Well that was unexpected
Posted on Wed Sep 16th, 2020 @ 4:59pm by
Edited on on Wed Sep 16th, 2020 @ 4:59pm
1,836 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Episode 10 - New Home, Same Pioneers
Location: Arboretum, Starbase Sirius
Timeline: MD007 1610 hrs
Kalina felt like the world came tumbling down on her shoulders, she was hiding out in the arboretum of Starbase Sirius. She trying to figure things out, and process the news that she had heard. She was sitting on a bench all lone, when Jayden walked over.
Jayden noticed Kalina sitting on a bench, she didn’t look like she was there to admire the plant life, more like she was troubled.
“Mind if I sit down,” Jayden asked. He had come there to check it out while he waited for Clarissa to do some shopping he didn’t want to be there for.”
Kalina wondered what his gimmick was? Why now? She wondered to herself. Was she some sort of magnet today? She assumed he was trying to hit on her. "I suppose, but so you know I am engaged." Kalina stated, hoping that he would run off or at least get the hint, that she was not interested in having more unwanted attention to herself.
Jayden smiled at her as he sat down. “I have a girlfriend, one I am serious about.” He turned his head and looked at her. “You looked like you could use someone to talk to.”
"Did Zaire send you over here?" Kalina asked, not sure why a total random stranger would want to talk to her. She was no one special, so why? Did he have a complex, that forced him to help people in distress?
“Zaire?” Jayden shook his head. “No he didn’t. I am waiting for my girlfriend to finish her shopping. You looked like you might like a break from what you were thinking about so I was just being friendly. That’s all there is to it.”
Kalina looked at him, she was trying to see if he was lying. Or was he hero saving complex type of person. "Why aren't you with your girl shopping, that is a special time you know." Kalina told him. She could not understand, why men hated to shop.
“I shopped with her,” Jayden replied. “Trust me I put in a lot of time but she sent me off because she said I would be bored in the last store she went to.”
Kalina just laughed. "I bet she did." She said, having a feeling that Clarissa went to a lingere store, to find a cute outfit for him. She was use to that cute class trope of saying you will be bored at the next store. Kalina seriously doubted she buying nick nacks for him.
“Did I say my name,” he asked her .”Jayden Robertson. I work in Operations on the ship. Once you get things settled you will like it, the crew is pretty awesome.”
"Kalina Solwick, one of the helmsman of the ship." She said, with a half smile on her face. She had a feeling that he knew that tidbit of information already.
“We take some getting used to I guess,” Jayden offered. “We’re more like a family, I guess that is one of the reasons I came over. We are here for each other.”
"A family?" Kalina said a little surprised. She wondered why that was? The ship had 15 decks, it was not that small. Maybe this was a directive by the Captain or the first officer, she was not sure, but she was curious to learn more about this family dynamic.
“Well for me it didn’t take long for me to realize how much the captain and his staff care about their crew. I landed in the middle of an issue and their concern was for everyone.” Jayden smiled. “Even long after the situation was resolved they were making sure we were all good. It’s a career but they care about the crew in a familial sort of way.”
"Well that's good to hear, so hearing that, do you think there is anyone on the ship, that does not know I am engaged to be married?" Kalina asked, wondering how far the rumor had spreed?
“Honestly,” Jayden sighed. “I would have to say that we are no different than any other crew when it comes to things like that. I heard about to I would say most know.”
"Great." Kalina said, thinking to herself. The last thing she wanted on day one of her new assignment, was a rumor being spread around about her. Especially since, she had yet to verify if the rumor was true or not.
“I prefer being honest,” Jayden murmured. “I think it’s an asset but some disagree with me.”
"Okay, and I appreciate your honesty. I just dont want to be the center of any rumor mills." Kalina explained to him, feeling a little defeated. She hated the idea of people talking about her.
“Well,” Jayden continued. “I don’t think you are the center of attention. It is more that this hasn’t happened before.” He paused. “It isn’t meant in an unkind way.”
"It has not? Are we the only two Betazed's on the Pioneer?" Kalina asked, a little surprised by his comment.
“No,” Jayden shook his head. “I meant where the two people coming on board find out after they get here.” He paused. “So what happens next, do you date? I mean you are both new and chances of the same shift are slim.”
