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Post by Fleet Captain Brock Dantara on Jun 12, 2008 10:11:08 GMT -5
This is the main dining area for the crew and officers.
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Post by shian on Jun 12, 2008 20:46:54 GMT -5
::They began to walk down the corridor toward the turbolift. Crewmen nodded and smiles as they walked by, going about their business. None of the crew, of course knew thae particulars of what was going on, only that the Captain's wife had been through some kind of trauma.::We're on deck eight. ::Brock said:: We're only going to one of the messhalls on deck eleven. I have a quiet little table in the corner there. I like to eat alone, ususally during duty hours but I also think it's importand that a Captain be in plain sight of his crew, not section himself off.::They entered the TL.:: Deck eleven. ::Brock said:: ::As the turbolift took them down to deck eleven, Shian looked up and around. She spent much of her time now trying to figure out what to say.::
I agree with that. ::She stopped looking about and looked at Brock as she spoke.::
That you should be in sight of your crew. I don't know why any captain would want to distance him or herself too much. It's important that a crew have a real and viable knowledge of who their commanding officer is.
::Her mind suddenly went to her first meeting with Captain Danrea on board the Concord.::
It gives a much better sense of teamwork and community that way.
::She realized that she was making conversation. This was her husband. She shouldn't have to "make" conversation just to speak with him.::
::She looked at the floor again until the turbolift stopped and the doors opened to deck eleven. She waited for Brock's lead before stepping out.::
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Post by Fleet Captain Brock Dantara on Jun 12, 2008 21:28:39 GMT -5
::Brock gently took Shian's arm to give her some comforting contact as they stepped out of the turbolift. He could sense that she was nervous, But letting her stay in his quarters all the time would only make her anxieties worsen. She had to take Baby steps and walk through a little bit of fear each step at a time.::
::He would be patient with her. She was his wife, and Troglytes mate lor life and they stand by their mates no matter what.::
::He also knew that it was love that was going to beat this. It would be love that would eventualy erode the walls that she had been locked behind. Love.::
::It was something that the Impostors had no concept of. Amir had told him that things like art and music and literature were fereign concepts to them. That's what confounded them. They didn't know what to make of things like love, So they exprerimented with it coldly as they did all things. But this was something that they could not define.::
::The Messhall doors slipped open and Brock led her to his little corner nook. He smiled and waved to his crew as they went about getting their own breakfasts.::
::Brock pulled a chair out for Shian and sat her at the table. The dining staff knew when Brock would be arriving, so a fresh pot of Ardanan java had been placed on the table just prior to their arrival. There was also juice and water.::
::Brock smiled:: Remember back onthe Concord when we first met in 10 forward? I brought you another glass of Orange juice. To - you know - break the ice.
I never thought I could possibly derive such joy from something so simple as giving you another glass of juice. ::He grinned as he put the glass of OJ in front of her.::
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Post by shian on Jun 12, 2008 22:09:12 GMT -5
::Her eyes kept darting from person to person as they walked into and through the messhall area to the table that Brock had waiting. She couldn't help but be nervous. She tried not to be so suspicious of them, but it was almost like a standard reflex for her to do so, now.::
::She breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the table and she sat down in the chair that Brock offered her. She looked at the beverages that were already sitting there, then turned her attention to her husband as he spoke::
::She gently put her hand around the glass of juice, enclosing it, and stared at it for a moment.::
::Why couldn't she remember this? This was an important event in her life with Brock. There were many things that her memory was fuzzy on, and some memories were just not there anymore. Though Dr. An-Hyrieh had said that they may just be latent. But this was a "first" event. Something that would hold more importance to her. And she couldn't get a grasp on the memory.::
::She smiled up at Brock after a few seconds. Maybe if she didn't really respond to it, he'd think she did remember. This was all so frustrating to her.::
::She kept the light smile on her face.::
It looks wonderful. Thank you, Brock. It's good that you remember.
::A crewman's laughter drew her attention and she looked over at the other tables. Were they all staring at her? Were they all talking about her? And then the real burning question in her mind... Were any of them Impostors? Did they know what had been done to her?::
::She tried to shake it off, telling herself that she was just being too paranoid, but the feeling never fully went away. She turned back to her husband, in an attempt to carry on with this outing.::
So, um... What are we having for breakfast besides juice and java?
