Meet Cute

Posted on Mon Feb 22nd, 2021 @ 1:14am by NVeid tr'Rehu & Lieutenant Ausra Danton

Mission: Character Development
Location: unknown
3044 words - 6.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Ausra pouted ever so slightly as she scrolled through the PADD she'd brought with her. A little sun never hurt anyone as long as they were careful so she'd opted to take some in while she read Emma for the four millionth time. It was her favorite of Jane Austen's novels, probably because she saw a little of herself in Emma. The curiosity, the penchant for using her free time to listen to 'news' which was little more than gossip and her stubborn streak that ran a mile wide when she was wrong but didn't want to admit it.

"Something wrong ma'am?" Nveid approached the science chief, seeing her pout over something though he couldn't tell what. Like Ausra, he was up to enjoying some sunshine while he had the chance. He did like warmer environments and did prefer sunshine over cold and snow. "

She'd been so engrossed in thinking about her similarities with the character that she hadn't heard him come up close to her. She let out a squeak and tossed the PADD over her shoulder, unfortunately hitting him on the nose with it. "Oh god, I'm sorry! I didn't hear you coming."

Smiling ruefully, Nveid rubbed his nose to get the sting out of it. He'd caught the PADD as it fell after connecting with him, then held it out to her. "I should apologize ma'am, I didn't mean to sneak up on you or startle you. What were you reading?"

"Oh, an old Earth novel that used to be really popular. It's one of my favorites actually. Emma is the name of the novel, by Jane Austen. But I didn't mean to throw it at you. Guess I was a bit engrossed in thinking about it." She turned her head slightly studying him. "You look familiar. N'Veid right? You serve on the Athena too?"

The Romulan hybrid offered a slight bow. "I am part of the surgical staff yes," he said, "NVeid tr'Rehu, at your service ma'am. And you have a mean throw to you ma'am, good reflexes. Tell me about your novel? What is it about?" Earth novels were not something he had indulged in, if he had to be honest, at least not adult novels.

Ausra laughed nervously. "Only when startled. It's about a young woman who is raised in a well off family who decides that she's good at matchmaking and it goes horribly wrong. You see back in this period of Earth's history women weren't allowed to own property unless there was no male heir and it was passed to them when a parent died. So women really had no choice but to marry in order to ensure that they would be cared for by their husbands. I know it probably doesn't sound interesting but I love the language and I sort of identify with Emma, we're both very stubborn. "

"That is very archaic," NVeid agreed, "are you saying that you are in a similar situation? You are risking to lose property if you don't marry?" That did feel somewhat barbaric.

"Oh no, we Earth women are allowed to own whatever we want now. No, I just identify with her struggles in understanding people I guess. And she has some trouble admitting when she's wrong, which i also have done." She sighed. "The fiasco that led us into that weird space. It was my idea that took us there."

"Admitting you're wrong is never easy, it takes courage." The Romulan smiled at her. "And why was it your idea that got us here? What did you suggest?"

"Using the deflector to try and produce a false reading of other ships. Course I didn't know the deflector had been sabotaged." Ausra shrugged. She didn't want to talk about it. "Are you enjoying the sunshine?"

"Well then, this wasn't your fault," NVeid argued mildly before turning his face back up towards the sun. "I'm enjoying the warmth it generates, the feeling on my skin. It's so much better than snow." He gave her a smile. "Don't you?"

"I like both. I like to curl in front of the fire and watch the snowflakes fall but I also like to be able to go out in the sun and feel it's warmth. So I guess it's good that we have a holodeck for watching the snow fall, because then I don't have to go out with it." She studied him for a moment. He appeared to be alone. "Would you like to have lunch? I packed a picnic and there's plenty of food."

'I'd love to. It's been quite some time since I entertained a picnic. The last time was prior to my assignment here I think, together with Jarron." Not only did he appear to be alone, it was somewhat how he felt. "There's a reason I don't like cold and snow," he said slowly, "but it's not something I'd like to discuss, especially not on such a beautiful day with such pleasant company."

Ausra thought that an odd thing to say but then again they were practically strangers. "Okay," she said spreading the blanket out so that he could sit down too. "Would you mind taking off your shoes? Less sand on the blanket," she explained.

"Of course." He sat himself down on the edge of the blanket, took off his shoes and socks, then carefully crawled ahead so he was fully sat on it. "What made you go out to picnic? Is this something you usually engage in?"

