Just A Chat

Posted on Thu Jan 2nd, 2020 @ 12:30pm by Crewman Telleon Venn & Captain Abigail Laurens

Mission: Astraea Jollification
Location: Mess Hall

It was late. Ridiculously late. Despite having her voice restored, and the rest of her symptoms already going away, Abigail still found herself unable to sleep, which was why she was in the mess hall, one hand wrapped around a large mug of chai, the other resting on a PaDD, data still on screen as if she had been reading it and had only recently stopped, her attention instead having shifted to the stars beyond the view port to her left.

Crewman Venn hummed a happy tune to himself as the doors to the mess hall parted to allow him entrance. He carries his tool belt in one hand rather than wore it around his waist.

The sound of the doors startled Abigail from her reverie and she instinctively turned her attention toward the newcomer, offering a weary smile. "Sorry," she said quietly. "I didn't realise maintenance was scheduled, do you need me to leave?"

Venn shook his head, brown eyes drifting over to the room's lone occupant. He stood up a little straighter. "No, Ma'am. Just got some routine work to do on the replicators. Shouldn't disturb you too much."

Abigail nodded quickly. "Do you mind if I grab a drink from the replicator before you take it offline?" she asked, sliding out of the booth and ordering herself a fresh chai latte and a slice of toasted banana bead. "I don't think I've seen you on shift before, What's your name Crewman?" she asked politely.

"I've got a little prep to do before I get started, so go right ahead Commander." Venn replied. He ran a hand through greying brown hair and started to lay out the tools he'd need for the job. "Telleon Venn. I've not been on the ship all that long."

Abigail laughed softly as she moved back to her table. "None of us have really been here that long," she said, referring to the fact that the ship had been freshly recrewed after refit. "Though some days it feels like we've been here for an eternity. Are you enjoying it though?" she asked curiously, breaking off a bit of the banana bread and popping it in her mouth.

With the replicator free Venn set to work. "Very much so. This..." he patted the top of the replicator with one hand. "...is the sort of work I've always enjoyed."

"Where were you assigned before here?" Abigail asked, watching him as he worked. She genuinely enjoyed taking the time to just chat to and get to know her crew.

Venn didn't reply right away focused on something in the replicator. "The Churchill, with a spit of retirement in between."

Abigail nodded slowly, her attention turning to her banana bread again. "Do you have family here on the ship with you?" she asked, continuing to make conversation.

Venn shook his head. "My children are long grown now."

"Did they join Starfleet too?" Abigail asked. "Or have they gone off onto other adventures?"

There was another shake of the head. "They never took to this line of work. Preferred to look inwards."

There was a soft sigh from the Commanding Officer before she stood up, picking up her plate and her mug. "I suppose I should stop wasting your time, but it's been a pleasure getting to know you Crewman Venn," she said warmly. "I hope you enjoy your time here on the Astraea."