First Impressions

Posted on Thu Jan 28th, 2021 @ 4:14pm by Lieutenant Baeryn Whavi-Tonelly & Lieutenant JG Gallia Norris

Mission: Season 4: Episode 3: Guided by Starlight
Location: Deck 22- Lt Norris Quarters
905 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

"Deck 22" Baeryn instructed the turbo lift.

The soft hum of the lift filled the silence. Whavi had been aboard for a couple days now and yet to meet with the assistant operations chief Gallia Norris. She had read parts of the lieutenants personnel file but felt she wasn't getting to know who she truly was, she found it lacking. Baeryn could have requested Norris meet her in her office for an official meeting but that wasn't really her style. Its not that she wanted to intrude on the lieutenants personal time, she just wanted the meeting to feel less formal.

The turbo lift stopped and the doors swooshed open. She stepped out making her way to the lieutenants quarters. Once outside she pressed the chime and waited patiently.

"Mommy, door." Tayalas called, trying to get her mother's attention, failing that, she answered it herself, "Hewwo." The blue tot greeted the woman on the other side when she opened the door.

Baeryns face lit up with a genuine smile as she crouched down so that she was on the child's level. "Well hello there," she said sweetly. "My names Baeryn, what's yours?"

Tayalas was confused at first, it was very rare that an adult got on her level and she didn't know what to do. So, she decided to give her a hug, because she wanted one and was sure the person in the suit like mommy's did too, "My name Tayalas." She said as she hugged Baeryn, "Nice to meet oo."

Laughing she wrapped her arms around the child, this was the first moment she had felt truly welcome on the ship, funny it should be a child to make her feel that way. "Its very nice to meet you as well Tayalas." She gave her another smile as she released the little girl. "Is mommy around?" Baeryn wasn't sure if the child belonged to Lieutenant Norris, she had only skimmed the lieutenants personal file but felt confident in her assumption.

"Uh huh, mommy here." Tayalas said, taking Baeryn's hand and leading her to her mothers room, "We go her."

Gallia had been sleeping fitfully, something she did a lot lately, when Tayalas came to wake her, "Huh, whot?" She muttered, rubbing the sleep and dried tears away from her eyes as she did, "What ye want, Tay?"

"Mommy, we got compknee." Tayalas said, sounding more and more like her mommy every day, "This Baeryn, she my friend an' she gives good hugs."

Baeryn laughed as she allowed the small tot to lead her into the quarters. When she caught site of the sleepy Lieutenant she gave an awkward wave and smile.

“Sorry to disturb you Lieutenant, I thought I’d stop by to informally introduce myself.” She squeezed Tays hand as she looked down at her, “This sweet one met me at the door.”

She hoped Gallia didn’t feel Baeryn was intruding into her personal life. Her intentions were to meet the Lieutenant outside the line of duty in hopes of building a better relationship then just coworkers. Now here she was standing in front of the woman holding her child’s hand as she woke up.

"Well, a cerebrus she's not, but very sweet she is." Gallia smiled, "So, your Baeryn and you give good hugs, aside from that, I know nothin' about ye."

Baeryn extended her free hand to Gallia, "Lieutenant Baeryn Whavi, Elysium's new Chief Operations Officer."

She was tempted to mention that that was her former post, but decided not to, "Aye, well, I'm yer assistant, Gallia Norris."

"Yes, I was hoping we could spend some time getting to know one another, perhaps discuss the Ops department. In a less formal way, less pressure. Well be working together a lot and I would very much like to know the person I'll be spending my time with. Would you and Tayalas care to join me for a meal?" She looked down smiling at the child as she swung her hand back and forth.

"Oh, do ye?" Gallia asked, "Well, let's do that then. If that's aright with Tay."

"Yeah! we get nuggies with Baeryn!" Tayalas squealed happily.

“Nuggies huh? Ever dunk your nuggies in applesauce Tay?” She gave the child a mischievous grin.

This confused Tayalas to no end, but she'd try anything once, even with her precious nuggies, "No, not yet."

"Well then shall we?" She gave Gallia a smile before heading towards the exit still holding Tays small hand in hers. "Maybe you could show me your favorite place to get nuggies Tay? I'm new to the ship and would love your expert opinion."

"Yeah, I show you awound, Baeryn." Tay promised, she would take good care of her for her mommy and for her new friend.

Baeryn wore an enormous smile as they exited Lieutenant Gallia's quarters and headed towards the sector of the ship that housed restaurants and eateries. She had only been there perhaps a few times, thanks to the tour with Lieutenant commander Vaii. She glanced down at the child at her side, so full of innocence and wonder. Baeryn thought back to the child she had lost and wondered how different her life would be. Where she would be.

Pushing the somber thoughts away she addressed Gallia, "I'm not sure how your functioning right now with out a cup of coffee."

"Right." Gallia answered, deciding that at the moment she liked Baeryn too.