Birds Of A Feather

Posted on Mon Jun 1st, 2020 @ 10:24pm by Commodore Jane Saulitis & Lieutenant Commander Angus Murphy

Mission: Cruel Meridian
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD 4
1173 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Min had been steadily improving since her fright earlier. Her vital signs had returned to normal and she was showing signs of becoming bored. Of course Papa Murphy was watching her extremely carefully despite telling him for the millionth time that she was fine. She didn't know what had happened to her but she clearly remembered seeing herself. Both Papa Murph and Mr. Patrick were acting very strangely in her opinion.

"Can we go home soon?" Min asked, trying not to whine. "I can rest there. I will sleep in the bed tonight and I'll eat whatever you tell me to."

Murphy found Min's promises both a good sign of her recovery and also somewhat humorous. He smirked and ran a finger across the feathers on her head. "You'll do all that anyway, but I think we are indeed close to being released to go back home. No one hurries the doctors, trust me I've tried."

Patrick nodded in agreement. "Patience sweetie," he told her, reaching to caress her cheek as he'd done several times by now. "I know how you feel, not wanting to stay here. But it's necessary." He gave her a knowing smile. "I saw myself too, and I know it's very scary. But the doctors will tell us all we need to know, when they're ready." His smile widened. "Do you still want to learn how to cook?"

Min seemed to think about it, which was good as it took her mind off of being in sickbay. "I don't think so. I need to work on my interviews and drawings, time is going so fast here and I want to have them done when I meet up with Momma again. Did you call Momma? Is she worried about me?"

"Of course she's worried about you, she left you with us," Murph said, trying to make it sound like no big deal, but looking a bit uncomfortable that he hadn't been able to reach Haraain yet. "But we haven't been able to contact her. There's a problem with the ship's radio. Soon, though. Maybe you'll talk to her yourself."

"Okay," Min nodded, seemingly satisfied with his explanation. "In the meantime can I ask you something?" She looked at both of them. "Both of you, it concerns you both."

"You can ask us anything sweetie," Patrick replied without pause, not quite sure where this was going.

"How did you both meet? How did you know you liked each other? What made you decide you liked boys and not girls? Did you know that on Creoli we take mates for life, Momma told me." Min said this all very fast as she turned her head back and forth between them.

These were big questions from out of nowhere and Murph just listened and nodded, scrunching up his eyebrows as he tried to remember all of them. "I did know that, actually."

Murph paused a second before continuing, "And, uh, well... I guess when you meet someone that you might be interested in, you just kind of know. Sort of like sampling a flavor of ice cream. Some ice cream looks good and sounds like it might be a good flavor, like bubblegum -- it's all bright and colorful -- but then when you try it..." he shook his head. "You'll know it's not for you. And... you just sort of figure out what you like." He shrugged and chuckled. "I like mine with nuts."

Those were indeed a great many, and very personal questions and Patrick had to think on them for a moment. "I'm not sure exactly when I knew I liked boys," he answered honestly, "but I knew for certain when I met someone just before graduation." He paused, deciding to skip talking about that period in his life. He smiled a little, looking over at Murph while reaching for his hand. "We met when Murph came to install a kitchen in the galley, and then in my quarters. I'm not sure exactly when the spark between us was there...it sort of happened gradually." His smile brightened. "I love him very much," he added, looking back at Min, "and I didn't know about the mates for life but I can definitely understand that sentiment."

Murphy smiled at Paddy, remembering well the kitchen he installed for him. Then he looked back to Min and cocked an eyebrow upward. "So, what's with all the burning questions, little one?"

"Just curious," Min replied watching the two of them. And she had been but her questions seemed to have been answered now. "And I'm bored. I don't think I'll ever find a mate." She answered honestly. "I've just decided I want to be in starfleet."

"You're still very young," Patrick smiled, "I'm sure you'll have a few years to find a mate. As for Starfleet..." Patrick looked to Murph for help. "What would you do in Starfleet?"

"The same thing Papa Murphy does, I want to be an engineer and make things work, understand how things run, fix things." She had this far off look in her blue eyes.

"Really? I think that's... a great idea. It's lots of work, but I think you'd make a good engineer," Murph said, somewhat beaming proudly from being a bit of a role model. "I mean... there's no other Creoli in Starfleet that I know of. It might be... lonely? Something to consider."

"Engineers are always needed, so are scientists, or reporters," Patrick supplied, "and maybe you'll find your mate while you're exploring. He doesn't have to be Creoli does he? Maybe you'll meet a gorgeous avian of a different species?"

"No there isn't and I'm going to be the first." Min said with a sharp nod of her head. "No, he doesn't have to be Creoli, but I just don't think I will find anyone," she shrugged. "That's okay."

"Why not?" Patrick brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers then traced down to gently and partially lift one of her wings. "You're a very pretty lady," he told her, "and when you're older I have no doubt we'll have to keep the boys at bay for you."

"But I'm a bird, most men in Starfleet aren't birds. They're not going to want to be my mate." Min answered him honestly though she was a bit distracted by his touch over her feathers.

"Most, no," Patrick agreed, "but there are other avian species. Perhaps not all in starfleet but they're there. Right Murph?" He cast his partner an imploring look, begging him to help out.

Min looked doubtful. "We shall see . . . that's what Momma always says and in that tone of voice. She keeps her beak all straight and her feathers perfectly aligned."

Murphy nodded, "There are... other avian species. Patrick is right. And... love doesn't always live inside the neat little boxes that we think it's going to exist in. You never know where you'll find it."

---

Min
Mini Ambassador
PNPC by Saulitis

Lieutenant Commander Angus Murphy
Chief Engineer

Patrick O'Malley
Chef