Floating Reflections

Posted on Wed Nov 26th, 2025 @ 12:58am by Major Dranoel Leomas & Major Iria

1,289 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Tales of the War
Location: C Deck - Upper Observation
Timeline: Current / after battle

[ON]

Iria made her way to the observation area on Unicorn in an attempt to better familiarize herself with her new home. Again, she lurked about in the late hours of the 'day,' preferring the empty times and spaces onboard. It was a challenging adjustment - trying to adapt to this new 'culture' amidst the stresses of war. And not to mention your own losses

Perhaps this observation area would be vacant; it would be agreeable to gaze out into vacuum of space - there was a peace in that act, and Iria felt a moment or two of that calm would help to soothe. Those hopes were dashed when she stepped through the doorway into the dimly lit space and saw a figure near the view port silhouetted by the soft light refracted off the asteroids. It would appear someone else had a similar plan.

"I apologize for the intrusion. If you would care for solitude I will withdraw - otherwise I would like to sit and observe the asteroid field."

Standing at the viewport with the lighting low kept Dranoel from dwelling on the fallout on Coridan. He felt it tickling at the back of his mind for sure, space seemed to swallow up all his emotions as he gazed at the stars filled void behind the asteroids in the area.

Soon he heard footfalls at the entrance and turned slightly to see who entered. Dranoel saw Major Iria, Assistant Chief Medical Officer and an Argosy officer. He bowed slightly and gestured to a nearby chair. "Greetings ma'am. Please do join me," he replied and watched her.

Iria dipped her head in a non-verbal gesture for acceptance and silently padded into the room and took a seat near Dranoel. "I was attempting to familiarize myself with this vessel." She said in explanation for her appearance.

"You are not alone in that goal. I am as well still working to memorise this ship's interior." Dranoel replied in that practiced stoic tone as he stared out at the asteroids. A slight backwards glance, he eyed her. "It is larger compared to their NX class."

Iria followed his gaze to the drifting asteroids before remarking, “It is quite different than an Argosy vessel. Smaller crews. Tighter corridors. Far different environmentals. It has a strange...rhythm.”

Dranoel twisted slightly to better see his fellow Argosy officer. "Is it unpleasant?" He inquired, the reflected light shone on his face that had spots running down his temples from his hairline along the sides of his neck. He wondered if Iria had met a Trill before.

Iria regarded him for a quiet moment before answering. Her answer, when it came, was slow and deliberate. “Unpleasant? No. Simply…different." It was a terrible explanation, but it was the only one she had at the moment.

"Have you had any...challenges adjusting?” She suddenly inquired, her eyes flicked once more toward the asteroids tumbling endlessly, their movement oddly meditative.

He refrained from giving a smile. "Nothing I could not handle," Dranoel replied, "yes it has been different."

Her gaze lingered on the slow tumble of the asteroids beyond the viewport. “Serving aboard a vessel of primarily Human composition introduces additional variance. Their methods often diverge from Vulcan norms—less rigid, more inclined toward improvisation...the cadence is unfamiliar, however.” A faint pause marked her next words. “I will, in time, acclimate.”

Her hands folded neatly in her lap, posture perfectly composed, though her eyes softened almost imperceptibly. “It is not logical to frame difference as loss. One recalibrates to the environment provided. Yet…” She hesitated—only a breath’s space—before concluding more firmly. “The transition is not without… dissonance.”

Dranoel put himself in the chair next to Iria. "Yes, Starfleet does not always act on logic. That is why we are here, to remind them of logic's importance and advise with our experiences to help them with decision-making using all the information. Not that they do not know how to do so, but emotions run high in human crews at times, and our guiding can help." He said, "As you said, in time, we will be better able to understand our Starfleet colleagues and find ourselves without dissonance."

Iria inclined her head slightly, a faint hum of acknowledgment.

For a time, neither spoke. The asteroid light flickered across the viewport, shifting in slow rhythm as the Unicorn drifted through its patrol path.

“At least the stars remain constant,” Iria said at last, her voice low but steady. “They ask nothing, demand nothing. Merely… continue.” After a long pause, she rose smoothly from her seat. “I will not disturb your reflection further, Major. Thank you for the conversation.” The words carried a composed warmth—precisely measured, yet genuine.

"Actually, I was done here as well, Doctor." Dranoel replied. He turned to face Iria, "Pardon the question but do you have any Teas from home?" He inquired with a smile.

Iria paused mid-stride—just a fractional hesitation—but it was there.
She turned slightly back toward him.

“Yes,” she answered after a measured beat. “I brought a small assortment of coarse leaf blends onboard. Human tea is...palatable, but it is agreeable to partake of something of 'home' from time to time." Another pause. Consideration. "Why do you inquire?"

He took a few steps to close the distance between them but didn't get too close. "If you cannot part with one, I completely understand, but if you can, I would be happy to trade or offer a favour in exchange? I will replace it when the opportunity to get supplies from the Argosy presents itself." There was a hint of pleading in his voice, but it was small as Dranoel spoke.

Iria heard the tone shift in his voice, but was uncertain what exactly that might mean. "Of course. Reciprocity is unnecessary. I am in possession of a sufficient quantity. Do you have a...particular preference? I have vashtaya green, Yal'tor blossom, T'kar tisane, and Sutak amber masu...would any of these suit your tastes?"

He considered his options for several moments, "Yal'tor blossom, I haven't tried that one yet. Thank you ma'am," Dranoel grinned, "how do you wish to part with it?" He realized that there had to be a hand-over.

Iria considered his question with that measured stillness she carried like a second skin. Then she gave a single, almost imperceptible nod. “I will bring it to your quarters,” she said. “It is logical to ensure it arrives intact rather than leave it to the… unpredictability… of communal storage.”

"Understood, thank you again, yes we better get back to work. If you ever want a Tea companion, it would be most agreeable if you would consider me in the future." Dranoel nodded as he headed for the door but stopped so she can precede him, manners and she is a Chief after all. He was not.

Iria dipped her head respectfully at the thought of sharing tea in the future. Although she had joined the crew for the purpose of expanding upon her cultural knowledge of off-worlders, that there might be an opportunity for something familiar was most...agreeable.

He followed Iria out and glad to have a fellow Argosy officer to seek that sense of home Dranoel had developed on Vulcan. There was just one other Argosy officer aboard he'd yet to connect with, while she was his superior, he hoped that she'd appreciate the same that Iria and Dranoel had.

Dranoel made a turn for the turbolift that would take him to the bridge and wondered what the Yal'tor blossom tasted like.

======

Major Iria
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
NX - Unicorn

&

Major Dranoel Leomas
Armoury Officer
NX — Unicorn

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