Chance Encounter

Posted on Sun May 7th, 2017 @ 1:44pm by

1,781 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Unknown Life, Unknown Dangers
Location: Ten Forward
Timeline: BACKPOST: While at Earth.

Ediras was thrilled to be on board knowing that it could open up doors for him that if he remained strictly civilian contracted he'd never have access to. While the ship was larger than he expected it would take him time to settle in, adjust to a new routine and get back to his work. Ten Forward though was surprisingly busy considering the size of it. He'd seen pictures of other such locations on other ships included the sizeable Galaxy Class but this was far larger by comparison.

He was fortunate to be able to find a vacant table, small for two persons but nearly every other was taken, partially or had plates and glasses on it waiting to be cleared. He couldn't blame the staff because the room was truly massive so some time had to be afforded them to do the duties they had.

As he looked round he saw that people were happy, he sensed it too. Some were tired after a long days work and others were stotic and empty. Ediras had to feel something for these people but knew it was sometimes the way life was.

Kaia stood of to the side taking in those who were milling about as she nursed her drink. Her first day was hell, but she chalked that up to the way it started. Commodore Hood was an ass, plain and simple, and it would take a miracle for her to ever think otherwise. In all her years of service, she'd never had to deal with a situation quite like that. The green eyed woman would be lying if she failed to admit she was considering a transfer elsewhere, but one thing she wasn't was a quitter.

With a sigh, she moved over to the bar after slamming back her drink, then requested another. Kaia truly wished things could have gone better, but then, it wouldn't have been her life if things went smoothly all the time. That didn't keep her from hoping, though.

Looking up he saw people come and go, some chatting with friends while others ate alone. He felt the mood of one person but couldn't figure out who it was. He ordered his meal and waited for it to arrive.

Kaia for her second drink and made her way through the throng of people, happening to come to a stop not too far away from Ediras as someone asked her something. Her emotions were currently on a roller coaster, and while she was smiling on the outside, she felt anything but happy on the inside. She didn't stick around long before she was on the move again.

That roller coaster Ediras could feel, almost ride it they were strong and varied. "If you would like a seat, I believe this is the only one vacant, I wouldn't mind the company being new on board."

The Intel officer jumped with a start and looked toward the man who'd just spoken to her. "I... uh... sorry. Yes, I'll sit," she said, settling down across from him as she began to think about how horrid her day had been. If there was a hole for her to hide in, she'd make use of it. "I'm new on board, too. Just arrived today, and it hasn't been the best day. In fact... likely one of the worst, and I've had some bad ones." She felt horrible for dumping that on a perfect stranger, but that beat the alternative of losing her mind.

"Ediras Hanan." He introduced. "I was about to say I didn't need to be empathic to sense that." He added as some people were uncomfortable around empaths, racial hazard he called it. "Want to talk about it?"

"Kaia Calder, Chief of Intelligence," she said, making an attempt at some sort of smile. "It started this morning when I checked in with Commodore Hood. That didn't go well at all. Things were said by both of us that can never be taken back, and I find myself wondering if I'll ever be able to work with someone like him. He has some pretty harsh opinions about people in my field, and I have to admit that makes me feel pretty horrible. Right now... I'm trying to decide if remaining on board is even worth it."

"Sometimes the least travelled road yields the best rewards. I am sure meeting a new CO is always troubling with conflicting personalities and perspectives but its how you use those in your day to day work ethic I feel is more beneficial to the collective whole than letting it impede you." Ediras replied. "So it was a bad first meeting, are you going to let one man dictate your future career?" Ediras knew first hand what happened if that happened, someone did it to him and he'd only just recovered from it years later.

"When he's a flag officer..." she began, trailing off with a frown. "He controls quite a bit. He can make or break a career if he wants to."

"I don't doubt it but remember you are in his pond, he is the big fish. Have you thought that maybe he came off hard on you to test you? He wouldn't be the first Commanding Officer I've heard of to do it." Ediras spoke trying to offer a different perspective.

