Long Time No See

Posted on Friday, 6 August 2021 - 12:55pm by Lieutenant Scarlet Rogers & Ensign Oriana Skye Sety

Mission: Operation: Lazarus

ON:

Oriana had finally emerged from the paperwork and wound up in the Mess Hall. She spotted a familiar face and although not the most social butterfly she headed towards Scarlet. "Hey!" She waved as she neared the table.

Scarlet looked up from a PaDD she was engrossed in and put down the sandwich that had been hovered near her ajar lips for much longer than she'd be proud to admit. "Hi," she gestured to the seat opposite, "Sit, sit."

"Okay let me go grab lunch." She hurried to the replicator and was back in record time. She settled across Scarlet. "How are you?"

"Yes, I'm good," Scarlet replied, "you surviving?"

She smiled, "After a fashion. It's been... a bit difficult but the XO has been great and Hamura...keeps things interesting." She looked at Scarlet. "how's your posting?"

"That's good," Scarlet nodded, "Uhh, yeah, not bad. It's been weird as I got called into a meeting regarding a project on the actual ship. I've not been in a meeting like that before. I guess they just wanted some outsider perspective, but I'm a medical specialisation, not a space probe girl. Medical probes not space probes."

"Ohhh what's the project? Are you working on the EMH thing?"

"Yes, I'm working on the EMH thing, his name is 'Emerick'," Scarlet nodded, "but no, they called me in about the probes going out. Needed some extra ideas so we don't lose them. Apparently they don't have much luck in getting back what they send out."

"Hamura was working on a shield for them too." She smiled.

Scarlet smiled, "definitely an item now?"

Oriana blushed. "I don't know...not really but we are going on a date later today. … Um... can I ask you something?"

Scarlet offered a welcoming smiled, "yes, of course."

"I tried talking to the captain about this but...maybe you can offer more insight. What does one talk about on dates? I mean it's what Hamura called a double date....how does that work?"

"You talk about anything but work," Scarlet replied, "the same things you talk to another friend about. So opinions of food, favourite music genre. It's a get to know you. The idea of a double date is that if you date sucks, you'll have someone else to talk to."

"Of course! That sounds logical." She sat back. "Ugh. I'll never get the hang of it...say how's your … love going."

"You'll be fine," Scarlet replied, "you're just over thinking it. Once you're there, this anxiety will fade quickly and you'll laugh at yourself. Trust me, I've been there."

She then smiled and thought about it, "Uhh, pretty good. We've been out pubkicalky a few times. Glad I brought it up. I mean, I wouldn't have cried over it, I've dated dictirs before, but you know-- it's nice not being a secret. Apparently Prairie is the home of his ex wife, so dun dun dunnn should be fun. He felt the need to warn me-- not sure why unless she's super crazy or something."

"Oh...well that will be awkward." She looked at Scarlet. "How long have they been divorced?"

"It wasn't awkward up until he mentioned it. Now all I'm thinking is 'why mention it'? There's too many answers and only one or two are OK," Scarlet replied with a shrug, "I know I'm over thinking it. I mean, they been divorced a year or two. There's no way-- you know."

"No way what?" She studied her friend. "Might help to talk it out."

Oriana was probably right, "he's definitely divorced and I'm not the thing on the side. He's not still in love with her."

"Hm...I seriously doubt he is in love with her. From the rumor mill on the ship their marriage was...not fun. The divorce part...has he shown you a certificate?"

Scarlet shook her head, "no, I trust that he is actually divorced. I haven't really read into the rumour mill. All I know is that it was shortlived and she's now on Prairie."

"You my friend are more trusting then I. But it may be an opportunity to see love through a different pair of glasses."

"Am I being stupid?" Scarlet asked.

"No, you are being a loving and trusting person. In a way you are being what everyone should be. I tend to...err on the side of if someone can hurt you emotionally they will." She grinned. "Don't be like me. Stay like you."

Doubt started filling Scarlet's mind, alongside the major to minor key shift in her inner monologued music. She wasn't the jealous type, but this wasn't something to be jealous over. If anything it was just a mind full of the toxic 'what ifs'. Nonetheless, she smiled, "I'll try. I'm sure it's nothing. Anyway, I have to go, I've had an epiphany."

"Ohhh I love those, makes me finish projects quicker."