STF

Mess Hall - An Evening Out

Posted July 22, 2021, 11:57 p.m. by Civilian Allison Fleet (Civilian) (Riley W)

Posted by Commander Shara Calloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Mess Hall - An Evening Out

Posted by Civilian Allison Fleet (Civilian) in Mess Hall - An Evening Out

Posted by Commander Shara Calloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Mess Hall - An Evening Out
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Allison held Sophie against her chest, and the little girl seemed fairly content to sleep with her head on mama’s shoulder for now. Allison was grateful for that. “Yeah, with a ship as small as the Asimov, it’s hard to hide the arrival of two infants,” she replied with a small, tired chuckle. “Rovan and I have been apart far too long, so when he decided to get back into service we were hopeful that I and the twins could join. As you see, Starfleet was gracious and allowed our little request.” She watched Shara holding Kasper and smiled, seeing that comfort with handling infants that she was so used to seeing in her ‘Aunties.’ There was something about having grown children that made older woman more easy-going and loving to infants that she figured she understand one day, but currently couldn’t quite get. “That… would be amazing,” she looked at Shara with what was almost tears in her eyes. “Thank you,” maybe she was overly emotional because she was so worn out, or maybe it was the hormones that still hadn’t quite gone back to normal, but Allison felt like crying she was so happy. “Thank you, I was starting to feel like Rovan and I were going to have to figure this out on our own now that we’re on the Asimov and not back on Arda…”

Kasper, for his part, was blissfully unaware of his mama’s tears. At first he was wary of this stranger, but being bounced on her knee was fun, so he didn’t worry about it.

Allison and the Twinfants

“Well, I can’t speak for others, but I spent my years as mother surrounded by people who were all willing to pitch in and help. It was just our way of like on our colony. You don’t find it everywhere, but I’m happy to extend that to you. Even though we’re strangers,” Shara said with a warm smile, keeping her tone of voice soothing and quieter.

“Have you figured out what you want to do on the ship for yourself so you don’t go crazy?” Calloway asked, the question clearly directed at Allison despite her gaze being on Kasper.

~Shara Calloway, CIO

Allison wiped her eyes, shaking her head slightly to try and stop herself from making a scene in the middle of the mess. She also didn’t want Sophie to pick up on her tears and start bawling. “I mean, with two babies to take care of, what can I do other than taking care of them?” Allison said with a weary smile. “I assumed my time would be pretty busy, at least until they’re a few months old and don’t need my constant presence,” she looked down at Sophie. “They’re growing up so fast though, maybe that’ll happen sooner than I imagined.”

Allison

Shara nodded as she gently bounced Kasper. “They will take up a lot of your time right now and it’s easy for it to be all consuming. But I’m going to do that annoying thing people do with new moms and give you advice. But take it from someone who’s lived a lot longer so far and find even one hour a week where you can be by yourself doing something you like, that isn’t baby or household related. And if you need someone to watch these two while you do that, like I said, just ask. I’m around.”

Commander Calloway, CIO

“I read a lot,” Allison looked into Sophie’s eyes, thoughtful. “I used to garden. Heh, two centuries of downtime and those were the only hobbies I picked up,” she muttered under her breath. “I’ve only been on the Asimov a few weeks, but I’ve gotten into a bit of a rhythm. Sometimes when the twins are sleeping, I sleep. Sometimes I clean. Sometimes I read a book. Or eat. Honestly it’s hard to know what to do with my time when going outdoors isn’t an option,” she let out a small chuckle. “I’d gotten so used to the outdoors again. And, just between the two of us, I’m pretty sure I’ve lived longer.” Allison said, giving Shara a wink. She may not look it, but this young mother had almost 300 years under her belt. And she didn’t look a day over 28. She looked at her hand, thoughtful for a moment. She’d noticed she still wasn’t aging. It was a little disturbing, the idea that some day Rovan might be an old man, and her kids grown and with kids of their own, and she’d be looking just the same as she was now. How many more ways could the aliens of the Planetoid harm her?

Allison, Civilian

Dots connected and yes, of course Allison had lived longer. Naturally. Shara chuckled. “Well that was terribly lacking on my part, but yes, of course, you’re right. Of course you have. But that doesn’t make my advice any less important then. Finding new things is especially important. And it’s a small ship, but we’ve got a holosuite. Maybe you could take up or continue an outdoor activity there? Sure, you’d have to book through Ops, but you’re a part of this ship too. No one is going to say no.”

Shara gazed directly at Kasper with a smile. “I’m minded to make use of the holosuite myself. I’ve got my guitar with me, but kind of hard to bring a piano along for the ride. Had to leave that back home.” And as easy as that the words flowed from her mouth. Home. She supposed that yes, those 800 acres really were home now. She shared it too, and how lovely was that?

Commander Calloway, CIO

“It’s not like my exile really gave me much in terms of life experience,” Allison reasoned. “I still feel like the young woman I was before then. Just… with far too many memories of reading and gardening.” The mention of music got Allison interested. “I’ve always intended to learn an instrument, perhaps that would be a good use of my time. A nice little hobby…”

She noticed the wistful look in Shara’s expression and she got a soft look on her own face. She knew that look. That feeling. “Home certainly is something lovely to be able to find,” she spoke softly, looking down at Sophie. Right now, this was home. But one day she might need to stop traveling all over the universe with her husband and settle down for the children’s sake, and then home would be on a little planet, by a little lake with shores covered in glowing flowers.

Allison, Civvie


Posts on USS Asimov

In topic

Posted since


© 1991-2024 STF. Terms of Service

Version 1.15.9