"No. In fact I don't think I've had a picnic since I left Earth. It just seemed like the thing to do on such a beautiful day. I wanted to be out enjoying myself and the weather and I didn't want to have to come back inside for anything. Though, there isn't a bathroom out there so I guess I can't spend the whole day outside." She shrugged with a small smile. "We have chicken, salad, plenty of finger goods and cheesecake for dessert which I only brought one slice but I will gladly share it with you."

"There are other means, if you ah... need them," NVeid answered, somewhat unphased. He was a medic, after all, bodily functions weren't a stranger to his professions. He gave her a genuine smile though. "That does sound lovely, and I do believe I should be able to try them all, unless there's any chocolate hidden in anything?" His smile brightened. "Oh no I wouldn't bereft you of such a treat, you should save it for yourself."

"Not my land though, I don't think I'd be comfortable finding a bush. Besides with my luck it would be poison ivy. Anyway, I invited you and I always share everything with the people I invite." She passed the basket his way as she took out plates and utensils, luckily she'd brought enough for another person. "So . . . you are part Romulan?"

"Half yes, my father is Betazoid, though I didn't know this when growing up. Let's just say it took some time for me to discover where my telepathic talents came from." He was still smiling, though it was a little less bright than before. "I've met my Betazoid family though and I'm happy they've accepted me, especially since my mother, stepfather and sister are listed as missing since Hobus went nova. I have no hope of finding them alive, to be honest, I have given up my search. Do you have any siblings?"

"Oh, I didn't know you were partially telepathic." In general she wasn't uncomfortable with this but of course it made her think more about her feelings and what she had said. "Yes, a sister and two brothers. I am the second child. I haven't seen them in forever. My family was kind of old fashioned. They're not fans of space." She put it that way, it was simple.

"Not partially, I am a full telepath. It was my main means of communication for over half of my life as I couldn't speak. I suppose, I am the oldest child even though I was taken and raised by the Tal Shiar since I was seven. I did get to spend time with my family though." He smiled. "If they don't like space, all the more reason to visit them, right?"

Ausra shook her head. "We don't exactly get along very well. It's better if we're apart. I do miss my sister though." she replied honestly. But she wasn't ready to tell him that story just yet. She closed her eyes for a second and soaked up some of the lovely warmth from the sun.

He watched her as she closed her eyes, letting her words sink in. He could easily sense a kind of reluctance over something, but he didn't enquire further about it. "I miss my son," he finally said, "he's staying with one of my sisters until he can come aboard. I would prefer to have him here with me but it wasn't possible yet. I adopted him when he was five years old, after he was sent to me as per his father's will. His family wants nothing to do with him, despite it being a very large family. They're....archaic, perhaps aristocratic and won't accept aliens in the family. My son is half Betazoid, like me. HIs father was Human."

"Oh I didn't know you had a son. That's terrible. How would anyone not want a child? I could understand under certain circumstances if people aren't able to take care of them. But to not accept someone because of their race . . . . that used to happen on Earth. I'm very glad we've mostly moved past that now."

"It apparently still happens on Earth," NVeid mused, "or in Starfleet. During my first years, people didn't want to engage with me, because I am Romulan." He gave her a lopsided grin. "After all, Romulans are deceitful and lying scum, right?" he mocked. "I get it, my people do have that reputation, but it's not fair. It's getting better now, there's still some but over all, on the Athena, I'm treated well. Are you enjoying your service on the Athena?"

"That's true I suppose. Not about you being deceitful but about Humans still having their own prejudices. We have trouble with things like that especially after wars. But I guess I was thinking of prejudices against other humans. We used to judge them by skin color or how technologically advanced they were." She listened to him ask a different question but the way he had responded to her statement. "That's good. IT's been alright. I guess I've been a little slow to make friends with anyone."

"What's the difference between prejudice against a Human who looks different, and myself, who is alien? We both look different to that particular Human. I doubt they'd differentiate between different, and alien. My son is a hybrid, his birth father's family are what they consider to be purebreds. Jarron's blood, according to them, is tainted." He shrugged as he reached for one of the small snacks. "All I see is a beautiful and eager child. He's everything to me, and I'll do all that is in my power, to do right by him." He tilted his head a fraction as he studied her yet again. "Do you have a significant other? Children?"

"None I suppose," Ausra sighed. She hadn't meant to bring the conversation to such an intense subject. "No, it's just me. I don't even have a pet right now though I have been thinking of getting something. I'm just not sure what yet. Maybe a cat . . . . perhaps a bird. What do you think? Do you like animals?"

"I do, but I've never really had the time for a pet. I have my work, and I have Jarron to think of. Perhaps when he joins us I may consider a small pet. I don't know what to recommend to you, I've never had a pet in my life. I was always too busy with work. What kind do you like? What's the first that comes to mind?"

