Old and New Friends...

Posted on Monday, 27 July 2020 - 1:44pm by Lieutenant JG Adrianna Eberhardt

Mission: Operation: Jabberwocky
Location: Via Communication
Timeline: 2393 - MD06

ON:

Adora sat back at her desk. It had been a long time since she contacted her old friend. They had gone to school together when they were younger, they had been friends in high school but had somehow drifted apart. These days, after life had torn her down several times, just as she was rebuilding herself she came across an old photo.

Now she nervously fidgeted while she waited for Adrianna to answer the hail. She stared at the Starfleet insignia and waited.

Adrianna was just getting ready for bed in the holiday home she was in, when her PaDD went off. She walked over as she tied her curly hair up. Frowning to the screen, a moment she wondered what had brought the nostalgia to the table. She suddenly smiled, who cared? This was one hell of a good form of nostalgia. "Adora?" she greeted.

The woman smiled. "It's been a long time." She paused. "Am I calling at a bad time?"

Adrianna took a seat on a comfortable chair and warmly smiled, switching to Italian, "not at all. I was just relaxing. How have you been?"

She smiled, "It has been...a little crazy. I just got my promotion." She pointed to her pips. "Lieutenant JG. I'm probably the oldest one on record but hey." She laughed. "I'm sorry I haven't been in touch."

Adrianna chuckled, "well, never to be the same anyone else. Don't apologise, conversation works both ways and I wasn't sure how much of my past I would have to leave behind to be here in Starfleet. I'm glad we're both Starfleet."

She smiled. "I know it's crazy recently I was hurt on an away mission and it got me thinking as to what is important. You were and are important to me and I wanted to reach out and maybe restart a dialogue. We were the best of friends once I hated to loose that"

Adrianna smiled, "you were one of the few people that saw me as more than my family. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't want you back in my life."

She smiled. "Good then it's decided." She laughed. "That's a load off my mind!"

Adrianna laughed too, "how has life been treating you otherwise?"

Just as Adora was about to answer Adrianna's coms chirped telling her that there was someone waiting to speak with her. The location snap showed DS9, the station where Eyelaya had gone.

Adrianna mulled over who to speak to, "I'll be two minutes, ok? I'll call you straight back."

Adora smiled. "I'll be here. Still on medical leave." She watched the screen shift off.

The screen before Adrianna shifted from the Starfleet insignia to Eyelaya's swollen and puffy face. She'd slept for an hour and then woken and cried. Finally she broke down and called Adrianna. "Hi." She aid wiping her eyes.

Adrianna looked concerned, "hey, you alright?" she then realised she was still in Italian and asked again, this time in standard.

Eyelaya shook her head. She then told Adrianna of the accidental log entry Emerick sent and their conversation after. When she was done talking she was crying again.

"Emerick is the EMH right?" Adrianna asked to clarify. Her Baciami instincts certainly heightened and she was prepared to leave a horses head in someone's bed or worse.

"Yeah. I mean I at least thought he was my friend but how could he say all those things in his log?"

Adrianna was momentarily confused and tried to piece it together. Eventually she founds the words and prayed she didn't offend, "you are upset a computer was insulting to you?"

She shrugged. "I guess I thought more of him. I've always tried to see holograms as people."

Adrianna blinked, "I -." Adrianna couldn't find the words. Sure holos were realistic, but not in that way, surely? Her brain couldn't work it out, "I mean, firstly, the EMH clearly gets things wrong so it may need an engineer. Secondly, and you deserve honesty, I genuinely don't understand. The EMH is not a he. He is an it, right?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Sometimes I see holograms as more. I mean he has grown beyond his programing. He's struggling for individuality. So he's sentient."

Adrianna ran a had over her face, baffled, "I'm sorry you see it that way. I am. I don't know how to support you. Is there anything I can do besides offer to kill him for making you feel like this?"

Eyelaya smiled. "No that's okay. I just needed to talk to someone who was really my friend." She paused. "Can I ask you something?"

Adrianna looked a little relieved. Not only didn't she need to get her hands dirty (cough, again). "I'm a good listener, just not a good advice person," Adrianna looked guilty but perked up to the second part, "sure, ask."

"Am I really tiresome and grueling to be around. Is it really so difficult that people pretend to be my friend but are not really? "

Adrianna chose her words carefully, "I think the EMH needs shooting, or the holographic equivalent. You're chatty, but you make up for what I lack in conversation and quirkiness. I never thought we'd be friends because our personalities are different, but I'm honestly happy to call you my friend. Anyone that fakes friendship with you just doesn't know you or wants something."

Eyelaya wiped her eyes. "Thank you." She looked at Adrianna. "Thank you for being honest with me."

Adrianna offered a small smile, "I'll always be honest with you. Don't change, ok?"

She gave a nod. "I can't wait to get back I have so much to tell you."

"I look forward to it. I'm only here for a week," Adrianna replied, "I'll give you a shout when I'm back. Enjoy your shoreleave." After a goodbye, Adrianna called Adora back.

Adora answered quickly. She had been at her desk working on reports. "Hey!" She said smiling. "Everything alright?"

"Yes, yes," Adrianna replied, waving it off, "where were we?"

She smiled. "Glad to be speaking again I believe." She laughed. "Listen I will be on Starbase 118 soon. I understand your ship is there. Want to grab lunch?"

"That sounds like a good plan," Adrianna replied, "I'm away for a few days at the moment. Taking a breather. I'll let you know when I'm back?"

"Sounds good." She smiled. "I'm so glad we're doing this. We have so much to catch up on."

Adrianna smiled, “I promise you, nothing really has changed.“

She grinned. "Wine and cake and chat and food it is!" She laughed. "Well I should go."

"Please, grappa and chips," Adrianna chuckled, "I'll see you soon."

She gave a nod. "See you soon!"

{OFF:}