first day on the discovery

[shahrrehth]

She was officially there as a science officer, because the the Discovery could always use a few new science officers. She was also there for other reasons; as the sole member of her species who had rather handily circumvented first contact protocols, there were some things that Starfleet provided to her, and in return, there were things that she was asked to do which... well, she'd see how this assignment shook out.

For now, she was waiting on a... Tilley? That's who she was told would be meeting her at the shuttle.

Comments

[cadettilly]

Tilly was always excited when new people came aboard, it wasn't that she didn't get along with anybody else on the ship, it was just that sometimes she could be a little... much, for people to deal with, and a new person was a chance to maybe change that, to get to know someone and make a friend.
She was especially glad when she got to be the welcoming committee, she thought she was very welcoming. She could see the woman waiting and hurried her steps to reach her.

"Clara Kent?"

[shahrrehth]

"Lieutenant Clara Josephine Kent," she corrects her mildly with a warm little smile. "But my friends call me Clara Jo."

She holds out her hand automatically.

"Would you be Ensign Tilly?"

[cadettilly]

"Apologies, Lieutenant Kent," Tilly says hastily, not wanting to use the 'friends' name, however kindly it was said, not until she felt it was alright anyway. But she took the offered hand and shook it with enthusiasm.

"That's me, it's very nice to meet you, welcome to the Discovery."

[shahrrehth]

"No apologizing," she says firmly with a little waggle of a finger. "I just don't want you to get in trouble if someone overhears."

The hand shake is friendly enough, warm enough, before she draws away. If Tilly pays attention, she might notice that Kent's hand is a little firmer than most.

"And thank you for the welcome. I've heard... quite a lot about the Discovery."

[cadettilly]

"Oh, right," she nods cheerfully "Good thinking."

She likes this woman already, she only hopes the feeling is mutual, and it seems to be.

"Yes, word does get around about it, but I think you'll find it exceeds expectations."

[shahrrehth]

"Hopefully, I will too," she says, straightening up her uniform, before gesturing to Tilly to lead.

"What projects are you working on at the moment, if you don't mind me asking?"

[cadettilly]

"Oh, I'm- uh - I'm not sure I'm allowed to tell you, not until you've seen the captain and he's sorted your clearance level and everything, sorry, it's just, there's some things on this ship that are quite important for, well, for the federation in general," she explained apologetically.

[shahrrehth]

"Understood," she says with a nod over at Tilly, assuring her that she isn't insulted. After all, she'll know enough after a few days on board.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure I'll get things all cleared up with the Captain."

After all, he knew what she was, and why she was really here.

[cadettilly]

Her expression brightened up quickly at Kent's understanding and she nodded.

"I'm sure you will. I hope you really enjoy it here, it's such a good crew to be part of, we're a good team, like a family."

[shahrrehth]

"That's the best kind of crew there is," she says, nodding cheerfully. She's not sure if she'll be cheerful with the captain, but Tilly seems to be a breath of fresh air.

"Are you taking me to the Captain or to my quarters, incidentally?"

[cadettilly]

"I think so," Tilly nodded happily "I hope when I'm captain someday I'll have a crew just like this one."

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't say, did I? I'm taking you to your quarters first, you can get freshened up and the captain will call on you."

[shahrrehth]

"Lofty aspirations," she says with clear approval. "It's always good to shoot for the stars. And I have no doubt that if you want it bad enough, you'll be able to."

She waves a hand at the apologies, though.

"You didn't, but that's all right. That's relatively standard, and very kind of you. Do you know if I have a roommate?"

Usually, she'd have her own quarters but this captain might have decided to play games.

*trailer voice* in a world without Michael Burnham...

[cadettilly]

"Thank you." Tilly said brightly, she certainly hoped so, and she definitely wanted it badly. Very badly.

"Oh, yes, actually, you do. I'm really sorry, I'm not usually supposed to have a roommate and I wasn't supposed to be getting one but there's only so much room on board and mine is really the only room with a free bunk so... oh, that is, you'll be rooming with me. I hope that's okay."

[shahrrehth]

She smiles, but inside, there's a bit of a wince. She'd hoped she'd have her own room. Hopefully, at least, they'd have separate enough shifts she'd have some alone time.

"That's fine. I like to think I'm a pretty easy roommate, and you seem like a perfectly nice girl. After all, we're not here to sleep, right?"

