Arboretum meet
Posted on Wed Jun 18th, 2025 @ 2:57am by Staff Warrant Officer Madelyn Steele & Crystal Steele & Lieutenant Commander Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii
Edited on on Wed Jun 18th, 2025 @ 11:09pm
1,794 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Preservation Instinct
Location: Arboretum
Timeline: Current
"Mama, lets go into the Arboretum again, it is fun to walk amongst the trees. And go barefoot and go wading! Real grass tickling the toes and even feel the squishy mud between our toes." Crystal giggling, as she took Madelyn's hand and pulled her into the Arboeretum eagerly.
Madelyn sighed softly in her mind, Crystal was on the cusp of becoming a full fledged teen, and yet clung onto her childlike wonder and enjoyment of life. She wasn't going to take that away from her daughter. Besides, Crystal always seemed to remind her of Life's joys in small moments. Besides, Madelyn didn't mind the innumerable games of tag she had played with her daughter. It helped her keep in shape and it was fun!
A couple of games of tag running around the trees with Crystal laughing as she was able to keep her mother from catching her. Then it was time to go wading in the small stream that was there. Madelyn rolled up her pant legs up to her knees and taken off her shoes enjoying the coolness of the water on her feet. She felt something nibbling at her toes, and started laughing. There were small fish that decided her toes were something to nibble at. Crystal was giggling as well. Gently Madelyn moved her feet to swish the fish away from her feet and they darted away only to come back. "We must have something tasty on our feet for them to clean our feet for us." Madelyn remarked to her daughter.
"Or they are like the fish that help to clean off other fishes in the sea." Crystal answered back. "When they get done, they'll leave." and like Crystal stated the fish darted away. "See just like that." looking at her mother grinning ear to ear.
"Does this mean you are going to be a scientist when you get older?" Madelyn raising an eyebrow in her daughter's direction.
"I'm not certain what I am going to be when I get older. I have some time before I decide." Crystal nudging her mother with her shoulder. A thoughtful expression appeared "That was fun meeting the captain of the Ontario. She was nice. I wonder if we'll bump into other crew from our new home?"
"One never knows, all depends on just how the weavers of the tapestry of life deems fit." Madelyn responded.
Bent over one of the gorgeous flowers in this corner of the arboretum, Yiv was lost in thought as he considered the tubular shape of the pink cantuta that drooped in front of him. He was slightly maudlin with the thought of Percy's absence, and he fancied the plant felt the same way with the way its branches and flowers slouched.
A silly notion, he chided himself as he straightened, miserable reverie interrupted by the sound of chattering nearing. The Efrosian straightened and turned to face the path.
Madelyn was carrying her shoes in one hand, and Crystal the same, mother and daughter holding hands as they walked around the bend. Madelyn seeing someone in front of them called out a greeting. "Hello, lovely place isn't it?"
Crystal gave a wave when she spotted the man in front of them. "Hello there," then her attention was drawn towards the pretty pink flowers near the gentleman. "Oh what type of flowers are those?" walking away from her mother, to crouch down by the trumpet like flowers.
'Ah, those are cantuta flowers. From the Andes region of Earth,' Yiv replied pleasantly. 'If I'm correct. My partner is the plant expert. Mine is ... elsewhere,' he concluded, mindful of the company present.
"Canuta" Crystal repeating the name of the flower. "Thank you!" giving a smile, then rose up from her crouched position. She looked at Yiv curiosity in her eyes. "Sir, where are you from? I've not met anyone like you before."
Madelyn glanced over towards the gentleman, then back to Crystal. Her daughter was certainly bold.
'You've not met an Efrosian?' Yiv asked, waggling his eyebrows. 'But there are so many of us!' he said with mock-incredulity. 'Why, one of us was even Federation President once.' He smiled at the child. 'My people are originally from Efros Delta, near the Klingon Empire.'
'And who might you both be?'
"You're the first one I've met." Crystal responded, blushing. "I'm Crystal Steele and that is my mama-"
"I'm Madelyne Steele, and Crystal's not been where she could meet an Efrosian as of yet. And I've not personally met one until now." giving a nod towards the man " I do recall there being one in history of being preseident. "
Crystal piped up, she liked the gentleman they were talking to. "Do you live on this station?" she was really studying his features. "And what's your name?"
Nodding to Madelyne to acknowledge her name, the then smiled at Crystal. 'My name is Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii, thought most people will call me Yiv. I don't live on the station, though it would be nice to be able to call by here. I live aboard the USS Ontario, currently.'
