Posted by Cadet Maximilian Woolley (Doctor) in Crew Lounge - Off Duty Meet and Greet

Posted by Cadet Simon Starr (Security Officer) in Crew Lounge - Off Duty Meet and Greet

Posted by Cadet Maximilian Woolley (Doctor) in Crew Lounge - Off Duty Meet and Greet
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<snip>

Max continued his brushstrokes, the nebula taking shape in the middle of the canvas. The swirls of black and purple contrasting with the lighter colors.

“I spent a lot of time in the field training to be a biologist. I studied how beings adapt over the course of many generations. What a species can do, all on its own, to survive and adapt to changing conditions is really incredible.” he said as he set down his brush to divert his full attention to Starr once again.
“But that’s for a species. What of the individuals? For a time I thought of switching my research to microbiology. Maybe help people at their very basic level, cellular. Maybe treat new diseases and that sort of thing. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that what I really wanted was to go up to someone who was sick or dying, reach in and fix them, and there’s really only one job that allows you to do that.”

Max smiled as he shrugged a bit.

“So, medical school it was.” He picked up a smaller brush and dipped it in thinned white paint, gently adding the indication of stars across his spacescape.

Max Woolley, Medical

“Fair enough,” Simon smiled. “And considering we’ll be exploring the unknown, who knows what new diseases you get to find, right?” he said. “I try and avoid disease personally, can affect the work I have to do” he chuckled as he took another sip of his soup. “So, what got you into art in the first place?” he replied, pointing with his spoon towards the canvas Max was working on.

Cadet Simon Starr, Security

“Well, I wouldn’t say I’m looking forward to studying new diseases the likes of which I’ve never seen or studied but…” he smiled with a playful look in his eye as he was clearly excited by the prospect of challenges he would never face on earth.

“Oh, the art, well, my mother is a teacher so she encouraged more of the ancient arts. I think it was a good thing. I have classmates who can’t stand to be more than a few feet from a holodeck at any given time. They’ve come to rely on it as a primary source of entertainment. Me, I was brought up having to amuse myself with making things by hand. The advantage, of course, is that painting is more accessible. I don’t need to reserve time in advance. I can pick up a brush on a whim and paint and stop just as easily. So I guess it became a thing I can do whenever my hands start feeling idle and restless. What about you? Any hobbies aside from not catching diseases?”

Max Woolley, Medical

“To be honest, having lived on a farm most of my life, I’ve got to experience the outdoors in more than a holodeck, and great though they are, they are always missing… something. I can’t put my finger on it though” he said. “Also, some of the musical instruments from history are interesting to me” he added, thinking of the anique Les Paul at his home. “And, I try and make it a habit to not catch diseases, a bit more than a hobby” he chuckled.

Cadet Simon Starr, Security

Max paused, biting his lower lip as he thought, before nodding in agreement at Simon’s assessment of holodecks.

“There was this creek in Oklahoma I once visited. It was an absolutely beautiful scene. And I hadn’t been there since I was 15. Back at the academy I wanted to revisit it, thinking that the holodeck was my best bet. It was so close. But, like you said, there was something about it that didn’t hit the mark. The wind just didn’t feel as natural, the smell of grass was close, but somehow artificial. Don’t get me wrong, I’d be happy to hit some rapids with you if we ever get the opportunity, and some holodeck credits, but I’d say that I’m aware that the representations of nature especially are not as perfect as some people think…”

As he spoke he put away his brushes and turned the easel to display the nebula he had painted. While hardly a masterpiece, Max was competent at painting and had clearly trained in the art for years. It was also clear from his face and his nonverbal gestures that he wasn’t seeking praise, merely pointing out that the project had been completed as well as using it to punctuate a point.

“But, you know, people have been trying to replicate the beauty of nature for centuries. And we’ve done some incredible things. But nature seems to win every time.”

Max Woolley, Medical

“We can only capture so much, after all” he added “Nature has a way of taking experiences and making them… undefinable.” nodding to the picture, then as Starr continued the conversation, looking out to the stars just beyond the windows. “We can only grasp… snapshots, but that’s the fun of it, I suppose” he said, finishing his soup. “A pleasure to meet you, Doctor, and hopefully our meetings will be kept out of your office, though I’ll make sure to swing by” he smiled, as he rose to return his bowl.

Cadet Simon Starr, Security