Second Chances

Posted on Thu Mar 5th, 2020 @ 12:45am by Lieutenant Commander Anthony Duval & Commander Hsirr Duval & Ryuujin Duval

Mission: Mission 54: Where Snow Meets Sky
Location: Various Locations - USS Dreamcrusher
Timeline: 1200Hrs - December 11th, 2391

Lieutenant Anthony Duval was still settling into his new relationship with this new generation of Federation ships, he was happy that the Federation was finally getting it into their thick skulls that they needed real multipurpose ships that could also be real warships.

He had gone back to the Quartermasters office and he asked Lieutenant Hsirr if she was available for lunch. She had been surprised but she had responded that she had no plans, she would be happy to fill the time with Duval.

Now two hours later, she walked into the lounge as she looked around for her quarry, spotting him just moments later with his son who had been introduced to her as Ryujin Duval.

Hsirr blinked her yellow eyes before she moved over to the replicator, she ordered her usual meal which was a cooked and diced up six ounce steak before she came over. "Hello." she greeted Duval and his son.

Duval smiled. "Hey Hsirr.... Have a seat.."

The female Caitian sat down. "I was not expecting you to want to get to know me."

"Oh... Why do you say that?"

"How do I say this?" the Caitian said gently. "You project one thing and then say and do another... You are most confusing."

"Good." Duval responded as Ryujin sighed. "Dad. really?" the boy sighed.

"What?" Duval inquired of his son.

Hsirr was amused by this as she chuckled softly, however it came out as a soft huffing sound, the Caitian equivalent of a laugh was unusual by human standards. "I think even he sees it too.... am I right?"

Ryujin nodded. "Yes." he replied. "I've never met a Caitian before... you look so cool."

Hsirr nodded as she began purring. "Thank you..... if I knew what 'cool' meant." she inquired as she ate one piece of steak.

"It means good or nice or I like what I see... its an old term but one thats seeing a revival of usage." Duval explained.

"Oh." Hsirr responded. "I do not get it."

"Don't worry... Neither do I." Duval responded with a cheery smile, Ryujin sighed softly.

Hsirr lifted her drink to her lips before she drained a mouthful. "Mmm... so how are you two settling in?"

"No complaints." Ryujin responded with a smile. "Its only been a few hours.. I've yet to run into real issues...."

Hsirr blinked her yellow eyes. "Good... Dreamcrusher sets new standards doesn't she?"

"She does... in terms of accommodations... Oh hell yes.."

Hsirr smiled. "Well. we're all quite proud of her."

"As you should be... She's a heck of a ship..." Duval smiled at the female Caitian sitting before him. "Soo tell me about yourself Mister Duval... what do you like doing?"

"I've been learning about the customs and traditions of my kin, which... I have left unknown for too long." Duval responded. "I am descended from a Japanese clan on Earth. One of the warrior clans... Clan Shimada ... They are one of the few who survived the passage of time... I have within me... the blood of warriors, kings and several shogunate lords."

"I know of the Samurai traditions.." Hsirr responded before she nodded her head. "You come from a fine tradition... I assume you left it for much too long?"

"I did.." Duval answered. "That was before I had a revelation a couple of weeks before I found out I had a son... Family became much more important to me." Duval explained evenly.

Hsirr nodded her furry head as she gently rotated her ears towards him. "Do you train often?"

"Preferably once a day... My skills are improving... even if they are in need of work..."

"Swordplay... Archery?" Hsirr asked.

"Yep." Duval answered with a smile. "Why.... you want to train with us?"

"It'll be diverting." Hsirr smiled.

"Alright... Holosuite three.. when you get off watch, just you.. and me.."

Hsirr could not be more pleased. "You're on." she purred softly. "I look forward to it."

Ryujin smiled. "I'll make my own arrangements for this evening Dad... Do not worry about me."

Duval smiled. "My skills are decent.."

"We shall see.." Hsirr smiled as she drained a mouthful of her drink as she regarded him.

Duval took a bite of his food. "Yes... we will.."