"Taking the Long Way"

[Kestra 0]

"Taking the Long Way"

 

starring Avery Tynte and Kestra Miral

 

(OOC: This is an expanded version of an in sim conversation from last week)

 

 

 

"Are you coming?"

 

"On my way" Avery said, stuffing another hypo in his lab coat. He found himself slightly amused at the sight of Kestra halfway dangling out the Jeffries Tube. Hopping up behind her, they began to plod towards the next level.

 

Kestra picked up her pace. "This had better work," she mumbled to herself, her voice echoing through the tubes. Avery sped up to keep pace with Kestra.

 

"If it does not, do we have enough packs in reserve to power the ship?" He asked as they neared the end and Kestra swung over the edge, grabbing the top rung of a ladder.

 

"We don't have enough of just about anything at the moment. It's driving me crazy. I'd hate to be the reason we lose even more." She barely paused as they reached a junction, glancing around and continuing to climb.

 

Avery followed, noting how easily Kestra moved through the tubes. "This is not your fault Kestra; you are doing all you can."

 

"You know, everyone always says that. 'It's not your fault.' But sometimes, it is someone's fault. I'm not saying it's my fault they were infected, but I could have caught it sooner."

 

"Yeah, and I could have caught that infection in the Revin sooner." We live and learn," Avery swung down another ladder and followed Kes down a long tube, "it is what makes us better officers."

 

Kestra hesitated slightly as a brief wave of dizziness passed over her. "I've got a lot to learn," she replied quietly.

 

"Don't we all," Avery halfway muttered to himself. "You feeling ok?" he added.

 

She swung around to face him, grinning. "Would you believe me this time if I said yes? Anyways you're the doctor, you tell me."

 

"Oh, I believe that you believe you’re alright." He returned the grin. "As for my opinion, well I would need a tricorder...and someone still has mine..." They reached a junction and Avery paused against a corner. "I'm glad you know where you are going; these all look the same to me. You would think I would get used to it, all the ships and stations I have been on."

 

Kestra smiled to herself as she led him down the next corridor. "The one thing I am sure of would be my sense of direction. Hasn't failed me yet. Probably more useful for an engineer than a doctor anyway. How did you decide on medicine?" She immediately wondered if he'd be offended by her prying.

 

"I was," Avery paused, just that half instant of hesitation, "I was inspired."

 

As they reached the next junction, Kestra slowed down and leaned against the bulkhead. "I'm sorry, I'm weaker than I realized," she explained. She looked over at him. "Inspired, you were saying?"

 

Avery felt the sir grow cold in his lungs, that all too familiar pressure returning to his mind. He looked down. "A memory, from my childhood...I," again he paused. "I watched a team of medics during triage, trying to save lives. Succeed or fail, they went after their goal the same." His eye's glistened...just a bit. He looked up. Quickly....too quickly he said. "As for joining Starfleet, well I followed my Mother there."

 

Kestra looked at him and then ducked her head down. "I'm sorry if I made you recall something unpleasant." She fought to take a deep breath and will away her dizziness.

 

"No it is ok, Kes." He shrugged. "I long ago learned to deal with these things." He pushed the last bit of sadness from his face. "What about you? What made you want to tinker with ship's systems?" He smiled playfully.

 

"They're not people," she answered simply. "I don't have to worry about insulting them, or getting embarrassed." She flushed slightly for what felt like the tenth time that day. "I don't have to concern myself with their feelings. They're so much easier to fix."

 

They moved a bit further down the corridor, and Avery opened a hatch. Climbing out he extended his hand to Kestra. "I can see how you would prefer that. Your empathic abilities must make it difficult to work around sentients sometimes." Avery was immediately regretful of his words. "That was rude of me, I apologize."

 

Not wanting to appear impolite, she took his hand and climbed out the hatch after him. "It's not rude. Some empaths prefer to work around other people, and even enjoy it. I simply don't." She suddenly realized how stand-offish she sounded. "That's not to say I don't enjoy company," she said hurriedly.

 

Avery smiled. "We all need company sometimes." He looked up at her. "Plasma conduits and warp cores have their charm," He raised an eyebrow, "But sometimes embarrassment, conflict, and well...life's little oop's are what make it worth living." The doors to Cargobay 1 shooshed open, and conversation turned to gel packs.... and pumpkin pie.