STF

Side Sim: Unexpected Consultation

Posted June 30, 2020, 3:32 p.m. by Captain Willow Taylor (Commanding Officer) (Calé Reilly)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Achilleas Petrakos (Chief Science Officer) in Side Sim: Unexpected Consultation

Posted by Ensign Iyun Riani (Scientist) in Side Sim: Unexpected Consultation

Posted by Captain Willow Taylor (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim: Unexpected Consultation
Posted by… suppressed (13) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Achilleas arrived in front of the CO’s office with Ria in tow. He had to almost drag her here, but not in an overly physical way. With a soft smile and a soft hug he had said to her, “Are you ready to visit the Captain with me? I know this could go badly but I will be with you every step and every word spoken throughout.” He had then taken her hand in his, partly to insure she didn’t run away and mostly to be reassuring.

Ever since Achilleas had asked her on the holodeck if they should go and talk to the Captain, Ria had been even more nervous and anxious than normal. So much so that her roommate had picked up on it and asked what was wrong. She had been able to brush it off as just nervousness because of everything being new. Part of her wanted to talk to the Captain, but the greater part was simply terrified. And now here they were, heading towards the Captain’s temporary office.

He now gave a last reassuring squeeze of her hand before letting go and reached for the door chime.

CSO Petrakos

Her hands were clammy, and her face rather paler than normally and Ria felt almost numb with anxiety. What if they got in trouble? While she was glad that Achilleas was holding her hand (and if not there was a chance that she might bolt), but at the same time she was worried what the Captain would say and think if they walked into her office holding hands. If only it was already over…

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Willow’s voice called out something muffled by the door, however it was clearly an indication to enter. When the doors opened and she glanced up to see who it was she raised both eyebrows. ”Lieutenant, Ensign…” she started then paused, ”…please tell me nothing has blown up in the science labs.”

Willow Taylor
CO

OOC: Fixing the split :)

IC:
The two science officers heard someone respond with a ‘Come in.’ but before they entered, Achilleas took a quick moment to pull Ria into a quick embrace and whispered that things were going to be fine. He separated from her too quickly for his liking, but they needed to maintain decorum especially now. He took the first step which parted the doors, before continuing on to stand at attention before the Captain’s desk.

CSO Petrakos

While the quick embrace felt good, it also made her more nervous and she quickly withdrew from it again. As she followed him into the office, she felt her hands and knees trembling and merely shook her head at the Captain’s question. Right now she wished that that was the reason why they were here. After all, in how much trouble could they get for blowing up a lab? Probably less than for basically breaking Starfleet regulations.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

“Um no, nothing like that Captain. This is of a much more complicated nature. Not that blowing up the science lab isn’t complicated!” Achilleas started awkwardly and started to kind of rush his words, “I know the paperwork involved in repairing or replacing a lab is horrendous! Not to mention the awfulness of potential injury too!”

Willow blinked, almost audibly she was sure, as her science chief scrambled for words. She opened her mouth to respond when…

He took a big breath to calm his nerves and collect his words before looking at Ria and softly smiling. “Ensign Iyun and I have come to really appreciate each other and what began as a way to console each other over shared homesickness and the uncertainties of first time aboard ship… led to us developing feelings that aren’t professional at all.”

She closed her mouth. Her lips thinned into a line as he continued.

He looked back at the Captain this time with resolve clear in his eyes, “We haven’t crossed any lines or been less than professional with our work. I will admit that a bit of distraction does happen, but I believe that with time and the chance to settle in to these feelings and what they mean for us, that we could adapt and still work together. Fraternization among an a direct superior officer and their subordinate is against Starfleet regulations because of the risk to the ship and crew. However there have been exceptions made at the discretion of the Commanding Officer that have allowed relationship to move forward with approval and supervision. While we are ostensibly the military arm of Starfleet we are primarily explorers and knowledge seekers. I ask that you consider and approve an exception in our case, please.”

