Camp, Fire, Tails, Part 1

Posted on Wed Oct 22nd, 2025 @ 4:31pm by Ensign Emmanuelle Larose & Senior Chief Petty Officer C'Hira Summers & Lieutenant Commander David Erickson & Lieutenant Karane Inda & Lieutenant CASTIEL 'Cas' Johnson MD & Lieutenant JG Annika Johnson & Lieutenant JG Renata Novotná & Ensign Siat-or-iian Elkovais

1,651 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: ARYL 1X04: All the Friends We Can Get
Location: Recreation Lounge II
Timeline: Before Kannok Arrival

David stood in the back of the lounge near a pool table. He'd gotten accustomed to domjot, but he enjoyed a good game of pool. He leaned down, his eyes scanning the table quickly, lined up his shot, looked at another angle, adjusted his aim, then smoothly moved his cue forward. The white cue ball moved straight and true, striking the two and veering left, then knocking the six aside before heading straight for the seven. As the two dropped into the side pocket and the six hit the far edge, the seven dropped into the far corner pocket.

David had taken it upon himself to put together a small to-do. His general excuse had involved crew morale and team-building, keeping his own motives hidden. He'd put out a few invitations to those he'd made connections with, and told them to, by all means, tell their friends. The lounge was stocked with some hot and cold nibbles, drinks and plenty of comfy chairs. All in all, a good, relaxing party atmosphere.

Torii's ears had caught wind and words about the plans of a party or get-together in the main lounge and as she'd been scheduled as off-duty for the day, she'd jumped on the opportunity to stake out the area early and arrived at the nearly empty lounge shortly thereafter. Her ears twitched around along with her head and eyes as the four fluffy tails did a similar twitch as they minutely adjusted her balance from their comfortable location in the silvery Feixian-style skirt that she'd been wearing for the day, "Oh, it looks like I'm early?" She said, moving towards the pool table.

"A lady's prerogative," David said, grinning, putting the pool cue down. "I don't think I've had the pleasure, though." He stepped towards her and held out a hand. "David Erickson, Chief Navigator."

"Xeva! No lady I, according to my former mate, but the name is Siat-ori-ian Elkovais, but everyone calls me Torii because it's much easier to pronounce!" Her ears were pricked forward as she'd shaken his hand as she pronounced her name Ziatoreen, but there had been nuances within the pronunciation almost sounded rolled, "One of the security officers aboard, though I transferred from the Feixian Home Fleet where I was a Lieutenant in Electronic Warfare. One of the first of my people to join Starfleet!"

"Well, Starfleet can only be improved with you here," David said, grinning. "And I am of the firm belief that every woman should be called a lady, until circumstances dictate otherwise." His eyes twinkled with amusement.

Next in was the quartermaster, C’Hira, whose first step was technically one of work. She brought into the lounge a cart of the last remaining hot and cold snacks and a few more bottles of hard and soft drinks. “Here’s the last of it, nya!” she called out to David. Under the cart she retrieved a small duffel. “Is there a place where a lady can change, nya?”

"Speaking of ladies," David said, turning his grin to C'Hira, "my hero. I knew the galley was holding out on me." He blew C'Hira a kiss. "You, miss, are a miracle worker." He pointed towards the restrooms to the side. "Right that way."

C’Hira caught the kiss in her hand and brought it with her into the restroom with her bag. She put it on her forehead before closing the door behind her.

It had been kind of Mr. Erickson to invite everyone for an evening of fun in the lounge, an invitation Emmanuelle Larose was happy to accept. She had met most of the crew by this point, so many weeks from launch, and had become friends (to varying degrees) with many of them, including their host. So she got out of her uniform and into a T-shirt with an electric yellow mouse looking surprised on it, some black pants, and cute black heels and found her way to the lounge. “Allo, David!”

David smiled and waved. "Bonjour ma chère! Merci d'être venue!" he said, walking up and giving her a kiss on each cheek. "Well at least we have enough now for a two-on-two game of pool."

“More should come,” Emmanuelle affirmed, and seconds later she was proven right.

