Bird food, I am not
Posted on Sun Nov 3rd, 2019 @ 7:26pm by
Mission:
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Location: Arboretum
Timeline: MD-04 1500
1153 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure
"Computer, time." Shev said.
"The time is 1000 hrs."
Shev nodded as he climbed into bed, wearing sweats and his academy shirt. He instructed the computer to wake him at 0400 and he settled to a good night's sleep.
He tossed and turned for a bit, somewhat restless. That is until he woke up to see chickens pecking at him. "Uh...hello." he said.
The brown-ish bird clucked at him, continuing to peck away at one of the blue creature's antennae. Another bird of similar colour was trying to pull at a strand of white hair.
"Shoo!" A young Vulcan gestured at the birds. While the young man was in uniform, he looked like he'd been through the wringer himself. His uniform was far from pristine, and there was evidence of something having been dragged across his cheek, judging by the mild red welts that were appearing. "Sorry sir... they do not usually do this, but I have not yet fed them."
"Well I'm glad that they don't eat Andorian." The man said getting to his feet. "I'll help you if you want." Shev added. "May help me remember how I got here."
Stef nodded. "I could use some assistance sir, I am a hand short....literally.." He showed his bandaged left hand. "Doctor said not to use it too much." He studied the Andorian, knowing the man was the XO but he couldn't remember ever having met him. "I am Crewman Stef sir," he introduced himself, "I pretty much live here in the arboretum..."
"Nice to officially meet you." Shev said. "What happened to your hand?"
The younger man seemed to flush. "Close encounter with a desk," he murmured in embarassment. "I would rather not talk about it." He led the man to a small shed in the arboretum where he kept his stack of animal food. "There is grain in that small box over there. The chickens get a cup of grain each day which is spread across a patch of grass. I make them work for it. I have already fed the rabbits. I was going to open up for pets to be looked at later but I am not sure I am capable of keeping any pet in check in this condition." He frowned. "If I cannot use my dominant hand..." His frown deepened as he considered something. "Why were you sleeping here? Normally me and Alecx are the only ones camping here."
Shev nodded as he picked up some grain for himself. He thoughtfully considered the question. "Good question." He mumbled to himself as he started to spread feed. "Truthfully I don't know." He admitted. "I was in my quarters trying to sleep. But for some reason I was restless. Next thing I know is that I woke up to a bird assault." He chuckled.
"Are you prone to sleepwalking?" He studied the Andorian as they left the shed. "I mean if you want to sleep here that is fine, obviously, I mean I do it over half of the time... But I never pegged Andorians for campers sir...let alone here where it is warmer than I assume your quarters to be?"
"Oh I'm not a camper. I found that out in a hurry on that planet." Shev laughed. "Not that I've noticed. I'll have to ping internal sensors later on."
"I find the climate here in the arboretum amiable," Stef explained with a smile, "my quarters are a bit warmer than standard. But as I am caretaker I prefer to be on hand just in case. My son does like to camp, fortunately...if it were up to him we would love here."
Shev smiled at that. "I get that. reminds me a little of myself back home."
Leading him to the place where his chickens were usually waiting to be fed, Stef arched an eyebrow at the Andorian. "You just said you do not like to camp?"
"Nostalgia. Back on Andoria i was fond of a small town close to the capital. I wanted to stay there but my elders said different."
"And you always obeyed your elders?" Stef all but smirked at him. "Me and T'Sara ran off all the time to be outdoors."
Shev laughed a little. "Not always " he said.
"So what did you do?" the young Vulcan asked, eager to hear a story.
"Well. Myself and a friend of mine." Shev began. "We were at our grandmother's home, which is near a federation base. And she is sense. So, isolationist. We weren't." He cleared his throat.
"So one day she "wasn't looking." He chuckled. "Anyway, we snuck off. But then I got stuck in a dooray by my arm and Starfleet security found me. My friend bailed so my family was called."
The chickens were gathering courage again and one was now pecking at the Andorian's foot. Stef ignored them as he studied the man instead. "What happened then?" He asked curiously, catching a bird in reflex as it flapped up into his arms.
"Couldnt sit for a few days comfortably for one thing." He said, spreading feed
"I do not understand..." Stef frowned as he considered the words. "Why is it that you could not sit?"
"Grandmother was not too pleased. So she showed me so." He explained.
"I am sorry sir.." The younger man's frown deepened in sheer confusion. "I still do not understand. What did she do, what did she show you and how does that relate to not being able to sit?"
"My rear end was tender" he chuckled.
Stef just shook his head. "I do not undersand how a tender rear end relates to not being pleased sir," he mumbled. He clearly did not understand nor was he able to envision, the concept of spanking one's offspring.
"Neither did I" Shev admitted.
"How strange," the young Vulcan mused. "Did she ever show her displeasure again? That you could not sit?" He still didn't understand how, but somehow he guest he never would. "Do not overfeed the chickens sir, they have had quite enough now."
"Hmm? I didn't notice that I was. Thanks." He said. "And thankfully, she didn't. That was weird."
Stef looked up. "I really have no idea what you are talking about sir," he admitted, "did she inflict some kind of physical punishment on you? And did your father agree with this?" He shook his head. "I am trying to understand sir, but I fear I many not."
"Its ok." Shev replied." And no, he really didnt. And it was more embarrassment than pain to be honest."
"Right..." Feeling awkward, Stef returned to container with food to the storage box and shooed the chickens away. "I have work to do sir, if you will exuse me." He gave a slight nod before hurrying away.
"I'm sorry if I kept you." Shev said
Commander Shev Th'aziavak
Executive officer
Crewman Apprentice Stef
Yeoman/Animal Caretaker
pnpc Lhaes