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Post by Fleet Captain Brock Dantara on Jun 12, 2008 23:15:16 GMT -5
::Brock could see that Shian was having trouble remembering the "Orange Juice incident." He was grateful that Dr McCoy had counseled him some about these things and told him not to take it personally.::
::He thought that at least now she was thinking about that, being aware of it, the memory would eventually return.::
::He could see that she was nervous, but he was proud of her for doing this. he would encourage her to continue, and he would be strong for her when she wasn't feeling strong. She was his wife, and he, a Troglyte. The weight or burden of a loved one was never too great.::
Well, He said, ::responding to her question:: I'm not bragging when I say that the Polaris has the best food in Starfleet. One time, I got a call from another ship on the Captain's priority channel. This Captain was a Benzite. Replicated food doesn't go over too well with them. He found out about the "Home grown" food on our ship, and got permission from Fleet Command to rendezvous with us for an "emergency lunch" ::He laughed::
I liked the idea of growing food on the ship. The hatcheries an hydroponics bays are set so that in times of emergency, the crew can eat fresh food for a fraction of the power it takes to run the replicators.
It's also the goal of this ship to make first contacts. many races out there are similar in opinion to, say. Anticans, or even Klingons, for example, where the idea of replicated food woud be offensive to them. This way we bring a little tase of several worlds with us. So far it's worked ot pretty good. And I still make Sushi. ::He smiled::
::Just then a portly Japanese woman approached the table::
Getting back to what's for breakfast, which I greatly digressed from to brag about my ship, This is "Mamasan", Shian.
"I take breakfast order for you, Dear. I Brock's Sensei's widow. I help raise him, along with Nephew Asano. They like Brothers. I take care of Brock for long time." She smiled, hoping to Make Shian feel comfortable.
"I make whatever you want for breakfast. Eggs, bacon, many crew like fish for breakfast too. Whatever you want, I make."
::Brock always felt comfortable with Mamasan, as much as with his own Mother. Perhaps Shian would absorb a little of that. he didn;t see th harm in her introducing herself. Mamasan was such a charming woman in her own way, it was hard not to like her.::
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Post by shian on Jun 13, 2008 19:21:20 GMT -5
::Shian watched Brock closely as he spoke about the hatcheries, the hydroponics bay, agricultural and botanical areas to grow and raise food for the ship. She even smiled a bit in spite of herself at his story of the Benzite captain.::
::Brock had such pride in his ship, and she even got a sense of it when he introduced his bridge crew to her. That pride was also the reason, she suspected, that she was feeling out of place. She wanted the reconnection with her husband, but she'd been thinking, since her return, that maybe she'd missed too much. That maybe she would never regain that feeling that she belonged. It all made her head hurt to dwell on it.::
::But she had made promises. Promises to the Starbase doctors, promises to Brock, promises to herself. She'd keep trying to stick this out, hoping that everything would begin to feel natural for her again some day.::
::She looked up at the woman that came up to the table, leaning away from her approach, though she didn't realize she'd done it. She nodded politely in response and listened to her.::
::She vaguely remembered Brock's mention of his sensei before. But she couldn't recall any mention of Mamasan. She seemed nice enough, though.::
Thank you... Mamasan. ::She thought it only right to call her by the name that her husband used for her.::
::She thought for a moment about what she wanted for breakfast. After not eating much the night before, she was rather hungry. She looked to the woman, trying not to give off the sense that she was nervous about her proximity.::
How about a Ktarian egg omelette with Petrokian sausage, some uttaberry crepes, and... some mapa bread? ::She stopped, suddenly wondering if she was asking for too much.:: I don't know if you have those foods on the ship, though.
::She turned to her husband now, searching his facial expression for some note that she'd said anything wrong.::
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Post by Fleet Captain Brock Dantara on Jun 14, 2008 8:25:00 GMT -5
::Brock smiled as his wife ordered breakfast. He was glad to see that she had an appetite.::
I'll have the same, Mamasan. That sounds very good. I think I'm hungrier than I realized.
"OK, is no problem, I make for you both. I bring out some fruit too, very soon."
::Mamasan smiled at shian and Brock as she headed back to the kitchen.::
::He poured himself some Java::
When Sensei died, Mamsan left Stratos to return to Japan to live with her elder sister.
Well, her sister passed away not long ago, and her nephew, Asano is usually away on Covert missions. We had some shore leave on Reath a while back, where I stopped over to see her.
She was very sad and alone, since she had little or no Family left. I wanted to take her with me, but I was afraid that would be a dumb idea on my part.
when I told her that, she looked at me and said: "Brock what is more dumb? To be on ship that may face danger, but loved ones are there. or to be safe, but lonely and sad."
