Getting to know you

Posted on Sat Feb 18th, 2023 @ 5:35am by Lieutenant JG Summer Wyse & Lieutenant JG Ash Rowe

1,230 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The devil wears tripolymer
Location: Bar

ON:

Kicking her feet up onto the chair next to her, Ash Rowe stretched with a smile, tucking a hand behind her head. She sipped her drink - something bright green in a tall glass - and let out a sigh of satisfaction. She sung along softly to the music playing, some old tune she'd heard at the Academy. All in all, Ash was basking in her freedom of being declared medically fit after weeks of being cooped up. She was working her way through a long list of things she'd been looking forward to. And doing precisely nothing in the bar had been one of them.

Walking into the lounge Summer made her way over to the bar, ordering herself a Risan sunset, and something to nibble she looked around wondering where was best to sit. She had her preferred area but didn’t like to crowd anyone else.

Ash caught sight of the woman scoping the room out. She let her boots drop heavily to the deck, to free up the chair in case she wanted it. It was busier than she had thought it would be. Not that she'd complain about that. She appreciated a good 'night life'. If it could be called that on a ship.

The sound of the dropping boots caught Summer’s attention. Walking over she smiled politely. “Excuse me, would you mind if I sit with you?”

"Be my guest," Ash motioned to the chair, shifting her own to make more space for her. "Is it always this busy in here?" she asked with open curiosity.

“To be honest I haven’t been in here a lot, but when I have been it’s been so so.” Summer grinned. “I think it depends a lot on what time of day it is. I’m Summer by the way.”

"Summer, that's a pretty name," Ash smiled at the idea of it, offering her hand over. "I'm Ash. I arrived a little while ago to take on Flight Control, but I've been stuck in my quarters for the most part. And I plan to enjoy my freedom. Often."

“Can’t say I blame you!” Summer smiled as she shook Ash’s hand. “I’m Chief Counsellor. No psycho babble or counselling while I’m here though I promise!”

"Is that a real promise?" Ash asked with slightly narrowed eyes, but it was teasing. "Cos unearthing someone's deepest, darkest secrets when they're half way through their fourth white russian feels like cheating..."

Summer grinned. “Ohh that’s a promise! No counselling, not even after your fourth white russian.”

"Deal," Ash chuckled softly, sipping her drink as she relaxed back in her seat, watching her with interest. "How long have you been here, Summer?"

“Long enough to have become part of the furniture” Summer grinned. “It’s nice to have another Betazoid onboard, there aren’t that many of us amongst this crew strangely enough. Usually you find a few, but here seems to be pretty spartan.”

"You'd probably know more about that than me," Ash admitted with a half smile, looking into her drink as she stirred it with her straw before looking back to her with a relenting chuckle. "I wasn't raised on Betazed. So...I had to try and figure a lot of it out myself."

“Really? That must have been difficult.” Summer offered an understanding smile. “My abilities developed early so I spent a lot of time back and forth between where my parents were based and Betazed. If you ever need any help, or advice feel free to come and ask.”

"Thanks," Ash said softly. Not just for the offer, but for not making it weird. "Are your abilities really strong then? If they came on earlier? I can't imagine being young with them."

Summer nodded. “My abilities are... I guess you’d say always switched on. I can still hear the background hum of voices, and feel emotions even when I’ve got my mental barriers up. My barriers simply hold back the maelstrom somewhat. I’ve spent a lot of time in and out of medical facilities over the years due to stress.”

Ash glanced down with a frown at hearing that, shaking her head as she tapped the edge of her glass. "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked, it's none of my business," she offered. Tact had never been her strong point.

“Hey no harm, no foul” Summer smiled. “It’s nice to be able to talk about it freely.”

"Who do you usually talk to?" she asked with open curiosity. "Isn't there a saying about everyone talks to a counsellor but who does a counsellor talk to?"

“In my case I have Tyrus to talk to after a hard day, but if I needed professional help I’d either see another Counsellor or the Chief Medical Officer. Though it helps to have friends.”

"Tyrus?" Ash asked, a small almost playful smile coming to her with the spark of interest, leaning in closer to her.

Summer nodded. “Our Exec and my boyfriend.” She grinned playfully. “He likes to take things slow, very slow.”

Ash's eyes widened at that before she grinned, a touch of playfulness shining in her eyes. "Connections at the top, hm? Well, I hope he knows how lucky he is."

“So do I!” Summer grinned. “To be honest I think I’m the lucky one.”

"I don't know much about him, to be honest..." Ash replied, an obviously leading question born in curiosity, but she didn't outright ask about him, in case Summer found it indiscreet.

“To be honest I’m not totally in the know either!” Summer grinned. “I maybe Tyrus’ girlfriend but I know very little about him yet.”

"Ah..." Ash smiled as she set her chin in her hand, chuckling as she stirred the drink with her straw. "The honeymoon period, where it's all mystery and awe."

“Something like that” Summer nodded and grinned. “Its a case of fitting in time for us around his and my duties.”

"Hm..." Ash thought on it for a moment before nodding with a slight sigh at the idea of a counsellor and first officer together. "I suppose you're both the kind of officers who need to be available at the drop of a hat. Maybe...maybe it will keep the anticipation and spontaneity up, hm?"

Summer grinned. “It just might at that! So is there anyone onboard who takes your fancy?”

"Me? Oh I haven't been out of the gaze of Sickbay long enough," Ash shook her head with a soft sigh. "I don't really know anyone yet. Besides, if I'm honest, things don't usually go all that well for me. I never get any further than that honeymoon stage we were talking about, you know?"

Summer nodded. “Well maybe you just haven’t met mr right as yet. You never know who might pop up in the future!”

Ash chuckled softly, smiling warmly to her as she motioned to her with her glass. "I can see why you're the counsellor, you're a natural at cheering people up."

“Thank you” Summer smiled warmly. “I’m just a jolly person by nature, I’m very rarely miserable!”

Ash smiled fondly at that, with just a touch of awe. It was a pretty special thing to be. "Maybe one of these days you'll tell me your secret..."

{OFF}

 

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