Kaia shook her head. "It was more than just a test," she said with a frown, finishing off her drink. "He was a downright ass. I just don't know what I want to do."

"I would suggest sticking with it, first meetings are always the worst because two unknowns meeting. You never know he may have a history of being a difficult leader, but what does that say about you if you stick it out?" Ediras spoke. "It's getting crowded here, would you like to go for a walk?"

"Yes," Kaia said almost too quickly. She didn't feel up to being around a lot of people at the moment. In fact, all she really wanted to do was curl up in what was now her bed and get some sleep. Tomorrow was a new day, and with it brought new beginnings.

He left Ten Forward with her. "I'm sorry about that, with so many minds in one room close by it can be difficult at times keeping them all out or not sensing everyone's emotions." He spoke.

"No... you don't need to apologize for that," the brunette said with the shake of her head. "I can't imagine what that must be like, but I needed to get out of there, too. I'm not in a place to be around a lot of people right now."

"If you would like to return to your quarters, don't let me keep you." Ediras spoke hoping he was not keeping the officer from anything important, her mood was easy to sense and understandable considering what she'd told him.

Kaia shook her head. "I'm okay for now. I don't want to go back there and be by myself. It only gives me the chance to dwell on the things that have happened today."

"There are the Gardens we can go to, or a holodeck. I'm confident one is free since we are in orbit. Why do simulated when the real thing is a transporter away, only a holodeck doesn't have real people." Ediras smiled. "Do not worry about the Commodore. A rocky start has happened, it can only improve from here, just be sure you guide it that way."

"The gardens sound nice. Perhaps the flowers and the scents they give off will help relax me a bit so that I can sleep tonight. I'm afraid I don't know where they are, though," she said, offering a smile.

"Follow me, I visited it earlier since I'd be doing some work there later." Ediras smiled as he spoke leading the way to the Gardens. Thankfully they were empty so everything was tranquil, peaceful and beautiful.

Kaia walked into the gardens and felt as though she'd been transported to another world. "Wow... this certainty it beautiful," she said in awe.

"It is, very peaceful, I come here when I want to get away. It's simple I know but being empathic can be as much of a blessing as a curse." Ediras spoke looking around at the wonderful view presented to them as they stopped to take in the moment.

"I couldn't even begin to imagine what life must be like for you on a day to day basis. I'm not so sure I'd be able to do it," she said, leaning in to smell one of the flowers. "What's it like? If you don't mind me asking."

"It can be overwhelming at times, swamped with emotions, across the ranges of happiness, sadness and everything in between. Sometimes can be hard to separate yourself." Ediras replied. "Many people don't like being around Betazoids, they feel we have an unfair advantage when it comes to dealing with people."

"I can see why some people would feel that way," Kaia said as she moved to sit down. "Fortunately, I'm not one of them. Do you get that often?"

Ediras nodded. "Not as much as I used to, but I still get it." He replied. "I guess some things are just harder to accept. Emotions are hard to hide, we can't read minds or anything like that as some might believe nor can we control people but the rumours are still there, the fears and stories. But it's just emotions."

Kaia looked over to him. "Do you ever find yourself wishing you couldn't read the emotions of others?"

"Not really, it's apart of who I am, it would be akin to cutting off an arm because of the hand. Sometimes it can be overwhelming especially if I'm in a room full of people that are emotional, angry, sad, really strong emotions are harder to block out in large groups." Ediras replied. "Sometimes in a way it helps, for example I could sense something was troubling you before you sat down, it makes it easier to talk when you can feel how the other person is, if they are receptive or simply want to be alone. I guess that is why empths make good Counsellors."

"I can definitely see that. For me, though, I'll be fine. Tomorrow is a new day, as they say, and hopefully it will be a much better one than today was," she said, rising to her feet once again.

Seeing Kaia rise to her feet Ediras did the same. "Then I wont keep you from a nights rest." Ediras spoke with a smile as they walked to the door.

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