Ensign Sival: First Impressions

 ((OOC: Hello merry band of simmers! Sorry if this is sent twice.))

((Main Hall, Atlas Base))

As was common throughout his life, Ensign Sival found himself being of two minds as he stood among the participants of the ‘party’ / award ceremony. His Vulcan sensibility found the situation… unnerving. Having just graduated from Starfleet Academy and being posted to his first assignment, by all accounts, a more formal occasion to be inducted into the crew would have been much more appropriate. After all, this moment was the culmination of all he had worked for for the past four years.

Yet, here he was, being sent down to this… event… on a hastily-arranged shuttle from Starbase 821 - a 67-hour shuttle ride. He had been receiving dispatches as to the latest happenings with the Arrow’s crew, so he had plenty of time to meditate and mentally-prepare himself for one of these, as he felt, extraneous human of customs, that would entail what humans termed, ‘socializing’. A most inefficient use of time, as far as Sival was concerned.

From his Vulcan perspective - which he tried to maintain first and foremost - the entire experience so far was humbling.

However, he carried an equal consideration in his mind. What a more appropriate way to meet the crew and see them at their finest. And he should be grateful that he would be arriving just in time for the awarding ceremony. This, he knew, was a thought that bubbled up from the human part of his being - a part that he had learned to respect and value during the recent years of his life. After considering this, he concluded, logically as far as he was concerned, that the event was appropriate. He may have even thought - for the briefest of instances - that the situation was serendipitous, but, of course, Sival did not believe in such things.

Sival reflected back on the past few hours leading up to this moment.

When the doors of his shuttle opened in Atlas Base’s shuttle bay, no one was there to greet him. He stepped out to look around, and after a brief moment of disorientation, he looked around to see the pilot who he had been in close proximity with for nearly the past three days had suddenly vanished, without even a goodbye. Sival shrugged it off and went directly to who seemed to be the Lieutenant in charge to ask where the Arrow’s crew had assembled. After a quick identity check, he was pointed in the right direction.

“By the way,” the Lieutenant added, “I saw a cart with medals on them being taken in that direction. I would hurry, if I were you, if you wish to make it to the ceremony in time.”

Not wanting to be late and make a poor first impression, Sival proceeded to quickly walk the nearly 500 meters towards the main hall. Fortunately, by virtue of his Vulcan physiology, he didn’t break a sweat.

As soon as he entered the hall, no matter how prepared he may have been for a crowded, social event, he was instantly struck with a sense of discomfort. Sival had barely recovered from it when he saw someone pointing a fork in his direction. He was unsure of how to react - no one had ever pointed a fork at him, especially one that was simultaneously being used to consume food. He relaxed some when, upon closer inspection, he actually seemed to be using it to gesture toward the plate of food that he was holding. But he wasn't sure.

Then that someone looked in his direction, and instantly moved directly for him, still holding the fork which had perplexed him so.

Sival saw the rank insignia on the dress uniform of the person wielding the eating utensil. Sival stood to attention, as professionally and as stiff as he could. This, he assumed, was his commanding officer.

As the man moved closer to him, a smile began to appear on his face. Sival could not tell if it was forced or genuine. He had never been good at interpreting human facial expressions. Sival knew that his appraisal was likely being coloured by his belief that such open expressions of emotion in public were inappropriate. Sival quickly isolated and compartmentalized the thought, putting it out of his mind.

Shayne: Good day, Ensign. I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. Shayne, commanding officer of Arrow.  

Sival was uncertain of how to respond. There did not seem to be a protocol for greeting a superior officer in such a setting.

Sival: Sir! Engisn Sival, reporting for duty, Sir.

If it were only the overall atmosphere, the smile and the lack of greeting protocol, Sival probably would have been able to maintain his composure easily without being put off balance. But, what happened next, tested his restraint.

Commander Shayne reached out a hand in his direction. Despite knowing about the unsanitary human custom to shake hands, the burden upon Sival had become too much. A struggle with emotion that is usually internal and hidden in his expression was momentarily lost, and allowed to escape was a slight grimace on Sival’s face.

In what may be considered unfortunate if one wanted to make a good first impression, Sival just stood silently without extending his hand. There was an uncomfortable pause that perhaps went on longer than it should have.

Shayne: Welcome to the Arrow- or Atlas Base, as it were. It’s a… complicated situation. Have you been briefed on our situation?

Sival: Yes, Sir….

Sival was about to say more, but the Commander quickly excused himself and went towards another person in the room.

So here he was, standing among a group of officers - his new crewmates - as they were being merited and promoted. He politely clapped as each name was called.

Toward the end of the medal presentation, Sival just stood in place, becoming an island among the tumultuous sea of people interacting around him. Not knowing anyone, and not being versed in the protocol for how to interact in such a scenario, Sival decided the most logical course of action was to continue to stand amongst the crowd, waiting for one of them to initiate conversation with him.

Sival stood as calmly as he could, drawing upon all his mental strength to keep his strong sensibilities and his human emotions at bay.

Anyone: Response

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Ensign Sival

Medical Officer

USS Arrow, NCC-69828

A239709S10