SD241906.29 || Joint Log || "Learning to Talk"

Posted on 29 Jun 2019 @ 7:27pm by Lieutenant Commander Jacqueline Wallace-Shaw & Lieutenant Talee Malena

733 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Thought & Memory
Location: Corridor

=/\= Begin Log =/\=

The tall Caitian walked down the corridor reviewing some things on her PADD even though she went through the academy life on a military vessel was gonna be very different then on a quasi-military freighter. Making some notes for future drills with all departments which included engineering, her department; operations, tactical and oddly enough science or at least with the bridge science officers.

Now that they were back at dock, Jacky and her small staff had been working her way through meeting as much of the crew as possible. It was important to meet people and get to know them in non-stressed environments before the stressful times came. To this end, she noticed the face of someone she hadn't met walking down the corridor in her direction...

"Lieutenant Malena?" she asked politely.

"Yes," Talee said with a soft purr as she looked down at the women, "....sorry have we met?" Talee asked as she tried to place her face.

"No, we haven't," Jacky replied with a smile. "I'm Jacqueline Wallace-Shaw, and I'm the ship's counselor. I've just been trying to meet everyone, including or especially the senior staff. And I haven't met you yet. I have read your personnel profile, though, which is how I recognized you."

The Caitian military freighters were like the 20th/21st century Earth merchant Marine corps. A semi-military organization so they did a lot of docking at some very seedy places so having someone come up to saying what the counselor said set off her gut. So she had to remind herself that she was on a Starfleet ship, "......" Talee opened her mouth but closed it again as she thought some more. "......well I guess you can check that off your list." Talee said as she felt herself putting walls up.

Although Jacky's experience with Caitians was more limited than with humans or certain other races, it wasn't hard to catch the shift in the other woman. Jacky did her best to make her expression open and disarming, which was relatively easy since it was sincere. "I'm sorry for startling you, or catching you unaware like this."

Talee purred before looking back to the women, "my apologies......," she started as she thought of what to say next. "My previous line of work when someone came up to you like this it was never a good thing."

"I can imagine," Jacky said with understanding. "I imagine life on a Starfleet vessel is quite different."

"It's been quite an adjustment," Talee said with a soft purr. Mostly the feel of the ship while at warp but she was getting used to that. "Still getting used to not looking over my shoulder as well as the lack of cargo." She added with a small toothy smirk.

The counselor chuckled. "Well, the belly of the ship has about three dozen fighter planes. You could pretend they are cargo if it would make the adjustment easier, just don't ever tell the pilots that."

Talee took a second to think before she understood what she was saying as she remembered getting to know some pilots while at the academy. "Yes pilots do have an odd affinity to their planes don't they." Talee added softly as she thought about that.

Jacky nodded. "They do, but it happens too many people of various races who can get attached to anything, living or inanimate, if they spend enough time with it."

Talee nodded in agreement. "......so," Talee started but was unsure how to continue.

"I won't keep you for long," the human woman said kindly. "I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know that my door is always open, for anything, even if just to have something to chat with. I'm pretty much a professional conversationalist."

Talee could see that she was that this wasn't her but she also saw the value of having someone like her if the need arised."That is good to know. As you can see I am not great at conversing with people."

Jacky smiled warmly. "Then come in and see me and it will be good practice. All skills improve with practice."

Talee nodded, "it was a pleasure meeting you," she said with purr, "......but I am running late for a staff meeting."

"Of course," Jacky said with a nod. "I'll talk to you later, then."

=/\= End Log =/\=

Lieutenant Talee Malena & Lieutenant Commander Jacqueline Wallace-Shaw (apb Bella)

 

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