"I hope this selfish use of anti-grav units doesn't go against regulations." Renata quipped as she entered the lounge with two kegs of her family's small craft Pilsner beer. Even with her half-Vulcan strength, using mobile anti-grav units to carry them helped a great deal. She kept the beer for events like this - get togethers, celebrations, birthday parties, and so on. She had already met most of the senior staff and many other crewmembers, but she never really got close to anyone, except for Meg, the communications officer. She knew very little about these people, their personalities, their quirks, and their stories. She hoped that's gonna change and such a fun community event like this might just be the best opportunity for that.

"How's everyone! I hope I haven't killed the party." she waved to the familiar faces. "Mr. Erickson" she walked over to the host. "I brought some refreshments." she indicated the beer kegs she was carrying. She wore casual jeans and a black T-shirt with the text "Stand Back, I'm Going to Try Science" on it, happy to get out of uniform.

David saluted. "Your contribution is most appreciated and eagerly welcomed," he said, smiling.

Cas walked into the room, bringing a tray of food with him, noticing Annika hadn't arrived yet, he placed the food down amongst the others. "Time to round up those needing physicals."

David breathed a sigh of relief and walked over to the doctor. "Doc," he said, smiling and holding out a hand. "I don't believe we've formally met."

"Unfortunately, you seemed to have evaded my request for physical, or have I not been diligent enough."

David had the good sense to look sheepish, then put his crooked smile back on. "The diligence angle. Definitely the reason," he said, nodding, sounding mock serious, then gave an apologetic look. "I'll endeavor to get there before the week is out."

Annika was next through the door; as Ship's Counsellor she couldn’t not turn up for a crew gathering. Seeing Cas had arrived ahead of her, she made her way over to him, offering a polite smile to David as she stood alongside her husband.

"And Doctor," David said, looking at Annika with a warm smile. "A pleasure to meet you as well." He held out his hand.

Annika smiled warmly as she took David’s hand giving it a polite shake. “Likewise.”

"I think it's wonderful you two are able to serve together on the same ship," he said. "I hope I can do the same with a spouse someday."

"Believe me, its not easy to be stationed at the same place. It's been years." Cas replied as he brought his arm around her waist.

David smiled. "Still, it gives me hope."

“Just never give up” Annika added as she looked towards Cas. “We’ve been apart for a long time, but perseverance eventually pays off.”

"Absolutely, though she kept it a secret until I got onship and had to find out through the computer that she'd been assigned onto the Ark Royal under me."

“You’re someone’s catch, David!” C’Hira said, emerging from the changeroom in a light blue sweater that matched her hair colour and a darker blue skirt, with a space for her tail to come out the back. “You just haven’t found her yet, nya. Or him? Them? Whomever, nya!”

"God, I really want to make a 'cat and mouse' joke right now," David said under his breath, winking at Cas and Annika, then smiling at C'Hira. "I'll have you know, I am in no way a catch. I'm usually the one doing the catching."

As if literally being summoned, the doors opened once again and this time Karane Inda walked through. She looked like she usually did, unimpressed and a little agitated over something. She held her head high as she walked in, still dressed in her Starfleet Uniform. It was almost as if she didn't own other clothes (She does, just she doesn't wear casual often). "Ok, I'm here." she said looking over to David.

David smiled warmly at her. "I'll mark my bingo sheet," he said, deciding not to be baited by her attire. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Anything is good." Karane said in response. "Oh yeah.... thank you... I guess..."

“Madame Novotná brought Czech craft Pilsner!” Emmanuelle suggested excitedly, holding up the glass she poured from one of the kegs. “And it is the best beer I’ve had yet!”

"Sounds like an endorsement to me," David said, nodding politely to the doctors as he stepped away to get two glasses.

Annika looked at Cas. “So what have you got for me?”

"What Im not enough." He smirked, as he looked through the snacks he brought. Pulling out a bottle of wine with two glasses. "Would never forget to bring this."

“With all the crew bringing their own drinks, our stores will last forever, nya!” C’Hira said cheerfully. “Meow I try some, nya?” She was close enough to the bar that she could grab a third glass easily enough.

"Absolutely." Cas replied with a smile, bringing a third glass out laying all three on the table, he poured the glasses, and handed the two to Annika and C'Hira.

He came back with a tall, cold glass in each hand, handing one to Karane and raising his. "Prost," he said to the others, then took a sip.

Karane took the glass and gave it a sip. "Interesting..."

Emmanuelle had a sip and then raised her glass in Renata’s direction. It really was fantastic.


To Be Continued…

 

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