Ice Cream and Oceans
Posted on Mon Oct 25th, 2010 @ 10:05am by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Captain T'mpest Michaels
1,432 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Structured Shoreleave - Marchwiel
Location: Mess Hall, Deck 2
Timeline: Current
Cuthbell Arixen sat quietly in the mess hall, an iced chocolate milkshake in one hand, and a bowl of ice cream in front of him, looking out across the canyon through the main windows on Deck Two. Fourteen decks up from sea-level, the view through one fissure in the dusty rock stretched out all the way to the ocean, embedded in by a carpet of lush, green meadows before it. He sighed heavily, looking down to the treat as he scooped up a spoonful of youth’s folly and then, looking up to the sea again, longed to be basking in the sunshine that showered down.
Apu Barnum liked to know what was going on throughout the ship. One of the best places to find information was in The Retreat. The other was in the mess hall. Today he was in the mess, sitting at a table, nursing a tall glass of lemonade with a bit too much sugar in it while he watched the people in the room.
He noticed a kid fresh out of school sitting at a nearby table. The kid kept looking out the viewport while he ate both a milkshake and a bowl of ice cream. Who had both at the same time? he asked himself. Since he didn't have an answer, he walked over to the table, drink in hand. "Hello there. Mind if I join you?"
There was something rather desperate about the unjoined Trill and his mannerisms. Seemingly confident enough within his own skin and life path he had chosen, but somewhat unfitted into the surroundings that enveloped him here. Perhaps it was the practice of being too eager to please and aggressively grateful at this year of service duty onboard a leading Science vessel. Granted the ship was now ten years old and no longer leading the forefront of scientific technology in terms of advancement, but the Intrepid had proved a trusty and worthy ship in service and Cuthbell was proud, too proud, to be apart of that lineage so young.
Cuthbell’s eyes widened at the proposition as he unconsciously spread open his palm to the vacant seat next to him. “Not at all,� he said with a start, realising that the gentleman was taking the offered seat. Then, more to himself, he said, “What I wouldn’t give to be out there right now,� turning back to face the landscape that lay just beyond the glass. He quickly turned to Apu, smiled wildly and awkwardly and then added, “Not that I’m not appreciative of the opportunity here onboard the Ranger!�
"Oh most definitely. It is a beautiful place, is it not?" Apu grinned as he dropped into the seat. "But not worth messing with the Prime Directive. But then, that's what holodecks are for. You can go anywhere you want on the holodeck."
He gave the boy an assessing look. "You could use some time in a holo program yourself. You're a bit too jittery for your own good, boy." He took a sip of his lemonade and grimaced at the sweetness. "I need to have a talk with engineering. The replicator needs a better lemonade." He pulled out a PADD and made some notes, then put it back in his olive-drab fatigues.
"You're new here, or you haven't stopped by to see me. I never forget a face. I'm Apu Barnum, by the way. Quartermaster and bartender. What's your name, kid?"
“Uh, Cuthbell. Cadet Cuthbell Arixen.� He spied the Pakistani for a moment, smiled and then shook an almost accusatory finger to his direction, seemingly shedding his bad mood at this interaction. “So, it’s you who I need to thank for my spacious quarters,� he added, thanking him with his beaming smile and softened eyes. “They’re bigger than anything I could dream of at the Academy!�
Apu grinned. "Not me. Captain's orders. Besides, nobody wants a cadet with claustrophobia. Makes the rest of us nervous." He laughed at his joke. "Besides, now you owe me one."
Cuthbell raised a cheeky eyebrow and winked. “I’m not exactly sure what a cadet on duty-placement could offer an established officer,� he said, turning back to his ice-cream and taking up another scoop. “But, obviously, I’d try.� He stopped for a moment, and considered what the man had said. “So, the captain ordered the more spacious room?� he asked, clearly laying down the path for another question. “She came to see me yesterday... but, I couldn’t seem to get a sense of what she’s like. How do you find serving underneath her?�
"So far so good," Apu said, grinning. "But I haven't seen much of her, either." In his position, that was a good thing. It let him fly under the radar, which is exactly where he wanted to be.
The cryptic and un-betraying answer left Cuthbell no further insight than before he had asked the question. He sighed heavily and then looked up to the quartermaster again. “You know, I’m looking forward to finding out. Not just about the captain, but about the ship as a whole... the dynamics of the crew and how space-duty really transpires!� He smiled, and then added, “I suppose that’s what I’m here for, anyway.�
"Oh, yes. Learning about people is always good. How they interact, what they need. Knowing how to do what people need over what they think they need will get you far," Apu said sagely. "It helps you know how to work with people -- very important for Starfleet personnel."
“I agree,� he smiled to him, nodding his head and lifting up another spoonful of ice-cream in an almost toast to the sentiment. “Thinking about it, though,� he then added, now as if his mind where elsewhere, somewhere fanciful, “what kind of holo-program would you suggest… in your wisdom of what people need rather than what they want, Sir?�
"Don't call me sir," Apu replied in a gravely voice. "I work for a living." He thought about the question for a moment. "Holodeck program, huh? Not sure it's that easy, son. You have to watch people. Listen to them. That sort of thing comes with experience. But if you need a holodeck program, see if there's a M*A*S*H unit and work supply. You have to work through what is needed versus what's available and then find a way to get them what the want." He gave the boy a stern look. "And don't be afraid to fail. You're gonna fail a lot before you get the knack of things." He finished off his lemonade with another grimace. "And learn to make a decent lemonade. This stuff is bilge water."
Apu’s strident sentiment visibly knocked Cuthbell figuratively backward. “I – I kind of meant as a relaxing foray… for a good time… for me,� he ventured, searching the man’s face for a betrayal of jest. He considered the expression for a moment and then realised that Apu was certainly not kidding. “I might give it a try,� he then said, and then looking toward to the lemonade indicated by the quartermaster, smiled. “I’ll be certain to look into that lemonade beverage quandary that you have, also.� A cheeky grin happened upon the Trill’s face.
"If you want something to relax, try fishing." Apu said. He shrugged. "You ask a question, I give you an answer. Now you see why it's important to know what people want over what they SAY they want." He grinned a big, toothy grin. "Now, how are you settling in? Anything you need?"
“Um,� he considered for a moment, looking off into the middle distance, allowing his mind to wander for the moment. “I don’t think so. The replicator can handle pretty much everything that I need for the moment, but…� he trailed off now looking directly at Apu, “would that offer be open should I think of something later in the week?�
"You know where to find me. Come to the bar as ask for Apu." Apu stood. "It was nice meeting you, young Arixen. I wish you well on the Ranger."
Getting What You Want, and Knowing Where to Get it!
OFF:
Apu Barnum
Quartermaster
USS Ranger
(Played by Charlie)
Cuthbell Arixen
Resident Trainee Cadet
USS Ranger
(Played by Shaunanigans)
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