Illogical Quiet

Posted on Fri Feb 21st, 2025 by Lieutenant JG Elle Hayashi & Lieutenant Choyi Zaimu

1,009 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: M01 - The Hooke
Location: Crew Mess, USS Hooke
Timeline: Present

Elle had barely gotten her food from the replicator, it appeared that cooked meals hadn't happened this evening. She wasn't the only one in the mess either because several tables had been taken. Elle sat down at the first open table she could find and pulled the data pad from her pocket.

"Mind if I join you Doctor?" Aval asked with her own plate full of cooked spinach and other greens.

Elle looked up at the counselor and nodded, "Certainly," She said and pulled her own food back a little bit to create some space. Elle had activated the pad at the same time so that she could begin reading. Elle wasn't trying to be rude toward the Counselor, but she really wanted to focus on her tasking from the Captain.

Aval sat her plate down and began to eat while looking at the data pad that Elle was reviewing. Aval found herself wondering what it was that Elle was reading, "What is that?" She asked.

Elle didn't look toward Aval when she spoke, "It's the reports about the radiation that affected the Terra Novans prior to the arrival of the Enterprise crew in the twenty-second century." She took a bite from her plate after answering the question. Elle really wasn't a rude person, but she wanted to be left alone.

Aval nodded and looked at it for a moment while eating her own food. The Doctor seemed to be rather standoffish from the responses she'd received so far. And Aval found herself rather curious about this, and found it to be rather odd too. From the psychological profile that she'd read Doctor Hayashi didn't seem to be quite like that.

"Is everything all right?" Aval asked her.

Elle lowered her shoulders and finally looked at the Counselor, "Yes everything is all right," She told her. "I'm just focused on what Captain Cohen wanted me to review. I know we have six days, but I really want to get ahead of it, radiation is very serious."

Aval understood that part, "You just seem sort of... Standoffish."

Elle tried to provide a slight smile, albeit a weak one, "I'm sorry I'm not trying to be. Was there something you wanted to talk to me about?"

Aval nodded, "Sort of," She answered. "You seemed a bit nervous during the senior officer meeting. I want to make sure everything is all right."

Elle didn't want to be psychologically analyzed by a Vulcan. She understood the role Aval had on the ship, but her point remained. "That would be, because I hadn't met anyone other than Lieutenant Bennett prior to the meeting Counselor." Her weak smile gained a small bit of strength before it transformed into a frown. "I hope you understand that?"

Aval did understand that, "Well there's really nothing to be nervous about. I think we were all in about the same situation as everyone else. I don't know if there is a single person on board that has served with anyone else on the ship. It's a bit unusual, but there's nothing for it."

Elle simply nodded her head slowly, "I know." She put her fork down so that she could concentrate on the Vulcan for a moment. Elle didn't know this woman, and she seemed quite young as it were. "Look, I understand that part of your job is to help with the mental health of the crew while I handle the physical health, but I would really appreciate not being psychologically analyzed."

Aval heard the words and felt a bit stung by them. She swallowed and let the comment pass while maintaining her composure. "I'm not trying to psychologically analyze you Doctor." Her voice came across flat.

Elle allowed a more serious expression to replace her weaker smile. "That's good." She answered, she'd noticed that her words had a bit more bite to them than perhaps she had intended. Elle found herself not really caring all that much, after all Aval was a Vulcan, she should know better. There wasn't a need to mince words at this point.

"I don't mind if you sit here and eat, but I would really prefer some peace and quiet." Elle told her.

Aval found herself quite curious about the lashing she'd just received. At first she said nothing about it, choosing to contemplate what had been said. Aval looked around and debated bringing some logical clarity to the situation. They were in the mess hall, which had gotten somewhat busy as personnel began filing in.

The volume of the others communicating had forced Aval to focus more heavily on what Elle was trying to say because otherwise it would have been difficult given the ambience around them. She took a bite from her plate and wondered if the other woman had intended on apologizing. When none came, Aval finally chose to break the silence between the two of them. "I apologize for intruding on you Doctor."

Elle opened her mouth to say something, but closed her mouth once more. She'd won this round, and somehow avoided getting an earful from the Vulcan about logic or some nonsense. Elle didn't care much for Vulcans, but she neglected to mention that. Instead she simply nodded, "I accept your apology." Elle then went back to her data pad.

Aval watched Elle for a moment and wondered if she'd made some mistake during the course of the conversation. She took a few more bites from her plate and considered asking. Perhaps there was some deeper meaning behind the aggression Elle was showing. Perhaps there wasn't. Aval didn't say another word and simply got up and left.

Elle didn't look at Aval as the Vulcan left, but she did wonder after a while if she'd come across too strongly. Elle wasn't typically an aggressive person, but rather meek and quiet most of the time. Her cheeks flashed bright red for a moment before her skin returned to its normal hue. Elle simply shrugged at that point and began reading her data pad once more.

 

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