"The USS Ontario? " the 12 year old girl's eyes widened. "No way, that's where we'll be living. On the Ontario. "
Madelyn blinked a few times, when she heard this. "I am the chief engineer for the USS Ontario. Nice to meet you. And what better place to meet, right here in the Arboretum."
'There are worse places, that's for sure,' Yiv chuckled. 'I remember first meeting a senior officer halfway down a sewer network. Not our finest moment.' He sized up the new Chief. 'So, new Chief for the Ontario, eh? Are you prepared for the challenge of an antique?'
"Halfway down a sewere network?" Madelyn trying to imagine what could have happened for that to occur. Dismissing that thought she answered. "Maybe what some call an antique but the Ontario is beautiful. And I feel honored to be able to work on the ship. I'll be doing my best to keep the ship running, and I feel confident that I can do so," a confident and also excited smile going from ear to ear.
'She is beautiful,' Yiv agreed with a happy smile. 'They don't make them like that any more - the only class that comes close to the Ontario's lines is the Centaur, I believe.' He looked at the engineer, 'it's good to meet someone who appreciates our little home. How'd you get assigned to her?'
"The ship that I had been assigned as Assistant Chief Engineer, The USS Waspe ended up being sent back to the docks for a refit and the crew had been reassigned to other ships. I had gone to see family having shore leave with my daughter. When I reported back to StarFleet, I found that I had bene assigned to the USS Ontario. I was surprised to find out, pleasantly, that I'd be the Chief Engineer. "
"A pleasant surprise for us as well,' Yiv replied pleasantly, 'I can't tell you how useful it will be to have a Chief Engineer once more. And one with more social know-how than the last."
Madelyn tilted her head to one side, "Thank you." she wasn't certain as to what he was talking about, but was it of any importance? She may find out later on, or not. It didn't matter. "I hope I will do justice in taking care of the Ontario. Also so far I am truly liking the command staff already."
Crystal piped up, "Yes we met the Captain, at the bookstore. She is very pretty and nice. And not scary, though, I am sure she can be scary when she gets angry." having a serious expression in her eyes.
'Captain Vetur? Scary?' Yiv asked with mock-horror, before smiling, 'I'm sure she's as cuddly as a teddy bear and will always behave that way to you, so long as you mind your Ps and Qs. Which I'm sure your mother will have taught you.'
"Oh yes, Mama has taught me to be polite and well mannered. And I am most of the time. Then, well, I can act out. After all I am still a kid." Crystal giving out a giggle, as she looked at Madelyn with an impish smile. "I have reminded Mama several times, that I am 12 and heading into my teen years." Crystal did like teasing her mother.
Madelyn drew in a breath, her cheeks turning a bit pink, she wasn't certain just how Yiv was going to react to what Crystal just said.
Yiv tried not to allow his lips to twitch in amusement. 'Well, so long as your precociousness doesn't lead to trouble, we'll all be fine.' He finally allowed a flash of a smile, 'I'm not entirely sure at what age we're allowed to lock people in the brig, after all.' He threw Madelyn a wink.
Crystal's purple grayish eyes went round as saucers. "Uh... Mom?" Not knowing what to say about Yiv's comment.
Madelyn winked back at Yiv stifling a giggle. "As long as you do not cause trouble, you won't be going into the brig."
"Okay, um..." Crystal hadn't caught the wink that Yiv had given to Madelyn. She drew in a breath, "I don't intend on causing serious trouble, as its not fair to Mama or anyone else."
'Well then, you should find ship life quite agreeable to yourself, so long as you keep to the rules,' Yiv replied. His commbadge beeped unexpectedly, and he tapped his chest. 'Go for Ra-Gruvloveii.'
'Sir, got an issue in cargo bay twelve - could use your help,' came the deadpan reply.
'Understood,' Yiv replied. He turned to Madelyn. 'Alas, duty calls. But it was great to meet you both.'
"And I need to get us settled on the ship. Thank you for the rather agreeable conversation." Madelyn turned to her daughter, "Shall we get finish things up?"
Crystal nodded, then smiled at Yiv. "Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you once more. I like you."
'I'm sure you'll be seeing much more of me, Chief,' Yiv replied courteously before excusing himself politely.
Madelyn watched as the first officer headed down the path, when he disappeared from view she looked at Crystal. "This is going to be a rather unique ship to serve on and I think for now we've found a place to feel like home."
Crystal nodded enthusiastically. "I think so too!"
Staff Warrant Officer Madelyn Steele
Chief Engineer
USS Ontario
Crystal Steele (NPC)
Daughter of Madelyn
USS Ontario
Commander Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii
Executive and Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Ontario
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