Making Friends

Posted on Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 @ 1:52am by Lieutenant Kalin Brennan-Griffin PhD & Lieutenant Krysia Kaleri-Smith
Edited on on Tue Jul 7th, 2020 @ 2:18pm

Mission: Into the Wild
Location: Recreation Deck
Timeline: Current

A Mission Post by Lieutenant Krysia Kaleri & Lieutenant Kalin 'Shae' Brennan PhD
Mission: Into The Wild
Location: Recreation Deck
Timeline: Current

Walking along the recreation deck Krysia was so busy looking at what was around she didn’t see Aoife & her mother Shae heading her way, it wasn’t until she almost knocked Aoife over that she snapped to paying more attention.

“I’m so sorry!” she smiled warmly at Aoife, “I should have been paying more attention to where I was going” she looked at Shae expecting to get a roasting from an annoyed mother. “My apologies Lieutenant, how’s about I buy this young lady an ice cream as an apology?”

Krysia may not have knocked Aoife over, but Aoife still lost her balance and fell onto her backside despite her mother's support. But by now Aoife was used to falling and with Shae's help she got right back onto her feet.

"It's alright, accidents happen," Shae said with a warm smile. "Though please be careful in the future, my daughter is only just learning to walk and it has been a long, difficult journey," she continued, not all all scolding, just simply informing the new face of what much of the rest of the crew was already aware of. Of course, at the mention of ice cream, Aoife's ears stood tall and her tail began to wag as she sounded off with an excited chirp. "Yes yes, you can have ice cream," she said to Aoife with a giggle.

“Then ice cream it is!” Krysia grinned at Aoife & Shae making her way across to the nearest vendor she gave instructions that Aoife was to have whatever she wanted. “Just pick what you want” she smiled warmly as she watched Aoife’s eyes almost pop out of her head at the available choice.

Turning to Shae she smiled, “She’s a wonderful child Lieutenant, I’m Krysia by the way” she grinned sheepishly.

Shae had to lift Aoife to rest on her hip so that Aoife could see all the choices available, and with some unusual chatter between the two of them, Shae discovered what Aoife wanted. "She'll have the vanilla with the marshmallows and fudge in it, and I'll take a berry sorbet; small servings please, we don't want to spoil our appetite," Shae relayed to the server. While their order was being dished up, Shae reciprocated the introductions. "It's wonderful to meet you, Krysia. I'm Shae, I run Science, and this is Aoife." With a bright smile, Aoife waved hello to Krysia.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Shae and you too Aoife” she smiled as Aoife waved, “I’m the new Chief of Ops, it’s nice to get a chance to meet you while we’re not working. It’s nice to make the acquaintance of people in a personal rather than professional sense.”

"Ah, good for Owen, now he doesn't have to cover Ops anymore," Shae said with amusement. Their ice cream was ready and Shae took their tray to a little table and set Aoife in a chair, the fox-like child sitting on her feet to help boost her up, and she started digging into her dish with a squeal of excitement as soon as Shae set it in front of her. Shae sat down with her sorbet and she was already regretting not grabbing a stack of napkins. "So, are you settling in alright?" Shae asked Krysia.

"Yes thank you" she nodded politely, "It feels like home now I'm here with Owen" she paused realising she'd have to explain that comment, "Owen is my half brother"

"Oh really?" Shae said with some surprise. "I thought his sister's name was Natasha?" She didn't sound at all suspicious, it was just that Owen had never mentioned anyone other than Natasha, but she accepted that people were allowed to have their secrets.

“It is” Krysia smiled, “I only recently got to talk to Owen about it, I haven’t met my half sister as yet... long story” she grinned, “needless to say I feel more at home here now he knows who I am and I don’t have to pretend about who I am anymore.”

Krysia paused for a moment, it was strange how she felt so comfortable talking to someone she’d just met about herself.

“I’ve only just started making friends here but I’m enjoying it. Have you served aboard for long?”

"I've been with the Pandora since her relaunch," Shae replied, smiling proudly. "So, was this a recent discovery, learning you had a family? That must have been exciting!"

"I knew early about being half human but it's only since the academy that I've been able to learn more about my family. I've served with Owen twice before but only just got the chance to tell him." She grinned, "I'm glad I did."

"Oh wow..." Shae said with amazement. "Well congratulation on finally telling him! I was adopted when I was as small as Aoife, but I knew I was adopted, I remembered my biological parents, and my adopted family was human, so it was kind of obvious... Even still, I understand that need for family, to feel connected. Was Owen happy with the news?"

Krysia nodded, “It took a load off my mind, he’s taking me to meet our father next shoreleave, I’m quite looking forward to it” she smiled at Aoife, “what’s it like being a mother?”

"Well, raising Aoife has been a challenge and... it has been emotionally fatiguing considering her developmental issues, but..." Shae smiled so warmly, the love for her daughter as plain as the nose on her face. "I wouldn't change a thing; she has been the joy of my life, and I am so proud of her for coming along so far."

“I love children, I always have” Krysia grinned, “I seem to have a natural affinity with them” she smiled, “I’d like to be a mother myself one day.”

"Well let's hope you have an easier time than I did," Shae offered with a laugh. "Though fair warning, it is tough being a parent and an Officer at the same time it a bit of a juggling act, so just take that into consideration when you're ready to settle down and start a family."

Krysia nodded, “That’s good advice, thank you... anyway I’d best be getting back while I’ve still got time to spare. It’s been nice getting to know the two of you.”

"Oh, it was a pleasure to meet you! And thank you for the ice cream," Shae replied. "Aoife, can you thank Miss Krysia for the ice cream and say good bye?" she said to her daughter, and Aoife looked up, her face covered in streaks of chocolate, and with a big smile, she gave a cheerful chirp and then waved good bye.