Ensign Mirkl Zanti - Open mouth, insert foot

[Randal Shayne]

Quote

Awesome follow up from Nathan- there's an art to writing a compellingly awkward scene like this, and this is a great example. Nicely done! 

((Suite J-32, Junior Officer Temporary Quarters, Habitat Ring, Deep Space 9))

Mirkl, quite used to feeling and looking embarrassed himself, easily spotted the blushing cheeks of his fellow ensign. He didn’t see any reason to be embarrassed about any holodeck escapades. He could probably benefit from taking a break from reality every now and then.

Zanti: I haven’t played much on the holodeck. What program were you running?

Bad choice of words. “Play” sounded more childish than he had intended.

He could see the color drain from her face. He had definitely said the wrong thing. God, why couldn’t he form sentences to correctly match the ideas and sentiments in his head. What was wrong with him?

After what felt like an eternity, she responded, somewhat sheepishly.

Lacy: Star Conflict, Episode One. Like I said, I heard some others talking about it and I—

Zanti: It looks fun.

He had almost blurted out his thought. From filtering and garbling too much, to too blunt. The engineer looked back up at the Trill with a hard-to-read expression on her face. Had he made things better? Or worse?

Lacy: It was. I can send you the library index code for it, if you like.

Mirkl nodded enthusiastically–maybe too enthusiastically–and added what he intended to be a reciprocal offer.

Zanti: I come from a part of Trill that has what humans might call onsen. I have a program that replicates a famous one that I grew up near, if you’re ever interested.

After having made some kind of headway in the awkward conversation, Ensign Lacy’s brow suddenly furrowed. Her eyes narrowed. Her spine stiffened.

Lacy: You're… inviting me to a public bath?

Mirkl blushed even harder. That’s not what he had meant.

Zanti: No! Well, I mean. Uhh… I can share– Like you said– If you want–

Why wouldn’t his words form coherent sentences? This was torture. How could he dig his way out of this one? And fast? Yet…

Lacy: I'm sor— ::giggling:: I'm sorry! You— ::cackle::

Mirkl was unsure as to what was happening. Why was she laughing? Shouldn’t she be horribly offended?

Zanti: Umm… I’m sorry?

Lacy: It's not funny! ::laughing:: No, it's— ::throat clearing:: Mm. No. Not funny. ::hint of a giggle, forcefully stopped:: Right.

Mirkl began to smile. Thankfully she seemed to realize his true intentions, despite his mouth’s best efforts to betray him.

Zanti: ::chuckling weakly:: Huh, I’m glad you– you found it so funny.  

She wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep breath.

Lacy: I hear they're very relaxing. The baths.

Maybe she had experienced something as embarrassing in the past from the other side, because she sure seemed to know how to smooth things over.

Zanti: ::too quickly and loudly:: They are! Very. Not the Hoobishan Baths, but not as overrated, either.

Lacy: I'll take you up on it. I'd like to visit. ::beat, smirk:: Alone.

Zanti: ::nodding:: Of course. Of course. We’ll do an exchange of programs! It’ll be great.

Lacy: Response

Mirkl asked a question that had been nagging the back of his mind since the beginning of the conversation.

Zanti: Um, you mentioned yourself and your roommate, who’s gone to Vulcan. Do you know who my roommate is? Have you met him? ::beat:: It is a “him,” right?

Lacy: Response

Zanti: Ah, I see.

Lacy: Response

Zanti: So… what else do you do for fun? Does the Khitomer have any unique traditions I should be aware of?

He was changing topics too quickly and abruptly. He knew it. He needed to get away and to his bedroom as quickly as possible. He was so in his own head, he could barely focus on his suitemate's responses. 

 

Zanti: oO Breathe, just breathe. Oo

Lacy: Response

TAG! TBC…

Ensign Mirkl Zanti
Science Officer
USS Khitomer
T238407S10