#15 A close call

Posted on Tue Jun 1st, 2021 @ 10:46pm by Chief Warrant Officer Niraasha "Nira" Whisperwind
Edited on on Tue Jun 1st, 2021 @ 10:46pm

Mission: Character Development and A Mystery
Location: Starbase Saturn
Timeline: current/somewhere in between

ON:

Tore Bjorgo, Kelliza Kahn and Nira Whisperwind left the ship as a trio, the two humanoids still adding to Nira's education, and letting her get out of the box more and more. If Nira wanted to associate with other crew, then that was fine as long as she obeyed the regulations, which she had read the entirety of in less than twenty minutes. Now, it was time to see if she could mingle and not get so distracted that she caused unwanted situations. The Puazi's inquisitive nature, more times than nought, is what got her into trouble. Like a kid with a new toy.

"Where go," asked Nira, her eyes wide open with excitement, her ears and whiskers now constantly weaving and moving.

Bjorgo knew better. He had spoken to Nira more than anyone else, aided her in her education on the Milky Way as far as was known. She had spoken plainly, no broken speech, her sadness so deep as to be palpable. She was saddened by Human history, and then moreso on the history of the Galaxy in the four quadrants. Her tears flowed freely as she pointed out war after war, conflict after conflict, millions dying for pride or forcing their beliefs on others. The word she had used had stuck in his mind, like an icepick to the brain. DISGUSTING.

And now, here she was, the simple alien explorer getting the chance to actually explore. He couldn't help but grin to himself. "This is Saturn Station, Nira. I already have a suite set aside for us, VIP, of course. We each get our own room, with a central main area including all the amenities. This is Federation culture, my dear."

Nira was ecstatic. This was what she had been sent here for, to interact with cultures in the NoqDe'an (Milky Way) galaxy. That was the Puazi name for the MW Galaxy. But, after asking the others where they were going she cast her eyes forward once more, getting peeks of things beyond the moving bodies. She saw something that completely grabbed her attention, and off she went quickly.

Liza saw Nira bolt through the crowd, her fluidic movements barely jostling folks as she went through the densest portion. "Tore! She's headed for that pet shop!"

"Oh shit," said Tore, immediately pursuing Nira and yelling over the throng. "Nira! Wait!" She never faltered and he could see the cause of her focus. ~By Odin's balls let me get to her before she has a chance to do something~ A fickle thought to himself, knowing full well he had mere seconds to prevent a disaster. He shoved through people a bit more roughly, but no one was hurt. Just as he got to Nira she was in a full squat, ears and whiskers moving rapidly around as she gazed into aquariams full of various insects/arachnids/bugs from around the galaxy, and she was licking her lips as she pressed her hands on the first container to catch her eye, her nose mere millimeters from the transparent aluminum encasing the specimen. A bug which looked somewhat like an Earth Praying Mantis. He laid his right hand upon her left shoulder. "No, Nira. Please, do not."

Kahn got through the crowd from her angle, watching Tore and Nira interact, several passersby now becoming spectators as they slowed and stopped. Nira was unique. No one had ever seen her kind before, and with her attracting attention to herself, there were those who were taking notice.

"Okay," sighed out Nira as she stood to her full height. "I not eat." She turned to face him as his hand dropped to his side. "Apologies."

"No need for that, just be as inconspicuous as possible." He saw her face turn to a quizzical look with the word 'inconspicuous'. He almost gave a verbal chuckle. "Blend in, do not attract attention."

"Ahhh. I do."

He rolled his eyes at her, letting her know that he saw through her broken-speak.

The three of them rejoined and sauntered on along the Promenade, trying to get to their suite.

OFF: