Study notes and meeting the CMO (Part I)

Posted on 27 Oct 2020 @ 8:13pm by Lieutenant Xu Chang Lau & Lieutenant C'Tora Kuroka
Edited on on 27 Oct 2020 @ 8:17pm

Mission: R&R - after facing the Planet Killer
Location: Medical
Timeline: R&R Mission Day?
1687 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Michael walked out of his office, stretching his back a little bit. He felt he needed to get some notes from C'Tora to aid in his studying for the bridge command test. He wondered if Xu had gone to see the CMO as of yet. Tapping on his commbadge, he messaged her.

"Xu, Hawkin's here. I'm on my way to Medical to get some notes from our CMO, care to join me? Also if you've not met him yet, now is a good time to do so. I'll meet you there."

"I'll meet you at Sickbay" came the prompt reply.

Michael arrived at sickbay, looking for C'Tora. "C'Tora, do you have a minute or two?"

C'Tora looked up from his PADD and smiled, grateful for the interruption. "Well hello Michael! Please come in, I was finishing up our supply reorder since we're here at Starbase 308 and a break is most welcome. What may I do for you today?"

"I was wondering if you had some suggested reading for the bridge command test. Myself and Lieutenant Xu Chang Lau will be taking that soon." Michael stated. "I asked her to join me here, and she should be here soon enough."

" So we are expecting company to join us then?" C'Tora asked. "And the bridge command test is challenging but a good career move for you and those that wish to better themselves as starfleet officers and the duties of command. Hopefully your friend will be here soon."

It was that moment the doors parted and in strode Xu, feeling very conscious of the fact she stood more than a head shorter than Hawkins and was completely dwarfed by the Caitian Officer who she assumed was the Chief Medical Officer.

"Hawkins" she smiled and nodded in his direction. "Doctor, my apologies I've not made it down to you yet... Lieutenant Xu Chang Lau, but everyone knows me as Xu".

C'Tora stood as the young lady arrived at his office door. " It is a pleasure to meet you Lt. Chang Lau. I am CMO Dr. C'Tora Kuroka. You prefer being called Xu? Xu it is then." He said with a friendly smile. " I prefer it if I'm just called C'Tora myself. So feel free to do so." He got up and moved in front of his replicator. " Traditional chinese tea service for three with Dim Sum and a tea pot with hot black tea." He then brought the tray back over to the desk. " I developed a fondness for tea when I was in the academy. My roommate was Chow Han and he tutored me on the finer points of the tea culture. There were many innovations for tea culture and ceremonies during the Ming Dynasty. So please forgive me if this seems a little abrupt, I only wish to offer my guest some proper refreshment before we begin."

Michael gave a nod and a smile to Xu, then turned to C'Tora. "I would love some tea." To Xu, "Thanks for meeting me here. Hopefully C'Tora will be able to give some pointers for our Bridge command tests."

She accepted the tea gratefully and took a sip, the warm liquid and flavours invigorating her senses. It wasn't lost on her that it was less than eight hours ago that she had been enjoying the same tea with Oliver, her cheeks flushed at the thought of him before she directed herself back to her surroundings. "It's lovely, thank you!"

She looked at Hawkins, smiled back hoping that the redness in her cheeks had subsided... If not she could pass it off as the warmth of her tea. "Well so far Security have brought me up to speed with handheld weapons and away team protocol. I'm confident enough with ship board navigation and the science modules. Medical shouldn't be too much of an issue given my background. I could really do with your help after this understanding the EPS grid and a few other technical area's from engineering".

C'Tora turned his chair around briefly and picked up two PADD's and placed them on the corner of his desk. " These PADD's contain all pertinent information and study materials for the bridge officer test, including the suggested reading materials as well." he handed each of them a PADD. " I have met and gotten to know Michael already, I'd like to get to know you a little bit if you don't mind. Or if either of you have any questions about myself or the test please feel free to ask."

Xu accepted the PADD gratefully with a smile, still feeling a little intimidated by the Ryu like appearance of the Medical Officer. The only thing he was missing were the long flat snout and leathery skin she had always imagined were attributed to the legends of old Japan. Even she knew it was a silly notion but still, the tales of old her mother had once told her still even now could still permeate her day to day life.

"I don't really have much of a story... My life is Starfleet and being Geisha".

She modestly sipped at the tea once more, hoping he didn't probe deeper as she did not want to go down the path again with her time on Cardassia.

C'Tora chuckled. " I know about being starfleet, both my parents are starfleet doctors. But I do have siblings that followed other life paths." He paused for a moment. " Geisha you say? In China they are called sing song girls if I recall right. What musical instrument do you play?" As he nibbled at his dim sum and sipped at his tea.

"I attempted a few instruments but the one that seemed to stick was the Sanxian... If you know it?"

She was something taken aback at his knowledge of Geisha. It was a dying art form on Earth so for someone outside of Earth cultures was unusual. Even most Humans were unclear on what a Geisha actually is. "In truth I favoured the dance and in turn martial arts form Tessenjutsu".

Michael was quiet during this conversation, giving Xu and C'Tora a chance to get to know each other. He sipped his tea and savored the dim sum. He had noted the blush on Xu's cheeks, and adding to the mental notes he'd been gathering namely to that of how her hair was when they had the meeting with the XO. This was leading to his analyzation that Xu was definitely seeing someone, hopefully whomever it was, the person was treating her right. If not that person was going to not like Michael's response to ill treatment. He looked at Xu, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

C'Tora stroked his chin briefly. " Hmm.... I have never heard of a sanxian, But if you're an accomplished performer I imagine you have a lovely voice to go along with your playing of the instrument. And as for... Tessenjutsu was it? I'm afraid I haven't heard of that one either. Perhaps one day you could tell me a bit about both of them, I love learning new and interesting things about other cultures."

"Tessenjutsu is something I would need to show you... It has its roots in the art of fan dancing. As for the sanxian, I would be more than happy to bring it by sometime soon and play something for you".

Maybe she had been to quick to judge the cover of this wonderfully complex and gentle being. Just the brief time she had been speaking to him had made it clear there were far more layers to his than just his ferocious exterior.

"I know I would certainly love to see that, with all the hullaballoo with the Planet Killer, I hadn't had the chance to see you perform. Perhaps I can join in, being part of the audience?" Michael asked, definitely interested.

Something occurred to Xu as Michael posed his request and before she could tell herself it was a bad idea she had already started to put that same thought into words.

"Perhaps I should organise some kind of performance for the crew."

'Stop talking Xu... Stop talking!'

"Maybe in the Medusa's Head. I could play the sanxian, maybe put together a buffet of traditional cuisine and present them with what a Geisha truly is!"

'Too late now Xu... You hate being the centre of attention. Learn to be quiet' she chastised herself!

" I would be honored and delighted to see your performance and your willingness to share your knowledge with others." C'Tora said with a gentle smile. " I believe the crew would love to see something that is so rare. But a performance in the Medusa's Head with a buffet of traditional cuisine is quite an undertaking for one person alone. If this is something you truly want to do, then by all means please let me know what I can do to assist you in this task. Since you were kind enough to show me these talents of yours I feel it only fair to help you out in exchange for your kindness."

'What are you doing? Just say you will have to think about!!!' but the words falling from her mouth did not match "Sure. I'll let you know".

'Please Hawkins, read my mind and rescue me from myself!'

Michael put down his tea, noticing Xu's body language. "I think for now, just a small performance for myself and C'Tora would be best, that is, if you still wish to do so. If I recall right, its been awhile since you've performed in front of anyone, and the excitement of being able to share something you love, might have swept you away. Mayhap, you, me and if C'Tora plays an instrument, we can pool our talents and do a performance. That though will need to be discussed and be prepped for."

If it wasn't for the Doctor's presence she would have reached over and kissed him, on the understanding that Ollie would never find out!

"That sounds like just as good a plan!"