The Odd Couple

Posted on Sunday, 16 August 2020 - 2:17pm by

Mission: Operation: Dreamweaver
Location: Enslisted Mess Hall
Timeline: 2393 -- MD 01

{ON:}

Tilian was surprised at how full the enlisted mess was this early in the morning. He spied Chief Eyelaya at a table by herself pushing around her breakfast. The ship...small as it was, was a rumour mill.

The rumour was that the EMH had something to do with Eyelaya's more subdued personality. Grol knew more, he'd been there when Mackenzie had given the message / log to Soral. He'd heard it. A wave of understanding washed over Grol. He headed towards her. "May I sit here?"

She looked up and shrugged. "If you wish." She wanted to say 'sit at your own peril'

Tilian sat. They ate in silence for a while and then Tilian broke it. "May I make a comment?"

She looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Sure." Everyone else had a say why not him.

"I note that you are not your usual self."

"So? Isn't that a good thing?"

Tilian sighed. "I don't think so. You might not see it but you and I are very similar. We've always existed on the outside. I think that your usual self was very lovely and I enjoyed getting to know that young woman."

She gave a bit of a snort. "You might be the only one."

"I am sure I am not. Commander Soral has commented that he is worried about you seeing is that you are not your usual self."

She shrugged. "I thought he'd be the first one celebrating."

"Granted I haven't known Soral for so long but I doubt that. He genuinely cares." He paused. "Eyelaya you and are the odd ducks on this ship. We've both run from it, me when I left Trill, and you now but it is an inescapable fact. We are odd yet in our oddness there is a unique beauty to us both."

She said nothing.

There was a pause as they ate. It was Tilian who spoke again. "To be honest with you, you are the only one that I have connected with on this ship." He paused to chew a bit of egg and the continued, "I do not let or like people in my quarters, I did not mind you there. You have an empathy that people seldom do. I know that I am better for knowing you."

She looked up at him and smiled a little. "Thank you, you don't have to say that."

"I know. I wish to. I don't want you to...loose yourself over something as trivial as the thoughts of a hologram with an obvious holo transponder loose."

Eyelaya laughed at that. "Holo transponder..."

"Screw loose didn't seem to fit."

She laughed again.

Tilian smiled happy to see her laugh. "Well then, that's better."

"Maybe."

"How about a walk after shift. The arboretum is looking very lovely and I can tell you about my misadventures with a mad hologram."

"Oh? Now I'm interested."

He laughed. "I laugh but it was...interesting."

"Sounds good." She said happy for the distraction.

Tilian finished his breakfast and smiled. "Well I should go. Soral awaits and he's been a grumpy bastard since he go back."

"Odd...I thought it was a lot longer then that."

Now Tilian laughed. "Perhaps."

He smiled again and left Eyelaya to her thoughts.

Eyelaya finished her food and cleaned up the table as was habit. She hurried and out to duty. She felt a little better but not a lot.

{OFF:}