Socializing

Posted on Friday, 10 July 2020 - 7:33am by Lieutenant JG Kay’la & Lieutenant Ryan Rose MD

Mission: Operation: Jabberwocky
Location: Restaurant on Starbase
Timeline: 2393 - MD1

Ryan had been released from the hospital. He was still sore, but he could already tell his lung capacity was greatly increased. Once he'd come out of the drug fog he'd called Jack and Beverly, and had to convince them that he did not need them to take emergency leave and find a transport to him. He was tempted to transport back to Earth after all, but decided to stay and enjoy some down time. Especially since he'd finally taken care of medical business that frankly should have been done over a decade ago.

He wandered, until his stomach reminded him that he'd had nothing but hospital food lately. He stopped at the next restaurant he saw and wandered in.

Kay’la had taken some time to visit the Starbase, she didn’t really have much else to do. She was new to the Standing Bear and she wanted to remain onboard during shoreleave so she decided to go do a little shopping. Seeing a restaurant she’d gone in and treated herself to some indulgent cake and a cold drink. She looked towards the doors as in walked Doctor Rose. She smiled and waved motioning him to a free seat at the table.

It was nice to see a familiar face, and now Ryan wouldn't have to eat alone, which always felt slightly pathetic. "Hello." He paused. "Is calling you Kay'la ok? Or would you prefer Lieutenant?" He hoped for the former, but wouldn't be put out either way.

Kay’la nodded. “Kay’la is just fine, do you mind if I call you Ryan?” She smiled.

"I prefer that you call me Ryan." He took a seat. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" He looked around, as if expecting someone to show up for Kay'la.

“Nope not at all” Kay’la shook her head. “It’s just me, alone as usual. It’s nothing new, I’m used to it.” She ate some of her cake.

"Sucks though." He sympathized. He got distracted by the cake as she took a bite. "What kind of cake is that, it looks delicious, and I am willing to live dangerously and have dessert first."

“Devil’s chocolate cake with double cream!” She offered a grin. “It’s a human dessert but it is extremely good. Totally fattening but who cares!”

"Who am I to argue with my head nurse over dietary matters." He grinned and managed to get a waitresses attention. "What she's having." He ordered. "With a glass of almond milk please." Then he turned his attention back to Kay'la. "So, have you made any plans for while we are on shore leave?"

Kay’la shook her head. “Actually no I haven’t. I don’t have anywhere to go. My parents house would be empty besides me and most of the time people avoid me because I’m part Klingon. It works a treat for getting rid of unwanted attention, but not so much when you’d appreciate some company.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I usually just vegetate away in my quarters for the duration. How about you?”

"I have not made any plans. I needed to take care of a medical procedure, so I'm rather limited on my options for the next couple of days. I am going to try to stay off the ship for a few more days though. Take in the sights and such. I'd be happy to sight see with you if you'd like to not veg away in your quarters."

“Really?” Kay’la looked at Ryan in surprise. “I’d like that but only if you’re sure you don’t mind?”

Ryan chuckled softly. "I really don't mind. I'd actually be grateful for the company. I haven't quite gotten used to the whole doing everything alone thing. It's easier on the ship, there is always work to do."

Kay’la smiled warmly. “In that case I’d love the company! It’ll be nice not to be on my own again.” She paused to eat some more of her cake. She had to admit it was extremely good. “Do you have any preferences as to what you’d like to do?”

Ryan thought for a moment. "Actually, if you don't mind a bit of shopping. I could use some charcoals, some oil pastels." He realized the list went on. "I'm running pretty low on all my art supplies. I prefer them man made. What about yourself?"

“Me ...” Kay’la relaxed back in her seat. “I prefer to see what grabs me. If something jumps out at me then I know it’s worth buying.” She smiled warmly. “So you like to draw and paint? What kind of pictures do you do?”

"Draw yes, paint no. I tried it once and I felt like I was smearing play doh around." He chuckled at the memory. His cake arrived and he got distracted from the rest of his answer as he took a bite. He made a rather obscene noise, then blushed. "Shoot sorry. That is reallly good though. We can't stay on this base long or I'll gain 10 pounds."

Kay’la couldn’t help but giggle. “Try my exercise plan on the holodeck, that’ll get rid of any excess pounds you don’t want in no time!” She grinned. “Especially if you don’t want to be killed ... hypothetically of course!”

"What kind of training do you do? I have a routine, but it's just basic cardio and strength training. I've worked on self defense some, but I don't often find time to fit in the classes."

“Let’s just say it’s more ... Klingon calasthetics” Kay’la grinned. “I like working out whilst practicing my skills with the bat’leth. It’s not designed to be easy, but then I do have a pretty short temper thanks to my Klingon side. I work out my frustrations in the holodeck and it keeps my temper under control.”

