Swimming for Sanity

Posted on Fri Jul 16th, 2021 @ 1:58pm by Captain Taliserra Tigran & Ensign Debbie Larson & Lieutenant Commander Tyrus Acevedo

1,790 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: The Silent Scream
Location: Various
Timeline: 10th April 2395

ON:

Sat aimlessly looking through her ready rooms computer Taliserra's mind wandered, most of it was about her spa experience with Deepak. Things that her mental condition had stopped her doing, things that might bring normality back to herself if she could bring herself to do them again.

Before he left Deepak had already reserved several time spots on the holodeck for her over the next few weeks to give her the time to relax and enjoy herself, she hadn't used any yet but knew he'd force her to if she didn't. Their discussion about her enjoying swimming in the past had her thinking, with the holodeck all to herself she might feel comfortable enough but at the same time doing it alone would leave her with nothing but her own thoughts which as a problem by itself.

"Computer, locate Ensign Larson." She asked, she had known Debbie for quite a while and knew she loved to swim too.

=/\= Ensign Larson is in her quarters.=/\= The computer responded.

Standing Taliserra headed for the door, out the ready room across the bridge and into a turbolift. =/\= Can you direct me to her quarters? =/\=

=/\= Affirmative, follow indicated path =/\=

After a short while Taliserra stopped outside Debbies quarters. 'this will be interesting' she thought. There weren't many occasions where a Captain would make an appearance at an Ensigns quarters for a personal reason, even if said Ensign was somewhat of a friend. Sighing slightly she tapped the chime.

Sipping a glass of Bahgol, small glass in one hand and a PaDD with starship technical specifications and design principles in another, Ensign Debbie Larson swallowed the warm dark liquid as the chime rang. The pungent flavor choked her a bit, though she was accustomed to its taste. "Come," she replied her voice like a sweet symphony as she set the glass down and ran her fingers through her fair coloured hair.

Debbie's eyes had been locked on the PaDD until the doorway parted and stepping in was the Wolff's Commanding Officer. "I'm not sure if I should salute or be concerned," Debbie said teasingly though she did firm up her posture a bit in the Captain's presence. "Would you like a glass of Bahgol, Captain?" she asked showing her sense of hospitality.

"Relax Debbie, I'm not here as the Captain, just as Taliserra right now." Taliserra took several steps into the Ensigns quarters. "I thought you didn't like Klingon food?"

"Glad to hear it," she replied to the informal arrival of the Captain. Debbie picked up the glass and took another sip of the warm beverage before setting it aside once more. "I don't, but you know the saying....a spoonful of sugar, or three" she added with a small smirk. "If you put enough sugar in it, it isn't so bad."

"I'll have to take your word for it." Taliserra smiled and motioned to one of the chairs. "may I?"

"Of course," replied Debbie. "Be my guest, what is on your mind, Taliserra?" she asked as she tossed the PaDD aside to give the other woman her full attention or at least as much of it that she could give.

Taliserra sat down on one of the chairs. "I have a.....bit of an unusual request to ask of you."

"No," replied Debbie jokingly. "Just in case you are asking me to step up as Chief Engineer, it's a no" she added playfully. "What is the actual request, Taliserra?"

"Even if it came with a promotion to Lieutenant?" Taliserra replied before laughing heartily. "I... want you to come swimming with me, on the holodeck."

"Well, if it comes with lieutenant pips, then you have yourself a new Chief Engineer," replied Debbie. "I would love to be Chief Engineer of a starship some day...when I'm ready. Swimming?! Oh now that I am ready for!"

"Would you be up for it right now?" Taliserra asked. "I'm struggling just to keep myself up for it, if I wait too long I might not do it."

"I know how that is, but you came to the right person," Debbie replied with a smile. "Swimming is a great way to just relax and escape for a bit. I do it enough to know. I'm sure the ship's counselor would agree that there's benefits to it. I'll just change into a bikini and I'll be ready to go."

"I'm.. going to wait till we're on the holodeck." Taliserra said, she was that unprepared she didn't have a swimsuit to hand.



=== Holodeck 2 ===

"Computer run program swim 4." Taliserra instructed as they reached the doors of the holodeck, her nerves were starting to make themselves known but she powered through.

"Program running, enter when ready." The computer responded.

The doors opened to a simple indoor 25m swimming pool, several rows of seating raised up from beside it and a small passage led to the changing rooms.

