The One Where These Two Meet…

Posted on Wed Apr 12th, 2023 @ 8:35am by Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine

Mission: Starship Side Quest
Location: Mess Hall, deck 14
Timeline: Shortly After Tale Arrives

She had barely slept. Tale Gilohesh wasn't remotely getting younger these days and sleeping on the floor wasn't doing her any favors. However, the small quarters she was using needed the tea area if she was going to keep her otherworldly appeal. How could she be mysterious and enchanting if she didn't have a quirky ritual?

Groggy, she stumbled to the tea jars looking for the tallest wooden box-- the box that wasn't tea at all, but pure coffee. She had taken a liking to it in the academy and couldn't survive a morning without real coffee, freshly brewed.

Tale unscrewed the lid to find the entire thing empty, save one singular bean. How? What?! This was outrageous. There was no way. It was over half way full yesterday morning. Tale's heart fell out of her ass. The Security office was on brig maintenance according to the padd in her hand. Who stole her coffee? She needed answers. Now.

She ran down to the nearest mess hall in her robes.

In the empty mess hall, Diane was at a table situated so she could observe all the exits and windows, as she usually did. She was going over some information on a PADD and prepping the new day's agenda.

This particular mess hall was off the beaten path and nearly always empty this time of day. That's why Diane did her daily planning in it.

The Intelligence officer noted Lieutenant Gilohesh coming through one of the doors looking as if she was on a serious mission. Bet she needs coffee, Diane thought to herself. It was the only reason to be in such a rush this early in the day after all.

With absolute distaste in her mouth, she looked around for real coffee. Noticing it was only replicators and a singular carafe of something that smelled like, but not entirely unlike coffee. She bargained it came from a replicator and they were passing it off as fresh brew for the commanding officers.

Tale whimpered as she poured herself a cup. The tang contained mediocre amounts of caffeine. Just like synthahol contained mediocre amounts of alcohol. Finally, she felt relief enough to take in the absolute fiasco she must look. Thankfully there was only one other officer that looked like Diane, but Tale didn't think coffee was hitting quite yet.

"Yes, it's me," Diane recognized the look on Tale's face. She looked around the mess hall making sure it was, in fact, devoid of any other crew members, "What are you investigating here? If you don't mind me asking."

"Oh someone requested it," Tale relaxed at the sight of a familiar face. "According to the request there's some really odd things going on with some of the senior staff and when the Brass started looking into it, they ran out of red flags to throw into the dossier they gave me. How'd you wind up here?"

Diane set her mug down, "Luck I guess. I think they got tired of me sulking around Jupiter Station," she shrugged, "It's fine, I like being out in the field again. It's been good for me... and Toby. There's been a general increase in agents in the field. There's talk of a possible conflict with the Dominion, even talk of them teaming up with the Cardassians... Someone requested it?" Diane's head tilted as she thought, "Well, there are a few oddities and drama, but I haven't noted any decrease in efficiency or operational readiness... at least not yet. I'd be duty bound to report it when I see it."

Tale grimaced at this psuedo coffee in a mug. Glancing at her companion, who calls this coffee amirite, she gestured. "They said the same thing about the Shakespeare and then one out of pocket conversation sends one person to a weapons closet," Tale shuddered. "It seems fairly mild here. Just a lot of people who think they need to be spreading themselves as thin as possible. Instead of being great at their job, you know them. You see it. They're just more accident prone is all. I'm glad Toby likes it though, these big starships are kind of the best case scenario for your family. Classrooms and whatnot."

"It's like a flying city. Toby loves it. He's made many friends in school." She took the last sip from her mug, "I'm loathe to admit I was spreading myself a little thin, then some support staff arrived. Things have been pretty good so far even though I've had to fill in for the XO a couple times." Diane shook her head, "I really have no ambition to be in command. You know that."

"There are few that truly do, and the ones that say they do," Tale leaned over the mug. "Really need to take the time for self reflection. Do they want an extra button on their collar or do they just have a bunch of unhealed daddy issues? I, on the other hand, just want to go see things and find the best tea leaves. This is why we're friends. Our ambitions aren't competitive, they're symbiotic in a way."

"It must be why we get along so well." Diane leaned back in the booth and smiled but still being wary of anyone who might enter the lounge, "Yes, the tea leaves. I remember how you love your tea. Have you found anything interesting and new to add to your many blends?"

"Barring a neural inhibitors? I've been studying fungus and night blooming plants in my off time," Tale stretched. "People may think it's all nonsense, but they get loose lipped around a warm drink that reminds them of home quickly."

"Sounds like you're into drugging people now," Diane asked with a furrowed brow.

"No, no, don't make me sound like a drug dealer," Tale laughed. "I literally do everything in my power to make people comfortable. Smells, tastes, oxygen levels, lights. I want them to feel as at home as possible. Imagine therapy, but at home away from home."

Diane let out a short, wry chuckle, “I’ve had all the therapy I can stand since Rick was killed, thank you very much.”

"How are you and Toby holding up though? No shrink talk, just as a friend," Tale had been skirting this conversation out of respect for Diane.

Diane’s expression darkened only momentarily, then she explained, “Fine. Really. He hasn’t woken up in the middle of the night since he’s been aboard. I think a large part of the problem was Rick’s parents not letting him stay with me. Now that he’s with at least one of his parents, he’s being much more of a normal six year old. Captain Carey convinced them that living on a starship isn’t bad at all. They’re still here, in fact, but I suspect they’re wanting to get back home soon… and I haven’t had any issues either. I’ve actually started dating someone… never thought that would happen again. He has this way of…” she shook her head back and forth a couple times while finding the right words, “this way of making everything all right without asking for anything in return. He’s amazing.”

"He puts your needs before his own? Makes you laugh? I don't have to threaten to break his kneecaps, right? You know, ye olde girl code." Tale beamed at her friend. The hope that was back in Diane's face renewed Tale's.

Diane’s face brightened, “You don’t have to break any of his bones… yet.”

"You'll let me know if I do."

“It’s much appreciated, and you know I’ll do the same for you?” Diane gave a playful wink, a habit she picked up from RJ.

"When I find out who stole the cannister of coffee from my quarters, I might take you up on it sooner than later." Tale emptied the rest of her mug in her mouth.

Diane scoffed, and wagged her fore finger in mock admonishing at Tale, “You’d think people would know better than to screw with someone else’s caffeine. That’s sacrilege!”

"Whole cannister, gone. Poof. I swear some of these people hate me that much, but this is a bit far."

"Well, try coffee recipe number three hundred forty-two if you have to replicate it. That's my special blend," Diane offered.

The Orion got up adjusting her messy hair and making it *intentionally* messy. "Catch up again soon?"

"Sounds good," Diane stood as well. It was time for her to get to back to work."