusing that can get, one life's been confusing enough so far."

Karim smiled and said "I'm the sixth host of the Dhej symbiont. Also I'm the third male host."

"Is it like sorting through your own memories... there's just more there, or what?" Jon leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.

Nodding, Karim replied "Sort of. It's more like having the memories of 5 other people dumped into your brain all at once. It's an interesting, but sometimes confusing reality to be in. Fortunately after I was joined I took some time off to adjust to everything. I still find myself sometimes getting a bit lost in one of the other hosts memories."

Jon waved down a passing cocktail waitress, and asked for a refill for Karim's drink and a whiskey neat for himself.

=/\=End Log=/\=

Lieutenant Commander Karim Dhej
Executive Officer
USS Enterprise 1701-F

Ensign Jon Peters (NPC APB Pond)
Waste Reclamation
USS Enterprise 1701-F