Personal log of Stardate 41069.8

Posted on 04 Oct 2020 @ 12:11am by Lieutenant JG Elise Auray

"Computer set up a personal log,"

Elise Auray glanced around herself. She was preparing to wind down from her shift. Luna the caracal was curled up asleep upon the sheets in the bedroom. Halifax the cat was no where to be seen. Elise suspiciously continued on, bypassing her video recording console.

"..audio only."

She made for her cozy couch at the centre of her small but individual lieutenant's quarters, holding a bottle in one hand and a soon to be filled glass in another. The bottle contents were none other than Château Lucroy, her family wine. Once a local temptation but now a shunned glass container of mistakes.

"I've been on the Boston for two years now. Each day I think I have seen it all, and then each day something new will catch me no less surprised."

She fixed herself a glass, careful to keep the sound of pouring and sipping silent from the recording.

"I admit I did not spend as much time with Counsellor Sirinya as I wanted to. Her people fascinate me and had I managed to overcome my shyness perhaps I would have learned more."

She leaned back into the corner of the couch arm and seat. Nursing the glass slowly and carefully choosing her words despite it being a private entry.

"But as we've gotten deeper into the Tathi Accord and seen how things operate.."

Elise frowned to no one and sipped again.

"I find myself constantly going back and forth between wondering if I'm about to face another Pirakta-like scenario, or if I should be pleading with the Captain to let me remain on Sevara as the new exchange officer when this all wraps-"

The worn out tactical officer raised her glass just in time to avoid it being wiped out by a sudden, meowing black cat leaping from the floor below. She had seen him stalking even in the dim light and was too quick for Halifax's old tricks now. But she welcomed him settling into her lap all the same. As she stroked the cat lightly, she went on with her log.

"..up! That of course will be neither easy or quick.. and probably the job is going back to someone who has put in their time, too. Maybe someday in the future."

Elise absently scratched at Halifax as she contemplated the rest of her day's learning.

"Life on that world felt .. I am not certain how to put it.. so completely different from our last locales. It was more like Trill or New Ilaas. Captivating, peaceful..soothing in a way that even though I was far from home I didn't feel the distance as much."

She sipped through her glass steadily. Halifax had begun to purr, likely content knowing he had seized at least some of the human's attention from whatever it was she had been doing.

"Noth'ka did not quite feel the same for me. I understand why though, and the necessity of it. But we did make a great day of it.. well some of a great day. I sparred against Tirik while we were on their world, with their practice blades.."

She bit her lip. And giggled anxiously to herself.

"The phaser is the weapon I will stick to. But shortly after my crushing defeat.. umm.."

Elise sipped her glass to empty, and set it down to pour anew. Even the smell of the wine could not be considered particularly appealing. She once gave serious thought to staying for a harvest season with her cousin on the vineyard just to see how precisely everything could go so wrong. After reflecting on the day's events, that seemed like such a simple task to her now.

"I'm not very sure about what happened, fully, but.. T'Char is fortunate to be alive. I'll visit her tomorrow. Maybe find out about things. Bring for her a get-well gift. After all I got out of this with a sore arm and bruised ego while she.. um.. lost far too much blood.."

Her eyes landed on one of the unopened bottles displayed on her shelf. There was more of it than she could or should consume before the Boston returned to Earth. And unlike the Pazo Duarte she could not readily convince others to drink it with her.

"Yes of course! The chance to drink this wine would make anyone want to get well. This can only be of help!"

She managed to not gag on it as she started into the second glass. Her mind drifted from the log, and toward other topics. Halifax greedily extended his neck up toward Elise, impatient for continued scratches. She obliged him, casting a small but sad smile down to the animal.

"Halifax has successfully disposed of his chief rival for my affection for the time being. I suspect this will be a warning to Luna as well. Enjoy your victory for now sweet thing.. the fox always returns to his den. Computer, end log!"