A Breakfast Meet

Posted on Thu May 28th, 2020 @ 8:38pm by Karen Dawson MD & Tristan
Edited on on Fri May 29th, 2020 @ 5:47pm

Mission: The Milk Run
Location: Ship Kitchen
Timeline: Day 2 - Newhall to Hera

It was early. Super early. Karen Dawson was used to being up before 5 am though. Mostly because she liked to sit in the dining table and read medical journals.

This morning, she brought a fresh-seal box of cheese danishes with her to the table along with a glass of chilled green tea with honey. These she enjoyed immensely as she read her medical Cortext. Hera's own medical maladies would likely be something to be aware of, before they arrived.

The ship was quiet, until stumbling footsteps interrupted the peace. Tristan walked into the kitchen, his feet covered in only socks and his clothes looking like he slept in them. He yawned, moving towards the sink to pour himself a glass of water.

Does he like not wearing shoes? Karen wondered as she subtly followed the lad's movement.

A part of her wanted to nag the boy about it. Instead, she tried a different approach.

"I've a cheese danish with your name on it if you wanna sit down with me," Karen opened with genuine kindness. "Fresh off Newhall's finest bakery."

Tristan looked up, squinting an eye as he looked at the woman. He was annoyed he had to leave his room, mostly because he was not finished sleeping, but thirst called and he had no choice but to answer. He moved closer to the table, his sleepy zombie-like movements getting smoother with each step. "I have nothing to offer you in return," he said, stopping a few steps from the table. He didn't want to seem like a beggar. Not that the previous day didn't already do that.

"You're now a deckhand of this crew," Karen countered. "So this isn't a handout. This is me being nice to a crewmember, but also an icebreaker. I wish to know you if you allow it."

The young man hesitated for a moment, but decided to take the seat. "That's very kind of you," he said as the woman slid the danish towards him.

"I'm Karen Dawson," the woman began with a warm smile. "Ship's doctor.... And I know your name is Tristan. But I don't know more than that. Ever been in space?"

Tristan pulled off a piece of the danish and slid it into his mouth. "For a couple weeks since I left home," he said, chewing the pastry before he swallowed.

Karen too, took a bite of her danish as she formulated her series of questions.

"Well... Ships like this can be an adventure," she laughed at some small memory. "When I was conscripted in the army during the war, it was my first time in space. I was packed in a small stateroom aboard an Alliance ship with seven other medics. It was a bit overwhelming. One doctor actually threw up all over the senior medic's dress shoes when the ship began to pitch and yaw during a typical engine burn."

"Engine burn?" Tristan asked, unsure of what the terminology meant.

"It's when the ship suddenly moves fast, and the engines burn harder when the pilot makes sudden turns. G-forces can have quite an effect on the stomach if you're not used to it, or if the engineers and pilots aren't well-synced," Karen explained in such a way as to imply he should not feel bad for not knowing. "As a deckhand, you fill in where the crew needs you. So you may get a chance to learn about engines and how they work, or even learn to fly... Or learn to be a medic, if I'm short-handed. It's a good way for you to find what it is you wanna do with your life."

Tristan looked a little embarrassed but tried to shrug it off. "I'm willing to try a lot of things," he said. "I just didn't think this through very well when I left. I'm not really skilled in anything."

"Practice and study are how you become a doctor," Karen spoke sagely. "Same is true for every profession... You're not meant to be good when you start out. But you'll get there in time."

"But how do I know where to start?" Tristan asked. "I'm not even sure what I like or what I'd be good at."

"You're a greenhorn, so very likely, you're doing mostly cleaning," Karen spoke with full honesty. "But you'll get to see what it is folks 'round the ship do. So just take mental notes, and if you are interested, ask them to teach you. Or come to me and I can ask for you."

Tristan smiled at the woman. "You'd do that for me?" he asked. "That's very kind of you." He took another bite of the pastry. "And this is delicious."

"As long as you try hard and respect everyone, then yes. You have an ally in me," Karen promised with a warm smile. "Though at some point, I would like the see you in the infirmary, so I can update your vaccines. But that can wait. You've enough on your plate right now."

"I'll come by when I have time," Tristan said. "Why're you being so kind to me?"

"While Alden makes the finale decisions, he doesn't dictate how I act to others," Karen supplied with a careful tone. "I respect everyone equally and I don't believe in scaring people to death to get what I want... So I am nice because you need an ally and I personally don't see an issue with you here. So an ally you have."

Tristan smiled, "Thank you. I appreciate that. And you have an ally with me," he said. "In case you ever need one." His smile turned bigger as he thought about how well it was going. Just yesterday he was afraid of being shot out an airlock and today he had made a friend. He was happy with this.

He stifled a yawn as he finished the pastry in front of him. "I really appreciate this. But I think I should go back to sleep. I'm not scheduled to meet with Noah for a few hours still."

"Come by the infirmary ten minutes before you start, and I'll tape your hands for you," Karen promised. "...Hard labor will cause terrible blisters until you get used to it - even if you're wearing gloves."

The young man smiled as he stood. "Thank you. I'll see you later, then," he said as he walked out of the kitchen area and back to his room.

Karen found herself staring at Tristan's feet with utter confusion. What is it about him and not wearing shoes?