First Officer in Focus – Nijil Aehkhifv, Starbase 118 Ops

StarBase 118 Staff · June 4, 2019

Each month we interview a First Officer or Commanding Officer of the fleet as part of our “First Officer in Focus” and “Captain’s Corner” columns to get to know them better, and learn more about what their positions entail.

This month, we’re interviewing the First Officer of Starbase 118 Ops, Lieutenant Commander Nijil Aehkhifv, a Rekarian Male.

Tell us a little about the writer behind Nijil. Where do you hail from, and what are you up to when you’re not simming?

Well, my name is Noelle and I hail from Michigan, US. There’s not much to tell, I’m not nearly as interesting as my character. I work in a machine shop but have begun adventuring towards self employment. I’m a huge fan of haunted houses, working on them not going through and being scared. And have come to enjoy face painting, as all those doing the scaring need scary face paint. I’ve been doing this for nearly 8 years now and never bore of it. And when I’m not writing or face painting, I’m kept very busy with my toddler!

Amazing! Now that you’re a first officer, are you thinking about command at all?

It is definitely on my mind, but I’m in no hurry to launch on my own. I’ve enjoyed getting to this point with SB118 and intend to enjoy it. While also learning as much as I can.

I can definitely understand that. You’ve accomplished a lot in such short time. Looking back on your experience so far, what would be one piece of advice you’d give to anyone who’s just joined?

Don’t be afraid! Easier said than done, I know. But truthfully, just be you and jump in with both feet. We like individuals, we like seeing what new people have to bring and offer. We aren’t here to put people down, rather to build them up and make friends from across the world.

I agree, that would definitely help out some of our new Ensigns. It can be a little scary entering a new social sphere, but hopefully this will put some fears at ease! Now, let’s step out from the character just a bit. Tell us more about your writing style. What’s your process for putting together a sim?

There isn’t anything to fancy about my style. I settle in and try to get into the mind of my character. I write for a variety of characters and find different times of the day or mood writes better for different ones. So my to-chipper, bubbly characters are best written after a hair to much coffee. Or my snarky characters after a long day at work. Either way I find it fun and relaxing to pretend to be someone else.

One of the things I enjoy most is trying to outdo myself with every sim. Learn new words, add more description, push the plot further or add creative to twists. This keeps things engaging and challenging and I think shapes my style a bit.

I see! I know that sometimes while simming, some players will put little pieces of ‘themselves’ in their character or in how they act. Are there elements of real life that you especially enjoy incorporating into your simming?

Oh yes, definitely. While each character are their own, unique personality and vastly different overall, there are some things that I bring into the sim from real life. I like to think it adds to the realism of the game. And really, it depends on the opportunity or character for what I bring in. Sometimes it’s a personal quirk like my old primary character Rustyy Hael, who can’t not tinker and get into things. I’ve never been known to leave things alone. Sometimes I even bring in personalities from people I know.

Last question, I swear! And it’s a heavy one: What has been the greatest challenge, in character and out of character, with the command experience?

Remembering names! Oh remembering character names is easy enough. And remembering a real person’s name is too. But remembering what character name goes with what real person’s name. Heck that’s confusing just trying to explain it. Especially when you get many new people at once. But, with a little bit of practice and few conversations, it does get easier. Otherwise I’d have to say, so long as it’s something you want to do and are willing to put the time in, it’s not overbearing. Plus there’s lots of fantastic people around to help!

Thanks for your time, Lieutenant Commander Nijil!

You can read more about Lieutenant Commander Nijil on the wiki.

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