CSO Petrakos

With care she placed the padd in her hand on the desk and indicated the chairs before her, ”Sit.” she said calmly but professionally. She waited until they had taken seats and then herself stood and moved to the replicator where she procured peach ice tea for herself. ”So you both feel this way?” she asked.

Willow Taylor
CO

Riani slipped onto one of the chairs, as always making sure that she didn’t end up sitting on her long braid. She briefly looked up at the Captain’s question, looking like a deer in headlights, but quickly dropped her gaze to her lap again. At first all she managed was a small nod. Yet she had a feeling that she should say more. So she gathered all her courage and whispered meekly, “I do. I know I shouldn’t and I understand if you can’t make an exception.”

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Achilleas wanted to assure the Captain that they were in this together but he didn’t want in anyway to talk over Ria’s meek declarative. It wouldn’t be fair to her. Instead he slowly stretched his hand out to take hers and interlaced his fingers in hers. He gave a smile of support in her direction before he then looked back to the Captain.

CSO Petrakos

She very briefly hesitated, but then Ria took his hand. The smile, however, went unnoticed by her. She was too focus on not having a full-fledged anxiety attack. If only this would be over quickly!

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Willow watched them both from her position at the replicator. She walked back to her desk and sitting again took a sip then placed it on a mat and settled back in her seat. She considered them both and interlocked her fingers, resting her chin on them. ”And how would you describe the exact nature of the relationship?” she asked.

Ria looked briefly at the Captain, then at Achilleas and and then sort of at the Captain again. Her voice very soft, she replied timidly, “We like each other, but we haven’t done anything but hug and … and we have kissed.” Her cheeks turned crimson and she quickly dropped her gaze once again.

“I would describe it as romantic. While I’m not sure how far this relationship will go, I’d like the opportunity to find out.” Achilleas responded while he scrunched up his face a bit, “I intend to give my best to Ria and I’m not taking this lightly. Her happiness will be my main concern as well as my own.”

She sighed deeply. ”As you astutely put it this sort of relationship is....frowned upon by star fleet in many regard but not due to the nature of the relationship but rather our concern. My concern…” she pointed at them, ”…your concern, is to make sure that there’s no conflict of interest, no liability for the department, the ship and star fleet.”

Ria nodded silently. All of that had been on her mind since she had started to realise that she was beginning to really like Achilleas. And the last thing she wanted was to put the ship, her crew or anyone else at risk.

She sighed and smiled. ”It is a difficult thing to come to your commanding officer about. I’m appreciate your candor both of you. What we need to do is consider the implications. Achilleas, we will have to watch for any favoritism towards Rian. Or bias against one another if the relationship dosn’t…” she paused and made a face. ”If it dosen’t work out.” she wasn’t comfortable saying that but it was true. ”Are there any supervisory issues you can forsee?”

From the corner of her eyes, Riani looked at Achilleas, wondering what he would say. So far he had been very straightforward in this conversation; something she liked and even a little admired, but it also made her feel a bit uncomfortable and anxious.

“I think to start with we have accounted for distracting each other during work by being on different shifts. It seemed prudent considering the effect her presence has on me.” Achileas smiled a little as he squeezed Ria’s hand, “I don’t see it being a long term issue as we adjust to this new reality of having each other though. While I hope my desire to see her smile never wanes, I believe that the urgency for it will settle into something more comfortable.

She looked between them both and felt something inside her pull tight, like a band across her chest. All she could think of was Doug and how far away he was. How much she had been regretting the choices they had both made. She gave no outward sign of this however and simply stood again and moved to look through some filed PaDDs.

”Commander Myqian and I will both be ensuring that no supervisory issues come up and you will update us if your relationship status changes. As for right now....”she returned and handed a padd to them each.
You are both going to sign consensual relationship agreements.” She smiled ”Any questions?”