"Ahh. Well that's good, if it's working for you. The bat'leth is a beautiful weapon." He hated weapons, and even he had to admit that much. "I saw the.." He paused. "I can't remember the name now, but it's a, well I guess the closest I can describe would be a Klingon battle ballet? Not quite a dance actually, but the batleth part was the most graceful."

Kay’la nodded. “I don’t know much about Klingon society or anything considering I’m half Klingon.” She shrugged her shoulders.

"Oh. Well anyway, if I can ever remember the name, I'll let you know in case you get interested." Ryan pushed the last 1/4 of his cake away from him. "So, when did you want to go exploring?"

“Are you kidding? Let’s go!” Kay’la smiled as she stood ready to leave. “Exploring beats sitting around here doing nothing.”

Ryan chuckled at her enthusiasm. He wiped his hands on his napkin, then stood up. He tested his left side by just leaning to the right a bit. A slight pull, but no real pain. He smiled at that. "Alright, let's go."

“Not before you tell me what that was all about” Kay’la motioned to Ryan’s side. “I wouldn’t be much of a nurse if I didn’t spot that little manoeuvre.” She grinned. “Have you had something done?”

He chuckled. Actually, he was pleased to see she had a medical eye even off duty. Not all nurses did. "I did. Full thoracic cage reconstruction on that side. Still getting used to it."

“Heavens and you’re up and about already!!” Kay’la gave Ryan a look that said ‘naughty’ “We will take this exploration slowly, I don’t want you overdoing it.”

"Yes ma'am." He smiled. It was actually nice to be a bit mother henned, even if he wouldn't admit it to himself. "I promise to keep it to a casual walk." They headed out to the base proper. "Where to first?" He asked.

“Err ...” Kay’la looked around. “That way ... over there” She pointed off to her right. “It looks just as good a way as any.” She shrugged her shoulders and offered a smile.

"That way it is." Ryan walked with her in the direction she'd pointed.

Kay’la looked at Ryan curiously as they walked. “So what kind of thing besides painting supplies are you looking for?”

"Well that's all I have in mind, but I'm bound to get distracted by a sweets shop eventually." He grinned. "What fun is going to the gym if you can't treat yourself to sweets every now and again."

She kept walking until a shop window caught her eye. “Do you mind if I pop into that clothing shop? I don’t normally buy a lot of new clothes but I would like to look for something nice I can wear off duty.”

"Of course." He followed her in.

Kay’la spent the next few minutes looking through dresses for her off duty time, one in particular caught her eye. A summery type of dress that was designed to compliment the figure. Deciding to try it on for fit she disappeared into the changing room before re-emerging a matter of minutes later to ask Ryan’s opinion. “Ryan .. be honest, does it suit me?” She did a little twirl waiting to see what he thought.

He smiled. It did suit her in fact. "It's looks lovely on you. You should definitely get it." He still had a shirt in his hand, that he'd been debating on when Kay'la had returned to show off her dress. He turned the shirt to show her. "What do you think?" It was a salmon pink shirt that slipped over the head, it had a light embroidered pattern around the neck line in masculine lines.

Kay’la smiled. “I think it looks very nice, you should treat yourself to it. Better still ...” she looked to the shop owner. “Add that shirt to my bill while I change.” She smiled warmly at Ryan before heading back into the changing room to take the dress off ready to buy it.

She had scampered off before Ryan could protest. When she returned he simply said "Thank you." He found the art store and may or may not have gone a little overboard, but he rarely got the chance to resupply with hand made products. He'd been browsing for awhile when he guiltily realized he had a full cart, but no Kay'la. He found her an aisle over. "Sorry. I hope you're not bored."

“Bored? No way!” Kay’la grinned. “This is so much fun!! I wish I had an artistic eye like you though, I’m hopeless at drawing and I can’t kniit. I can however ...” She held up a kit. “Do cross stitch, it’s not something I’ve done in a while but I’d like to get back into it when I have the time.”

"Oh, that's perfect for keeping the fingers nimble to. " He grabbed one of the kits that caught his fancy, a wolf pack in the snow. He didn't want to admit it, but he was starting to flag. "That kits on me." He tried to say firmly, but really unless it was a medical emergency Ryan was pathologically incapable of that kind of tone.

"Thank you" Kay'la smiled but looked at Ryan concernedly. "You don't look so good, how's about we find somewhere to sit down and relax for a little while?"

Ryan had to nod. "Actually, I think I'm going to call it a day. But this was fun."

Kay'la nodded. "I've enjoyed it too, thank you for a lovely time Ryan."

"You're welcome. Enjoy the rest of your shore leave." He arranged to have his purchased sent to the Standing Bear then went to collapse in his temporary hotel room on the base.

Kay'la headed back to the ship, she hadn't planned on being anywhere else but she had to admit she had enjoyed her shopping trip with Ryan. She'd made herself a good friend.

 

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