EXETERRPG: (3-0902) CTO/3O Lieutenant Sg Ravok & Civilian Caity Dubois

[Rob Davis]

Mission: Murder on the Exeter Express

Day:03

Stardate: 2445:12:03



(USS Exeter – Deck 9 - Nine and Dine –CTO/3O Lieutenant SG. Ravok &
Civilian Caity Dubois – 0902)

Since he was still off duty Ravok decided to mend a situation that was
bugging him.

He walked into the Nine and Dine carrying a wooden case in his hands.

" Excuse me Ms. Dubois " Ravok said, setting the case on the bar top.

Wringing the bar towel in her hand, the voice broke Caity’s concentration.
She had heard rumours about what had happened and had seen the stress
wearing on the crew so, rather than hide away, she had opened the bar. A
place for people to go and take time, be with friends or by themselves.

Turning, she smiled and replied, "Can I help you?"

" I wanted to tell you that I am sorry.

You and I have never been properly introduced and since Commander..I mean
Ailynn is someone I consider to be a friend I wanted to extend that
consideration to you as well. " He said and slid the case towards her.

Caity smiled widely,  "News travels fast here. I suspect there isn't a
person on board that doesn't know that."

" My ears aren't just pointed decorations on the sides of my head. I can
hear exceptionally well and I hear a lot of things. Plus as a matter of
protocol during the investigation. I was aware of the commanders avoidance
of you during that time so that it didn't appear that you were getting
preferential treatment from the first officer.


"Caity Dubois. And you are?"

Ravok tilted his head, but quickly realized that this was a playful act to
make it appear as though they didn't know each other and were meeting for
the first time.

" Lieutenant Ravok Shara, but please call me Ravok. " He said, playing
along.

"Nice to meet you, officially. " She winked.

" Among my people the preservation of Mnhei'sahe is something we strive for
each and every day. It's a matter of personal honor, I was hard on you ,
maybe a little too hard. " He said, nodding his head for her to open the
case.

"Aw, Lieutenant. You brought me a box." She replied, putting down the towel
and opening the box.

Inside was a bottle of Romulan ale, the glass of the bottle itself had
raised lettering and numbers on it, written in the Romulan language.

"Oh… my..  you really didn't need to. Romulan ale?"

" It's a special bottle. I gave the captain an entire case for his wedding.
This particular bottle was made in 2386 the final stock of pure ale ever
made on Romulus. The raised characters on the bottle say the year and
origin. It's from the Lek'Vi  southern continent where my family came from,
so it's good stuff because everyone knows the northerners couldnt brew a
cup of water if they wanted too. " Ravok said with a laugh.

"Being a bar manager, I know a thing or two about alcohol. " She replied
with a smile. "But seriously, you didn't need to. You were doing your job.
I respect that. I took no offence. "

Ravok looked around quickly and leaned slightly over the bar.

" In truth this is a selfish move on my part.

How I treated you doesn't sit right with me. This is my way of correcting a
wrong and also doing something nice for not only you but Ailynn as well. A
bottle of this with a nice dinner is something I think the two of you
deserve. Hell I know she needs it. " Ravok explained.

"She does. Me, not so much but I will take this gift in the manner it was
intended. Thankyou." She paused for a moment and then continued,
"Lieutenant, may I make an observation?"

" It would be almost unusual and borderline criminal if someone in your
profession didn't make an observation. It's what makes bartenders one of
the most valuable jobs in the galaxy." Ravok responded.

Caity nodded, "I mean no disrespect when I say this…"

Ravok crossed his arms knowing that statement is usually followed by
something disrespectful.

"You have a weight around your neck. "

Ravok let out a brief chuckle.

" Ms. Dubois you have no Idea. A weight around my neck is an understatement
if I've ever heard one."

She smiled softly, "Takes a trained eye."

" Well where do I begin? My closest friend, my sister was just in a
dangerous situation and required medical help. My cousin is dead and laying
on a cold table in the morgue. My best friend is walking around like a damn
robot, completely void of emotion. Oh and let's not forget to mention

the murderer of commander Tyko Nix on the very ship that my friend commands
and if you like cherries on your ice cream

 my two year old daughter practically spent her entire day yesterday under
the care of a F*(#!ing hologram. " Ravok paused and took a breath to calm
himself.

" Sorry, wow that felt good "

Caity nodded, resisting the urge to laugh at his last words, she took a
second. "See, this is why people call bar managers unpaid counsellors. We
hear things and see things. It's a blessing and a curse.

You needed to say that. Now you can take a moment, have a drink, non
alcoholic of course, and just breath."

" I'll have a glass of apple juice. I know I know it's a kid drink but
dammit love it." He laughed.

Caity laughed gently and poured him his drink. Handing it to him, she said,
"I have a thing for chocolate milk." She winked.

" Thank you " He said, taking the glass and taking a drink.

" Can I make an observation?"

"I suppose that's fair. I made one about you so go for it."


" You implied that Commander Bracken is deserving of a nice dinner and good
drink ,but you not so much. My observation is that you are just as
deserving of it as she is maybe even more. You're a civilian taking a
chance with a starfleet officer ,one whose career is on a unbelieveable
ascent. Sky rocketing above her peers. Commander Bracken isn't some lucky
young woman with good looks. She is a force of sheer will and
determination. Hands down the most insanely intelligent person I have ever
met, yet you seem to balance her out. From my point of view that makes you
quite remarkable. I don't think there are many people who could be an equal
to her. Yet here you are in the flesh. I'd say if that doesn't make you
deserving of a good time I don't know what does. "

Blushing, Caity closed her eyes briefly and then, opening them and looking
into his eyes,

"What are you trying to say?"

" Look all I'm saying is. You need to realize the value of you. You're just
as important to this ship and crew as anyone else and don't ever think
otherwise." Ravok said, taking another drink of his apple juice.

"That’s kind of you to say. Doesn't always feel that way. The crew, some of
them, see me as an outsider. Not enlisted. But others, they see that as a
good thing. I'm not bound by the same rules and regulations as say your
good self. Example being, someone comes to you in private to talk. You have
regulations about whether you can repeat the information up the chain of
command.

Me, its code of conduct. If someone came in the bar, obviously in pain or
upset and needed someone to talk to… I wouldn't repeat a word. Unless I
felt like it was in their best interests. I'm not a counselor, I can only
help by being there. Sometimes what people need is that nudge to talk to
someone close to them. Sometimes they need a bloody great shove too."

Ravok smiled. " The uniform doesn't make the person. We all forget that
from time to time. " he finished his drink.

" Ms. Dubois it's been an honor talking with you. I must get going."

"Same goes. Haven't had the chance to talk with many romulans. I would love
to learn about your people someday."

" Oh and go easy on the ale. It's not like the replicated S#!+ it was made
with the intent of passing through a romulan liver ,it will knock you on
your a$$ if you aren't careful." Ravok laughed.

Caity laughed heartily. "Remind me to get you some moonshine one day. That
stuff can take the paint off a starship."

" Don't threaten me with a good time Ms. Dubois " Ravok said jokingly and
walked out of the Nine and Dine.

( reply None )

( posted by Jackie and Rob )
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://startrekfreedom.com/pipermail/exeter-rpg_startrekfreedom.com/attachments/20210315/b12fd5ae/attachment-0001.html>