Willow Taylor
CO

With slightly shaking hands, Ria reached for the PaDD and with a slightly confused expression, asked, “A consensual relationship agreement?” She had no idea what exactly that meant. Not that she was unwilling to sign it, though. She was simply confused and wanted to know what she was she signing.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Achilleas took the PaDD offered to him and began to read through it aloud for Ria’s sake, “Do you agree that this relationship is of your own choice with no coercion… has any implied threats been made to make you choose this decision… huh, looks like they want to make absolutely sure that we consent. Though my being the superior officer has less bearing on me. They want to make sure that this is absolutely your own decision.”

“Oh,” Ria said softly still looking somewhat perplex, wondering why anyone would think that she felt like her hand was forced. Had she said or done anything that made it appear like she felt that way?

He looked over at her and smiled, “You can back out at any time. If you feel I pushed you to do this then don’t sign it. I would rather you were sure that this is what you want.”

CSO Petrakos

“Of course this is what I want,” Ria said shyly as she turned her head and looked at Achilleas. “Why would -?” she suddenly stopped mid-sentence and a another soft “oh” escaped her lips. It only then occurred to her that her fear of getting (both of them) into trouble could just as easily be misunderstood as fear of speaking up and saying that this wasn’t what she wanted.

Willow watched them both a moment then stood again. ”Can I get you both anything to drink?” she asked moving to the replicator.

Willow’s question about something to drink didn’t even seem to register with Ria. She was too busy with sorting through her thoughts and feelings and finding the courage to say what she thought and what was weighing on her.

Achilleas shook his head to decline the drink. He didn’t want to disrupt Ria’s thoughts but did want to give her a chance to process it. He had first hand experience that that was the best approach.

Holding tightly onto the PaDD as if it was a lifeline, Ria took a deep breath and made herself look straight at the Captain. “Achilleas didn’t do or say anything to coerce or force me. On the contrary. He has been the perfect gentleman,” she said softly and a little bashfully. “I-” she sighed softly and dropped her gaze, speaking to her lap instead. “I was … am just worried that .. that we might get into trouble. I’m sorry.” She briefly glance up at Achilleas and said again, “I’m really sorry.”

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Willow returned and gave Iyun a sympathetic smile. ”I understand that. And you won’t have to be sorry but there’s more to this relationship than had you guys met at a bar or something on shore leave. And I want to make sure that you are both happy and both protected. Personally and career wise.”

Willow Taylor
CO

Ria looked timidly up at the Captain and nodded, gratitude and the hint of a smile playing across her features. “Thank you, Captain,” she said softly and then looked down again. But this time to find the place where she was to sign the agreement. Once that was done she handed the PaDD back to the Captain and once again said “Thank you.” Her mind was still spinning and while she felt like there were things that she should ask, she found herself unable right now to think of any of those questions..

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Achilleas couldn’t stop the foolish, goofy grin on his face. He had desperately hoped that this meeting with the Captain would go well. He had expected it to not go well though. Anxious feelings were what he had when they were about to walk into the proverbial “Lion’s Den” together and end up getting into serious trouble, or worse having one of them reassigned. Despite all of his encouragement and optimism that he gave to Ria, he had not felt any of that himself. So for a happy resolution to come out of this meeting he was simply on cloud nine. If his legs were warp nacelles and he wasn’t holding onto Ria’s hand, he very likely would’ve been warping about the system.

He came down from his excitement long enough to sign the PaDD and hand it back. “Thank you.” He positive beamed at the Captain before he just couldn’t contain himself and gave Ria a tight hug. He didn’t even care that the Captain was still right there. They were free to be together!

CSO Petrakos

Willow collected the PaDDs back and allowed them the moment of happy. ”You need to be prepared for others on the crew not to be as happy about this set up. And like I said we will need to keep an eye on the situation to ensure favouritism and bias isn’t happening.” she looked between them. ”This won’t be easy for either of you and if starfleet command decide that they are transferring any of you there will only be a limited amount I can do.” she raised her eyebrows to make sure they understood.

Willow Taylor
CO


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