I couldn't argue with that, and I couldn't stand the thought of her being all alone. So I......draughted her. She's now head chef, and she also knows a lot about growing fish so she's in charge of the hatcheries.
Who do you think taught me how to cook and make Sushi?
::He could see how much effort his wife was putting forth to be around people. He hoped that soon she would be able to talk to him about what happened. But at least McCoy was there and Brock knew he would be intrumental in her recovery.::
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Post by shian on Jun 14, 2008 21:39:29 GMT -5
::Shian nodded courteously to the elder Japanese woman as she bustled away to the kitchens. She then turned her attention back to Brock and watched him pour his java. She picked up her glass of juice and took a sip.::
::She listened to his tale of how this woman ended up on Polaris and thought about it as he spoke.::
::She was all alone with no one left. And she preferred to be out here, on a ship that was exploring, possibly encountering dangerous species, rather than staying where her home was. All because she would rather be with someone she loved.::
::She took another sip of juice and smiled to him.::
Brock, I'm glad that Mamasan wanted to stay close to you. At least I know that you've had someone looking out for you while I was... gone.
::She looked down at the table, focusing on her hands.::
I... I really want to tell you... ::she stopped, searching for the words.::
::Shian sighed. She so wanted to just make things the way they used to be. And Brock was trying so hard. She just needed to find the right time to talk to him. Maybe after she'd had a couple of talks with Dr. McCoy. Maybe then she'd feel ready to tell him. Just not right now.::
I really wanted to tell you that you make a great captain. Your crew has respect for you.
::She took another sip of juice.::
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Post by Fleet Captain Brock Dantara on Jun 15, 2008 0:07:10 GMT -5
::Brock smiled at his wife's compliment.::
Thank you. I try to be a good Captain, and be fair to everyone.
::He shook his head for a second::
Being a Starship Captain was not acutally my original career goal. I wanted to be an Engineer. I still am. And I was perfectly happy. I became a Captain because it was the right thing to do.
::He drank some coffee as he continued::
A very wise old Admiral once told me "There are two kind of officers. First there are the ones who do their jobs, and do everything that's expected of them. No more, no less.
Then, there's the officer, who, when he sees that something needs to be done, he doesn't just say to himself: 'Gee someone oughta do something about that' And goes on about his business, He sees that something needed to be done and he did it. Now what kind of officer are you gonna be?"
I'll never forget that old man's words. I knew what kind of officer I was going to be. that's why I made Captain. We lost a lot of good men and women, and someone needed to "step up to the plate" So that's what I did.
I discovered that Captains are not the towers of streangth they often make themselves out to be. If it weren't for Mamasan and McCoy, i couldn't tell you what kind of shape I'd be in right now.
::He chuckled::
You know what McCoy told me? he said that "Heroes are nothing but frightened men who make bad decisions at good moments."
::He knew that Shian wanted to say something else, but she wasn't ready. But that was Ok. Mamasan had once told him "Love is stronger than anything anyone could ever do to hurt you."::
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Post by shian on Jun 15, 2008 1:52:01 GMT -5
::Shian sighed again as she noticed Mamasan emerging from the kitchen area with a cart in front of her.::
::Brock was full of great stories, memories, and quotes. They were part of who he was, the captain he grew to be. And she could remember the love she felt when he would tell her these things.::
::But where did she fit in now? She wasn't in any condition to help him. She couldn't be strong for him. She didn't even know if she could be there for him if he really needed her.::
::Her amount of determination to try and keep this outing a positive experience was dwindling fast. With every sentence her husband spoke, she began to doubt herself more and more.::
::Her saving grace in this, at the moment, was that Mamasan had arrived at their table with food. She allowed the distraction to take over.::
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Post by Fleet Captain Brock Dantara on Jun 15, 2008 18:08:01 GMT -5
::He could see that his wife was putting forth effort to be social. He knew that this must be hard for her. He knew that there were things she wanted to say but couldn't yet.::
::He was just hoping that she was not feeling pressured to remember everything. He understood that they did something to her mind, and some memories would be slower thatn others to return.::
::He wanted to talk to her, But he would not over whelm her at this point in time. She had to be allowed to heal, to recover. He knew that she would. She was stronger than she realized.::
::Part of him wished he could just cry in her arms. Tell her how much he had missed her. And the dreams. He was afraid to bring that up until McCoy felt it was alright.::
