No Talking

Posted on Mon Mar 13th, 2023 @ 11:22pm by Lieutenant Commander Savin & Ensign Kateyo Fenn

Mission: Character Development
Location: Engineering
1575 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

It had been quite some time since Savin had set foot into engineering. It wasn't a place he dared to go often, or really had any business being if he had to be honest. He was no engineer and most of it was well beyond his level of comprehension. Yet, as he walked in it was clear he was searching for a specific someone. When he finally spotted the subject of his attention, the Romulan counselor strode forward and finally tapped the engineer in question on the shoulder.

"Ensign Fenn, I believe we need to speak," he said quietly.

Not recognising the voice Teyo turned around and failed to hide the surprise on his face when he saw Commander Savin demanding his attention. "Oh course, Sir," he said, standing a little straighter. He wondered if the counsellor needed some assistance with something but why had the Romulan beelined for him? "How can I help you?"

"It is more a matter of how I could help you," the counselor parried as he took a small step back. "Perhaps somewhere a little more private?" He nodded towards one of the smaller offices, all without breaking eye-contact. "I do not believe you wish to discuss this in the middle of engineering, where your peers will overhear."

Teyo rolled his eyes at the mention of the word peers, as though these knuckledraggers were even close to being on the same level as him. "Sure," he gestured to the nearest office, allowing the Counsellor to go first. He threw Conrad a knowing look before he followed the Romulan in. He waited until the door had closed and Savin turned around to face him. "So you want to help me? Are you here to fix me, Sir?" He asked, unable to keep a hint of sarcasm from his tone.

"No, I do not believe you actually need fixing." Savin offered a genuine smile. "But yes, I do believe you need help. Believe it or not, gossip does occasionally reach me, and I have ah...learned...that your new chief is somewhat different than you are used to. How are you dealing with Commander Keating's sudden departure? I have learned several of the engineering staff seem to have difficulty with it."

No, I do not believe you actually need fixing. The words buzzed around Teyo's head. He had been telling people this for years and now he had confirmation, from a professional! He wondered if Savin would record that for him.

Teyo shrugged his shoulder nonchalantly. "Honestly, Keating and I weren't exactly close towards the end. Starfleet make changes all the time, this one is no different. Did you really come down here to talk about her?"

"Not necessarily no, but as most of those that knew her or worked closely with her seemed to express some form of upset, I reasoned that you must have difficulty too. Especially since your work arrangements with her do not seem to work with the new chief. Like I said some rumours do reach me. So, if you do wish to talk, or vent, that is what I am here for."

"If I can speak frankly Sir, your speculation is incorrect. Keating is gone, I'm over it. I had a bit of a rocky start with O.C. ... erm I mean the Chief but I think we're past that now. Do I like him? No. But have I liked any commanding officer? Also, no!" Teyo shrugged again and added a smile. He had no issues being honest because he didn't need fixing. "Now, if you want to tell me more about how amazing I am, in your professional opinion, I'm here for it. In fact, we can book a weekly session if you like?"

"Speaking frankly towards a counselor is generally the idea ensign," Savin answered pleasantly, "asking permission is not required. As for amazing.... If you were, would you not report for your shifts on time? That would truly speak for you then, would it not?"

"Interesting that you would place such value on someone's worth by something as rudimentary as punctuality," Teyo replied, his head cocked slightly to the side. "In your experience, has that been a successful way of building morale amongst the crew?"

"Because punctuality is a matter of character. Someone always arriving late may be considered tardy or lacking. As for morality, I do not know. I am, as far as I am aware, not responsible for ship's morale." Savin shrugged, "but you clearly value yourself being amazing, so would it not add it to your personal value, if punctuality were in order? Someone might consider you amazing for that alone."

Teyo raised an eyebrow at the Counsellor's comment about morale; surely that was exactly part of the Romulan's role? Seeing to the well-being of the crew was effectively boosting the ship's morale, right? However, he didn't vocalise his opinion, somewhat of a first for him. "I do not place too much thought into what others think of me, I know I'm amazing and that's what matters right?" He returned the Counsellor's shrug and added a toothy grin, eluding that he said what he said in jest or that he maybe meant every word.

"As far as I'm concerned it's quality over quantity," Teyo continued without waiting for a reply. "Yeah I might be a few minutes late for a shift, but I work harder than most of the other engineers. My output is more with less time than theirs at full time, I'd say that was a win, win."

"I would agree with you if being on time was not an issue. Perhaps instead of showing up late, you could be on time, and arrange to leave early if work permits?"

"No offence Counsellor, that's between me and the Chief," Teyo replied, bored of this line of questioning. "I was late once, I got chewed out, I haven't been late again. Case closed."

The counselor offered a brief nod. "So, other than that, how have you been? Outside of your duty hours. Making any friends?" Of course, yet again the rumours were flying and some had reached him, but he also knew that he should take those with a grain of salt.

Making any friends! Teyo laughed, a short bark of a laugh that had escaped his lips before he had had a chance to stop it. Savin sounded like his mom on his first day of school. "When you say friends, do you mean friends or friends?" He asked suggestively.

"I do not understand," Savin answered honestly, clearly unaware of the difference in stressing the word pronunciation. "What is the difference between a friend and a friend?"

Teyo laughed again. Of course you don't! "I have friends Counsellor," he answered diplomatically. "I'm not lonely if that's what you're asking?"

"I was." Savin nodded yet again. "That is good to know. A final question...are you happy here?"

Teyo opened his mouth to reply and then closed it again. He was about to give a standard answer, a platitude of sorts. Maybe this question deserved some thought. Am I happy here? Happiness was such an arbitrary concept. No one was happy all the time, not even smiling idiots like Mason. So then, what did overall happiness mean? Was it a percentage? Or a state of mind? How does one know if they are truly happy or not?

"Sometimes," the Trill answered as honestly as he could, given the perplexities of the question.

The counselor gave a slow nod. "What do you do, during the times you feel you are not?" he asked, somewhat curiously.

"Find something to hit, or someone," Teyo added jokingly. "Or someone to hit on," he corrected, not so jokingly.

Arching an eyebrow, Savin just stared. "There is a difference?" He queried. "What type of sparring do you usually engage in?"

Teyo laughed. "You need to leave your office more. Are we done here? I don't need any more grief from OC today."

"If he gives you grief over speaking with the chief counselor, he will have me to answer to," Savin answered flatly, "I will leave you to your duties..." Though he had noticed the lack of answer to his question. "And if you need a sparring partner, let me know. It has been a while since I had one."

"You spar?" Teyo asked, his curiosity piquing. "What kind? Klingon martial arts? Nausicaan wrestling? Bolian Sumo?"

"Sword," the counselor answered, "though I can use a wide variety of martial arts I am not adept at a single specific type. I learned Vulcan martial arts growing up. I am always looking to learn more. What about you?"

"I haven't done any official training since my days at the Academy," Teyo said honestly. He liked to go to the gym, obviously, but didn't think himself disciplined enough to try actually training. He wondered if he should mention the spar he had with Zade, then thought better of it. Anyway, the counsellor was probably already aware of that particularly embarrassing event. "Maybe one day I'll take you up on your offer," he said politely.

Of course Savin knew, but he saw no reason to bring it up. "I shall be looking forward to that," he answered, equally honest. "I will leave you to your duties now."