A Field Study in Interpersonal Relations, Part Three

Posted on Tue May 21st, 2013 @ 2:57am by Ensign David Brody & Crumm Widdy & Lieutenant Anandra Delair & Lieutenant JG Aidan Murphy

1,114 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 83 - Recovery
Location: Skyline Lounge
Timeline: Following "A Field Study in Interpersonal Relations, Part Two"

Talan scanned the conference room and absorbed the dynamic between Ensign Brody and his friend, Lieutenant Aiden Murphy. They were the last two standing in the poker game. Their chip stacks were close in size and he could not tell from their demeanor who might be winning or losing. They were an odd pair. Their friendship seemed based on insult, competition, and rough housing. He thought these qualities would destroy a friendship, not maintain one. He would have to study the, further if he was going to develop his own sense of masculinity.

Crumm, on the other hand, was sitting at the table though not engaged in gaming. He was focused on a PADD he had brought with him. It was no doubt related to his business, or food, or customer service. Talan regarded this man's attention to others, seemingly caring more about their happiness than his own. While Talan realized much of this had to do with the tendencies of his species, he also recognized that this man was likely more than the sum of his parts.

A more detailed sweep of the room indicated Lieutenant Delair's absence. He exited the conference room and found her sitting at the bar swirling an opaque blue drink. He accessed his information on females and privacy and considered leaving her to her silence, but ultimately decided against it. He approached her from behind, but made enough noise so as not to startle her.

"Counselor," Talan started, "I wanted to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to arrange for this." He gestured over to the conference room with his eyes. "I find that these particular subjects far more educational, thought provoking, and confusing than any literature I've assimilated to date." Though his words conveyed gratitude, his expression was as vacant as ever. His eyes stared right through her and his voice was flat. "I look forward to another educational opportunity."

Anandra had a PADD laid on the bar, the screen displaying information from the database regarding Janeway's dealings with the Borg, particularly Seven of Nine. She was hoping for some useful ideas, but mostly she was occupying her mind while she took a moment to herself to reflect on what Brody had said in regards to Talan. As she heard someone approach she pushed the PADD aside, scooping up her drink and watching it churn, then turned to face Talan as he spoke to her. She was visibly pleased with his words, flashing her usual warm smile at him as she gestured for him to join her at the bar. "You don't have to thank me, Talan, but you're welcome anyway." She patted the empty seat beside her. "Come here, tell me what's confusing about them."

Talan took the empty seat next to Delair. He regarded his reflection in a mirror behind the bar. A thought crossed his mind, that no matter how much progress he might make in achieving true individuality, he would always be a reminder of death and destruction.

He looked to Delair and considered her question. "Brody and Aiden, in particular, seem to be their own versions of an extreme alpha male. In listening to their conversations, they seem to covet competition, women, drink and action. These qualities would seem to deter me from wanting to learn any sense of individuality from them. Yet I find myself drawn to their company and have a seemingly genuine interest in their...friendship."

Delair noticed Talan as he seemed to look at his reflection, and for a moment she urgently wondered what he thought of it - but there were other matters presently at hand, and as he spoke Anandra gave him her undivided attention. She couldn't help but smile a bit, bemused, as he explained his conundrum. When he finished, however, she was smiling for a slightly different reason - the fact that Talan had an interest in making friends was an important step for him. "Well, hm. There's an old terran saying - 'boys will be boys' - it comes from the common understanding that boys are expected to be boisterous, and competitive, and strong, and constantly willing to assert their masculinity over one another." She laughed softly as she went on. "And I can understand feeling deterred by these attributes.. but I'm pleased you have an interest in pursuing a friendship with them, because those deterring attributes are only a very small part of what defines them each as individuals. An individual is made up of many small parts...experiences, passions, choices, and aspirations..all of these things and more play into who we are." She spoke passionately about the subject, engaging Talan as she would engage any of her friends. "Think about yourself, Talan - you too are made up of many small parts. Your experiences have given you an extraordinary mind and body - those are some of your unique, defining attributes. Even if you did learn some of Aidan and Brody's ..less desirable qualities, those qualities would then become a part of you, but you will still be yourself." She swirled the drink in her glass, pausing thoughtfully for only a moment before going on. "And you know..both Aidan and Brody have some wonderful qualities - I'm sure you'd learn plenty more good than bad from befriending them."

Talan pondered what Delair had said. He paused for a minute and perused a menu PADD. He had come to favor nutritional supplement twenty-eight, but knew that consuming an arbitrary gray paste while others varied in their dietary choices was not conducive to the exploration of individuality.

"I must say, Counselor, that when I was first assigned here I was resistant to the notion. However, I have found that this was probably the most suitable of locations for a posting." Before he could finish his thought, Talan caught Crumm's attention and gestured for him to come over.

Crumm arrived with his customary grin. "Yes, Mr. Talan?" He saw Talan looking over the menu PADD. "Ah, I'll replicate your nutritional supplement."

Talan grabbed Crumm's hand as he began to leave, which gave Crumm a bit of a start. "No, thank you, Crumm. I would like to try something...different." Having no idea what to select, he opted for a selection often made by his new friend, Ensign Brody. "I would prefer to sample a slice of cheese pizza and a Slug-o-Cola."

Crumm could barely contain his surprise. "Yes, sir!" Talan released his light hold on Crumm who flashed a pleased smile at Delair before making his way to the replicator.

Talan turned to Delair and half attempted a smile. "I am told cheese pizza is rather delicious."

OFF.

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