::In the dreams he saw her, she was in danger, being harmed. calling out his name. How many times had he wole up in a cold sweat, then began crying. The mighty Starship Captain. He couldn't even protect his own wife. They took her right out from under his nose. And they hurt her. He made a mental note to discuss this anger with McCoy when he had the chance.::
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Post by shian on Jun 15, 2008 22:48:25 GMT -5
::Shian allowed the dulled tones of conversation in the background to blend together, so that she could no longer tell what any one person was saying. She watched her husband, her eyes tracing the features on his face for what seemed like the hundredth time since they'd left Starbase 173. There, in those lines, curves, and textures were reasons that she loved him. They weren't all of them, but there were some.::
::She locked onto his eyes, as he looked over to the woman who stood next to the table, then back to her, smiling. There were several more reasons right there, in his eyes. But right now, she could see something else in them. Something she couldn't readily identify, but that her gut instinct told her that she knew.::
::He was keeping something from her. Just as she was from him. That's what it was that she saw. Pain. Pain that he was trying to hide. Was she the reason for that pain?::
::A female voice broke her train of thought just then.::
::Mamasan had rolled the cart over and began to dispense the plates and put the food out for them.:: "I sorry took so long. You know how hard it is to catch Ktarian chicken?" ::She smiled playfully, hoping her humor would make Shian feel better.:: "All this fresh, no replicated. Much better for you. Now you eat good breakfast, feel good" ::She smiled to Shian and then to Brock::
::Shian tried to smile in earnest to the woman. She could tell that Mamasan was making an attempt to brighten Shian's mood. Then she looked down at the plates of food that were set on the table. Ktarian egg omelettes, Petrokian sausage on the side, uttaberry crepes with dustings of powdered sugar, a platter of various fresh fruits, and a loaf of mapa bread with a couple of slices already cut. Then there was butter, a small variety of syrups, and another carafe of juice::
It all looks wonderful. Thank you so much, Mamasan. This is an awful lot. I hope it wasn't too much trouble.
::Her eyes reverted back to Brock's for a moment after she thanked Mamasan. Though he was obviously holding back, there were moments here and there, she noticed, that he seemed genuinely happy.::
::She was suddenly getting anxious to speak with Dr. McCoy.::
::She picked up a fork and began to pick a few pieces of fruit off the platter.::
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Post by Fleet Captain Brock Dantara on Jun 17, 2008 16:15:41 GMT -5
::He smiled:: Hoping that she would enjoy her food. Brock was happy that she ordered and was able to get what she wanted. He had done his best to remember the foods she liked and made sure that he had it on board.::
"You no worry, dear, is no too much trouble for Mamasan. I take care of Brock like Son. You Brock's wife, so I take of you like daughter, Ok? You need anything, you come see Mamasan. Mamasan understand more than you think."
::She smiled and then kissed Brock on the cheek as she continued about her business.::
::He watched Shian begin to eat.::
Only she can get away with doing that in here. ::He grinned:: One of the crew once asked why he didn't get a kiss with breakfast. She pulled out a raw fish and slapped him with it.
::He laughed.::
::He found himself at a bit of a loss for words. Afraid to say anything that may upset her, or bring up a bad memory of recent events. He didn't know what to say. Except one thing.::
Shian, I know you are having a hard time. I just want to tell you that I love you. And whatever it takes, I will never leave your side. I love you, Shian.
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Post by Lt. Sara Kushani on Jun 17, 2008 19:59:55 GMT -5
Sara walks into the messhall and gets a phillycheesesteak and fries as she sits down with a coke and eats.
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Post by shian on Jun 17, 2008 20:55:36 GMT -5
::Shian was feeling a little ashamed, listening to Mamasan and seeing her kiss Brock's cheek. For two reasons, really. One, she had never known of this woman before now. And if she had, then she couldn't remember. She was important in Brock's life. Two, it was really her responsibility to take care of Brock, not Mamasan's. She just wasn't here to do it. And she still couldn't really be here to do it just yet.::
::But she was learning to resign herself to the fact that there would be a lot of these types of feelings. And that she would eventually get back to being more herself. It just wasn't going to happen overnight.::
I appreciate that, Mamasan.
::She watched as the woman bustled off. She then turned back to the food on the table. She was hungrier than she thought. She started picking more fruit from the platter.::
::Shian finished eating a Jibelian berry that she'd stuck in her mouth, and looked at her husband.::
I love you, too, Brock. ::She tried not to let the words sound insincere, though she was having trouble getting them out.:: And thank you. I know this is difficult for you, too. But I'm trying. I really am.
::She looked at him for a moment longer, then, she cut off a piece of the mapa bread and spread some butter on it. As she set it on the edge of her plate and picked up her fork to dive in to the omelette and sausage, she looked up at him again.::
Aren't you going to eat?