[cadettilly]

"Thank you! I'm glad you think so. I hope we get on well with each other. Some people find me a bit annoying I think but I hope you don't." She realised she was verging on babbling and abruptly stopped, trying to keep herself from going too far.

"So you're a science officer?"

[shahrrehth]

"I am," she says easily enough. "Is that the direction you've been thinking of going, Cadet?"

[cadettilly]

"Oh, yes, well, that's where I'm working at the moment," Tilly nodded happily "So we'll probably end up working together as well... I'm sorry if that ends up being a bit of an overload of me, I'll try not to annoy you too much."

[shahrrehth]

She pauses and holds a hand in front of Tilly, asking her without words to pause for just a second. Then, reaching over to carefully settle a hand on her shoulder, she shifts to look her in the eye.

"All right, there's just one thing I want to make clear to you, and... perhaps consider this a bit of advice:

"If you're 'annoying' me, I promise to pull you aside and let you know what you're doing that's bothering me. But you shouldn't ever assume that your very presence is irritating."

She gives the girl's shoulder a squeeze.

"You're a lovely woman and I'm sure you have plenty of great things about your company. But if you mention that to someone right off the bat, they'll be looking for things to get annoyed about and you'll set yourself up for failure."

She lets go and slips back to Tilly's side.

"I'll look forward to a good working and living relationship. And if I need a little air, I'm sure I'll find it somewhere. It's a nice big ship."

[cadettilly]

Tilly stops, a confused frown crossing her face, although it changed into understanding as Clara spoke. After a few moments, she smiled softly.

"That's very kind of you to say. I appreciate that," she brightened up considerably "I suppose I just worry about these things and that's why I tend to warn right away, but I suppose you're right... well, I look forward to getting to know you and hopefully we'll enjoy each other's company just fine."

[shahrrehth]

"If you're really worried about it, your best bet is to make it clear that you're open to comment or criticism, so people know they can be frank with you," she says before letting it settle into a smile. Then she straightens her uniform.

"And now, I'm going to stop being a superior officer and start being your new roommate and insist you show me around."

[cadettilly]

"I suppose you're right, sometimes I just worry what form that criticism might take... but I am! Open to it I mean, if you have anything you'd like to tell me, please do." she wanted them to get off on the best foot after all.

"Right, yes," she laughed a little, and to be honest she was feeling a lot better about the whole thing, she might even enjoy it "I'll show you where the commissary is and all the best places to spend downtime first of all, then tour those parts of the ship you can see before you speak to the captain, the rest will come later."

[shahrrehth]

"I think I just proved I am," she points out with a little grin. Then she offers her arm to Tilly.

"Since we're going to be friends, we can walk like friends."

[cadettilly]

"Yea?" Tilly brightens, looping her arm through Clara's without hesitation. She wasn't used to making friends so quickly.

"The commissary is just this way.."

[shahrrehth]

"And what's your favorite dish to get from the replicator?" she asks with a raised eyebrow. "You can tell me, even if it's something decadent. I love knowing people's favorite foods..."

[cadettilly]

"Oh, good question," Tilly grinned "I guess... I think ice cream is probably my favourite thing. I try not to have it too much of course, but sometimes you just need a treat..." she lowered her voice a little, like she was confiding a big secret.

"What about you?"

[shahrrehth]

She leans in a little as well.

"Blueberry pie with vanilla ice cream on top," she confides, "warm and gooey with nice cold ice cream and a little whipped cream."

[cadettilly]

"Mmm, that sounds delicious," Tilly grinned cheerfully, pausing in their steps to sweep one hand out expansively "And here is the commissary."

"I don't know about you but that conversation made me sort of hungry..." it's still a while before Clara's supposed to see the captain, plenty of time for a bite to eat before continuing the tour.

[shahrrehth]

That makes her laugh, just a little, very much WITH Tilly as opposed to at her.

"Then I suppose we should get something to eat. Maybe a little ice cream to celebrate?"

[cadettilly]

"You know I like the way you think," Tilly grinned "and of course we really should celebrate your arrival on the ship.." her expression is as innocent as she can get it, but she can't keep from giggling before long.

[shahrrehth]

Clara nods and tucks in to give a little giggle herself before leading Tilly over to go and get themselves something to enjoy for their 'celebration'.