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PreSIM: Checking In with the CSO (Complete)

Posted May 8, 2021, 1:37 p.m. by Lieutenant Junior Grade Namid Argimeau (Scientific Intelligence Officer) (Trin S)

Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in PreSIM: Checking In with the CSO

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Namid Argimeau (Scientific Intelligence Officer) in PreSIM: Checking In with the CSO

Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in PreSIM: Checking In with the CSO
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“Sounds like a plan..” Namid considered their words “…what title do you prefer?”

“I’ve been going by rank since I enrolled at the Academy. So that’s perfectly fine,” Kiama replied with a smile.

They appreciated Naim’s integrity and collaborative mindset as a leader. Her methods severed as a stark contrast to the aloof, unyielding command they were used to on Outpost 57. Although the phrasing eluded them, they found it was a nice change to work with someone and not for them. It made it a whole lot easier to respect Lt. Naim as their superior.. and a person.

Rules of profession conduct aside,” Namid’s smile persisted, “is there anything pressing you’d like to discuss before I get out of your hair?”

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intelligence

Kiama shook her head. “Not from my end,” she replied and then chewed on her lower lip for a moment before asking, “At least not work-wise, but I was wondering if maybe you’d like to meet off duty some time? Maybe for lunch or something?” There was something about Namid she had taken an instant liking to and while she wasn’t sure if it was okay from a professional point of view, she wanted to get to them a little a better. If they were comfortable with that as well, of course.

~Lt. j.g. Naim, aCSO

Genuine enthusiasm erupted across their features. Namid thought to deny it, brush it off as a knee-jerk reaction, but they knew better than to devalue their excitement. “Sure,” they nodded, “I’d love to.” They didn’t understand professionalism well enough to determine whether lunch violated some unspoken code. But they would rest their case that lunch meant building trust and that had to be somewhat professional. “Are you free next week?”

– Namid Argimeau, professionally un-inclined

Kiama couldn’t help but beam at Namid. Their excitement was not only visible on their face but very palpable for the Betazoid scientist. “I’m glad,” she replied as enthusiastically. After quickly recalling her schedule for the next week she continued, “Next week would work well. Is there a day in particular that would work for you?”

~Lt.j.g. Naim, aCSO

Namid drummed their fingers against their knee, lips pursued in thought. “Fridays are fun,” they said without much deliberation. “How does 1300 at the lounge sound?” And with an equally razzing and curious tone, they added “Unless you prefer a holographic venue, say.. a picnic by the Opal Sea or a hike along the Umpqua.” Namid enjoyed both the simple and the adventure-ish, so they left it to Kiama to decide which she was most comfortable with.

— Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

There was a brief moment of hesitation as Kiama contemplated all options. Not because she was concerned that going to the holodeck together was inappropriate, but because of what had happened the last time she had set a foot in there. As she replied it was with a wide smile. “Either the lounge or the holodeck are fine with me and I’ve never been to the Opal Sea or the Umpqua. How about you pick the location you like best?” she suggested.

~Lt.j.g. Naim, aCSO

Namid’s smile faltered as a shiver scaled their spine in a mixture of reserve and concern they might’ve overstepped. But Kiama’s smile tempered it enough for them to continue. “If I’m being completely honest,” a soft chuckle escaped them, “I’ve only been to the Umpqua once.. and the Opal Sea was just a neat place I saw on a docuseries last week.” They shook their head, laughter infecting their dark eyes. “Maybe we should start with the lounge,” they shrugged, “holodecks are a bit complicated for lunch.”

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

Between Namid’s faltering smile and the emotions she was sensing from them, Kiama felt a twinge of guilt over her hesitation.”Nothing wrong with that,” she said gently. “And I didn’t hesitate because I think going to the holodeck for lunch with you is bad idea. I hesitated because the last time I went to the holodeck, it malfunctioned and the safeties turned themselves off. Long story short, if without the help of Lieutenant Calloway I’m not sure how it might have ended. But thanks to her Ensign Shon and I only had some more or less minor injuries. A few broken bones and a concussion in my case. Ever since that incident I’m a little … reluctant to set foot in the holodeck again. Which is probably exactly why I should go back there sooner rather than later.” Realising that she was rambling, Kiama stopped herself and finished, “Anyway, what I was trying to say is: I’m sorry my hesitation worried you and made you feel uncomfortable. It had absolutely nothing to do with you. So If you’d like to have lunch on the holodeck, let’s go to the holodeck!”

~Lt.j.g. Naim, aCSO

Namid’s expression faded into warmth as they absorbed Kiama’s ramblings, quietly considering the events that’d transpired on the holodeck. When she finished, their lips parted in a gesture of reassurance, but the words evaporated from their tongue. Autopilot engaged in a desperate effort to spare them and afforded Kiama an awkward… “It’s okay.” And it was – Namid was grateful she’d shared her experience with them – but that wasn’t exactly the phrase they’d expected to utter. Pinching their nose, they chuckled softly. “I mean thank you, for giving me a little inkling of you went through. Now, I don’t have much experience with non-safety-netted holodecks, but I can imagine that was terrifying.”

“You’re welcome and it was. I definitely don’t recommend it,” Kiama nodded.

“Honestly,” Namid’s smile conveyed the kindness they’d meant to exude, “I don’t think the location matters as much as the people. So, maybe you table your fear-conquering escapade for someone a little more qualified and enjoy lunch with me in the… safety of the lounge?”

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

Smiling just as warmly and gently back at Namid, Kiama nodded, “You are absolutely right and I’m looking forward to meeting you for lunch next week.” It would be obvious that her happiness and excitement were genuine. For even though they barely knew each other, there was something about Namid and she could tell that she liked them already and wanted to get to know them better.

Looking a little ruefully, Kiama said, “As much as I’d love to continue talking, I’m afraid I still have a number of things on today’s to-do-list and you probably as well.” Rising to her feet, she continued, “Have a good rest of your day, Lieutenant, and I meant it when I said that my door is always open.”

~Lt.j.g. Naim, aCSO

Namid rose to their feet, brushing down the soft crinkles in their uniform. They smiled and inclined their head in a quaint bow. “The same goes for you, Lieutenant.” Namid took in a quiet breath, stealing one last glance at that lonely shell, and made their way for the door. “It was truly nice to meet you,” they added as a sort of ‘farewell.’

Namid offered a respectful nod that escorted them from Naim’s office into the hall, where they lingered for a second longer. They weren’t sure what to make of Kiama just yet, but they had a good feeling about her. And they couldn’t say that about many others. Glancing at their watch, Namid hummed a familiar tune and made their way toward the next of their ‘to-dos’.

— Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel


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