Captain Wataba

Posted on Sat Nov 16th, 2024 @ 10:22pm by Captain Abigail Laurens & Commander Ichiko Gail

Mission: Let The Games Begin
Location: Lounge

Abigail paused outside the lounge, taking a moment to recompose her thoughts. She slipped fingers through long hair and tugged anxiously at the hem of her jacket before straightening her back, fixing a warm smile on her face and stepping forward. It wasn't hard to find the table she was looking for. Captain Wataba sat every bit as crisp and attentive as she expected.

"Captain Wataba," she said warmly as she slid into the seat across from him. "I apologise for the delay in my arrival. I hope my tardiness hasn't caused any imposition?"

Though her delay was absolutely unnecessary, it served a purpose, having given Wataba time to observe the crew, specifically the vast number of races and cultures together in the melting pot that served as the crew lounge. Something she had hoped would serve well to bolster their standing, at least in his eyes.

Her approach prompted him to rise, standing as she seated herself, and returning to his own chair only one she was seated. "No apologies needed, Captain. In the Empire we have a saying, "The Ship ticks to the Shipmaster's clock"." he paused, "You arrived when you could, and not a moment sooner or later." He had indeed had enough time to observe the deck of the lounge. So much splendor, such variety. So many people.

"Do you mind if I ask a question, Captain?" he started, waiting for her approval before he spoke, "I've noticed that this lounge is, well, full. So many people. Cultures, ideas, concepts, forms, colors. There's such a diverse populace, one could almost lose oneself in such a crowd. The only Son of Ts'usu, to the children of the stars." he paused, "Does it ever worry you? Do you feel like you lose something to become something? Become less, but part of something wider?"

Abigail paused for a moment, watching him as she contemplated his question. "I don't think we become less," she finally said quietly. "We become part of a bigger picture. We become a smaller piece in a bigger puzzle, but we gain so much more. We gain knowledge, culture, perspective." She paused, a smile dancing across her lips as she looked around the lounge. "We gain opportunity."

Wataba took her words to heart for a moment, pondering them. "Is there room in such a place, such a puzzle, for the Ts'usu? There's talk of talks. There are those that worry that we may have to lose who we are to become who we will be. You'll understand that notions like that don't settle well."

He looked around at the myriad of people. "Are they all... whole? No, that's not the word. Intact? No that's worse... Is everyone here, who they are, without compromising WHO they are?" that seemed to satisfy his need to use the proper diction.

"Everyone here is free to be true to themselves." She paused for a moment and glanced around. "Cultural identity, religious identity, ethics and morals... everyone is different, and that difference is celebrated." She smiled and turned back to Watabi. "The Federation couldn't exist the way it does if we forced everyone to toe the same line."

He gave a nod, "Everyone is celebrated..." he mused. "Is there a place for us here, then? I noticed your ship second is a Daughter of Ts'usu. I'm curious to ask how you met, if I may?"

"I like to think that there is room for everyone here, at least, everyone that wants to be here." A pause. "Commander Gail is on loan to Star Fleet, I was asked if I was willing to take her as my..." she faltered for a moment, about to say 'first officer' but corrected herself. "As my second, and I agreed immediately. I knew nothing about her and met her the day we both arrived on the Astraea. Now, she is just as much the heart of this ship as any of my crew, perhaps even more so. She has become one of my dearest companions and the one I turn to when I need sage advice and wisdom."

Wataba paused, looking around to hide the expression of thought on his features. To think that a Daughter of Ts'usu was already here. Was already part of something so vast. So chaotic. So... He paused, his glance settling on a table with two beings at it. A human woman, a Daughter of Earth perhaps... and a Son of Ts'usu. They seemed comfortable. They seemed close. Her hand touched his, and Wataba turned to look somewhere else. "There is a lot we will need to work on to see about our place in this puzzle. Knowing there are already children of Ts'usu here is comforting."

Abigail followed his gaze, smiling gently as she rested her sights on the couple at the table, the affection between them obvious to anyone that may bother to look. "They're getting married," she said softly. "I'm sure they wouldn't mind my saying so. It just goes to show, love surpasses all barriers when you allow it."

Turning back to Wataba her smile lingered. "The sons and daughters of Ts'usu we have here are very much part of our family and are protected by everything we have as much as anyone on this ship, yourself included."

"Married, you say? I wonder what his parents think." Wataba mused, then shook his head, "They're probably proud. I shouldn't speak of such. My apologies, on their behalf." he paused to allow the slight time to clear away. "I don't know if the Children of Ts'usu are ready to be part of something quite this vast, but that is a decision for Emperors and Delegates. You and I have our roles until then. We keep our people safe, and we keep their spirits up. I'm honored to have you spectating this match. We've given too much and suffered enough of Neela's indignity, and if this magnificent vessel is the arena where her ambitions crumble and her luck runs out, then so be it."

"A brighter future begins with a proper slate." he said with a nod, cementing the notion in his mind.

Abigail was slightly taken aback at the conviction with which he spoke of Neela's demise. She smiled to cover a moment of uncertainty and glanced around at the various crew members milling through the lounge, doing what ever it was that they were doing, imagining for a moment the juxtaposition from unfamiliar eyes. Indeed, it was impressive that the Federation was so vast. For the briefest of moments she felt a little overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of her surroundings.

Turning her attention back to Wataba, she smiled again, a genuine smile that made her cheeks dimple and brought a sparkle to her eyes. "We have an old earth tradition of making a toast, celebrating a moment by saying something..." she paused as she picked up the drink from in front of her. "To the sons and daughters of Ts'usu and the wonderful sport that has brought us together as friends."

Wataba took her reflection as simply joining him in silent contemplation of the victory to come. Neela had overstepped her bounds, and here in the arena of the stars she would be handed the defeat she deserved. Here among the stars. Here among the nebulae. It couldn't be more poetic. As she brought the moment back, and raised a glass he reached across to pick up a drin from before him as well. "To Ts'usu! To the Federation! To Kinetic! To victory!" he cheered.

"Hai, hai, hai, banzai." he said after the toast, after taking the drink that sealed the cheer.