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Post by Fleet Captain Brock Dantara on Jun 17, 2008 22:39:04 GMT -5
Baby, ::He began:: I know you're trying hard. But, Sweetheart, you've only benen here a few days. I can only imagine the horrific experience you've been through.
I just what you to kow that I'm not expecting you to instantly get better. I want you to not try so hard. Not pressure yourself. All I want you to do is just keep things simple for yurself right now. All you have to do is relax and recover. That's all. Everything else, I've got you covered on.
You don't have to do anything you don't want. Just relax, and let me worry about all the other things. Just take care of yourself and heal.
And I know you will. You're strong. After a while, the real Shian that's in there will slowly come out. You will be you self again. this I know.
But there is no schedule, no time limit. You have a big ship to live in right now, A Husband who loves you and will be there to do whatever he can. Please try to stop worrying .
::Looks at his plate:: Oh, yes I suppose I better eat. this all looks very good. You always had such good taste in food.
::He wanted to say so much but fo now, he must keep his composure. he had to consider his crew as well. He rememberd a lecture back at the academy. "Captains must weep alone in the dark"::
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Post by shian on Jun 18, 2008 21:03:35 GMT -5
::Shian stopped eating when Brock began. She listened intently, not only with her ears but with her heart and her instinct. This was the man she loved. The man to whom she'd made a vow.::
::And perhaps there was still some stronger bond there than she'd realized. Here he was again, picking up on her thoughts and answering her unasked questions.::
::She smiled, bashfully, at his comment about her taste in food.::
I just think that this universe we live in offers too many wonderous tastes and experiences in food and beverage to just eat the same core menu that one may have grown up with.
::She shrugged a bit and was still grinning a bit when she took her next bite of the sausage.::
::Too much time dwelling on what she couldn't fix right this minute. At least she could talk with the man she's married to about what was in front of them. The rest would come later. And after she'd talked with McCoy.::
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Post by Fleet Captain Brock Dantara on Jun 20, 2008 14:48:10 GMT -5
::Realizing just how hungry he was, Brock consumed the ommlette and susage, and made fast work of the delicious bread and honey. He hoped Shian understood what he was trying to say. He would suppoet her no matter what::
The Doctor will up to see you shortly. and I have to get to the bridge and set my reports done. ::He smiled wiping his mouth::
I was thinking. ::He pondered out loud for a moment:: With all that's been going on, and all my duties, I haven't had too much time to spend on any music. You always liked my music.
Any chance I could serenade you a little later on, after duty shift?
::He smiled, finishing up a glass of water as he prepared for them to get back to quarters.::
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Post by shian on Jun 20, 2008 22:10:54 GMT -5
::Shian finished about half of her omelette and the sausage, but was thoroughly enjoying the uttaberry crepes. She managed to eat every last bit of them. Then, she finished off her second glass of juice before looking at the bread.::
Brock, do you think it'd be alright if I took the bread, butter, and honey back to the quarters with me?
::She'd finished eating about as much as she was going to at the moment, but she was quite content with it.::
::She nodded to him. Though she didn't want him to leave her, she knew he had to run this ship.::
I'm ok with that. I'm ready to talk to Dr. McCoy anyway.
::She smiled, blushing again, at the mention of music. Yes, she did indeed love his music. That was yet another thing that she realized has stayed with her.::
I think I'd like that.
::She sat back, but when she glanced around, the rush of people and other conversation and noise suddenly bombarded her. Glancing around nervously, she looked back at Brock.::
Maybe you could just serenade me alone?
::It was odd, the entire time they sat and ate, talking about the food and her recovery, she never really noticed the rest of the messhall. Now she couldn't block it out anymore.::
I-- I think I'm ready to go now, Brock.
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Post by Fleet Captain Brock Dantara on Jun 22, 2008 6:50:47 GMT -5
::Brock took Shian's appetite as a good sign. Not to mention the bread was wonderful.::
Of course you can take it back to the room. Is this enough for you, or shall I get you a new loaf? Mamasan always makes a little extra.
::He put his arm around her as they began to walk towards the door to head back upstairs to quarters::
Dr McCoy will be up as soon as we get back to the room. I'll be back for lunch. We can order in, or come back here, whatever you like.
::Brock wrapped up the bread and honey and butter and too it for her as they started out the door.::
Shian, I know this wasn't the easiest thing for you right now, and being around people is a little un nerving. I just want you to know I'm proud of you for doing this. This is just the first step, but that's where every journey begins.
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