She thought about it a moment and then blushed. "You're going to think I'm funny but . . . a fox. I have always liked foxes. I've dreamed about them since I was a child. "

NVeid arched a single eyebrow at her. "I wasn't aware foxes were suitable as pets," he commented dryly, "I might be a little ignorant on Terran domesticated creatures though, but aren't they wild animals and not suitable for taming?"

"Actually there is a . . ." she pondered trying to remember the right word. "Breed of them that were domesticated. A branch of silver foxes. It's just an idea though. I don't know really," she gave a small shrug feeling suddenly self conscious about discussing something she'd never told anyone else before.

"If this is something you really want, then you should go for it," NVeid encouraged her, "if you have doubts then you should wait a little longer and consider if this is something you really want, or whether it's just a fantasy."

"I will think about it," she nodded. "Dessert?" She asked taking out the slice of cheesecake and carefully dividing it. "What about you, what things have you been dreaming of lately?" Ausra asked, to get the attention off her.

"Having my son near me again." He paused, accepting the portion of cheesecake, and examining it carefully. "And of course a man dreams of having a family right?" He smiled before taking a small bite, savouring the taste. "This is very good... did you make it?"

She nodded. "Just using replicated ingredients, but I put them together myself. I like to cook . . . sometimes anyway." She thought about his answer. Did men like to have families? Then again she'd never been in a serious relationship, she had always avoided them in favor of following her Starfleet dream. Her father had been a family man and he had been controlling. "And thank you." She took a bite herself, thinking that it actually was very good. "May I ask you a personal question?"

"Of course." Though really it wasn't that 'of course' at all. Still NVeid appreciated being asked as there were those that took great liberties in that area. "What is it you'd like to know?"

"What's your biggest dream? What do you want to do more than anything if of course there were no obstacles in your way?" She was paying close attention to this one for some reason, a spurt of curiosity.

"It can be anything?" He closed his eyes for a moment as he gave the question some thought. "If it can be anything, then I'd just want to be happy. I want to be a good surgeon, no matter where I came from and I want my family to be safe. I'd want a partner and if possible more children. But yes more than anything I just want to be happy and safe." He opened his eyes to look at her. "What about you?" It was only fair to return the question, wasn't it?

"I don't know honestly. I've been in a funk lately." She answered. "I think I'm still trying to figure out who I am and where I belong in the universe although being happy would be nice. But I'm not unhappy at the moment . . . . just a bit lost I guess."

"Is that not a life-long endeavour? To find who you are?" He leaned forward a little, studying her. "What makes you feel lost? Is there anything I can do to help you feel less lost? I'm no counselor, but I do have a bit of life experience...."

She shook her head with a smile. "I think I'm getting closer to it, just not quite there yet. But I will know it when I see it. Thank you though," Ausra added. "Do you like plays? As in Theatre? Would you like to go on the holodeck sometime?"

"I don't think I've ever seem a proper play, let alone participate in one..." Nveid considered his own answer for a moment then shook his head. "No I've never done this before...so yes I'd like to. What sort of play?"

"There's a comedy I'm fond of. It's called The Curious Savage, it's about a woman whose husband dies and he leaves her a great deal of money. She wants to donate the money to people she believes are in need and her spoiled adult children have her locked up, thinking she is insane for wanting to do that. But it's really quite amusing. We would only be audience members but it might be fun to watch it in an old fashioned theatre?"

"Oh I thought you wanted to partake in the play, take up one of the roles." He seemed a little relieved. "I have never heard of it so perhaps we could watch it the first time?"

"No, I am no actress," Ausra laughed. "I wasn't explaining it very well. Part of the tradition of going to the theatre when this play was created was dressing up for the occasion. Would you be comfortable doing that?"

"I don't see why not," he smiled, "it is no different than dressing up for work, is it? What sort of attire do you expect me to wear?"

She was already tapping away on the PADD she'd brought to bring up images for formal wear. "Something along these lines. Personal choice is best of course but this shows you what human males would wear." She passed it over to him. "You can keep that."

"Thank you, I will look into it. When do you wish for me to attend?"

"It will have to be once we are back on the ship of course. A week from tonight? Say 20:00 hours? Unless, you want to have dinner first?"

"Dinner first is acceptable," the hybrid Romulan smiled, "I will make sure to secure a venue, and I'll pick you up at 1800 hours?" Though not a formal date, somehow this was certainly starting to take shape as one.

She nodded. "Alright then. Well, thanks. I'm looking forward to it." Ausra had no idea what else to say.

"Me too." He cast her a genuine smile. "Thank you for the invitation."