"Depends on the connection. Some marry right away, others date first but are engaged, they typically get one year to get married." Kalina pointed out to Jayden.
“So I take it this is going to be the dating while engaged kind?” Jayden asked her. He frowned. “If it’s arranged then that means your getting married eventually right?”
"I have no idea." Kalina said, being honest with him. She sort of coward out, and left before she got a feel on him. She was not sure what to do.
“I’m confused,” Jayden said honestly. “What is the point to an arranged marriage if you don’t have to go through with it? Seems to me it’s like dating and if it doesn’t work you walk away.”
"Most Betazed weddings are done by compatiabilty. According to the records, we are both compatitable. I mean Zaire and I." Kalina said, hating the fact she just admitted that fact.
“Then that means the two of you have everything going for you,” Jayden replied. “It seems to me what you should do is take a step back and just date, get to know each other. Not think about the future.”
Kalina just laughed, but did so silently. She looked to him, and said. "Its the not that easy, as it sounds."
"I hope I am not being too intrusive," Jayden said in apology. "I am more trying to understand. "Compatible means that you are a good match so if that's true then what is the hard part?"
"The whole not knowing each other, for starters. The idea of taking a chance, when you have to trust in others. That can be very scary for anyone." Kalina pointed out to him. Especially for her. She was not afraid to admit, she was a little scared.
"So being compatible doesn't mean perfect for each other," Jayden said with understanding. "There might be things you don't like about Zaire, just like when we meet someone."
"I think that can be said of all relationships. No one is perfectly compatable. Imagine how boring life would be." Kalina pointed out to Jayden.
"It is scary," Jayden nodded. "When I met Clarissa I thought for certain she was out of my league, there was no way she would ever give me the time of day. But I took a risk, that is part of the fun of life. Love it's safe nor easy but it's worth taking the chance, take it from me."
"Everything new is scary, but we learn from those scenarios, to make us stronger. Do we not?" Kalina asked him, trying to re assure him, it was okay for him to be scared.
“We do,” Jayden nodded in agreement. “And for me it paid off because Clarissa and I are happy together.”
"are you trying to convince me or are you just trying to convince yourself of that?" Kalina as if she was a little surprised to hear him say that. Nice guys who were just in love like that wouldn't even express it.
“I don’t need convincing,” Jayden said with a smile. “I’m just pointing out that risks are worth it.”
"I hope so otherwise what's the whole point?" Kalina ask him what the curious look on her face.
“There isn’t one,” Jayden grinned. “I am an over thinker. One of those people who is learning to let go and live life.”
"Really?" Kalina asked with a surprised look on her face. She had him pegged as an over worrier. And a guy that questioned everything. But yet here he was declaring, that he was not that type of guy.
“I think of everything that might go wrong,” Jayden said with a smile. “But I am getting better every day. I can’t change tomorrow.”
"You can only work on today." Kalina said, with a humble smile on her face. His logic was sound on this topic.
“That’s it exactly,” Jayden nodded. “I think we all have things we continue to work in to better ourselves.”
"Good way of looking at things." Kalina said, not sure what else to say. The conversation seemed to have completed itself at this juncture.
“I bet Clarissa is looking for me,” Jayden said with a smile. “Maybe after things settle down we can all get together one night, maybe have dinner or something.”
That would be nice." Kalina said, wondering how things were going to settle down for them. She wished him the best.
"It has been nice talking to you," Jayden said as he stood. "I hope everything works out for you." He felt like he really wasn't a help at all but at least he had given i his best effort.
"You as well, see you around on the ship." Kalina said, as she stood up too. It was only proper ettique. "See you around, Jayden." Kalina said, as the scene starts to fade away.
"I'm sure we will run into each other," Jayden said as he headed on his way. He walked out of Arboretum and saw Clarissa headed his way.
Kalina just grinned as she watched him walk away, then the sad reality struck. Her problems were still waiting for her. She decided maybe it would be best, to try to get some answers. So she decided to head back to her quarters, to make some phone calls.
A joint post by;
Ensign Jayden Robertson
Operations Officer, USS Pioneer
Ensign Kalina Solwick
Flight Control Officer, USS Pioneer
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