"This should do fine I think." Taliserra remarked

Debbie had a look around. "Yeah, this should be just fine," replied the engineer. "I can almost smell the scent of a nice clean pool just looking at it" she added with a small laugh.

Taliserra started walking towards the changing area. "I'm going to go change."

"I'll be here," replied Debbie. "Don't worry about me. I'll keep myself entertained while you change."

Entering the changing room Taliserra slowly started to strip out of her uniform. "Computer replicate me a... modest swimsuit." the requested item formed a moment later, it resembled more of a short dress than a traditional swimsuit but it certainly looked modest. "You'll feel fine as soon as you get into the water." She told herself before quickly donning the outfit.

Eventually she emerged from the changing room and slowly walked out into the pool area. "I think this is probably the most skin I've shown in years." She told Debbie.

"You should show it off more often," replied Debbie. "It would be good for you to find a little companionship on the ship. No offense, but I have seen Pakleds move faster at courting than you."

"You know why that is." Taliserra said as she moved to the steps into the shallow end of the pool.

"Yes, I do," replied Debbie. "Can't blame a girl for trying though" Debbie added with a small smile. "What if I found you a nice guy? I can set something up...maybe a double date, you would have me with you the whole time. Just a meal or something, you can wear Klingon armor if you want." Debbie teased.

"That would be an interesting sight." Looping her long ponytail up so it wouldn't get wet immediately Taliserra slowly climbed down the ladder into the pool.

"I thought as much," Debbie said shaking her head. "So, catch me up on your life and what has been going on lately. You know us junior officers do not get to know much," teased Debbie. "I depend on you for all the important information" she added.

Taliserra sighed slightly. "Everything is still pretty much the same, paperwork is stil boring as hell."

Debbie slide herself down into the water and got her hair wet, taking a bit of plunge and rising back up to break the surface. "Paperwork," she said with a smirk. "Does not matter how technology progresses. PaDDs or whatever is to come, we are still going to call it paperwork, and it still is going to be as brutal and boring."

"I never thought I'd ever have to do more paperwork than I did as Chief Ops, but there is always more paperwork." Taliserra laughed slightly.

"You don't run a department anymore. You run a starship, even if a First Officer shoulders a lot of the personnel matters, you are the one giving commands, signing off on things, and more importantly the Admirals want to speak to you," replied Debbie. "This is why you need to come swimming more often. You need something to relax you."

"I know I should, I just don't feel I have the time." Taliserra gave her arms a brief bend and a flex before setting off down the pool with a slow breastroke.

Debbie did a dead man's float as she laid on her back. "Make time. You are the Captain, not the queen," quipped Debbie. "You are your own saboteur, Tali. Yes, you are incredibly busy and every Admiral and their third cousin wants to speak with you, but shore leave is a thing and even the Captain needs a vacation routinely."

"I don't feel I can make the time, there's always so much stuff to do, if I don't get it done now, it'll all build up till it does get too much." Taliserra countered.

"Request more yeoman's. Hell, have six Captain's Yeoman," quipped Debbie. "You may be important, but you aren't needed for every small little thing. I know they want to have you sign off on everything, but really...do you truly need to approve the change of paint schemes in the heads? Or if a plant dies in the lounge does it have to be your decision what to replace it with."

"Maybe you are right, Miranda does an excellent job. I might have to shovel a little more her way, and Radak too. I'm glad my mother is onboard as well. If I had to constantly care for Lashell to, I don't know how I'd cope." Taliserra reached the far end of the pool and started back towards Debbie.

"Good," Debbie replied. "Maybe you are not so lost after all," she added with a bit of a smile to follow. "You have a crew, you have your XO, and you have family and friends. Lean on us sometimes. We may surprise you how useful we can actually be."

"You sure you're an engineer," Taliserra chuckled slightly. "You're sounding like a good straight talking counselor."

"Possibly a bit too blunt for that position, but I don't mind telling people what they need to do to make improvements," she replied with a shrug. "From time to time I may be able to offer helpful advice."

"I'll take whatever advice I can get Debbie." Taliserra said and set off back down the pool at a decent pace.

Debbie followed Taliserra, chasing after her in pursuit. "I have a lot of advice, the more time you spend in the pool, the more I can share my unique insights," Debbie added. She would be doing her best to keep the Captain there swimming with her for a while.

They continued swimming and swapping advice and gossip until their alotted time on the holodeck ran out.



OFF:


Captain Taliserra Tigran
Commanding Officer

Ensign Debbie Larson
Engineer [npc Taliserra]
written by LtCmdr Tyrus Acevedo

 

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