07-10-2026, 02:09 AM
Hallowette couldn't help smiling as the conversation continued to gather momentum. Somewhere along the way, the idea of learning Korean cooking had transformed from an offhand suggestion into genuine plans, and that pleased her more than she expected. There seemed to be something deeply satisfying about watching a simple idea grow because other people wanted to be part of it too.
"I'd really like that," she admitted to Ju with an easy smile, though it quickly turned to a hint of embarrassed amusement. "I'm enthusiastic, but I'm not entirely convinced I'm a particularly good cook." She laughed, "I expect you guys can help me with that."
Mara's arrival shifted the entire feel of the conversation before anyone had a chance to comment on her admission. Hally greeted the Security Chief with a warm smile, and quick wave, then found herself watching quietly as Ju suddenly jumped to her feet, and threw her arms around her friend. Looking back it amused Hally how thoroughly she'd misjudged Mara when she'd first come aboard. The Chief's reputation had been intimidating enough on its own, but it hadn't taken long to discover that behind the bluntness and grit was someone whose loyalty to her people seemed without limit.
Mara's teasing of Ardanna brought a broad grin to her face. "Well," she said, looking toward the younger security officer, her hands in a gesture of support, "Hey now, catching things on fire then making sure they are better after - that's the Starfleet way."
As Lucyr spoke about Grasmere, hiking, rock samples and cooking, Hally listened with the same quiet attentiveness she'd given everyone else. She hadn't expected someone to describe collecting geological samples as though it were a perfectly relaxing afternoon, but somehow it suited Lucy remarkably well. "I've never really thought about collecting rocks while travelling," she admitted thoughtfully. "But I guess that's why I don't wear blue." A tiny shrug followed. "Did you find anything particularly different or interesting?"
Ju wondered aloud where the Artemis might be heading next. The question hung comfortably in the air for a moment before Hally answered. "I know it probably isn't surprising, but I really hope we get to visit a place none of us have been before." It wasn't adventure in itself she found herself hoping for, more just the discovery of it all. The whimsy and possibility of it all.
The thought brought an almost imperceptible smile to her face before she looked back toward Mara. "So, Mara, how was the rest of your leave?"
"I'd really like that," she admitted to Ju with an easy smile, though it quickly turned to a hint of embarrassed amusement. "I'm enthusiastic, but I'm not entirely convinced I'm a particularly good cook." She laughed, "I expect you guys can help me with that."
Mara's arrival shifted the entire feel of the conversation before anyone had a chance to comment on her admission. Hally greeted the Security Chief with a warm smile, and quick wave, then found herself watching quietly as Ju suddenly jumped to her feet, and threw her arms around her friend. Looking back it amused Hally how thoroughly she'd misjudged Mara when she'd first come aboard. The Chief's reputation had been intimidating enough on its own, but it hadn't taken long to discover that behind the bluntness and grit was someone whose loyalty to her people seemed without limit.
Mara's teasing of Ardanna brought a broad grin to her face. "Well," she said, looking toward the younger security officer, her hands in a gesture of support, "Hey now, catching things on fire then making sure they are better after - that's the Starfleet way."
As Lucyr spoke about Grasmere, hiking, rock samples and cooking, Hally listened with the same quiet attentiveness she'd given everyone else. She hadn't expected someone to describe collecting geological samples as though it were a perfectly relaxing afternoon, but somehow it suited Lucy remarkably well. "I've never really thought about collecting rocks while travelling," she admitted thoughtfully. "But I guess that's why I don't wear blue." A tiny shrug followed. "Did you find anything particularly different or interesting?"
Ju wondered aloud where the Artemis might be heading next. The question hung comfortably in the air for a moment before Hally answered. "I know it probably isn't surprising, but I really hope we get to visit a place none of us have been before." It wasn't adventure in itself she found herself hoping for, more just the discovery of it all. The whimsy and possibility of it all.
The thought brought an almost imperceptible smile to her face before she looked back toward Mara. "So, Mara, how was the rest of your leave?"